Time's Daughter

Kimmi smiles at me as I sit down, pushing a large soda towards me. "I heard shouting over there," she says. "What happened?"
"Aaron tried to but gun powder in his rocket," I tell her. "It misfired and veered off course towards people."
Kimmi opens her mouth in an 'o'. "But you saved them, yes?" she smiles. "Just like the little hero you are."
I blush. "I'm not a hero, Kimmi," I say. "I just don't want to hurt people."
Kimmi rolls her eyes. "Whatever, Ang," she says. "Be modest--but do tell why was Nico di Angelo talking to you?"
I groan and slam my face down on the table. "I don't know," I admit. "I ran away before I could find out."
Kimmi gave me a fake strangling motion, then got to her feet promising to 'fix this'. I watched her walk over to where Nico di Angelo still stood, his mouth gapping open and my sudden flight from his presence. I watched her speak for a moment, smiling and doing her little flirty hair flip stuff that I could never pull off.
Nico pointed over to me. I strained my eyes, trying to read his lips, figure out what he was saying.Something about a phone number or something but I wasn't sure. I looked back down the table a pulled out my sketch book, turning to the drawing that was due today.
I was asked to draw a mechanical animal--I chose a bull...why not sure, but I pull it out to examine it and make sure it is finished. As I stare at it, I swear it flashed gold, but it happens only for a moment, so I push it away.
Suddenly from the football field, a voice screams. "ANGEL ROSE SWAN!"
My nose wrinkled. My older sister, Kayla, was storming across the courtyard towards me. Catching everyone's attention. She was one of those popular girls--a blonde that always were pink (in the movies). It made me want vomit as someone who always wears jeans and dark clothes. I put my sketch book back in my bag. Everyone's attention is on my sister and me.
Normally, this would make me nervous, but Kayla and I had a mortal enemy type of relationship. I steeled my nerves, and got to my feet to face her expressionless.
"What on earth we're you thinking back there?" She asked, her high voice echoing across the courtyard.
"It was Aaron's idea to use gunpowder, not mine," I said. "And as I recalled--no one got hurt!"
Kayla shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing in an annoyingly cute way. "You should know better!" she said. "I know what you did in the past! You should know better than to use gunpowder!"
There is one thing that everyone in the school knows, at lease everyone that knows me, Never bring up my past. The was a group intake of breath. My hand flies, causing her to stumble back several feet, holding her cheek.
She smiled. "You held back," she said. "Is there a reason why?" She lowered her voice, so only I could hear the name she called me.
I don't hit her. I was trying to get a hold of my anger. "Don't call me that," I snap. I can see people watching me. Even Nico, I can feel his gaze on me most. His expression almost worried. My hands ball into fists. I shove them into my pockets, and try to walk away.
Kayla doesn't let me. She tackles me to the ground, her hands finding my throat. Still, I do nothing, I won't let her have that satisfaction. My face turns red from the lack of oxygen, but still my face is expressionless and I do nothing.
She has no choice but to let go or risk ruining her reputation. She lets go, and walks away without saying a word. Kimmi and Nico rush over the me. "Are you okay?" they said.
I nod, smiling slyly. "I had far wor--ugh!" That last part was because a large golden bull had just rammed me and tossed me several feet in the air. I land several feet away on my back, and out of breath. I stare at it. It was just like the one I had drawn for class.
I notice Nico charging it, a black sword in his hand. Where had that come from? Surely he must have had the sword on him before?How had I not noticed it? There is a rush of footsteps and I see Percy and Jason run towards the bull, both with swords one bronze one gold.
My mind reels. Where had that weaponry come from?
The back of my neck prickled as the air was filled with a metallic energy and lightening struck the bull. Still it did nothing.
I got to my feet. I watched the fight, but the bull saw me. It's red eyes trained on me. My mouth dropped. It had a specific target. Me.
It charged. I don't know what compelled me to do it. I charged too. The three boys watched me as if I was a maniac. They were probably right. But I saw something, A chink in its armor. If I got close enough I could drive something as simple as my pocket knife in there, and jam its systems.
I pulled the knife out of my boot as I ran, flipping it open. Just as the bull tossed me I threw the knife, and heard the chink as it hit the right spot. I grinned, and slammed into a tree, hard dislocating my shoulder.
There was a second of hesitation from the bull and it blew to pieces. Good job I hear a voice whisper. You've done excellently.
"Shut up," I mutter, getting to my feet as the boys approach me. My arm hangs limply for a moment as I pop it back into place.
They flinch at the sound of my bones clicking back into their sockets. "Hope you don't mind I took the bull from you guys," I say coolly.
"You wouldn't by any chance have been raised by only one parent?" Percy asks.
I shrug, which helps to ease the pain in my should. "Nope, two parents that probably needed some lessons in parenting."
"Was one a step-parent?" asked Nico.
Weird questions. "No," I say again. I turn to Kimmi, who is pale and frightened. "Look, I gotta take my friend home before she goes into shock."
Kimmi nods and takes my hand as I lead her to the car. "You'll be fine," I promise, yawning slightly.
Gosh, I was just always tired these days. After Kimmi was settled in, I was going to take a nap.

Notes