Remember Me? (Percy Jackson-- Leo Valdez Fanfic)

Chapter 17 (Part 1): Campfire Meeting

A/N: Heyyyy wazzup I am not even gonna bother with an excuse hahahah just kidding.
yeah its mainly because my new school is giving me SHIZ ton of homework and its so effin HARD and this weekend i had to go to SCHOOL ON A SATURDAY just because we had 2 days off -_-
so yeah busy busy busy.
btw don't worry the chapter is much longer than this, but I figured that it would be WAAYYY too long and i dont want to keep you guy waiting any longer so yeah here is part one of Chapter 17 peeps ^_^
Hope you continue to stick around, and if you HAVE, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.
other than you know.... NOT failing school.
so yeah :)
I have ANOTHER test tomorrow T^T I had a math test on friday, a science test on saturday, and a math test AGAIN on saturday, and tomorrow I have an art AND Philippine History Test T^T
GOD PLEASE HELP ME.
anyway yeah haha I am speeding the story up so yeah hope you like this part of the chapter ^_^
love you guys mwuah bye

~Mari-licious <3 (C wut I did there??!?!?!? No??? WELL. Me neither. hahaha xD ok i'mma shut up now :P )
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I sat on the top of a big boulder, staring off at the glistening lights dancing on the surface of the lake at sunset.
 
It had been nearly a week since the incident, and since I arrived to this camp. I woke up that day, and found myself in an infirmary bed with nine people staring at me. They explained what happened but just from the look in their eyes, I could tell that they weren’t telling me the whole truth.
 
I spent most of my time since then wondering what they might be keeping from me, but I don’t know if it is something big, or it’s just something unimportant. But if it was unimportant, why would they hide it? Annabeth told me that I had just a sudden panic attack after I had my fight with Leo, and then I fell unconscious and Hazel brought me to the infirmary.
 
I shouldn’t be surprised since sudden panic attacks are nothing new to me, but every time I tried to convince myself that Annabeth was telling the whole truth, I feel a sharp pain on my side, telling me to not believe it.
 
And when I asked how the bracelet got back on my arm, I caught Percy stiffen a little, his eyes wide, and I knew something was up. Then I was told that Jason found it and saw that it was mine so he put it on my arm for me.
 
I slowly took a deep breath and closed my eyes in attempt to clear my head, to stop thinking about everything else just for this moment. I opened my eyes again and smiled as I stared at the mix of red, pink, peach, and lavender in the sky. Surrounding the large yellow and orange ball of flames as it started to slowly sink down behind the water.
I sighed in happiness as I finally felt calm and happy since I fell unconscious days before. All this time, I had been introduced to the camp more, and I started training. I still hadn’t been claimed, but it seems like Nico is the one who is affected by it instead of me. He is still working on the case of how I was able to enter the camp, and why I wasn’t claimed yet.
 
The sky was darkening as the sun sank lower and lower, and I started to feel my eyelids dropping….
 
***
 
“Kristen!”
 
I moaned groggily as I sat myself up to a sitting position. I slowly opened my eyes and yawned widely as I stretched my arms. I relaxed again and then took a look around to see Conner standing at the bottom of the rock, smiling up.
 
I smiled back and then slowly climbed down, then jumped off once I was about four feet from the ground. I stumbled a little, but Conner grabbed my arm and held me steady.
“Thanks” I say.
Conner nods and replies, “No problem.”
 
Once I gained full balance, I looked at him again. “So what’s going on?”
Conner smirked and glanced at the top of the rock where I was before. “Well, you were falling asleep; about eight feet from the ground.”
 
I shrugged and smiled again, holding back a laugh as he chuckled. “Just wanted to get a good view, that’s all.”
 
Conner nods and puts his hands on my shoulders and starts leading me back to camp.
“It’s almost dark.” He said. I nodded. “I noticed.”
He chuckled again then said, “And I am guessing that you forgot about the campfire meeting tonight.”
 
I froze a little, eyes wide, then nodded. “Well, you guessed right, because I forgot all about it.” I said, laughing a little. Conner snorted then continued to push me gently by the shoulders back to camp.
 
“I probably shouldn’t bring this up but… Do you think you would be claimed this time?” Conner asked hesitantly.
I shrugged. “It’s fine Conner, I don’t really mind anymore. But... honestly? I have no idea. I don’t think I will be but, I’m not sure if I even have one. I don’t care what they say, I still believe that my parents are my real parents.” I say the last few words quietly but confidently.
 
Conner nodded and squeezed my shoulders a little, and I looked up at him with a grateful smile.
We reach the Camp, and I see Travis coming towards us.
 
“Hey Kristen.” He says as he fist bumps Conner. I grin and hold my fist out. He laughs and fist bumps me as well.
“Hiya Travis.” I laugh.
Travis then looks towards Conner, then at me, then at both of us with a confused glance.
I didn’t know what was in his mind, but I’ve got ideas. My eyes widened, and I quickly took a step away from Conner and shook my head. “It’s not like that.”
Travis raised his eyebrow teasingly and said, “I didn’t say anything.”
I felt my cheeks grow warm as the brothers laughed, and soon I joined in.
 
“Anyway Kris, mind if I steal Conner for a while?” Travis says.
I shrugged and said, “He’s all yours.”
Conner stared at me with his eyes wide, mocking surprise and hurt. “How could you just give me up that easily? I thought we had something special!”
 
I rolled my eyes, laughing and pushed him towards Travis. Conner snickered and then they both started to walk away.
“See ya Kris!” Conner said, and Travis waved once with his back still turned. I gave a small salute for fun, then shook my head, chuckling a little.  I turn the other way and start walking, looking for a place to sit.
 
“Kris! Over here!” I turned my head to the voice, and smiled as I saw Piper and Hazel waving towards me. I started walking towards them, then froze as I realized that Leo sat right next to them. My smile faded, and I saw that so did Leo’s.
 
Ever since I woke up that time, I tried to get Leo out of my mind as much as possible. I know that he doesn’t remember me, and the only way to stop the hurting is to try to convince myself that I forgot him too. But it’s hard since he still acts like the same old Leo. And he is not helping at all when he tries to be kind to me, makes jokes, making me fall for him all over again. He keeps acting as if he never forgot me, but I can’t ignore the fact that he did, and I can’t do anything about it.
 
I feel like a jerk whenever I don’t laugh at his jokes, when I openly avoid him, when I respond tartly to his simple questions. But I can’t help it. I know myself well enough to know that if I want something to happen, if I take any break at all from the climb to the top, I’ll end up crashing back down immediately. I try to put my feelings aside, to get to the point where I won’t have any more feelings to worry about. I think it’s the best for both of us.
 
I smiled at Hazel and Piper with an apologetic smile without looking back at Leo then turned away, and spotted Percy and Annabeth. I started walking towards them, but just before I was about to reach them they stood up and walked away. I felt a tiny bit of hurt, but then realized that feeling was unnecessary when they started walking towards Chiron.
 
I looked around again and then I saw Alfire sitting with Grover. Alfire saw me then waved, patting an empty spot next to him. I walked towards them then flopped down onto the empty spot.
Alfire had been released from the infirmary three days ago and he was as strong as ever. Percy said that the fact that the ambrosia had not harmed him but instead helped with healing him, proved that he was no normal human. Meaning that he had some other blood in him.
 
Before they could say anything, I said, “You’re not gonna’ send me away are you?”
Alfire looked at me in confusion, then I continued. “Because I really don’t feel like looking for another place to sit.”
Alfire seemed to catch on because he laughed and shook his head. “No I’m not going to.”
I gave a loud sigh of relief. “Phew, thanks.”
He laughed again then leaned forward, resting his arm on his leg, looking like he was just trying to find a comfortable position.
 
“Hey Kris!” Grover said, poking his head from behind Alfire. I grinned and said, “Hey Grover.”
 
The day after I woke up in the infirmary, Percy introduced me to his best satyr friend, Grover Underwood. And I liked Grover from the start, funny, simple, and strange in a good way. I think he liked me too, as a person, although I don’t know for sure. And I find no need to go up and ask him, being friends with him is proof enough.
 
“Do you think we’ll be claimed tonight?” Alfire asked me, whispering into my ear. I looked at him, and frowned, sighing as I turned away again.
 
Alfire hasn’t been claimed yet either. We have been here for more than a week. And they keep reminding us that we are supposed to be claimed once we’re thirteen, every single time we’re introduced to someone new in the camp; even if not intentionally.
 
Unlike me, Alfire is affected by it. He thinks about it more, he wants to be claimed. I never tell him off because I think I can understand; to an extent at least. Maybe this could be the reason why he has never had a father by his side, and why his mother never talked about his dad. I don’t know if that’s the reason why Alfire wanted to know so badly, but then again what other reason could there be?
 
“I don’t know.” I replied softly.
Alfire nodded slowly then turned his gaze back to the large bonfire.
I just sat there for a while, nothing to do. I tapped my foot on the ground lazily, as I listened to Grover talking to Alfire about Juniper, his wood nymph girlfriend, and Alfire seemed to be interested in the story; and all the chatter coming from everyone else.
 
I sighed then stood up, poking Alfire softly on his shoulder. He looked up from his and Grover’s conversation, and I spoke.
“Hey, I’m just going to go get a drink, so do you two want any?” I asked, looked back and forth from Alfire to Grover. Grover shook his head while Alfire shrugged, “Yeah sure. I can come with you if you want.” He offered.
 
I raised my eyebrow and said, “Alfire, I don’t think I need an escort to go to a table about fifteen feet away.”
He chuckled and I did the same as I shook my head, “Nah its fine. You two continue your conversation. Oh, and do you have any special requests?” I asked Alfire.
Alfire grinned and rubbed his chin teasingly, “I think I’ll have a pint of sparkling red wine in a glass if you please, dear butler.”
 
I smiled and said, “Punch it is, master.”
He laughed and said, “Yeah good enough.”
“Good, because I think that is the only thing that is there.” I shrugged and Alfire shook his head in amusement. “Whatever Kristen.” I grinned then turned to the table with plastic cups and a big bottle filled with strawberry punch.
 
I took two cups, and filled one cup at a time, slowly pouring it, careful not to spill anything. After I filled both, I started drinking mine before I headed back to Alfire. I drank the whole cup then wiped my mouth with my sleeve which reached to my elbow. Not yet a habit of mine, and I don’t want it to be since I still believe it is unhygienic, but I would rather clean my mouth with a shirt I was going to wash anyway than walk around with punch outside of my mouth since there was no tissue or anything close by.
 
I started to refill my cup again until I heard someone say something from right beside me.
“Kristen?”
I almost jumped, for I didn’t notice anyone standing right beside me, but once I recognized the voice and turned to see who it was, I almost dropped my punch filled cup as I froze.
Leo smiled at me as he stood there, and just as he opened his mouth to say something, I gave him a quick tiny smile in return then grabbed Alfire’s cup and turned to walk away; even if it meant I had to walk in the opposite direction from Alfire since Leo was right between us.
 
“No wait!” Leo exclaimed but I ignored him and continued walking. Until I almost ran into him as he jumped in front of me. I sighed then looked at him and asked as politely as I could, “Please move out of the way?”
 
Leo slowly shook his head, “No Kris, can you please just hear me out?”
I didn’t trust my mouth to say anything now since I made the mistake of staring into his deep, dark chocolate eyes; so I just nodded. Leo grinned in relief then his smile quickly disappeared as he looked to the side. I frowned and also looked to where he was looking, and saw Alfire staring at us.
I looked back at Leo, catching him staring at me before he quickly looked down.
I took a deep breath, and spoke. Surprising myself with how steady it came out. “What is it Leo?”
 
“I uh…” Leo trailed off. “You know what? Nevermind.”
I nodded in relief then turned away again, ready to walk off; until Leo said, “No wait!” again and touched my shoulder.
I flinched when I felt a sharp spark when his fingers made contact with my skin, and turned around quickly, knocking his hand off.
I raised my eyebrow and tilted my head questioningly.
 
“Uh…” He mumbled again, scratching the back of his neck. “Can I…” He said, then sighed. “Can we talk later? You know, after the meeting?”
I swallowed nervously and looked to the ground, “Sorry, I can’t Leo I’m busy.” Lies escaped my mouth easily.
 
He chuckled somewhat nervously and shrugged, “That’s ok, what about tomorrow?”
“No really Leo, I can’t.” I frowned. I started to walk away again until Leo grabbed my arm. I looked back, then held my breath as I looked into his eyes, which were not so far from mine. Which is dangerous, especially now since he was using what I called his evil puppy dog eyes.
 
I took a step back, to not be so close as he said, “Please Kristen?”
I bit my lip in annoyance and sighed as I gave in. Silently cursing at myself, since I knew that this was going to send me tumbling way back from where I was at forgetting Leo. Not that I reached very far in the first place. “Fine.” I mumbled, and Leo grinned as triumph and relief danced in his eyes.
“Meet me by the biggest boulder at the late by noon tomorrow.” I say, directing him to the place where Conner found me earlier. Leo nodded. “Thank you Kristen.” I smiled weakly as he squeezed my shoulder gently, then he walked off. Well, it was closer to skipping off but… whatever.
 
I cursed again silently as I walked back to Alfire, and Alfire looked at me questioningly.
“Well that sure did take you a while butler, if I was close to dying of thirst over here.” He joked.
I didn’t smile or laugh, but just gave him his cup and then sat down, taking a sip from my own as I shrugged, “Nothing. Just got held up for a moment.”
 
We had a short moment of silence until he spoke again.
“That Leo didn’t do or say anything to upset you did he?” Alfire asked slowly.
I shook my head. To be honest, he didn’t. All the anger I felt was just personal, only I could feel it. Although now it is hard even for me to understand why I was feeling it. “No he didn’t.”
“Good.” Alfire muttered. I looked at him, and he looked back at me, and worry was visible in his eyes.
 
I frowned, and turned away, growling a little.
“What is it?” Alfire asked.
“You know how I feel about people feeling sorry for me.” I muttered.
“But I wasn’t--”
“I could see it in your eyes Al.” I said.
Alfire frowned and said, “Sorry Kris. You know that I didn’t mean it as if I thought you weren’t able to handle it on your own. I’m just worried about you.”
I looked at him and said, “And you don’t need to be! As you said, I can handle it.”
“It’s not about whether or not you can handle it that I’m worried about Kristen. It’s just about how you handle it.”
“And you don’t need to worry. I promise, nothing is wrong.” I smiled at him, but he still looks unconvinced.
I sighed then said, “Ok fine. I am not upset, just a little nervous that’s all.”
“Nervous? Nervous about what?” Alfire snorted.
I was about to respond, but then Chiron saved me when his voice started ringing through the air.
“I’ll tell you later.” I looked at Alfire. Alfire frowned at me, but then nodded, turning his attention to Chiron. I honestly had no intention of telling him, but I am not telling him that. I then followed his actions.
 
 
“I have decided, and Mr. D agreed, tomorrow afternoon, we will finally have a game of Capture the Flag!” Chiron announced happily as cheers erupted from the crowd.
I clapped, but didn’t cheer since I still have no idea how it’s played. Both Conner and Percy mentioned and tried explaining the game to me, but I still don’t understand. Basically, I know that the point of the game is to compete with the other team to try and get some flag and the first person to get it wins. It’s not exactly that complicated to understand the point of the game, but I still don’t get the rules and the different positions in each team.
 
I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I might not even get picked to play in the game, and if I am picked to play, then I’ll just wing it after the captain give instructions.
I looked at Alfire and noticed how excited he looked. Possibly even more excited than practically all the other faces around him. Back in Alaska he used to love sports. He said that this game sounded a lot like football. Running around, while someone goes with or after the prize while the other the other people distract the opponent team.
I would agree on him with that point, but since I was not at all a sporty person and I knew nothing about football, so my opinion would invalid if I had one.
 
I returned my attention to Chiron, until I got distracted by Percy and Annabeth still standing beside him. I watched as they clapped, and I saw Chiron nod towards them, they replying with a smile and they walked back to their seats.
“Nothing new is happening around here to be discussed, so you all may go back to your cabins.  Continue training in the morning, and by noon I want everyone here for me to tell you the teams. And if there is anyone here who would like to volunteer to help organize the teams please come forward. Everyone else, you are now excused.”
 
I watched as a group of people gathered in front of Chiron and several others walk back into their cabins.
 
“Hey!” A voice came from behind me, making me jump just before I was going to stand up.
I looked to my right and saw Conner and Travis looking at me. “What did we miss?” they asked.
 
“Hey.” I smiled. I looked around and said casually, “The whole meeting.”
Conner shrugged and replied, “Kinda’ figured.”
I snorted and Travis asked, “So what did Chiron talk about?”
“A game of Capture the Flag.” Alfire offered from beside me. They both cheered and I looked at them suspiciously. “What were you too doing anyway?”
 
Both their excited grins were replaced with mischievous smirks as Conner winked saying, “You’ll see.”
I gulped and I said, “Part of me wants to see, the other part wants to run away as far as possible.”
Travis chuckled and Conner patted me on the back playfully, “Nothing to worry about Kris, it’s not gonna’ harm anyone.”
I smiled in relief until he added, “I think.”
I rolled my eyes and they both laughed.
 
We all stood up and I looked to my side and realized that Alfire and Grover had already left. Alfire must have already headed towards the Hermes Cabin. I shrugged to myself and turned to the Stoll’s. Conner playfully put his arm around my shoulder and we all walked towards the Hermes Cabin together.
 
I spotted Annabeth talking in a deep conversation with Percy and Nico outside of the Hades Cabin. I shrugged it off and looked away just as the three separated and went to their own cabin.
Once we walked into the Hermes Cabin I saw Alfire lying there on one of the beds furthest from the door, and I walked towards him. “Hey.” I mumbled and he tipped his imaginary hat in greeting, but didn’t look my way as he continued to stare blankly at the ceiling.
I would ask what’s wrong, but I wanted to get out of these clothes first. I snatched some clothes from the chest in front of my bed and got clothes, then walked towards the showers.
 
I had a quick night shower and changed into clean clothes, then heading back to the Hermes Cabin. I looked towards Alfire’s bed to talk to him, but froze when I saw that he was asleep. I walked towards him anyway just to be sure. I nodded to myself when I confirmed that he was sleeping and headed towards my bed, which was right next to Conner’s and Travis’s bunk bed, and on the opposite side from where Alfire’s bed was.
 
“Night guys.” I yawned, and I received two replies from the brothers. And just as my eyes were closing, I heard a loud screech coming from outside, but clearly from inside another cabin.
“STOLLS!!!!!” A girl screamed.
 
I heard snickering coming from the trouble maker’s direction and I smiled in amusement. My eyes closed, and I fell fast asleep.
 
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A/N: Please comment, vote and follow!!

~Mari <3