Calypso gazed around at the completely foreign territory. Hills surrounded a wide clearing that faded into the murky blue of the Long Island Sound. A winding stream curved around a section of the camp, severing the area, and its' cabins, in two. On one side there's a forest and a large dome-like building. On the other there are what appears to be horse stables and some sort of field.

They stared blankly at Calypso, who had officially given up and was just staring at the sky.

"Did she die?"

Leo poked at the girl, receiving a kick in the shin, "Nope!" He grunted, jumping on one foot, "Definitely not dead! Oh holy balls, that was not awesome."

With a grin, Piper acknowledged Calypso sit up on her elbows, "There we go! She's just finally getting into some Camp Half-Blood spirit!"

Calypso cocked her head to the side, her cinnamon curls falling into her face from her undone braid, "Camp Half-Blood?'

"Yeah!" Jason extended his arms to gesture at the encampment below them, "Did you never wonder why we call ourselves the Demigods?"

She pursed her lips, "I just assumed you guys were kinda crazy and thought it'd be cool to name yourselves."

"No, that wouldn't make any sense at all." Leo interjected, "We all met each other through Camp Half-Blood and THEN thought it'd be cool to name ourselves. And we were right. The Demigods are the cooliest."

Before Calypso could facepalm herself into the next dimension, a familiar voice behind her made the group jump, "Oh no. That's the I'm-about-to-kill-Leo face."

"Hazel! Jesus, we didn't see you- Hey wait a minute! What do you mean the I'm-about-to-kill-Leo face?!" aforementioned boy, in all his ADHD glory, said.

Hazel just laughed in a way that reminded Calypso of bubbles popping, "Oh Leo, by now I'm able to tell when someone wants to hit you. After years of seeing their faces right before, it's kinda predictable at this point."

Jason ruffled the pouting Latino's hair. Bianca stopped at Hazel's left to greet the group as Nico trudged past with only a nod of acknowledgement. While Hazel stared almost worriedly after her brother, Bianca only huffed and whispered, "He didn't want to come but Dad thinks him socializing with people his age will help to get him out of his shell. I almost wish he'd just stayed home so I didn't have to deal with his constant attitude this summer. It's getting worse, I swear."

"If that won't work at the very least he'll get some sun. He's so pale. It's like he's a ghost." Leo joked crudely.

Hazel slapped him in response, still staring after Nico's retreating form, "I wish you guys wouldn't talk about him like that. He needs friends, not bullies."

Bianca clenched her jaw but stayed silent. Her eyes seemed just as distant as her sister's. Piper placed a hand on Hazel's shoulder and said, "He'll be okay. We're all here with him and, while Leo is irritating with his 'Ghost King' jokes, he knows we don't mean it. Frank will keep the Repair Boy in check."

"Oh, has Frank shown up yet?" Hazel perked up at his name, looking around with a lovelorn expression.

"I'm not sure. I have yet to explore the prison I've been sentenced to." Calypso replied sarcastically, but her smile faltered slightly at the truth in her words.

"You act as though you were forced. If you'd rather go home then we won't stop you." Piper, tactful as ever, interjected with a smirk, "I'm sure there are plenty of chores left for little Cinderella at home."

As an answer, Calypso raised her eyebrows and snorted.

"That's what I thought." Piper grabbed her arm, "Now, are we going to stand here all day or go show the new kid what she's been missing?"With that they made their way up the hill after Nico. Calypso noticed Hazel sending her a sympathetic glance that Calypso chose to ignore.

Nico left the little group behind and trudged his way to Thalia's tree, perched at the top of Half-Blood Hill so it looked over the encampment. He paused to stare at it. Normal people would walk past this tree and think it was nothing more than an ordinary pine tree. But Nico was a Demigod, one of the few original Half-Bloods. Sometimes, he almost forgets what it was like. Before people were scared of him or shied away, when he felt complete, and normal. But I wasn't, Nico reminded himself, It's all fine and dandy to miss it, but don't delude yourself into thinking they cared. They don't. He doesn't.

From his spot by the tree, he could see the amphitheater and the strawberry fields and the forest where he spent most of his time disappearing into the shadows. He had to admit, he did miss the scenery. It was beautiful and peaceful. Until, of course-

"Hey, are you okay?" Nico spun around wildly, startled by the voice to his left. Holy Hera, Nico thought to himself, Can a guy not get five freaking seconds?

Standing next to him was none other than Will Solace, his tall body doubled over in laughter, "You look like you saw a ghost! Calm down, I'm not going to kill you."

Nico glared at the blonde. Will only grinned back. In defeat, Nico huffed and turned around, walking toward the camp. He could hear Will's uncoordinated footsteps following him down the hill.

"Wait! Nico! I mean it, man. Are you okay?" Will went to grab Nico by the arm, making Nico tense at the contact and pull away. Will let his arm go limp and then sheepishly scratched at the back of his head, "Sorry. I know you don't like being touched by people...or talking to people...or being around people…"

Nico squinted his eyes at the boy, "What are you doing?"

At that, Will looked confused, "Um..Wh-What do you mean?"

"I mean," Nico said, stepping closer to Will with an accusatory glare, "What are you doing? Why are you talking to me? Did Kayla tell you to do this? Be my freaking welcoming committee?"

Nico was surprised by the look of hurt on Will's face as the boy gently whispered, "I came because we're friends."

The boys sat in strained silence; Nico, in shock, and Will, in embarrassment.

"So," Nico began tentatively, a blush flushing his cheeks, "we're friends?"

Will glanced up at Nico, "I mean, I thought we were. We used to talk a lot back in the day and I always thought you were cool. I've been wanting to talk to you for a while and I guess..I don't know..I saw you by the tree and I wasn't thinking so I'm sorry."

Nico sat there staring dumbfounded at the older boy. His mouth hung in a slight O and he couldn't seem to form words. He had never thought about Will as a friend before. They had only talked a few times.

"Um...I'm going to go. I have a job in the infirmary this year, so I need to take inventory." Will said. Nico slowly began to nod and Will went to walk away before turning around and adding, "But, um, if you need me, I'll be there. Like...if you want." Will smiled and then ran off in the direction of the infirmary.

Nico sat there staring after him for a while, wondering if he'd hit his head and the whole thing was some weird coma dream. Shaking his head, he started his trek to the Big House to check in and drop his stuff off. He couldn't help but feel like the earth was going to open at his feet and swallow him up whole.