Chapter 7
Nick POV
Nick was sitting on a comfortable armchair watching the city below him roll by. During the war the Romans built a massive carriage drawn by the most beautiful Pegasus to transport them around. Nowadays the carriage just sat there, but on occasions like this the carriage was cleaned and all the Romans were seated comfortably and were given time to relax on the journey. Nick stood up and went to the beverage machine in the corner. He got some hot chocolate and sat back down in the armchair. He sipped the warm drink and it immediately relaxed him. As he gazed out the glass windows he kept thinking that he was getting closer and closer to Leah. Well he was, the carriage had departed from Camp Jupiter this morning and was now making its way to New York, Camp Half Blood and Leah. Nick thoughts were interrupted as someone sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. Stefanie. She was smiling at him, her blue eyes sparkling and her blonde hair falling out of its ponytail. The daughter of Zelus kissed Nick on the cheek before moving towards his mouth. Nick responded by slipping his tongue into hers. Even though he couldn't stop thinking about Leah, Stefanie was his girlfriend right now. Stefanie slowly pulled away and stood up smiling. ''Dance practice in a minute ,''she said. Nick smiled and nodded. Stefanie winked and then walked towards the door. Nick took out his phone and started texting Will.
( Nick is in italics and Will is in bold k?)
Hey man, I'm on my way
Can't wait it's gonna be epic!
Yep, you me and the guys bro time!
U have no idea what Chiron has planned. Drew and Leah said its awesome. Oh and I got new surfboards! Wanna catch some waves?
Count me in bro!
Gr8! So hows everythin?
Gd im just chillaxing. Hows everyone over there?
We are all doing fine. They are all doing last minute touches for the opening ceremony. Leah keeps complaining about the lighting in the arena , Annabeth is working mega hard on the stage, Percy and Clarisse are in charge of the combat bit. Katie is doing the decorations and Zeus has demanded thrones for all the gods instead of regular seats.
Wow can't wait! It's gonna be epic!
Tots! Srry man gotta go! Archery practice!
TTYL
Nick put away his phone and scrolled through his contact list, he stopped when he found Leah's name. He had been tempted to call her so many times but deep in his heart he knew that she would never answer. He wished that he had stopped her, somehow from breaking up with him. It had torn his heart to see her crying and when she started screaming at him… Nick just wanted to hold her in his arms and calm her down with soothing words. After the breakup, he didn't see her at all. She locked herself up somewhere and wouldn't come out. The millions of times that he tried to call her, the millions of times she wouldn't answer drove him insane, not knowing where she was or how she was doing. Eventually Nick and Stefanie started hanging out and then Bam! Couple! It had happened so fast. Annabeth had been furious and she didn't talk to Nick until the day he left. Nick remembered that day, the day when he thought he saw Leah as the carriage rose to the sky, Stephanie said that she hadn't seen her and then proceeded to kiss him. Nick remembered what his dad had said 'You will figure it out' Nick wanted to call his mum and ask for advice but she was currently in France filming a new film so she was unavailable, Percy was busy, Will was busy, Jason…
Nick stood up and made his way along the corridor to the praetor's office. He knocked and waited patiently. ''Come in!''said Jason. Nick opened the door and sat down next to Jason on an armchair. Jason smiled at him and said ''Haven't seen you in a while.''
-That's because you're always so busy!
-True, very true. Would you like some cookies?
- Yes please.
Jason got up and took out the biscuit tin and put a couple on a plate and handed it to Nick.
-So Nick we need to talk about….
-The girls.
- Yeah, we both have feelings towards them but we are still unsure right?
- Jason you hate Reyna.
- Okay fine I do but every time we break up she comes back to me the next day like nothing has happened! She doesn't take no for an answer! Besides I want Piper!
- And it's taken you two years to realise that.
- Yes, I know. I have no idea why I broke up with Piper. People kept pressurising me and Lupa was sending us all back home… I got my memories back and realised that I was Reyna's boyfriend ! I chose my past over my present and future and that was probably the biggest mistake that I ever made! Reyna changed and Piper is just…Piper.
- Look bro we need to think of a way for you to get Piper back and I'm suggesting that you team up with the people who know her the best.
- You mean…..
- Yep, You my friend need to team up with the Aphrodite cabin.
Leah POV
Leah was sitting on her bed flipping through the pages of a magazine. She stopped as she saw photos of her mom's summer collection, Leah smiled her mom Caitlyn Martinez always did a great job on her summer collection. Her mom was an actress and a fashion designer and was a great role model to Leah. She and her mom were super close and they absolutely adored each other. This summer Caitlyn had gone to film a movie in Australia so Leah had decided to remain at Camp Half Blood. She missed her mom so much and couldn't wait to see her. Leah's thoughts were interrupted by someone sitting beside her. She looked up to see beautiful kaleidoscope eyes staring at her. '' Hey Beauty Queen.''said Leah giving Piper a hug. ''Hi Golden Girl.''said Piper hugging her back.
- I came to see if you were alright . said Piper
- Yeah I'm fine, what about you?
- You know…nervous.
- Same. But let's try maybe to get on good terms with the boys.
- Maybe but how about we make them wish that they had never left us?
- Excellent idea! I have a perfect plan, just leave it to the fashionista.
- Okay … care to give me an inside scoop Golden Girl?
-Not a chance Beauty Queen!
Piper laughed and hit Leah with a pillow. Leah grabbed another one and started to hit Piper back. The girls fell down on the carpet rolling about and giggling. They stood up and put the pillows back on the bed. Leah grabbed some sweets from her sweet jar and tossed some to Piper. '' I reckon we should have an all-girls sleepover with the Romans tomorrow.''said Leah.
- Great idea! Boy I can't wait to see the look on Stefanie and Reyna's faces when they aren't invited!
- Totally! Those social little butterflies are soooo not invited to like the coolest sleepover ever! Hosted by me… Leah Martinez!
- Another idea the guys are coming tonight right? So let's dress super pretty and show'um what we are made of!
- Piper McLean wants to dress up!? I never thought I'd live to see the day!
- Well I'm not dressing up all fancy looking I want elegant and simple.
- Fine but I'm helping you pick!
- Whatever Golden Girl!
- This might just turn out to be a pretty good summer.
- Might? I'll say the odds are in our favour!
- Whatever Katniss Everdeen!
- Oh I forgot to tell you that the hunters are coming to the opening ceremony tonight. It was last minute and now Annabeth is trying to get extra seats made.
- Poor her she must be under a lot of stress.
- Leah she likes it, and remember she's Annabeth Chase.
- Right but still I think she needs to rest for a bit.
- Well she did go to Hawaii with Percy last weekend.
-True very true. Hey Piper remember when we went to Florida with the guys?
- That was so much fun! Isn't it weird that all our mortal parents are actors?
- Yeah totally! Oh Piper remember when we went swimming with those adorable dolphins?
- Haha yeah they were so cute! Remember when Jason and I caught you and Nick making out by the pool and then we pushed you both in? Sooo funny!
- When we were in New York! The boys took us to that restaurant and Jason accidently fell face first into his cheesecake! LOL!
-When we went to L.A cause we are all from there the boys took us to the beach and tried to teach us how to surf! FAIL!
- When I fell in the water I thought I saw a shark and I started screaming like a lunatic!
- Haha that was so funny! Good times right?
- Totally! But now the love of our lives are with other girls.
- Yeah.
- How long till they arrive?
- 1 hour I think!
''Well what are we waiting for let's get ready!''screamed Leah and she grabbed Piper's arm and headed for her enormous wardrobe.
Jason POV
1 hour. 1 hour till he sees Piper, Jason hoped with all his heart that she was still single so that he had another chance with her. He thought Nick's idea about teaming up with the Aphrodite cabin sounded silly but Jason needed help and the children of the goddess of love were the only ones up for the job. Jason went over to his bag and pulled out a small box he opened it and there was the necklace that he had bought her. He had never given it to Reyna because it wasn't made for her, it was made for Piper. Reyna just kept making Jason feel like 'Don't break up with her now do it another day' Jason somehow could never find the guts to do it twice he did but then Reyna came running back to him as if nothing had happened. Reyna was fake to him and Piper was real. Reyna was plastic and Piper was gold. He was sure of his feelings now. He loved Piper and somehow he was going to break up with Reyna and he was going to get Piper back. To win Piper back and to break up with Reyna permanently the Aphrodite cabin would come in. Jason pushed those thoughts away and started to get ready, he changed clothes, brushed his teeth again, combed his hair and started to tidy up his room. When he looked up he realised that he had 10 minutes till the carriage would land, Reyna would want him to be in the meeting room, ready to lead the demigods into their ally's camp. Jason looked out the window one last time and took off down the hallway, he was going to see Piper.
Piper POV:
''There you look fantastic!''said Leah. Piper was wearing tight skinny jeans, a beautiful green top and her charm bracelet. Piper insisted on keeping her hair in her usual braid and refused to put make up except for some light lip-gloss. Leah looked great in a light blue short puffy skirt and a white top. Her hair was let down and she wore silver and blue bangles. She too had not worn any makeup but she wore simple lip-gloss and painted her nails bright blue which looked lovely against her tanned skin. Piper had insisted that Leah wore these lovely silver flower shaped earrings and Piper wore simple studs. Leah wore blue ballerina flats and Piper wore white ones. The two girls were now sitting on Leah's bed chatting slowly while waiting for the horn to blow, signalling the arrival of the Romans. They didn't have to wait long before the horn sounded. The girls gave each other nervous looks and started walking towards the door. They stepped outside the Apollo cabin and made their way through the crowd of Greek demigods that were heading towards the hill. What an awful place to land, thought Piper, making us go all the way the hill and then down again. Leah grabbed Piper's hand and started pushing her way to the front.
''Hey Leah! Piper!''called a voice. Piper and Leah turned around and waved to Adrian who was making his way towards them. '' So ladies how are you doing?''said Adrian putting his arm around them. Leo came behind him and put his arm around Piper.''Ready to be escorted by your dashing prince my lady?''he said. ''Don't let Angela hear you say that!''said Piper. ''Ahh she won't mind!''said Leo, grinning. They walked up the hill chatting and laughing, their arms still around each other. When they got to the top they were lost in a crowd of Roman and Greek demigods. Piper spotted Frank and Hazel and started running towards them with Leo behind her. ''HAZEL!''she screamed and she tackled her with a hug. Hazel laughed and hugged her back. ''Piper I've missed you!''said Hazel smiling. ''Where is my hug?''said Frank, pouting a little. Piper laughed and hugged him.''Hey Frankie my little polar bear!''she said, grinning. ''Uhum Uhum!''said Leo who was holding his arms out. Hazel smiled and hugged him and Frank gave him a high 5 and ruffled Leo's hair. They all started chatting and then Annabeth and Percy showed up and then everyone started hugging each other. '' Hey guys have you forgotten about me said a voice?'' Piper froze and turned around slowly. Starring at her with his magnificent blue eyes was none other than Jason Grace.