𝕺𝖕𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝕬𝖙𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙 - 𝕱𝖊𝖒𝕺𝕮 𝖃 𝕷𝖊𝖔 𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖟

Kiera

"Chariot racing begins tomorrow!" Chiron announced over the camper's talking. "Today is the preparation! You will get to chose two people to ride and drive the chariot, but all in the cabin can work on the chariot itself."

Cheers from over forty demigods echoed through the valley before they started to disperse to get ideas.

I frowned. Since I didn't have Percy or Tyson at camp, it looked like I was going to be doing this alone unless Chiron allowed me to partner up with a cabin.

I walked up to Chiron, and he turned. Today he was in full horse form with a shirt that said CAMP HALF-BLOOD'S BEST MENTOR on it.

"How is this going to work?" I asked, eyeing a son of Apollo who was furiously scribbling on a piece of paper. "I have no cabinmates."

Chiron lightly tugged on his beard. "Hm, seems so. Well, my dear, what do you think is best?"

I shifted my weight onto my other foot. "Uh. . . I don't really know."

"You don't know?" Chiron asked.

I smiled sheepishly. "Nah."

He lightly shook his head. "You can partner with Cabin One, since Jason is it's only occupant."

"Thanks," I said before walking away.

The son of Jupiter was sitting at a wooden picnic table, a book in front of him. Jason was looking at a picture of a chariot, but I could tell it was bothering him in some way.

"Sup," I nodded in greeting before sitting on the opposite side bench to him.

After a few seconds, he looked up. "Yes?"

"Aren't you going to be nice to your partner?" I pouted.

Jason blinked, then slowly came to the realization of what I meant. "You're partnering with me?"

I snorted. "Aren't you a smart one."

Jason scowled and looked back down at his book. Was he dyslexic, too? Or was it just Greek demigods? Where was Leo? Where was Piper? I'd rather be partnered up with them.

I swung my feet under the table as I looked out to the ocean.

Man, what I'd do to get out of here and find Percy. . .Oh, that reminds me, I have to tell Chiron I'm leaving for Mom's apartment tomorrow. Oh, gods, Mom will not like this new quest.

My thoughts wandered as I looked out at the scenery. It was colder, but still nice out compared to the usual summer heat, thank the gods it's winter, right?

 Slowly, I started zoning out, changing my thoughts from tomorrow being Christmas, to going to Mom's apartment, to the quest, to the Argo II, to Percy, and back to Leo.

"Kiera!"

I blinked.  "Yes?" I frowned.

"You okay?" Piper asked. She was now sitting at Jason's side, and had a concerned look in her eyes. "You zoned out."

"Sorry," I sighed. "I tend to do that a lot—"

"Yea, we know that, but it's a lot more frequently," Leo said from my right.

I almost jumped. How had I not felt them sit near us? How didn't I hear them?

"You're doing it again," Piper reminded me. She rested her head on her chin, lightly twisting the end of her hair—which was up in a ponytail.

Guilt settled in me. Gods, I really should start paying attention.

Leo's left hand crept over to my hand under the table, and he lightly squeezed my hand. He gave me a small smile.