THIS IS ME TRYING

23: Chosen

LUNA COULD feel a small bruise forming beneath her eye, but she managed to wipe her nose clear of any signs of blood. Her knuckles ached, but it was the kind of pain that Luna had gotten used to overtime. She tried to act natural when walking into the Big House, but she was still dazed with annoyance from her fight with Clarisse. It didn't help that her entire body was aching... she hadn't fought someone since Camp last year. And that someone was Clarisse.

Luna sat between Percy and Annabeth, trying to act as casual as possible. However, Percy noticed immediately, "What's wrong with your face?" He asked bluntly.

"Ouch." She said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean." Percy sighed, sounding more worried than anything.

"The birds." Luna lied simply.

Across the room, Percy glanced at Clarisse, who had a new bruise on the side of her face. He whispered, "Seriously, Lu?" And he was starting to sound a lot like Sally.

"What?" Luna was still pretending to be confused.

"You picked a fight." He stated, and his worried tone morphed into annoyance, "Why? There was no reason to." He just didn't like seeing Luna get hurt... and she knew that.

"Yeah, well..." Luna rolled her eyes, leaning her elbows on her knees, "It's none of your business." She blocked him out because that seemed like the safest thing to do.

Percy frowned curiously, "Why're you moody with me?"

"I'm not." Luna shot back.

Percy gestured, "Clarisse, then."

Luna sat up, looking at him and pulling a face of disagreement, "What?" She tried to ignore her heartbeat drumming in her chest at the mention of her name. Then she remembered Percy saying that it was obvious— what was obvious? She hadn't told him about... her secret. She hadn't told anyone. She wasn't hiding it from herself because Luna knew what she was... but she didn't want to tell anyone in case they outcasted her even more. She couldn't tell them that she liked girls because it was so incredibly daunting.

"I'm asking why." Percy explained simply.

"Because she's annoying." She deadpanned.

"Yeah, but..." Percy trailed off, because he couldn't disagree.

And, thankfully, before he could say anymore, Tantalus and Mr D were walking into the room to join the small crowd of Campers who weren't harmed in the bird attack.

"So... that happened, and it was a lot." Mr D cleared his throat, "But, as camp director and as a parent to at least... some of you, I solemnly promise that as soon as the repairs are done to the track, the Chariot Races will be rescheduled!" But, to his surprise, nobody clapped.

Tantalus rose to his feet, pressing his spear into the ground, "After consulting with the dryads, i have learned that the barrier generated by Thalia's Tree will not fail." He paused before confessing, "For at least the next week, at which point you will all have to run for your lives." The room erupted into a panicked whisper, causing the man to reassure, "Simmer down and listen well. For the key to our survival has been foretold to me in a dream. Three of you must quest for the legendary Golden Fleece. 30... 24... 75... 12. Those are the sailing coordinates to the Island of Polyphemus. Our champion will brave the Sea of Monsters, steal this powerful treasure, and restore our borders to their full strength!"