Half-Blood High

XXIV

Piper

School the next day was interesting.

I was thinking about what Chiron had said, about the nymphs and satyrs and all, and took a closer look at the other students.

The girls on the swim team, were most likely naiads, water spirits. Or maybe even children of Poseidon. I figured the kids in the ecology club could have been either dryads, satyrs, or even kids of Demeter. Quite a few kids on the football team easily could have been children of Ares, and the kids on the math team, like Annabeth, were probably kids of Athena. I was pretty sure the popular kids were Aphrodite, and the archery and band kids were Apollo. It was beginning to make a lot of sense.

I was in the lunch room during free period, trying to figure out what god or goddess the artsy kids would belong to, when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned and recognized Dylan, one of the more popular boys. I was pretty sure he was on the football team.

"Uh, hi?"

He flashed me a blinding grin. "Hey, Piper, I was wondering, are you doing anything next week?"

"I have school."

He laughed, even though what I'd said wasn't all that funny. "No, I meant are you going to the dan-."

Just then, Jason walked up. "Hey Piper," He grinned at me, which disappeared when he saw Dylan. "Hey Dylan? Do you need something?"

Dylan shook his head and sat down, uninvited, in the seat next to mine. I quickly scooted away from him. "No, but Piper can."

I frowned. "I'm not doing your homework for you, if that's what you're going to ask."

He laughed again. The sound was beginning to get on my nerves. "No. I was wondering if you would go to the school dance with me."

What?!

"She can't," Jason said firmly. We both looked up at him, confused.

"Why not?"

"Because," He said each word slowly, like he was explaining it to a kindergartner. "She's going with me."

"She is?"

"I am?"

Jason nodded, his blue eyes growing wide. He seemed like he was trying to signal something to me. "Yes, you said you would yesterday."

I put a hand to my forehead in fake shock. "Oh yeah, now I remember. Sorry Dylan, but maybe next time."

Dylan scowled at Jason and stalked away. As soon as he was out of earshot, I spun to look at Jason.

"What was that all about?"

He took a deep breath, looking apologetic. "I'm guessing you haven't heard."

I crossed my arms. "Heard what?"

"Dylan wanted to ask you to the dance because he thinks it's a way to meet your dad. I overheard him bragging about it at break this morning. I'm really sorry."

My mouth felt dryer than the desert. Of course. People were always trying to get close to me at my old schools because I'd told them who my dad was. Tristan McClean, a famous actor. Why should it have surprised me that Dylan had figured it out? He wasn't any different then the other fakes at my old schools.

"No, it's okay. Thanks, by the way, for helping."

Jason looked genuinely sorry for me, but he let it go.

I changed the subject. "Are you ready for the game?"

He nodded. "Yep. We're all excited. It's gonna be awesome."

I forced a smile. "Great. Can't wait."

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                           Hazel

At school the next day, time seemed to pass as slow as possible. I glared my watch at least four times, and was near cursing when the release bell finally rang.

I was gathering up my things when Reyna walked into the classroom. Everyone, even our teacher, seemed to stand up a little straighter.

Reyna was the President of the Jupiter Academy Student Body Council. She'd held the position for nearly five years, and was a pretty good president. Jason used to be her Vice President, until he transferred. Then, Octavian, who had always wanted to be Vice-President, started his campaign for the spot.

"Headmistress Pa would like to see Hazel in her office." Reyna said. I ignored the stares and quickly followed her out the door.

Once we were in the hallway, I looked at her. "Why did she send you to get me? It's not like I forgot."

She shrugged. "I'm her most trusted advisor when it comes to matters like this."

I nodded as we walked on in silence.

Frank was already in her office when I entered. Lupa stood up, in human form, when I came in. "Thank you, Miss Arellano. I will take it from here." Reyna nodded and left.

Lupa looked to the two of us. "Are you two ready?" We both nodded. "Good. Come along then."

The three of us exited her office at a brisk pace. I tried to contain my excitement when we rounded a corner, heading for the janitor's closet. Lupa looked both ways, then pulled open the door. Frank glanced at me before ducking inside.

The tunnels were the same as before. Dank, damp, and narrow. When I glanced ahead, Lupa had gone into her lupine form.

"Stay close to me. If we are separated, there's no telling which way the Labyrinth will turn you." Her low voice echoed in the tunnels. I reached out and grabbed the back of Frank's shirt. He tensed, then kept moving.

We took several turns, then down a straight shot tunnel. Lupa stopped, and grew back into her human form. She climbed up, disappearing through the hole. I coughed as dust fell in my face. After a moment, Frank and I followed.

Leo and Lupa were waiting by the fountain for us. Frank bent down to help me out of the tunnel. He pulled me up, and I blinked in the bright sunlight.

"Are you guys ready for this?" Leo asked as we walked out toward Chiron's office.

"About as ready as we can be." Frank answered. I nodded in agreement.

We walked past groups of kids, who were leaving school. A few of us gave us odd looks, until I realized: Frank and I were still in our Jupiter Academy uniforms, which were somewhat dusty after our trip through the tunnels.

We got to his office. Leo tapped an odd pattern on the door, and it swung open to reveal Piper, Jason, and Percy. Annabeth was no where to be seen.

"Welcome." Chiron wheeled around from behind his desk. He was in human form, which meant a wheelchair. "It seems Miss Chase is oddly tardy. She should arrive soon, though." He kneaded his hands in his lap. I knew enough about people to know that he was nervous. We all were. Piper was biting her thumbnail, and Jason had his "there's a math pop quiz right now and I don't think I studied" face on. Leo looked serious, which seemed oddly out of character.

And me? I was scared to death. But I wasn't going to let that stop me.

"Sorry I'm late!" Annabeth ran in, out of breath. I noticed Percy grin slightly. "I hope I didn't miss anything."

"No no, dear, you're just in time." Chiron said. "Alright. Percy and Hazel will patrol the parking lot. Annabeth and Piper, your job will be to guard the school entrances. Make sure no one goes in or out. And Leo and Frank will take the football field. Everyone got it?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Now let's go."
. . .
Thoughts?

Peace ✌️

-SilverQuillsandRoses