FINDING A HOME | PJO

/ ten /

"Are you stalking him?"

Nancy turned to scowl at Adrian. They were in another sword fighting class, led by Percy, and had paired up to duel together. She guessed it was getting slightly obvious that she'd been wanting to talk to the son of Poseidon, in the way she kept glancing over as he weaved though campers, helping them with their technique. 

Ever since Annabeth told Nancy to ask Percy himself for more insight on his life the past few years, she'd been tempted to do just that. But it would be terribly awkward to do it as his former bully, and it wasn't exactly normal for people to talk about the things that had gone wrong in the past. 

"So? Are you?"

Nancy parried his overhead strike and sighed. "No," she growled.

"Alright, alright. . .Spitfire." Adrian blocked her sword as it arced down in front of him. 

"Did--what did you just call me?" Nancy felt her cheeks heat at the sudden nickname. 

Adrian smiled. "You like it? I've been thinking about it--fiery hair, fiery temper--Spitfire!" He spread his hands out proudly, allowing his weapon to droop in his grip.

Nancy pointed the tip of her sword dangerously close to his eyes. "Do. Not. Call me that."

"Oh come on, that's no fun." Adrian pushed away her sword with his. "Think of one for me. Then we'll be even and I can use my genius nickname, yeah?"

Nancy scoffed. "No, Adrian. You're not calling me that."

"Spitfire."

"Stop."

"Spitfire."

"Shut your mouth."

Adrian pouted and gestured to himself. "What comes to mind when you look at me?"

Nancy pretended to think. "The epitome of idiocy."

Adrian's smile slowly fell. "Ha ha, very funny." He threw his arms up, dropping his sword in the process. "For real! Spitfire's caught on. I'll never stop saying it now."

Nancy stared at his weapon in the dirt. 

"Butterfingers."

Adrian wrinkled his nose. "Eh. You can do better."

Nancy took a step closer and met his eyes. "Lucky."

"Oh gods no," Adrian said, making a disturbed face. "That's horrible."

"Is it?"

"Very."

"Perfect. Now pick up your sword, Lucky."

Adrian stared at her. "You can't call me that! That's like--taking advantage of my parentage to make up for your lack of creativity."

"Because 'Spitfire' is so much better," Nancy shot back.

"It's--" Adrian stopped and sighed. "Fine. Spitfire."

"Lucky."

───────────────🥀

Nancy had been walking along the rows of cabins for ten minutes now, observing each building and wondering which one would be hers. None of them really stood out. Was she supposed to feel some kind of connection?

Stupid.

"Are you lost?"

Nancy turned at the loud voice. Her blue eyes met with the unfamiliar green of someone else's, and she realized she was face to face with a tall girl. Round, red painted lips, extremely long eyelashes, and long blond hair. Nancy wasn't about to say it, but the girl's entire aura was beautiful. It was enough for her to take a step backward and notice the other girls standing behind her. Another blonde and a brunette, both adorning high ponytails and a massive amount of make up.

"Sweetheart? Did you hear me?" The nameless girl put on a ridiculously fake smile that almost hurt Nancy's eyes.

"Yes." You're practically yelling. "I know where I'm going, thank you."

With that, she turned and began to walk away. She'd dealt with these kinds of people before, occasionally acted as one herself, and they were never good news. 

"Oh, you poor thing," Blondie continued. "I can show you to the archery range if you'd like. How about it, girls?"

Her friends nodded enthusiastically, but they weren't smiling. Nancy froze mid-step, resisting the urge to call them out for their bologna. 

"Not necessary. I'm just fine, sweetheart."

With her back turned on them, she couldn't see their reactions. But Nancy only had to wait a moment before the leader of the small group sauntered up next to her and linked their arms together. She pulled her along, and the other two girls followed behind.

"I'm Maddison, daughter of Aphrodite. Those two are Samantha and Stephanie, but we call them Sam and Steph. And you are?"

Nancy looked back at Samantha and Stephanie, who seemed to think this whole situation was normal. Then she swung her gaze back to Maddison, unhooking her arm. "I'm not quite sure what game you guys are trying to play, but--"

"Oh, what a strange name. Who's your godly parent, Ginger?"

Nancy clenched her jaw. Somehow Spitfire didn't seem all that bad now. "I'm unclaimed," she ground out.

"Hm. Well, you'll know soon. How're you enjoying camp so far?"

"Up until I met you? It hasn't been terrible."

Maddison nodded as if she were taking part in a world ending conversation. "That's wonderful. And you have a boyfriend already?"

Nancy's steps halted. "A boyfriend?"

Maddison frowned, looking almost concerned. "Yes."

"You--Are you talking about Adrian?"

The strange gleam in Maddison's eye confirmed it. Nancy suddenly remembered who Aphrodite was.

"Oh. Oh, no. Adrian is just a--guy! He's. . .him! I mean, I met him here, and. . ." 

Maddison, Samantha, and Stephanie all waited patiently for her to finish.

Nancy ran a hand through her hair and glared at them. "Look, girls, if that's what this is about--Adrian--I'm just going to go. If this is one of those cliche jealousy things, you can forget about it. Adrian is yours, or whatever. We're not, like, romantically involved, or anything."

Maddison nodded slowly. "You're smart." She turned and gestured for the other two to follow her. Nancy watched them go, playing with the leather cord around her neck. She'd never been one to judge over stereotypical things, but whoa. Aphrodite girls were the most cliche thing she'd ever encountered. 

She sighed, spinning on her heel and pretending that hadn't happened. If Adrian had been there. . .she shivered at just the thought. They'd barely established a friendship yet, Nancy didn't want to ruin it. 

"Spitfire!"

This boy's timing was starting to get creepy. 

"Lucky," Nancy said.

Adrian pouted, but he didn't falter. He grabbed her hand and took off running, dragging her behind him. "Did you plan to skip out on the campfire? They're the best part of this place!"

Nancy struggled to keep her footing as she tried to escape his grasp. "Whoa, slow down! I can walk on my own!"

Adrian grinned. He didn't let go.

a / n

oooh, a campfire. 👀

adriancy or nadrian ? →