all's fair | l. castellan

one

Like I said, I'm starting from the beginning. This isn't a happy story. It doesn't have a happy ending. If that's what you want, go read some other story.

My name is Arabella. I never wanted this.

When I was young, I would move between foster homes. Nobody ever really wanted me. I was dangerous. Different. They didn't accept me, so I left. I ran, as far as I could.

I kept running, and hiding, over and over again, until I was 12, and I met Luke.

Luke was just like me. He had the same struggles. He explained to me that we were half-bloods. Demigods. Our godly parents would stick us with our mortal parent and leave.

While it still hurt, I wasn't as angry about it as Luke was. I understood why they would stay away. I'm glad my father stayed away.

While on the road with Luke, we met two other demigods, Thalia and Annabeth. Annabeth was so young, but she could fight. The moment I met her I decided I would protect her with my life, no matter who we were against.

We also met a Satyr named Grover. He took us to Camp. When we arrived there, Luke was claimed, and I wasn't. That didn't matter to him. Family was family.

We adjusted to camp, and eventually, Luke went on a quest. He told me I couldn't go with him, that he couldn't risk me getting hurt. When he came back, something was different. And I'm not talking about the scar on his face. We all have scars. His made him more beautiful, more mature.

He had failed his quest. He was angry. Extremely angry. I don't think it was just the quest though. For a while, he wouldn't talk to me. I would try and try, and after he snapped at me, I gave up.

Eventually, he came to me on his own and apologized. I told him that it was alright, and that I could never hate him, no matter what.

It seemed to get better after that, which is where the story really starts.
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When there's a new camper, usually the first thing you feel is curiosity. You wonder if he's one of the lucky ones that get claimed immediately. Usually, thats not the case. We all dread having to clear even more space in the Hermes cabin.

In this case, the boy was not claimed immediately, but there was something different about him. For starters, he was completely knocked out. Secondly, he had defeated the minotaur. That's something not even Luke has accomplished.

Of course, Luke was going to be the one to help him adjust to camp.

"Ara! This is Percy Jackson. He's joining us until he's claimed." Luke winked at me.

"Do not get his hopes up, Luke! It's mean!" I told him, worried that the boy would be upset when he finds out how rare being claimed is. "It's lovely to meet you, Percy. I'm Arabella."

"Um... hi. Is this your girlfriend?" Percy asked Luke, causing him to chuckle awkwardly, and me to blush.

"Nah. Ara and I are just friends." Luke tells him, gesturing to me.

The bell sounds for lunch, and Luke tells Percy that he'll meet up with him later.

"He's very interesting, Ara. I mean, he's like, what, 11? And fought the minotaur? Sounds like I have a real challenge." Luke rambles.

"Um, excuse you? How many times have I beaten you in a fight?" I argue back, faking offense.

"That's because I let you win, Bells." Bells. I love it when he calls me that.

"Oh really? I think you're too embarrassed to admit that a girl is better than you." I say, crossing my arms.

"Fine! Then I challenge you." Luke declares, for the 100th time.

"Sure, but when I beat you again, you have to do my chores for a week." I say, holding out my hand for him to shake.

"Deal." He smirks, taking my hand. He shakes it for a second, then stops, but doesn't let go. His smirk weakens, and he's staring at me as if he's trying to read my mind.

"We should probably go to lunch." I say, uncomfortably, and begin to walk to hide the blush on my face.

His arm doesn't leave mine until we're out the door.