Date: November 1

    "So what happened between you and Frank last night?" Piper asked Hazel.

    "How do you know anything happened?" Hazel asked.

    Piper shrugged and Hazel started to fan herself despite the crisp, cool autumn breeze that blew through the park.

    "I think it was a good night for couples everywhere," Annabeth remarked. "I saw Nico and Will making out."

   "What?" Hazel squealed. "Why didn't he tell me?"

   "I hope they get together," Piper said.

    "I think they will," Annabeth said. "They were passing notes in English class."

     Hazel squealed again. She was happy for her brother. He had told her the day before Halloween that he had realized he was gay when he was 10. The person who awakened him was none other than Percy Jackson. His story had explained a lot, such as why he often avoided Percy and Annabeth,

    "So Hazel, what exactly transpired between Frank and you?" Annabeth asked.

     Hazel started to fan herself again. She felt her cheeks heat up despite the chilly autumn breeze.

    "Did you do the deed?" Annabeth pressed.

     "No!" Hazel said.

     "Then why do you look so embarrassed?" Piper asked. "Something intimate must have happened. Did you two make out?"

    "No," Hazel insisted. "We danced together"

     "Did you tango?" Annabeth asked.

     "No, it was just a slow dance," Hazel said. "It was nice."

      "Why are you taking things so slowly?" Piper asked.

     "I don't want guys to see me as easy," Hazel said. "I don't like bedding guys like you do."

     Piper clenched her jaw and stood up, her fists curled up. Annabeth looked between both of the girls. They looked like they might spring on each other and fight. Annabeth was half-expecting them to start doing war dances like ferrets.

    Hazel looked away and said, "I'm sorry. I was too hasty with my words. I just don't want to be seen as⁠—"

    "As I am," Piper said bluntly. 

       Hazel blushed, but nodded and said, "It's just my exes have always broken up with me after I refused to sleep with them. I like Frank, but what if he does the same? I want to take it slowly with him."

    "I'm sorry, Hazel," Piper said. "I shouldn't have told you what to do. If you want to take it slow, that is your choice."

     "Are you two done fighting?" Annabeth asked.

     "Yes," both of the girls said.

      "Good because we need to study for our College Algebra test," Annabeth said.

    Both girls groaned, but they followed Annabeth to her car. On the ride back, Annabeth told them about how Percy's little brother, Tyson, had gotten his first girlfriend last week. They were both freshmen and Tyson had asked out Ella by giving her a book about Greek Mythology she had wanted to read for weeks. Inside the book was a bookmark with the words "Do you want to be like Hero and Leander?" on it. 

     "That's cute," Piper said. "I wish Jason would do something like that."

   "Maybe you should just ask him out," Annabeth said. "That's what I did with Percy."

    "But what if he says no?" Piper asked.

    Hazel spotted Annabeth rolling her eyes. She thought of Frank's wide smile as she led him into the living room. Should she ask him out? No, she decided, not yet. Not yet.