Annabeth

To say that the rest of the day was awkward would be a total understatement. Why? Well, let me explain.

Throughout dinner, I had to deal with sitting next to you know who, and deal with Piper and Jason, who were constantly staring at each other, then blushing when they got caught.

Then we got dessert, and there was plenty of plates with delicious looking delicates on them. Percy reached out and grabbed three plates with large cakes on them, proceeding got put them all on his plate. He never ceases to amaze me about how much food he can fit in that stomach.

There was one pitch black cake, that looked like it was dark chocolate, and it had a skull painting on the top of it made out of frosting. Thalia and Nico both reached for it at the same time. Then when they hands clashed, they pulled back lightning fast, or in Nico's case, deadly fast. (A/N/ hehe… sorry. :))

"You can have it," Thalia said shyly.

Nico replied in the same manner, "Nah, you can."

"No, its okay, really, you can have it."

This just went on and on, both of them telling each other to have it. I was getting extremely annoyed at them making such a fuss over a little piece of cake. They kept on quietly telling the other to have it, and neither taking it.

Finally, I couldn't stand it any more. I reached over, grabbed the platter with the much desired black cake on it, brought it back to my place, and started shoving it in my mouth.

"Oh, this is really good!" I said truthfully. I glanced over to see Nico and Thalia glaring at me. I shot them a questioning look. "What?"

"I was going to have that, Annie," Nico said, irritated. I sent daggers at him with my eyes, causing him to sigh, roll his eyes, then say, "I was going to have that, Annabeth."

I smiled, content, but then Thalia spoke up, looking at Nico, "No, actually, I was going to have that."

Nico glared at Thalia, "No, I am. You offered it to me."

Thalia returned the stare, and said angrily, "And you offered it to me."

And they went on. Arguing about who would've gotten it. I just stared dumbfounded. First, they were insisting on the other having it, then the next thing, they are arguing about who gets it.

Really? I glanced around the table, noticed that all the others were mimicking my confused expression.

So, that was our interesting dessert time.

Right after dessert, we all went back to camp.

My head was rushing with thoughts, threatening to explode my brain. So I decided to take a walk. I got up, and of course, I didn't want any bodyguards, so I tried to sneak out.

Yeah right, Annabeth. I got to the first tree right out of camp when I heard the raspy sound of wood sliding against wood.

I cursed under my breath, then gazed up, straight into the eyes of murderous looking Thalia.

"Going somewhere?" She said in a dangerously calm and low voice. She was currently hanging upside down in a tree, holding herself up by her legs, which were locked around a tree branch. Sometimes I envy how flexible and strong she is.

I sighed, "Yes, actually, I was going to go out for a walk. I have a lot to think about." I might as well confess it. Thalia wouldn't accept bluffs anyways.

She growled, then dropped down from the tree and facing me, the calm act gone, and sputtered with rage, "ANNABETH! Get your right head on! Remember what happened last time you were on a walk? You were almost killed! Cause you didn't tell us! As your best friend and basically one of your bodyguards, I absolutely forbid it."

I smirked as I thought of a comeback, "Oh, and your complaining about me being saved by the guy's group? I thought you should be thanking me, considering it meant that Nico would be staying with you… I mean, us." I messed up on purpose, and almost laughed at the sight of her astonished face. I had decided that she had blushed during dinner because of Nico. And I know, it really doesn't seem like Thalia to like guys in that way, but Nico and Thalia could win the award for the best couple.

Seriously, they were so much alike.

"I- what… I don't- Annabeth- Nico and I… we… no!- I- don't- ARGH!" She stuttered and screamed. I couldn't help it, I let out a chuckle. She basically just admitted she liked the son of Hades. But I was pretty sure they would forget about each other soon, it was just the week thingymajigger. Where you are infatuated for about a week, then the next week, you are asking yourself why in the world you liked that person. Thalia cares way too much about Artemis and her position as a lieutenant and the hunters to lose it all because of falling in love with a boy.

"I am not letting you go alone." She said calmly once she was able to control her rambling stutters.

I sighed in exasperation, "Why?! I'll be more careful! I promise! I just really need to go alone. I have many thoughts I need to clear."

It was Thalia's turn to smirk, "Do any of those thoughts have to do with a certain son of Poseidon?"

I glared at her, but I knew I would stutter if I tried to speak, like her. So I just glowered.

"Thalia. Let. Me. Go." I said slowly, exaggerating each word.

She shook her head, determined, "No. One, it's not fair to the bodyguards, who would risk their lives for you. Their job is to protect you, and it would be selfish for you to just leave them without them knowing." I sighed. She had a point.

"Two, its pitch black out there." She continued.

This one I could protest on, "It is not! There is a full moon right in front of you! Do you need glasses? And can you not see the stars? They are really bright tonight. I'll be able to see."

Thalia took her turn in sighing, "That's not what I meant," I was about to say something, but Thalia motioned for me to let her continue. I crossed my arms, with an pouty expression, and waited for her to carry on, "I meant that it is night. And can you guess what happens at night?" she didn't pause for me to answer, "Monsters come out. More and more monsters. And right now, it seems, for some weird reason, which we are one our way to try and figure out about at the council, you are a big target for monsters at the moment. No. You cannot go out there alone."

I huffed, and was about to object, when a familiar voice came from behind me, "I'll go with her. I know these woods really well, and I can be her bodyguard on her walk. I've been craving a peaceful walk for a long time."

I smashed my eyes together and pursed my lips. Great, just great. I thought. The reason why I'm taking this walk is because of Percy, and all my befuddled thoughts about him. I just needed to sort out some things.

But guess what? Yeah, the whole reason for my walk just volunteered to go with me.

I turned around slowly to see a son of Poseidon, standing with raised eyebrows, waiting for an answer. I turned back to Thalia, only to see her smirking. She knew exactly why I'm taking this walk. Darn best friends and their ability to read their friends mind.

"I think that would be a great idea, Percy! Thanks. Just make sure she stays safe," Thalia declared, causing me to scowl at her acceptance.

"I wouldn't let her get hurt," He replied. Even though I knew it was because we were friends, and I'm pretty sure Percy is nice enough to not let anyone get hurt, I still blushed at the comment. Thalia, noticing my cheeks, smirked even wider. This is exactly like what happened with me earlier today, but with Nico.

Thalia smiled, waved, then walked back to the fire with everyone around it, explaining what I was doing.

Percy grinned at me, making butterflies to flap wildly around in my stomach. "Well, lets go."

So, my walk with Percy that I was taking to untangle the knot of thoughts about him began.