For the Better

Chapter 6 ~ Capture The Flag (pt 2)

Leo's Pov
Percy picked me for his team. I decided I wanted to try for the flag. As soon as the horn blew, I dashed through the woods. I took a detour, a different way so I wouldn't get attacked.

Then, I saw the flag. It was at Zeus's fist. Straight ahead, Brooke was standing there guarding the flag, along with Hazel. I started to tiptoe around the leaves and twigs and branches. Hazel just got into a fight with someone. Didn't catch who though. I was 4ft from the flag. I reached for it. Then, I stepped on a twig. Wow, Leo! Good going! Next thing I knew, I had a dagger to my throat.

"Hey. No need for the dagger." She looked me in the eyes. "What do you expect me to do? Let you get the flag?" I smiled mischievously. Dang I haven't worn this grin in a while.. "Miss Melody, that'd be great."

I was about to call her sunshine because she's a daughter of Apollo and she said yesterday she can control light. Then I stopped myself before anything came out of my mouth. That's what I called Calypso... I felt the tears in my eyes. I tried to side-step so she wouldn't notice. She stopped me.

"Miss Melody?" she asked. I faked a laugh. "Well you know, you're a daughter of Apollo and you can sing. It was the first thing I could think of, okay?" She raised an eyebrow. "What, did you forget my name? You just met me yesterday!" I faked a laugh. "No, no. I know who you are, I just make nicknames for people. That's kinda my thing." She glanced behind her at Hazel. She was now defending the flag.

"Okay, then what's my name, Valdez?" My eyes widened. "You're Brooke Lambrix. Annabeth didn't tell you my last name when she introduced us," I said, trying to keep my breath from shaking. "She didn't tell you mine, either. Will told me because I asked." I now was the one who raised an eyebrow. "I overheard you say your last name to Percy and Annabeth. Why did you ask about me?"

The horn blew. We both looked over to see Clarisse with the blue flag. My team lost. Nice going, Frank and Jake (Jake Mason, my half-brother), you let them get the flag. Brooke lowered her dagger. "You seemed suspicious yesterday, so I asked your last name. All I know is that you are Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus, and that you were part of the prophecy of 7 during the fight with Gaea. Seriously, that's all I know."

I frowned. "Anything that you know about the prophecy? Like anything that happened?" She saw that I frowned and looked me in the eyes. "That's all I know, I promise, but I don't want to know more." I raised an eyebrow again. "Oh why? Because I'm not interesting?" She rolled her eyes. "Leo, let me be honest with you now, and let me clear the air. I don't like you. Not even as a friend. Sorry." After that, she ran off with her teammates.

Well that's a first. Someone actually doesn't like Leo Valdez, bad boy supreme. Someone doesn't like Mr. Super-sized McShizzle. I don't like her either. Like I would be friends with her, I guess, but somehow, I feel that she is going to be important. I don't know why...