DRESSˏˋ°•*⁀➷ || p. jackson

two

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

the sun wasn't up yet when pippa awoke. everyone in her cabin were early risers- up when the sun just peaked over the trees, light rays spilling over the camp grounds, when the sky was a beautiful pink-orange hue and few stars still shone, remnants of the night. however, pip woke up earlier than her brothers and sisters, when the sun was barely visible. she loved this time of day, the sky a pinky purple as the moon and sun existed together, even if it only was for half an hour.

she crept out of bed and silently pulled on her converse, wrapping the laces around the back of the shoes much like a ballerina would do, then threaded them back through the top opening. she did this so she wouldn't trip over her laces as she walked or when she fought. the girl opened the cabin door, wincing at the loud creak that rang through the morning air.

pippa often found herself daydreaming during her morning walks, so as she made her way down the dirt path, she didn't question her daydreams of breakfast and the day ahead, or what life would be like outside if she weren't hunted by monsters, until her daydreams shifted to the boy unconscious in the infirmary. she was intrigued by him and wondered what he was like, what his favourite colour was, what his favourite food was.

she shook her head, trying to force the boy out of her mind. but he kept coming back. she groaned and kicked at rock, which was lodged too far in the ground to come loose, consequently, sending a shooting pain through her foot.

**

from afar, the blonde boy watched from the infirmary window as pip wandered down to the creek. her gold bracelet flashed in the sunlight-the same bracelet from the night before, he realised- which had dimly glowed in the dark of his infirmary room. he watched with interest as sun rays begin to spill over the water. they appeared to bend toward her, reaching for her like hands. she either didn't realise or didn't care as the light crept towards her.

**

pip stood up from her place infront of the creek, brushed the stones of the back of her pants and made her way to the dinner pavillion where she saw her siblings sitting there ready for breakfast. she sat down at the end of the table next to este. este was ten years old and very anxious after her near death-by-monster when she first arrived at camp two summers ago.

"oh thank gods, i thought you had been eaten by monsters!" este cried, wrapping her arms around pip. the girl hugged back and chuckled, "nope, just out for a walk like every morning."

whenever pippa arrived more than thirty seconds late to something, este came up with another reason she thought pip had died- eaten by monsters, drowned in the creek, accidentally shot herself with an arrow, etc.

betty laughed at este, patting her affectionately on the back and greeted pip. betty was the unofficial mother of the group, even though she was only twelve, she took care of her siblings, older and younger. she was the best medic in the apollo cabin, even though everyone else was fairly good, there was no doubt she was much more skilled.

james had already begun to eat his jam toast when the other campers arrived. betty smacked his arm, causing him to drop his toast.

"what was that for?" he whined.

"you need to offer food to the gods first, fatty." she scolded.

"i already did, jeez."

"oh sure, in the three seconds i said hi to pip?"

"okay, i didn't stand up, i threw it. excellent aim and all that." he rolled his eyes and lazily waved his hands around for emphasis.

pippa snorted and betty sent her a warning look. she held up her hands in surrender.