I lifted the heavy metal sword above my head, deflecting the attack. The clang of metal on metal rang in my ears and I struggled to keep my sword up. It was too big! Blasted Thira had insisted that I use this particular sword, even though she well knows that I can hardly handle a regular sword, let alone this bulky thing. My opponent was too strong for me...

No! Stop thinking like that! You've got this! I told myself.

As a daughter of Apollo I was naturally talented with a bow and arrow. I was the best in my cabin. But I didn't have my bow. First off, bows weren't allowed. In my hands now was a long, thick celestial bronze sword the more than the length of my arm.

It didn't help that I was up against a child of (I forgot to mention) Ares. Yes, Ares. The god of war.

I ducked and rolled, maneuvering out of the way of his next attack. Of course I didn't know who it was exactly. Just their cabin. They didn't know who I was, either. Percy's idea. I struck a blow to my opponents shin. He tumbled to the ground. Percy thought it was a great idea to have us fight anonymously so that there could be no bias moves. Which did give me an advantage. The armor covered our faces and any revealing body parts that may give our identity away. Not that I had many curves to cover, anyway.

We circled each other, prepared to either strike or defend. Whichever comes first. Percy Jackson was a legend around here. I don't know him personally, of course. I'm a nobody. The equivalent of a human wallflower, you could say. My opponent sliced through the cloth on my lower arm, cutting a deep gash in my arm. A thick trail of dark blood trickled its way down my fore arm. I gnashed my teeth. I could heal that later. I need to deal with this now. Percy had never even spoken to me. Well, nobody really speaks to me... Just the people in my cabin and my only two other friends.

He struck again. I dodged out of the way, rotating around him just enough to swivel my blade against his, sending it to the ground, then bashing the hilt on his back. He crumpled to the ground.

I won.

The few bystanders that came to watch our duel cheered. I blushed from under my ask. I never liked being the center of attention.

My opponent stood facing me and removed his helmet. I did the same, shaking my hair loose. I recognized him as Jensen Howell. Not the most powerful of the children of Ares, but a child of Ares none the less.

Sweat was beaded above his brow. "Y-you're a...girl?" he asked, breathing heavily.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm a girl. Gods, Jensen."

He just stood there, wide eyed, jaw lax. I had my hair cut short, so it fell just below my shoulder. And on top of that, I always wore it up when in battle. That way I could stay a little more anonymous gender wise. Most girls let their hair fallout of their helmet, so you can easily tell they're female.

That and they have more curves.

I put my sword back up on the rack. The crowd disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Jensen jogged up to me.

"Hey! Ginger girl, wait!

I sighed. There's that name again. Everybody who doesn't take the time to remember my real name calls me that.

"Hey," he caught hold of my shoulder. "Great job out there. I'm impressed."

"I'm better with my bow." I muttered.

"Well, yeah, I'd think so, daughter of Apollo." he gave me a cute little half smile. Then his eyes turned to my cut. He gestured to it. "Sorry 'bout that."

I looked at it. "Nothing I can't handle."

It hurt, but I wasn't about to let him know that. I could tough it out. Walk it off...

"No, no. Come on, let me get you some nectar. I could use some too." he pointed to his shin. "You got me pretty good." he gave a wry smile.

"Fine." I said. He grinned.

Jensen lead me to the infirmary. The nurse looked at our wounds and handed us each a glass of nectar. We sat at the bar stools and drank up. I had learned to drink it slowly so that I could relish every last drop. Not only did it heal you, but the nectar tasted amazing every time.

I took another gulp. Mm... Chocolate and citrus. I know. It sounds kind of gross. But it's my favorite taste in the world. It reminded of me of the Chocolate Oranges that my mom always put in my Christmas stocking every year.

I looked over at Jensen, sipping his nectar and stealing glances at me. "I know it's kind of personal but...what does yours taste like?" I asked.

He blushed and practically choked on the drink. He cleared his throat. "Well, um... Lemon squares with...mint." he said quietly.

"Oh, like the ones that I made for camp that one day?" I asked.

"Yeah, um...Hey what's yours?" he asked me.

I knew he was changing the subject on purpose but I decided to let it slide. "Oranges and Chocolate." I informed him.

He made a face. "I know. It sounds really bad. But it's way good." I explained.

He laughed. "No, no. It sounds...Strangely appealing." He looked me in the eyes.

It took me a while to realize that I had been staring into his beautiful, intriguing, green eyes for much too long. I shook my head and broke eye contact.

Whoa, that was weird... I thought to myself. I checked out the clock.

"Well, I need to get going. I told Amelia I would meet her for...girl stuff."

"Wait," he said, turning a bit pale. "Amelia? As in...Un-dead Amelia?"

I rolled my eyes. "She's not that bad. I don't know why people call her that. See ya!" I waved.

Jensen stood up. "Hey, wait! I didn't catch your name!"

I called to him from behind my back. "Rina! Rina Williams!"