Annabeth nursed Louisa back to health. It took a couple of weeks, in which time Percy grew agitated. The other guys, Leo not included on this one, teased Percy endlessly until Percy snapped and went to find his penguin.
Leo kicked about on his own for the afternoon, finding that he had stopped outside the swimming pool where the boys had first met the girls. He tried to imagine what it would be like it he wasn't the loner, if Louisa had paired up with instantly, like the other girls had. But something didn't sit right with him about that. Louisa wasn't like that. She was tough and stubborn, a silent ninja. Leo smiled. She was a penguin ninja… no, ninja penguin. That sounded better. Annabeth had told him Louisa liked to do things for herself, but it wasn't like she could help manage the population crisis on her own now, was it?
His eyes scanned the building of the swimming pool, noticing the faded letters above the doorway- Splash. That had been the name for the swimming pool when this place was still a holiday park. It had been mentioned that the name was repainted so that it could be seen clearly in case some eighteen year olds got lost- stupid excuse, really, Leo and countless others had thought, but Leo thought that the logo for the pool would look better with a new coat of aqua blue paint.
Leo's thoughts returned to the day he met Louisa. Well, the day she turned and left him standing there like a complete moron. He tried to think what it would be like to have Louisa with him now. Would he have talked her into talking again? After so many years of silence, he liked to think he would be the cause she found her voice.
Louisa wouldn't be with him. Not instantly anyway. She had to be awkward.
But that was OK with Leo. He had always liked a challenge and, although difficult, this was the next one.
He was going to win Louisa's heart the old fashioned way. He didn't need the magic and instant pairing-up the others had.
Leo preferred to do things this way.