¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

X.

ｔｈｅ　ｔｉｔａｎｓ　ｃｕｒｓｅ

THEY'D ARRIVE ON THE OUTSKIRTS of a little ski town nestled in the mountains. The sign said WELCOME TO CLOUDCROFT, NEW MEXICO. The air was cold and thin. The roofs of the cabins were heaped with snow, and dirty mounds of it were piled up on the sides of the streets. Tall pine trees loomed over the valley, casting pitch-black shadows, though the morning was sunny.

Lucia was freezing by the time they got to Main Street, which was about half a mile from the train tracks. As they walked, Percy went to talk to Grover about Lucia's father's visit. Lucia hung back and walked side by side next to Bianca.

"How are you?" Bianca asked

"Well I'm still alive so I would say much better than I thought" Lucia joked "How are you immortal hunter of Artemis"

Bianca looked like Lucia slapped her in the face

"I'm not mocking you" Lucia reassured, "You deserve to be happy Bianca. I know at first I was upset but I've learned that I get emotional easily."

"You don't think it was a mistake? that Nico..."

"I think that Nico is a strong kid and he loves you" Lucia nodded "And I think that one day he will understand you, whether it's frustrating for him to or not. You chose what you thought was the best thing for you and you know what sometimes we need to be a little selfish."

"Are you?" She asked

"What."

"Do you ever let yourself be selfish?" Bianca repeated

"When did this turn on me" Lucia complained "We were talking about you B."

"I think you should tell him" She ignored her "You said you thought it was a big commitment to think about but be honest L, he is the reason you don't want to join the hunters."

"I have no clue what you're talking about" Lucia walked faster, Bianca with her blessing of Artemis was able to catch up easily.

"Luz"

"Don't." she snapped, she turned towards her before letting out a breath. "I'm sorry... it's just.."

"Only he can call you that" Bianca smirked

"You're supposed to be speaking up against love you know that!" Lucia huffed "Just wait till we find Artemis and I tell her all about this little conversation she's gonna kick your butt out! then we'll see who's laughing!"

"I never said anything about love" Bianca grinned

"Shut up! you know what you meant!"

"Do I?"

Lucia let out a noise of frustration and Bianca giggled, for the first time since she swore maidenhood to Artemis they really talked. Lucia, although she didn't quite like the topic of conversation, was happy about it. She didn't realize how much she missed talking to her friend. And she hoped to savor it for as long as possible.

When Lucia's body seized up and tears started welling up behind her long lashes she instantly blamed it on the fact that Bianca being a hunter meant she would leave by the end of the quest. That she wouldn't be around much anymore. That they wouldn't see each other for a long time because she would be out there with Artemis and the Hunters. She kept trying to repeat that to herself, like a mantra, as tears spilled from her eyes.

Bianca gasped in surprise when Lucia wrapped her arms tightly around her stopping them both in their tracks.

"B, you know I love you right." Lucia's voice broke "You were my friend when I had no one...I could never express how much that means to me. Thank you"