The Goddess of College

Ah Jeez...

Artemis' POV

I was doing my job, driving my chariot around the world. I was feeling better after Will had said Percy would have a full recovery, but I still worried. After all, it's not everyday you confess your love to a goddess, only to get shot down and then almost drown.

Yeah, I may not have made it a good day for him.

Anyways, I was going directly over Camp Half-Blood, letting yesterday's events flash back into my head. As I was about to head over the Long Island Sound, I heard someone crying in camp.

Being the kind goddess I was, I went over to check what was wrong. And oh boy, did I see something I regretted walking in on.

Percy was in the infirmary, clutching at his covers as if they were pressing down on him. He would occasionally twitch or cry out, and tear stains were evident on both his covers and his face.

Suddenly, his bloodshot eyes darted open, looking up at the roof. After half an hour of crying, he sat up. Mumbling almost to himself, he said, "I swear to the River Styx, I won't let Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter end up like that."

Hearing thunder rumble outside startled me as Percy fell asleep with a small smile on his face. Smiling to myself, I left the infirmary and headed back to my chariot to continue.

However, after some time, that happiness gave way to worry and anguish. What did he promise that for? I kept asking myself, fearful of the answer.

Unfortunately, stubbornness set in and I was set on figuring that out. So when I finished with my duties and the sun was up above Camp Half-Blood, I flashed into the infirmary, hoping he was awake.

When I arrived, he was groggily rubbing his eyes, so I decided now was the best time to ask him. "What in the name of the gods did you promise to yourself?" I asked, glaring at him murderously.

Visibly paler, he swallowed hard and responded meekly. "Something for me to know and you to wonder." Glaring at him harder, I was surprised to be met with a glare just as ferocious. Eventually, I gave out, thought from what remains to be found out.

"Percy..." I said quietly, a tone he usually couldn't resist. "what did you promise last night?" Meeting his eyes, his glare softened a little and he responded. "I can't say, Arty. I'm sorry, but I just....I can't."

Seeing Percy broken down to tears because of me hurt me in a way unimaginable. My heart throbbed painfully and was torn and twisted by something unseen. That's me I heard a voice say giddily in my head.

Get out Aphrodite I growled to said voice. Stop messing with me. One cheeky retort later, she was gone I was able to refocus on the situation. Unfortunately for me, my heart still hurt.

Nevertheless, I wrapped my arm around his shoulders as he wept, only for him to curl up into a ball away from me. Unimaginable pain gave way to unimaginable guilt. I made him cry I thought sadly. The second person I've ever loved is reduced to tears because of me.

After another minute, he wiped away the tears. Without a word, he began getting out of bed. "Woah, woah, woah!" I said, pushing him back down by his shoulders. I straddled him, ignoring how hard my heart was thumping, and asked "Where do you think you're going?"

Silence so deep, I could hear one heartbeat

Then another

And a third

"I'm trying to go to the restroom" he stammered, trying to squirm out from under me. Yeah right I thought you're totally not going to run away. "Swear on the Styx" I insisted, trying to contain my blush.