Okay, this chapter takes place at the very end of The Sea of Monsters, in the chariot race chapter. In Annabeth's POV, as will be the norm. R&R

Disclaimer: I swear on the River Styx I am not Rick Riordan!

August 18, 2005. Long Island Sound, New York. Camp Half Blood.

Things had been practically perfect in Camp Halfblood ever since the Golden Fleece had been pinned against Thalia's pine tree. The air seemed to glisten, the strawberries' sweet scent seemed to pervade throughout the whole camp, and the a faint breeze tickled our faces as we raced down the track to win those laurels that had been rightfully ours all along. Ours as in Percy and I. Which made things even better, for some odd reason. He flashed me a lopsided grin and his determined eyes focused on the finish line in sight.

This was it. After all of our ups and downs, this stupid son of Poseidon and I were finally getting something right. And it felt really, really good. So Clarisse could go die in a hole for all I cared, this victory was ours. I gave him a quick triumphant grin as our horse's hoofs flew closer and closer to that line.

Every second was an hour now- hours to reflect on the crazy jumble of chaos that had been our summer. Trying to contain my laughter and fear at the same time while staring at Percy as a guinea pig. Deceiving Polythemus and riding under the bellies of sheep. Seeing Grover in a soiled wedding dress. Crying into Percy's shoulder in the middle of the ocean. Looking back, I knew a lot of terrible things had happened, but I wouldn't have changed a thing. This was mainly because Percy and I had grown closer through all the harrowing adventures we'd experienced, and now I could easily call him the best friend I'd ever had.

So here we were, at the finish line of our summer (metaphorically and actually). Another year at Camp Halfblood gone by. I had barely gathered my thoughts together before our horse thundered across the finish line and the crowd went wild. We had won! I threw my hands up in the air, never feeling quite so ecstatic in my life. Percy was laughing and cheering beside me, soaking in the roaring crowd and the thrill of victory like I was.

I could barely feel myself being lifted up into the air, it felt as if I were in a dream, watching myself celebrating from afar. I could barely hear the words he was shouting, giving the credit to the brother he used to be ashamed of but now had embraced into his life. We'd grown so much this summer, and I was proud of the both of us. In the midst of my bliss, I could hardly even feel myself kissing his cheek as I acted on an irrational impulse, could hardly feel that smooth tan skin brushing against my lips-

I froze, a sudden feeling of Déjà vu seizing me. But surely I hadn't been here before, kissing Percy's cheek, feeling this little spark light inside of me? I couldn't have done this before. Right? Percy's eyebrows furrowed together as he studied my confused expression, and my heart fluttered a little as I couldn't help but think how adorable he looked. I flashed him a quick smile to tell him to disregard it, and he shrugged and turned back to the crowd. Still a little shaken, I didn't return the celebration as whole heartedly as before.

Something wasn't right. And I was determined to figure it out.

Later that day, I walked back alone to my cabin after a large and satisfying lunch, the gears of my mind turning at a fast pace. When had I kissed Percy before? It hadn't been a big deal, just a small display the affection of my friendship with him, really. However, I'm not the type to just go handing out kissing left and right-

A noise from skirts of the forest brought me to attention. I stepped forward nervously, unsheathing my knife from its usual spot at my hip. I heard a snap of a twig and I tensed, waiting for the unknown to reveal themself.

It was quite a sight when he did. A small, fat man came running out of the tree in front of me, puffing like he'd just completed a marathon. He had a rather squashed red face and a large, round nose that reminded me of storybook depictions of Santa Clause. The most unusual part of his appearance, though, were the two small wings that fluttered as they hung at his sides.

If I didn't know any better, I was assume this guy was a relative of Eros himself.

"Er-," the pudgy little man cleared his throat. "Um, hello Annabeth Chase."

"Hello," I said nervously, wondering how this creeper got ahold of my name and what he had to say.

"I am Roy, a messenger of Aphrodite, and have a letter from the goddess to read to you," he stated importantly.

Aphrodite? What did the goddess of love have to say to me? "Uh...continue," I said uncertainly, wondering how these cherub-messenger-guys worked.

He took a deep breath and started to read a scroll that had seemingly appeared from no where. "Dear Annabeth Chase," he read, "I am writing on behalf to congratulate you on your first move in cultivating a relationship with your crush."

"What?" I spluttered, sure I hadn't heard Roy correctly. "I'm sorry, did she say crush?" The little messenger man seemed taken aback.

"Erm, yes. I'm sorry, are you not familiar with the fact that Aphrodite works in the love department?"

I raised an eyebrow so high I'm sure it disappeared into my hairline. "I'm sorry, you have the wrong person. My life is in no way, whatsoever, influenced by your bosses' love department."

Roy's wings twitched once or twice. Obviously this guy had little experience in the field, otherwise he would have been used to reactions like this.

"Ahem, Miss Chase, I'm required to finish the message-,"

"I don't care about your silly little letter! I'm sorry, but this is a load of minotaur dung! I am in no way interested in that seaweed-brained son of Poseidon!"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Who said anything about sons of Poseidon? Have a particular guy in mind?"

"Well?" I said, hot-faced. "What other guy have I talked to today could you possibly be referring to? For some ridiculous reason, you've got this idea that I'm crushing on Percy Jackson," I snorted derisively, "but let me assure you that you're all sadly mistaken," I said, pronunciating each syllable clearly so that I could get the message across.

Roy's eyes were pleading. "Please, Miss Chase, let me finish this letter and then we can both get out of here."

I folded my arms. "Fine," I said through clenched teeth.

He dabbed at his sweaty brow with a pink, lacy handkerchief. "Okay, phew! Where were we? Ah... I know of your clandestine feelings for the irresistible Percy Jackson, and am here to encourage you and provide a few pointers in this relationship. Though the situation is tough because of the ongoing feud between your godly parents, I am here to assure you that you are not the first couple of star-crossed lovers to walk this lonely world. Love conquers all in the end. I'm sure your parents will see reason, and if not, I'll force it into them! As for expressing your emotions to Percy, I think subtle moves like that peck on the cheek today are great starters. You can build on them from there. Percy's a great guy and you should be proud! You two cuties are my new favorite demigod couple!"

"Come on, we're not even together! We barely even get along as it is!" I groaned, but Roy made a tutting sound and I bit my tongue, forcing myself to get this nauseating letter over with.

Roy bravely continued to conclude the ordeal. "Wishing you all my luck and love, Aphrodite. "

I released a huge breath. "Oh thank Zeus! Okay, gotta go!" I cried, starting to sprint to my cabin while Roy protested behind me.

I'm free, I'm free, I'm-

"PS," Roy cried, flying toward me on his stubby little wings. "I hope you were not embarrassed or offended by this letter in any way," he read, and I simply blushed ever darker, "because you are not the only one who has been influenced by me. In fact, I'm waiting for the right moment to pay Percy a visit as well!"

Though I was running far in front of him, I had still managed to catch the last part. I stopped in my tracks to catch my breath, suddenly laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. "Poor...Percy...ahahahaha...good luck...with that!" I hooted, doubling over into hysterics.

Roy finally caught up with me, sticking his lower lip out like a toddler who'd just had his lollipop confiscated. "Miss Chase," he scolded with the little dignity he had left, "you are treating the goddess of love with disrespect! You have no idea what love can do to change a person's life!"

"You're right, I don't. I've never liked someone in that way before, thank you for admitting it!"

"Nonsense," Roy said, "we sent the arrow and everything-,"

"What?" I cried, "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Roy's bright red face had drained of all color. It was quite a sight to see. "Oh, Hades!" he cried, clamping his hand of his mouth. "You probably don't remember!"

My eyes narrowed. This guy was off his rocker. "Remember what?" I demanded.

Roy gulped. "Oh no, boss is going to cut my rations of sweetheart candies because of this!"

I was really troubled now. What had he said? Something about an arrow? I opened my mouth to ask him just what was going on, but when I looked up, the little fat cherub had already ascended back into the sky.

Weirder things had probably happened before, but I don't remember when. So for now, this was officially the strangest moment of my life.

Confused? Good. Don't worry, more will be explained next chapter. And for the love of everything good in this world, please review!