A/N: I know you people are probably thinking 'WHY ISN'T SHE WRITING?' I'm sorry, I've been busy.

Chapter 5: Mixed Confidence

When I reached the archery range, I was glad to see that Demi was on the end. I didn't feel like being morphed onto a Hallie-ka-bob that day.

She was notching a bow as I said, "Demi?"

She lowered the bow and said, "Yeah, Hallie?"

"You got yourself a quest," I told her and she almost squished me in a hug.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" she said, finally releasing me.

"Go pack," I told her, and she ran off.

I went to the Poseidon cabin and heard two voices. I could only be sure of one of them, so I listened in on the conversation.

"Fine. Just tell me what you need help with," Percy told them.

"A girl, I know I have feelings for her, but I'm not sure what they are yet," the other person said.

"Don't you think you should be talking to an Aphrodite about this?"

"Yeah. I guess I should, I'll see you around Percy."

Once they said that, I heard footsteps coming towards the door and I quickly hid on the side on the cabin. I didn't risk peeking to see who it was, I just waited until I knew it was safe.

After hiding for about a minute, I slid to the front of the cabin and entered.

Percy was sitting on his bunk, nonchalantly tossing around one of my bracelets.

I snatched it out of the air and said, "Why are you doing that?

He shrugged and replied, "I was bored." I rolled my eyes and grabbed a duffel bag from a corner.

After stuffing my bag with my stuff, I looked at the clock and saw that it was eleven fifty-three already.

"Okay, Percy, lets get to Half-Blood Hill. Only six minutes."

He nodded and put the strap of his duffel over his shoulder. We both exited the cabin and raced to the hill.

Once we got there I did a head count: Me, Percy, Annabeth and Demi.

"Could you hold this?" I asked Annabeth, as I handed her my duffel bag.

"Sure," she replied, and I took off down the hill, and back towards the cabins.

I reached the giant oval of cabins, and found the Hades cabin. I knocked on the door and heard a muffled, "What?"

I took that as permission to enter and opened the door.

"Nico. What is taking so long?" I demanded, looking at the son of Hades.

He turned his head away from his duffel to look at me and it seemed like his expression lightened up a bit for just a second.

"Sorry, Hallie," he told me and zipped up his duffel.

I glanced at the clock, "One minute! Come on!" With that I grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him out of the cabin.

As we passed a couple of Aphrodite girls they giggled. I wasn't sure why, but I didn't really care.

We finally got to the hill, I started running faster, Nico still behind me, when I tripped over something, and we both ended up toppling down the hill.

Once we reached the bottom, I landed so close to Nico, I could hear his breathing.

I groaned as I saw Percy, Annabeth and Demi all rushing down the hill.

"Are they still conscious?" I heard Annabeth say.

I moved a little and Demi replied, "It looks like Hallie is, but I'm not sure about Nico."

I opened my eyes a bit and said, "I'm awake, but I hurt…"

Percy helped me up and we all continued to look at Nico.

Annabeth snapped in his face and said, "Nico. Nico. Nico."

He wouldn't wake up. I decided that I should try.

"Annabeth, hand me my duffel," I said and she handed it to me.

I dug around in it and looked for my nail polish kit. I found it and picked out a random one. Now take note: don't wear nail polish often. So, my nail polish bottles don't contain nail polish.

I looked at the words I had written on the sticker and they read: Contains: Nail polish remover, Aloe gel, Sunscreen, Petroleum jelly, ink and chili powder. I know what your thinking: That'll smell horrible! I know that's the point.

I unscrewed the cap and placed the bottle's opening near his nose.

"What are you doing?" Demi asked and I shushed her.

He blinked a few times, and I put away my concoction. He sat up and said, "What was that smell?"

"Something to make you come back to consciousness," I concluded as I stood up, "Okay, lets get a move on."

Nico stood up and dusted some dirt off of himself. He picked up his bag, I did the same and we all headed towards the van, Nico and I in the front.

Percy, Annabeth and Nico all sat in the second row of seats, meanwhile, me and Demi sat in the very back row. Percy and Annabeth fell asleep, with Annabeth's arms wrapped around Percy's chest and him loving the whole thing. Nico fell asleep, with his seat partially leaned back. So, that left Demi and I in the back, fully awake.

"So," she asked me, "What do you think of Nico?"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, what do you think about him? You don't have to be Aphrodite to see you two like each other."

I scoffed, "I don't like Nico. How did you get that idea?"

"Well, the newest one is you keep looking at him sleeping."

"I do not," I retorted.

"Sure you don't. But you also seemed very concerned about his consciousness at the bottom of Half-Blood Hill."

I huffed, not being able to think of a witty response.

"That's what I thought."

About an hour later we were both unconscious.

The first time I woke up, I found myself in the trunk of the van. I climbed back into my seat and fell asleep again.

The second time I woke up, I was in the second row of seats and was comfortably snuggled up to Nico's chest. I. Was. Confused. I quickly crawled back to my seat, my head reeling with too many questions too fall back asleep.