SPECIAL THANKS TO DragoNik FOR IDEAS FOR THIS STORY! THANK YOU!

DISCLAIMER: You know, this is really just a waste of time, but no, I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Can I just say it every few chapters because I don't want to keep writing this, it makes me sad... :(

WE STOOD, like a couple of deer in headlights, gawking at the fuming goddess as she stared at us. I turned my head to look at Thalia, to see if she was okay. She looked about ready to cry, actually. The usually strong Thalia wasn't there. I stepped in front Thalia to block her vision of the disappointed goddess and I placed my hands on her upper arm to calm her down. She looked up at me, tears in her eyes.

I know this might sound a little selfish, but I'm kind of glad Artemis saw us because now, we could be together. But, it's more important if Thalia is okay. I feel really bad though, I mean being banished from the hunters in front of everyone must be hard. But, I'll always be by her side, I'll be next to her as her world crashes down, I'll only leave if she wants me to. I'll do whatever she wants. I'll try to cheer Thalia up.

"Thalia, it's okay," I said. A few tears spilled over as she gave me a watery smile. I returned that with a small smile and hugged her. She hugged me back as I tried to comfort her. I rubbed her back and I murmured different phrases to cheer her up when I noticed the campers were looking strangely at us. A sudden thought came to mind.

The campers don't know what happened between Thalia and I! If Thalia wants to, we could keep us a secret! We could convince them that we were hugging because Thalia was upset about something! I'm a genius! I need to tell Thalia as soon as I can! I started to do a happy dance in my mind and I smiled a little.

Right then, Chiron came trotting over towards the cabins and stared at us. We were still hugging. I broke apart from Thalia, smiled at her, and watched to see what Chiron would do.

"Attention campers!" He waited until all eyes were on him, even Artemis'. "Please head back to your cabins! We will sort all this out in the morning. I will allow all of you to have an extra hour until lights out!" He announced. Being generous, huh Chiron?

All the campers walked to their cabins, a spring in their step, wondering what they should do for the next hour. I guided Thalia to my cabin, up the steps, and opened the door for her. She sat down on one of the empty bunks as I sat down on my own. She still looked slightly upset, but more happy now.

"Thalia, I have an idea. Well, if you want to do it," She nodded for me to continue. "We could keep us a secret," I said, gesturing back and forth between me and her. A slow smile etched across her face.

"Let's do it!" She exclaimed. We started to make a plan; a story.

AT BREAKFAST, Thalia and I walked into the pavilion. All talking stopped and all eyes on us, even Mr. D watched us. I just rolled my eyes. Thalia and I walked in silence to our tables. I sat down and waited for my meal.

The Athena table (unfortunately) is right beside me so Annabeth leaned over to talk to me.

"So," She said, stretching out the word. "What happened between you two?" She said, her eyes glancing over at Thalia.

Challenge one; Annabeth Chase.

"Last night, Thalia came to my cabin to talk. We got into a fight about it. She stormed out, I followed. I apologized and hugged her. Artemis was conveniently there and she got mad. That's all." I said all in one breath, acting as if I didn't want to talk about it. She bought it.

"Oh, I feel bad for Thalia. So, have you been working on your archery skills?" Annabeth questioned.

Challenge one; success.

I smiled to myself and answered her question. The rest of breakfast consisted of my conversation with Annabeth and occasional glances over to Thalia. Seems people were asking her the same questions, but they dropped the subject as quickly as Annabeth did. My plan worked!

LATER, I met Thalia at the arena, the stone walls slowly being covered by vines and moss. I summoned my black Stygian iron sword and put on my armor; I was ready to fight.

Thalia was battling the evil straw people as I emerged from the armory. I smiled as I walked quietly behind Thalia and wrapped my arms around her waist. She shrieked as I started laughing until tears came to my eyes. Thalia wormed her way out of my grasp and turned on me.

"Nico! You are so dead!" She yelled. That started our mini-war.

We struck, parried, ducked, and rolled. We leaped, lounged, slashed, and dodged. Our fight continued in this pattern for what seemed like hours. She actually put up a fight this time, until I ended up straddling Thalia, her sword across the arena's dirt floor and her hands held above her head.

"Deja vu." I said, remembering when Thalia snuck up on me a month earlier. "I win," I whispered. She smiled. She began to lean forward and I leaned down. Her lips brushed against mine as someone spoke.

"I'm starting to think you didn't tell me everything that went on last night," Annabeth said, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the door frame of the arena. Thalia and I scrambled up, resembling a tomato.

"H-hey A-annabeth. Um, w-what's up?" Thalia stuttered.

I'm blaring Green Day (best band ever!) and did you know, they are called "Green Day" because of their love for marijuana? Weird, huh? Anyway, please review! I think I should break fifty reviews this time... Gods, I hope so.

Thank you!

DragoNik: Did your friend know that?