Éloise (Ay-low-eese)
It was just a regular day in Camp Jupiter. Well, until I met the boy in flames and the boy in black. I mean, trust me, I've seen things weirder than a torched up guy, being a demigod and all that…but seriously, it takes some getting used to. As for the boy in black that's another story all together.
Oh yeah, where are my manners. I'll try to make this as concise as possible, to spare a long and boring intro. My name is Eloise, which means "sun". Daughter of Apollo, and yeah, you probably guessed that already. I'm fifteen and I love chocolate. You probably didn't need to know that but I felt it was necessary to add that part.
Anyways, on with the story.
It was a cold and rainy Friday morning; I was having some hot chocolate at one of Camp Jupiter's cafés with my best friend Colette, daughter of Venus. "Oh Eloise! Are you coming to ze Vernal Equinox Ball? I heard it will be magnifique!" I laughed at her enthusiasm, but I'm pretty sure I had a look of insecurity on my face.
"Actually Colette, I was thinking of…well…taking a rain check."
Colette looked confused and gave me a quizzical look. Despite the fact that I've been friends with her for 3 years, I often forgot that her English wasn't as good as most people. See, one thing I forgot to mention about Colette; she's French, meaning she was born in Paris but she moved to the United States when she was 12 (due to the fact that monsters justloved to hunt her down) and took refuge in Camp Jupiter, which soon became her new home, and that's basically the year we met and we've been great friends since. Her father still lives in Paris, but he often writes to her and sends her beautiful gifts (her father being a millionaire businessman and all). Yet I know there are times where I can see quite clearly in her face that she misses her old home in Paris more than she cares to admit.
"I mean, I'm not going…you know…to the ball." I said, giving her a timid smile.
Colette looked flabbergasted. "Why not? Has no boy asked you out? Surely—"
I cut her short, "Colette, I understand that you want me to 'get out there' and all that, but it's not as easy as you make it look. I mean, come on. You're the daughter of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. You've got looks that most boys go gaga for! It's easy for you…but me…I'm…I'm…" I faltered, apparently at a loss for words. I mean can you blame me? Colette was the definition of "French beauty", with her blond hair cascading in ringlets up to her shoulders, eyes the colour of lavender, flawless porcelain colored skin with rosy cheeks, and the body of a supermodel.
No secrets, no feelings bottled up. That was a rule between Colette and I, meaning we won't keep anything from each other, even the tiniest feelings. If one of us felt insecure or had something to say, even something that indicated a hint of envy, it was best to spill it out, so there'd be no bottled resentment in the inside. But sometimes, I find it difficult to spill out every single thing in my mind.
Colette gave me a kind smile, her eyes twinkling, "Elois, you are just as pretty to all ze boys as you zink I am to zem. Trust me on this." She winked and gave a mischievous grin, which was very unlike her. Then before I could even stop her, she stood up and shouted "If any of you eligible bachelors need a date to ze Vernal Equinox Ball, my friend Eloise is verymuch available. Of course, you vill 'ave to go through me first."
"Colette!" I exclaimed, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her back on her chair. "Have you gone crazy?!" I hissed, my eyes turning into slits. She shrugged and giggled, "Perhaps I 'ave mon ami! But I shall not rest until you 'ave a date to ze Vernal Equinox Ball!" she said, her tone hushed and excited. I rolled my eyes, my cheeks burning from embarrassment, "Yeah, yeah, fine. I'll let you find me a date and whatever…just please, don't ever do that again." Colette smiled, "Deal."
We finished our hot chocolate and decided to take a stroll around camp. It was quite crowded in the forum, full of people bustling about trying to get here and there.
I was so focused talking to Colette that I wasn't exactly watching were I was going. I tripped on a loose cobblestone and I felt a sharp pain on my head as I collided on something orsomeone and when I opened my eyes I realized I was on top of a boy in black. He seemed to have been facing backwards when I tripped, resulting on me giving him a full body slam and planting his face down the ground. I was in so much shock, I could even move. Luckily, the forum was still bustling, and people were wise enough to avoid us. It was until I heard a groan which probably came from the boy that I regained my senses and stood up, brushing myself.
"Oh my gods, I'm so sorry!" I said, walking so that I was standing in front of his head. I knelt and placed my hand on his shoulder, trying to help him up, but to my surprise he said "Don't." I withdrew my hand and watched the boy slowly prop himself up using his elbows. He stood up, brushing himself. I stood up as well, and as soon as I did, I wish I hadn't. His face had some scratches, which were bleeding slightly. I huge pang of guilt surged through me. He looked fifteen, with shaggy and tousled black hair and a pale complexion like milk. He was dressed in a black shirt with skeletons designs, black jeans and converse sneakers.
The boy looked at me his brown eyes fixing on my green ones with a gaze so intense it felt as though I was staring a dark hole. His eyes had this hungry gleam, like a wolf's, which either meant he was a genius or a mad man.
"I…I'm so sorry," I started, "I'm such an idiot….I can fix that."
"Fix what?" he said, his stare unnerving me.
"Your scratches…I, um…see…" I figured it was better to just show him what I meant. I moved in closer until we were a good few inches away from each other. I extended my arm my hand moving towards his left cheek. I could see his pale face turning a pale shade of pink, "W-what are you doing?" he said, his voice shaky and nervous, I could see he was on the verge of backing away but he was hesitating. Of course. I must've looked bonkers, reaching to touch the face of a boy I barely even knew. I had my reasons though.
"It's okay. Just…just close your eyes." I said, trying to sound kind and encouraging, but I sort of felt weird and nervous too, like I just came from a 100 mile marathon. I placed my hand on his cheek (which was a s cold as ice) and then there was silence…and a faint yellow glow was coming from my hand getting brighter and brighter until it started to fade into nothing once more. I slowly took my hand away from his cheek and checked for scratches. But there weren't any.
The boy was staring at me, he slowly placed his own hand on his cheek, yet his eyes stayed fixed on me. He felt for scars, blood, any sign of pain. But there was nothing but the pale skin of his cheeks.
"Who are you? And what the heck did you do?" He whispered, with no sign of appreciation whatsoever.
"Um…well, I wasn't watching were I was going, so I, uh, bumped into you, gave you a couple of bleeding scratches—"
"That's not what I meant." He said bluntly.
"Oh…you mean…ah. I see. Well, I healed your scratches…blessing of Apollo."
"You're a child of Apollo?"
"Uh yeah, my name's Eloise." I hated myself for sounding like an idiot, constantly saying "um" and "uh", but I can't help it. I get all jittery and scrambled up when I meet someone new. Anxiety issues I guess?
The boy raised an eyebrow and extended his hand towards me with caution, like I might judo flip him or something. That's what usually happens when people see my special power or "ability" as I like to call it.
"My names Nico. Nico di Angelo. Son of Hades. Um…or Pluto. Whatever."
I gave a small smile and clasped his hand (which was really cold), shaking it slowly (and awkwardly).
"Ah…Eloise?" Colette said, her voice interrupting our handshake. She'd been so quiet (which is very unlike her) I had almost forgotten she was there.
"Hm?" I said, turning my head towards her. Colette smiled and pointed at my hands, which were still grasping Nico's, and were glowing bright. In fact they were so bright, I had to squint when I looked at them. "Whoops." I muttered. I let go of Nico's hand and concentrated, watching as the glow began to fade. This sort of thing often happened when I was nervous.
I heard someone whistle, I turned my head and noticed a scrawny Latino boy with curly brown hair and impish features standing beside Colette, his eyes wide. "Wow that is one freakin' awesome power." The boy looked at me and gave me a nutty smile, extending his spindly hands, "Leo Valdez. I'm a friend of Nico."
"Ah. Pleased to meet you." I said, giving my best smile (which wasn't much).
"Please milady, the pleasure is all mine." He said in a formal tone, taking a huge mocking bow lifting his head and giving me a wide grin. I rolled my eyes and smiled, but Colette was giggling like crazy. Leo straightened from his bow and faced Colette, his face flushed pink, and I could definitely tell that Colette found him adorable.
I realized that the center of the forum wasn't exactly the best place to make proper introductions. I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Guys, maybe we should get to know each other better someplace else. It's getting kinda crowded and stuffy, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I think I've had enough cobblestone of my face to last me a few weeks." Nico said. Colette smiled and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Yeah. I'm sorry about that. How does pizza sound?"
"Like a symphony orchestra." Nico replied, his eyes glinting with humour.
"Sounds good, as long as I'm not the one paying." Leo replied, and this time, all of us laughed.

Notes

Hi guys! Please review! It would really help! Third chapter coming up! Thanks! ^_^