Chapter 8: Pranu

I sat on the ledge of the pier with everyone else, watching them do their little lovey dovey things. You know, normal things.

I did a quick check to see where everybody was- Ruidi was a few paces away from the pier, Alex was sitting next to Nick, talking, instead of being on the island where all of the other Hephaestus guys were (well, at least supposed to be) managing the fireworks. Carina was talking with Bhavana, a few more paces away from Ruidi. Eshana was just a stone's throw away from me, watching the fireworks with a misty look in her eyes. Raven was nowhere to be seen. But she could take care of herself, so I wasn't really worried about her. I wished that Jason was here. I hadn't heard from him in weeks and I was starting to get worried.

"Hey," Caiyi said sitting down next to me, "those fireworks are pretty awesome right?"

"Yeah," We were silent for a moment, watching the multi-colored explosions in the sky. A glittering orange one fired, painting the sky with its bright, vivid colors, before fading slowly away.

"You know, sometimes I wish I had someone like them," He said pointing to Alex and Nick.

A distance away, I saw Tim with his dagger at Bhavana's neck. I was about to murder him, but then she kicked him in the stomach, and he fell and dragged her with him. And they were both...laughing? Huh. I guess this was all bringing us a little closer together.

"I mean there used to be Shirley, but now she's gone and yeah," he said continuing.

"I know. Wish, Jason was here. I mean look, even Eshana over there is flirting with some poor Athena boy. They all have someone,"

He nodded in agreement. And then suddenly Ruidi was next to me. And he did the most immature thing ever. He threw mud at my face!

"RUIDI XU! UGHH YOUR SO IMMATURE! I NEED TO TAKE A SHOWER!" And then I turned to Caiyi, my tone changing. "Excuse me for a moment," I ran to my cabin to take a shower.

After Pranu Returns From Shower

"What'd I miss?" I asked.

"PRANU! Where were you? You missed the grand finale!" Eshana asked, then took one look at my face and screamed, "YOU LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS SWALLOWED YOU AND SPIT YOU BACK OUT!"

"WHAT! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME! SOME ONE TELL ME! OR EVEN BETTER, GET ME A MIRROR!" I freaked out.

"Here!" Eshana whipped out a mirror that she probably carried around with her everywhere. I stared at my reflection. And screamed. My face was completely green, and what an ugly shade! My hair was a mess and plastered against my face. Every strand of my hair was dyed in the same ugly green color.

"RUUUIIIIDIIII! I lept to my feet ready to chase him again, but somebody held me back.

"Restraint," a voice said behind me, "is one of the most important qualities in a human," It was Raven.

"Why are you holding me back?" I growled. "He's getting away!"

"I'll get him!" shouted Carina.

"Allow him to," Raven kept a firm grip on me, then flicked a finger at Carina, a silver dartlike thing flying out of it and freezing her on the spot. We watched as Ruidi disappeared in the distance. Then she unfroze Carina.

"Okay, you've better have an explanation now. Are you siding with him?" I accused, arms folded.

"I am on neither side. Have you, perhaps, heard the quote 'United we stand, divided we fall'? Your petty games, spiteful pranks, will do nothing except weaken your side. Bonds are important in a time of war."

"Seriously Raven? Do I have to start calling you Mom or what?" I retorted, rolling my eyes

"That would not be necessary," Raven said, taking my remark seriously.

"I was being sarcastic! Ughh!" I exclaimed. Then I stomped away to go see if I could get the freaking dye out.