Deep Water, Percy Jackson

MISTAKE TWO: I Entered A Public Bathroom

Annabeth has this incredible knack of getting her way, all the time.

I don't know how she does it, but no one can ever say no to her, no matter how ridiculous the request is. It made no sense for her to be Percy's doctor. She had next to no medical training, and caregiving was not one of her strong suits. And yet, all she did was ask, and Chiron was bending over backwards getting her out of duties so she could sit by Percy's bedside.

Those few days she spent in the Big House left me with a lot of free time on my hands. I spent most of it sweating buckets in the forgery. Lately, Luke had been telling me that I'd outgrown my sword. I'd carried the same dull blade since I was seven. Back then, it'd been practically the size of me, but now it felt weightless in my hands, tired and worn down.

Charlie Beckendorf was scary if you didn't know him. He was double the size of me in every way, all heavy muscle and calloused hands. He was only fourteen, but he seemed so much older than I was, so much wiser. And, despite all that, he guided me through blacksmithing with such patience it was mind-blowing, even when I nearly set fire to the both of us. He did most of the work, really. I wasn't any good at metal working, and I didn't like the oppressive, airless heat of the forgery. I helped him with the measurements of the sword, and he designed me the hilt; at the base, the sword twisted into the symbol of the caduceus, homage to my father. I didn't have the heart to tell him I had no interest in representing my dad. I wondered if Hephaestus cared more for his children than my father did.

On the third day, it was complete, and I went to the Big House to show Annabeth. She was sat at the pinochle table with Chiron, Mr D, Grover and Percy, who had apparently woke up some time this morning. He had dried drool on his chin, and his big green eyes were wide with confusion. The scrapes and bruises had faded; Annabeth had clearly done a good job.

I couldn't remember my first day, but I knew it was never easy. It's hard to come to terms with, the idea that everything you've ever known has been a lie. I imagine it's pretty similar to when normal kids discover Santa isn't real, except that times a thousand. Long story short, I wasn't jealous of him.

Chiron spotted me first, and a warm smile took over his face. "Ah, Vikas, come. This is Percy, your new cabin mate."

In terms of father-figures-I'd-never-had, Chiron was by far the best. He was more like a teacher than a dad, really, but he was the closest I'd ever got. It was just a shame he had over two hundred other kids he was always worrying about.

"Hi," I greeted, and my voice came out too high-pitched.

Percy nodded at me, in a manner that was too cool for someone with drool on his chin. "Nice to meet you."

"Grover," Mr D said, voice abrupt and booming. "We need to talk, again, about your less-than-perfect performance on this assignment."

It was harsh of him, I thought, to specify "again". Thalia had not been Grover's fault; he'd transported three demigods, one of them a daughter of Zeus, across the country with minimal incidents. What happened at the top of Half-Blood Hill had been awful, yes, but he had been given a task far harder than anyone had anticipated. Really, it was bound to happen.

But, then again, Mr D enjoyed seeing people suffer at his expense.

Grover paled. "Y-Yes, sir."

They moved into the Big House and out of earshot. Percy watched them leave, an anxious look on his face. He and Grover had clearly become close over this past year. Grover was able to make friends with anyone and everyone, so I wasn't surprised. It was nice to see that he hadn't been lonely all of those months he'd spent at boarding school.

"I have master's archery class at noon," Chiron declared, "Annabeth, Vikas, would you take Percy for a tour of camp?"

"Of course," Annabeth replied dutifully, standing up.