Sorry for not updating lately. I ran out of internet after school on the last day of break. I sucked, but I wrote this, typed it and now I have internet agen! I have been begging my mom to get it agen for what seamed like forever but I am back! I have not done this in a while so…

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HOO, Rick Riordan does.

At the beach, Leo and I sat in the sand. As we sat there, I let my tears silently roll down my face. Leo decided to tell me jokes and fun stories of his quests, some of him messing up something at camp, or some stories that he had heard.

I was feeling better as I hung out with Leo and I started to smile as the told more of his jokes and stories. It had been about fifteen minutes of his messing around until I finally laughed. He told me the funniest joke I had ever heard in my life!

Leo said, "In a shop for kids, a boy picks a toy car. The boy walks to the check-out desk and hands the cashier money-cards from the board game Monopoly. The cashier says, 'Are you stupid? This isn't real money!' and the boy replies, 'You're stupid. The car isn't real either.'"

I started laughing uncontrollably. Leo is so hysterical! I leaned back into the soft sand and rolled around laughing like a mad man.

My laughing fit was over after about five minutes when Leo stopped me. "Jeez, Joyce," he said, "don't die on me! This is only your third day at camp!" I knew he wasn't being serious because of the crazy grin that was plastered on his face. As he saved me from my laughing fit, he had placed his hands on my shoulders to stop me from rolling around and was above me with his amazing smile.

Then I realized the position we were in and I stopped grinning and I said, "Um, Leo, would you please get off of me."

Leo's smile faded as he too realized our position. We were both blushing as he got up and said a quick apology.

We sat in an awkward silence until Leo said, "So, Joyce, what's your favorite, um, color?" he sounded like he still felt the awkwardness of what happened two minutes ago.

"Hum. Well," I said, "blue is a beautiful color but I would of have say silver. What about you? What is your favorite color?"

"Fire red," he said without any hesitation. "What is your favorite combination of colors?"

I didn't have to think about it when I said, "silver and blue! They are my absolute favorite color combo!" I looked at my watch and saw that I had five minutes until I had to be with Annabeth at the Athena cabin! I jumped up and started to apologize to Leo. "I am so sorry Leo I have to go to cabin six and make blueprints with Annabeth in less than five minutes!"

Leo just stood up, ignoring my freak out, and hugged me. In that moment my heart stopped. First Leo is super cute and funny, then he is a nice friend, and now he is hugging me. I totally have a crush on him.

"Hey," he said playfully, "no worries! It is totally fine. We can always hang out later! Plus, Annabeth is probably not going to start to worry until you are a minute late. She won't mind if you are a few minutes early. Now, when are you going to finish with Annabeth?"

"I have no clue. The schedule says that I will finish whenever I am done. I should be finished by 4 O'clock at most. Why?"

"You and I can meet south of the lake, northwest of the volleyball courts at 4:50. Or if you get done early just come to the forge and ask someone for me, okay, Joyce?"

I started to grin. "Yah, sure!" I said, "See you then!"

Yep. I definitely have a crush on Leo. There is no way that I am going to miss our hang out time at the lake.

Leo P.O.V.

I know that I have a major crush on Joyce. That is most likely why I hugged her. I love to see her smile and the way she always had her hair in double French braids that reached her lower back. I could stare into her black, endless eyes all day if she would let me. She is a lot like Piper; she is so beautiful but was nothing like the kids in cabin ten. Piper and Joyce are more into natural beauty which, in my opinion, is better than any make-up.

Okay. I already love her looks and the small fraction or her personality that I know; but what will happen when I learn more about her? I don't know her type of music, or her favorite animal. I don't even know if she likes music!

I was thinking about this as I walked back to the forge. I really need to keep trying to build a monster proof device that sticks to other electronics to make then monster proof. I also have to make it as small a possible.

Joyce P.O.V.

The only reason I slightly enjoyed making blueprints was that I got to spend more time with Annabeth.

I think Annabeth suspects something about later because she keeps smiling like she was trying to keep me in a good mood; as if that would make me tell her all my secrets. I would tell her about mine and Leo's set hang out date. It's not like it is a boyfriend-girlfriend date; just a hang out date.

"So," she said, "you doing anything later?"

I knew it! She was suspicious! "Yes," I replied simply. "Why do you want to know?"
"No reason," Annabeth answered. "What are you going to do?" She asked.

"Leo and I are going to hang out after I am done here; get to know each other better, ask and answer questions, but one thing I will not do is admit my crush on him." After I said that Annabeth fell backward in her chair. All of the other Athena kids looked away from their work because of the loud "BANG!" the chair made when it hit the wooden floor.

They looked back to their work but looked at Annabeth when she shot up from the floor and shouted in awe, "You have a crush on Leo?!" The children of Athena were all staring at me now.

"Yah," I said like it didn't matter. "What is wrong with liking Leo?" They were all staring at me with their jaws slightly dropped. "He's funny and the cuteness is a bonus. I know People that would say that him being funny is the bonus and that the looks are what is what matters most but I am not like other girls in my schools. And why are you guys looking at me like that?"

"Well," one of the girls said, "Leo has always been a flirt but he has never had a girlfriend and there has never been anyone to ever say that they had a crush on him until just now when you did."

"And now we see how long it takes for him to ask you on a real date," Annabeth said, "It took Percy five years. No one says a word about this to anyone! Got is?" there were a few people that said 'yes' and a lot of nods. "Here's the game. When he flirts, flirt back. When he tells you a joke, laugh. Leo is sort of intelligent so don't give to many hints that you like him but do give some hints. And most important," Annabeth said, "you have to be yourself."

"Well, I'm not going to not act like myself," I said, "why would I act like someone I'm not?"

"I don't know," Annabeth said, "but that is still the key. When are you supposed to meet Leo again?"

"At 4:50, Northwest the volleyball courts and south the lake. That is were we are going to meet but we will probably be walking around camp while we talk." Everyone was back to their own business after their answer to Annabeth's "Got it?" but I felt better not being on the spot.

That was the end of the conversation. Annabeth and I just talked for a wile until the time came that I had to meet Leo.

"Hey, Joyce," Annabeth said to get my attention. "There is five minutes until you and Leo meet at the lake. You better get going."

"Oh," I said. The time had passed as fast as lightning. "Kay." I gave her a hug, "bye."

"Bye," she said back and I walked out of cabin six.

Line Break

When I saw him, I am pretty sure my smile was as big as the camp. "Hi, Leo!" I shouted and waved. He turned and waved back. "How was your time at the forge?"

"Pretty good. How was your time with Annabeth and her siblings?" he questioned me.

I sighed, "Let's just say that Annabeth knows more than should be good for her, also known as my deepest secret. Other than that it was fine! Let's go to the beach. I love it there."

As we were walking to the beach, Leo said, "Do you have a nickname or something the rest of us could call you for short? The rest of the seven call me Repair Boy."

I decided to make this a game. Answer the question that was asked, ask your own question, and then answer your question. "The only nickname I have had was in kindergarten when the other girls called me Joyce Grossey. And my sister called me Jo but don't call me that. What is your favorite animal? Mine is an owl," I said.

"My favorite animal is a phoenix. What did you do on your free time before you came to camp?" Leo asked but he did not answer his own question. Oh well.

"Sometimes I read and sometimes I sang karaoke with Jamie and my mom. What about you? What did you do in your free time before you came to camp?" I questioned.

"Well," he said, "it depends on where I was."

Leo's response through me off. Depended on where he was? What does that mean? As if sensing my confusion, Leo continued, "Sometimes I was on the run; sometimes I was at a foster home. After my mom died, everything was hectic for me. Then I ended up at Wilderness School where I met Piper and Jason. We were on a fieldtrip to the Grand Canyon when we were attacked by storm spirits. Annabeth and Buch brought us to camp. During this time Percy was at the Roman camp and had no clue who he was and Jason was here at the Greek camp not knowing who he was. Jason Piper and I went on a quest to save the quean of Olympus, Hera. About six months later we found Percy. The Prophecy of seven is over now. Did I forget to mention that I died?"

I didn't want to be rude so I did not ask any of my questions that increased the more he continued his story, until he said that he died. That made no scene so I started my questions, but I didn't start with the part about him dieing or I would get more questions from a longer story. "What about Romans?"

"Oh. The Romans and Greeks are close and work together now, but that didn't happen until Gaea rose and Reyna brought the Athena Pantheons to Camp Half-Blood. Some of the Romans are coming tomorrow. You can meet them then," he said. "Now, I am sure that you have a million questions, so hit me with them."

"I am going to ask three questions that relate to each other and then you can answer," I told him. "1, who is Reyna? 2, who are the seven? And 3, what is the Prophecy of seven?"

"Reyna is one of the Praetors of Camp Jupiter, the Roman camp. The seven are Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank, and me. Jason, Frank, and Hazel are Romans. Frank is also the other Praetor. As for the prophecy of seven, do you want me to recite it?" I nodded my head and continued,

"Seven Half-Bloods Shall Answer The Call,

To Storm Or Fire the world must fall.

An Oath To Keep With A Final Breath,

And Foes Bear Arms To The Doors Of Death."

"That is intense." I stated. I was at loss of words so I started my questions again. "I am sorry about your mom. I know how you feel. It makes me feel better to know that my dad is alive. What happened to your mom?"

"Fire," Leo said, "when I was eight I accidentally killed her trying to protect her."

Fire? Trying to protect her? I asked him about it and another long story was told to me. When he finished his story he looked at me, "watch," he said. Leo held out his hand and a small fire started to dance across the palm of his hand.

I watched the flame in awe until he closed his hand opened it. The flame was gone. It was starting to get late, so when the flame was still there, there was a slight glow over us.

"How are you alive if you died?" I asked. But before Leo could respond a conch horn blew. It was time for dinner.

"I guess I will have to leave you wondering," Leo said. "Wouldn't it be fun when the rest of the seven catch me telling you tomorrow?"

"I guess," I sighed, "I can't wait to meet the Romans that are coming!" we got up and walked to the pavilion for dinner. Leo and I split up and went to our own tables when we go there.

Line Break

I am actually friends with the Stolls now, so when I was walking up to the Hermes table and I heard them talking about a prank, I sat by Conner, therefore startling them.

"Are you two planning a prank without me?" I held a hand against my heart. "That hurts. So, what is the plan?"

Conner and Travis stared at me as if they didn't expect me to want to join them with their prank and they most likely didn't. "Hello. I asked what the plan was," I said while waving a hand in front of their faces.

"Oh, uh," Travis said and then they told me about the new prank that they had been planning for a few days.

"But we don't know who we should target," Conner complained.

"Leo," I said without hesitation. "We target Leo then I will help you. I have never had a chance to pull a prank that good let alone a plan one. The only prank I have ever done was on my sister and it was just not that fun."

"Well, we never had a third prankster with us," Travis said. "Also, who what Leo would do back?"

"Annabeth thinks that Leo likes me," I informed them. "I am not that worried but you guys can be worried if you want."

"Annabeth thinks this?" Conner asked. "She is right about most things."

"99% of things," Travis said, "but we don't believe you."

"You think I would make this up?" I asked them.

The Stolls looked at each other and came to an agreement. "Yes," they said together.

"Fine," I said, "I will take you two to talk to Annabeth and Piper at the camp fire about Leo. Weather you believe or not, I still want in on the prank."

"Okay," they agreed and we are the rest of our dinner without a word.

Line Break

At the camp fire, I went to the rest of the group and convinced Annabeth and Piper to come with me. I told them about the Stolls not believing me about Leo.

"How was the conversation brought up anyway?" Piper asked.

"That, my friend, is top secret," was my response.

As we approached the Stolls, they grinned and waved. "Hey guys. What's up?" I said casually. "I brought Piper and Annabeth, now Talk."

"Annabeth," Travis asked, "do you think that Leo likes Joyce?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, I do. Now tell Piper and me how the three of you started talking about the topic in the first place."

"Fine," Conner said and the Stolls explained what happened at dinner. After they finished Annabeth and Piper looked satisfied.

"Thank you," Annabeth said. She turned to Piper and said, "As daughter of Aphrodite I must ask you, do you think Leo likes Joyce?" Piper nodded her head steeling it. Leo Valdez and I had a crush on each other, but he doesn't know and I do.

"We are still testing Leo to see how long it takes him to ask me out, Right?" I asked Annabeth and she replied with a yes. This was going to be fun.

Line Break

The rest of the campfire was filled with singing and visiting. This was the first time I decided to actually sing to one of the sing-alongs. When I did, Piper started to talk about how good my singing was. "How in the world of the gods," she asked, "is your voice that amazing?" She got the others to listen and continued, "I am making my guess. I think that Joyce is Apollo's daughter."

"Me too," Jason said at the same time Annabeth did.

"So," I said while doing the math in my head, "that is one vote for Poseidon and three votes for Apollo. Now, only Leo and Nico are left. They have not guessed yet. To answer your question, Piper, I had a choir class in every school that I've gone to."

"Oh. You guys know how the Romans are going to get here tomorrow?" We all nodded our heads and she continued. "Thalia Iris messaged me earlier and told me that she and the Hunters are going to get here tomorrow too!"

Piper and Annabeth were talking about something that they were going to do, Leo and Percy were talking about how it had taken them long enough, and Jason was talking about how he couldn't wait to see his sister. They seemed excited until I said, "Who is Thalia? And who are the Hunters?"

They stopped talking. "Oh my gods," Piper said. "We never told Joyce about Thalia!"

Annabeth told me about Thalia with Jason jumping in sometimes. Thalia was Jason's sister but she was Greek; not Roman. She was the lieutenant hunter of Artemis. When Thalia first came to Camp Half-Blood, there was an army of monsters. She died and Jason's and her father turned her into a tree. That story explained to me why the tree on Half-blood hill was called 'Thalia's Pine' and why Half-blood hill was called Half-Blood hill.

"So, how long has it been sense the hunters last came?" I asked. "I heard the boys talking about how long it had been."

"It has only been 4 months. It has not been that long. Before Thalia joined, they only came once a year. Lady Artemis lets Thalia come to visit us because Artemis knows that we all have a special connection. It's not very often that they all come though," Annabeth said. "The campfire is over now. See you, Joyce!"

"Bye Annabeth! Thanks for answering my questions!" I shouted to her as Percy walked her to her cabin. "Good night guys," I told the rest of them, "I'm going to bed," and I walked to my cabin.

I thought that I should end it here because this seemed like more than a chapter so my next chapter