I sat with Max on a log next to the fire pit as kids streamed in for dinner and the fire before the party my cabin was throwing, unbeknownst to the staff. I thought about Leah, and what was going on with her and me. She was my first real assigned recruit, to take care of. She was also the first person that I healed majorly, beyond the minor flesh wounds I dealt with for the most part. I kept thinking about what Barnes had told me before I left to watch out for her a month ago. The thing I failed to do.

"Garrett, here's your first recruit. Her name is Leah, 16 years old, expected to have powerful attributes. Definitely Big 12 material here, boy. There could possibly be a monster following her, but we aren't sure yet. Keep and eye on her for a while before you say anything at all to her. And Garrett, above all else, you need to keep her safe, you understand me? If anything happens to this girl like what happened on your last quest, I can't give you anymore second chances. This girl needs to be in one piece, protect her at all costs."

I thought about how she fell down when that massive dog had finally been killed. I had seen enough of her running to know that passing out never happened to her, especially not for something that wasn't a big deal. All I could think of at first was that Barnes was going to kill me; my career had officially ended because I wasn't able to keep this girl safe. I cursed at myself when I first picked her up off the ground, before something shifted. I had never seen her as close in person as I did then, and I realized that she wasn't another stupid assignment Barnes had given me. She was a living girl, and the Healer I was had to help her.

I took care of her between getting her to the school via train, to practically living by her bedside. Barnes would've been upset if I hadn't, but at that point I was fully consumed in taking care of her. Kalyn kept saying something about a bond that can form between a Healer and the person they heal sometimes, but I'm not so sure. I've Healed lots of other people before, just none quite like her.

"Dude, relax." Max said out of nowhere. I looked up, realizing I had been digging my nails into the log.

"Sorry, I'll try." I said back. Max shook his head.

"Whatever. You've been acting kind of weird since that girl showed up. Hey, I think I'm going to skip out on this bonfire thing and just come to your party later, cool?" He asked.

"Yeah, sure." I said. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts and walked back towards the cabins. As soon as he was out of sight, Melanie took his spot on the log. Melanie is 16, Aphrodite cabin. We've had an on-again, off-again thing since last year, but aside from getting to second base a few times, we didn't have much in the way of chemistry. She was hot, Id admit. She had straight blonde hair, a nice body, the works. Surprisingly, she was also smart. Most of the girls out of the Aphrodite cabin seem to be airheads, something I could never understand as to why Aphrodite made them that way. Unfortunately, Melanie had a habit of taking her incredibly talented brain and putting it to the use of being the camp bitch. I'd never gotten serious with her because she wasn't my type, and she refused to let it go. The last thing I wanted to think about tonight was her.

"Hey, Garrett, long time no see." Melanie winked and slid in closer to me.

"I've been busy." I said back shortly. The sooner Melanie left, the sooner I'd be able to concentrate on anything but Melanie.

"So, listen, I've been thinking. How about we ditch the party early and go up to your room tonight?" She asked, smiling flirtly.

"Uh, I actually, have, uh, this thing-," I started to say.

"Garrett's busy tonight. He cant miss his own party." A voice spoke. Recognizing the accent, I looked up gratefully at Kalyn. She smiled at me, and halfway glanced towards Leah, who stood next to her.

I was stunned. I guess I had kept seeing Leah so much that I hadn't really registered the fact at how pretty she was. Her subtle, even features were framed out by her braid and her dress showed off her legs and arms. Girls that were into fitness were definitely my type. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

"Oh, by the way Melanie, this is Leah. She's new and staying with Garrett." Kalyn introduced Leah. I smiled inwardly. Kalyn had always hated Melanie, and vice versa. Nevertheless, Melanie smiled fakely back and shook Leah's hand.

"Its great to meet you. I'm Melanie, from the Aphrodite cabin. Well, I guess I'll see you later then, Garrett." Melanie winked and walked off into the crowd.

"Honestly, Garrett, Melanie? That girl is the worst." Kalyn rolled her eyes. A cabin mate of hers called her name and waved her over.

"Excuse me for a bit." Kalyn walked away, leaving me alone with Leah. Things with her certainly seemed easier before I realized how pretty she was.

"How come Kalyn hates Melanie?" She asked me, sitting down on the log.

"I'm not really sure. I know that they compete a lot though, both are always first or second in pretty much everything they try." I shrugged.

"I can understand that." Leah said.

"How come?" I asked. She laughed.

"Don't you get competitive? Just wanting to be the best, to prove something. I swear, you can't shake it." She smiled at me.

"Yeah, I guess you could say I'm competitive." I answered. The truth was I was insanely competitive. I was first in class for nearly everything the camp offered. I supposed it was my way to deal with the fact that growing up I wasn't wanted. People wanted me now though.

"So, Melanie, is she an interest of yours?" Leah asked. Whether she was playing it cool or genuinely unconcerned with my relationship status, I couldn't tell.

"Not really. We've made out a few times, aside from that, not much. She isn't my type." I stretched my legs out, leaning back on the log.

"What is your type then?" She asked, kind of flirtingly.

"I like girls that are different. Melanie is pretty much cookie cutter material." I said back. Kalyn cut our conversation off by walking back and announcing dinner was ready. Melanie shot Leah a disapproving glance when she laughed at one of my jokes during dinner. The more Leah began to open up, the easier it became to be around her. When the sun went down, I handed her my jacket when she got cold. Melanie wasn't being subtle anymore, she was staring at us. The vibes I was getting from her made me uneasy about throwing this party after all.

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