I checked my reflection in the mirror like I always did before I went out. My pitch black hair was stuck up, the golden highlights gleaming brighter than ever. My carmel-colored eyes sparkled with excitement as they always did. I was wearing my usual jeans, a neon yellow t-shirt covered by a varsity jacket, and to top it all off, my worn Nikes. Perfect.

I stepped out the door, where my friend, Ash, was waiting for me. Her real name, of course, is not Ash. It's Raine Ashley Dargner, but she hates it when people call her by her legal name, so to everyone, she's just Ash. She has wavy black hair that's almost as dark as mine, an oval-shaped face, small, thin lips, and electric blue eyes like child of Zeus' might have. Although the funny thing is, she's a daughter of Hermes. And when you get to know Ash, she's super immature and goofy. But she knows when to get serious, which is what I like about her best.

The streak in Ash's hair was sky blue today and was wearing a black tank top, black leggings, and (surprise) black combat boots. Her foot tapped on the gravel by the Apollo cabin.

"What took you so long? I'm growing old over here!" Ash poked my arm and grinned. "Come on, let's go to the arena."

"Whatever you say, Commander Ashley!" I said in a squeaky high pitched voice. Then, we collapsed into a fit of giggles. When we arrived at the arena, I noticed that someone was already there. Ash's enemy, Annabeth Chase, was hacking at dummies with precision and control, making a perfect shot every time.

My face went serious. "Ash, we should g-"

"Well, well. Who do we have here?" Annabeth noticed us and strolled over, dagger swinging casually swinging in her hand.

Ash sneered at her. "Go away, Owl Freak. We're using the arena." Annabeth looked like she was gonna swing at Ash, but I came between them in time.

"Guys, why don't we just share the arena?" I suggested. The pair of them looked at me as though I was a crazy demigod. Oh wait, I am a crazy demigod. Okay then, they looked at me as though I had volunteered as tribute to the Hunger Games. Crazy.

"I'm serious. You're not kids anymore. Start acting your ages." At first, I was scared that one of them was gonna jump at me, but then they both reluctantly walked over to the dummies. Smiling with triumphance and relief, I walked over the targets.

I pulled out my bow and quiver.

---

"ASH! JACK!" I heard a familiar voice say. Grinning, I turned around to see the guy I hadn't seen in a while.

Ash looked at me, smiling widely, and ran towards Percy, tackling him to the ground. He grunted and managed to get Ash off of him.

"Are you trying to kill me, Ash?" Percy poked Ash. I cleared my throat to signify that I was here.

"Hey bro! How's life?" He exclaimed.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He must be here to tell us news about something. Percy doesn't stay at Camp Half-Blood much anymore. "Good, I guess...?"

"I want to take you two to New Rome," He said, looking in our eyes. Ash's eyes lit up immediately, but I didn't want to go. Camp was my home, and I didn't want to be like Percy and choose Camp Jupiter over Half-Blood. But at the same time, I really wanted to go.

"We're having coffee with a mortal?" Ash asked. Oh geez, I must have missed some of the conversation.

"Yup!" Percy said, smiling cheekily. Just then, Annabeth came over. When she saw Percy, she tackled him. Just like Ash did. The exact same way. My eyes grew wide as I glanced at Ash, who was already looking at me.

Notes

New chapter, new character! Yay!

-Liv