Leo POV

Clover was right.

She was usually right about everything. Unlike a curly haired boy, who’s name starts with and L and is made up of three letters. And unlike a Latino kid who had fire powers, was smoking hot, and had made a battleship with his girlfriend.

Which, of course, is definitely NOT me!

Clover rolled out from under the control console, her back against the skateboard, and gave me an ‘How stupid could you possibly be?’ look.

“Leo, I told you how to put these gears together, I don’t know how many times.” She held up two bronze gears. She motioned for me to come down underneath the control panel. I bent down and laid down next to her. She pointed to two holes in the bronze wiring and gears.

“This small one goes here,” she placed the small bronze gear next to a thick cord of wiring and screwed it in. She held up the big gear, “and this one goes in the other spot, but be careful. If you put it in the wrong way, you can get electrocuted.” She slowly put the gear in, tilting it just so, the left side didn’t touch the smaller gear until it was snapped into place. Clover screwed in the gear and smiled, “And that’s how you do it.” I smiled,

“You are like my little elf. All you need is a green suit and little pointy hat.” I said, tapping her nose playfully. Clover giggled and pushed herself out.

“Come on my Latino Santa, Piper is coming to get us any minute for lunch.” I smiled,

“Yup,” I stood and took off my tool belt. I slung it over my shoulder and said, “Ho ho ho! Marry Lunchtime!” Clover laughed and playfully pushed me.

“Very funny, Santa.” She teased. I laughed and someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned and saw Piper. She opened her mouth to say something, but Clover asked,

“Lunchtime?” Piper closed her mouth, smiling, and nodded,

“Yeah, it’s lunchtime.” Clover nodded, stomping on the end of the skateboard, catching it with her right hand.

“Alright, we’ll be down in a minute.” she said. Piper nodded and left us alone.

Today, we were traveling by air, since last night Hazel pleaded with us to fly, instead of by sea. I felt bad for her, especially yesterday evening when the serpent attacked. Even my stomach wasn't happy with the rocking. But, since the storm, the water was not as choppy and we few by air. Jason usually was the one keeping watch, but since Clover and I were on deck, he wasn't.

I had noticed that the others stayed away from Clover. Even Nico, who was almost scared of nothing at all (in my opinion), hadn't shown his face since Clover came aboard. I think it was because of her eora.

It felt as if she had power circling her, giving her a bubble of protection. It was sorta like Nico's only his felt evil. Clover's felt like a spring day. Warm, comforting, pretty, calming... And all around good. It fit her personality.

"What are you staring at?" Clover asked, looking behind her, and I realized that I was staring at her. I blinked and looked away,

"Nothing." I said flatly. Clover looked at me suspiciously, but she shrugged it off. She set the skateboard down and hopped on. She pushed off and started to skateboard around the deck. I laughed,

"What are you doing? Are you a professional?" Clover shook her head,

"No, I have never done this before!" She exclaimed, while turning sharply and almost loosing her balance. Once she regained control, she turned and grabbed the front of the board. She bent down and turned. The skateboard seemed to do donuts. After so much spinning, Clover lost her balance and fell off the board. I laughed as she laid on her back on the deck.

"Man... That made me dizzy..." She said, rubbing her head. I laughed,

"You were staring to even get me dizzy. Come on, Miss Sexiness. Time for lunch." I held out my hand and Clover took it. I pulled her up, but we didn't let go of each others hands.

Her hands still felt like silk. She had a strong grip, but it wasn't too rough.

Clover and I walked hand in hand down the stairs and down the hall. We walked into the lounge and I spotted Piper tossing Jason one of the bronze plates. It was as if they were playing a game of frisbee.

Clover ran forward and jumped, catching the plate and tossing it at me. It came flying toward me, looking like a UFO. I caught it last minute and passed it to Piper, frisbee style. Piper laughed and caught it with both hands.

“Very funny you two,” Piper smiled,  Take a seat.” She gestured to the table, where Frank was laughing with Hazel. Clover smiled and sat across from Frank, kicking her legs up on my chair. I gave her my sarcastic ‘really?’ look. She laughed and replied,

“What? It’s a nice foot rest!” I laughed and pushed her legs off. Hazel smiled at us, as if she knew we were happier together.

Which she did.

“Heads up!” Jason exclaimed. Clover turned and caught the plate that Jason tossed to her. I caught mine as well and placed it on my head upside down. Clover laughed and balanced hers on her elbow. This competition continued until my plate lost it’s balance and fell off my nose. Frank and Hazel laughed harder and Clover picked up my plate, her foot still balancing her plate.

Jason and Piper sat down at the table as well, laughing at Clover’s foot in the air, which was balancing the plate above the ground. Clover set my plate in front of me and smiled,

“There ya go.” We laughed and started to eat. Well, except for Clover. She had her arms folded and her eyes closed. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and began to eat. I took a bite of my Twix bar and asked,

“What was that?” Clover looked over at me, confused,

“What was what?” She asked. I set the candy bar down,

“You had your arms folded and your eyes were closed.” Clover shrugged, looking at the floor.

“It’s nothing. Just forget it.” I didn’t want to just drop the subject, but Clover didn’t look like she was in the mood to talk about it.

I would have to ask her later.

Even after I asked, Clover only ate a few pieces of her salad. You could almost feel her mood changing. The room didn’t seem as happy and carefree.

“Clover?” Jason asked, “Is everything alright?” She nodded while smiling, but I could tell it was forced.

“Yeah. I’m just fine.” She looked back down at her food and played with it. She was starting to worry me… What was on her mind?

This was when I made a mental note to create a machine that read someone’s thoughts.

I was so caught up in my ideas for the design, I didn’t notice Clover stand up and leave. Jason nudged me, snapping me out of my thoughts. He used his eyes to point at Clover, who had opened the door and slipped out. I only caught the sight of her hair before she disappeared out of view. I stood up, leaving my lunch, and walked after her.

I stepped into the hallway and looked around. I saw a movement, like a person, turning into a room. I jogged down the hall after Clover. I stopped when I realized which room she had entered.

It was Percy’s room.

Inside, Clover was looking around at the walls and ground, her eyes becoming teary. I realized what she was feeling…

It was the feeling of dread. Possibly even guilt.

Clover walked over to Percy’s bed and picked up a small toy. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was a blue fish. Leave it to Percy to have a fish plush toy to sleep with. It must have been a joke from Annabeth. Clover started to cry, tears falling and making small splashes on the wood floor at her feet. She hugged the plush toy close, now starting to sob. I decided now was the time to act.

I walked into the room and knocked slightly on the door.

“Clover? Are you alright?” I asked. She jumped and dropped the fish back on the bed. She turned quickly and wiped the tears off her face.

“Oh,” she said, noticing that it was just me, “Hi Leo…” I stepped forward and took her hand,

“Clover, what’s wrong?” She looked away, ignoring my question. I sighed and let go of her hand.

“I’ll leave you to your thoughts.” I turned to leave, but Clover gripped my hand this time. I looked into her eyes, and she stared into mine. I could almost see the pain behind her eyes, urging her to cry and possibly even leave.

I hoped not for good.

“Please Leo… Don’t go yet…” she pleaded. I pulled her close and hugged her. Clover placed her head on my shoulder and hugged me tightly. I held her tightly in return. She began to cry, her tears streaking down her face and onto my shirt. I rubbed her back,

“Hey… It’s going to be okay…” She shook her head,

“No,” she said with despair, “it’s not going to be okay… This is all my fault…” Clover cried harder. I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead,

“Yes it is going to be okay… You said it yourself. We can do this…” Clover’s sobs began to get slower, and she didn’t shake as much. After a few minutes of me rubbing her back and hugging her, she calmed down.

“I promise that they can’t  be far away. They might just be right under our feet.” Clover sniffed and let go, staring at the floor as if she were to see both Percy and Annabeth standing there.

“You’re right…” she said, rubbing her nose against her arm.

And that, my lovely readers, is how I, Leo Valdez, became right.