Hazel

    I waved goodbye to Frank as he walked to his Praetor house and tried to fight down my smile so my cohort wouldn't be suspicious. To no avail, I opened the door to the barracks and walked in. I glanced around the room and saw Michelle, one of the newer members, sitting on her bunk talking with Dakota. They noticed that I had just walked in and waved me over.

    "Someone looks happy." Dakota said with a smirk as soon as I sat down.

    "What!"

    "Don't try and deny, sister. We know something's up." Michelle said.

    "You guys! Nothing is going on! I just had a good day, okay?" I said burying my face into the palms of my hands.

    "That ring on your finger says otherwise." Dakota pointed out with a small smile.

    "Crap! Well know you guys know."

    "Oh we already knew! We just wanted to tease you," Michelle said wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

    I sent a playful glare at them. "I hate you guys."

    "We know you love us." Dakota said hugging me. "So when's the date."

    I stood up. "Okay!" I laughed. "Im done. I'm going to take a shower and then sleep at Frank's." I told them.

    "Ooooooh." They said in unison.

    I dug some clothes out from my drawer and stuffed them in my backpack. I waved goodbye to Dakota and Michelle and made sure they could handle being in charge tonight. After they assured me there wouldn't be another incident ending in the barrack in flames I left to go to Frank's house.

    Using the spare key, I opened the door. I noticed Frank sitting at his desk. I silently walked up to him and placed my hands over his eyes.

    "Guess who," I said cheerfully.

    "I think I know who." He replied before turning around and kissing me.

    "Did you tell Michelle and Dakota that you proposed?" I questioned. He pursed his lips.

    "No, why ever would you think that?" A small smile spread across his face.

    I rolled my eyes playfully. "Well thanks to you they decided to annoy me. So what are you doing?" I asked.

    "Oh nothing, just some praetor work." I nodded. Frank had grown to be an amazing praetor and leader.

    "Have you been able to get in contact with Camp Half-blood?" I asked. He shook his head.

    "No, we've sent letters, tried Iris messaging, everything. We even tried calling. Reyna's thinking about going to Camp to see what's up. But enough of that," He said placing his pen down and standing up. "Let's do something fun."

    "Like what?" I asked with a small smirk.

    "Like this," He said,attaching his lips to mine. We collapsed on the bed and I deepened the kiss. His hands trailed down to the hem of my shirt. He slowly slipped my shirt off, leaving me in my bra. Frank moved to kissing my neck slowly trailing down to my chest.

    "Uhmmm," a voice said, coming from the door.

    The voice belonging to none other than Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano.

    ¨Reyna!¨ We both said in unison, both equally surprised and embarrassed even though it wasn't her first time walking in on us.

    ¨I... just came to tell Frank it was time for dinner. But seeing as you two are busy... I'm leaving.¨ She said.

    After throwing my shirt back on and promising more later, me and Frank walked down for dinner.

    I took a seat at the table I usually sat at. Dakota, Michelle, and Reyna were already there. I refused to make eye contact with Reyna.

    ¨So Hazel you weren't going to tell me that you and Frank were engaged." Reyna said. I nearly choked on my grilled cheese sandwich. She said it with such confidence that it gave me the feeling that she already knew in advance.

    ¨You know too?¨ I asked. ¨Who all did you tell?¨ I asked, turning to Frank who had a sheepish grin on his face.

    ¨Just a few people.¨

    I frowned. ¨A few?¨

    ¨Okay so maybe it was a few cohorts.¨
I chuckled and went back to eating.

    The next morning I found myself lying in the bed next to frank. I was wearing one of his shirts and some pajama pants. Judging by the sun it was 7 or so. I gently lift Frank's arm off me so I can get ready. He must have turned back into a human because I vaguely remember him being a pug when I had woken up to use the bathroom. I got my clothes from my backpack and went into the bathroom to change.

    The shower was still wet from last night and the floor was slippery. I changed into some jeans and a plain T-shirt with a lightweight sweater. I took my spare toothbrush that I keep over here and brushed my teeth.

    As I was brushing my teeth, I allowed my mind to wander. I haven't been able to recall a time when I was happier than now. Except for maybe that day I was horseback riding with Sammy.

    Just as soon as the memory appeared, I was sucked up into a world of darkness. Then suddenly I am back on that very day. My birthday. Instead of reminiscing that wonderful day I took the time to wonder how I got here.

    It couldn't be another blackout? Could it? I thought I was done. I guess not.

    Suddenly, the scene changed. I recognized it. It was the day I died.

    Not wanting to rewatch the painful experience, I tried to block out my eyes but it didn't work. I was forced to watch.

    ¨Hazel?¨ A familiar voice called out, pulling me back to reality. ¨You alright?¨

    I glanced at the mirror and saw my fiancé standing behind me. His face was full of worry and concern.

    ¨Huh? Oh! I'm fine just zoned out for a bit.¨ I replied hoping he couldn't hear the nervous tension hidden in my voice.

    ¨You sure? It looked like you were having a black out.¨

    ¨Yeah I'm sure. Just tired from last night.¨ I lied. I didn't like lying to Frank but it had to be done. I can handle myself. Sure having flashbacks and blackouts is dangerous especially in battle but I'm a big girl. Plus I didn't need him worrying about me.

    "Okay." He said, still not convinced. I gave him a peck on the cheek and told him I was going to check on the cohort.

Frank

    There was something she wasn't telling me. I could sense it in her voice. I wasn't going to force her, though. She'll tell me when she's ready. I headed down to breakfast and after got to work on my praetor duties, stopping midway for a cup of hot chocolate. Yes. Hot chocolate in Spring. Dont judge. I met up with Reyna to discuss some new additions and changes to the camp and then went to find Hazel.

    It didn't take that long. She was teaching a sword fighting class with the younger campers. I sat down on a nearby bench and observed. She was a great teacher and was great with kids. Some of the campers noticed me staring and started giggling and pointing. Hazel turned around, smiled and waved.

    ¨Hey Praetor! Care to join?¨ She asked.

    ¨No, no. I'm just observing.¨ I replied.

    ¨Oh come on. I insist.¨ She said with a smile that I couldn't refuse.

    The lesson went on and eventually concluded. Hazel and I sat in one of the various gardens in New Rome. Hazel was lying across the bench, her head rested on my lap.

    ¨It's weird.¨ She said out of the blue.

    ¨What's weird?¨ I questioned.

    She waved her hands around. ¨This. Everything. It's perfect. And life is almost never perfect. Especially for demigods. I feel like it's the calm before the storm. You know?¨

    I nodded in understanding. ¨Your right. But we better enjoy this calmness if there is a storm. What do you say we go buy some paint for the apartment. Weren't you saying that the walls were a bit dull?¨

    ¨Why yes I did. Lets go!¨

    After picking up our white paint with a subtle hint of blue, we headed to the apartment to paint. It was a bit soon considering we had officially got it yesterday but we wanted to be completely moved in before the summer when we would be visiting Camp Half-Blood.

    ¨So where should we start?¨ Hazel asked.

    I shrugged. ¨Living room?¨

    ¨Sure.¨

    I started playing our playlist and we got to work.

    We painted over the grey walls, sneaking a few kisses here and there. At one point Hazel got on my shoulders to paint the upper part of the wall and I may or may not have pretended to drop her which ended up with paint on my face.

    By dinner time we had finished most of the rooms and we decided to head down to eat dinner.