5 months, 1 week, and 4 days since Hunter promised to leave camp. He had never thought that leaving camp was something that he could choose to do. He always imagined that he would be there for the rest of his immortal life, training and meeting new campers, going on quests. Or maybe he would be defeated in battle against an evil enemy that threatened his way of life. Never did he think that he would willingly leave the only place he ever knew. The place he grew up. Where he was taught. Where he made friends. Where he became who he was. He had been in camp longer than anyone else. He was 18 and 14 of those years were in camp. He had learned Ancient Greek. He had done what no other mortal has ever done. He was a hero. Leaving camp meant that all of that would go away. He would go back to being a normal 17 year old. One that wasn’t legally a person considering his birth. Outside of camp, Hunter didn’t exist.
“I don’t know, Arabella.” He said to the image of his friend in the mist that had appeared in front of him. He sighed and looked out at the ocean next to him. “What am I supposed to do? It’s not like I can kiss her or do anything like that. I’m still under oath, remember?”
“Yes. Of course, I remember.” She said, a subtle scent of bitterness on her voice. “It’s not like you’re in love with her and it’s not like you’re losing your virginity. It’s just a kiss.” She said with a shrug. “Like a friend would give you. Besides, she kissed you. The world didn’t explode. You stayed immortal. So, what’s the problem?”
“Philippa is…I don’t know.” He said, adjusting slightly in his spot on the beach. “She’s been kind of distant lately. Maybe she regrets leaving or something.” He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Now, that Lady Artemis is pissed at me for ‘convincing’ her to stay. Even though it was her initial idea in the first place. I can’t even go back to Olympus.” He looked at Arabella. “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. I really like Philippa, but recently she-“
“There you are, Hunter.” Hunter turned around to see Philippa walking up behind him. He smiled and took her hand as she sat down next to him. “Hey, Sis. How’s mom?” She asked with a smile. Arabella and Philippa had seemingly started to get along. Hunter wasn’t sure how genuine it actually was. “I’m so jealous that you get to spend all that time with her.”
“I’ll trade you spots anytime, Philippa.” She said with a giggle and what Hunter thought was a wink at him. “Well, I should probably get going. Stay in touch, Hunter. Bye, Philippa!” She said with a smile and a wave. Hunter waved back and then swiped through the mist before turning to Philippa.
“Hey, how are you?” He asked with a smile. Philippa shrugged.
“I’m okay.” She said with a nod. The two of them sat there for a few moments. Hunter was comfortable, but Philippa seemed distracted. She finally put his hand on her lap and played with the skin on the back of his hand. “I love living at camp.” She said matter-of-factly. Hunter opened his mouth to speak, but she put a finger on his lips. “Hold on. I think that when I was a hunter that I missed camp so much that my expectations were really high. So, high that when I was back I didn’t think that they would live up to them.” She said with a sigh. Hunter kept his mouth closed and looked at her as she spoke. “Now, that I’ve been here, I’m really glad that I didn’t go back to the hunters.” She said with a small smile at Hunter. He smiled back and gave her hand a squeeze.
“I’m glad that you didn’t go back to the hunters, too.” He said with a smile. He thought that if he didn’t initiate the kiss, then it would be okay. This was a moment that he was expecting a kiss. Instead, she looked out at the ocean and sighed, seemingly bored. She turned back to him.
“I don’t think that-“
“Hunter! Pippa!” Hunter turned to see Kyle and Marina running toward them. Hunter sighed.
“I told you not to call me that, Kyle.” Philippa said, shaking her head. She let go of Hunter’s hand and stood up, sticking both hands in her pockets. Hunter stood up and turned to them, a little disappointed he couldn’t take Philippa’s hand again.
“Philippa is too long. It needs a nickname.” Kyle said with a shrug. “Phil? Philly? Ippa? Ippy? Phippy?” He said, letting each name crawl out of his mouth. “Be lucky you get Pippa. Anyway, we have some exciting news and things.” He said, snaking an arm around Marina’s waist.
“My mom says that, as long as we clean it up afterward and make sure to lock up, we can spend the weekend at her condo in San Francisco!” Marina said, excitedly. “We’ll leave tomorrow and spend a weekend on the beach. How fun does that sound?” She said, leaning into Kyle. Hunter debated for a moment. He would be happy to spend a weekend with his friends. “Will and Penny are invited too.” She said with a shrug. Hunter’s eyes widened. That changed things. This was a couple’s weekend. Will and Penny. Kyle and Marina. Hunter and…He glanced over at Philippa who looked over at him and blushed slightly. As much as they held hands, hugged, even shared a kiss, they still weren’t seen by many as a couple. They only sort of saw themselves as a couple.
“Uhh…Hey, we were just about to go get some food in the uh…the…” He couldn’t think of the word for some reason.
“Mess hall.”
“Mess hall! You should join us.” Hunter said with a nervous chuckle. “You can tell us how amazing your mom’s condo is.” He said, clearing his throat. Kyle and Marina nodded and took each other’s hands before Kyle kissed Marina on the cheek and the two of them started walking toward the mess hall. Hunter glanced over at Philippa almost asking, ‘is it okay if we don’t do that?’ She shrugged and started after them. Hunter sighed, a little disappointed in how his first relationship was going, and started toward the mess hall himself.