AN: I realize that it's been over two weeks since the last post, but I have a good excuse: I went MIA because I had to drive 2,000 miles to get to my new home. My writing partner was supposed to be covering and writing during that time, but she didn't have the time either. I have settled into my new apartment and will be resuming my writing. Thanks for the patience, everyone.

Onesimus shook his head at his dumb luck. Most demigods would feel lucky to get even one visit from a god in their entire lives; Onesimus had gotten two in two days and wished that neither of them had happened. Not to mention the one from his father that had nearly ruined his life.

Onesimus got to the edge of the forest before he remembered why he'd run in the first place. He immediately got antsy. His legs seemed to vibrate. He wanted to move; he wanted to run. Calming himself, Onesimus stepped back slowly, retreating back into the forest. He sat down on the grass and thought about Krea.

Onesimus knew exactly what Krea had been referring to before. He knew what he needed to explain. The memories washed over him.

Onesimus remembered the first day he'd met Krea. He'd just been expelled from yet another middle school. He'd set a record by being able to stay there for three whole months, but when he'd tried to explain that the reason he'd brought a knife to school was because the Vice Principal had a bull's head and a serpent's tail, the school felt they had no choice but to expel him.

Onesimus arrived at his fourth middle school in his sixth grade year in February, just two weeks after his birthday. He walked to school that day, the same way he'd done at every other school. All of them had been more than five miles away, but he enjoyed the walk. It was the only time his mind was clear.

When he arrived at the school, he didn't have much hope. He went to the office immediately, expecting the same lecture he'd gotten at every other school before. Once Onesimus gave the office receptionist his name, he was ushered quickly to the principal's office. The receptionist told him to knock on the door.

Onesimus obliged and heard a kind, masculine voice say, "Just a second." In a short time, the door opened. Onesimus came face to face with a stout runt of a man, just barely taller than Onesimus. He smiled a kind smiled and welcomed Onesimus into his office.

The office looked like every other principal's office Onesimus had been in. From the wood-finished desk to the bland layout. The one difference he did notice was that there was someone else in the office. A blond-haired girl sat in one of the chairs set up in front of the large desk. She looked directly at him as he sat in the chair next to hers, the only other one in the room. Her gaze was intimidating and calculating, but not unkind. She seemed to be analyzing every inch of him. Not in the way a young girl would usually analyze a young boy; he could feel her analyze his stature, his strengths, and his weaknesses.

Onesimus was immediately attracted to her.

"Onesimus." The principal said, gaining both children's attention. "This is Krea," he motioned towards the girl. "You two will be joined at the hip for the time that you are here. She is our most trusted student and, quite honestly, I don't have time to deal with you. I have a school to run. Dismissed."

His words were brutally honest, but contained no venom or spite. Onesimus could respect that. He stood up to leave and Krea did the same.

Once they were outside of the office, Krea spoke to Onesimus. "My name's Krea. Don't do anything stupid and we might just have a chance of not hating each other." Onesimus rolled his eyes and quickly received a slap. "That was an example of something stupid." Krea told him and began walking away. Onesimus realized it might be in his best interest if he followed her.

Krea explained that they had all the same classes and sat together in those classes. She escorted Onesimus to his first class and then to his seat. Krea explained to Onesimus that he wasn't going to be introduced or anything because of his . . . 'status'. Onesimus merely nodded.

Onesimus daydreamed his way through the first day of school, along with the second, but on the third, Krea interrupted his daydreaming. "You know, there's this thing called 'work' in school that you do."

Onesimus' first instinct was to give a smartass answer but one slap had been enough for him, so he simply said "Never been really good at school."

"I bet there's not much you're good at." Krea said.

"I can run." Onesimus said, slightly defensive.

"Well that doesn't really help with history, does it?" Krea bit back at him.

Onesimus rolled his eyes and dodged Krea's slap. Krea glared at him, making him fully believe that a slap wasn't the worst punishment Krea could think of.

Onesimus grabbed a pencil and began attempting the work. It was a long worksheet, but Krea scared him, so he did it anyway. He felt proud of himself for finishing the first page until he looked up and realized that everyone else in the class, including Krea, had already finished. Krea looked at him and smirked.

"You know I could help you if you want." She said in a patronizing tone.

Onesimus could feel himself glaring. He wanted to surprise the smug look off Krea's face, so he said "Sure, that'd be great." It worked.

Krea looked at Onesimus. "Wait, really? You actually want help?"

Onesimus nodded. Krea wiped the surprise off her face and started to explain the work to Onesimus.

Over the course of a month and a half, Onesimus and Krea became closer. It's nearly impossible to make two people spend as much time together as Onesimus and Krea were and not expect them to become friends. During that time, Onesimus discovered that he really liked Krea and Krea even thought about Onesimus in a . . . different context sometimes.

Once track season started, Krea convinced Onesimus to go to the tryouts. Needless to say, Onesimus made the team. Because of Onesimus' status, Krea was forced to go to every practice and every meet.

One practice, two days before the first meet, Onesimus had been mentally questioning how he felt about Krea. He also questioned whether he'd do something about it. That practice, with his mind full and confused, he ran harder than he ever had before. By the end of practice he made up his mind about what he wanted to do.

Like usual, he walked up the bleachers to where Krea was sitting and sat next to her to rest for a while.

"Ready for the meet?" Krea asked him, smiling. He smiled back and nodded. His heart beat hard as he thought about what he planned to do.

"Hey Krea." Onesimus said and when she turned to look at him, he kissed her.

There was a scary second where Krea didn't kiss him back. But once she got over her shock, it obvious that she'd wanted the kiss just as much as Onesimus.

Onesimus pushed the memories away. He stood from the grass, wiped his eyes, and ran with a speed he'd never known.