CONNOR

"Earning it? Can you believe that guy?" My brother Travis asked as we watched the back of Percy Jackson disappear down the hallway. I smiled.

"Sure can't,"

"Come on, bro. It's time for History of Everything. Don't want to be late," He said, holding his hands on the back of his neck. I laughed.

"Like we're on time," Travis smiled at me. We began to walk together. Travis Stoll, my older brother for approximately one year. Kids like us were kind of uncommon since we were full blooded demigod siblings who weren't twins. Travis and I only had each other. When we were just toddlers our mother gave us up to the foster care system. We never stayed in a home for too long, what with the evil monsters coming to kill us and all. Then a satyr found us and brought us here to Mt. Olympus Preparatory School where we live year round. Long story short Travis was the only family I had. We walked past a music room just as the sound of a piano sounded. It was a sweet almost sad melody; maneuvering it's way through my ears and wrapping itself around my brain. I stopped in my tracks smiling as I listened to the beautiful sound.

"Dude, come on," Travis, who was now steps ahead.

"Uh, I'll catch up with you later," I said, stepping back. He smiled.

"Sure bro, I'm going to sneak into Garden Club and see if they have any carrots," And with that he stealthy eased down he hallway against the wall like a spy in one of those movies. The piano continued to play as I pushed open the door to the music room. A blonde girl with shoulder length hair sat at the piano with her eyes closed. I was about to call out to her when she opened her mouth and began to sign.

"I never thought that you would leave me alone

Without you here my heart's like stone

I don't need nobody else

I don't want nobody's help

Distance makes the heart grow fonder

But I can't take it any longer

Because I miss you, I need you

I just want you back

I'm singing this song to,

Convince you of that

And never again will let you go

Even so I want you to know

I miss you"

"That's a great song," I said, stepping into the room. The girl jerked at the sound of my voice, abruptly stopping her song. She turned towards me, showing me her breathtaking blue eyes. Defiantly daughter of Aphrodite, I thought. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "But it's a little slow," I said taking a seat on the stool next to her.

"Uh, it's not that great," She said turning her head away from me.

"Sure it is," I said, almost choking on this awkward moment. "It just need a little bounce." I got up and walked over to a guitar, plugged it into and amp, and strapped it on. I strummed it for sound. "Alright, now play the song but happier," I ordered, strummed the guitar. She seemed a little reluctant at first, but she soon complied. "Now listen," I said with a a grin and began to sing.

SAME SONG FROM BEFORE BUT FASTER AND HAPPIER

I grinned at her dazed face as I strummed the last note.

"By the way, I'm Connor, son of Hermes," She shook herself off.

"Oh, yeah. I'm Lacy, daughter of Aphrodite." Knew it, I thought smugly. "That was great by the way. The way that you transformed my song-" I cut her off, feeling the heat rushing to my cheeks.

"No, it's your song. I just picked it up." She smiled at me and I swear I saw red touch her cheeks. I pulled the guitar off my shoulder. "Uh, well I guess I'll be seeing you," I said, beginning to flee.

"Yeah, see ya," She called back. I left the room as fast as I could without it seeming like I was trying to escape. When I got to the hall I let out a breath I hadn't realize I was holding. A daughter of Aphrodite actually smiled at me, I grinned at the thought.

I walked towards History of Everything with that grin openly displayed on my face. I found Travis waiting outside the classroom for me.

"Hey bro-whoa! What happened to you?" Travis was matted with dirt. It caked his hairline and smeared across his jeans and blue shirt. He grinned with a carrot sticking out of his mouth.

"Lets just say I was playing tug-o'-war with the Gardening Club. Anyways, what happened to you my friend?" I smiled a knowing smile and Travis shot me a quizzical look.

"I was just...listening to some really god music. The artist wasn't half bad either." He smiled.

"What ever, bro."

LACY

I sat there smiling to myself. "Connor, huh?" I whispered, feeling heat rising in my face.

"Hey, Lacy," An exasperated voice called to me. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Katie don't sneak up on- oh my gods! What happened to you?" I asked getting up from my piano stool. My best friend, Katie Gardener stood in the doorway, covered in dark brown dirt. It was sprinkled in her black curly hair and around her grass green eyes. She scowled as if by the memory.

"That stupid Stoll brother!"

"Well which one was it?" I asked. I had heard legends of the notorious Stoll Brothers. Their pranks were feared and admired all around. They were complicated, well thought out, and perfectly executed adding to their genius. They were so legendary I thought they might've just been a myth. I certainly never met one. I would hate it if Katie had become a victim of such viscous prankatude.

"Who else but that horrible Travis!" She almost growled.

"What did he do?" I asked. She sighed, rubbing her eyes.

"It's not important."

"Lets get you cleaned up," I said wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Okay," She said, her mouth forming into a pout. We left the music room in silence.

"So how's your day been so far?" Katie glared at me, I just smiled. We had almost made it to Katie's room when a girl popped into our path. Katie frowned.

"What do you want, Drew?" Drew smiled a us.

"Nothing from you, Mud pie," Katie's face burned bright red. Drew turned to me. "Lacy, cabin meeting." She turned to leave when Katie spoke up.

"You know, I don't know why so many guys are attracted to you when you have a personality like a donkey's backside." Drew turned back to Katie.

"Maybe its because I don't spend all day in the dirt clot."

"Oh please, I could get a boy as easily as you can. I just don't flaunt it." Katie said. Drew scoffed.

"As if. A Stoll Brother wouldn't even date you."

"You're just saying that because you can't get a Stoll to like you!" Katie blurted. This, of course, was true. (Katie never lies) Drew had always tried to land one of the Stolls (to prove she could) but to no avail. Drew was kind of sore about it. Katie gulped and continued. "I'm glad that someone recognizes you for the ugly inside instead of the beautiful exterior." She turned ot me. "See ya, Lacy." She pulled away from me and sped down the hall toward her room.

"Thanks a lot, Drew." I said angrily.

"Don't start whit me, upstart!" Drew snapped. She walked away, I pouted but followed her to the Aphrodite joint dorm room.

I walked into the hot pink room. Groups of pretty girls sat in groups giggling with each other.

"Girls, girls! Calm down," Our cabin leader, Selena, called. Selena had long, wavy, black hair, beautiful blue eyes, and pale ivory skin. She had been at Mt. Olympus Prep the longest, earning her the highest title. The gaggles of of girls continued to chat, and if anything, they had gotten louder.

"Shut it!" Our lieutenant, Piper, yelled. Her dark brown hair was neatly braided down her back, her kaleidoscope eyes set in a glare. Her caramel colored skin gleamed in the light. Everyone shut their mouths.

"Thank you," Selena said to Piper. She nodded back her reply. "Now everyone, I have a very important announcement." Selena began. "Principal Zeus has given us permission to throw a school dance." The room erupted into a variety of squeals. "Okay, okay, clam down," The squeals seized. "I've called you all here to come up with a theme." She finished. Chatter started up once again, filling the room.

"One at a time, people." Piper said. One blond girl named Mia said tentatively.

"How about a masquerade?" A few laughs sprang fro mouths. All of the sudden Selena's face lit up.

"That's genius! Do you know how many couples we could set up by using all that mystery to our advantage. Mia that's an idea worthy of mother herself!" Squeals rang out across the room. I just stood there watching the whole thing stunned. A dance? A masquerade at that? How the heck am I supposed to prepare for that? Why do I have a feeling this is gonna cause a lot of problems?