The Forbidden Child

Chapter 27: Girl Talk

Piper POV

After breakfast, Piper and Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto, decided to train together. Back when they were on the Argo II, Hazel taught Piper many useful sword techniques. Plus she missed her best friend.

STAB. "And that's how to use your arm length to your advantage." Hazel beamed at Piper, who was quick to pick up new tactics.

Piper was sweating buckets. She gasped for air. "Can we take a break?" She asked, struggling with each word.

Hazel laughed. Piper loved Hazel's laugh. It was so youthful and joyous.

"Sure. Here let me get you some water." Hazel left quickly. When she came back, they both sat on the ground of the Coliseum, which they were lucky enough to grab for themselves.

"I hate to be THAT daughter of Aphrodite, but how are you and Frank?" Piper asked, trying to calm her breathing.

"We're great! Frank is such a sweetheart. I'm always thankful to have someone like him in my life, especially after surviving a crazy war," Hazel chuckled.

"Yeah, it's definitely been wild."

"How are you and Jason?"

Piper took a couple of seconds to steady her breathing. "We're great as well. I miss him a lot when he leaves but we Iris message as much as we can. Though I do wish he would just stay for a while."

"Maybe one day you guys can make a future at New Rome." Hazel suggested.

"I think about it a lot. But I'm trying my best to live in the moment."

"It's really great to see you again, Piper. Although the circumstance is a bit dire."

Piper smiled. "Yeah, sometimes I wish we could be just normal teenagers but this is a part of who we are."

"I really hope we figure out what the threat is. Frank's been telling me about your guy's quest. If I can be of assistance, please let me know."

"Hazel, you are always so kind. I wish we knew the threat, too. It's so frustrating not knowing what the prophecy means."

"Nico sent me an Iris Message last night and said that he's never seen Chiron so stressed out. He thinks the new girl might play a role in this prophecy."

Piper gazed across the Coliseum. "Helena is something special. She's such a mystery but I can feel it, too. She is important." She looked back at Hazel, her golden eyes attentive. "My mother actually spoke to me about this quest in a dream last night."

"What did she say?"

"She said that every journey is a story and a good story must be blessed." Piper laughed. "I never understand Aphrodite and I never will. She is so confusing"

Hazel laughed along. "Just as love will always be. Let's get back to training. We can get our minds off of the quest with this next exercise."

They got up, racing each other to the dummies. For once, Piper felt so carefree, laughing with her friend. She wished everyday was like this.