FINDING A HOME | PJO

/ three /

"Nancy? You in there?"

Nancy didn't answer Annabeth's question.

So yeah, sure, this place was beautiful. An enormous property scattered with buildings she couldn't wait to see, and a glittering lake reflected the bright sun. A field filled with little red dots Nancy knew were strawberries from the warm scent drifting around.

But one second ago she had been looking at...well, nothing.

"How did we--how did this--?" She flipped her head back and forth, from behind her to in front of her, wondering if this was really an illusion.

Annabeth smiled. "This is Camp Halfblood. You may have to adjust to the mist to recognize it from outside the border, but you'll get it. And--good news--I know that you're a demigod for sure since you passed through without my permission."

Nancy felt a giddy feeling bubble up in her chest, but she pushed it down. "Oh, wow. Where do we start?"

Annabeth shrugged. "My boyfriend won't be here till later, so I can show you around. First we've got to introduce you to Chiron."

Nancy grimaced. "He's not a dragon..right?"

Annabeth shook her head. "Usually I'd let you see for yourself, but we've got time. Chiron's a centaur. Half man, half horse."

Nancy's eyes were wide. "Ew."

"When you're a demigod, you get used to it. Everything's a hybrid. Even you."

"Anything else you'd like to dump on me?"

Annabeth looked out over the camp. "We've got a bit of everything. Satyrs, nymphs, naiads, myrmekes...oh, and the camp director is the god of wine."

At that point Nancy didn't even bother to ask.

"I know Chiron will be busy preparing for this summer, so I'll actually show you around first."

Nancy blew out a breath. "This is crazy."

"We're halfbloods. Crazy is mediocre, trust me. Come on."

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Two hours.

Two hours filled with shrieks and introductions and adjusting.

Annabeth had told her a lot.

And now, it was time to meet Chiron. The guy that was half horse.

They approached him from behind, so Nancy got a good view of his white coat and constantly swishing tail. But only when Annabeth called his name and he turned around did Nancy gasp.

"Mr--?! I forgot your name, but it's you!"

Chiron furrowed his brow. "Nancy Bobofit?"

Annabeth looked between the two. "You guys know each other?"

"Nancy was in one of my sixth grade classes," Chiron said. "To be painfully honest, I didn't pay the best attention to her, but I never forget a face."

Nancy stared at the man (centaur, whatever). He had been the one teacher she couldn't get wrapped around her finger. He was always busy polishing a sword or helping another kid.

Annabeth crossed her arms. "Well, you probably should've kept a closer eye on her, because she's a demigod."

Chiron looked at Nancy, rubbing his chin. "I'm glad you found your way to camp, er, Nancy. And I love what you've done with your hair."

Nancy bit back a nasty comment. She gave him a little nod and stood awkwardly.

Chiron's eyebrows drew together. "Weren't you..."

Nancy leaned forward as he trailed off. "What?"

Chiron looked at Annabeth, who was also staring at him in anticipation.

"For gods' sake, Chiron, spit it out," she said.

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said a thing. You're obviously a mature young lady."

Nancy found herself looking at the ground. She was trying hard to behave herself in this new place, but the old man was making it very hard. Before she could come up with a mild response, he was speaking again.

"Here we go," he muttered. Then he turned to Annabeth. "I believe someone is waiting for you," he said, pointing at the hill behind them.

The two girls turned, and Nancy caught sight of a blur standing. The sky was dark around it, and the only thing Nancy could make out was its black hair against the dark blue sky.

Annabeth was grinning. "Thanks Chiron. I'll be right back, Nancy."

Nancy did, in fact, notice the way she didn't even look at her as she addressed her. Soon she was sprinting across the grounds, and Nancy assumed her boyfriend had finally arrived.

Chiron shuffled behind her. "Nancy, why don't I show you where--"

"Annabeth already gave me a tour. I've seen everything," she said, cutting him off. She had her back to him, and winced at her own tone. But it was already out of her mouth, and she was completely engaged in Annabeth's reunion.

Annabeth embraced the boy, now just a blur herself, and they stood in a hug for a few moments. They pulled away, and Nancy could see Annabeth talk animatedly to him as they walked.

With every step they took, Nancy was able to see the boy more, and when they reached the bottom of the hill, Nancy turned around as fast as she could.

Chiron, unfortunately, was still there. "This is exactly what I was trying to avoid," he whispered. "I wanted to give you your own time to approach him. I know you and Percy weren't...the closest at Yancy."

Nancy, for some reason, was breathing hard. "Percy-whatever-his-name-is goes here? Like, all summer?"

Chiron nodded. He looked above her head at the two. "But I think you'll find he's different, Nancy. He's gone through a lot since you two shared a class. Don't run away just yet."

Nancy watched him incredulously as he gave her a good luck look and trotted away.

She resisted the urge to run both hands through her tangly hair. This was not how this was supposed to go.

Maybe he's forgotten me?

It was a longshot. She'd recognized him as soon as she could fully see him.

This is what she got for rejecting Chiron. She could've been thinking through this on the other side of this place.

Nancy took a deep breath and straightened herself. She remembered why she was here in the first place. And how much of a pushover Percy was. No problem.

But when she turned, all she could think about was how different this boy was. At least physically.

He had outgrown her by a lot. His black hair had grown out, and now it was windswept and...well, gorgeous. His eyes were less confused and immature. They were slightly darker than she remembered, and they stared deeply into her own.

"Nancy?"