"Yo Colin! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes tiredly, and was greeted with a slap in my face.

"Wh-what was that for?!" I exclaimed loudly, sitting up. Travis and Connor stood on either side of my bed, grinning.

Suspicious, I glanced around my bed and my things. Nothing seemed off. That is, nothing seemed off until Travis held up a long, rectangular piece of paper.

"What's this? I found it in your jean pockets." Travis held it by two fingers, dangling it in the air. Realizing what it was, I lunged, snatching it from his hand. That was a stupid move. Connor covered his mouth mockingly.

"Zeus almighty! Why did you get so worked up?" He raised his eyebrows twice, giving me a look.

I carefully slipped the piece of paper into one of my drawers. "I don't want you wrinkling it. This is one of my few pictures I have that are from before I came here."

Travis narrowed his eyes. "Fine. But for a second there I thought you liiikkkeee-"

"Shut up." I stood up, pulling on a shirt. Glancing at the drawer I had laid the picture in, I thought of the time when I had taken that picture. It was one of the only times Joanna and I had had some fun: at this old, run-down arcade place. She had pulled me over to one of those photo booths, pleading for a picture. And since I happened to have a quarter on me, I obliged. She would have been put down the rest of the day if I had refused anyways.

But there we were, Joanna smiling like she was on one big adventure, and me looking into the camera with one of those tough looks, although I was smiling. The next one showed Joanna pulling my hood over my head, and me ducking down, trying to avoid her. The third scene showed me trying to stuff Joanna's head in my backpack, her in mid-squeal and me laughing my head off. And the fourth and final one was both of us, sitting together and singing a song. Joanna's eyes sparkled like they always did when she sang, and I was there, singing along in my horrible, out of key voice, arm over her shoulder. I smiled as I thought of that memory, as sweet and happy as honey. Yeah. I'm not good at comparisons.

I hurried getting dressed, or else the Stolls would surely snoop around some more. Then I opened the door of my cabin, stepping outside into the warm sunny air.

"Hey, Colin!" Percy greeted, standing outside of my door.

"Oh, uh, hey Percy." I couldn't help but think of Chiron's words: 'Annabeth, Percy, I want you two to keep a close watch on those three. Make sure they don't get themselves into any trouble.' Was this what he meant, that each of us were going to have a little chaperone?

Percy looked at me, as if he was sizing me up. I stared back. "Uh, what are you doing?"

"I'm fitting you for armor. I think you grew a little taller."

"Oh."

I followed Percy to a shed. There were rows and rows of armor, helmets, shields, etc. Percy picked one out and handed it to me.

"Here you go."

I slipped into the plate, and adjusted the leather straps so that it fit. "Oh yeah, it feels better than my old one."

Percy smiled. "Great! I was thinking you and me could do some sword practice at the arena."

"Just you and me?"

"No, I'm going to have some of the new campers there as well."

"Oh, great. Are you going to make me your punching bag?"

"You're an experienced combatant, Colin. It's just that I need someone who knows the difference between a sword and a knife." At that, both of us laughed, and we exited the dark, dusty shed and headed towards the arena.

I spotted Lindsey, who was scrambling up the rock wall. She spotted me, and gave a wave, almost losing her footing as the walls gave a big shake. She clambered up the rest, then stood up and surveyed the camp, reminding me of a king -er, queen- surveying the land.

Further on was Joanna, pegging targets in the blink of an eye with her bow and arrow. One kid, probably a newbie, stood beside her, gawking as each arrow quivered, embedded straight into the target's center. She turned and waved at Percy and I as she shot the last arrow she had, still hitting the bulls-eye.

"Sure you're not an Apollo kid?" I laughed, stopping as a long, sharpened rock shot out of the ground and into Joanna's hands.

"You were saying?"

"Uh... nothing?"

"That's what I thought." She turned to Percy, ignoring me. "I'm coming with you guys. I have got to see you 'pretty boys' rough each other up for the newbies."

I said nothing. Now my crus- er, best friend was going to watch me get mauled along with the newbies?

Joanna, sensing my discomfort, smirked. "Hey, you know, I should get Lindsey too-"

"No! I am not making a spectacle I myself!"

Joanna laughed. "Fine. Anyways, she's busy messing around with the Stolls."

I looked over my shoulder. Sure enough, the three of them were laughing from behind one of the bushes. Nearby, Nico started spazzing, and a moment later pulled a crab out of his jacket. He looked around, pretty annoyed.

I shook my head and chuckled. As we reached the arena, I swung my leg over the ropes fencing in the arena, and took out my pocketknife. Percy, who already had Riptide out and ready, turned to face the little crowd of people.

Some of them snickered at what they thought was my simple little Swiss Army Knife. I smiled. They were going to be a little surprised.

"Now, I'm going to show you a simple yet effective move," Percy addressed the small gathering. Joanna leaned against the side wall, watching with an amused expression.

"Okay, first of all, note the angle I'm holding the hilt of the sword..." As Percy kept explaining, my mind drifted off, thinking random things. The way Joanna's hair moved in the wind, the way her eyes sparkled, her laugh...

"Son of a-!" I shouted as I instinctively jumped back and blocked a punch my arm. Percy smiled as he recoiled his fist.

"You listening now?"

I pouted, but nodded. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Joanna doubled over, laughing. Lindsey (trying to cover her smirk), Travis and Conner (both of whom weren't trying to cover theirs) had joined Joanna sometime in my zone-out. Percy sighed.

"Alright, lets get this over with." He held up Riptide as he beckoned me forward with two fingers, smirking. I laughed, flipping my knife. Gasps from the watching newbies filled the air as I caught Shard by its obsidian hilt. Its half celestial bronze, half imperial gold blade even made the great Percy Jackson look somewhat nervous. I winked at Joanna, catching her blush before I lunged at the son of Poseidon. He was surprised.

I loved sword fighting. I became a whole other person, at least, towards most people. Each parry, slash, jab... And this time, I felt something inside of me swell. A clatter could be heard as Riptide was thrown onto the ground, and skidded towards the opposite side of the arena.

Silence filled the air, broken only by a few gasps. Percy, eyebrows raised in surprise, quickly recovered and stooped down to pick up his sword. He smiled wide, setting his sword by the edge of the arena and walking over to clap me on the back.

"Nice. I can see you'll be my replacement." His eyes twinkled as he said the last words. I was relieved. Usually when I beat most people, they muttered something I'm pretty sure wasn't nice and stalked away. Percy didn't seem bothered at all. That was one of his good qualities.

"What? No I can't. But thanks," I said gratefully, flipping my sword slightly, watching as it shrank down.

"Oh, wait," Percy exclaimed, looking at my shirt. "I think you got some dirt on your shirt."

I glanced down. "I don't see an-"

Percy's thumb flicked upwards, catching me by the nose. I jerked my head upwards to see Percy snickering. "Hey!" I exclaimed, annoyed.

Percy looked up at me. "We're not done; get that sword back out, buddy. You're not teacher yet."

I grinned as I took out my sword again, not paying attention to the side conversations that had sprung up as usual.

Percy took his sword. "Okay people, look up here now."

We practiced a few more drills, and after a while Percy said I could go take a break.

"You seem tired. Go get a water. I can handle it now. And good job out there! Keep it up." Percy glanced back at the training campers. "Hey Nick! Don't steal Ben's scarecrow! Robbie, get out of the weapons shack or I'm going to set Mrs. O'Leary on you!" He shouted as two boys grappled over one of the dummies they were practicing on. and another was creeping out of the little shed labeled 'Weapons.' "I gotta go. I'll catch you later though. Don't go outside camp!" Percy jogged back towards the fighting campers. "Cut it out you two!"

I chuckled a bit, and turned around to walk back to my cabin. Joanna stood in front of me, her eyes glinting as she stared me down.

"Pretty good, Messenger Boy," She exclaimed, smiling. Lindsey, who was beside her, nodded enthusiastically.

"Thanks, Devil Girl." I teased, tapping her forehead. She blushed a little, then pushed me back.

Lindsey, who was watching the two of us, whispered something in Joanna's ear, making the latter blush (unless she was mad) even harder. Lindsey looked at me funny, a half-smile on her face, before walking off, throwing an 'I've got to go do something' excuse over her shoulder.

"What was that?" I asked, confused.

Joanna muttered something under her breath that sounded like 'I'm gonna go kill her later' before turning to me. "Eh, just being all weird." She looked at me, then walked away. "Come on, I want to show you something."

I followed, but stopped as she reached the campground borders. "Uh, Percy said not to go out of the camp."

"And you're going to listen to him? Hello, where's Colin?" Joanna smirked, waving a hand in front of my face. I caught it, then released my grip.

"I don't know, it's just... I'm curious about yesterday."

Joanna took on a more serious face. "Yeah. Me too. I want to hear the prophecy. I mean, it's killing me, I want to know so bad!"

"Yeah," I agreed. We were stepping side by side now. My hand lightly brushed hers, and I was just on the verge of taking it when a shout emerged from behind us. Of all the times?!

Percy stumbled over to us. "Colin! I told you not to go out of the camp! And with Joanna too! Come back with me!" He seemed a little stoked, so we followed him back without hesitation looked in the direction we were heading. The Big House. Oops.

"Hey guys! Look what I-" The steady thud of footsteps approached. All three of us turned around to see Lindsey running up. She broke off as she saw Percy was with us. She held a piece of paper in her hands, which she tried to hide in her pocket once she arrived. "Oh, uh, hey Percy!"

Percy stared at her pocket suspiciously. "Let me look at that."

"What?! But this is personal..."

"Let me see."

Lindsey reluctantly took out the folded piece of paper. She held it out, and Percy took it from her, unfolding it as he scanned what appeared to be a scrawled jumble of words. For a moment he just stared at it, shocked. Then he looked at Lindsey, who had suddenly found interest in counting the beads on her necklace.

If Percy was stoked before, he sure looked mad now. "Where did you get this?"

Joanna and I glanced at each other, then at Lindsey, who was still absorbed in her necklace. But I could see a ghost of a smile on her lips as she probably recounted what she had done.

"Never mind. Come with me." Percy stalked up the stairs and into the Big House. Joanna, Lindsey, and I trailed slightly behind. Joanna cast Lindsey a questioning look, which was returned by a nervous but excited smile. Thank me later, she mouthed to us, raising her eyebrows. For what? We both crossed the threshold, and into the house. Chiron looked up from where he and Annabeth were playing poker. Or rather, he was trying to play, and Annabeth was busy talking. Percy walked in, and the rest of us crowded into the doorway.

"I think it's time, Chiron. They won't sit still."