It was the first day of summer vacation and I was finally back at Camp Half-Blood. I’d spent the rest of winter break training and then in January Mom had gotten me into Percy’s old high school in Manhattan. I’d seen Percy and Annabeth all the time and even hung out with Grover and Tyson a few times during the semester.
But I hadn’t seen Nico since school started. We’d spent an entire week at Camp hanging out but neither of us were brave enough to take any steps forward in our relationship. So far I’d been back an entire afternoon and still no sign of Nico. Dinner was over and we were all getting ready for some capture the flag.
Once again Percy and Annabeth were captains of one team and Clarisse was captain for the other. She’d recruited me for her team the minute I stepped foot over Half-Blood Hill and I figured it was unfair to have two powerful Poseidon kids on one team and I was looking forward to see how I matched up against Percy.
“Okay, twerp, you’re with me,” Clarisse commanded. “Whatever plan Wise Girl’s come up with, I’m sure that you can beat.”
“So no pressure,” I muttered.
Clarisse laughed as the game started and we raced into the forest. Clarisse was definitely a force to be reckoned with as she slashed down the enemy team. Even her boyfriend Chris Rodriguez knew to stay the hell out of her way when she was in full fight mode. She barked orders at me but soon we were surrounded. I put up a hell of a fight but I was probably more in the way, which Clarisse realized. “Naida, go! We’ll hold them off while you get the flag. Hurry up! I want to win this.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I replied as I bolted. Some of the Athena cabin started chasing me but when we got to the river I didn’t even slow down. With a wave of my hand I heard waves crash and then some annoyed grumbling. I ran and finally saw the Athena flag waving happily.
I ran to it but squealed very unheroically when Percy and Annabeth jumped out at me. Both were incredible swordfighters, much better than me. I ducked and parried their blows but I knew from experience that defense wouldn’t hold. We were close enough to the river that Percy was able to take advantage of it. He waved his hand and I was hit in the back with a giant jet stream. I stumbled a little in shock but otherwise I was fine; I didn’t even get wet.
“Not this time, big bro,” I laughed when the water rained down around us. I made a fist with my freehand and the liquid solidified. Both of them went down hard but the ice didn’t hurt my balance at all. “Sorry,” I called over my shoulder as I ran and grabbed the flag. They were both slipping and sliding as I crossed back over the river, winning the game.
Everything directly after the game was a blur. Clarisse slapped me on the back and my team cheered loudly for me. Percy was not happy with me but I knew he’d get over it eventually. Annabeth looked like she was in a sour mood but was at least a good enough friend to congratulate me.
“You’ve gotta show me that ice trick.”
“No way, Jackson. That’s my thing. And it only works because I’m a coldhearted bitch.”
Annabeth rolled her eyes. “Now that that’s over,” she said as campers slowly started heading back to the cabins, “you need to go back to your room and get cleaned up. We’re having a little birthday party for you in the pavilion.”
I blinked. “What?”
Percy grinned impishly. “Our moms are like best friends. Yours told mine who told me. Annabeth has been planning this party all week. Tyson and Grover set it up during the game with some help from Juniper and some of the other nymphs. Go get ready.”
“Pushy, pushy,” I laughed. I closed up my sword again and clipped it back into my hair before I ran off back toward the cabin.
I glanced at the mirror and decided that I actually didn’t look all that bad. “What do I need to clean up for?” I muttered to myself.
“I think that was a ruse.”
I screamed and spun around quickly. Nico di Angelo was lounging back on my bed looking perfectly relaxed. Seriously, if I wasn’t so glad to see him I would have beat him up for frightening me. “Gods, Nico, you scared me.”
“That’s what I was going for,” he grinned. He got up smoothly and crossed the room toward me. “I told Percy and Annabeth that I was coming to see you and they promised they’d send you my way before the party. Happy birthday, Naida.” He wrapped me in his arms and before I knew what was happening, his cool, soft lips met mine.
I blushed bright red when he pulled away. “What was that?”
“A kiss.”
I slapped his arm. “I know that, dummy. What I mean is why?”
He arched one black eyebrow. “Isn’t it obvious? I really like you, Naida Hale.”
My heart did some funny little flips in my chest. “Cool, ‘cause I really like you, too.”
He laughed and took my hand in his. “I knew. Now let’s go to that party.”
We walked hand in hand to the dinning pavilion. It was decorated with floating lanterns that washed everything in a faint blue, streamers of every color imaginable, and confetti shot out randomly. Music played and there was a huge cake at the Poseidon table. It wasn’t a very big party, a few kids from Athena, Ares, Hermes, and Dionysus cabins, Clarisse and Chris, and some satyrs and nymphs. And of course my brothers were there. My eyes watered up. No one had ever done anything like this for me. I finally had a real home and a real family and I was determined not to screw it up.

Notes

so, i've been putting off this one because i don't want it to end and i was hoping for some more comments. but thank you all so much for sticking with me!! and special thanks to FJM818 and Evil espresso drinks for commenting :)