Something Forbidden

Chapter 11: Danika

DANIKA

"Grover, youre the only one at camp who knows about this. You gotta help me out!"

"Danika, im not going to lie, im really bad at giving advice. Why dont you ask Chiron? Or Percy?" Grover told me.

"But Chiron doesnt know! And Percy..."

I looked down. I wanted to tell him, but for some reason, i just couldnt bring myself to do it. Grover looked away like he always did when i looked emotional. He learned not to comfort me, since it only made it worse.

"Look, just give them some time. Dont pressure yourself too much," he said carefully.

I sighed and nodded.

"Just... wait for her to come back. She'll know what to do," Grover reassured me.

···

I passed by the Apollo cabin. It was tempting, but i looked away. "Just give them some time."  Grover had told me.

"Danika!"

I looked over my shoulder to find Percy. I stopped and gave him a small smile then started walking again.

"Hey, wait!" he called as he managed to catch up.

"Whats going on?" he asked,

"What? Who? Me? Nothing! Why would you say that?" i said, putting on my best fake smile.

He studied me like a dangerous science experiment, so of course, he wasnt buying it.

"Oh, stop lying to me sis. Somethings bothering you,"

"Amazing how you, a Seaweed Brain, could actually figure that out." i told him.

He chuckled.

"So, something is bothering you." he said, growing serious again.

"Yeah. But its best if we dont talk about it," i said.

"Hey, whatever your problem is, im sure you can solve it. Just give yourself some time," he said, "Now, why dont we practice with that new sword of yours?"

I grinned. Percy really knew how to cheer me up. I jumped on his back and he carried me back to the cabin.

···

The conch horn blew.

"Time for dinner," Percy said, catching his breath.

We had been practicing for hours of sword fighting. Sweat dripped down our chins, inhaling and exhaling air like crazy. My sword dissolved into gold dust and blew with the soft breeze while Riptide shrunk back into a ballpoint pen.

"So, why dont you say we head over the cabin and change before heading to the mess hall." Percy said.

I grinned at the thought. The others looking confused as ever at what a mess we were, ironic, how we were in the mess  hall. I looked up at Percy, he thought the same thing.

···

We ran back to the cabin before everyone got seated for dinner and changed.

We were finally about to head over to the pavilion when i felt a headache coming on. I tried hard not to let it bother me, but the pain i felt was unbearable.

"Sis, are you alright? Hold on, ill call-" he said, running outside.

I grabbed him by the arm to stop him and told him i was fine.

"Are you sure? You dont look so good. You want me to stay while you rest?" he asked concerned.

"No, im fine, really. Just go eat dinner, ill catch up with you in the amphitheater. Besides, im not that hungry." i reassured him.

I gave him a quick smile, then winced. The pain grew more and more. Percy carried me to my bed placing squares of ambrosia in a ziplock and promised to head over as soon as he finished eating.

"Stupid headache," i muttered as soon as Percy left.

I got a square of ambrosia and ate it. I closed my eyes as i let the taste flutter in my mouth. It tasted nothing like i expected, but tasted exactly the same when Grover had... i shook my head.

I dint need that kind of pain right now. The headache was bad enough, which was now gone. I closed my eyes and wanted to stay their the whole night, away from my friends... away from my problems.

I opened my eyes again, i cant stay in the cabin. I had promised Percy i'll catch up with him, and how he had looked at me with such concern, i knew it would make him feel better that he knew i was okay and was with him.

I got up and dint feel dizzy at all. I made my way to the door and ran to the mess hall.

···

Sure enough, the mess hall was empty. Everyone was now packed in the amphitheater. I dint mind, i wasnt hungry anyways, and the god's food really tasted good.

I ran as fast as i can and bumped someone on the shoulder. I fell on the ground and cursed in Greek.

"Gods!" i yelled, pulling myself up.

"Look, im so sorry but im in a rush and-... Danika?" i heard a familiar voice say.

I looked at the person i had bumped into.

"Nico? What are you doing here? I thought you said you were heading to Camp Jupiter," i asked.

Then i looked at what he held in his hand, wilted roses. He must have noticed me staring because he hid the flowers behind his back and blushed.

"Look, i really cant talk right now. I-"

"Those flowers are for Raili, arent they?" i asked him.

"What? Raili? Of course not! Psssh..." he said in a shaky tone.

I crossed my arms and stared at him.

"Alright, fine! I like her okay? I just- she just... She's amazing."

"Then why dont you give it to her?"

"Because..."

"Because?"

"Im- im scared alright? Im scared she might not like me and that she's going to think im crazy and reject me." he said, looking at the wilted flowers.

"You have no idea," i muttered,

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing. Anyways! How about this, you give the flowers to me while i'll give them to Raili and explain why you couldnt give them to her yourself. Scaredy cat!"

"Really? I mean, yeah. That could work too," he said.

He looked at the wilted roses and gave them to me. I couldnt help but laugh, a son of Hades scared to be rejected by a girl.

"Thanks, Danika. I dint know you could be... sweet ," he chuckled,

"Dont push it, Death boy!" i snapped.

We both laughed and he dissapeared into the shadows, back to Camp Jupiter. I held the dying flowers in my hand, looked towards the amphitheater and almost screamed. There stood a very shocked looking Raili, i could see her trying to hold in her tears.

"Raili, i can explain." i said slowly, walking towards her.

She shook her head as all her tears fell out, she was heartbroken. She pushed me away and ran back to her cabin.

I ran after her, flowers still in my hand... or well, whats left of it. The stem maybe.

"Raili! Just let me explain !" i called out.

She dint listen. She ran all the way to her cabin and shut the door. I banged the door telling her to open it.

What  did she see back there?

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Author's Note

Heeey. Hope you liked it. No? Alrighty then. Any theories why Danika knows so much about Camp? No?

Alrighty then.