hey. since the death in tbm (trying not to spoil anything), i've been really depressed. i hope writing about them will help me deal with the loss because it's been really hard.
Reyna Avilla Ramirez-Arellano did not feel at home in her new home.
Sure, she was glad to be off of Circe's island. She felt safe behind the magically protected walls of Camp Jupiter. She felt happy that she had made some new friends. But she did not feel at home. Every day she cursed herself for not following her sister to the Amazons. She felt alone. She felt sad. Even though she was okay now, she wished that she had a close friend or a parent to confide in.
As she stood in line at the coffee shop, her prayers seemed to be answered.
"Reyna!" someone said enthusiastically. Reyna turned to her left and saw Jason.
Jason Grace was one of her closest new friends. He had been at Camp Jupiter since he was four years old. Many of the people who cared for him and welcomed him into camp were now dead. He made it his goal to show all the new kids the same hospitality and kindness that he'd been shown. Of course, this was difficult, considering the high volume of new campers, but Reyna thought it was an admirable mission. Jason was the picture of the perfect all-American boy; tall, blonde, blue-eyed, always striving to do the right thing. She didn't want to admit it, but she had a little crush on him, too.
"We missed you at the water balloon fight. Gwen and Dakota beat us all."
"Aw," said Reyna, pouting her lip. "They sure are a force to be reckoned with."
"We're having another one tonight," said Jason. "Care to take a stab at bringing down our reigning champs?"
Reyna chuckled. "Thanks, but I think I'll let them stay on their thrones for now."
"How are you adjusting to Camp Jupiter?" he asked.
"I guess I'm adjusting pretty well," Reyna said. "You can't go wrong with the hot chocolate around here."
Jason laughed, his blue eyes seeming to sparkle in the sunlight. "You're right about that. Well, if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here for you. I just want you to know that you're never alone. There's always someone in your corner rooting for you."
Reyna was so overwhelmed with joy and relief that she threw her arms around Jason. Several campers stared in confusion.
Jason, flustered, said, "Is everything alright?"
"Thank you," Reyna mumbled into his shoulder. "For everything. You're a great friend."
Jason wrapped his arms around Reyna too. "That's what friends are for."