Oh, God,” I Said. “sorry,

Tell You What," I Said. "after The Testing After The Demon Days, When Things Settle Down -" "things Won't Settle Down." "- I'm Going To Take You To The Mall." She Blinked. "the Mall? For What Reason?" "to Hang Out," I Said. "we'll Get Some Hamburgers. See A Movie." Zia Hesitated. "is This What You'd Call A 'date'?" My Expression Must Have Been Priceless, Because Zia Actually Cracked A Smile. "you Look Like A Cow Hit With A Shovel.

Unless You Stop Him. Perhaps Next We Meet." "you'll Be Just As Annoying?" I Guessed. He Fixed My With Those Warm Brown Eyes. "or Perhaps You Could Bring Me Up To Speed On Those Modern Courtship Rituals." I Sat There Stunned Until He Gave Me A Glimpse Of A Smile-just Enough To Let Me Know He Was Teasing. Then He Disappeared. "oh, Very Funny!" I Yelled.

Percy: I Thought I’d Lost My Mom Forever, And I Was Stuck On A Hill In A Thunderstorm Fighting This Huge Bull Dude While Grover Was Passed Out Wailing. “food!” It Was Terrifying, Man.

Imitation Is Flattery

That Really Was Not Fun, Though. Well, The Hitting-her-with-a-stick Part, That Was Fun. But Crashing Into A Concrete Bear? Not Fun.