Lassa

Mid May 2011

"Lassa, Honey, are you sure you want to go this early?" Mama asks me as I pack my duffel. I smile and shake my head at the question I've been asked over a dozen times the last few weeks.

"Yes, Mama, I'm sure. I love Y'all, and I'm glad I live here full time. I really am. But Camp is where I belong. I'm itching to get back."

"And does this itching to get back have anything to do with Jesse?" She asks, making me blush. I sigh, knowing it's useless to lie.

"Of course it does. I haven't seen him since New Years, I miss him a lot. But don't worry. I'll still follow all Y'all's rules about being around him."

"I'm not worried about that; I know you will. I just…I can't shake the feeling that something's going to happen this summer. And as much as I try not to, Lassa, I am very worried about you. Please stay at least one more week?" I sit on my bed and look at her.

"I can stay one more week if you like, but if you do I'm taking Skyfall to camp and making the trip in a couple hours rather than the several days it will take if we sail there as a family. I'm good to do either, although personally I'd much rather take the boat. I liked doing that Last year." She smiles at me and shakes her head, her shoulder length curls moving along her face.

"So much like your father. Poseidon, I mean." She smiles. "The Sea doesn't like to be Restrained, he used to say. You've always been as willful as he was. I don't mean that as a bad thing. But if Jesse is sure he does want a relationship with you, he'll have his hands full." She says. I blush again, and turn to zip up my duffle bag.

"Got it, Mama. Now are we taking the boat or am I calling Skyfall next week?" I ask. She gets up and kisses the crown of my head.

"We'll take the boat. Goodnight, Lassa. I'll see you in the morning."

…

A couple weeks later, Jesse meets me on the beach as I swim from The Wavecrest to shore. Since I'm sure my parents are watching from the deck of the boat, I just give him a brief hug and let him carry my duffle for me to my cabin.

A half hour later, I'm settled into my old bunk in the Poseidon cabin excited to learn that apparently Percy and Annabeth have decided to still come to camp as counselors in the summertime.

In light of this, I asked Leo to build a loft in the Poseidon cabin with a bathroom so they could have their own space. He smiled and said Well I'll make sure it's soundproof but agreed, telling me it'll take about a week or two, which is fine. They won't be getting here until June anyways.

I settle into my old routine pretty fast. This year, I get to teach the newest campers their intro class to sword fighting, while getting private lessons myself from Jesse. Last summer, he was the best in his age group. This summer, He's the best swordsman the camp has other than Percy.

I see Erica is back, and we avoid each other like the plague. I find my friends from last year, Lacey and Dylan, and go Pegasi riding with them. Lacey's in the Aphrodite cabin and Dylan is unclaimed in the Hermes cabin. He hasn't reached 13 yet. Even so, He's a really good fighter and really strong. He doesn't seem to have the lion's share of traits from any one Olympian cabin, so my best guess is he's a minor god's kid. Personally, I think it's Heracles. I mentioned this to Percy once last year, and he just got a snarl on his face.

Apparently Percy is less than fond of him, which surprised me. Most Demigods worship him. Annabeth told me it has to do with Zoe Nightshade.

Rachel Elizabeth Dare comes the second week of Summer. She throws an awesome cave party first night back. Second night back, the spirit of Delphi takes her over at the amphitheater and announces a prophecy. It's for Erica. Her mother apparently left a note for her the night before and tasked her to steal the belt of the Amazon's queen. She's pale as she accepts the quest. I'd be scared too. Hylla Twice Kill isn't going to be an easy adversary.

The next day, she leaves, taking her lackeys with her. She apparently got pretty close with Jacob and Cyrus while away at the Roman camp last year. Soon as they're gone, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

After they leave, I head over to the Pegasi stables and check on Skyfall. When I walk in, I see Jesse in one of the stalls brushing and singing to Sunburn.

"Trains may come rolling, Take me where they may. But if it's your hand I'm holding, I'll make it through the day. Won't you say the same to me or worry not my dear. Horses are faster so I can disappear."

"If you keep singing like that, People might mistake you for an Apollo kid." I smile as I walk over and give him a hug. He jumps when he hears my voice, but smiles when he sees it's me and returns the hug.

"Sorry, I didn't see you come in."

"I'm glad you didn't. I've never heard you sing before. It sounded really good." I say. He scoffs.

"Yeah. Sure."

"I'm serious! What were you singing? I've never heard it before."

"Know that kid Ian Munsick from the Apollo cabin? About Percy's age, from Wyoming?"

"Yeah?"

"It's a song he wrote called Horses are Faster. I overheard him practicing it and kinda memorized it by accident. He's hoping to release it in a few years."

"Well, despite what you think, I think you have a beautiful voice." I tell him, lacing my fingers with his.

"Heh. Thanks, Lassa." He tells me. "You know this isn't really allowed until your birthday, right?" He gestures to our hands. I shrug.

"I won't tell Daddy if you won't." I tease. He laughs and squeezes my hand before letting go.

"I'm trying to do the right thing, Lassa. Do you have to make it hard?"

"Yes." I say. "Do you want to go riding?"

"What do you think, Sunburn? Want to go flying?" He asks his Pegasus. Sunburn neighs and rears a few inches off the ground.

Hell Yes, Jesse! I hear, making me laugh.

"That would be a very passionate yes." I tell him. "Let me go brush down Skyfall and we'll head off.

Or you could just ride double on me, Lady Lass. Sunburn says. I laugh and shake my head.

"Thanks for the offer, Sunburn. But Like Jesse said, not until my Birthday."

"What? What did he say?"

"He suggested we ride double."

"I really can't wait for your birthday, you know."

"I know. Me too." I say and walk down the aisle to Skyfall's stall. She's munching on some hay. "What? Not going to say Hello?" I ask. She swallows her mouthful.

Sorry, Lass. Didn't think you wanted to be interrupted.

"Uh huh. You just didn't want to stop grazing."

That too. She admits. I smile and get a brush. A few minutes later, Jesse and I take to the sky.