A Frozen Heart - Leo Valdez

6- The Prophecy (Leo's POV)

Leo's POV

"Leo, stop it!" Chase laughs as I spray some water on her with my canoe paddle. "You're getting me soaked!"

I grin. "Payback from pushing me in!"

Chase snorts and starts to ring out her dripping red hair. The sun is setting in the distance, bringing out her blue eyes. They kind of remind me of Jason's, but they resembled more of a white blueish color, as if they were made directly from ice.

I still can't believe Piper said that to her.. Of course I was watching her! I wanted to make sure she wasn't going to die! At least Chase hasn't mentioned yet. I really like hanging out with her. So far, I have showed her possibly everything at camp, from the rock wall to the secret hiding place where I help the strolls prank the Aphrodite kids!

I had to show her that spot, so she can make sure she stays clear of it. Man, I still can't believe she is a daughter of Aphrodite! She acts nothing like one, kind of like Piper. She also isn't a plastic Barbie doll either.

"So... That Alex White girl," Chase begins. "It is really possible for her to read minds?"

I was wondering when she was going to bring this up. It seemed as if she was really freaked out when I told her the first time. "Yeah, she can read minds," Honestly, that girl really freaks me out! I don't want to be around nobody if they can tell what I'm thinking. Trust me, you do not want to be inside my head. " And not only can she read what you are thinking at that moment, but she can also search people mind."

Chase's eyes slightly widen in confusion and shock. "Wh-what do you mean?"

Why is she getting so nervous? "Like, when I first met her, she told me she was sorry about my mom. See, my mom di- passed away when I was younger. I never told anyone at camp anything about my mom, and Alex magically knew everything because she searched my mind..."

"Oh Leo," Chase looks down. "I didn't know about your mom. I'm sorry."

Normally when people tell me they are sorry about my mom's death, I don't say anything and I ignore them because it never sounds really genuine. But something about the way Chase said it, made me feel better. It sounded as if she really cared. "Tell me something about your life." I say.

"My life?" Chase chuckles. "There is not much to say about my life... It has been like a roller coaster. I was so happy when I was little... But my happiness faded when my dad died."

"Oh," I whisper. "I'm sorry." And I really mean it.

"My dad left me with a terrible step mother. When I was thirteen, I couldn't take the verbal abuse by her anymore. So I just left."

"Wow..."

Night has settled in, leaving us with only stars to support our vision. Suddenly, fireworks crackle, brightening the sky with all sorts of different colors. Chase practically tips over the canoe trying to get a better look.

"Let's go to the beach," I say smiling. "There will be a better view there."

~

"Holy crap!" Chase yells in excitement as fireworks go off everywhere.

A lot of people crowd around the beach as the Strolls let off some interesting fireworks. They even let off a firework that looked exactly like Chase when it exploded into the sky. Props to me, because I'm the one who thought of that.

"Hey, Leo!"

I turn around to see Frank and Hazel coming towards us, hand in hand. "Hey guys."

"You must be Chaselynn!" Hazel says, completely ignoring me.

"Please, call me Chase."

"I'm Frank, and this is Hazel," Frank says awkwardly. "I'm son of Mars and Hazel is the daughter of Pluto."

"Pluto? Mars? The planets?" Chase asks, obviously confused.

I don't know why, but I burst out laughing. Frank and Hazel both join in, leaving a hopelessly lost Chase staring at us like we are crazy. "No, no!" I say smiling. "Pluto and Mars are the Roman version of Hades and Ares."

"Oh," She says. A ting of red is rising to her cheeks, which is really cute.

"It's okay," I nudge her. "You still have a lot to learn, little duck."

She looks at me with a poker face. "Little duck? Really?"

I chuckle.

"Hey Chase," Hazel starts. "Come with me real quick. I want to show you something." Chase looks unsure but follows Hazel. They disappear behind the trees.

Frank turns to me and cracks a smile. "You like her?"

I snort. "I just met her," Frank gives me the 'I know there is something you're not telling me look' and I sigh and throw my hands in the air. "Fine yes, she is really nice. Very cute. And she laughs at all my jokes." I pop my collar.

Frank rolls his eyes. "She is probably just laughing because she feels sorry for you. Because you're not funny."

"Hey!" I protest. " I'm the king of funniness."

"Okay king of-" He doesn't get to finish his sentence because a water balloon the size of a car crashes into us and sends us flying a few feet away. We land in the water. "What the hell!?" I yell and swim to shore.

Chase and Hazel both come out behind the trees, laughing their heads off. "Frank, I'm so sorry! We didn't mean to hit you!"

"Yeah, whatever," Frank mumbles. He slightly chuckles. "I'm going to go change into some dry clothes..." As soon as he walks off, I turn to the culprits. Where did they even get a water balloon that big anyway!?

"You were aiming at me?" I ask. 

They chuckle and Chase steps forward. "You so had it coming."

"What did I do?"

"You called me a little duck!"

My mouth drops open. "You hit me with a water balloon the size of a truck, for that!?"

They both start laughing again. Damn. Is that weird that I find her throwing a water balloon at me a total turn on?

The laughing by the girls soon fades and is replaced by screaming coming from somewhere in the crowd of demigods.

"It is Rachel!" Somebody yells. "She is giving a prophecy!"

I look frantically around the beach and spot Rachel standing in front of the water, the waves gently washing over her feet. Her eyes are a bright shade of green, and smoke is pouring from her mouth. I can't be sure, but it looks as if she is staring directly at Hazel, Chase, and I.

"Beware the Daughter of Snow,
She smiles and laughs, but she is a foe,
She will perish those that are the greatest,
The plan caught  by the bravest,
A chill shall freeze those to the bone,
but may be warmed by the one alone."

Rachel tumbles over and a girl who I recognize from the Apollo cabin helps her stand. I look over to Chase and quickly put my hand on her shoulder. She looks sick. Her face has turned so pale, it is almost transparent, her eyes are dilated and she is shaking. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" I ask.

She nods slowly, but her gaze is fixed on Rachel.  "I-I- I'm just really tired. Goodnight Hazel..." She starts to walk away then looks back. "Goodnight Leo. Thanks for the awesome day."