C.A. Crest: Hello again loyal readers and new readers who have just come upon my story. I'm so happy to be back and writing more about Sarah and her crazy life, I know many of you are too. I won't keep you waiting so I'll just skip to what's important. (Clears throat) I own nothing of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, all rights go the fabulous and more awesome than Zeus writer Rick Riordan. Now here it is, the long awaited first chapter of 'Now That You Know'!
Chapter One: Not so Lazy Days of Summer
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
"You got to do better than that Winters!" I taunted as I raised my sword once again to deflect another blow from Nick's sword.
Another swing, another block. "I'm just going easy on you Sunshine, if I beat you too quickly things would get real boring real fast." he smiled as he lunged again.
Clang!
Clang!
"So what's the excuse for the other five times I've kicked your sorry butt?" I wasn't even out of breath yet, but neither was Nick. Despite all my jokes and teases the guy was picking up skills very fast. But what can you expect out of a demigod? This was what we were born to do.
"Just lulling you into a false sense of security."
Rolling my eyes, but smiling non the less, I decided to stop playing the defensive and started attacking. Nick didn't last long.
Clang!
Cl-
Twisting the sword at just the right angle and then thrusting upward, Nick's sword sailed out of his hand and flew across the arena. I lazily twirled my sword around in my hand with a smirk plastered on my face. Normally I would feel bad being this smug, but Nick knew it was all in good fun and that I didn't think of him any less for losing. It was just that this was just the one thing I could do better than most at this camp and I took great pride in it.
"Let's call it a day, lunch is going to be starting soon."
He nodded wiping off sweat from his forehead, I did the same. Early July on the East Coast wasn't as hot as some other places, but it was still ungodly. Usually Nick would be training with the Hermes kids, but his cabin had been completed a few days ago and now that he was on his own he just stuck with me and Pollux as we did our training. Percy sometimes joined us too if he wasn't too busy. I brushed a few loose wisps of hair out of my face. My hair was dark by nature and back in middle school I had dyed it mostly blue and purple. Normally I wore it in a ponytail, but seeing as my hair was just getting longer and longer I switched it up. Now my multicolored hair was worn in a low braid that hung over my left shoulder. Gotta say I'm liking the new look. Nico likes it too.
It's been three weeks since Gwen, Sophie, and I had come back from our quest with Nick safe and sound. Not much has changed around the camp except for Nick's new cabin and the gossip about Nico and I becoming a couple. You would think that almost a month later people would find something else to talk about. But like I said, not much changes here. Well, there were some other changes too, but not all of them pleasant.
Depending on the week or even the day sometimes, Mr. D's attitude towards me would be different. A couple of days after our argument he watched me like a hawk. During meals, when I was training, my visits to Rachel, and even my alone time with Nico, I could always feel his gaze even if I didn't always see him. That happened for a few more days until he decided to ignore once again. Then some days he was indifferent, others he was hostile, and then he was quiet. The whole cycle would repeat itself with seldom changes. Pollux noticed too, but he was smart enough to pick up on my moods and stay silent.
Walking back to our cabins to change out of our sweaty clothes was nice. Nick and I had a lot in common and we knew how to get on each others nerves playfully. It was great to have a guy friend other than Percy and the twins. We parted ways and I headed to my cabin, overrun with vines as usual. Inside the cabin was a little small and sparse, but how much room did two campers need anyway? There wasn't much to do inside, but sleeping was all I did in here recently. Ever since coming back it seemed that the entire camp was becoming busier. Training sessions lasted longer, fun activities more spread out, and games like capture the flag had become a little too real for me. Apparently demigods didn't know how to do a summer right. Chilling at the beach, shopping trips at the mall, taking hikes up in the forest, cook outs in the evenings, and all the other stereotypical things teens were supposed to be doing.
Hearing the call for lunch I quickly changed into a pair of blue jean cut offs, a v-neck red shirt with the phrase 'KEEP CALM AND FIGHT ON', and my black all star high tops. I did a fast re-braiding of my hair before looking in the mirror. The girl in the mirror was not someone I would have recognized last month. This girl had a light tan while still rocking a pale complexion. This girl had more toned muscles on her arms and some scars too. This girl didn't hide behind purple tinted sunglasses, her eyes were showing and so bright. Most importantly this girl had an aura of confidence that seemed so far out of reach to me. If not for the odd hair, I wouldn't realize this girl was me. I took one last look before I turned and walked out the door.
~Page Break~
Meals at camp Half Blood were never dull affairs. Between the sheer number of campers, coupled with the fact we all have ADHD, meals are loud and interactive. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Miley and Hayden prepping for a food war with the Demeter kids. Luckily for the rest of us the cabins were on somewhat good terms. Katie Gardner, head of cabin four also known as the Demeter cabin, was not one for pranks. Or, at least, she wasn't until her and Travis started dating. Now she took them all with grace while she still yelled at her boyfriend. Katie also seemed to be fond of Miley and Hayden so she gave them more leeway than all the other Hermes kids combined. This food war would make excellent entertainment.
Turning back to my own table Pollux was chowing down on his turkey sandwich and still tried to talk to me. Ew, I guess guys really didn't get the whole 'don't talk with your mouth full' thing. When he finally did swallow I was able to make out his words.
"So I think I've found a way to channel your powers of insanity." he said brightly. He knew that for weeks I had come up with nothing to control it. For all I knew I was a ticking time bomb waiting for some unfortunate soul to cross me at the wrong time.
I raised my eyebrows in curiosity, a little flicker of hope lit in my chest. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"
"Meditation. Sense you can't actually practice on someone, maybe just trying to contain it inside your head would be best. Then you could learn to focus the power when you need it."
"I blinked once, then twice. "Pollux...that's not half bad. In fact I think it's crazy enough to work."
He pouted a little, but I could tell it was playful. "Why the tone of surprise? Do you think I'm not smart enough to come up with that by myself?"
I laughed. "You're plenty smart Pollux, I just can't believe I didn't think of it. How did you come up with that?" I took a sip of my Diet Coke.
"Dad gave me the suggestion." he said bluntly.
I choked on my drink. After a round of coughs that drew the attention of a few nearby tables I managed to breathe normally again. Glaring at my half brother, who had the decency to look slightly abashed, I growled. "What?"
For his credit Pollux held his ground and met my glare head on with his own. We weren't matched, not by a long shot, but he didn't look away.
"You need help Sarah and you're too stubborn to go to the one person who could help, who wants to help."
I snorted. "Gee, I'm stubborn, wonder where I get that from?" Looking down to my half eaten grilled chicken sandwich I didn't feel very hungry anymore. "Look Pollux, thanks for the help, but I have to go." I picked up my plate and got up.
"Sarah wait!" he tried to get me to sit back down, but I stepped back.
"I'll see you later tonight at the campfire." I said dismissively before turning on my heel and leaving the Mess Hall, throwing my uneaten lunch away on the way out.
Was I being stubborn, yep, one of my best and worst traits all in one. My mom always said to stick to what you believe in and don't let others try and sway you. So I learned from a young age to dig my heels in, I always thought I got it from her. But after seeing Mr. D I knew how wrong I'd been. I knew on some level I was behaving like a three year old who wasn't getting her way, but I couldn't bring myself to care. In my mind, he was getting everything he deserved. Now he was the one being ignored and avoided and apparently that didn't suit him at all.
After pulling out of my thoughts I found myself at the entrance to Rachel's Lair and I let myself in. For some reason Rachel didn't always come out for meals and today had been no different. Walking down the hall until I came upon the cloth I pulled it back. Rachel Elizabeth Dare was the Oracle of Delphi and was the person who foretold of prophecies. It was Rachel who presented me my first and only quest this summer and she had become a good friend. Her weirdness and love for all things artsy made her easy to get along with and kept our conversations interesting. Rachel's home at camp was a tricked out, totally modern cave that housed a flat screen television, a four poster bed, a leather couch, and a bunch of her small possessions. I found said Oracle laying on the couch, staring off into space.
"Earth to Rachel, Earth to Rachel, do you copy? Over." I covered my mouth slightly to complete the impression which earned me a smile from the redhead.
"Hey Batgirl, what's up?"
"Funny, I was about to ask you that very same question. You were just staring at nothing rather intensely, what give's Dare?"
She shrugged. "I had a feeling before you came in, I guess I just zoned out."
That got my attention. "A feeling? I'm not about to go on another quest am I?" Sure the first one had been a success, but I just wanted to try and have a normal rest of the summer at camp. Another quest was not on my things to do list.
Thankfully she shook her head. "No, not a quest, just a feeling about you. I think you're going somewhere soon." her eyes took on a glassy shine. "And it's important. Keep your emotions in check."
"Rachel?"
Sudden her eyes were wide and alert with life once again, her normal hyper attitude kicked back in. "I'm starving! You want something to eat? I have some ice cream in my mini fridge."
Deciding to store that weird information away for later I trailed after the redhead future seer. Ice cream did sound good, especially after a day like this.
"Are there rainbow sprinkles?"
C.A, Crest: There you have it! Chapter one of the next part done. Review and tell me what you think.