STUDYING
"Studying?! Still?!" Thalia's voice shot through Nico's previously silent cabin like a gunshot. "What the heck are you studying?"
"History," Nico replied, not looking up from his book.
"History? History should be easy for you, Death Breath. Just go to your daddy's place and talk to his subjects and you'll be finished studying. You need to get out and see the world. See the sights. See the people."
"The only person I want to see is already in my cabin," Nico answered, finally looking up from his book.
"Wow. You're a lot more full of yourself than I thought," Thalia said, surprised.
"No. That's not what I meant at all," Nico said, wanting to smash his head against the wall.
"What did you mean then? Do you have an imaginary friend I don't know about?" Thalia asked.
"Uh, no. I don't have an imaginary friend. I meant... I meant... Oh, nevermind."
"No, Nico. Now I need to know," Thalia said.
"I meant... I meant that the only other person I wanted to see was already in my cabin with me," Nico said, looking nervous.
"Your imaginary friend is here, too? Can I meet him?" Thalia asked, trying not to laugh.
"Stop, Thalia. You know that's not what I mean," Nico practically whined.
"Oh, I know exactly what you mean," Thalia said, slinking toward Nico. "I just want to hear you say it," she whispered as she leaned on the bed. Nico's eyes grew wide and his breath hitched.
"Thalia, I love you," he whispered. She smiled at him. Nico started to lean forward and closed his eyes, but all he met was air. He opened his eyes to find Thalia standing at the foot of the bed. Thalia's eyes sparkled.
She started to walk out of the room. "I might feel the same way about you, but it's going to take a little bit more than that to get a kiss from me."
"Like what?" Nico asked, breathlessly.
"Mmmmm... I don't know, maybe catch me first." She quickly dashed out the door. Nico leapt up and was after her in a flash. He chased her all the way around the camp and back to his cabin. He ended up running right into her kiss. All coherent thoughts flew out the window. Thalia quickly pulled back.
"You have better things to do than study, right?" Thalia asked.
"Definitely," Nico mumbled as Thalia grabbed his shirt and dragged him to the bed.