Lies

Chapter 6

**Zoë**

The crowd got restless after a while and surged forward. They grabbed her and shoved her towards the bar. Thalia saw what was coming and weaved her way through the crowd. Right into Artemis's arms.

She grinned widely at the dark haired girl and led her - dragged - towards the bar. Thalia was sat on a stool and about one hundred party goers left to do their own thing, leaving roughly fifty people - not including the Hunters - to encourage her. Not that it was working. The first five glasses were smashed and/or thrown at Artemis. One hit Apollo and Artemis almost died laughing as Apollo shook glass out of his hair. Fifteen people held her down while three forced her mouth open and two poured the alcohol into her mouth.

"Zoë, d'you think she'll get drunk?" Diana asked me.

"No," I said after a pause.

Turns out I was right. Artemis stopped them before the crowd could get too carried away. Thalia immediately stalked off to a corner and sat down, glaring at the ground. Thalia didn't move for one moment, stiff and cold, like plywood, until the party was over. But even then she only made the most necessary movement and refused to talk. For three weeks Thalia didn't speak to Artemis. Or anyone, really. We visited Camp Half-Blood - dammit - and she lightened up a little. I noticed how closed off she became whenever anyone stepped near her, and how she answered in one word answers. Thalia seemed so insecure and lost in amongst the crowd of campers.

"Hey," I grinned, nudging her shoulder.

She tensed and then relaxed slightly.

"Hi," she mumbled, picking at her scab on her knee.

We sat there in awkward silence until she stood up.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I have people to meet," she smiled slightly and ran off.

I ran over to Percy's cabin and locked the door. And immediately ran back out because Annabeth and Percy were kissing on the floor. After a while I decided it was safe and poked my head in. They weren't kissing anymore so I walked in.

"I need help for Zoë's birthday present," I said.

"Did you think of getting Leo to make a star pendant?" Annabeth asked.

"No! But great idea," I said excitedly.

I ran off to find him and came across Calypso crying on the beach.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," Calypso sighed. "I just feel like Leo only saved me because he had to. It feels like he never has any time for me. Do you know that feeling of being surrounded by people who you think and hope are your friends and then find out they have no time for you?"

I laughed hollowly. "All the time, girl. Every seconds of every day. The Hunters, they all have their own best friends. Phoebe, Zoë. Alice, Emily. Atalanta, Bianca. Diana, Cynthia. I guess I'm just basically a burden on their shoulders that they're forced to carry."

She looked at me with newfound respect. "Do you wanna be my best friend, then?"

"This isn't outta pity or anything?" I asked cautiously.

"Nope," she grinned, super cheerfully.

"Then OK. I'll be your best friend," I agreed.

We grinned at each other and laughed.

"I have to go see Leo and I take it your headed that way?" I asked.

She nodded. We stood up and started walking to Bunker 9. Leo came running out with a non function automaton running after him. Smoke poured out of the Bunker and we coughed. I shot down the bronze automaton and helped Leo up.

"Right. Can you help me make a star for Zoë's birthday?" I asked Leo.

"Um . . . I can try," he shrugged.

It worked great and Zoë loved it. The star hung on a thin piece of string with an arrow through the middle of the star.