Prologue
Head in the clouds—I was snuggled deeply into my quilts. Snoring away; I was well-adjusted to the mornings chaos that my cabin raged with.
Everyone scrambling about, all with a sort of static buzz that each were familiar with.
They busied themselves to complete their morning routine.
Whether with friends or themselves, it was all dependant on the person.
The sound of joyous laughter that rung off the walls, draws being pulled opened and slammed close. Arguments that led to nowhere and the gossip already spreading like leaves in the wind.
My arms were currently wrapped around a periwinkle pink Lama. One that always provided a familiar comfort of home.
I kept my head buried in the neck of the toy. Keeping the beautiful sun's light out from my eyes, I tried to return to the sea of slumber.
But, like clockwork—my bunk rattle.
Swaying slightly at the movement as I knew what was to come next.
"Morn'in (YN)!" A familiar voice called my name aloud. The way she spoke was in a sing-song kind of way.
I all but I ignored it, more in favour of remaining 'asleep'.
With a heavy sigh—and like many times before, I felt her hand slinking under my covers. Not waiting to see if I'll even twitch,
Her slim fingers planting themselves onto my shoulder, latching on as her cold palm was an unwelcomed touch.
"Com'on! Wakey, wakey!" She beamed; her cheerful attitude would never allude her. My bunk mate began to shake me; quite violently with no regard for my need of sleep.
The grip on my precious lama tightened to a deadly point.
"You're gonna miss breaky if you keep snoozn'in away~" My bunk mate hummed merrily, continuing to call my name in an annoying way.
She was relentless,
"(YN)! Com'on, I hear today we've got yogurt!" A groan slipped from my chest.
"Go away…" I sleepily mumbled, wriggling closer to the wall. I gently swatted her hand from my shoulder.
Dragging my legs up, I curled into a small ball as I heard her fussing at my impudence.
"Julie/June, is (YN) still asleep?" A voice shouted to my bunk mate, an amused tone hanged on her words; she strolled over from her bunk.
Julie/June hummed at the sound of her name. Turning her head towards the voice, she stared at the new pest.
A sigh of relief slipped from her lips.
"Oh Celia/Chloe, you scared me…" My bunk mate—or Julie/June spoke. Placing her hand on her chest,
The second annoyance—or Celia/Chloe as she's named strolled over to our bunk. Her eyes lingered on my buried form, taking in the mess of pastel green and blue sheets.
She was busy slipping in her usual piercing that occupied her ear. Celia/Chloe only sneakered—already well aware of our morning routine.
Julie/June scoffed, shaking her head at how Celia/Chloe found enjoyment in this.
"To answer your question, no—(YN)'s awake. She's just tryna go back to sleep." Julie/June answered, not as amused as the other.
Her up-turned eyes narrowed, staring at my messy hair that was contained in an English-braid. Wrapped around my head like a crown and held in place by borrowed bobby pins.
"…No—I'm asleep, go away." I softly spoke, a small smile grew on my lips—savouring the addicting taste of mucking around.
Julie/June huffed; her nose scrunched as she began to climb up the latter. Well use to the wooden steps that'd dig into her bare feet.
Celia/Chloe's eyes followed Julia/June as she made her way into my bed.
"Really now? Well, who knew," Covering her mouth. Celia/Chloe muffled her amusement she continued. "With how much (YN) desires to sleep; you'd think she's the child of Hypnos and not Mother." Walking closer, she leaned against our bunk's beam.
Bemused at the morning shenanigans we got too; Celia/Chloe pulled the lacy, ombre blue and green curtains back.
Tying them to the post like how many had done; mostly in fear for how our cabin counsellor would react if not done. Celia/Chloe waited,
"Yes, I'm sleeping. Now, shut up and go away," I groaned aloud. A dip in the mattress had me whining an objection.
"Just go—I'll come out in a few minutes," I mumbled for them to leave me be. I was exhausted from my late-night shenanigans.
But they both knew it was a lie, if left alone. I'd sleep all day and wake in the late afternoon,
"Let's go, we have things to do today!" Julia/June stated rather factly—she snatched the top of my comforter.
Peeling the sheets off from me with one swift motion, the cold air snatched the warmth from my body.
Robbing me of the choice to stay, I parted open my eyes.
Fluttering my lashes to clear out my blurry vision; knowing that the gig is up—like many times. I've lost in this battle today.
Narrowing my brows into a sleepy glare. A sigh of defeat slipped from my lips, slowly dragging myself up as I turned my head.
Staring at my bunk mate with an unimpressed expression,
The braids that I placed my hair into pulled at my scalp, wanting to drop down but can't.
The strawberry blond all but cackled in triumph,
"And there she is!" Julie/June cued, a beaming smile stretched to her thin lips, showing off her perfectly white teeth. She crawled further into my bed, fixing her long shirt along the way to cover her underwear. She gently shoved me aside,
"Celia/Chloe, our beautiful, precious, little, sleepy sister is up!" My bunk mate listed; her maple brown eyes flickered down to Celia/Chloe who only nodded.
She was busy smoothing out Julia/June's sheets; Julia/June situated herself right next to me. I ran my hand down my face,
Trying to wake myself up as the strawberry blond rubbed my back in comfort.
"It is so, she joins us in the waking world." Celia/Chloe hummed suddenly; fake astonishment clear in her tone. "Welcome sleeping beauty," The bed once again rocked. My eyes flickered to the other teen,
Finding Celia/Chloe resting her arms on the thick railing of my bed. Her nails were painted a dark purple—a colour she adorns so well.
Her wide chin rested on her folded forearms; mono-lidded eyes were pushed to crescent from the warm smile that pinned her cheeks up.
Her flawless skin was no stranger to anyone in this cabin. Like many here, Celia/Chloe was a beautiful woman by divine blood.
We all were,
Her carob brown skin was warm in tone. Smooth and plump, her round jaw was long as her bottom-heavy lips were round.
Pinned into a loving smile that never truly left her face. Her usual earing was hooked in her left ear, the rose-gold shone under the beaming sunlight.
Celia/Chloe's rich, brown hair was thick and wavy. Already pulled up into her usual, neat bun. A few strands of her hair were purposely fished out to cradle her face. I noticed Celia/Chloe had yet to do her makeup.
"Uggghhhh, why can't you just let me sleep." I groaned. Crossing my legs under the sheets, I settled my lama aside.
Rubbing my eye, I gave both Julia/June and Celia/Chole a pointed stare.
Celia/Chole rolled her grey eyes at my behaviour. More than use to my nature as Julia/June continued to ignore it.
"We have things to do—lessons you know," Julia/June pipped up. Stating the obvious as she shifted on my bed.
Her fingers worked to pick out the borrowed pins from my hair. Collecting them in her hand as she smiled tenderly, continuing to talk.
"And why would we leave you here in this cabin? We're your friends, and family—we gotta stick together!" Watching as my braid flop down to my shoulder. The fraying hair had her pressing her lips together.
"And we also have to settle that bed hair of yours" She noted. Pinching the [thin/thick] stands of hair that were defiant due to static.
She picked at them, gently tugging them as I pulled my head away.
"No! Physical affection!" I cried, swatting her fingers away from my hair. I began to bemoan softly, my tone all in jest as I gently pushed her away.
"Don't you know—I'm allergic!" Obnoxious sounds of choaking rocked from my throat.
Both laughed at my conduct, rather amused with the playful mood that always hanged around.
The gentle smell of lavender and cucumber wafted off Julia/June.
Comforting and soothing to the soul like always,
"Come on," Julia/June mused. Giggling as she pulled at the braid with her finger. Taking it slightly apart as the wavy hair was shown.
"It's not that bad!" She reasoned—rather cheerful, her contagious smile always had me catching it.
"Please, we all know it's because you don't want to get in trouble again." Celia/Chloe poked; her grey, eyes gleamed.
Teasing Julia/June as she ran her finger down my bunk mate's side. I had to chocked back a laugh at how the strawberry blond squealed.
"Wha—No!" Julia/June gasped, offended at the words the brown-haired woman spoke.
She was swift in changing her culling towards our friend, she stared down at Celia/Chloe.
"It's because I can't leave our little sister on her own—she needs us! Otherwise, she'll remain slumbering away without a clue." Julia/June uttered, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned her nose.
Celia/Chloe and I shared a look.
"Really? Cause the last time you let (YN) sleep in—Drew threw a…" Pausing, Celia/Chloe leaned off the railing, her eyes roamed the long room for a particular person.
But with them seemingly nowhere in sight with the others. She pulled herself flush against the railing once more.
Her plump lips remained curled into a smile as she continued what she was saying.
"Hissy-fit and made you clean up the bathrooms for a week." She finished, whispering loud enough for only us to hear.
I snorted as Julia/June began to whine like a child.
"Celia/Chloe!" Going onto her hands and knees, she leaned closer to the woman who hanged off from the bunk.
"I think you should go back to getting ready; seeing as you don't care if our little (YN) ends up in trouble." Closing her eyes, Julia/June fluttered her blond lashes back open.
A devious smile bloomed upon her lips.
Digging her thumb under Celia/Chloe's fingers—the strawberry blond was trying to push Celia/Chloe off from our bunk.
"Hey!" Celia/Chloe shouted, aghast at the sudden betrayal. The brown-haired woman began to move her hands around the boards.
Grasping them tightly as Julia/June tried to pry her fingers off.
Laughing like a maniac, she continued this little game that the two began to engage in.
Spitting out words of fire as they messed around—it was the usual morning.
With a tired sigh, I began to pull at the rest of the pins out from my hair. Undoing the braids, I pulled them apart as I ran my fingers though.
Ruffling my hair to loosen the wavy strands, I collected the pins that Julia/June had recklessly abandoned on my mattress in favour of messing with Celia/Chloe.
Their voices blended in with the noise about the room—the bunk squealed and swayed as I tucked the pins under my pillow.
Hiding them for later, I kicked my quilt off.
Showing off my smooth legs—the warm, raising sun had the (SC) flesh glimmering. My feet were covered with long and thick wool, socks. The pattern was made up of my favourite colour; the shorts I wore was thin and short.
"Well, speaking about punishments," I began, stretching as I heard my bones popping. Both girls looked towards me.
Pausing, their eyes shifted back to me. Curiosity glimmering in their eyes, I chuckled.
"I saw Simon last night; he was trying to sneak into cabin six. But he got caught," I smirked. My tone low as to not gain the attention of anyone else other than the two.
I was rather amused at the latest gossip that has yet to float about.
Julia/June blink.
"What? Really?" She gasped, astonished at the news. She shook her head in disbelief, her brown eyes were wide as her long, blond lashes framed her eyes.
"No way," her maple eyes were blown wide as she began to chuckle.
Celia/Chloe on the other hand, she raised her thin brow. Giving me a questioning look,
"And how did you know that?" She inquired, only to shake her head. "Never mind, I bet it's because you were sneaking around the camp. Weren't you?" She pointed, sighing as she knew that was the case.
I nodded,
"Yep, it was hilarious." I hummed; gently nudging Julie/June's leg, I continued. "Move please, if you're going to drag me out. I'd at least want to look appropriate." I added, smiling towards the two as she nodded.
"Sure," She hummed, moving her legs away, Celia/Chloe pipped up.
"You better hope no one saw you," Letting go of the railing. The brown-haired woman stepped down from the bed.
Seeing no point in staying when we all were up and about ready to start our own routines.
Julia/June peered over the edge; her strawberry blond hair draped down.
"Come on, you know how sneaky (YN) is—I'm sure she'll be fine." She defended bringing up the point, I gave her a quick pat on the heel.
"Thank you, at least she has faith in my skills," I hummed merrily. I swiftly slid my legs forwards, turning around onto my stomach, I made my way down the latter.
Ignoring how my shirt crumpled up and showed off my stomach.
Celia/Chloe rolled her grey eyes, crossing her arms under her chest as she spoke.
"Yeah, sneaky is one thing; I don't doubt that, but it's another thing when you're under the bunks cleaning up the rubbish." She pointed out, her tune turning scolding; highlighting one of the many drab punishments Drew would throw out.
I scoffed; my bare feet pressed to the cool floor. The wood was soft and smooth, as I spoke.
"Either way, I've only been caught a handful of times." I made my way towards Celia/Chloe. Standing before the taller woman as I gently poked Celia/Chloe's chest.
"And all those times, I've had perfect excuses." I smiled smugly, knowing I was poking her buttons. I continued, "But either way. Drew won't know, I'm good at hiding; so, the question is, who said I snuck outside?" I mused.
My lips curled into a cheeky smile that hinted at obvious secrets.
People from all walks of life were scattered about the camp.
Doing all sorts of things, many were practicing in combat—preparing for the various events that were coming up.
Whether it be fist-fights, sword play or archery, they were all scattered about in groups. Though others walked about the camp.
In small groups of two to five—talking about random things with vigour. The youngest were busying themselves by playing amongst each other.
Chasing around the camp, playing at the steps of their respected cabins with card games.
It was a good day with clear skies and warm weather.
The smell of smoke surrounded the dinning aria; food being a strong driving factor, potent as it had many hungry teens crowding the place.
In line that went way past the entrance steps; each holding trays, waiting for breakfast as many were seated in small groups.
Celiks that centred around likely friendships and distant family from other cabins.
Currently I was enjoying my breakfast with my friends.
The tangy taste of the home-cured yogurt; bitter without sweetener, it was paired with the on-site grown berries and pecans.
I took a sip from the freshly squeeze orange-juice.
The tangy taste was refreshing on the taste buds; everyone was talking as Celia/Chloe threw a berry at Julie/June.
The blue thing smacked the strawberry-blond right in the noggin,
Startling the poor teen, Julia/June snapped her head that was focused on Flavie towards the brown-haired woman.
"Hey!" Julia/June shouted, narrowing her brows into a glare.
Celia/Chloe only smiled sickly-sweet—like she was an innocent woman as she chuckled.
Munching on the sliced apple,
"Julia/June, may you please pass me the pepper for my eggs." She spoke, just as sweetly. Fluttering her mono-lid eyes.
Julia/June huffed,
"Why didn't you ask?!" Julia/June exclaimed. Giving the carob skinned woman a glare, Celia/Chloe just shrugged her narrowed shoulders.
"I tried," She summed mildly.
Standing up, Julia/June took a breath in. Leaning over the table to grab the pepper shaker at the end. She placed it in front of the brown-haired woman. Holding it for a second as she spoke,
"There," letting go.
Julia/June settled back on the bench, smoothing out her thin jeans. She plucked the spoon out from the bowl, holding it with her thin fingers.
"Thank you," Celia/Chloe plucked the shaker from the table. Her grey eyes glimmered with amusement.
"You're such a sweetheart," She continued. Gently distribute the dust atop her eggs, it was plain as day.
Celia/Chloe was rather satisfied,
Julia/June's maple eyes refused to leave Celia/Chloe—boring holes into the unaffected woman. The strawberry blond pulled the wooden spoon from her mouth. Plucked her own blueberry, she loaded the ammunition into the spoon, bending it as she took aim.
Swift in retaliating by launching it at Celia/Chloe's face.
We all watched as the berry whizzed past the brown-haired woman.
Missing her entirely, it landed somewhere on the floor. I covered my lips, coughing as the juice went down the wrong path; everyone at the table cracked up.
Howling with laughter, they began to tease Julia/June for her unfortunate aim.
"How can you miss?" Flavie questioned, wheezing as his fist pounded the table. The piece of toast that was partly eaten dropped crumbs from the action.
He was the youngest in our friend group—about fourteen years old.
He had wavy, orange hair. His pale skin was littered with freckles; so easy to burn under the sun. His little poka-dots were dark and varying in size.
He was a rather skinny teen, never one to participate in fighting if he didn't need too. But the teen was very—and I mean very conniving.
Gentle and shy yes, but conniving; He slept in cabin Sixteen,
Julia/June's cheeks burnt.
"I-I—well," she began to stammer looking for an excuse. Something to save herself of the embracement.
I felt a hand on my back, patting it as they rubbed gently.
"You, okay?" Nodding my head, taking a deep breath in, I peered to my right. Staring at Frank who gave an awkward smile.
"Y-yeah, I'm good—the juice just went the wrong way." I explained, giving him a tender smile. Slightly pained as he nodded.
Continuing to gently rub my back for a little longer, I took a deep breath in.
Frank was around my age as he just turned seventeen. He was just shy a few inches above me, Frank had onyx, black hair—straight and mostly pulled into a scrappy man-bun.
He fixed his glasses, looking over towards the three bickering teens. He shook his head in disapproval,
"They never stop do they?" He questioned. Frank's mossy eyes flickered back to me; he had droopy eyes that were framed by thick lashes.
I shrugged,
"You know how they are," I excused. Rather amused with the three who began pelting one another with food.
Each finding the joy in the battle; though Frank let out a frustrated sigh.
"I know, but it is admittedly annoying. You know how hard we worked to grow those berries their throwing?" He pulled his glasses off, swiftly scrubbing the glass with his shirt.
I hummed.
"Rather hard I'm guessing?" I pressed my lips together. Rather entertained with Franks odd behaviour, I began to rub his back like how he did mine.
"The way their wasting it drives me up the wall sometimes," he continued. Placing his spectacles back on, he pushed his prescription up his hooked nose.
His full lips pulled down into an agitated frown, he looked towards me.
"At least you don't waste food," he smiles.
I giggled softly,
"Hello ladies~" A voice called loudly, purring slightly as our attentions were stolen from the other. The food fight between the three halted—paused as two men approached.
Julia/June was the first to speak up from the five of us.
"Look what the rats brought," Annoyance was in her tone, she rolled her maple eyes as her thin brows narrowed.
Speificly focused on the blond; the two men who held trays piled high with food. They shifted their attention,
"Oh hey!" I blinked, waving towards the two. I gave them a welcoming smile; a complete opposite of what Julia/June gave.
The first male nodded his head in my direction as the second smirked.
"Hello (YN)," Gianni greeted calmly.
He was a tall male made up of muscles; he slept in cabin five, the child of Ares.
He had hickory brown skin—tight, coily black hair that was snipped short, shaven on both sides. He had a large, white scar that ran down the side of his face.
One that was given to him in his younger years. He wore a tight tank top and loose sweat pants.
He was a rather calm individual—which is honestly shocking seeing as his half-siblings were quite rambunctious and at times, blood thirsty.
"My don't you get uglier by the day," the second male started. He laughed—though his words were not directed towards me.
It was placed upon Julia/June, and like that—we knew today was going to be chaotic.
But the man that had insulted Julia/June was Nikos,
He was quite the… asshole to put it bluntly.
However, he was a person you could rely on for anything,
And I do mean anything.
With his sandy blond hair, sun-kissed skin and very chiselled features. He was quite the handsome fellow—though, his personality damped his looks quite a bit.
And his mother was another problem entirely; he slept in cabin Seventeen.
Growling, Julia/June's grip on the spoon was knuckle white.
Which only had Nikos's smirk bloom wider. Celia/Chloe on the other hand shifted in her seat.
Fixing her posture, she brushed the loose strands of hair away. Though the action was meaningless as the strands just returned back.
Celia/Chloe placed her elbow onto the table,
Leaning her head into her palm. She smiled dreamily at them, or more specifically Gianni.
"Well, hello to you too." She purred back, the curl in her lips were directed towards him.
"Celia/Chloe," he nodded his head towards her. Nikos rolled his eyes,
"Scooch Rumpster-rat," The sandy blond suddenly demanded. Sliding his tray onto the wooden table, he forced his way onto the bench.
Julia/June gasped, repulsed by Nikos's touch and the shear audacity he had to seat himself next to her. The look she gave him revealed her opinion on the male,
Celia/Chloe was swift in scootching aside, dragging her tray with her; to allow Gianni to sit next to her.
She patted the bench,
"Sit here, I warmed it up for you." She hummed with a sultry tone. Fluttering her lashes as the smile on her lips grew brighter.
The mulberry, purple gloss shimmered in the light.
"Ah, thank you." Gianni spoke, awkwardly sitting next her—we laughed.
The way Gianni sat so stiff; you'd wonder if he gazed into Madusa's eyes.
"So," Flavie spoke. His gaze flickered between the two large males, he continued.
"How have you've been—I haven't seen you both for a while," munching on his toast. Flavie's teal eyes shone with curiosity.
"Well," Gianni shifted his attention to Flavie. A small smile graced his top-heavy lips, he continued. "I along with Nikos were sent on a Quest—nothing to big," He began to explain. Picking up his utensils from his tray, Gianni began to pick at his meal.
"Oh yeah! I heard about that!" Frank gasped, just recalling that fact from his mind. Nikos scoffed—chuckling at how the plant-muncher forgot such a simple thing.
Julia/June jabbed him with her elbow rather hard.
To which made Nikos groan in pain, holding his side; Frank gave the blond a confused look.
"Nikos, are you okay?" I asked, my (EC) eyes peered at the sun-kissed male from across the table.
He sucked a deep breath in,
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just—" Nikos groaned. Cradling his side as Julia/June scoffed, placing her arm onto the table. Her maple eyes flickered from Nikos in dismissal.
"Anyway," Celia/Chloe started.
Diverting her attention to Gianni.
"What happened in that mission?" She questioned; her grey eyes remained frozen on the taller male.
"Ah," Gianni spoke. Opening his top-heavy lips,
"Well cupcake," Nikos began. Cutting Gianni off before he could utter a word. The sun-kissed male sent Julia/June a sneer,
"All you need to know is, I had my ass handed to me. But don't worry rat, I delt—and like usual," Nikos's cerulean eyes were like electricity. He continued, "I came on top. But cupcake, your dear darling over there," He began—nodding his head towards the golden-eyed male.
But making sure the word rat was directed towards the strawberry blond.
"Ended up rushing ahead and saving the damsel in distress." He concluded—not before wrapping his arms around himself, giving kissy noises to imply what had occurred afterwards.
That ended with him getting a straight hit to the side thank to Juila/June.
He chocked—followed up by a pained groan.
"Will you shut up?" Julia/June hissed; her maple, brown eyes flickered with ire.
Nikos all but sent his own glare her way.
"No, you damn rumpster rat. For your information, I was answering a question." He stated matter of factly, poking the strawberry blond between the brows.
"That question wasn't even directed to you!" Julia/June exclaimed, swatting his hands away from her. Nikos all but frowned in repulsion.
Tilting his head as he rolled his cerulean blue eyes, he shifted on the bench.
"Excuse me!" Frank called, his voice clear and loud—his droopy eyes were glued upon the two bickering teens.
"Now," he started. "Seeing as you have stopped arguing. Let's focus on something else," popping a raspberry into his mouth. Frank began to chew on the sweet fruit,
"Tch, well she started it." Nikos grumbled, stabbing the bacon on his plate with his fork. He opened his mouth as he shoved the whole thing in.
"Right," Gianni slowly uttered. Voice dragging; testing the water as his honey golden eyes glanced at each of us.
"I don't mean to bring up drama, however… I heard that you two got into a fight with Blake and his group." Fluttering his thick lashes, Gianni's gaze was of concern.
After all, it wasn't like them to get into a fight… Well, physically that is.
It was kind of awkward after that question.
"Wait, seriously?" Nikos blinked, stunned with this new information. His thin lips curled into a genuine smile. Laughing aloud as his head drifted between each of us.
"You—" His voice wavered.
Pointing his fork between the five of us, "Which of you had the balls?" He mused. Stopping his fork on Julia/June first, his smile soon turned dastardly.
Knowing a new opportunity to be a dick had arise, he continued.
"Hm, you're too obvious… seeing your history with him. But he'd never fight you physically, much less let his goggle of chickens." His cerulean eyes gleamed with a sort of evil you'd find in a bastard.
"Seeing as he's still hung over you," he spewed swiftly, cackling as Julia/June narrowed her brows.
He swiftly guarded himself against her flying fists, she began to clamour.
"Will you shut up!" She seethed through clenched teeth, yet try as she might. Nikos ignored her—like she was an ant on a mountain.
Flavie was swift in trying to prevent things from getting worse. He pulled the older teen's arms, keeping her from letting her fists fly.
The sandy-blond then pointed it at Celia/Chloe, remaining silent, he thought for a few seconds.
"Hm, no…" Shaking his head, he continued. "Defiantly not," He mused. Rather entertained at his thoughts, his eyes moved to me before his fork followed.
"Though you," chuckling. Nikos's eyes narrowed at me from across the table.
I shook my head,
"I didn't fight," I spoke swiftly—ruining his fun as I scooped up the yogurt. Placing the spoon into my mouth; I gave him a tight-lipped smile. One that reeked of smugness,
The sun-kissed teen returned one back.
"Right, you'd use your prowess of suggestion. Or flutter your dainty lashes at 'em." He mused, propping up his chin up with his back fingers.
He flashes his lashes at me—as described, my chest trembled. Quietly laughing as I shook my head—amused with his shenanigans.
"No—defiantly not," I struggled to keep my voice mellow as Flavie sighed.
"It was us, Frank and I." Ripping off a piece of his toast, he munched on the golden-brown bread. His teal eyes remained locked on the sandy blond.
Glaring from beyond Julia's head,
"Seriously? You guys, you two?" Nikos gasped; a false tone of shock reeked from his voice, the fork in his hand moved to the eggs.
"The garden gnome and the short-stack took on Blake and his gakle of geese?" Scooping up his scrambled eggs, Nikos began to shovel them into his mouth. "Never thought you two would grow some balls," snorting at the idea.
Frank narrowed his thick brows, irritated at Nikos's words. Flavie's grip on his utensils tightened as Celia/Chloe rolled her grey eyes.
"Why are we friends with this guy?" Frank suddenly asked us, his mossy eyes peered down at me. Waiting for a response as I chuckled,
Shaking my head, I raised my brow as I tilted my head to the side.
"Cause under all his jock like persona and dickhead tendencies is actually a decent guy." I mused; my eyes flickered towards the blond who was drinking his apple juice.
He settled his cup down; the smirk that pulled his thin lips continued to dance upon his face. He opened his mouth to speak,
"See, (YN) loves me—she knows, you guys just don't understand all the things I do for you." He sighed as I scoffed.
The amused smile on my face had me shaking my head, Frank crossed his arms.
"Yeah sure, you're such a good guy that you give us degrading nicknames." He smile coyly, his gaze gleamed.
"What? Everyone knows my nicknames come from a place of love. They're all person—" Nikos began to speak, but Julia/June swiftly pipped up.
"Oh, and don't forget he's such a decent man that he'd take our things just to put them up trees." Peering up at the sandy-blond, Julia/June jabbed her nail into his shoulder.
"I place them up high so no one can steal your things! How else am I going to—" Placing his forearms onto the table, the sun-kissed male leaned forwards.
Flavie was next,
"Yeah, that and he's so helpful that he'll come in and make things worse." Tossing a berry, it hit the side of Nikos's head.
Flavie was quite content in where it hit; Nikos flinched at the impact.
Snapping his head, his close-set eyes stared down the younger male. His cerulean, blue eyes festered with annoyance as they clashed with teal eyes. Ones that were delighted in the sandy-blonds suffering.
The smirk on his face was chipping away.
"And how do I make things worse?" He inquired; his tone was starting to turn snappy.
But his question was left hanging,
"I know!" Celia/Chloe gasped, cupping her hand on her cheek. She continued, knowing exactly what she's doing.
"Nikos would just come in uninvited and just suck the atmosphere right out from it!" Snatching at nothing, Celia/Chloe shifted her head on her palm. Positioning herself to face Nikos rather than Gianni,
She fluttered her lashes rather innocently,
Nikos gave her a miffed look.
"What do you mean!" He exclaimed, rather offended with what she said. But before he could disprove these pointed words with his own reasons.
Gianni, the rather reserved individual had a small smile on his face.
He joined in on the fun,
"Hm, though I must admit. Nikos, you tend to be rather flustered when it comes to being left out." Pealing his orange, the citrus fruit came undone rather easily under his thumb.
Nikos's mouth dropped open, eyes widening at the shocking betrayal.
"What! Not you, you're meant to be the voice that backs me up!" Nikos's palm smacked the table, lurching over as he peered at the hickory skinned male.
"Alright guys, you've brought up some good points. But I think this is going to far," I struggled to keep my voice straight. It wavered as I sneakered, this was quite the lovely change.
The male let out a dramatic whine,
"No—(YN), not you too! You must know that I'm the best friend you can ask for!" Nikos deflated. His straight back curved as his wide shoulders sagged; lips curling into a pouty frown.
He faked a sniffle,
Laxing his eyelids into a mournful expression, he swiped his finger under his eye.
"And here I thought—"
An ear-splitting scream rung from the forest, it was so loud and hollowing.
Everyone had stopped, pausing as they began to turn heads. Looking around and staring at where the sound came from.
It became rather quiet for a few sounds.
Many of the older teens were on edge, the younger ones however…
They were confused; a murmur overtook the dinning aria, people asking their own questions.
"What was that?" Flavie spoke, his voice wavered as his teal eyes snapped to Gianni. The oldest—Gianni's thick brows narrowed. His golden eyes peered through the woods; he didn't blink.
"I don't know," He drew out. Slow and cautious, whatever Nikos was going to say was swiftly forgotten.
"Maybe someone got injured?" Julia/June pointed out a reasonable answer. But Nikos shook his head.
"No, I doubt a scream like that came from anyone of us." He stated, letting go of his utensils. He abandoned them on the tray. His gaze snapped towards Frank,
"It could be some new campers—remember last time. A minotaur was chasing after a group a few years back." He reasoned, giving his own two-cent into the mystery scream.
"But, that scream…" Celia/Chloe gently spoke, her grey eyes were riddled with concern. "That didn't sound human…" She continued, nervously swallowing. Her thumb rubbed the wooden stick out of anxiety.
The feeling in the air grew tenser with each passing second.
I took a breath in, settling my own utensils down.
"Guys, I wouldn't worry so much." I began to speak, gaining most of our table's attention.
The only one that didn't look was Gianni; far occupied with staring off in the direction where the scream came from.
I stood up from the bench; walking around the bench and towards Celia/Chloe. I stood behind her, wrapping my arms around the older teen's shoulders.
I pulled her into a soothing hug, the smell of daisies radiated off from her.
"Remember, Talia's pine-tree? It keeps us safe, I'm sure whatever it is will soon leave," placing a gentle kiss to Celia/Chloe's head.
I felt her tense shoulders slowly melting. Easing as she placed her hand onto my arm.
"(YN)'s right," Frank started. His tone was quite calm—but the way he pulled off his glasses to clean them told another story.
"As long as we're in the barrier, we'll be okay." He gave Flavie a reassuring smile, his trembling hands placed his glasses back on. Pushing them up his hooked nose,
Flavie nodded his head reluctantly, he continued to eat his breakfast.
Nikos stood up from his place on the bench. Swiftly placing his boot onto the table, Julia/June's brows narrowed.
"Really?" She asked, her tone laced with repulsion. "We eat here you know," Her maple eyes looked on in disapproval, Nikos ignored her words.
Grabbing his jeans sleave, he pulled it up. Showing off the hidden blade under as he yanked the blade from its sheath. Holding the hilt tightly, the sandy-blond swiftly made his way towards Gianni's side.
"What do you think?" Nikos spoke, his cerulean eyes moved to stare at the teen who sat quiet.
"…" Gianni didn't answer for a moment, "I don't like it," he suddenly uttered.
"It's quiet, we'd have heard a commotion with the guards by now." He softly spoke. Whispering as to not cause panic amongst the other tables.
But we heard it, Flavie's narrowed shoulders tensed. Chest rising and falling, his heart raced faster. His eyes flickered from the two older teens, then to us three.
Slowly those around us began to return to what they were doing previously. But not all, many of the older teens—those from Cabbin five, six and eight remained on edge.
Standing up from their seats, they began to mumble to themselves.
Moving together, some telling the younger ones to head back. Not to the cabins—but to one of the many safe zones we had about the woods.
People moved slowly,
"Maybe—" I began, but another scream echoed. Closer this time,
A horn began to blare from a distant watch-tower. Long and drawn—it suddenly went out, but many more followed swiftly after.
All going off as the once calm morning shattered, a heavy haze of panic shot each of us hard.
The sound of benches screeching, knocking over as trays fell to the floor. People began to run, rushing around, whether it was to gather weapons. Falling into position, or to flee to the many save zones with others.
My eyes flew towards Nikos and Gianni—
"(YN), Julia/June, Celia/Chloe—Take Flavie and head to the safe zone. Frank—you need to come with us—whatever is causing this—we may need to use your Chlorokinesis!" Nikos began to shout. His cerulean eyes stared right at the black-haired male.
Frank nervously nodded his head the smile on his lips faltered, it was obvious he was terrified. Julia/June was quick to clammer onto Flavie, her fingers curled tightly onto his clothing, she pulled him close.
"O-okay! But what about you guys?!" She stammered, terrified as this—this wasn't meant to happen. Celia/Chloe trembled, as she clung to me.
"We'll be fine but you got to—" Gianni began to speak, but a terrifying screak rumbled through the air—so loud it had me whimpering.
Julia/June shrieked as our heads snapped to face where the noise came from.
"(YN)! Celia/Chloe!" Nikos shouted our names as a large mass came flying right into us.