My mouth dropped in shock.
"But.. How are we here already? You said that it was in New York City, and that's an eight hour drive! It only took half an hour!" I protested.
Will shrugged, "Travel is something completely different for monsters."
I put my hand to my head while I thought about everything, and I instantly regretted it. I fell off the flying horse.
"Ella! Are you okay?" Will shouted from somewhere above me. I didn't care where. The only thing I cared about then was how I fell into the unsuspecting arms of someone that was probably just a little older than me. I looked up at his big, blond head to thank him for saving my life and all that jazz, but he spoke first.
"Hello," he said awkwardly. He put me down gently and then rubbed his arms, which must've hurt from the impact.
Will coasted down and looked furious. He sized up my handsome rescuer and asked me in an overly-nice way, "Ella, are you okay?"
I turned to the person who had caught me and said, "Thanks, so much. I would probably be dead if you didn't catch me. I'm Ella."
He nodded and looked into my eyes. "Anytime. I'm Jake, son of Aphrodite."
Will started laughing hysterically. "Son of Aphrodite! Come on, let's get away from this wannabe model."
He took my hand and pulled me in the opposite direction. I couldn't resist turning around and looking at Jake. Stupid hormones ruining my life. Jake smiled, showing gleaming white teeth.
"He's a son of Aphrodite, El. You don't want someone like him."
"I never said I did want someone like him!" I yelled, yanking my hand from his grasp. "Never call me El! And what are you, my older brother?! M.Y.O.B!"
I stomped off, not exactly where I was going. I leaned against a tree and sat down.
"Um, hi," said a girl with light brown hair who had been tending some plants near me. "I'm Hazel, daughter of Demeter. Are you new here?"
I nodded and said, "Yeah. Someone," I refused to say IT'S name, "told me that Greek myths exist, but I think it- er- he, was just trying to play a practical joke on me. And I'm Ella."
She smiled understandingly. "I know it's a lot to take in at first, but I'm afraid he was right. Do you need someone to really explain it all to you?"
"Yes, please. I don't understand any of this, really."
"I'm not very busy at the moment, so I'll tell you. Unless you want to see the orientation film at the Big House...?"
"No thanks. I don't really feel like being around anyone at the moment. Can you please tell me?"
She explained in her gentle voice all about the Western Civilization, and how it was tied to the gods and goddesses. Strangely enough, I believed her. Hazel didn't seem like the type to lie.
"Wow. That's... a lot to take in. But thanks so much for telling me."
"So, do you want me to introduce you to my friends?"
"Sure, why not?"
I stood up and followed her to a huge Greek arena, where two kids my age were sparring.
A platinum-blond-haired girl lunged and ended with her sword against the other's neck.
"I win," she laughed.
The other person, who I realized was a boy, brushed off his clothes. "Whatever, Nikki. Rematch tomorrow."
He also had blond hair, but it was more honey-colored. He also had a wicked tan and, on further inspection, gray eyes that were a little more menacing than mine. Other than that, he was kind of cute in the best friend way, or even how you would picture an adorable little brother at that age.
"Hey guys," Hazel called, waving.
"Hey," said the boy, looking at me.
"Sup," said the girl. Then she followed the boy's line of sight and stared too.
"This is Ella. She's a new camper," Hazel explained. The two nodded. She pointed to the girl. "That's Nikki, daughter of Zeus."
"And damn proud of it!" Nikki said, putting her shoulder-length hair in a ponytail.
Hazel rolled her eyes and nodded at the boy. "That's Patrick, son of Athena." He was still staring at me, and so didn't say anything.
I cleared my throat and said, "Nice to meet you both."
They just nodded.
"So..." I said, trying to start a conversation.
"Who brought you here?" Nikki asked abruptly.
"Uh. Um. Er. Yeah. Will, I think. Son of Hermes."
"He's a total idiot," said Patrick quickly. Hazel looked questioningly at him. "I think I have to go now, and talk to Annabeth about Capture the Flag." He turned tail and fled.
"Ignore him," said Nikki. She was several inches taller than me. Even Hazel was taller than me. I felt like a small child. Why did everyone have to be taller than me?
"I think we should take her to the Big House, to introduce her to Mr. D," said Hazel. Nikki nodded, and they both walked with me to the big farm house that I saw in the floating picture.
They walked up the porch, and there was the fat guy sitting in a lawn chair, flagged by the centaur.
I realized something, and then did the only natural thing. "Sumos theos," I said involuntarily in Greek. It meant, "You are a god."
"Yes, yes. It is nice to have someone address me in my native language, though. You must be the new camper that Hermes boy was sent to bring?" I nodded. "Well, you will be living in the Hermes cabin until you are claimed. If you are not claimed, you will remain in the Hermes cabin. Any questions?"
"No, sir." I had no idea which god it was, but I felt I should be polite at least.
He nodded, seeming impressed.
The horse-guy said, "We welcome you to camp, Ella Johnson. I am Chiron."
"The Chiron?" I gasped. "Trainer of ancient Greek heroes? You're a legend! In the celebrity sense, of course."
He laughed quietly. "Yes, I am The Chiron. Now I just train young heroes to fight off the monsters. You do know what I am talking about, correct?"
Nikki nodded enthusiastically as Hazel said, "I told her all about everything. I don't think she even needs the orientation film!"
"Nice work, Hazel and Nikki. Can you please show Ella to her temporary home?"
The girls led me down the porch steps and into a big U of cabins. Except they weren't regular log cabins or anything. Each one seemed special, except a very run-down looking one with a caduceus above the door. As I swiveled my head around to look, one cabin in particular caught my eye. It looked like it was made of solid gold, and sort of hurt my eyes when I tried to look at it. Nikki followed my line of sight and winced, but I thought it was absolutely marvelous.
"That's the Apollo cabin," she explained. "This one," she pointed to the beat up one, "is where you're living for now, unless you're claimed. Careful, it's kinda crowded in there."
She knocked on the door, which opened. Then she shoved me in.
I heard Hazel chastising her friend outside where I was. "Nik, why'd you do that? Can you at least try to be friends with anyone?"
"I just nudged her in, Haze. No biggie."
"Yes, biggie! She almost fell! Good thing she caught herself! And plus, she looks like she could use a few friends."
I focused on where I was standing. There were only eight or so bunk beds, but there were at least twelve sleeping bags. A few people were in there, chatting while they perched on a bed or on the floor. One of them, I realized with a jolt, was Will, AKA It.
"Ella!" he said in a singsong tone. "Come here, sit down!"
"What if I don't want to?" I challenged, putting my hands on my hips.
He ignored me. "I want to introduce you to my friend, Tom." He gestured to the boy he was sitting next to. The stranger was physically huge- like 6 feet tall, even though he looked hardly older than me- and was ripped with muscles. He had brutally short black hair, which was so unlike It's shaggy black mop. Tom also was sort of ruggedly charming.
"Hello," he said, sounding interested.
"Can you just tell me where I can sleep tonight?" I asked It irritably.
"Right here, if you want," It said, wagging his eyebrows and pointing to the area next to him.
"You complete pig!" I shouted, turning everyone in the room's eyes to me. I stepped up to him and slapped his face. Tom looked amused.
"Is he bothering you?" two people asked in unison. Two 18-year-olds stood up.
"I'm Travis," said one.
"I'm Connor," said the other.
"We're the counselors of this cabin!" they said together.
Connor strode up to me. "It looks like you know our little bro, Will, already."
"We find him to be a complete waste of space," continued Travis.
"If he ever gives you trouble, just tell us and we'll make trouble for him! Welcome to Camp Half-Blood." And with that, they walked out.
"That could get annoying," I said to no one in particular, forgetting whose company I was in. The idiot barbarian boys howled with laughter. I stormed out, muttering insults.
"We have Archery in five minutes!" It called after me. I tried in vain to ignore him.
I kept wandering for a little while until I reached an Archery range. Chiron galloped over to me and said happily, "You're just in time for your first Archery practice! Do you know anything about the sport?"
"I know that it's in the Olympics," I volunteered weakly.
"Yes, it is in the Olympics. Do you know anything else?"
"It uses a bow and arrow."
"Yes. Maybe I should just get on with teaching you. Now, try to hold this correctly." He handed me a bow. I involuntarily held it in a specific way. "Very good! You already know how to hold it! Now, I am going to hand you an arrow. Try to load your bow." I put the arrow in. "Stellar job! Fire at that target. It is okay if you miss it. No one gets it," I fired, "on their first... try." The arrow was in the middle of the target.
"Bulls eye!" I said, proud of myself. Chiron gasped and looked above my head. One of the students flying above us fell off their pegasus. With a twinge of sympathy as I thought of how they should land in the arms of someone as I had done, I looked above my head.