Madeline sat on a log around the campfire, smiling with the other Demeter children, singing the campfire sing-alongs led by the Apollo cabin. The fire was a cheerful bright orange, brighter than any other fire Madeline had seen. She swayed back and forth while singing a cheerful song about a beautiful Nymph and a love-struck Satyr. Her day had been great after she was claimed. Now Madeline knew her mother was Demeter. It was a great feeling, knowing. Madeline already loved all her half brothers and sisters; they were all so kind, and they made for a wonderful family. She had always been an only child back home. After breakfast, it was a great day full of laughs and smiles as she trained with them all.
Connor was happy that Madeline had been claimed. He glanced at her every so often from the other side of the campfire. She was so excited, and he would hate for her to never know who her mother is, always wondering. But now she seemed so far away. Now that Madeline had her own cabin, sisters and brothers, and a godly parent, she wasn't going to have a reason to hang around with Connor. He didn't have the "welcoming wagon" excuse to hang out with her anymore, and it upset him thinking that he'd only had her for four days, and for two of them she was unconscious. He had visited her in the infirmary every few hours while she was there. He had been a little embarrassed, but he was worried about her the whole time. He couldn't stop thinking about her. When he went, he tried to be discreet. He didn't want it to be obvious how much he was waiting for her to wake up. Connor had to admit that he really liked Madeline. It seemed a little crazy, but they had become friends instantly. Their connection was natural.
Madeline laughed and smiled with all her new friends. She couldn't wait to tell Connor and Travis about it when she got back to the Hermes cabin. But then she remembered that she belonged to the Demeter cabin now. She wouldn't be sleeping in the same cabin as Connor anymore. They wouldn't feel obliged to hang around her anymore, now that she was claimed. She was a little sad about that at first, but then she let her optimism shine through and thought, 'It's not like I'm never gonna see them again. Don't be so ridiculous! ' She rolled her eyes at her own foolishness and let the smile return to her face. They were more than just tour guides. Connor and Travis were her friends now. She spotted the Stoll brothers on the other side of the campfire and waved to them, smiling. Travis nodded back at her with a grin, but Connor didn't seem to notice. He was staring at the ground, lost in thought. Madeline frowned and was about to go sit with them when a group of girls obstructed her view. Her shoulder's sunk as she recognized the daughters of Aphrodite.
One of them said, "Congrats on getting claimed this morning."
Smirking, Drew continued, "Not much of a surprise. Who else would claim a bumpkin like Dirt Girl?" This received a collective laughter from the crowd, and some nearby campers let out scandalous "Oohs." The flames of the campfire flickered as if there was a wind and turned a muddy looking reddish-brown. Not so cheerful anymore. Madeline felt her face grow hot and furrowed her brow. Standing with her shoulders squared, she walked up to Drew and lifted her chin up to meet the taller girl's eyes.
"You seemed pretty surprised a few nights ago," she responded, her face calm. "Did you have a good view of your ass getting handed to you from all the way up in the treetops?" More excited gasps and impressed laughter came from the crowd, watching in anticipation. Drew stepped forward, glowering furiously, but Chiron stamped his hoof loudly on the ground, causing the campers to quiet their snickering. The two girls stood there in tense silence for a moment before Madeline turned to rejoin her brothers and sisters again, taking a seat next to Katie. She gave Madeline a nudge of approval, smiling at her and then turning her attention back to Chiron. He motioned for the Apollo cabin to resume the sing-along. The flames eventually died down and campers began walking to their cabins for lights-out. As Madeline was walking back with Katie, Travis and Connor caught up to them.
"Hey," they both said as they approached the girls.
"Hi," Madeline replied, wrapping her arms around her middle and nervously looking away.
"You did good back there," Connor said to her in a low voice, walking next to her as Katie and Travis merged away.
"I'm just glad my voice didn't crack," she confessed, laughing sheepishly. He grinned down at her, shaking his head.
"Could we not be sworn enemies?" Madeline blurted. "I mean, I think we could probably overlook the rivalry. It'd kinda suck to have to ditch my first real friend here." Connor looked at her for a moment with a confused look on his face before Madeline laughed her bell-like laugh that he had grown to admire and explained, "You told me that the Demeter and Hermes cabins are sworn enemies." They reached Cabin #4 and stopped.
"Oh. That," he said, remembering what he had said. "I don't think I ever want to be your enemy. You were kinda scary back there." Madeline's shoulders bounced as she laughed.
"Don't worry, you're on my good side," Madeline said, beginning to walk up the steps of her cabin as she held back a smile. She hesitated for a moment and turned around. "And thanks," she added, touching his arm softly. "For everything." Connor got a chill down his spine as she turned around again.
"Goodnight, Madeline," he called after her as she walked through the door. He let out a huff and turned to the Hermes cabin, a flustered look on his face. He entered his cabin wearing a small grin.
"What are you smiling about," Travis said, catching his pleased face.
"Nothing," Connor shrugged as he sat down on one of the couches.
"Liar," Travis replied, eyeing his brother with a raised eyebrow.
"Can't I just be in a good mood?" Connor asked, spreading his hands in question.
"Not when you're spending so much time with a certain new girl that you've you got the hots for," Travis teased, getting up and walking to the boys' side of the cabin. All the guys were getting ready for bed.
Connor followed him and protested, "Nothing is going on between me and Madeline."
"Yet," Travis persisted, falling onto his bed and laying with his arms behind his head. "Maybe if you didn't act like such a puss-"
"It's not like that. I just can't flirt with her like other girls," Connor admitted, laughing at the unbelievable truth.
"Here you are, after giving me so much shit for Katie," Travis rolled his eyes.
"But you like Katie. Which means she's Katie, which sucks for both of you," Connor said in a matter-of-factly tone.
Travis threw a nearby pillow at his brother and continued. "Whatever. Have fun writing in your diary about it while I get all the action." Connor scowled and got into bed.
"Night," he called out, ending the conversation. He heard his brother snicker. He smiled as he admitted to himself that Travis wasn't the only one who liked a Demeter girl. After they called lights-out, Connor fell asleep with a smile on his face.