୨⎯ GOOD GRACES ⎯ ୧ ☾P.J☽

33. Soo, new girlfriend?

THE WEATHER SEEMED LIKE A CURSE AS the Ares siblings were walking around, looking up at the monsters trying to break in, as usual, but Thalia kind of protecting them while she lasts.

"How long do you think we got before they get through?" Noah asked, walking beside Erika, who was busy munching on some food for now.

"Could be a day, could be a week." Erika shrugged before her eyes flickered over Percy and Annabeth, before she subtly nudged Noah, "Don't you think they're getting a bit too close?" She spat, her voice being filled with pure disdain as she tossed the paper plate into a bin, brushing her hands.

Noah looked at Percy and Annabeth, as if trying to annoy Erika, "I thought you guys broke up, too young to be dating anyways." Noah clicked his teeth, looking at the girl.

"Focus, diaper licker, don't you like Annabeth?"

"Ew, don't call me that." Noah choked out, hiding his disgust or maybe his flushing face, "And what about me liking her?"

Erika just looked at him up and down before she began to walk away.

"Hey? What about me liking her?" Noah asked, rushing to follow Erika.

Anyways, the Demigods were preparing for the Chariot race, as Tantalus planned to make it an activity for the demigods, now, Clarisse was with Erika as the two were helping her with preparing for the race.

Clarisse pushed her cart forward as she had her eyes on Chris, "Hey, Chris," She greeted. Looking at the boy, "Think you could jump this?" She asked, hopping on the chariot as she pressed a button, which made a sharp spear pop out of her wheel, ready for some sabotage.

Erika just rolled her eyes, not wanting to listen to her older sister flirt with some Hermes kid as she leaned against her cabin.

Chris let out a chuckle, "Don't worry. You'll never get close enough to find out." He spoke.

"You don't think I can catch you?" Clarisse asked, looking at the boy, "Because I can be very persistent when I mark my prey." She added, stepping closer to Chris as Percy's eyes instinctively looked at Erika, and a smirk approached his face as if he was telling her to literally say "take a look at this guy?"

"Cool." Chris shrugged, looking at Clarisse, "Can you back up a little?" He asked, and Clarisse's face dropped, she looked around to see people laughing at her, while Erika struggled to control her own.

"Shut up, Jackson, Aren't you supposed to be in lockdown?" Clarisse spat, looking at Percy.

"Indeed he is." Tantalus spoke up, walking from behind Percy.

"Tantalus. Just in time. Listen, you're gonna love this," Percy spoke, turning to look at Tantalus as Clarisse and Erika sneaked out of there. Too much embarrassment for Clarisse now, "I found a way to save camp from destruction." Percy continued, looking up at the scary smelly weird haired guy.

Everyone just froze and listened as Percy spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "All we have to do is heal Thalia's tree before the barrier fails completely." He continued.

Tantalus grabbed Percy by the shoulder, turning his back against the others and the side of his shoulder against his, as he spoke, "Zeus took away my ability to eat, not hear. So, why don't we lower our voice while we still have the gift of speech?" Tantalus suggested, moving to stand in front of Percy again.

"I know how to fix the barrier." Percy spoke again, looking up at Tantalus, "Thirty, thirty-one, seventy-five, twelve. That's the right off the coast of Florida, near the Bermuda Triangle."

"Yes, no, I'm aware of the numbers. I have some, too. Uh, such as ninety. That's how many days there are left in summer, and it's also the amount of days you have left under house arrest since you broke camp--" Tantalus began, before Percy cut him off.

"Camp rules? Thank you for bringing that up, actually," Percy spoke, bringing out the camp rule book, "Article five, subsection three; 'Any demigods serving detention will be granted leave in order to participate in Camp-wide activities',"Percy read out, turning the book towards Tantalus as Tantalus just snatched it out of Percy's hands, "Like the chariot race." Percy added.

Tantalus just turned the page to quietly read it, looking down at the rule book, "You think you're really smart, don't you?" He asked.

"Not really, no."

"Well, neither do I. In fact, I'm going to be betting on that. And when you fall under a chariot wheel or get impaled by a spear, I'm going to collect." As he pressed the rulebook against Percy's chest to shove him off, and then stormed away.

Anyways, Percy went to the old storage room as he was trying to get ready for the race, as Erika walked over, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

"Hey." Percy said, immediately dropping the broken part of whatever he was holding.

"Hey." Erika replied, looking at the boy and the broken chariot, "So, you're playing?" She asked, her voice calm and steady.

"Yeah, why?" Percy asked, brushing the dust off his hands, even rubbing his hands off his pants as he looked back at the girl.

"You know, her mom invented the chariot and her dad created horses. You two would be unbeatable if you two rode together." She asked, her voice having a creep of taunting.

Percy looked confused, "Who?"

"Annabeth. Weird. I don't see your new 'girlfriend' around now." Erika noted, looking around the while field before she looked back at Percy.

"This isn't about Tyson or Annabeth, is it?" He asked, stepping closer to Erika as she stood up, loooing back down at Erika, "Because I couldn't talk last night? He just feels totally alone. I'm just trying to do the right thing. And as for Annabeth, you got your boyfriend now, don't you? Is that why you've started ghosting me all year?"

"I don't care about Tyson, or Annabeth. And what boyfriend?" Erika scoffed, crossing her arms as she looked up at him. Taking a step closer, making him take a step back.

Percy looked down at the girl, "The boy who was helping you move to your new cabin." He asked, looking down at Erika.

"That's my brother, Noah." Erika finished, letting Percy let out a quiet 'oh'

"Sorry..." Percy apologised, knowing if someone has to apologise, it's probably him because there's no way Erika's ever apologising, ever.

Percy looked behind Erika, and Erika turned around, to see Annabeth just standing there.

Erika rolled her eyes, "Your future wife awaits." She taunted, storming away.

"Wait. Erika--" Percy froze, watching her leave.

"Leave her be." Annabeth sighed, as the two now began talking about something else.