Disclaimer: Most of the characters, locations and other things are created by Rick.
Author's Note: Please Review. Sorry Nik, this story is Pearl's POV, just like ¨Pearl of the Sea¨ was Percy's POV only
7. Surprises
The sound of the marching stomps of the legionaries had really become a problem in my sleeping department. They were louder when they passed by my cabin. I saw them as I was leaning on my doorframe. They were so sassy that they passed by wearing raincoats to avoid my antics. Some of them were grinning as they outsmarted me. Idiots!
William was running with them and broke the line just to steal me a kiss. More than one stopped their running to stare and gasp at us. That's a good way to start any day. Legionaries and campers made wolf whistles and applauses at us and I blushed deep red. Someone from the Ares cabin yelled "That's what I called fraternizing with the enemy" making everybody laughed and grinned at us.
The head and ambassador Jonathan McQueen yelled at Henry to get back in the line and I grinned at them. I got back inside and took a shower. I guessed Henry will get scolded later.
Today was the day for to bring the glory to camp. We are tied in the score and the last event is the decisive one. I got dress with my lucky drachma and a thick jumpsuit against flares. Also, I was now 16. Today was my birthday.
The Jacksons arrived at breakfast while I was sitting in my table. Paris and Philip saw me and ran at my arms. I kissed their sweet little heads.
Mama and Percy were walking behind them, their hands locked together and smiling at me. They looked happy, like themselves. However, I knew them better that anyone. My mama wore a sad smile, well masked in happiness.
"Mama" I said and hugged her. "Hello, Pamela" I said while I rubbed her belly.
"Pamela?" said Annabeth sighing. I guessed she wasn't fan of the name.
"I like the name" said Percy grinning at me. That was my brother and I smiled sincerely at him.
"Happy birthday, kiddo. You are now a young lady… just I don't want nephews soon, right" said Percy while he hugged me. I blushed red and poked his shoulder.
"Yeah, right" I snorted at him.
"Happy Birthday, my Pearl" said my mama hugging me so warmly yet so sad that it broke my heart.
"Mama, it's okey. I love you too" I said and she nodded at me. I saw in her eyes that she knew that I knew something was odd.
"Happy Birthday!" yelled Paris and Philip jumping again in my arms. They kissed me and ran around me chasing each other.
"Yo" yelled Nico from behind us. Piper and he were coming to us. They were holding hands and smiling.
"Happy birthday" said Piper hugging me and I rubbed her belly. I had spent weeks waiting to do that.
Nico smiled at us and kissed my forehead saying "Happy birthday and May the Gods bless your way" I giggled since I never expected Nico to behave like that. He was a changed man because of Piper.
After some pleasantries, we had breakfast together in the Poseidon table. I was nearly full when I realized of something.
"Aunt, where is JJ?" I said looking around us.
"He is at the Apollo table with a Roman boy. I think his name is Henry" said Piper. I gasped in surprise and turned to the table to see JJ and Henry talking and laughing.
"That's cool" said Nico looking a bit sad. JJ resented them for being together. I smiled at Nico.
After breakfast, we walked to the forest for the competition scheduled in the clearing near the creek. They were some benches for the spectators. My family sat high to get a better view. Percy kissed Annabeth goodbye and went to Chiron for the event. I stood next to Alana with the other competitors nearest to the creek.
Chiron cleared his throat and said to play fair and no godly tricks. We were the 4th team of 6. The goal is to take a flag for the back of the head of the dragon in the smallest amount of time. I was nervous and yet excited. Henry waved at me from the benches. He was sitting with JJ, both looking at me. I waved back.
The first team took forever. The second team was disqualified since they used a whistle unheard by humans to doze the dragon (Apollo's trick). The third team was efficient and quick. They made 5:10 and they were the ones to beat.
"Ready" I said to Alana. She nodded at me and we attacked.
Our strategy was simple: I distract the dragon long enough for Alana speared the flag out of its head. I made a lot of noise and moved around. A couple of times, its fire breath almost caught me and I couldn't heal without being disqualified. The dragon was following me while Alana found a clear shot. She threw her spear aiming the flag sending to hit the nearest tree. My family and friends applauded as we made 4:30. We were on the top.
The fifth team used a similar strategy but they made 5:20 and one guy got pretty badly hurt by the dragon's tail. When the 6th team advanced to the field, I crossed my fingers in hope. I held my breath while they run and attacked the dragon from both sides climbing to his head. They were fast but the dragon wasn't any help. I watched the clock advancing nervously. It had passed 4:00 when Marty, son of Mercury, was nearly touching the flag with his fingers but the dragon shook his head making him fall hard on the ground. His partner Josh ran at him and helped him to stand up. Both climbed again but it was too late once they got the flag. The clock stopped in 4:45. We won!
Alana and I hugged each other jumping and shouting in victory. My family stood up yelling at us. I could see Henry smiling at me while he patted JJ's back.
I celebrated with a beach lunch with my family. We laughed, made sand castles and played tag. Annabeth brought a cake and I blew sixteen candles. I didn't make a wish since I don't believe in such nonsense.
JJ came too bringing Henry with him. We played cool like we barely knew each other. We are not ready to share the update on our relationship. Percy wouldn't let him out of his sight following with his eyes. He didn't like Henry at all. We had a wonderful time but Percy wouldn't let me talk to Henry more than one word. He can be such a nosy brother sometimes.
I analyzed Percy's behavior the entire day and he totally looked like himself. There wasn't anything off about him. Maybe I was overreacting before, but my mama wasn't completely at ease. She looked truly happy but at some moments I saw glances of sadness in her face. Paris and Philip were happy too yet Paris stared at me a lot like she wanted to tell me something alone.
After lunch, both families kissed me goodbye and left me to celebrate with the rest of the campers the end of the Games and the triumph of the Camp Half-Blood. The party was great and fabulous with an enormous celebration by the lake with barbeque and roasted marshmallows. I sat with my friends and laughed, danced and sang a lot.
Finally after a long day, I sat in my bed and started writing.
August 11
Today was probably the weirdest day I have ever had. I am talking after hellhounds marching in my kindergarten class, after Blackjack took me to the fair just to talk to a parade mare and after having tea with mermaids.
Then I heard noises outside. I left everything and walked out the door. I found Henry in the doorway with the whole band of brothers, both Romans and Greek sons and daughters of Apollo. It was like a whole orchestra of musical instruments behind Henry. Soft and romantic played around us.
Henry cleared his throat and took out a single sunflower from his back. We walked to me smiling with that Apollistic trail.
"Happy Birthday" he said and gave me the flower. I was blushing so tomato red. Thankfully, it was dark and nearly impossible to see.
He hugged me and we danced under the moonlight and surrounded by music. That was so romantic, yet I didn't get a kiss because we were in front of all his siblings.
I dreamed pretty dreams of kissing Henry.
