Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus

Well, I'm a bit disappointed. On my last chapter I only got 1 review, and it was kind of an angry question, so… I don't know. This branch is probably down to this and 1 more chapter until it's over, but I'm not really motivated or happy to write this one. Those of you who read the last chapter and didn't give any feedback can take the blame for that, so if it seems very unemotional or boring this chapter, you know why. Please review this one, it means a lot to me to know whether or not people are enjoying this or not.

Chapter 15 Branch 1

Percy's POV

The last day of Camp

I woke up after a dreamless, but restless, night. I was sad that Camp was almost over and we would have to go to school, but at least I would have the school year to straighten my thoughts and emotions out.

Nothing out of the ordinary had happened over the last week of class, every day was the same. Eat breakfast with Nico, go train with him, eat dinner, then go back to our cabins for the night. Day after day, it was always the same. Annabeth never talked to me after that night and my mind was finally getting a bit back to where it used to be.

I walked out of my cabin and went to meet Nico at the pavilion for the last time this year. I sat down beside him with my breakfast and started to eat. He was staring at his hands on the table, thinking about something or other. He did this quite often, so I was used to it.

After a couple minutes I gave up waiting for him so I looked over at him and asked him "What are you going to do now that Camp is finally over?"

He was quiet for a few seconds, thinking about something. He finally answered "I'm not sure. I'll probably go back to the Underworld and train with the dead. Maybe find out more about my family if I can."

"So you're just going to go back to what you always did? Be alone in the Underworld all the time? You seemed like you enjoyed yourself in Camp, why not stay on the surface?"

"Because I only stayed up here to help you recover Percy, and from the looks of it, you're recovered."

I looked down at the table and said a bit angrily "So my only friend is going to start avoiding me too."

Nico didn't reply to that, and I hoped I made him feel guilty. I didn't have anyone else, and Nico was my only friend. Annabeth had said she would always be there for me, but I don't know if I believe her yet. This has been hard enough without my only friend leaving me on my own.

I stood up and started to walk away before Nico said, "Percy."

I turned around and saw him looking down at the table dejectedly.

"You know very well why I can't stay here."

I hesitated a few seconds, "I don't know what you mean."

He looked at me, but he wasn't angry. Just sad. "I told you how I felt, and I hoped the little I dared that you would return those feelings. I can tell now that you don't and I just can't stay here knowing that."

I looked back at him, feeling guilty of myself. "Nico, I'm sorry. I've thought about that a lot, and I really wish that I could. But I don't feel that way, I can't."

Nico just nodded and looked back down at the table.

"Nico, regardless of that, I still want to be friends. I told you that I wouldn't treat you differently when you told me that, and I meant it. Can't you at least come visit once in a while? You need company that isn't dead once in a while, and I've enjoyed being your close friend over the last few weeks."

He stared at the table for a few seconds. "I might. I can't promise anything, but I may come occasionally to visit. You're obviously going to need someone to check on you to make sure you don't do anything stupid again." He had a sad smirk on his face for the end bit.

I smirked back at him and said, "Come on, let's go pack up before the harpies eat our stuff."

Once again I was repeating what had happened every year. I was standing on top of Half-Blood Hill, with my bag over my shoulder, and Nico standing a bit off to the side.

"I'm leaving now Percy." He said.

I nodded, then walked over to him and offered my hand.

He looked a bit surprised, but tentatively took my hand and shook it.

"I'll see you sometime then."

He nodded, then I watched as he stepped in the shadow of Thalia's tree and melted into the shadows.

I kept standing there alone, watching as everyone left. Some had their parents pick them up and they drove off with them, others were loading their stuff into the van that was going to be driven into the city by Argus.

I stood and watched everyone, and noticed Annabeth packing her backpack into the van. She turned around and saw me standing on top of the hill, and waved at me. I wasn't sure what else I could do, so I waved back as she stepped into the van.

I looked back at the camp, seeing the year-rounders training in small groups. I looked over the sea, the canoe lake, the strawberry fields, the arena, and the woods. I would miss this place, I always did, but I was glad to see my mom and Paul, and possibly forget the emotional stress and bad experiences I'd had over the summer.

I whistled for Blackjack and waited for him to arrive, watching the Camp.

When he got there, I climbed onto his back and told him to take me home.

As we soared into the sky towards Manhattan, I thought about everything that had happened, and I hoped that everything would be ok.

Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it, even if it wasn't that great. Please review and let me know what you guys think, and I hope to see you in the next one.