For those wondering, the summary comes from the events in this chapter ;)

Chapter 3

That night I slept the best I had in forever. When I closed my eyes early in the evening, they didn't open again until the morning rays of the sun shone through the cabin windows. It felt like I had traveled in a time machine.

Sure, I was a little nervous about seeing Annabeth again, but only because I wanted things to go well. I kept imagining scenarios where we'd have a deep heart-to-heart, realizing everything was just a big misunderstanding. We'd acknowledge we were stressed, not ourselves, and that we hadn't communicated clearly. After all, it was our first relationship, and we were still learning—together. We could definitely make it work this time.

I kept picturing us talking, our hands touching, fingers interlocking, and everything falling back into place. Sometimes I imagined we'd have this conversation in the Big House, other times right outside my cabin. But no matter the setting, it always ended with a long embrace and a romantic kiss.

Annabeth said she'd be at camp before dark, which left plenty of room for uncertainty. Would she arrive in the morning? The afternoon? Right before sunset? The thought of it simmered in the back of my mind, but I figured it didn't really matter, long as we were able to talk to one another.

The entire morning felt like waiting for water to boil. My class was exceptionally boring, and I knew I wouldn't be able to focus. While the lecturer droned on, I was busy rehearsing what I'd say to Annabeth, at what point I'd reach for her hand, and when we'd kiss. By lunchtime, I'd mentally mastered the choreography of our reunion, but I was still going over it in my head.

At least having the Hunters here at camp caused enough excitement to help me occasionally take my mind off things. There was a vibrant buzz that could be felt by the campers. The number of campers had essentially doubled in a matter of moments, and the additional people within the camp brought a noticeable addition of energy.

While I was eating lunch at the Poseidon table, I noticed the Artemis table was packed, with some girls nearly falling off the edges. They were all laughing and having a good time. Friendly banter could be heard from across the pavilion between the Hunters and campers as they argued who would win the capture the flag game that would surely be announced. The Ares table had some good roasts for the Hunters. But the Hunters had better comebacks and shut them down. Chorus of laughter continually erupted throughout the pavilion.

I glanced over, and that's when I caught Thalia looking at me. Our eyes locked for a brief moment before she quickly looked away, trying to play it off.

Before I could think too much about it, Chiron entered the pavilion, greeting a few campers along the way and sharing a laugh with some demigods at the Apollo table. I looked back at the Artemis table, but Thalia was busy talking with another Hunter across from her.

"Good afternoon everyone!" He announced. Chiron stood at the head of the pavilion overlooking the tables. He patiently waited for the energy to die down before continuing. "Just a quick announcement. I'm sure you have all been preparing for tonight. But to make it official, we will be having a friendly game of capture the flag. Campers versus Hunters." A rush of excitement could be heard throughout the pavilion. "We'll see you all at 6 at the forest." Another wave of excitement rushed through. The Ares and Artemis table started taunting each other again.

As everyone went back to talking and finishing up their lunch, Chiron came up to my table.

"I must say, Percy, you look as good as I've seen you since you've arrived at camp. How have you been?" Like everyone else, Chiron knew all about my problems. Though every time he asked how I was doing it was always genuine and sincere.

"Really good." I admitted. "Tonight is going to be a special night."

"Is that so?" He mused. "Perhaps the campers will finally beat the Hunters." We were definitely not thinking about the same thing. "In any case, it's good to see you well rested. I was beginning to really worry about you. I'll see you at the forest?"

"That's the plan." I lied. Maybe with everyone playing the capture the flag Annabeth and I would get the rest of the camp all to ourselves.

Chiron smiled at me and walked off to visit the other tables. Gradually, campers and Hunters finished their lunch and began leaving the pavilion. Some went back to their cabins, others to the forges or the Big House. I hadn't really thought about what to do next—I just assumed Annabeth would have arrived by now. With the sun setting around five, she only had a few more hours to get here.

The afternoon felt like the longest of my life. I spent most of it in the Big House, waiting. Every second felt like it could be the moment Annabeth would arrive, but as the hours passed, I started to realize it might not happen. I never considered she wouldn't show up—she always keeps her word. Maybe I was overreacting. It was only… four in the afternoon? The sun was just about to set. She had to arrive soon... or not at all.

After a long time of pacing and fidgeting, I wandered into the rec room where Mr. D was playing pinochle. I stood by the table, debating whether to ask him something silly that might help me feel better. He ignored me for a while, but eventually, he grew impatient and looked up.

"Can I help you with something, Perry?" He said without moving his eyes off his cards.

"It's Percy. Have you seen anyone arrive at camp recently?"

He thought for a moment as he continued looking at his game. "Yes I have."

My eyes lit up. I bet Annabeth had just decided to take a more subtle approach into camp. Maybe she wanted to surprise me and make our reunion special. "Where is she?" I eagerly asked.

"I think you mean they." He said. "The Hunters just arrived at camp. An exciting time to be sure." He didn't sound excited at all and continued playing.

"So no one else?" I asked as my heart dropped.

"What, do you have a date or something?" he asked.

Yes. I thought, but I was too disappointed to respond. Feeling discouraged, I headed toward the camp border by Thalia's tree, hoping to see Annabeth the moment she arrived. Unlike yesterday, the cold air didn't lift my spirits. The excited shouts and laughter from the campers and Hunters faded into the background. I didn't want to join in—I just wanted to be alone, away from everyone so that when Annabeth didn't come no one would see how disappointed I would be.

I sat with my back against Thalia's tree, staring at the empty road leading to camp. I kept imagining Annabeth's figure appearing in the distance, or a car pulling up to drop her off. But the road stayed empty. As the sun set, disappointment settled in. I felt stupid for getting my hopes up, childish for thinking we could make up after everything that happened. I scolded myself for even trying. Ava was right—there were other people who would care about me. I should just give up once and for all.

But memories of Annabeth flooded my mind—our kiss after Manhattan, the hug when I rescued her from the sirens, even random conversations we'd shared. Those moments made me want her to come back more than anything.

I was about to let my emotions get the best of me when I heard footsteps behind me. Instinctively, I stood up and reached into my pocket, just in case. It was a girl with black hair, kicking a pinecone as she walked, her head down. I watched her approach, wondering when she'd notice me.

She looked up when she was almost to the tree, her blue eyes widening in surprise when she saw me. For a brief second, she seemed caught off guard, but her expression quickly settled into something neutral.

"Percy?" she asked, her voice sounding more curious than annoyed.

"Thalia?" I responded, "I… were you wanting to be alone?"

She shrugged, glancing away toward the horizon where the sun was dipping lower. "Kind of. But I guess I don't mind the company." A small smirk played on her lips. "You always did have a way of showing up at the strangest times."

"Yeah, that's my specialty," I said, trying to keep things light. I moved to sit next to her, leaning against the same tree.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The sky above us was painted in deep oranges and reds, the colors reflecting off the surface of the lake in front of us. I should've been able to appreciate it, but my mind kept circling back to Annabeth, to all the questions and doubts I'd been trying to push away. Next to me, Thalia was staring straight ahead, but I could tell from the tension in her shoulders that she wasn't really seeing the sunset either.

Thalia broke the silence. "Do things feel different to you now that Kronos is gone?"

I shrugged, my mind still partially distracted. "I guess I haven't really thought about it." I glanced at her, curious. "Different how? Happier? More peaceful?"

"Well," she began, her voice measured, "ever since you found out Greek mythology was real, Kronos was always your focus, right? Whether you realized it or not. Everything you did led to defeating him. Now that it's over, don't things feel… I don't know, different?"

I frowned, taking in her words. "I don't know if I'd say different. I still feel like something's out there. Like the danger hasn't really gone away." I paused, then asked, "Do you feel different?"

Thalia didn't answer right away. She seemed to be mulling over the question, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "Not exactly," she said finally, but there was a tightness in her voice that hinted at more. "But that's just me."

She fell quiet again, clearly holding something back. Instead of pressing her, I decided to let the silence sit between us for a while, giving her time to find her words if she wanted to.

When the silence stretched a little too long, I glanced at her. "What is it?" I asked, softly. "You look like something's bothering you."

Thalia stiffened slightly. "It's nothing," she muttered, brushing it off. "Just… thinking."

I didn't push her. Instead, I let the quiet stretch between us again, hoping she'd find the words when she was ready. After what felt like an eternity, Thalia finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you ever wonder if you made the right choices?"

Her question caught me off guard. I turned to look at her, but her eyes were still on the horizon, as if she was talking more to herself than to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice careful.

Thalia sighed, her fingers tracing small patterns in the dirt. "Promise not to tell? she paused taking a deep breath, as if she was still unsure if she should open up to me.

I gave her a reassuring nod before she decided to continue. "It's just… sometimes I wonder if I made the right choice. Becoming a Hunter, walking away from everything else. I've been doubting my decision a lot recently."

Her words surprised me. Thalia always seemed so sure of herself, never doubting anything. I turned to face her, keeping my voice gentle.

"Thalia… I didn't know you felt that way. You've always seemed so sure about being a Hunter. But if you're questioning it, I'm here. We can talk about it, whenever you're ready."

I could see the way her whole body seemed to tense up, like she was debating whether to say more. I could almost feel the weight of whatever she was holding back, something bigger than what she'd said so far. Her eyes flickered toward me for a second, and I wondered if she was about to let me in on whatever she wasn't saying.

"There were so many things," she finally said "that influenced my decision to become a Hunter, Percy. The prophecy, stopping Kronos, where I was at in my life, and…" She trailed off, her shoulders tensing again. "Other things."

She didn't look at me, still tracing those patterns in the dirt, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. I wanted to say more, to ask about the "other things" she'd mentioned, but something in her posture told me to hold back.

Thalia stayed quiet for a moment. I could see her jaw clench as if she was trying to figure out how to say what was weighing on her. Finally, she let out a long breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

"When I became a Hunter, it felt like the only choice I had," she began, her eyes still fixed on the ground. "Everything felt like it was crashing down. I didn't want to be the child of the prophecy, didn't want to deal with the weight of all that. It was just… too much."

She paused, her fingers stopping for a second before resuming their tracing. "Joining the Hunters was an escape. I thought… if I didn't have to deal with the future, with what might happen, I'd be free. No expectations, no relationships to mess up, no one to hurt me." Her voice wavered ever so slightly, and I could feel the tension in her words.

I frowned, sensing there was more. "Who would hurt you?"

She didn't answer right away, and I could feel her pulling back. Instead of responding, she shrugged, her eyes flickering to the side. "It's not important," she muttered, her voice tight, clearly avoiding the question.

I opened my mouth to ask again but stopped myself, knowing she wasn't ready. Thalia took a breath, her gaze shifting to the horizon as if searching for an answer in the fading light. "At first, it worked," she said softly. "It felt like I was escaping everything. But over time, I realized it wasn't a permanent fix. I wasn't really free, I was just… avoiding things. And now… now I'm starting to see it wasn't as simple as I thought."

I frowned, sensing the depth of what she wasn't saying. "What isn't as simple?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle, giving her the space to answer if she wanted to.

"A lot of things." She paused, her gaze still fixed on the horizon, before adding, "But the hardest thing… is the aging."

I blinked, caught off guard. "I thought Hunters didn't age though. Isn't that supposed to be the best part about being a Hunter?

Thalia shook her head slightly, "Not me aging. You. I mean… all of you. Annbeth, Grover… everyone I know. Everyone I care about is getting older, moving forward, while I'm stuck in time. For the second time in my life I'm stuck in time." She paused, her voice faltering just a bit. "Even you've gotten older since the last time we saw each other."

She looked at me then, her eyes meeting mine. They glistened in the dim light of the setting sun with a subtle sadness that made my chest tighten.

I tried to imagine it—seeing everyone I cared about grow older, drift further away, while I stayed the same. Stuck, watching from the outside as time passed me by. The thought hit me hard, pushing aside all the worries I'd had about Annabeth. For a moment, all I could think about was what it must feel like for Thalia—to live like that, knowing you'd always be the one left behind.

I swallowed, trying to find the right words. "So… what are you going to do?" I asked softly.

Thalia sighed, her fingers tracing the dirt. "I don't know," she said quietly. "I used to pretend I had it all figured out, but now… I'm not so sure." She glanced at me, just for a second. "I'll be okay. One way or another."

"I know you will." I responded.

"Thanks, Percy," she said, her voice soft but steady. "For listening. I don't talk about this stuff, and I… I didn't expect to. But I needed to."

"Anytime, Thalia. I'm always here."

The silence between us felt lighter now, as if she'd let go of something that had been weighing her down. The tension that had hung in the air seemed to fade, replaced by a quiet calm. Thalia shifted slightly, her shoulders less tense,

After a long pause, she spoke again, her voice softer, more reflective. "This used to be my home, you know."

I nodded, "I know, do you miss Camp Half-Blood?"

"Not camp, Seaweed Brain. This tree." She gestured toward the massive pine above us. I blinked, taken aback. I'd never really thought about it before—Thalia as this tree. It was one of those things that was so abstract, my brain never really tried to picture it. But she was right. For years, this had been her home.

"What was it like?" I asked, my voice soft, unsure of what kind of answer I'd get.

Thalia looked at the tree, her expression thoughtful. "It's hard to describe," she admitted. "It wasn't like being asleep, but not really like being awake, either. It was… different. Like a really long dream. I could still feel things, though. The warmth of the summer sun, the cold bite of winter. I could hear the campers off in the distance—laughing, shouting, living their lives. And whenever it rained… I felt alive. Refreshed." Her lips curved slightly. "When it hadn't rained in a while, I'd feel this emptiness, like I was waiting for something that never came."

She paused, and for a moment, I could see the memories flickering in her eyes, distant but vivid. "I felt the roots beneath me, like they were holding me up, keeping me steady. And the summer breezes—those were the best. The branches would dance in the wind and it was like stretching out a hundred arms after being still for so long." She gave a slight smile. "I could see, too, in a way, but everything was blurry. Just shapes and colors with no real borders."

I was quiet for a moment, imagining it. "I don't know how you did it," I said. "I would've gone crazy being that still for so long."

"You'd think so," she said with a shrug, "but it wasn't like I was living every second of it. Time kind of blurred together. It was more like… floating through it. At first, it was terrifying, not knowing when or where I was. But once I accepted it, it became peaceful. Being part of the world, but not really in it." She glanced at me, a faint smile on her lips. "I only remember the good things—the rain, the roots, the breeze. When I woke up, I was surprised it had only been a few years. Sometimes, it felt like centuries."

She let out a soft sigh, her gaze distant. "A part of me was disappointed when I woke up. I wasn't ready to come back to the real world, to deal with all the things I'd left behind. It was… easier, in a way, to just float through time without any real worries."

Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw something deeper there—something she wasn't saying. "I don't get to come back to camp often, but when I do, I like to sit by this tree. It helps me remember. It helps keep me grounded, makes me appreciate what I have instead of focusing on what I want."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Her blue eyes lingered on mine for just a second too long, and for a moment, I could've sworn I saw a faint blush rise to her cheeks. Or maybe it was the fading red light of the sunset. Either way, she quickly looked away when she realized I'd noticed.

"Anyway," she said, clearing her throat, "that's why I'm here. It's been… a complicated few months."

"I guess that makes two of us," I said, my voice quieter than I expected as I finally opened up.

Thalia turned to look at me, her brows knitting together as she tried to piece it together. "The underwater basket weaving, right?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at that, even though the weight of what I was about to say was pressing on me. "Yeah. That's right."

She tilted her head slightly, her blue eyes narrowing as she studied me. "I can tell whatever it is, it's really been getting to you."

I hesitated, the words stuck in my throat. I trusted Thalia—more than anyone, really—but this was different. Thalia and Annabeth had been friends for years, maybe even longer than Annabeth and I had been. Opening up to her felt risky, like I might drag her into something she didn't need to be a part of. I didn't want her to feel caught between us, to become the middleman in a situation that already felt impossible to untangle.

The sun had disappeared completely now, leaving the sky a dull, wintery grey. I glanced over at Thalia, who sat against the tree, watching me closely. Her eyes were as blue as ever, but softer now, as if she already knew what was coming. Her jet-black hair swayed slightly in the cool evening breeze, and the air between us felt thick with the unspoken things I'd been holding onto.

She had just shared something deeply personal, opened up in a way I didn't expect, and I realized that if there was anyone who might understand what I was feeling, it would be her. I owed it to her to open up.

"It's Annabeth," I said, the name heavy on my tongue.

Thalia's eyes softened, and she nodded, as if she'd known all along. "I thought it might be. How long ago?"

I let out a slow breath, running a hand through my hair. "I've kinda lost track of time. It hasn't been more than a month. But… maybe it was a long time coming before that."

She sighed, and I could see the sympathy in her expression. "I'm really sorry, Percy. I… do you want me to try talking to her?"

I shook my head quickly, cutting her off. "No. Sorry, no. It's just… we already talked. Late last night. I thought she wanted to make things work, that maybe we could fix it. She said she'd be here by now, but… I don't think she ever planned on coming."

Thalia's face tightened, her concern deepening. "So, you've been waiting for her up here?"

"Yeah," I admitted, looking down at my hands. "I know. It's stupid."

"It's not stupid." Her voice was firm, but gentle. "Maybe she's just late?"

I forced a weak smile, but it faded quickly. "When have you ever known Annabeth to be late?"

Thalia's brows furrowed as she tried to think of just one example, but the silence that stretched between us was answer enough. The truth settled over me like a heavy fog—Annabeth wasn't late. She wasn't coming. She'd made her choice, and it wasn't me. The realization hit me harder than I expected, and I could feel my chest tighten as I fought to keep my emotions in check. But they were starting to break through my walls.

Thalia must have noticed. She shifted closer, her voice softer now. "You don't have to say any more. But I'm here, okay? I'll always be here to listen."

Her words were comforting, but they didn't ease the ache I felt. We sat in silence again. I could feel Thalia watching me out of the corner of her eye, giving me the time I needed before changing the subject, like she knew exactly when to pull back and when to let me sit with it.

Thalia exhaled, leaning back against the tree, and a sly smile crept across her face. "Gods, this conversation's been heavy. I think it's time we take our minds off things." Her eyes glinted with mischief underneath the heavy emotions that still lingered. "Do you remember our first game of capture the flag together?"

I managed a weak smile. "Which part? When our team got destroyed or when we almost killed each other?"

"Both," she replied with a smirk. "But mostly the part where we got destroyed."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "That whole night was a disaster."

Thalia laughed, shaking her head. "You know, between you and me, I'm still not over it. That was the most humiliating loss I've ever had. But…" She paused, the smile spreading wider. "Tonight, we're playing capture the flag. Hunters versus campers. And this time, I'm on the Hunters' side."

I looked at her, intrigued. "And?"

"And," she said, leaning forward, "I was never planning on going through with this. But now? I think we could both use a win."

I slowly sat up. I was now really interested. "Where are you going with this, Thal?" I said cautiously.

Thalia grinned. "Oh, I think you know."

"You don't mean . . ."

"Yup."

"You would do that?"

"Yup."

"How?"

That was all the encouragement she needed. Thalia immediately launched into an elaborate plan, her eyes lighting up as she described it with the kind of precision that made me realize she'd probably been scheming this for years. She spoke quickly, sketching out strategies in the dirt with her finger before grabbing my sword, using the faint glow of Riptide to trace out positions and routes. The celestial bronze illuminated her face as she laid out every detail, and I couldn't help but be impressed by the level of thought she'd put into it.

By the time she was finished, I was shaking my head, a grin on my face. "You've really been thinking about this, haven't you?"

Thalia leaned back, looking satisfied with herself. "I have my moments."

Riptide's soft light cast long shadows across the ground, and I glanced at the sky. The sun had disappeared, and the moon was starting to rise, its cool glow replacing the warmth of the day. It was getting colder, even with the camp's barriers in place, but neither of us moved. The game would be starting soon, and there was plenty of work to do if Thalia's plan was going to succeed, but for some reason, neither of us rushed to get up.

"Thanks for helping me," I said, breaking the quiet.

Thalia gave me a half-smile. "Don't thank me yet. It's still a long shot."

"Not about capture the flag," I added quickly, my voice a little softer. "Thanks for… being here. For talking with me, keeping my mind off things. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't around."

Thalia's smile lingered, her eyes flickering with a bit of playfulness. "You're getting soft, Percy. Next thing I know, you'll be writing poetry about how you can't survive without me."

I gave a small chuckle, shaking my head. "Don't push your luck."

She nudged me lightly, but her expression softened again, the teasing falling away just a bit. "But, seriously… I'm glad I could be here. You're always there for everyone else. It's about time someone was there for you."

I felt the warmth of her words settle over me, calming the edge of everything that had been building up inside. "I guess I didn't realize how much I needed this," I admitted quietly. "It's been a while since I've just… talked."

"Yeah, well," Thalia said, her voice softer now, "you don't have to carry everything on your own."

I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words settle over me. "I guess I've forgotten how to do that," I admitted.

I realized that we hadn't broken eye contact since I'd thanked her, and now, just like when I was talking with Annabeth, our eyes were having an entirely different conversation. I found myself searching Thalia for signs and cues that I had never looked for before.

It hit me then, how close we'd gotten. Our hips were touching, and her body had angled toward mine without either of us realizing it. She reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, a small gesture that drew my attention. She looked… different. Or maybe I was just seeing her differently now. Like I was finally noticing things I hadn't before.

I had never seen Thalia so up close before for such an extended amount of time. The faint light from Riptide illuminated Thalia's face just enough for me to observe her unique features. As we continued to gaze into one another it felt like I was seeing Thalia in a way I never had before. Her eyes were blue, of course. I knew that. I had always thought of them as an intense blue like the sky during a summer monsoon. But as I gazed into them I realized I had been seeing them wrong this whole time. They were the color of the most peaceful, cloudless midday sky in the beginning of spring. Her freckles looked as if Aphrodite herself had meticulously positioned each one on her face to make sure they created the perfect composition. Her smile brightened up the area around us as if we had been sitting under the tree all night and the sun was already rising. Her nose. Her hair. Her ears. All of it.

She was beautiful.

I found myself caught in the same invisible pull that had Thalia wrapped up. It was like I was no longer in control—my body moving forward on its own, slow and steady, like a piece of driftwood carried downstream. My mind quieted, and all I could focus on was how close she was, the way the distance between us was disappearing with each breath.

We were about an inch apart when Thalia suddenly pulled back, breaking the trance between us.

"Percy, I'm so sorry," she stammered, her voice shaky. She quickly jumped to her feet, retreating as though she couldn't get away fast enough. "I shouldn't have… I just… I need to go."

I stood up, my thoughts spinning in every direction. Everything had changed so fast, too fast. I couldn't wrap my head around what had just happened, or how we had gotten so close. My mouth opened to say something, anything, but nothing came out.

"Thalia, wait!" I called out, my voice sounding more desperate than I meant it to.

She was already fading into the shadows, barely looking back. "I'm sorry, Percy," was all I heard before she disappeared completely.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, trying to make sense of it. The cold winter night settled around me, but I barely noticed it.

What just happened?

The question echoed in my mind, but it wasn't just about the moment itself—it was about how it even got that far. Thalia was a Hunter of Artemis. She couldn't kiss boys, she wasn't supposed to feel that way, and I knew it. We both did. But somehow, despite everything, we'd almost crossed a line I never thought we'd even approach.

I stood there, staring at the empty space she'd just left, trying to process what had happened. It felt like the world had tilted for a second, like something between us had shifted in a way I wasn't prepared for. Her sudden retreat left me with more questions than answers. Why had she pulled away? How had we even gotten to that point?

Thalia couldn't—wouldn't—go there. So why had it felt like we almost did?

The cold night air surrounded me, but I barely noticed it. My mind was still racing, replaying the moment, searching for signs I'd missed. The way she looked at me, the way we'd gotten so close without even realizing it. The way it felt like everything was about to change.

And then she was gone.

I couldn't stop thinking about her, about the look in her eyes, and the confusion that mirrored my own. Something had shifted between us, and I needed to understand what it meant.

I needed to know what Thalia was really feeling. And I needed to see her again.