"This place is pretty cool," Percy commented. He was standing across from Annabeth and watching her closely. Annabeth glanced up at him before focusing back on the ground. She was kicking a soccer ball between her feet. "I just don't get how this is supposed to help."
"It's what Lupa told me to do," Annabeth answered. She looked up at Percy for a half-second and felt the ball slip away. She cursed and quickly regained control of it. "That's why I'm going to do it."
"I'll be moral support," Percy said, and he leaned against the ring. There was a grin on his face. "How are you fitting in with everyone?"
"Good. For the most part," Annabeth answered. She looked to her side. Reyna wasn't too far from her and was punching and kicking a punching bag. From what Annabeth had seen, Reyna was practicing with the punching bag for minutes at a time before taking a minute break. She was already soaked in sweat but didn't seem to care.
Frank was working on lifting weights. He had steadily been adding weights, and Annabeth was sure that he was at a hundred pounds. The effort showed on his face, but he kept working. Frank met her eyes and smiled at her. Then, he focused back on his weights.
Hazel was in the rings and working with Nico. Well, she was throwing him around the ring. Nico didn't complain. He wore full sparring gear and was allowing Hazel to practice whatever she wanted. Hazel would flip him or take him down and then quickly ask if he was okay. Nico would nod every time, and Hazel would go back to trying to destroy him.
Lupa walked around the gym checking on each of them. She didn't say much. Lupa just walked towards them, stared for a few moments, and then moved on to the next person. Annabeth focused on the soccer ball and kept it from slipping away.
"Is it Reyna that you're having difficulties with?" Percy asked softly. Annabeth looked at him in surprise. "Hazel's too sweet, and I can't see Frank starting anything. I can see you and Reyna butting heads. Just don't let it get to you."
"I'll do my best," Annabeth said softly. Percy leaned against one of the rings and studied Annabeth. "What are you staring at?"
"You. I have to make sure you have a perfect form," Percy answered. Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I just don't understand how playing soccer is going to help you."
Annabeth looked at him and frowned. She stopped moving and stared ahead. Percy turned and looked at Lupa. The woman was standing only a few inches from him. Lupa spoke, "You wonder why I have my fighters play soccer?"
"He didn't mean anything by it," Annabeth said quickly. Percy opened his mouth, and Annabeth gave him a look. He looked away. Lupa chuckled.
"It is not the first time my methods have been questioned. I do not take offense," Lupa said. She moved in between the two of them. "Percy, I am told you have no professional fighting experience, but you have helped Annabeth train greatly. Where do you tell her to keep her eyes?"
"At her opponent's hands," Percy answered. He shrugged. "If you watch your opponent's hands, you will know their next move."
"I like your thinking, but that is not always correct," Lupa said. Percy frowned. "If you and I are facing off and you watch my hands, what happens if I raise them? Your gaze will move upwards, and you will not be able to see my feet. That is how your knee becomes a target. If this was boxing, your plan would be perfect."
"Why the soccer balls then?" Percy questioned. Annabeth saw Lupa glance at her and then glance downwards. Annabeth quickly went back to passing the soccer ball between her feet.
"When you fight, you must keep your eyes on three areas of your opponent: the eyes, hands, and feet. Keeping an eye on all three requires rapid eye movement and intense concentration. You will not have time to keep an eye on where your feet are. Learning how to master controlling the soccer ball without looking will allow you to know where your feet are at all times," Lupa explained.
"It just seems a little basic," Percy began. Annabeth bit her lip. She didn't want Lupa to be offended, but as she looked at the woman's face, she relaxed. Lupa had a smirk on her face.
"It is," Lupa agreed. "I do not doubt Annabeth's abilities at all, but I will not treat her differently than any of my new fighters. Champion or not, she will go through the same regime as every fighter before her has. Her path will be rushed, though. This first week will be spent with the basics. The second with an intensive look into her fighting skills."
Annabeth nudged Percy and gave him a look. Lupa cleared her throat, and Annabeth glanced down to watch the soccer ball roll away. Lupa spoke, "One lap."
"Sorry," Percy began. Annabeth stuck her tongue out at him and then took off in a lap around the gym. Her gaze focused on her fellow fighters. Hazel and Nico were taking a break, and Nico was laying in the middle of the ring. Hazel was sitting near him and drinking a water bottle.
Frank had a laser focus on the weights that he lifted. There was a look of pure concentration on his face. Reyna was still punching the bag and looked completely exhausted. She didn't stop until Lupa walked over and said something to her.
By the time Annabeth finished her lap, Lupa was back by Percy's side and talking to him again. Annabeth made it over to them and heard Percy speak, "I just want to make sure my best friend is in the best shape."
"We all do," Lupa said. She smiled. "I hope to see you around more, Percy. I like the perspective you bring."
"You finally found someone who likes you," Annabeth commented. She focused back on the soccer ball. A chuckle left Lupa, and she walked towards Nico and Hazel.
"I like her," Percy commented. He looked at Annabeth. "You don't regret this, right?"
"I don't," Annabeth promised. "It's different, but it's not bad. I'm happy for the opportunity, and even though I haven't done real fighting yet, I'm excited about what is going to happen."
"Are you cool if I spot Frank?" Percy began. Annabeth laughed. Percy and Frank were getting together almost as well and Percy and Hazel. A smile came to Annabeth's face. Part of her had been worried about how the other would receive Percy. He wasn't a fighter, but they welcomed him happily. That was all Annabeth could ask for.
The rest of the day passed by quickly enough. Percy had left for the day, and Lupa told Annabeth to spend the rest of her time working on the punching bag. By the end of it, her arms felt like jello. Annabeth grabbed her duffel bag and winced from the soreness.
Annabeth turned and left the locker room. She saw that the others were still there. They were standing around and talking. Annabeth started to walk past them, but Reyna spoke, "Annabeth."
Annabeth stopped walking and looked at Reyna. The two had not said one word to each other that day, so she was a little surprised to hear her voice. Reyna spoke again, "Did anyone tell you?"
"Tell me about what?" Annabeth questioned. Reyna gave the other two a look.
"Frank was supposed to," Hazel said. She held her hands up innocently.
"It slipped my mind," Frank defended. Reyna shook her head and looked at Annabeth.
"Every Monday we host a self-defense class. It's nothing too crazy, just the basics," Reyna said. She somehow managed to look both relaxed and tensed. It seemed like her mind was racing. "We help out with it. You're not required to, but you can. If you want."
"And, we get dinner afterward. It's Frank's week to pay," Hazel said, and a devious grin came to her face. Annabeth looked in between the three of them and thought about it. She wouldn't mind helping out with a self-defense class. It would also be another chance of bonding with the others.
"I would love to," Annabeth answered. Hazel and Frank smiled brightly. Reyna nodded and studied her. "Who are the self-defense classes for? What age?"
"It varies from kids to teenagers. Lupa doesn't discriminate," Frank answered.
"Some of the teenagers are from rougher homes, so they don't respect authority too much. If they give you a problem, let me know," Reyna said. Annabeth nodded. Reyna was absentmindedly rubbing her elbow. It was a habit that Annabeth had noticed the past few days. She wasn't sure if the elbow pad bothered Reyna or if she was just worried about her elbow.
They would know how strong Reyna's elbow was at her next fight, and Annabeth was itching to see it. Watching some of Reyna's old fights had been a treat, but now, the woman had something to prove. She was going to try and bounce back from the fight with Clarisse. While the record books would show it as a win. Reyna didn't walk away the victor. And, Annabeth knew that Reyna felt like she had a lot to prove.
"Reyna," Octavian called. Annabeth looked at the other side of the gym. Octavian was standing there with his phone in his hand and a grim look on his face. "Have you seen Lupa?"
"No," Reyna answered. She walked towards Octavian, and the two of them talked quietly. Reyna visibly cursed and pushed past Octavian. She rushed out of the gym. Octavian looked at them.
"If Lupa comes through, tell her we need her! Don't leave though!" Octavian called. He hurried across the gym towards the front plaza. Annabeth frowned as she watched them. A glance at the others showed they were just as confused as her.
Hazel crossed her arms and spoke, "What do you think that was about?"
"I don't know," Frank said. They both just stared at the door in confusion. Neither looked like they knew what to do. Annabeth felt like there was nothing that they could do, so she turned towards the others.
"The kids will still be coming. We should get ready for them," Annabeth said. Frank slowly nodded and started to clear away some of the equipment. He rolled out a training mat, and Hazel quickly helped him. Annabeth did her best to help the two as well.
After a few minutes, Reyna walked back into the gym. Hazel and Frank both looked up, and it seemed like they wanted nothing more than to rush to her side. Reyna held her hand up and made her way towards them.
"What happened?" Hazel questioned.
"Is something wrong?" Frank asked at the same time.
"Lupa has a family emergency," Reyna answered. "She'll probably fly out in an hour and be gone for the next few days."
"What does that mean?" Annabeth questioned. Reyna glanced at her. While Reyna kept her face clear of emotion, the worry showed in her dark eyes.
"I'm not sure," Reyna answered after a few moments. "Lupa's never had to rush out before, not while I was here. Let's finish this self-defense class and go from there. I'll lead the class today. Annabeth, can you help me with that?"
"I can," Annabeth answered after a moment of surprise. Reyna turned towards the gym entrance.
"Hazel, go ahead and meet the kids. Frank, get the waters and snacks," Reyna said. The two nodded and hurried away. Reyna exhaled and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Are you okay?" Annabeth questioned. Reyna slowly lowered her hand, and she turned around. Her eyes narrowed into a glare. Annabeth frowned.
"I'm fine," Reyna muttered. She looked away. "Come on. Help me finish setting up. Then, we can get this over as soon as possible."