I don't know what to think. Nobody's keen on giving me answers, and now I'm not so keen on asking them questions. After Nico stormed off into the forest, Percy deflated like a balloon. I'm afraid to ask him again what happened, it seems so personal. Percy sighs. 

"I'm sorry, Lila. I... I didn't mean for the conversation to head off in that direction, but I guess it was inevitable. I just- I just want you to be safe."

"Is that what that was about? Keeping me safe?"

"It's... more complicated than just that. So, you're dead set on leaving tomorrow morning?"

"Yes," I nod. Percy puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Would you be ok with me going with you? I don't want to be the kind of overbearing older brother..."

"Percy, I'm glad you asked, but I don't think it would be a good idea. We have no idea who took my memories, why, or what they're about. I don't want you to join my quest and go on a rampage to try to kill everything in your way just because someone hurt me. I don't want to put you in danger." Percy meets my eyes, sea green on sea green.

"Well, if we're going to call your little 'trip' a quest, then you'd better bring along two other friends with you."

"I don't want to bother anyone else, or put anyone else in danger."  

"Is there anyone you could think of who wouldn't mind going on a quest with you, with no destination, no proper training, no guidance, no g-"

"Percy." He closes his mouth. "It's not like we can just send out a survey or announce this to the whole camp. Let me figure it out. Please." I puppy-dog stare at him, and he sighs.

"Lila, I trust you. But if anything happens to you, I will completely and utterly blame myself. Please. Stay safe." I reach up and kiss Percy on the cheek.

"I'll see what I can do." He kisses my forehead in return, then hugs me. I hold on to him, feeling the warmth of his body, knowing that after tomorrow I won't see him again in a long time. Maybe forever. But let's not think about that, shall we?

"Now, let's eat." Percy takes my hand, and we walk down to the dining pavilion.

"Hey, Lila!" I turn away from my plate to see Adam. "Look at what I made for you!" Ok. So, Adam's a nice guy. He's a sweet guy, not to mention totally attractive, but he... he doesn't really know when enough is enough. I like him, I really do. But it's been dropping from boyfriend-like to friend-like, even though I'm still attracted to him. I just can't exactly see myself dating him, you know? Anyways, for the past few days he's been trailing me, kind of. He's been a huge help during archery, which I excel at, but other than that his 'help' has been kind of overbearing. Suffocating. Then again... he's really, really cute...

"Yeah?" I look down at what he's presenting me. Sleek and carefully carved wood, with string that looks like it holds magical properties. It's a bow.

"Hand made. I did get a little help from the Hephaestus cabin, though." I take the bow, my mouth open in admiration, and Adam scratches the back of his neck. "I'm also making some arrows and I have a quiver, if you'd like to-"

"This is perfect." I breathe. Adam blushes. I look up at him and say, "Thank you so much, Adam, this is just what I needed. Do you think you'll have those arrows done by tonight? I'll come by if you need help."

"Yeah, sure, totally!" He stutters, and I swear he blushed a little, but the lighting makes it hard to tell. "But, what's the rush? Also, I haven't told you the best part!" I hand him the bow, and he plucks the string. "This is magical string Apollo gifted to us. His kids, I mean. Anyways, any arrow fired from this bow will not be affected by anything, and will not hit anything but it's intended target. So any weather conditions, any tree branches or falling debris will not affect the arrow's path." Adam gets really intense when he's talking about archery, it's fascinating. "The magic is in the bow, not the arrows, of course. I'm just making you a new set of arrows because, well, I felt like it. I also think they'll match the bow nicely. They're tipped with pheasant feathers and everything..." Adam is looking down at the bow, his eyes shining. Without thinking, I reach up and quickly kiss his cheek. I take the bow gently, and he touches his cheek, eyes shining for a new reason.

"You should go back to your table. I'll help you make the rest of the arrows later. Are you sure we'll be able to finish them by tonight?" 

"Yeah... sure... totally." Turning around, Adam slowly walks back to his bunk. I roll my eyes and finish eating.

"So. Adam." I hear Percy's voice very close to my ear, and nearly jump out of my skin.

"Gods Percy!" He chuckles.

"Would you mind me asking Adam to join you on your quest? He doesn't look like he'd reject."

"He'd do anything for me." I roll my eyes again. Percy widens his, shocked possibly?

"You don't like him? Then why'd you-"

"He's a nincompoop." Percy stares at me. "He's a dork, but a cute dork. A clingy, dorky, cute nincompoop." Percy keeps staring. After a while, he responds.

"... So you like him...?" I just shrug. "I'm going to ask him. So you're going to help him finish some arrows, which you're bringing, I assume."

"Yeah. Can you ask him after, though? I don't want it to be more awkward than I think it will be."

"What's the deal?" Percy asks, totally lost. I look at Annabeth, who's sitting on the other side of Percy. She rolls her eyes. From what she heard of both conversations, she probably knows my deal. I motion for her to explain.

"It's simple, Percy. She likes him, but she's not sure if she wants a relationship with him. Of course, it's not just a crush, it's a little more than that. Sometimes girls like guys, but think that if they start dating it will ruin what she thought they had." Annabeth explains, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world- which to girls it is- but Percy's looking at her as if she's speaking another language.

"Whatever." I wave Percy and his confusion off, and Annabeth laughs lightly.