Why him?

Ch.9

We all sit at the same table after we get our food. Tori hadn't come back yet so I decide to wait for her. Everyone else digs in. After awhile Eric and Gray walk up, get there food and sit with us. Gray looks perfectly happy talking about some anime and Eric looks like his ears might straight fall off his head. Eric sits in front of me next to Jessie.

"What's up midget?" He says.

"What'd you do with my other woman, Big ass jerk?" I say.

"She said she was going to get something she forgot from her cabin." Gray says.

"Well she needs to hurry I she wants any breakfast." I say. We all look at Jessie who has a couple strips of bacon hanging out her mouth.

"What?!" She says with her mouth full.

"Yeah... So what's this guys name again?" Eric says pointing his fork at Tavi.

"His name is Octavian and I've been thinking!" Jessie starts.

"That's scary." Tori says joining our group. Finally! I'm starving!

"Shut up. Anyways, since you guys are bound to be together I'm adding you guys to my ship list!" Jessie says looking at us expectantly.

"What's a ship?" Tavi asks. Jessie and Tori gasp.

"You gon learn today..." I groan and face palm. The next half hour Jessie and Tori tell Tavi about what a ship is and told them the ever expanding list of ships.

"And the ship name is usually both of the shipmates names merged into one. Like Gratoria!" Jessie says. "So let's see... Audrey and Octavian... this might take a minute." She turns to Tori and they continue to talk. I turn to Tavi, who had his arm around me.

"I apologize for their craziness." I say. He laughs and hugs me tight.

"I've lived with this kind of crazy for years. This camp is a good example." he says.

"I don't know-*explosion*... Yeah I guess your right." I say. He leans down so his lips are next to my ear.

"Besides, I like the idea being a part of a ship with you." he whispers. Nobody was really paying attention to us.

"Which brings me to a question I have for you!" I say and shift in my seat so I face him. He does the same giving me a amused look.

"Yes?"

"Well, I just met you-" I had to think about this for a minute. "three days ago and were already talking about ship names?"

"So?" He says.

"I don't know it just seems a little... all of a sudden." His face falls.

"I...I'm sorry if I forced you into this. I just..." He says looking like a little lost puppy. Aww!

"No! I'm just saying, if this happens so quick, I...I don't want you to break my heart..." I say blushing and look away at Cletus who is chasing a butterfly. He takes my hand and turns my face towards him.

"I like to think of this as love at first sight and I would never hurt like that." he says.

"So you would hurt me in a different way?"

"Well you did bite my hand earlier so, I might have to get you back for that but... I don't think I could ever break your heart, bellus..."

"*giggle* How could I know for sure...?" He dramatically leans in closer and gently places his lips on mine. I'm not one for mushy stuff but I could be mushy as oatmeal for this guy. He pulls away and smirks.

"How's that for insurance?" He says just inches from my face.

"Hm... I don't think I heard you right. You might have to say it again..." I reply smiling. We both laugh and he leans in again but before we can connect, squeals erupt from the other end of the table.

"Clatavian!!! We found it and it's happening!!!" Kirstin squels.

"Cla-what?" Gray asks.

"Audrey's too hard to add to Octavian so we went with Audrey's middle name, Clair! Cla-tavian!" Jessie replies.

"Oh-kay..." Gray says.

Tavi and I look at each other. He smiles down at me.

"I like it!" He says.

"Me too." I reply. Everyone goes back to their own conversations.

"Shall I continue?" Tavi asks.

"Maybe when there's not so many people around." I say.

"Nobody's looking!" Tavi gives me a pouty face that is just too damn adorable. "Please..."

"Fine... But this will not become a regular thing in public." I mumble. He smiles and starts to lean in again. All of a sudden I feel a pain in my leg. Instead of kissing Tavi I face plant into his shoulder.

"Ahhh! Oh my gods! What the fuck?!" I look across the table to see a smirking Eric.

"Stop it with the PDA midget." he says

"You didn't have to kick me!!" I yell.

"Yeah!!" Jessie says smacking him upside the head. "Hittin on my woman!"

"Ow, sorry." he says.

"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to Clatavian!!"

"Why?!"

"Because you ruined a Clatavian moment!! And kicked my woman!!"

"No! I have reason!" Eric says. Jessie gives him a glare that my dad would be proud of.

"Fine! I apologize to the midget and the weirdo. Ya happy, demon woman?"

"Yes." Jessie says with look of victory on her face. My face felt like it was on fire and my leg still hurt. Tavi wraps his arm around me and I stick my tongue out at Eric.

We all go back to 'normal' conversation when I see something out of the corner of my eye. I look over Tavi's shoulder and spy Kirstin who's talking to some guy. What is this?! I'm about to but in when a... a centaur walks up to our table! Holy Hephaestus! Still not use to all these monsters that I never thought would exist just popping up!

"Hello new campers! I am Chiron and before we get you started on training the camp director and I would like to have a chat with you. Follow me." the man says. We all stand and follow him to, what my friends told me is the big house.