Chapter 5: Annabeth's POV

We arrived at the amphitheater, and it was already filling up with campers who had finished their dinner. I don't understand how Percy doesn't see the pattern! We walked in holding hands and got called over by Piper and Jason. Once we got over there, conversation started. Piper started asking a million questions at once, trying to get the details on who we brought in and why we didn't have our trunks and stuff, and why we didn't come to dinner. Jason just engaged in guy talk with Percy a ways over from us. Before I answered, I took a glance around, and Piper had seated herself down right smack in the middle of the most gossipiest group in the whole camp. The Aphrodite cabin.

I tried to lead her away so I could answer her questions in private, but she just sat there, waiting for me to answer. Ugh, I don't want anyone to overwhelm Kora by trying to visit or swarm her after she gets out of the Big House, so I decide to tell her later after we aren't in a gossip zone, because the news would just spread all over camp, and Kora just doesn't nee that right now. I mean I trust Piper and all, but I just don't trust her siblings. So I change the subject as a diversion.

"When did you and Jason get here?"

"Oh! We got here about a week ago. All of my sisters were all over him like always, like Drew." She nodded her head in the direction Drew was sitting at, and made a sour face. Drew was sitting two rows above us, and talking so loud, I can hear her conversation about which lip gloss looks better on her, Real Raisin, or Tango Mango. Ugh. I've never liked sitting with this cabin. If only Selena were still here...

Piper then went on about something her and Jason did together a couple of days ago. I was listening of course, but I just didn't care. Only when I realized that she asked me a question did I realize I lost track in what she was saying because I got caught in what Drew was saying above us.

"So Percy and Annabeth come flying in with a kid on that pegi- thingamajigger, and she's staying at the big hose. who wants to go see what she looks like with me?"

I turned around, "The kid isn't well enough for visitors, girls."

Drew just gave me a snotty expression, "Turn around." And I immediately do. Charmspeak.

Piper saw my expression and turned around and looked Drew square in the face, "Don't do that to my friend." I could tell that that was charmspeak as well because I could feel the magic coming off of that one statement. Piper added,"Also, forget about the new kid supposedly staying at the big house." Then, all the girls just randomly jumped back into another conversation. Except for Drew who was glaring at Piper with so much hatred, I thought there was going to be a fight.

That's when the Stoll brothers came over. Hermes kids are overly obnoxious and tend to either steal or prank, so their presence wasn't really good news. Especially with what happened a couple of months ago with the golden mango...

I just got up and headed to sit next to Percy. Piper did the same.

"I'm sorry about that," Piper said.

"No, it's okay, I just don't want anyone bothering Kora," I answered.

"That's her name?" Piper asked while brushing her hair over her shoulder and adjusting her jacket over her t-shirt.

"Yeah," I said, making sure no one had heard, "She is a long story to explain in a less crowded place."

Piper just nodded.

My back is to Percy, sitting beside me. This has been a long day. And then Leo walks up.

"Hey Leo,"Piper says.

"That is 'Your Royal Hotness' to you." He said while pointing at Piper. She scoffed.

He takes a seat, then turns to me, his back facing the campfire. "So how is you?" He asked, knowing the incorrect grammar would irk me.

"Tired," I reply. He just nods, a mischievous grin on his face.

"I was da bomb on the climbing wall this morning, because I can just climb it without worrying about anything." He said showing off by lighting his finger on fire. It was immediately blown out by a small gust of wind from Jason that made Leo's face contort, and left his curly hair standing straight.

We all laughed, while Chiron entered the Amphitheater, and stomped his hoof on the cobble stoned floor to get the campers' attention.

"Campers, welcome back, and for those year-rounders, hello again. Tonight, we will be singing just some songs until it is time to go back to your cabins."

The campfire glowed bright yellow, with everyone's moods, to show that most of everyone is happy.

Piper whispered to me, "Can I go see Kora? I know she isn't well enough for visitors, but I'd like to meet her before everyone else does."

I thought about it. Kora won't be able to accept visitors until tomorrow, when the effects of the healing starts working. Plus, she is still bloody and nasty from living on the streets and the accident... so, no.

"I don't think so yet, but maybe tomorrow before dinner," I answer back.

She slightly frowns, but agrees eventually.

We all end up singing the camp songs that always seem to grow on you over the years. I know every single one of them.

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Author's note:

This was kind of a filler chapter, but more updates are on the way!