"Okay so what makes you think that Michael is into me?" Beck asked. Leo flipped a coin and peered at it as it landed, then scribbled something down on a piece of paper.

"Um. Other than the fact that he literally constantly stares at you and he punched me in the face when I said we should date?"

"He's just protective. We're friends." Beck shrugged.

"You're really oblivious for someone who apparently knew Nico was gay as soon as you met him."

"That was a different set of circumstances." Beck watched as he flipped another coin. "What are you doing?"

"Testing my weighted drachma."

"Why?" She peered over at it as it hit the ground again.

"Well I want to make it so that it lands in my favor most of the time, but not all the time, so it's not overly suspicious."

"Are you trying to cheat the Hermes kids out of something?"

Leo grinned. "Always."

Beck shook her head and got up. "Have fun with that."

He nodded and went back to what he was doing.

Beck walked back towards her cabin. She was planning on grabbing her book and continuing that, since she was almost done, but something caught her eye.

Michael was leaning against the Apollo cabin's porch railing, talking to one of his cabinmates. As Beck watched, she nodded and went inside the cabin. Michael didn't move.

She changed course and walked over to the cabin. "Michael."

He looked up and grinned. "Hey Beck! What's up?"

Beck walked up onto the porch and looked up at him, crossing her arms. "Why did you punch Leo the other day?"

It was only there for half a second, but Beck clearly saw the terrified, deer in the headlights look that crossed Michael's face.

"He was flirting with you-"

"So?" She raised her eyebrows, looking up at him. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, and you of all people should know that."

"I know, I just- I wasn't thinking."

"That much was abundantly clear." Beck shook her head. "Michael, I know we're friends, and that makes you want to take care of me, but I know how to deal with boys that I don't want to date flirting with me."

"I just got upset, okay?" He asked, suddenly defensive. "He doesn't deserve you!"

"What does that mean?" Beck made a face.

Michael flushed, clearly getting worked up about this. The daughter of Poseidon couldn't figure out why though.

"Just- you're a really nice girl, you're sweet and helpful and funny and caring, and a guy like Leo who is constantly flirting with any girl that comes within ten feet of him and acting like he's everyone's ideal man doesn't deserve to have that to himself, because he won't cherish you and your personality the way someone who actually loves you should-"

"And what kind of man would that be?" Beck challenged, taking a step closer.

"A guy like me!" Michael exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. Then he froze.

The deer in the headlights look was much clearer this time. Beck stared at him, surprised.

"Listen I'll talk to you later-" Michael said hurriedly before darting into the cabin.

"Michael wait-" The door slammed shut in Beck's face. She put her hands on her hips, frowning.

"Michael Waters, you come back out here right now!"

No response. Beck pounded sharply on the door.

"Michael!"

She heard shuffling inside, but still no response. Beck crossed her arms stubbornly.

"I'll just wait here until you come back outside!"

The door handle clicked sharply and Beck nearly facepalmed. It wasn't even locked before, she could have just pushed her way in.

"Michael!"

His half-sister opened the door. "Can I help you?" 

"I know Michael's in there." Beck said. "I just want to talk to him."

"See, the thing about that is... he actually just left." The girl smiled innocently.

"What? There's only one door-" Beck glanced over her shoulder and noticed a open window. "Seriously? What a child."

She turned to go, but the girl grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Beck, c'mon, let him be. He doesn't want to talk about it right now."

"Look, if he likes me, he should just tell me so." Beck shook her head.

The girl smiled crookedly. Her name was Laurel, Beck remembered that now.

"I'll uh, be sure to pass that message on, Beck... I'm sure he'd rather hear it from you though."

"I'll keep that in mind for when he stops avoiding me like I'm sure he's doing right now?"

Laurel giggled and looked over Beck's shoulder.

She turned around to see what the daughter of Apollo was looking at.

"How could I ever avoid you?" Michael asked. He was clearly nervous, but there was some resolve in his eyes.

Beck crossed her arms. "You just climbed out a window so you didn't have to talk to me."

"No, I climbed out a window so I could hear what you said to Laurel without being in your line of sight."

She rolled her eyes but Michael smiled nervously.

"And so I could do this-"

He pulled her close and leaned in.