Chapter Text
I looked up from searching my purse to see a chariot crashing in the lake. Obviously, I ran toward the scene. No way was I about to miss potential drama!
“Will, I’m sorry,” I heard Annabeth say. “I’ll get it fixed, I promise.”
It was that moment I noticed the three unfamiliar faces. Who were these people? New campers? But they look much older than thirteen. Why haven’t they come here before? Or maybe I just haven’t seen them around.
“— I hope they’re worth the trouble.” I heard someone say as I snapped out of my thoughts. Drew. My insufferable half-sister.
One of the new people snorted“Gee, thanks. What are we, your new pets?” he asked sarcastically. He was kind of cute in an elf-ish way. He seemed funny too. I can just tell from the energy he gives off. That’s one of my talents. I’m great at reading people.
“No kidding,” The blonde boy said. “How about some answers before you start judging us—like, what is this place, why are we here, how long do we have to stay?” I felt bad for them. I remember how scary it was coming to camp at first. — I mean, being on the run for most of your life is pretty traumatic. — They looked like they had just fought some monsters.
I turned my gaze to the girl. She was beautiful. I mean drop-dead gorgeous. Hopefully she’s a daughter of Aphrodite. She seems sweet. I thought to myself. But the look on her face…she looked nervous and…guilty? I don’t know.
“Jason,” —So that was his name!— Annabeth said, “I promise we’ll answer your questions. And Drew”—she frowned at the glamour girl—“all demigods are worth saving. But I’ll admit, the trip didn’t accomplish what I hoped.”
“Hey,” The pretty girl said, “we didn’t ask to be brought here.”
Drew sniffed. “And nobody wants you, hon. Does your hair always look like a dead badger?”The girl whose name I still don’t know stepped forward, ready to smack her, but Annabeth said, “Piper, stop.”More names to remember! —I tried my best to know everyone at camp.— Piper did. She was smart to do so. Annabeth isn’t someone you want to piss off. Trust me on that.
“We need to make our new arrivals feel welcome,” Annabeth said, with another pointed look at Drew. “We’ll assign them each a guide, give them a tour of camp. Hopefully by the campfire tonight, they’ll be claimed.”
“Would somebody tell me what claimed means?” Piper asked. Suddenly there was a collective gasp. The campers backed away. At first Piper looked like she did something wrong. I did too, for a second. But no, I looked over at elf boy, and he had a fiery hammer over his head. The sign of Hephaestus.
“That,” I stepped in. “is claiming.”
The boy looked around confused. “What’d I do?” He asked. He was bobbing his head around and looked amazingly stupid.
“This can’t be good,” I heard someone say. “The curse—”
“Butch, shut up,” Annabeth said. “Leo, you’ve just been claimed—”
“By a god,” Jason interrupted her. Bad move, man. “That’s the symbol of Vulcan, isn’t it?” All eyes turned to him, unless they were on him already.
“Jason,” Annabeth said carefully, “how did you know that?”
“I’m not sure.” He replied with a confused tone.
“Vulcan?” Elf boy asked. “I don’t even LIKE Star Trek. What are you talking about?”
“Vulcan is the Roman name for Hephaestus,” Annabeth said, “the god of blacksmiths and fire.”
The fiery hammer faded, but he kept swatting the air like he was afraid it was following him. “The god of what? Who?” he asked. I think I had those pulsating heart pupils like in cartoons. I never thought ‘love at first sight’ existed. Now, though, I was positive.
Annabeth caught my eye and grinned. She knew what was going on for sure. “Aria, why don’t you take Leo,” —Finally know his name now!— “and give him a tour? Introduce him to his bunk mates in Cabin Nine.” she said.
“Sure, Annabeth.” I replied, sending her a grateful smile. “Come on, santa’s helper. I’ll explain everything.” I said with a joking tone and a warm smile as I motioned for him to follow me with my hand.