Camp Half Blood: Rebellion
Chapter One:
Lexi POV
"Come on Lexi, we are going to be late! Do you honestly want to ruin your perfect attendance record?" Maddi shouted in my ear, and I groaned angrily. I rolled lazily off my bed, forgetting that I was on the top bunk. I hit the floor with a loud smack, which sent Maddi into a laughing fit.
"Are you okay?" She chuckled. I moaned and started to stand up, wincing as I checked out my fresh bruises. I stumbled blindly to the bathroom and checked the clock above the shower. It was already 7:45, and class began in a half hour.
Fifteen minutes later I was attempting to tame my golden mane of hair, which was refusing to cooperate. Maddi watched silently from the bed as I fought with my tangles. Her backpack was already slung on her shoulder and she nibbled absently on a granola bar.
"You know, we don't have all day. Class starts in ten minutes, and Mrs. Smith does not like it when people are late." Maddi informed me, pointing to the clock. I groaned and tried once more to get a ferocious knot out of my hair. It wouldn't budge, nor would the brush. Maddi's lips curled into a small smile.
"It's stuck, isn't it?" She murmured, shaking her head. I shrugged and unsuccessfully tried to yank the brush from its cursed position.
"Uh… help?" I squeaked. Maddi scoffed quietly before grabbing a pair of scissors from her bedside table. I gulped and stepped away slowly as she walked toward me.
"You wouldn't." I whispered, eyeing the tool. She laughed.
"If it comes to that, I shall. Seriously Lexi, just turn around so I can get the brush out." I gulped and shook my head. Her blue eyes bore into mine for a moment, and I gave up. There wasn't enough time today to run around the room with scissors anyway. I was not going to be late. I reluctantly turned the other way, facing the mirror by my closet. I bit my lip and squinted my grey-green eyes shut, trying to block out Maddi probing through my tangles. With a short ripping sound, Maddi released my brush from its prison, making me yelp. She shrugged and took ahold of my arm before half-dragging me out the door.
"Hey, where is my bag?" I complained as she pulled my down the hall. Maddi smirked before pushing the huge wad of lavender fabric into my arms.
"I took some of the books out of it; I doubt you could carry them all around with those weakling arms." I frowned and fumbled through the bag.
"Hey," I grumbled, "you took out my light reading books." Maddi scoffed. "You call those light? Those books were each larger than a dictionary! What were those even about anyway?" I sighed. "I was reading about Mythology. I mean, it is really interesting. Did you know that-"
"Lexi, I really don't care right now. Let's just get to class." Maddi cut me off, and I frowned, but tried to focus. I could not be late.
Two minutes later, we both burst into Mrs. Smith's classroom, breathing heavily. She narrowed her eyes as we came in, but didn't say a word. I breathed a sigh of relief before collapsing in my chair. Mrs. Smith began the announcements for the day. I struggled to pay attention, but instead stared blankly around the room.
Villa Elizabeth was an all-girls catholic boarding school that thrived in the depths of Manhattan New York. It wasn't very large, but it was home to around two hundred girls, all of which I knew from something or another. Although the rules were strict and the nuns weren't the best teachers, I still loved it here. The Villa was where I had met Maddi, and where I had finally gotten a friend that I could relate to.
"Miss Corrigan, I would appreciate it if you paid attention." Mrs. Smith snapped, breaking my stupor. I blushed crimson and mumbled an apology as she gave me a piercing look. I faced the front of the classroom and listened to the last announcement.
"Also, just a reminder, the dance is tonight at 7pm, in the cafeteria. As you all should know, the dance is a semi-formal occasion, and the boys from St. Anselm of Lucca are attending. I expect everyone to be on their best behavior." I nodded automatically, as did most of the other girls in the room. Mrs. Smith sighed sharply, and started her English lesson.
At exactly 3:30pm, I was racing to the dorm at top speed, dragging the exasperated Maddi along with me. I was rather excited for the dance. Maddi did not share the same enthusiasm.
"Why do we even have to go to this stupid thing? I know you want to see Matt, but do I honestly have to go with you?" She groaned audibly from the inside of her closet as she pulled out sweatpants. I shook my head before snatching the sweats from her loose grip.
"You have to go with me, and you are going to wear something nice." I stated, leafing through her clothes. "You will also have to borrow something from me, because you have nothing formal in here, not even a decent skirt! What happened to that nice dress I got you for Christmas last month?" Maddi stared at the brown carpeting before mumbling, "Lost it somewhere." I groaned and fumbled through my own clothes. "Here, wear this," I murmured, tossing her a blue dress. She frowned, but took it anyway. I examined the purple strapless I wore and ventured to the bathroom to fix my hair. It took all of my will-power to convince Maddi to wear makeup, but she finally did. I smiled and brushed out her short blonde locks, making it frame her small face. I declared us ready to depart a few minutes before seven, and I dragged Maddi to the cafeteria.
The space for the dance was fairly large, and the decorations were simple. Purple streamers hung from the chandeliers and black tables lined the walls. A huge crowd of girls were on the center floor, dancing to a Lady Gaga song. I sighed and drank in the room before turning to Maddi with a huge grin plastered to my face.
"Time to find the boys!" I whispered excitedly. She groaned as I pulled her into the depths of the crowd.