Chemtrails Over The Country Club J.G.

Calm Before the Storm

I talked with Piper while everyone had fun.

"How do you like your makeover?" I asked.

"Please, I hate it so much." She complained.

"Why? You look so good!"

"It's just not my style, ya know? I've never liked wearing dresses, not even to formal events. I am much more of a pants and suit person."

"I get it. Are you worried?" I wonder.

"About the quest? Oh, i'm terrified." She admitted.

"Yeah, honestly quest's are terrifying. Sometimes you have fun, depending on the people, but a lot of it is scary." I admitted.

"Is that why you didn't want to come?" She asked.

"A bit, but really I was hoping I'd be able to go home to stay with my mom." I answered.

"I'm really sorry about your brother, he must've been a cool guy because of how worried everyone is."

"He was a character," I told her, "A lot of people had crushes on him, and he kind of saved the world one time so people really liked him. He was a acquired taste though. At first a lot of people hated him."

"He sounds like I'd like him," Piper joked.

"Oh, you'd definitely like him." We laughed together. 

"Hey," Jason called as he walked over to the pair of us.

"Hey, Jason. Ready to die a brutal and horrific death questing?" I asked.

"Oh, sure. I can't wait." He responded. "Hey, Piper, can I talk to you?" he asked.

"Oh! Ok, sure. Why not." Piper said, "I'll see you tomorrow, Lottie!" she called back to me.

"Can't wait, Pipes!" I called back as the pair walked off. I smiled. A real smile.

"You look happy," Annabeth told me as she walked up to me.

"What?" I questioned.

"I haven't seen you this happy in a while." Annabeth noted.

"Really?" I didn't realize I'd been happier today.

"Yeah, smiling with Piper, joking with Leo, laughing with Jason. I like seeing you like this. Percy would be so excited."

"Really?"

"It'll be the first thing I tell him when I find him." She joked.

"Nice talking, Annie, but I think I'm going to get ready for tomorrow. I still never unpacked."

"Yeah, you better get good sleep, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Walking up the stairs, I saw my bags still sat on the porch. I starred at them. Then, I looked to the door. I put my hand on the nob and froze. 

I backed up and walked over to my bags. I bent down and reached into the front pocket of my backpack. I pulled out my compass. It was a very small compass. It's gold and has a cover that looks like the sea. The mix of blue and green was just stunning. There was a beautiful shell on it right in the middle. I held it tight and pushed the button to open it to the actual compass. The needle was spinning out of control. 

I looked back at the door. I wished the needle to stop spinning and just point towards the cabin.

"Hey," a voice called from behind me. 

I snapped around quickly to see Jason. 

"Hey, Jason. What're you doing?" I asked.

"Heading back to the cabin."