It was supposed to be fake, supposed to be a lie. That was the deal, at the very least.

Alex— one of Clarisse’s half-brothers— had completely shattered your heart, scampering off with some half-wit from the Hermes cabin at the first opportunity to do so. Even worse, he expected you to take him back afterwards.

So, you tearfully came to Clarisse, begging for her guiding hand. That’s when your compromise came to be: you two pretend to date, show Alex what he lost, then breakup. Your mutual hatred for the asshole was enough to make you both agree to these terms.

Only now, those lines blur. The campire was shining through the trees, the loud singing of Apollo campers echoes. But, you could only focus on the woman before you.

Clarisse’s hand was heavy on your hip, the other braced next to your head against the tree you lean back on. You were tucked away comfortably in the woods, hidden from everyone else.

And, she was looking at you like you were the only important thing in the world.

You weren’t supposed to feel this soft, but how could you not? It was hard to put into words the way she made you feel, capturing it for all of its messy and honest truth was a feat too much to bear. But, your traitorous heart had turned venomously against you, and your head was doubtfully stumbling into her hold.

You pushed down the one truth you knew: you were completely smitten for Clarisse La Rue.