um... what are you doing? [private to Sapphire]

Simon Xi Montri
Son of Hecate

---

Summer was always nice. Putting aside the fact that it was hot as hell, Simon liked this season most of all. For one, camp was almost always full and being the social guy he was, he definitely enjoyed the company. Another reason was that it was the perfect time to go for a swim. There was just the downside of getting sunburn, but it was really nothing to worry about until the skin starts peeling off and making him look like a shedding snake. Lastly, it gave girls an excuse to walk around in bikinis and well, it was a welcome sight for the eighteen-year-old.

Simon casually strolled along the seashore, his slightly wet Camp-Half Blood T-shirt draped over his back. The grainy texture of the sand brushing against the bare soles of his feet irritated him a little, but he thought that walking around in shoes was worse. His damp hair stuck to his face like glue and his shorts were still dripping wet from his leisurely swim. Simon's eyes were trained on a bunch of girls splashing around from a short distance away. Well, it wasn't really bad to look, right? He wasn't cheating on Haven if he just went for a little... sight-seeing, was he?

Hearing his name being called, he quickly turned to the daughter of Demeter waist-deep in the water. His signature crooked grin spread across his lips. Clearing his throat, Simon raised his right hand in a half-wave. "Hey, Nat," he greeted cheerfully, controlling his raging teen hormones while he attempted a nice conversation. "Enjoying your swim?"

Simon Xi Montri
Son of Hecate

---

Simon looked down on himself, spying the dark patches of seawater he left in his trail. Smiling to himself, he gave a slight shrug and noted the implications of Natalie's words. He had spent far too much time with girls to get a reading of what they wanted, even if it seemed a little vague. Well, he couldn't really claim to be an expert on the opposite sex, but at least he prided himself on the fact that he at least knew a little more than most guys did. Ha, he could be somewhat vain at times, couldn't he?

"Well, just walking but okay, sure," he said with a slight nod, ignoring the warning alarm ringing in his mind. Well, it was just hanging out. Nothing special. He was allowed to hang out with girls, wasn't he? Shrugging off the shirt from his back to keep it from getting too wet, Simon waded closer to the beach and sat on the shore, letting the waves lick through his ankles and shorts. This should be as far as he would go. If he went in the water with Natalie well... it couldn't lead to something good.

"So what's up, Beautiful?" he asked, the nickname rolling off his tongue so easily. He meant it, of course. He never let a girl pass him by without at least calling her that. Sporting a crooked grin, Simon leaned back with his palms planted on the damp sand, watching the daughter of Demeter with his curious eyes.

Simon Xi Montri
Son of Hecate

---

Simon could only shrug and smile in reply. He could already see where this was getting at, and a little part of his mind already felt guilty for what he was doing. Making him feel like crap, really. The least he can do was go along and try not to think of the possible consequences. "I'm good," he said cheerfully.

He raked his hair, parting it down the middle. Did Natalie know about Haven? Simon himself didn't know which was better, her knowing or not. He mentally slapped himself for even thinking that. How could he possibly thinking of flirting with this girl when he was not supposed to? Mixed thoughts plagued his mind but he continued to smile happily at Natalie as if nothing was wrong. He wasn't a bad actor, thankfully. "You come here often?"

Simon Xi Montri
Son of Hecate

---

"Just during the summer. The sights are pretty nice at this time of the year," Simon said, nodding to himself. His features warped into one of confusion at Natalie's words. Well, he must not have been as good as an actor than he initially thought. No matter.

"Nah," he lied smoothly, a smile ever-so-present in his face. He was still looking at her as he continued, "Just got distracted by a pretty girl, s'all."

There. Problem solved, he thought confidently. Girls liked to hear those kinds of things. They were simply the best tools in turning the conversation around. He saw how flustered Natalie got at just being called 'beautiful.' Simon was beyond confident that his harmless-sounding comment would be enough to sidetrack her once again.

However, the growing anxiety at the back of his mind was enough to draw his attention to where this was heading and he sharply told him to keep his mouth shut. Who knew what would happen if he continued treading in these dangerous waters? But Simon knew he couldn't really help it. After all, being a player for the past few years left him with this habit. A certain habit that was going to be hard to break.

Simon Xi Montri
Son of Hecate

---

Simon forced himself to politely look away when Natalie went to get her towel. He didn't want to make her feel any more uncomfortable than she was now. The light shade of pink on her cheeks told him as much. "I won't look," he said with a slight chuckle as he concentrated instead on the waves splashing against his feet. "I swear. I'll even cover my eyes if you want." He smiled at the sea instead, keeping to his promise. Gods knew how tempting it was to be in his position right now.

Simon grew a little restless at the short silence that took over. Subconsciously gripping the sand under his palms, he shifted uncomfortably on his seat and suddenly he was talking again. "Why are you alone? No date with your boyfriend?" he added teasingly, mischief lacing his tone.