Chapter 1 – I Meet Camp Half-Blood's Latest Newcomer

"Hurry up, Seaweed Brain! We'll be late for the campfire!"

I took hold of Annabeth's hand and together we sprinted through the camp. All the demigods were standing around Chiron and a girl I'd never seen before.

The glowing flames of the fire made the faces seem strange and mysterious.

Annabeth and I tiptoed to the back of the group, as quietly as we could but Chiron noticed us anyway. 'Ah, there you are, Percy!' he bellowed. He smiled warmly at me and beckoned me forward. Then the centaur turned to the other half bloods. 'I'm sure you have noticed that since Luke's….uh…..been gone we have been without a camp leader. So, I have decided that Percy shall take up the position!'

Oh no! I thought. I wasn't good with responsibilities and I knew Annabeth had wanted the job. I looked at her. She was whooping with the other campmates but I could see the disappointment in her eyes.

'Way to go, Percy!' Connor and Travis Stoll cheered, distracting me.

'Well done!' Katie Gardner said, clapping me on the back.

I walked back to Annabeth, embarrassed. Glancing around for other familiar faces, I saw that Clarisse was glaring at me. No surprise there.

'My next announcement,' Chiron continued, 'is that we have a newcomer!' He nudged the girl next to him forward. I turned and looked at her.

'Seaweed Brain!'

'What?'

'Stop staring at her!' Annabeth shouted.

'Oww.' I muttered. 'That was right in my ear, wise girl. Chill. I'm only looking at her because she's new.' Well. That was part of it. The new girl was astoundingly pretty. It was hard not to look away.

'Demigods,' said Chiron. 'This is Drew Kallista, the newest member of Camp Half-blood.' Drew looked around the crowd. She had tanned skin and soft brown eyes like melted chocolate. Her pretty face was framed with shiny black hair. She was covered from head to foot with expensive jewellery. When her eyes rested on me, she smiled widely and twirled her hair.

'Drew has not yet been claimed so for the moment she will reside in...'

Chiron's announcement stopped abruptly as a flash of light dazzled the camp. After it had faded, I noticed that Drew had changed. Her hair cascaded down her back in perfect ringlets and her makeup had been altered so it looked even better. She was now wearing a beautiful white gown. She looked like a super model.

'Well,' Chiron said, 'Drew has now been claimed. Hail Drew Kallista, daughter of Aphrodite.'

Well that didn't surprise me. I had guessed she would be a daughter of the love goddess. The Stoll brothers started wolf whistling. Drew went to stand with the other Aphrodite kids. There were loads of them, since I had persuaded the Gods to claim all their demigod children.

'Okay,' Chiron continued. 'Now that the excitement is over, go and relax. Activities will begin tomorrow. Breakfast will be at eight o' clock. Oh, and I almost forgot! Percy, since you're the camp leader you can show Drew around. '

Chiron turned and walked back to the big house. Most people followed him, heading for the cabins.

I looked around for, Drew, but she was nowhere to be seen. She must have gone back to the Aphrodite Cabin with her siblings. Great. Now I'd have to go and get her. I hated going into the Aphrodite cabin. It stank of expensive perfume.

Turning to Annabeth, I mumbled apologetically, 'I have to go show Drew round. Sorry.'

'But I thought we were going to Zephyros Creek together!' she exclaimed.

'I know. I have to do this, though. Maybe we can go tomorrow?' I offered.

'Fine.' Annabeth turned and walked away.

'Wait!' I shouted, but she had already gone.

Feeling awful, I trudged to Drew's cabin. It was painted hot pink, with little hearts all over it. Garlands of mistletoe hung from the roof.

I knocked on the door.

A beautiful blonde haired girl opened it. I recognised her as Evelyn Jones.

'Hey, Evelyn.'

'Hi, Percy', she replied. 'Come in.'

I was about to make up some excuse but Evelyn dragged me in anyway.

The stench hit me first. It was so strong that someone had probably sprayed an entire perfume bottle in there.

A few campers were putting on makeup; others were performing makeovers on each other.

'Hey, Percy!' They exclaimed when I came in.

A tall girl called Camilla stepped forward. 'Would you like a makeover?' she asked excitedly.

'No,' I muttered, backing away.

'Oh.' Camilla's face fell.

'I just came here to find Drew', I told her.

'Ooooh got a little crush, have we?'

'No. Chiron asked me to show her round. Besides, I'm dating Annabeth.'

'So?'

I decided not to reply to that. Everybody knew this cabin was full of the biggest two-timers around. 'Is she here?' I said eager to escape this awful place.

'Yes,' the girl pointed to one of the dressing tables. Drew was putting on makeup.

'Um, Drew?' I said. 'Do you want me to show you round?'

'Whatever.' She replied, putting her mascara down and standing up.

I hurried out of the door and Drew followed me.

'So, these are all the cabins: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Dionysus, Ares, Hermes, Athena, Hestia, Artemis, Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Persephone, and some of the minor gods', too. Over there is the big house', I told her pointing.

Next, I led her over to the arena, but Drew wasn't really interested. She kept staring at me, twirling her hair and smiling flirtatiously. Uh oh.

'Okay, that's a wrap!' I lied, hurrying away from her.

'But, you haven't shown me the stables or anything!' Drew objected.

'Um….you'll see that tomorrow! Bye!'

Turning away, I sighed. Instead of having fun at Camp, I'd have to spend my summer avoiding Drew.