I left the cabin before dawn.

Nico was sleeping. It was troublesome, waiting for his even breaths, but I'm patient. I grabbed my backpack and rushed out the door.

And before I knew it, I had reached the Amphitheater without breaking a sweat. Maybe that training did help me out.

But never mind that. I'm leaving camp.

As I walked closer and closer to the boundary, a shimmering wall appeared clearly. I put my hand through, and took it out without it changing a thing. Not even the string bracelet Leo got me for our 1 week anniversary.

I'm going to die soon. Probably less than a month, maybe half a year if I seriously luck out.

"Αντίο," I murmured. Goodbye.

I took a step, and then another.

I was out of Camp Half-Blood.

"Wait!"

I spun around, taking my spear out of my backpack. I watched it extend, growing longer and longer until it reached my own height.

Thanks, Armory.

Percy Jackson stepped out from behind a tree. Why is he always following me around? That's seriously weird.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked in his carefree tone. But this time it had a hint of worry. Just a hint.

"Like you care," I scoffed. "I'm leaving this place. Going back to the City."

Percy stared intensely into my eyes, his cavernous orbs filled with something. What was it? I forgot.

"Back to the streets?" he revised. "Back to being starving, and lonesome, and poor?"

I turned away and held my spear tightly.

"I simply don't belong," I said swiftly. "There's nothing more to it."

Percy walked closer, each of his footsteps cracking the leaves underneath him.

"Is it because I'm here?" he guessed. "Do I make you feel trapped?"

His hand gingerly touched my shoulder. It brought me goosebumps.

"Get your hand off of me," I said, closing my eyes.

Don't let go of me.

Percy withdrew his shaking hand. "Is it?" he whispered. "Answer me."

I licked my upper lip.

"I am a stranger," I replied. "I am a poor girl who deserves to stay on the streets. Please. This is the life I'm supposed to live."

Percy shook his head. "Who says?"

I looked down at broken twigs scattered on the coarse dirt.

"Look at these sticks," I said. "They're broken."

Percy stood next to me.

"They're still together," he added. "No matter what, they'll stick with each other."

Damn you, Percy Jackson.

I let out a snort. "That was terrible," I scoffed.

Percy smiled next to me, but sadly. "Only from the greatest," he said as I punched him playfully.

And then something weird happened.

Snow started falling.

"Look at that," he admired. "They're snowflakes."

I put away my spear.

"They're all so different," he added. "But isn't that why they're so interesting?"

Without realizing it, I leaned in to Percy's warm shoulders.

He's not wearing a shirt.

He put his arm around me. I've never had such a muscular, tan arm hold me.

I immediately felt a blush coming on.

Percy smiled. "You're skin is so pale," he said. "Seeing you blush is cute."

"Don't make me feel embarrassed," I whined. "You know I don't flirt."

"Death Girl, there are so many things you don't do. But who says that'll stop you?"

And then I felt his soft lips against mine.

So many thoughts.

But one stood out.

I love Percy Jackson.

His hand shivered up my back, through the loose clothing. Touching my hips, my spine, my neck....

Then memories of the boy with the cake resurfaced. I could suddenly feel his cold hands on me, on my waist....

And I pushed them away. I focused on Percy. On his toned body. On his lips.

He pulled away quickly, realizing what he was doing. My shirt fell back into place.

"Shit," he mumbled. "I'm so sorry, Y/N. I don't know what I was thinking. I haven't been sleeping well. Gods, I'm so sorry."

I touched my lips softly with a cold hand.

"Why?" I whispered. "Why would you kiss me?"

Percy leaned back against a tree, holding his face in his hands. "I don't know," he muttered. "I don't know. I felt like I had to."

I brushed his jaw with my thumb, making him look at me.

In that moment, I made a decision.

"I'll stay," I declared. "I'll stay here for you."

Percy smiled graciously, all white and shiny teeth.

"Thank you," was all he said.

And that was enough.

Despite the cold weather, I suppose we began to warm up to each other.