The atmosphere in the Camp Half-Blood dining pavilion is buzzing with excitement. Campers chatter animatedly, their laughter mingling with the clinking of plates and the mouthwatering scent of grilled food. You sit at a table with Jason Grace, pretending to be a couple for the evening’s festivities. It’s a bit of a joke—an arrangement to distract attention from the rumors swirling about both of you.

“Remember, we’re just friends,” Jason whispers, shooting you a playful grin as he leans in slightly closer. “Let’s keep up the act.”