The Next Generation

Chapter 5 - Kas

I can't believe I'm saying this. But the kids of the seven weren't actually that bad. At first, sure, it was awkward, Sammy and I walking up to them and me having to introduce myself. People were crowding them, pushing us in and suffocating the air from my lungs- did I mention I was claustrophobic? Yep. That's me. The surrounding campers glared at me as the ten teenagers, (the little kids couldn't have cared less) looked me up and down, as if weighing if I would be a good friend or not. But, sure enough, after some consideration, they let me in their little "pack" or whatever you want to call it.

Pack was the closest word I could think of though. They were like wolves, pushing and pushing each other to their limits, then helping that person break them. All except Ethan. He looked a little depressed as he stood in their ranks. The other campers had dispersed for afternoon activities, but I, since I had done a favor for Chiron, was able to go with them, to apparently the Big House.

"We found a stash of popsicles in the freezer room in there," Charlie explained to me.

"Wait, there's a freezer room?" I asked. Jeez, I'd been here for three years, and I was still learning stuff. Sammy smirked and rolled his eyes.

"Don't remind her. That place is basically Charlie's heaven," I cocked my head at the girl, whose black curls were bouncing as she was.

"Cyrokinesis?" I asked, and she nodded. "Why don't you worship Khione?" A tan skinned, pale haired girl, Riley, jumped into the conversation as we started walking to the big house.

"She would, but my Mom hates the icicle. Big rivalry while they were fighting Queen Dirt Face," I nodded, finally understanding. As we continued walking, I studied the teens.

Charlie had tan skin and dark curls, taking after her father, Percy, but she did have her Mother's eyes, which were a light, stormy grey, kind of like storm clouds. She was petite, and a cocky, funny being, always cracking her own crazy jokes, and only eating blue food, which was a little weird.

Riley had her Mother's tan skin, but her shoulder length hair was a shocking blond, almost white, color. That, along with her electric blue eyes, branded her as the child of Jason and Piper, and she was the baby of the family, a year older than me. Riley was the queen of nicknames, and had an odd weapon and obsession of the blow-dart gun, which made sense, since she was of noble Tahlequah blood.

Lacy was a spitting image of Riley, except for the fact that her hair fell in chocolate waves and her eyes changed colors, which was kaleidoscopic, I think. I think she must have been more Aphrodite than Jupiter, because her outfit looked planned with precision, showing off every curve just right. But it looked minimalistic, and simple at the same time, showcasing that she could be beautiful without the effort.

Cast, or C.J, as Riley had dubbed the kid, was a tall, lanky, eighteen year old with short blond hair and sea green eyes, like if you put Percy and Annabeth in a blender. He was the most laid-back out of all of them, going with the flow, and the most calm under pressure. I actually didn't know that much about him as the others, because he usually kept to himself and his little bubble of friends, which apparently included me now. Yippee.

Finally, Emmi, Sammy's sister, who was a small thing, with dark hair and a baggy overcoat covering her Camp Jupiter shirt. She had chocolate skin, darker than Sammy's and almost black hair, which was currently pulled up into a messy bun. She was the planner of the group, smart, serious, and kind of bossy, if you ask me.

We jogged up the Big House steps, and I followed the others, dying for my ice-cold popsicle. In this weather, you need all the coldness you can get.

*~**~*

"Sammy. For the final time. Cereal. Is. Not. A. Fricking. Soup," I argued heatedly as I stepped outside, the bright, summer sun warming my features. He waved his hands in the air as he spoke back, crookedly smirking at my attempt to change his opinion.

"It's a soup. I dare you to try and change my mind," I rolled my eyes, looking to the heavens for help. Muses? Athena? Could you possibly come down here and tell this ridiculous guy that cereal IS NOT A SOUP? Because I think he'd listen to you more than I. With no reply, I tried to negotiate.

"If cereal is a soup, then that means that ketchup is a smoothie," He widened his eyes.

"What? Wow. The world finally makes sense. Ketchup is a smoothie. It makes sense but- it's just- what?" I smirked, about to reply, when I heard someone call my name, in a shocked tone.

"Kas?" I turned, and saw Zara trotting up the steps of the porch, confusion and surprise on her face, and some other, odd emotion portrayed on her face. Envy, or dislike, maybe? Despite the new development, I smiled, and waved to her.

"Hi!" Ethan glanced over from where he was finishing his popsicle, and his face lit up when he saw Zara approaching us.

"Hey Zara! Ready to really answer that question?" I exchanged glances with Sammy, and pursed my lips. He was attracted to her like a moth to a flame. Cautiously, I whispered out of the side of my mouth,

"Ah, young love," Sammy smiled, and in the same tone, replied,

"Are you a fourteen years old, or an eighty year old stuck in a teenage body?" I couldn't resist a giggle, but luckily Zara couldn't hear me over the flirting session that was going on between her and Ethan.

"Definitely the latter," I slapped his arm as he tried to keep the conversation going. "Shh, I want to listen!" He snorted.

"Then find quieter friends," But he subsided, and I was able to tune back in to whatever was happening between the two. Ethan was trying to compliment her, bless his soul, but... at the rate they were both going at, it was like a train wreck.

"It's very..... Uh...... skirty," Zara glared, this time not at Ethan, but in my direction. I was confused. Had I done something to offend her? She coughed, and said in a loud tone,

"If you really want to compliment a girl, then ask the newest member of your crew, she's definitely read a book about that sort of thing," I frowned, and crossed my arms as the other half-bloods stared down at me.

"What?" I grumbled as Zara sprinted past us and into the big house. "Sammy met me in a library, for Iris's sake! Of course I read!" Emmi spoke up, from the back.

"Have you read The Hunger Games?" I nodded.

"Yeah. They're one of my favorite book series," She looked satisfied. Riley frowned.

"But... wait, aren't you dyslexic?" I chewed on my lip, beginning to hate this conversation. It was kind of turning into an interrogation. And all thanks to Zara.

"Yeah, but I grew up with some... special people who helped me get over it," Understatement of the millenia. The nine muses all took me in and raised me as their own, educating me in their arts and literature for the past eleven years before they took me to Camp. Sammy must have sensed my uneasiness, because he jumped in the conversation, changing the subject.

"I saw a few naiads leave some canoes if anyone wants to race," Charlie pumped her hands into the air.

"But we all know that I'm going to whip your podex's in it, right?" Lacy rolled her eyes.

"As if, at least I can win without my powers and with them!" The two started bickering, and I saw Ethan in the far corner, looking dejected about something. Probably Zara's rejection. While the others continued their argument, I walked over to him, and in a quiet tone, I asked,

"You want to be on my team?" He kicked a stray pebble that had ended up on the porch somehow.

"I mean, I guess, but we most likely won't win the race," I chuckled, making him look up.

"Oh, my friend, I highly doubt that,"