"This is me trying..." (Book 1 of the Storm Decology)

"Don't hate the player, hate the game"

"Do you have everything?" Will asked as he watched me pack.

      "Yes, I have my drachma, mortal money, an extra knife, some more clothes, a mortal flashlight, toiletries, ambrosia, nector" I rattled checking things off a mental list. "Am I missing anything?" I questioned looking down at my bag.

      "Well, considering the fact that your swords aren't attached at your hips like they always are indicates a few missing things"

      "Bloody hell" I walked around my room until I found twin swords and their sheaths and strapped them on my waist. "Anything else?"

      "Your necklace" will said, motioning for me to turn around so he could put it on. "Beautiful"

       "I hope so, I painted the beads and they look a little rough" I said laughing, rolling one of the beads in between my middle and forefinger.

        "I wasn't talking about the necklace" I smiled, how do I respond to that? What should I say? I felt nervous, as he hugged me, "stay safe"

        "It's just a simple quest, I'm not gonna die" I scoffed, hoping it was true.

         "Just promise me you won't do anything stupid" he said persistently.

          I rolled my eyes playfully, "I won't, trust me"

          "Ok then, but remember me when you become a big hero ok?" He laughed at my glare.

           "Of course I will"

         I meant Percy Annabeth and Grover at the big house. Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which she had told me had been a 12th birthday present from her mom. She carried a book on famous classical architecture, written in ancient Greek, to read when she got bored, and a large bronze knife, hidden in her shirt sleeve .

           Grover wears fake feet and his pants to pass as a human. He wore his green rasta style cap, because when it rained his curly hair flattened and you could see just the tips of his horns. His bright orange backpack was full of scrap metal and apples snack on. And his pocket was a set of Reed pipes, his daddy goat carved for him, even though we only knew two songs, Mozart's piano concerto tour number 12 and Hilary Duff's " so yesterday, " both of which sounded pretty bad on Reed pipes.

         We waved goodbye to the other campers, took one last look at the strawberry fields, the ocean, the big house, then hiked up half Blood Hill to The tall pine tree that used to be thalia, my sister.

          Chiron was waiting for us in his wheelchair. Next to him stood Argus, dressed in a chauffeur's uniform, so I only saw eyes on his face and neck, and his hands. I thought, grimacing.

          "This is argus," Chiron told everyone. "He will drive into the city and,er, keep an eye on things"

          I chuckled at the irony, "how are you argus?" I put my hand out. We're besties, I mean, he doesn't know that, but we are.

          He glared at my hand and gruffed.

          "I get it,the silent treatment" I smirked, wondering if he would stuck his tounge out at me. I wanna see if he has an eye on his tounge.He scoffed again refusing to show me his tounge.

           Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of weird looking basketball shoes.

          "Hey!" He panted. "Glad I cought you."

          Annabeth blushed again. That's so nasty I thought curling my lip.

          Luke looked at Percy "just wanted to say good luck," Luke told him. "And I thought  um, maybe you could use these."