Riordanverse OCs One Shots

Tulips

You know that moment when you like a girl but you try to be subtle about it and leave a red tulip on her bed but get nervous and accidentally leave poison ivy? Cause yeah.

I was tending to the poppies outside my cabin when a very angry British girl stormed up to me with bright red hands.

"Oi, Park!" she shouted.

I looked up, trying to be super casual. It failed. I dropped the trowel on her foot. She yelped "Di immortales, man!"
"Sorry." I stood up sheepishly.

She scowled. Even angry, she was gorgeous. She was Filipino, with long dark hair she had left loose that day, so it tumbled over her shoulders. Her orange camp shirt was tucked into distressed black jeans. Her red hightops were stomping over the work I'd just done, but I found I didn't care. If I had to place her, I'd reckon she was a daughter of Aphrodite. Her upturned features told me otherwise, though.

"So." Natasha kicked the trowel away, "One of your siblings decided to put poison ivy in my bed. Who was it? Miranda? Billie?"

I could feel my face burning.

"Well?" she tapped her foot impatiently.

"It was...um...I-" I was contemplating throwing one of my siblings under the bus when Natasha threw her hands in the air.

"Whatever! I'm going to the infirmary to get my hands healed. Be mindful, I'm keeping an eye on this cabin to find the guilty party." She curled her hands up to point at me but winced. She pointed her nose up and walked away.

I first realised I liked her the year previous. My cabin was destroyed so we all had to bunk in cabin 11. I got the bed next to Natasha's. It was the first time we'd spoken properly. I loved her accent. It was amazing how she'd been able to remain British sounding despite her years in New York. I thought it was cute. The way she'd say "lah-st" or "crisps".

I looked down. Without meaning to, I'd sprouted pink camellias. I cursed myself. I didn't love her. I just thought she was incredibly beautiful and brave...and also good with a sword and might slice my face off if I said something wrong.

Behind me, I heard a snort "Seriously, Justin? Camellias?"

I turned around and saw my sister, Billie, with her arms crossed.

I groaned "How much of that did you see?"

"Enough,dear brother. I think poison ivy's a weird gesture to show you like someone,"

"It was an accident!"

"Maybe skip the flowers next time and, y'know, ask her in person?"

"Yeah, but, subtly," I looked down, my face was flushed.

Billie frowned at me "That's it, c'mon. We're going to the Aphrodite cabin,"

"But I-"

She grabbed me by the shoulders and steered me towards the cabin. I was protesting the entire way there. She rapped on the door and was greeted by a cheerful looking daughter of Aphrodite.

"Hi," Cinta said "How can I help?"

Damn Aphrodite kids and their loving nature.

"This idiot." Billie gently smacked the side of my head "Is having problems with the girl he likes. He needs help,"

Cinta crossed her arms and looked me up and down.

"Yeah, I can do that,"

She grabbed me by the hand and brought me into the cabin. I almost gagged on the smell. They used way too much eau de parfum. Inside, it was hot pink and reminded me of a dollhouse. Cinta pulled up a chair next to one of the many mirrors and I sat down.

"So." Cinta put her palms together and rested her chin on her fingertips. "Girl problems. May I ask which girl?"

"Um..." Suddenly, my lap seemed very interesting. "Natasha Gavinson, y'know, the Hermes kid,"

She winced at the name. "Natasha is an...interesting case when it comes to love. You know what happened to her girlfriend,"

It wasn't supposed to come out, but everyone at Camp knew what happened.

"Well, I'll be sure not to get into any fights then," I said.

"It's not you I'm worried about. Everything said was confidential, but I'll just say, she's still not happy,"

I flexed my fingers. "So I'll just ignore my feelings then? If she's not emotionally ready then I could just drop it,"

"No no no! Just talk to her. You two should at least be friends. Trust is a basic foundation of any relationship,"

"Yeah, well, everytime I talk to her, or even think about her, I start growing flowers,"

"Hmm...demonstrate,"

I placed my hand on the desk and concentrated on everything I liked about her. Her accent, the way she pouted when she concentrated, the way her eyes would search her surroundings, as if trying to deduce the best possible route.

Soon, a coriander flower had bloomed. I couldn't stop myself from blushing.

"Oh, hmm," Cinta said "I don't speak flowers but I do understand emotions. And you, sir, are one heartsick boy. Here,"

She fished out something from a trunk. "Us Aphrodite kids always have the best chocolate and your British friend will enjoy this,"

I took the box from her "Cadbury's Roses?"

"Mm-hmm. Best British chocolate around. Just give them to her, at least,"

"And she'll like me?"

"I can't guarantee that, but she will at least view you in a positive light,"

I stood up and hugged Cinta "Thanks, I owe you one,"

I ran out to see Natasha walking out the infirmary, grumbling to herself.

"Stupid Demeter kids and their stupid plant powers,"
I almost dived behind Hestia's Hearth but I decided against it. I walked up to her, my heart hammering.

"Hi, Natasha,"

Natasha grunted and turned her head towards me.

"What do you want, Park?"

"I-I just thought I'd give you this." I held out the chocolates.

Her eyes lit up "Ooh, Cadbury's, I haven't had these in years I love- wait a minute. Why are you giving me these?"

I cleared my throat "I'm sorry. It was me who put the poison ivy in your bed. But in my defense, it was supposed to be a tulip,"

I saw her mouth "Tulip" and her eyebrows furrowed "Why were you trying to give me a tulip?"

My face felt hotter than the Apollo cabin on June 21st. "Well I...you see...I mean it's fine if you don't...but I..."

Her face changed from confusion to realisation to a look I hope wasn't horror.

"Justin, I-"

Here it comes, I thought, the rejection.

Natasha took in a shaky breath. "Do you know what? Maybe this'll help. I'm going to Camp Jupiter tomorrow if you wanna come with?"

My mouth widened in shock. "You want me to come with you?"

"Is that a yes?"

"Uh...yes,"

She smiled. "Cool. We leave in the morning so, you better be packed. Oh and," she plucked something from the ground by my feet "Thanks for the tulip,"