Through Annabeth's Mind: Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief (Annabeth's POV)

7) I judo-flip Clarisse

I went back to my cabin after talking to Percy, where we planned new battle tactics and positions for the Capture The Flag game this Friday. Even though the Ares cabin was winning, I knew we would smash them. They barely won the last time, and now we had a new, better plan. The horn announcing dinner came too soon, but we managed to finish.

As we walked to the dining pavilion, I smelled barbecue, yum. It was my favorite, but this night I didn't really enjoy it, and neither did anyone from my cabin. We were all too busy reviewing for the game, trying to hide it from other tables. I saw Percy looking at me from the corner of my eye. He was examining my cabin, and then I caught him staring and he quickly looked away, as if Luke had told him something. He fitted right in with the Hermes' cabin, they were all laughing and joking around.

When we were all done, Chiron pounded his hoof for attention.

Mr. D stood up and said, "Yes, I suppose I'd better say hello to all you brats. Well, hello. Our activities director, Chiron, says the next capture the flag is Friday. Cabin five presently holds the laurels." A bunch of ugly snorts rose from the Ares table. We just glared at them, shooting daggers (not literally).

"Personally," Mr D continued, "I couldn't care less, but congratulations. Also, I should tell you that we have a new camper today. Peter Johnson." I silently snorted. Chiron murmured something.

"Er, Percy Jackson," Mr D corrected. "That's right. Hurrah, and all that. Now run along to your silly campfire. Go on."

Everyone cheered, and I followed, thinking it would be a good idea to distract myself for a while. After all, I promised Luke I wouldn't overthink things. We sat in the amphitheater, as always, and sang a few camp songs. Malcolm was sitting next to me. His voice was so off-key it made me laugh, and he kept nudging me, passing s'mores. One time he elbowed me a bit too hard, and I just glared at him, but then we both broke into a grin, and he kissed me on the forehead. I was so sleepy I ended up laying my head on his shoulder listening to the Apollo kids sing, and somewhere there I heard a new voice, which was actually really good. At first I thought it was Will Solace, since he was an Apollo kid and almost all of them sang really well, but then I sat up straighter and saw it was Percy, just as the horn for us to go back to our cabins sounded.

I groggily made my way towards the cabin and collapsed on my bunk. I fell asleep immediately, but unfortunately, I also had a dream. It was blurry and I only saw fragments of something that was happening, like a movie trailer. First I saw Percy, Grover, and I on a bus. Then the three Furies. One of them yelled, "Zeus will destroy you! Hades will have your soul!". Percy yelled something back. Then I couldn't see anything, but a chill went down my spine and something shook the bus we were on, and dream me shouted. Darkness again, then we were out, and the bus exploded as it was hit by lightning.

                                                                    * * *

I woke up, my whole body covered in a cold sweat. The sun was peeking over the valleys. Chiron told me I had to give Percy Ancient Greek lessons from today, so I checked the time and realized it was a bit late, so I hurried to reach on time. Percy wasn't a very fast learner, but he wasn't slow either. I decided I would keep an eye on him after the dream I had last night.

After the class, I headed towards the wrestling mat to try to practice the new fighting techniques I learned. To my surprise, Percy was there too, getting ready to fight... uhh... Clarisse. As I said, he was brave, in a stupid way. Clarisse was ready, but Percy was still fidgeting with something. As soon as he stepped on the mat, Clarisse would either punch him in the stomach, smack him, or throw him like a doll; all before he could make his first move.