The next morning when I woke up, the first thing I saw was the statue of Hera glaring down at me as if to say hurry and wake up already. Groaning I got up and made the cot I was sleeping on. Changing and throwing my hair into a pony I followed everyone else to the dining pavilion for breakfast. I tried to ignore the stares from everyone as I got a plate of biscuits and gravy and scraped some into the fire.


My first lesson was Pegasus riding.

"Now remember to keep a strong grip on the Pegasus mane, but don't rip it out unless you want to be thrown off. They should be pretty responsive and hopefully not knock anyone off from a couple hundred feet in the air. Who wants to go first?" Silena Beauregard asked. No one raised their hand.

"Then I'm going to start picking. She closed her eyes and pointed randomly, directly at me. Biting my tongue I stepped up to the white horse and stroked its muzzle. Then I carefully swung my leg over its back and grabbed a clump of the mane.

"Gently kick the stomach to go up. Avalanche may get a little wild up in the air, so hold on tight," Silena advised. I gently kicked Avalanche's underside and we soared up into the air so suddenly I nearly fell off. The wind whipped at my hair and stung my face, but didn't mind. For the first time since leaving home I felt completely free, which was ironic considering one wrong move and I would go tumbling through the air. After a couple minutes of gliding, I directed my steed back down to the stables.

"Well done! You did really well navigating him for your first time!" Silena praised when we set down. Smiling I walked back to where the others were, not bothered now by their continuous side glances.

The day passed like that, classes with various people. During archery Chiron showed me the proper technique to shooting an arrow after showing me how to aim at the target. He chewed on his bottom lip, contemplating something.

Before dinner was the first time all day I was able to have any time to myself. Exhausted and sweaty I tossed my backpack over my shoulder, went to the bathrooms in the green and got a shower. The water was cold and by the time it finally began warming up I was walking out. In the green were a handful of kids from the Ares cabin that Luke pointed out last night. I tried to quietly slip past but to no avail.

"Hey, newbie!" one called, a buff girl with scars and a rather flat face. Slowly I turned around. "I don't think we've been introduced yet: I'm boss and you're going to do what I say."

"Or what? Are you going to have your dad come down and chop me in half?" I taunted.

Her eyes narrowed. "I think we need to teach you a rule in manners, Princess. Just because your mom is Hera don't think I can't and won't beat you up." Taking a step back I bumped into one of her siblings, noticing that they had formed a loose circle around me.

"I don't even know your name," I said in a leveled voice.

"Clarisse La Rue, daughter of Ares," she smirked, grabbing a handful of my hair and dragging me kicking and fighting back into the bathrooms. The others followed, laughing and pointing. Obviously this was not something new.

Clarisse forced me to kneel before one of the toilets. "Don't take this personally; every newbie gets the ceremonial swirly." As much as I resisted, Clarisse was too strong and pushed my head into the toilet water. To my horror the handle was flushed and water began moving. I was struggling holding my breath for much longer.

It was humiliating, getting my first swirly. I had hoped I would never be the victim of one but unfortunately fate seems to be against you at Camp Half-Blood. Reaching back I found Clarisse's arm and pinched hard at the tender skin. She jerked away, allowing me to pull my head up and take in a gasp of air. My previously damp hair was now dripping disgusting water onto my shoulders and down my back. Twisting around I met Clarisse's fist head-on—literally. It connected with my cheek, pain flaring through the left of my face. Lashing out I hit something soft and heard a grunt in response. I tried backing away but another camper grabbed me. With a kick backwards I was able to get free and ran out the door, straight into Annabeth.

She opened her mouth, looked at my soaked head and shirt, the others behind and stepped past me inside. I didn't want to know what went on and stayed outside, struggling to keep the tears from falling. A few people threw a glance my way and when I glared back they averted their eyes and hurried on.

When the Ares cabin came crashing out Clarisse fixed me with a murderous look. "Fight your own battles, Princess." Then they stalked off, shoving one another and laughing loudly.

Annabeth came back out and gave a sympathetic smile. "Are you alright?" I shook my head miserably, tears streaking down my cheeks now that somebody was showing me any kindness. She took me back in and gently wiped my face with toilet paper. "They do it to most every new camper," she said. I jerked when she touched my swollen cheek. Holding my head to the light she examined it. "Put some ice on it. There will be a bruise tomorrow." I nodded and cried harder, remembering all over again what happened. "Hey, it's okay, your good," she coaxed, pulling me into a hug. "Everything will turn out fine, just wait. One day Clarisse and her thugs will be running from you."

I sniffled, "thanks," for it was about all I could get out.

She smiled, "Sure thing." I got another shower, Annabeth insisting on staying and keeping me company. When I was fighting with the knots in my hair she left, coming back in a few minutes later holding an orange t-shirt I had seen the majority of other campers wearing. "Here," she held it out to me. Graciously I took it, noting the creases and stiffness. She must have gone and bought this from the camp store. "I checked the tag of your other shirt and saw you wear a medium?" I nodded and went back into the stall to change. In the mirror I looked like another camper.

"Thank you," I gave her a hug and she squeezed me back.

"After a while you'll learn to pretend they don't even exist. Are you ready for dinner?" she asked after a moment. "Let's see a brave face." I swallowed, sighed deeply and was able to walk out with her and to the pavilion.

At the camp fire that night I sat near the Athena cabin, who all seemed friendly. I even laughed with them, sang a few songs and ate a s'more then said my goodnights. "I'm so tired," I explained. Annabeth nodded and I headed to Cabin Two. The white marble glinted softly in the straggling rays left. I was hit with a blast of cool air from inside. Taking my time getting ready for bed, I crawled under the covers and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.