𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐥 - 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞 𝐋𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐞

𝐢. 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝗼𝐡𝐧𝐬𝗼𝐧

BETHANY BEULLER sat by the window in the Aphrodite cabin, watching the storm rage on outside. Her finger traced the raindrops as they raced down the cold window. Her face pressed so close to the glass that she sometimes lost the drops she was tracing from her warm breath fogging the window.

Everytime thunder shook the camp, Bethany wondered what had Zeus so pissed that night.

"Couldn't sleep?" The whispered voice of Silena Beauregard, Bethanys half sister and head counselor, spoke.

"I just have a weird feeling," Bethany sighed.

"You always have a weird feeling," Silena giggled quietly. Her smile faded when Bethany didn't even crack a smile. "Talk to me, Beth."

"I don't know. Things just feel off. Maybe it's the lack of sleep."

"Well, I'm sure that doesn't help. Come on." Silena offered Bethany a hand.

"What is happening?" Bethany asked, slipping her hand into Silenas.

"When you couldn't sleep when you first came to camp, I used to read you my favorite book and you would pass right out. I think it'll still work."

***
That night, underneath the pouring clouds, Perseus Jackson arrived at Camp Halfblood. The picture in front of him was blurry but he could remember the words spoken when he briefly awoke.

"Is he okay?"

"Alone?"

"How is that possible?"

"Yeah, he's okay."

"He must be the one," a girl spoke. Percy's mind kept that voice in the back of his head. He didn't know what she meant by that, but he was sure he wouldn't forget that phrase.

"Hush, Annabeth," The familiar voice of his teacher, Mr. Brunner, spoke. "He's waking. Everyone, give him some space, please. Welcome to camp, Percy Jackson."

***

Bethany sat at a table playing a round of Solitare while their camp director, Mr. D, sat across from her, trying to nap the day away. She looked up when the boy with blond hair walked into the room.

"Excuse me?" Percy spoke. "I'm Percy Jackson, I'm new here."

"Peter Johnson is here!" Mr. D shouted causing Bethany to flinch.

"Gods, bring the volume down," she sighed.

"'Kay. That isn't...really my name. I guess I'm looking for the office? Or whoever's in charge, so..."

"Wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait," Grover repeated as he hobbled into the room. "Percy, um, Mr. D, Camp Director. Mr. D, this is, uh, Percy Jackson. Oh! And this is Bethany." Beth waved without even looking back at Percy.

"Yeah, Grover. I heard him the first time," Mr. D said.

"Yeah. But did you?" Percy sassed.

"Okay. You really don't wanna start with this guy," Grover said, pulling Percy to the side.

"He's starting with me."

"Percy, the D is for Dionysus. That's Dionysus."

"What do you mean, Dionysus? The— like, the god, Dionysus?"

"No, the cow, Dionysus," Bethany scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Excuse me, Your Highness?" Percy said, turning towards Mr. D.

"Oh, my Gods," Bethany sighed.

"I think my dad may be around here somewhere. I don't know how to ask for him. I don't — I don't even know his name. But I think I should see him. I just... I think I really need that right now. Can you help me?"

"Actually... I think I can," Mr. D told him. "Son."

"Dad?" Percy asked, his head tilting to the side.

"Yes, Peter."

"It's Percy."

"Exactly. Now, before we get to know each other there's something very important I want you to do for me, okay? In the galley, there is a bottle of 1985 Château Haut-Brion. Will you go fetch that for me?"

"Is that really all you have to say to me?" Percy asked.

"Hey, um, Mr. D, even if Percy was—" Grover started but he was abruptly cut off.

"Uh, uh, uh, bup! Grover, quiet, please," Mr. D said. "This is a nice moment, don't ruin it." Bethany looked up at Grover with an annoyed look on her face. He knew she was tired of Mr. D's antics. "The galley is right down that path. Grab that bottle and milk talk to you about whatever you want. You know, uh, you. Uh...me, who cares?"

Percy scoffed and turned to leave, but he paused at the sound of hooves clopping. He looked up in shock when Chiron walked up, half his body a horses.

"Percy," Chiron greeted.

"Mr. Brunner?"

"Uh, Mr. Brunner's real name is Chiron," Grover introduced. "Camp activities director, immortal trainer of heroes, he is—"

"Grover, thank you. I'll take it from here," Chiron said. "Oh, Percy, this must be a lot for you to process."

"Oh, no. It's—it's fine. I mean, you're a horse, my father won't talk to me unless i get him a drink. Well, this all seems totally normal and reasonable," Percy said.

"Oh, no, no, no. No. Mr. D is not your father," Chiron told him.

"I could be," Mr. D shrugged.

"Yes, but are you?"

"Why must you ruin everything?"

"Cause it's fun," Bethany said, packing up her stuff. She pat Percy on the back as she made her way out. "Welcome to camp, Peter." Percy glared at her as she walked away, a smirk present on her face.

wasn't sure what to do for the first chapter so hopefully this works okay. clarisse and bethany interaction next chapter tho