"I swear to Demeter, I did it before!" I almost shouted I was so mad at myself.

Katie looked from the smoldering pile of dirt where I had tried to make the dandelion bloom to me "Well you can't do it now" she said.

I huffed and sat in my bed "I swear I just did it last-" I stopped myself, she looked at me and raised an eyebrow, I smiled awkwardly "morning" I more asked than stated.

Katie frowned "Last morning?"

"Yeah, just yesterday morning I grew a rose!" I tried to move on the conversation along.

Apparently it worked "I'm sure you grew a rose but think hard, did it bloom or just bud?"

I thought for a second "Yeah, it was the perfect rose, almost opening but it hadn't bloomed" I paused "how come I can't make a dandelion bloom, yet I can make an entire rose plant grow?"

Katie smiled encouragingly "I'll let you in on a little secret" she sat down on the bed right next to me "The blossom ability is one of the hardest for Demeter kids to learn"

My eyes widened and I turned to her "But you said that it was the most basic power children of Demeter had!" I was actually a little angry.

She laughed "I invented the training program, it starts with the hardest part and then everything else seems easier"

I nodded; I had to admit… it was a good plan "Alright let's try again"

She set yet another seed into the pot and held her hand over it, concentrating intently until it was just the bud. She made it look so easy.

"Remember envision, imagine, and then release. What makes the blossom ability so difficult is that it requires delicacy yet power, concentration yet release" She stated.

I looked down at the flower; I never thought I would be intimidated by a dandelion. I closed my eyes. I envisioned every aspect of the bud, the tiny creases that went from the beginning of the bud to the end, the stem that held it so delicately, and the little yellow needlelike petals hidden inside waiting to become a flower. Next I imagined the energy swelling in it; I could almost feel the warmth of the sun's light forcing it to grow. I concentrated, this was harder than taking test with dyslexia and adhd. I could almost hear the bud thumping, like a heart fluttering with energy. I imagined that energy surging (NOT exploding!) out into a perfect circular yellow flower. I opened one eye, afraid to see what it was. Before me stood perfect leaves leading up to a stem that had a smoldering tip. I let out a sigh.

"Awwww" I heard Katie say, she sounded genuinely sympathetic, "It was good for just a split second, but then you lost concentration"

"One more time" I was breathing heavily, it's amazing how much energy it took to make a dandelion bloom!

She, as always, set her hand on my shoulder and smiled encouragingly "Rest, maybe later today" then she smirked "Why don't you plan something for your girlfriend?"

I looked at her in astonishment. She winked "Yeah, I knew"

I couldn't help but smile. I had to admit I did have something in mind. I opened the door just to see a girl with upturned eyebrows, clearly a daughter of Hermes throw a bucket of flour onto Miranda. She spit, trying to get the flour out of her mouth.

She stepped forward near a hanging tomato plant. She held up her hand to the plant, suddenly the bloom turned into a full grown tomato then got a little rotten.

She grabbed it "Perfectly fermented" she then casually stepped off the porch and, with the throw of an experienced pitcher, chucked it. It flew through the air and hit the girl dead in her back. She fell to the floor, knocked off balance.

Miranda turned and walked back into the cabin, clearly pleased with herself.

I walked over to the girl, who was still lying on the ground. I did feel a little bad for her, but more so I needed her skills. "Looks painful" I stated.

She rolled over quickly, a permanent smile on her lips, she spoke with a jersey accent "Ah I'm used to it, but usually I can get away"

I bent down on one knee and held out my hand to help her up, "I need you to get something from the camp store for me"

"Sure, how many drachmas ya' got?" She asked.

I shook my head "No, I need you to GET something from the camp store for me"

She nodded, finally understanding.