A/N: Does anyone remember my raving about Finnick Odair earlier in HTTRI? I just realized that the way I picture Freddy has a very suspicious resemblance to Finnick. Very, very suspicious… and their backgrounds and abilities are coincidentally similar, too. Seriously. It's starting to get creepy.
If I fall asleep right now I will get a maximum of six hours of sleep tonight.
Gina's first and middle names, when combined together and translated to English, translate to "Queen Rose." Yes, the Rose part is on purpose. Very much so. It amuses me.
Rose POV
"You're in a good mood today, Jack," Katy observed.
"I haven't needed to save any damsels in distress lately. It's very soothing," he replied coolly.
If Katy's temper has one "on button," Jack just pressed it. Ever since our battle (it was more of a scuffle, honestly) with Persephone, where Jack saved her ass by putting a sword to my neck, Katy's been a little bitter about the whole thing. She's always been upset that I pinned her so fast, and that Jack had to save her.
"Look," she snapped, her blue eyes burning like fire. "If I'd needed your help, I would've asked for it. I can handle myself. You wouldn't have done the same for Gina."
"Rose wouldn't have gotten three feet from Persephone if it had been Gina," he retorted.
"Liar. You trust Gina to handle herself."
"That is correct."
"Why not the same for me?"
"Katy, Gina has been training to defend herself since she was six years old. You're fifteen, and Katy, fighting is not exactly your forte."
"Well at least I wouldn't have dumped you just because of some girl!" Katy half-shrieked. Jack's eyes widened, and his face fell.
That was kind of a shock. Katy never yelled at people.
What was even more shocking was that she continued. "I just can't believe you people! Has anyone ever thought of how I feel about Gina ditching us? Has anyone ever thought of how I feel about Bunny? More importantly, you're sitting pretty here just waiting for her!"
"Bunny?" Jack's lack of brains was becoming increasingly endearing.
"Your girlfriend, you idiot!" Katy's voice dropped dangerously low and she drew herself up to her full height, pretty much towering over Jack. "How can you tell me, Jack Chase, that she hasn't met a pretty little beau up there in Vermont? If I were you, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Gina's not exactly Ugly Betty, in case you didn't notice."
Jack was still caught up on the Bunny thing, which kind of sucked for Katy, because that lecture was impressive. Nevertheless, Jack said, notably calmly, "Yeah, about Bunny. Katy, can I talk to you?"
Katy nodded, looking kind of stunned or dazed. "Yeah, sure, Jack."
He sighed. "Go get Adrianna and meet me in the Poseidon cabin."
Gina POV
"My slightly less attractive older sister has assembled you here today to publicize her stupid decision," Sandi announced. Mila and Matt were sitting near our little oak in Matt's backyard, while I stood confidently, and Sandi paced back and forth, convince that I was out of my mind.
"I think I'm bipolar or something," I began.
"Okay, Gina, you have two choices: invest in a dictionary or stop using words you don't know the exact meaning of." Matt cocked an eyebrow.
I frowned at him, and he rolled his eyes. "Please, Gina, continue with your insanity."
"I want to go back to New York," I declared.
"I told you she was nuts!" Sandi protested.
"You were right," Mila agreed.
Matt nodded. "Gina, I'm sorry, but this is just a stupid idea."
"I'll come with you, though," Mila offered.
There was a beat of silence.
"If she's going, I have to go," Matt sighed.
"If Jack Chase is involved, then I have to go," Sandi mused.
I smiled. That's what I was looking for.
Freddy POV
"Welcome back, Melissa," said a girl with dark brown hair. Her words were kind, but her voice was cold and business-like. "How did it go?"
The frustrated blonde didn't reply. Instead, she stomped right by the girl. Danny followed her.
"That's my sister, Pilar," Richard whispered.
Pilar watched Melissa for a moment before turning back to Richard and looking at him expectantly. He shook his head.
She scowled. "I knew you guys wouldn't last long without us."
"Hey, lay off," Richard said sharply. "We ran out of food."
"And who are these two?" Pilar snapped, gesturing roughly to me and Bunny.
"This is Bunny Parker, and this is Freddy Masen." Richard returned to his polite tone.
A purple-haired girl with skinny jeans and a T-shirt with a picture of Justin Bieber on the front came strutting up, hands in her pockets. When she heard my name, she threw her hands up in the air and grinned.
"So you're Freddy Masen!" she crowed.
"Where did you hear about me?" I asked, confused.
"Pleased to finally meet you, Freddy! I'm Yolanda Smith, better known as Yoyo," she blathered on excitedly.
"Where did you hear about me?" I repeated.
Bunny seemed annoyed that I was getting all the attention.
Yoyo's smile faded.
"Where did you hear about me?" Does it really take a broken record?
Yoyo and Pilar were staring at their feet.
"Ker Cabot," Pilar finally said hoarsely, but firmly. She glanced sideways at Yoyo, who bit her lip and shook her head the slightest bit.
Another blonde jogged up, and immediately shook my hand. "Hi, I'm Brigit. Melissa told me you were here. I'm so sorry about all this. Ker adored you, you know."
Poseidon has some sort of stupid gene in him, because Jack wouldn't have picked up the past tense, either, and his grandmother is the goddess of wisdom.
A/N: HE'S NOT STUPID. Just unobservant. And a little overwhelmed. Give him a break. He's been dead recently.
Yes crazy short chapter again and I do apologize.
