Chapter Twelve: In Which My Skin Should be Green

Waking up I noticed three things.

I was in Nico's bed.

Said person wasn't next to me even though I distinctly remember his arms around me last night.

And there was a sticky note stuck to my forehead.

Without sitting up I pulled the yellow note off. A handwriting that was slightly sloppy yet readable sprawled across the note in what I assume is black sharpie.

"Important meeting with dad, had to go but I will be back soon. Love Nico." I read out loud to no one. At first nothing happened. I didn't feel anything as I let the situation sink in. Then I was pissed. "What the hell?!"

I flung the covers off and quickly got off the bed. I glared down at the covers and pillows with such intensity I could have set fire to them. He just left?! After being gone for weeks he finally shows up and then he just disappears again! I grabbed a pillow and hurled it across the room, it hit one of his shelves and knocked something off. But I really didn't care. Was this going to be a reoccurring thing with us? He leaves for an ungodly amount of time, then returns for all of five seconds just to slip away when I'm not looking? What if we had 'played checkers' the night before, would he still had gone? I grabbed the remaining pillow and threw it at the window.

Deciding to spare the covers from my wrath I looked down at myself and remembered that I had slept in the cloths I was wearing yesterday. Which means I have to go back to my cabin to change and most likely have to come up with an excuse for Pollux. Wait, no I don't! Nothing happened and I shouldn't have to lie about it anyway! I slip my shoes on and stomp over to the door before throwing it open. The few campers that were around looked to me before their eyes widened. I was so not in the mood for this crap today.

"Take a frickin' picture why don't you? Or better yet get some lives of your own!" I basically screamed at them and they scattered. A small amount of satisfaction came over me. After days of trying to ignore the looks and dodge the comments it felt great to just tell them to eff off.

I made the quick walk to my cabin before throwing that door open to, it slammed against the inside wall as I stepped in. Pollux look up from his dresser drawer with wide eyes at my entrance.

"Geez Sarah! What did that poor door ever do to you?" he asked as I slammed the door shut. I stomped past him to get to my own dresser.

"Shut up." I growled. I opened my first two drawers and grabbed the first pair of jean shorts and t-shirt I touched before heading to the small bathroom to change. I could hear Pollux moving to stand by the door.

"And why the ever so loving mood this morning?" I heard his sarcastic question through the door.

"I said shut up!" I was being awful and I knew he didn't deserve it. But in my mind anger had taken control and all men today could just bite me. I yanked on the dark purple shirt and stepped into my shorts before taking a look in the mirror. My eyes were burning violet, or that could just be my imagination. After re-braiding my hair I took my dirty clothes and exited the bathroom. Pollux hadn't moved from beside the door, but he looked mad now too.

"You are not being nice today. And where were you last night?"

I spun on my foot and glared at him. "Why do you care about where the hell I was? I have my own life and I don't have to check in with you every damn minute of the day!" I snarled. Even I was taken back from the hateful tone, but I didn't show it. Instead I threw my clothes on my bed, grabbed my black chucks, and left. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Page Break~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let it not be said that anger can't be productive. Because I was finding the anger a great use for training. After leaving the cabin I immediately went looking for someone to tear a hole into. Lucky for me I knew just where to find the best people for the job. Everyone at camp knew that the Ares cabin had weapons training in the arena at the same time every morning. This knowledge was supposed to be used to avoid the ill tempered (and somewhat dangerous) campers. For me, it was a golden ticket to the chocolate factory. All it took to get some attention of the negative sort was to walk in with my sword, insult Clarrise, and it was on like Donkey Kong.

Whoosh

I leaned back almost in half, but managed to keep my balance as Clarrise's spear swept over me just an inch away from my nose. Turning my back bend into a one hand aided flip I stood straight and held my sword in defense.

"Is that really the best you got? I was so looking for a challenge today, but I haven't even broken a sweat yet. You're slipping Clarrise."

"Let's see if you're still this cocky after the Apollo kids piece you back together." she stabbed at my middle but I twisted my body to dodge it. Instead of twisting away I went in closer to her and jabbed her with the handle of my sword getting a grunt in response. It went on like that for awhile. She'd attack, I would dodge. For the most part I was just playing around so I stuck to defense and let her wear herself out. When we hit the ten minute mark I was getting bored.

"Seriously, are you even trying? Maybe I should have asked the Aphrodite cabin to spar with me. They might have put up a decent fight." That earned me a feral growl as she lunged at me, just as I wanted her too. Putting all my strength and anger in one sideways blow I landed a hit right in the middle of her spear. A heard a crack as it went sailing through the air only to land twenty feet away. Clarrise had only a second to look back at me before I kicked her in the stomach and sending her back a few feet. She landed on her back trying to suck air in to replace the amount I knocked out.

"And that's how it's done." I smirked and stored away my sword back to my side holster. While on any other day this victory would be sweet, but today it had only taken the edge off my anger, which still burned red in my gut. Who knew how long I could hold onto it for?

Clarisse got up, her gaze set to kill, but it didn't scare me at all. "Oh suck it up, you're a big girl who lost one fight, deal with it." I snapped before taking my leave of the arena.

I didn't get very far from it when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Hey-"

Before I could register the voice I grabbed the hand and flipped the person onto the ground in front of me. Light hazel eyes that almost looked golden blinked in surprise. Nick let out a groan before he made to get up.

"Effing hell Sunshine, what was that for?" he stood and rubbed his lower back briefly before he melted back into his carefree stance. "Don't get me wrong I like a girl who likes it rough, but you have to buy me dinner first." he smiled at my reddening face. Unfortunately he misread the redness for embarrassment and not anger. Too late for him, I was at my breaking point.

"Is that all you dumb asses think about?!" I screeched gaining the attention of the few demigods who were on their way to the arena. Just like this morning I turned my deadly glare to them and they fled in the opposite direction. Then I looked at Nick again who looked more confused than scared.

"You do know your eyes are very bright today Sunshine?"

"What, scared all make you crazy for a while?"

He shook his head. "Just an observation. And who are you calling a dumb ass?"

"You and guys in general!" I jabbed my finger into his chest harshly. He didn't even flinch. "From the moment I met you all you do is make jokes and imply to every girl you speak with that they should just jump in bed with you!" I spit at him. It wasn't entirely untrue. He did make a lot of implications, whether joking or not, it left an impression. But what could I expect? A guy that looks as good as Nick Winters probably didn't have any trouble getting girls to play checkers. Probably left them in the morning too.

It took him all of two seconds to connect the dots. One of his eyebrows lifted. "So the black sheep finally made the move huh? Damn I lost ten bucks."

I shoved him hard. "This isn't a joke you jerk!"

Now he was getting mad and I fed off of it. "You don't have to take it out on me. Just because he's lousy in bed doesn't mean you can go around killing everyone."

"What makes you think we played checkers? Because I'm some sort of slut who would do it and then wake up alone the next morning?!" I felt tears prick at my eyes and looked away before they could fall. Last night had ended on such a higher note, then this morning had wiped it all away. He didn't hit it and quit it. But it sure as hell felt like he did. I didn't know if I could take the constant absence and the brief meetings. It wasn't enough for me. Maybe I wasn't enough for him. And then I was crying in front of Nick of all people who had the emotional range of a button.

I felt arms pull me into a hug, but unlike Nico's hugs this one was warm and his arms felt different. Broader, stronger, and here. It should have felt awkward, it should have felt wrong, but it didn't. I was feeling comfort.

"I'm sorry. I didn't and will never call you a slut. Trust me I know girls who are and you are nothing like them."

I couldn't talk without my voice cracking. So instead I just nodded into his shoulder while I let the tears fade. That took five minutes. When I felt stable I pulled away not meeting his eyes, this time I was embarrassed. Usually I only cried in private (not that I did it often), but here I was doing it in front of Nick Winters of all people. "I'm sorry you had to get your shirt wet." Was the lamest thing I could have possible said.

Finally looking up I saw a small smile. "It's alright, I look good no matter how wet." Then his smile slipped away. "Are you really okay? Do I have to kick that guy's ass?"

"No. Nothing that serious happened, just me being insecure and childish."

"I doubt that. You wouldn't act this way if it was nothing."

I squeezed my arms that I had some point folded across my chest. "He left this morning. I was still asleep."

"Okay." his face didn't give away anything, I don't think he had enough information.

I sighed. "He's been gone for a long time. And then he shows up last night wanting to play checkers and I said no."

"Play checkers?"

"Have sex." I blushed.

"Please say play checkers, I don't need the mental pics of your boyfriend like that." he said partially disgusted and horrified.

"Fine. He wanted to and I didn't right then. We talked about it and I thought I felt fine. We slept in his bed, but he was gone before I woke up. I thought this time he would stick around a little while."

"Why'd he go if you don't mind me asking?"

I shrugged. "He left a note about a meeting with his dad. It said he be back in a bit, but he said that last time too." It always seemed to be that way. "So I'm just being a brat for not getting time with her boyfriend and taking it out on others because I'm a bitch. Go ahead and say it."

"I think you have a right to be mad, maybe not at others, but in general. I'd be pissed too."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Part of the reason why I don't keep girlfriends is because the last few I had never seemed to have time for me. And no, wanting to spend time with each other is not just a girl thing. So I usually dumped them and tried again. After the last girl a year ago I just gave up. You women of the modern world are never in one place too long."

"So I'm not being a brat for being mad at him, I'm just being normal?"

"Got it in one. But next go talk with one of your girlfriends about this, I have a rep to maintain. If anyone knew that I have a sensitive side I'd be screwed."

"Nick I already know you're a momma's boy. Trust me you can't change my view of you because of this." I smiled for the first time all day. "Besides didn't you know? Girls like guys who can be strong and sensitive."

He rolled his eyes. "Not my type of girl. Anyways I just wanted to swing by and stop Hulk before she made it to the mess hall. Now that the world is safe I have somewhere to be." Nick turned and walked away. And for the first time ever, I really wanted him to stay.