Chapter 3

I was missing my guitar already. As we flew over some country (I wasn't paying attention), I sighed and tried to remember some chords. I looked up to see Lucas looking over at me.

"Hey you look like you've lost something." He said, coming over to sit beside me.

"Yeah, well no. I left my guitar back in my locker."

"You mean this guitar?" he said, pulling my guitar out from underneath the seat.

"Oh my gods!" I squealed. "How…?"

"I made a couple of stops before we came to rescue you," he said, pulling out Tamsin's eyeliner set, Ruby's ukulele and Anya's special swimming costume set. They all came running over immediately; even Ruby who I thought was asleep. I strummed my guitar and sang this song;

"California"

I'm not falling for anymore of these tricks,
I'm so tired of everything here,
The sun is calling me to the west,
Everyone's having fun out there,
My bags are packed as I'm looking out the window,
Everything is so outdated here,
I wanna move west where the sun is shining,
I want my friends to all be there,

I'm tired of taking it slow,
So tired but I'm not sleeping,
I'm wired about to pick up my board,
Cause we're all headed out for the weekend,

Let's pack up and move to California,
Hop on board before we get older,
Raise your hand and shout for California

Come on,
Come on,
Come on,

[Chorus]

Come on,
Come on!

[Chorus x2]

Let's pack up and move to California,
Hop on board before we get older,
Raise your hands, we're headed for the border,

Come on,
Come on,
Come on!

"You're a really good singer," Lucas said, smiling at me. I felt myself go red and I ducked my head shyly. I put my guitar away, lay down on the seat and pretty soon I was asleep. I was completely exhausted after my battle with the Chimera.

Before I knew it, I was being shaken awake by Tamsin. "Come on Kali!" she said grinning, "We're here!"

She was in a good mood, I, unfortunately was not.

"Ten more minutes…" I mumbled into the cushion.

"Lucas says he wants to kiss you!" she said, right up close to my ear.

"WHAT?" I screeched, jumping up and banging my head on the side of the chariot.

Tamsin giggled, "I knew that would wake you up!"

I giggled too and whacked her with my pillow.

Battle ensued.

"Ok ok," Tamsin puffed, "you win!"

"Oh yeah!" I cheered, "I'm the champion!"

I clambered off of the chariot, only to be blinded by a series of flashes of lightning. I looked over to see Ruby with bolts of lightning emanating from her hands. Just then, Tamsin hopped down off the chariot beside me. "Tamsin! Look out!" I yelled, jumping out of the way as Ruby shot lightning bolts in every direction. Tamsin wasn't so lucky however. She got the full force of one of the bolts. She fell to the ground, her hair smoking. "RHIANNA!" Anya and I screamed. Ruby stared in horror at what she had done. A deep voice called over to us, "Ruby, daughter of Zeus!" and a big bolt of lightning cracked over her head. Then a man with the neck and body of magnificent white stallion came cantering over to us.

"Chiron!" Lucas exclaimed, "Thank gods you're here, this girl…"

Ruby fell to her knees and howled.

"Calm down child," he said to Ruby. "Your friend here will be just fine."

"Really?" she said, through choked sobs.

"As long as your other friend here agrees to help…" Chiron said turning to me.

"Huh?" I said, charming and intelligent as always.

"Kalina…" Lucas said, walking over and putting his hand on my cheek. "You're glowing."

"Thanks." I muttered, blushing.

"No really. You're glowing!" he said, holding up a silver mirror.

As I looked in it I saw that my usually kind of way brown-blond hair had been turned golden and in perfect waves and my eye were bright green and I was (finally) tanned and had a cute splash of freckles across my nose and cheeks (all my acne gone!). I looked down at my clothes. I was wearing a white floaty vest top and denim shorts with white sandals with what looked like real diamond studs. I moved my hand up to my ears and pulled my hair back to reveal diamond stud earrings. Pretty and practical! I could get used to this!

"Hail, Kalina, daughter of Apollo!" cried Chiron.

"Let me show you your cabin." said Lucas, putting his arm round my shoulders and leading up the hill and through the gate into Camp Half Blood.