Chapter 4
Suspicious
I do not own PJO and HOA, or any of the characters mentioned
Joy POV:
I couldn't help but stare at Nina and the other two Americans. Since there wasn't enough room at the table, Nina and the other two decided to eat in the lounge.
"Does anyone really believe the story she gave about her aunt?" I whispered, hoping that they couldn't hear me.
"Joy," Fabian chided.
"What? I'm just curious. How do we know that's not just a cover story?" I questioned.
Patricia rolled her eyes. "What would she need a cover story, Joy? She has no reason to lie to us."
I considered her argument. "She has no reason to lie because she likes us. But what if she is lying because she didn't tell us the truth in the first place last year," I tried.
Jerome shook his head. "You're ridiculous, Joy. Why would she lie to us last year. She had no reason to. We had just met her, which meant she had no choice but to tell us the truth before me and Alfie decided to show our true colors!" he said proudly, putting an arm around Alfie's shoulder while the rest of us either groaned or rolled our eyes.
"You realize that we can hear you, right?" Nina called from the couch, laughing at something Percy had said at the same time.
Everyone blushed, even the people (and by people I mean Mara) who hadn't had anything to do with the conversation.
Nina turned to face us. "It's honestly okay guys. I can't really blame you for being curious given how shifty the story sounded," she sighed.
I shook my head. "No, I shouldn't have tried to pry."
She gave me a half-smile and stood up from the couch. "I'm done anyway." She looked back at her 'cousin' (yes, I was lying about feeling guilty about trying to pry. Don't judge) and boyfriend. "Can you join me outside?" she asked.
They nodded and stood up as well. As they passed by the table to put the dishes in the sink, I saw Nina look at me out of the corner of her eye. That's when I knew that she knew that I was lying about the feeling sorry for prying. There was no doubt that there was a warning hidden in her eyes as well. Leave it alone if you know what's good for you.
§§§
Nina POV:
"I knew this was a bad idea," I said, shaking my head.
Annabeth put a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it, Neens. Didn't you say she hated you already, anyway?" she said, as if that's supposed to make me feel better.
I nodded. "But that just means she'll go through Hades to prove that I was lying to them," I sighed.
"But you did lie to them," Percy said, obviously confused.
"Thanks, Captain Obvious," I snapped sarcastically. "I know I lied to them, Seaweed Brain, but I'd rather that I tell them about the lies than Joy."
I ran a hand through my hair. "Gods, I wish I could bring them to the camp and have it all be over with," I groaned.
Percy frowned. "Why don't we? I mean, Chiron never said that we have to stay," he countered.
I shook my head. "We need to stay until we're sure that they're demigods," I explained. "If they are, then I want to know how they've managed not to get detected."
Annabeth frowned, deep in thought. "I have never heard of so many being in one place without being detected, besides the camp, of course. I can do some research if you want."
I nodded. "Research the magic and protectors that would be needed to keep them under the radar," I requested.
She nodded.
I took a deep breath. "Good. Now, let's try to keep ourselves alive long enough to get them to the camp."
§§§
I know not much happened, but I've been having trouble thinking of things to happen next.
