Shattered |Leo Valdez|

Chapter 6

Chapter 6:

Erikka's P.o.v.

I stared up at Leo, both of us open mouthed and covered in the days lunch. "I'm really-"

"Sorry? Yeah. That does absolutely nothing." I bit my lip and started to try and stand up, only to slip and fall back on my butt. Leo was leaning towards me, his eyes burning with rage from both of our encounters.

Suddenly a black haired guy was pulling him back, his pale hands standing out against Leo's tan complexion. The guy had circles under his eyes and a cool, worn out jacket.

"Leo, chill. She just bumped into you. She didn't kill anyone." Well, I guess this guy was ill informed because according to Leo, I'd murdered his Calypso girl. Leo clenched his fists and then stopped as something small came barreling towards him, jumping into his muscular arms. The dude had to work out.

"Hi, Fire Boy! Did you meet my new friend? Her name is Rikki. I think she's really pretty. And she's funny. And she is kinda klutzy but I think it's funny." I smiled at Lisa, until it clicked. Fire Boy? This is the guy that saved Lisa?

Seriously?

He gave the little girl a half smile and set her down. "I have met your...friend, Lisa. How about you take her to go eat lunch? I'm gonna go help Nico feed Mrs. O' Leary." Lisa nodded and grabbed my hand the second I stood up.

Leo turned and grabbed the pale guy- Nico, I think- by the shoulder and pulled him out of the pavilion. I pursed my lips, wishing I didn't already have someone who hated me on the first day. I mean, Grover was bad enough.

"So, that's Fire Boy and we are best friends! Of course." Lisa continued to talk about Leo and horses and the Barbie that Connor stole for her. She didn't stop talking until sword training after lunch. "And that's how I saved Christmas!"

I smiled and nodded, glad when we were forced to stop talking and watch the teacher. A black haired, well built guy with reeeeeally nice blue eyes, that couldn't have been more than a year or two older than me, was our teacher. "So we are gonna work on technique today. Grab your swords and hurry back."

"That's Percy." The Brian guy said, coming up behind me. "He's pretty much the closest thing to a celebrity here."

"Why?"

Brian begins explaining the Second Titan war, and the Earth war, and the son of Poseidon's role in everything that life can offer, while we suited up. I have to say, Brian is a pretty hardcore fanboy. "That's also his favorite color. When he-"

I interrupted him. "What kind of shampoo does he use?" It was supposed to be a joke, but I guess Brian didn't know that.

"Herbal Essences special protection, sea shore scented. As I was saying," I zoned out after his crazy, stalker quote. What was it about Hermes kids that made them talk and talk and talk and talk?

I took in his wiry build and his shaggy, sand colored hair. His eyes were hazel which kind of annoyed me but I over looked that for the simple reason that I was a friendless loner as of that day.

"My assistant would have been here, but apparently he's at the forges. So why don't you come up for a demonstration, Travis?" Percy said, smiling at our cabin leader. Travis shrugged and jumped into the arena pit.

Travis' cocky attitude quickly fell as Percy disarmed him in a few seconds. "Now you need to watch your balance. Stay on your toes, but keep your weight even." I smiled as I imagined my overweight fourth grade teacher trying to 'keep her weight even.' By accident, I snorted out loud, having everyone stop and look at me.

Percy's eyes squinted in my direction before he smiled. "Looks like you have a volunteer to take your spot, Trav. You next to Brian." Travis tried to hide his relief as Lisa and Brian- who was freaking out that Percy had called me out and known his name- pushed me into the arena.

I gulped as I picked up a sword that felt bulky and weird in my hand. "What's your name?" He asked, an encouraging smile on his face.

"Rikki."

"I'll go easy on you, Rikki. Don't worry." He started and the first things I did was trip and fall on my face. Everyone started laughing. Percy pursed his lips to keep from laughing as he helped me up. "Are you usually klutzy?"

"Yes! She always is!" Lisa cried out from the Hermes crowd. Percy chuckled and turned to me, handing me the sword.

Taking a breath, he tried to give me some pointers as we went, but I was tired and clumsy so he kept disarming me over an over again. "Two minute drink break, guys!" He called out since we'd been sparring for thirty minutes and the others had gotten partners and began after ten minutes of watching and laughing at me. "Hey Rikki, come here." We walked into the shade to get water and I suddenly felt a little better, my bruises a little closer to disappearing.

I took a cup of water and drank it in one gulp while percy just poured it on himself. "Oh yeah, son of Poseidon." Percy's eyebrows raised as he looked at me.

"Yeah. How did you know?" I gestured to Brian who was taking notes on Percy as we spoke. He laughed and gave me another smile. "You know, you aren't half bad at this stuff. If you want, you can come to the extra practices I give." My eyes lit up.

"Really? You think I could get good at this stuff?" Percy nodded and then called out for everyone to get back to work.

I got into position, but this time, I really tried to focus on what I was doing. I let Percy start as usual, yet instead of getting disarmed, I backed up. I kept backing up until I was back in the shade by the water. My movements lost there sluggish feel and it was like I was back in the hospital room with the monster.

Every move Percy made, I countered. He dodged, I swiped. It was amazing and the blade had become easier in my hand. My eyes followed his eyes, as if reading his plans. A curious gleam took to them and he shot out his other hand, making the water explode from the jug and rush towards me.

As if on impulse, I raised my hand as if to cover my face. I felt the cool water hit the palm of my hand, but that's it. It just disappeared. Everyone was watching again, wondering why I wasn't soaking wet. Percy blinked at me before clearing his throat. "Ok. Um, time to go for break. Rikki, could you join me?" I gulped, knowing somehow I was in trouble.

Lisa and Brian glanced back at me as I followed Percy away, back to the Big House where I had woken up that morning. He held the door open for me before following me inside. Chiron was there arguing with a redheaded girl around a Ping pong table. "I'm telling you! Saturday! It's going to be Saturday when four will leave us!" Chiron pursed his lips and gestured to the new comers: Percy and I.

Percy came to the table and put his sword- which was now a pen. Wtf?- in his pocket. "So what's going on, Percy?" Chiron asked as the red haired girl played with a strand of her frizzy hair. She seemed cool as she stood there in painted jeans and a camp t-shirt, a plastic blue hair brush in her hand.

"Well," Percy began, "we've got a problem." All three heads turned to look at me and I shrugged.

"So I'm the problem child. What else is new?"

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So I introduced a lot of characters in this one because I know you are all wanting to see them again!!!! I'm glad you guys are reading this. Keep reading and commenting! I love you guys! ~BrieD