𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐑 ; 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

𝟎.𝟔

𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕
3k+ words

I've been sitting in the Hermes cabin with Luca all day. He doesn't seem even the slightest bit angry or phased that Percy got claimed before either of us. Before me.

We've been here for years, and this stupid kid who doesn't even care about proving himself to the gods, or trying hard to be the perfect hero, gets chosen. I've worked so hard. Yet, here I sit, unclaimed, unwanted and uncared for, fishing for an eight of hearts.

"No, I don't. Go fish!" Luca said cheekily, he was winning, as usual. This kid was a lot smarter than I or anyone else likes to give him credit for...or maybe it's because he switched my cards when I went to the bathroom. Either way, I'm still losing, just like the last round and the round before that.

That's when I saw a familiar head of fiery, untamable waves walk through the door, Lynn. Maybe she was here for me instead of Luke, like all the other eighty seven times. But before I could even sass her, the little diva next to me spoke up, "Luke's not in here, you'll have to train with Clarisse instead of your boyfriend."

She chuckled slightly, "He's not my boyfriend, he's my best friend," she said. But she knew everything about him, including what his lips felt like against hers. Friends don't know those things.

I wasn't in the mood to argue so I set my cards face down on the bed and looked over to the daughter of Ares. "What's wrong, why are you here then? Am I getting kicked out of camp yet?" I asked with a grin, joking a bit, but partially serious.

"No," she answered simply, "Luke and Percy just told me that they needed you...Luke says Percy wants you as his quest mate."

I stared at her with wide eyes filled with shock. "Bubble Brain wants me for his quest? Are you serious? No, you've got to be joking."

"Nope, he actually fought against the three quest member rule for you to be a part of this, he really needs you. So get your bags packed then head to the border. You guys are leaving as soon as possible," she explained seriously and Luca seemed a bit shocked too.

"Now? Before the game's over?" Luca asked in annoyance and disbelief, then she nodded. "Alright," I said quickly, "I'll hurry, thanks Lynn." She nodded again then walked out.

"What? You can't leave...I won't let you!" Luca said, slightly mad and sad at the same time. It made me feel guilty, but this was my chance. I ruffled his chocolate curls.

"Look...it'll only be like a week tops...okay? I promise I'll come back," I said as I grabbed a tiny bag, putting a different change of clothes in there, a few essentials and a dagger. It was a pretty small bag so I figured I could put it in Annabeth's bag.

He nodded and sniffled a bit, he tried to hide it but I heard it. "Luca...listen, take this," I said, slipping off a blue beaded bracelet with a silver leaf bead in the center, I'd made in the arts and crafts area with him.

"Wear it while I'm gone, so every time you look at it...you think of me, and when I come back, it'll be a reminder of my kept promise...okay?"