Astrid Strider Daughter of Apollo

First Dates

A two weeks later.....

"ASTRID GRACE STRIDER!!!" A familiar voice boomed. I flinched in my sleep and sleepily crawled out of bed and walked to the door as Asha yelped awake and fell out of bed. A fist bang on the door repeatedly and I groaned leaning on it. "What do you want Tobias?" I asked yawning. He swung the door open knocking me to the ground and dragged me to the corner of the room. The other Apollo kids sighed shaking their heads knowing this was normal and went back to sleep. By the looks of it outside, it was probably three in the morning.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!?" He growled. I rolled my eyes, "Because if I told you this would happen! Who told you?!?" I asked getting up and rubbing my shoulder. It had healed but there was a scar, like I knew there would be. Tobias snorted, "Leo." Asha perked up, "Don't tell me you hung him in a tree..." She asked hoarsely.

Tobias nodded, "By his overalls in that pine tree." Asha yelped and ran out the door. I rolled my eyes again, "And so do you have a problem with Nico and I dating?" I asked keeping eye contact showing I wasn't joking. It was a serious question. "No.... But for three days you've been dating, and I was never told! That I have a problem with!" He leaned over the windowsill. I stood beside him, "So do you approve of him?" I asked raising an eyebrow quizzically. "I approve of him..." He mumbled still obviously annoyed. I punched his arm lightly, "So then you won't mind us going on our first date tonight!" I laughed. He looked at me shocked and before he started his yelling fit, he ran out.

Meanwhile...

Asha's POV

I jumped up at Leo trying to get him down from the tree branch. He was smiling showing he was okay, but he obviously wasn't. His skin was slightly cold and he was close to coughing. Stupid colds... I thought. I groaned quietly knowing I had to do an Astrid. An Astrid was where I would climb up the tree like a cat. She had taught me how since she found out about my liking to cats when we were thirteen, and she made up the climb method. Hesitantly, I pulled off my robe shivering slightly at the cold, and began to climb.

After a huge struggle, I had eventually gotten Leo down, but hard. He was now laying on his back in the snow and laughing weakly. I rushed down and put my robe over him as he sat up. I grabbed some sticks and he lit a small fire. It would only last about three minutes, and we had to hurry especially since there was the Harpies. Leo layed on his side and watched me as I gently brushed his hair through my fingers and did the best I could to keep the fire going for a minute or two longer.

"Asha...." He whispered quickly. I looked at him and was met by a pair of surprisingly warm lips. He layed back down and smiled crookedly. I blushed furiously and nearly fainting, stood up pulling him with me, and pushing him in the direction of his cabin, and I headed to mine.

As I staggered up the steps still flustered, I saw Tobias laughing maniacally in the snow.

Later that day.... (Afternoon)...

Astrid's POV

"I can't believe that! And you waited the whole day to tell me?!?" I gasped. Asha had just finished telling me about how Leo had kissed her. I was really happy for them, but why was she so nervous about it? I adjusted my shirt and looked at Will, Tobias, and Asha who were sitting on my bed looking at me. "So, what do you think?" I twirled around slightly in my outfit. I had to make a quick trip to the Aphrodite cabin to borrow some clothes and Asha and Piper had helped me with my hair. Well, Asha did my makeup. It was absolutely beautiful. I didn't know she was so great at it!

"You look awesome!" Tobias complimented. "He better not ditch you though..." Asha added. Will came up and hugged me, "You look amazing..." He said smiling. I hugged back and caught Piper looking through my drawer where I kept my writing journals, "Piper!" I said. She looked up sheepishly. "I didn't know you wrote so much!" She said closing it. I nodded. "It's a habit I guess..." It actually was. I would write everything. I even wrote a poem about meeting Nico... It was kinda not surprising having the gift of Poetry from my father.

"Just... Don't go through it..." I said closing my eyes and sighing. "Are you nervous?" Asha asked worriedly. I shook my head. "No... Are you?" I smiled. She looked startled. "What....?" I pulled her up. She was wearing (Asha, link me what the outfit is!).She was also wearing astonishing makeup and her hair was beautifully braided by yours truly. "Wait... Don't tell me..." She said scooting away. I nodded, "Yep! You're going on a date with Leo too!" I laughed. She looked like she was going to faint. "No wonder why you got me dressed up!" She gulped. I shrugged, "It's alright, just think of it as a double date!"

"But how are you going to go when you have Stable Duty?" She asked. Tobias stood up, his chest puffed out, "I have volunteered to do it for her!" He said it almost proudly. "Don't worry, Asha, I'll be careful with Butter." He smiled and there was a knock at the door. Tobias smirked wickedly and opened the door revealing Leo Valdez very Neatly cleaned up. His hair was still messy, but he was wearing calm clothing. I didn't know how to say it... But I almost didn't recognize him. When he saw Asha, his jaw dropped. "You look.... Beautiful!" He exclaimed. Beside him, was Nico Di Angelo. He was wearing the same thing as always, but he was wearing a plain black t shirt, his arm still bandaged but healing greatly, and his sword wasn't with him. Which I expected. He like Leo was holding flowers. But, he had one flower. I single, delicate, blue rose. He smiled nervously and gave it to me, which I accepted almost tearing up and fainting at the same time.

"Persephone took pity on me, I guess..." He said quietly. I laughed and watched as Leo tried to peck Asha on the cheek, but she kept her head down in embarrassment. "Whelp, you pairs of lovebirds go off, and I want you back by nine!" Tobias said pushing us out. Piper, Tobias, and Will waved goodbye as the four of us went out.

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Alright, now, I know I probably should have warned you that this is a date night thing, but don't worry, adventure is coming soon! I just wanted to do a little romantic thing... Sorry again, and the adventure will begin soon! ~Peace