The group made it back to camp the next day. They had driven, only stopping to fill up and use the restroom. Other than that, Melanie mostly watched Supernatural on her laptop, or listened to old rock stations on the radio. She always seemed to be asleep when Nico was driving, so she rarely had time to talk with him. Melanie fell asleep at some point in Manhattan, and when she woke up she was at camp.

"Hey! You're finally awake," Nico said as he turned off the truck. Melanie grabbed Nico's wrist, and checked his watch.

"It's four in the morning, to early!" Melanie said as she got up and followed Nico outside. She burrowed further down in her borrowed jacket as the stepped out into the crisp autumn breeze. "My gods! It's freezing!"

"Says the one with a jacket," Nico replied. Melanie began to take it off to give back to him, but he shook his head, and put it back on her shoulders. They came to the back of the trailer to see kids with weapons. They were leading Evan, Brice, Dean, and Garrett off the truck. The boys were lead into the big house into what they had been told was a special room that would be guarded 24/7.

"So are we free to go and take a nap until breakfast?" Melanie asked.

"Sure, you should get about three hours of sleep. But wait, your siblings rise bright and early to get their beauty faces. Have fun with that," Nico said. Melanie groaned then headed back to camp. Nico followed her.

"Are you following me?" Melanie asked him.

"Well, the cabins are this way, and I need to make sure over my jacket back."

"If you say so," Melanie teased. She arrived in front of her cabin, then handed Nico his jacket. "Thanks… Sugar," Melanie said as she gave him a quick hug.

"No problem… I need a nickname for you now."

Melanie laughed at him, "Well, you have fun with that, until then, I'll be in my cabin."

"Night," Nico said as he ran off to his own cabin.

Melanie stepped inside and was met by the faces of her siblings. Gods that was a foreign word to her. And they were all awake and eager.

"He let you borrow his jacket?"

"You call him Sugar?"

"He walked you to your cabin?"

"He's going to give you a nickname?"

Melanie walked over to her bed and sat down.

"Give us the details," said one girl, Melanie was pretty sure her name was Clara.

"Like, have you kissed yet? Well probably not if he didn't give you one at the door," This was Clara's twin, Clark.

"Be quiet!" Melanie yelled. "If you want the details give me a chance to talk! Yes he let me borrow his jacket, but only because we couldn't stop to get me one. I only call him Sugar because it's an inside joke. My cabin was on the way to his. And we are just friends. Gods. Now can I get some sleep?"

"Sure thing, Ms. Cranky," this was Drew,"but just so you're aware, frowning gives you wrinkles."

"Whatever," Melanie said as she went to sleep with her Converse still on her feet.

Melanie woke up two hours later to the sounds of bodies moving around the cabin. She sat up and saw everyone working. Some people were cleaning while others were getting ready.

"What's going on?" Melanie asked the nearest kid.

"Oh, cabin inspections are this morning. Cleanest cabin gets a prize. Aphrodite loves to win this thing," said a girl Melanie thought was named Chloe.

Melanie thanked her then got ready. She made her bed. She tried to make it the best she could, but later saw someone else straightening it up. She went to the bathroom to get ready. She changed clothes, brushed her teeth and hair, washed her face and started cleaning. Soon enough, everyone was being led to breakfast.

"Did you not put any makeup on?" Clara asked in surprise.

"No. I feel fine without it."

"Whatever you say," Clara replied as she took a step back to join Clark.

"Good job on your quest," Piper said as she approached Melanie.

"Thanks," Melanie said.

"Don't listen to the things they say about you and Nico. They did the same with Jason and I. Even Percy and Emmy. Whenever they think that a kid of the big three has a boyfriend or girlfriend, they tend to bug them about it. They'll shut up eventually."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Why don't you sit by me at breakfast?"

"Sounds good. I thought I was going to have to sit alone."

"No way we would let that happen. Oh! Did you hear? Tonight's capture the flag. I'm normally the only Aphrodite kid to participate, but I was hoping you would help."

"Sure. I love that game!"

"One small twist to the mortal version. We play with weapons."

Melanie considered it for a second, then said, "Makes sense. You're all probably training."

"Good. So after breakfast, we can walk to the armory and we'll get you a weapon," she said. Melanie nodded, then sat down and ate her breakfast."

She and Piper were in the armory finding what Melanie could use. They had tried daggers, but Melanie just didn't like how short they were. She tried a bow and arrows, but she couldn't handle the string.

"Aphrodite's kids normally aren't good with swords but you can try," Piper said handing her a sword. Melanie felt unbalanced with that sword, but after a variety of different swords Melanie found the right one. It was about a medium length and lightweight. "Okay, let's go practice," Piper said as she lead Melanie to the arena.

Melanie entered the arena and there stood a rather large girl, but she looked she was large because of all the muscle she had to be packing on. "Well, what do we have here?" the girl taunted, "Two daughters of Love. Isn't it to dangerous for you. Couldn't you break a nail or something?"

"Tell it to someone who cares Clarisse," Piper told her.

"I think you should care."

"Oh, leave them alone Clarisse," Percy said from the edge of the arena.

"Whatever, Jackson," Clarisse said as she went and took her anger out on some dummies.

"I'm gonna take a gamble and guess she is a daughter of Ares," Melanie whispered to Piper.

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner," Piper said, laughing. "Percy! You want to come teach Mel here go to use this monstrosity?" Piper said indicating the sword.

"Oh, that thing? That's nothing. But sure," Percy said.

"He's the best with swords, until then I have to go do something. See ya later," Piper said as she left.

"Ready?" Percy asked Melanie. She nodded and started her lesson.

Four hours and many buckets of sweat later, Percy told her it was time for lunch.

"I have something else to do afterwards, but you are more than welcome to practice on the dummies. Good job today!" Percy said as he jogged towards the pavilion.

Melanie sat at her table, and everyone around her shifted away.

"Melanie! You're supposed to shower after you sweat like that!" Drew said with disgust across from her.

"Sorry, but I plan to sweat some more later. I didn't even have time to run by the cabin."

"Whatever."

Melanie suppressed a laugh and ate her meal. After wards she went down to the arena to practice some. She hated how everyone thought the Aphrodite kids were useless, and she was determined to prove them wrong. She entered the arena and saw Annabeth practicing on a few dummies.

"Hey," Melanie said as she came up behind Annabeth. Annabeth whipped around and looked ready to attack with her dagger.

"Word of advice. Never sneak up on someone angry with a knife. Another word of advice, don't get involved with a kid of the big three. Totally not worth the trouble," Annabeth said as she stalked off.

"Whoa. What's her problem?" Melanie mumbled.

"She's just pissed at Percy," Nico said from behind her. Melanie jumped then turned to see Nico with his sword ready. "Percy said you needed some help with sword lessons. I volunteered."

"Okay. Well let's get started," Melanie said as she grabbed her sword.