Artemis:

I was packing pictures up in a cardboard box marked 'Pictures'. I noticed how around me boxes were taped up and prepared to be shipped off to wherever they're going. For some strange reason, I looked up to a mirror that hadn't been packed yet. My long hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, and I looked to be around late twenty's or early thirty's. Behind me, a pale blue wall of what was probably once a bedroom with boxes piled high where a bed probably once was. The sun was shining into the room, illuminating everything in its path. I could just imagine how it had once looked.

"Artemis?" my mother's voice called. It felt sweet to hear her instead of a messed up version on the phone. I called out a yes, and my mother came in. Her blonde hair was starting to grey, and wrinkles were starting to set in. A radiant smile on her face was something I hadn't seen since the day I got into AU, but there it was. She managed to still look beautiful even in her old age, but that didn't take center stage.

In her arms, a bubbly little girl sat. Bouncing blonde curls framed her cute little face. Startling blue eyes shined out, and she looked to be about two or three. A beautiful smile appeared as she looked at me, and I felt my own lips smile. Even though I had absolutely no idea who she was, I knew I loved her more than life.

"Come on, Darling, let's say goodbye to Mommy," my mom smiled as she handed the two year old to me. I clutched the toddler for dear life and kissed the golden curls that I noticed looked just like the ones I had when I was her age.

"Mommy's going to miss you so much," I squeezed her before looking down, "I promise I'll be there in a few days. Did you say goodbye to Daddy?" the toddler nodded sending her curls into a frenzy. It was actually kind of adorable.

"She said goodbye before he went to his last day this morning," Mom told me. I nodded and looked down at her. I couldn't bear to let her go even if I didn't have a choice. She looked so much like me, and she reminded me of someone else. I just couldn't place who.

"I love you so so much. Be a good girl for your grandparents," I told her. She nodded, and I kissed her head one last time.

"I love you, Mommy," the little girl whispered before Mom took her. Hearing that made my heart break and swell.

"We'll call you after the flight. Love you, Arty," Mom hugged me. Wow, I'm getting a lot of hugs today, and I haven't even seen an hour of this.

The sun started to shine into my eyes, waking me up. I couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to be around that toddler even if she hasn't been born yet or may not be born. Either way, I had enough to think about before I turned over in the bed.

Zak lay there, asleep. For a second or two, I couldn't breathe. Trying to remember whatever happened before I had that dream, I caught up with the breathing thing though it wasn't easy. A migraine was starting to form, and I felt like another hour or so of sleep. But I couldn't go back to sleep if my life depended on it.

"Oh my gods," I muttered as I remembered the events. I needed a drink, but I didn't dare. A feeling of stupidity and guilt set over me. I gave him everything. Everything. I was brought back to that dream. That little girl's eyes looked so familiar. Where have I seen them before? Zak groaned before opening his eyes. His deep blue eyes.

Deep blue eyes…. The same blue eyes that little girl had…. The little girl who called me 'Mommy'… my daughter

I couldn't think. Even if I could, what would I think? It could be a coincidence that he looked like my future daughter. I never even learned her name or her father's name. I could have had a child with a man who had the same eyes, but I had never seen anyone who shared the same beautiful shade of blue. What likelihood would it be for me to have a child with someone else who had them if I've only seen one person with that color? I can assure you, it isn't a very large chance.

"Good morning," Zak smiled. I tried to shake off the image of the little girl, but I couldn't. So, I focused on him. I had no idea what time it was, and I didn't really care which was very unlike me.

"Good morning, Zak," I smiled as he took my hand. I squeezed his hand and kissed him. Okay, seriously, why are his lips so soft? He's a son of Hades. Aren't Hades kids supposed to be bad with social skills, therefore not good kissers? I'm pretty sure that Apollo kids aren't even this good. It was about three minutes into the kiss that I started to really think about last night. Annie had told me that she was going to be late. That usually meant that Annie would be behind on her morning routine. Even I was surprised as I pulled up from the kiss, and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was too. I looked over at the clock. It was about eight thirty. I started to get up, worried.

"Did I miss something?" Zak asked with a bewildered look. I turned back to look at him as I slid on a 'Secondhand Serenade' tee-shirt.

"Annie will be getting back from swimming any minute, and she'll be coming straight in here," I answered. That was all it took to get him up.

"Seriously? She wasn't even back when I fell asleep at two last night, and she'll still work out all morning," Zak complained as he started to get dressed. Wait, what? She wasn't back at two A.M.? Annie never does that.

"I'll see you later, Arty. Love you," he started to leave. Seriously? It took him three minutes tops. I couldn't even have grabbed something from my closet in that time.

"Love you," I didn't say it full heartedly. Of course I love him, but that wasn't what I was really thinking about. I was still thinking about Annie. Where the Zuessin' Hades was she? I was snapped out of it as my door closed and Zak was gone. Deciding I could check on Annie later, I slid into a pair of jeans and a pair of converse. Looking back at the clock, it was already eight forty-five, and I still haven't heard from her. I walked out of my room and into Annie's even though I knew we agreed never to wake the other up when we're having a hangover unless it is absolutely necessary.

Through her door, there was a pink comforter set. There was a pink laptop. There was a picture of how pretty she looked at Mom's wedding. There was a pair of running shoes strewn on the bed. There was not an Annie. I admit I started to freak out. My sister is gone. I instantly felt guilty for not going to that party with her. I was just being so selfish wanting to be with Zak. I really don't deserve him. I tried the argument that Annie probably would have and did once ditch me when I needed her so she could be with a boy, but that didn't change anything. It didn't matter what Annie would do because I'm not Annie. I'm the responsible Artemis who should have been looking out for her sister.

I was about to curl up and die when I heard the opening of the doorway.

Annie:

As I started to wake up, a migraine hit me full force. I was sick to my stomach, and I felt like dying. Immediately, I knew I had been very drunk last night. I was barely wearing anything exposing myself to these slightly scratchy sheets. The last thing I remembered was being at a party last night, and my date left with another girl. I think Marcus was there, and I'm pretty sure we had a drink or something. The migraine hurt too much for me to try to regain my memories. Right then I knew I wasn't going to able to do my morning routine. So, I started to sit up to go get an aspirin or something. It was then that I realized what had happened last night.

A blue room stared back at me with a desk parallel to the bed. Another bed was to my right, and it looked surprisingly familiar. The scratchy sheets turned out to be blue instead of the soft pink I had on my bed. An extreme amount of light was pouring through the navy curtains. I even managed to see my dress and heels cluttered on the floor. It was then that I looked beside me.

That right there deserves its own paragraph. Black curls were pushed on a pillow along with a tan arm. High cheekbones brought out perfectly shaped lips. If the eyes had been open, they would have been a sweet green.

Marcus.

I couldn't breathe. I needed air, and I needed to get away even if it was insanely bright outside. It didn't take much force to urge myself to get up from the bed. I hurried along with slipping into my dress. I'd say I was proud that I didn't make a sound, but considering I wasn't proud of why I had to not make a sound, I won't. Deciding it would make too much noise and would take too long for me to put on my heels, I picked them up and looked back down at the sleeping Marcus. It probably would have felt nice waking up to see him beside me had this not been the circumstances. Part of me wanted to stick around to ask him what actually happened last night, but I don't think I could handle knowing that we did what I think we did. Hopefully, he was as drunk as me last night and won't even remember.

I couldn't stay in there anymore as I knew that wherever Zak was, especially if it was with my sister, he'd be back soon. Barefooted, I started to walk out into the dorm, prepared to go through all the shame I deserved. As it turns out, all these guys are like Arty with not waking up early. I thanked the gods before walked through the hallway until I had finally reached the sidewalk outside. It was bright from being early morning, but not many people were up. Honestly, the people who were up didn't seem to notice the barefoot girl carry her heels in a blue party dress with her straight hair probably all over the place not to mention the smeared make-up. If it had been me, I would be staring.

It was then that it really started to set in. God, I can't believe it. I felt like I had just been taken advantage of, but I still felt like it was really my fault. If I had just left when I started to feel woozy, everything could have been different. I couldn't breathe but somehow managed to keep walking. I needed to talk to Arty. She'd know what to do, and even if she didn't, she could be there for me. I could count on her to bring out the sweets and a sappy romantic comedy. I needed her. She knows me better than anyone in the world.

I held myself together as I climbed the steps to the front door of the dorm. What would I say to her? She was probably worried about me. I would be worried for her, not that this would probably happen to her. I couldn't stop thinking about Joel. It felt like betraying him even if we weren't together, but I had been in love with him. He was my first love. I would have done anything for him. I thought we would be together forever, and this was just like burning all of those feelings I used to feel. It was like throwing away my prom dress or something. I… would have Joel felt the same way I feel if this had been happening to him?

The thought made me more confused than ever. I started to wish for the sweet love Artemis had. She didn't have to worry like this. She had Zak, and there was nothing that he couldn't help her through from what I could tell. It sounded like a day at the spa after the long summer I've had. This used to be fun. I used to love the glares I got from girls when I was with a super-hot guy. I basked in the attention guys gave me. I thrived on the feeling I got when a guy smiled at me, but it just doesn't fill the craving like it used too. It's like listening to Justin Beiber when I could be listening to Cody Simpson. It's being downgraded.

I just don't understand it. I've never wanted to settle down. I've always had Artemis to bring me back to earth, but I had recently found that she couldn't always be there for me. I have been taking Artemis for granted. She can't always cancel everything to brighten my day after a boy problem, and I shouldn't ask her to. As I walked up the stairs to our room, I started to really need coffee and aspirin. What the Hades was I thinking last night? Oh my gods. I am such a little s-

I tried to stop thinking of that as I knew I would start crying, and I don't want to ruin my makeup even more. Anyway, it would ruin my dress, and I really like this dress. It's perfect for me. There is absolutely no way I'm going to get eye shadow and mascara all over it. Pushing open the dorm door, I prepared for Artemis's freaking out. This oughta be fun. What if she called our parents? Oh my gods. Dad would kill me if he found out.

"Annie," Artemis surprised me by running to hug me. Normally, I would have stood there stiffly until Artemis explained why she basically attacked me, but this wasn't a normal thing. So, I clutched my sister almost crying.

"Are you okay? Annie, where were you?" Artemis asked as she released me. I took a deep breath. Here I go.

"You okay, Anne?" Artemis started to mix the extra butter in the popcorn as I turned on Easy A. I had told her everything. Actually, I don't think we've talked that truthfully for a long time. It felt pretty great actually. I don't know why we haven't done this in so long. I missed hearing all of her and Zak's stupid fights about absolutely nothing. It kind of calms my nerves, and, honestly, it proves that I'm not the only crazy one in the group.

"Yeah, I was just thinking. What does it feel like to wake up to Zak?" I asked. Artemis looked at me.

"What?" she looked like she was about to laugh her head off at me. Well, it's a reasonable question considering when I woke up, I started to freak out. You have to give me some credit.

"What does it feel like? I woke up this morning about to have a heart attack. So, I mean, you guys seem so happy when you guys are just in the same room," I asked again. Is it insane that I really want to know? I don't even know what happens next for me. What should I do? I don't even know if I can stand the sight of him, but what if I can? He and Zak are pretty close, and Artemis is friends with him. So, I have to see him eventually, but will it be awkward? I don't even know what I could say to him. I can pretend forever that it never happened, and he may not remember. But one day he will, and I don't know what to do on that day.

"I guess it feels good. I don't really know. I don't exactly think about it," Artemis smiled. I sighed and tried to just watch Easy A. It didn't go too well I'll tell you. I love this movie, but I couldn't concentrate. I needed to swim. I needed to get my mind off of all this, but I was too tired. I needed to sleep for the next week. Maybe by then Marcus will be gone, and I can get a second to breathe.

"Annie, you'll be okay. I'm sure of it. You just need to stop worrying. You and Marcus can work it all out," Artemis tried to comfort me.

"Arty, you don't know that, and I… I'm not sure I want to work this out. Marcus had been making me confused for all this time. Now, I finally have a reason to avoid him. I'll… I'm going to be fine, Artemis," I still felt like I was going to die, but I had to pull off a strong figure. The worst part about this would be the fact that I didn't know if I wanted to be around him anymore. Right now, I do have a real reason. I just don't know if I really want to take it.