CHAPTER 6

Me, Annabeth and Silena was dropped by at the nearest bus station going to New York. We were able to catch the first trip. We took a three-seat. I was nearest to the aisle, Annabeth sat on the window side, Silena on the middle.

Honestly, I find Silena very attractive. Maybe I have a very slight crush on her, but I guess all the boys at Camp Half Blood does . She's actually the prettiest Aphrodite kid at camp (no wonder she is Aphrodite's favorite). But aside from the fact that she's beautiful, I don't like her. She's like her mom (if I said this aloud, Aphrodite would kill me). She's flirty, cunning, mean, self-centered, vain, and, well, weak.

Annabeth was reading a book and Silena was listening to her I-pod. I was looking around and I was trying to find out if monsters were there. Then, Silena took out a bottle of perfume from her bag and sprayed it to herself, to Annabeth, and surprisingly, to me. The weird thing is, Annabeth didn't seem to react (I thought she hated girly perfumes).

"Hey" I said, furiously.

"It's Chanel Charlie" She answered back.

"So?"

"Actually" Annabeth said looking up from her book "Monsters can't detect Half-Bloods that are wearing designer perfumes. The scent is so common in New York that we are barely noticed"

"Oh. Maybe that's why Aphrodite kids are seldom being attacked by monsters"

Silena just rolled her eyes and attached her earphones to her ears. Annabeth continued reading her book, and I decided to take a nap.

When I woke up, Silena and Annabeth were asleep too. I looked at my watch, and 3 hours have passed since we were on the trip. I asked the driver what station we were, turns out there were only two more bus stops until we reached New York, New York.

I woke Annabeth and Silena and we were about to leave the bus when two Empousai got into the bus and was looking for someone. Immediately, Annabeth wore her Yankees cap and I felt her getting out of her seat (I guess because the empousai knows her). Annabeth pinched me, like it was a signal to leave, NOW. Fortunately, we were able to leave the bus safely and got a cab.

Wow! I realized it's been almost a year since I last visited New York. There were new buildings, new stores, new roads, new statues—I can't believe New York can change that much. I saw Silena looking at every store we passed by, but she wasn't able to concentrate on admiring it because Annabeth was telling Silena about the different statues we came across.

Earlier, Annabeth insisted to take a short cut because she said we would be able to save time. Unfortunately, the cab lost gas, and we were at the middle of an abandon road (Thank you very much, Annabeth).

"Oh my gods! I am so sorry!" Annabeth said, she looked really stressed, so I forgave her anyway.

"It's ok" I said

"No it's not!" Silena said, she looked totally angry.

"Well I'm sorry for trying to help with the use of my brains and not my credit cards"

"At least MY credit cards helped"

"It did not!"

"It totally did Annabeth"

"Stop it you two! We'll accomplish nothing if we keep on blaming each other" I said. I was really getting irritated with all this fighting.

"Sorry, Beckendorf, Silena. I didn't mean to"

"I guess Beckendorf is right. Sorry." Silena said. She looked like she wanted to cry.

"It's cool guys. Let's just try and find a way."

I wanted to fix the car. But instead, we decided to get out and find another way. Silena paid the driver.

"Got a plan Leader?" Silena asked.

"I guess let's start with walking" I answered back. I hated the way she said "leader".

"What way?" Annabeth asked

"Duh Annabeth, forward. See any other roads or path ways?"

"I didn't ask you Silena. I was asking Charlie"

"Guys—I mean Girls! Stop it! Let's just keep on moving, ok? Less fight, more thinking? Is it clear?" I sounded like a father scolding his children.

"Yeah, Whatever" They both said.

"Ok. So I actually recognize this path way. I've been here once, but it was a long time ago. I know a house near here. I've never been inside the house, but maybe it can help us"

"Then what are we waiting for Charlie?" Silena looked very angry. She can be very intimidating when mad, but when in a good mood, she's the type of girl a man would dream of. I really can't read her.

"Maybe were just waiting for you to stop your tantrums, Silena"

"Annabeth shut up!"

"We don't do diva time here. Were on a quest"

"GIRLS" I said, and I was really mad. "Cut it out! Enough with all this fighting! Let's just go"

Silena just rolled her eyes and glared at Annabeth. Annabeth wanted to do the same, but she glanced at me and I gave her my DON'T-EVEN-THINK-ABOUT-IT look. She rolled her eyes (to me) and we started walking.

I swear. If I ever hear these two fighting again, I'm sure I'm gonna burst.