Demigods, Dates and Dragons

My date with Silena seemed off to a good start.
It’s hard enough trying to survive a relationship with an absolute beauty, like she is. Adding to the mix the whole second Titan-Olympian war, which is going on, is not the best thing. But today was supposed to be my lucky day. At long last, Silena and I, got a night out of the Camp. I won’t say it was easy with Mister D. missing, Chiron replying “no” all the time, and the whole Camp being under permanent lockdown with patrols. Even meeting with Silena after-hours was one dreary task.
But today, we’ve done it. Silena has her Pegasus ready, we’ve pulled every possible string we could as chancellors; for the name of the Olympians, we’d even made the string we needed. I just hope her siblings won’t mind taking care of the canoes for one week so the Hermes cabin, the ones who patrol this night, will turn a blind eye. My cabin simply has to make brand new armor for them. And all I have to do is scrap and clean the forge until it literally shines, for that week.
But enough with the bickering. I’m on my way to the stables, wearing my best jeans, t-shirt and the leather jacket that Silena pointed out would look fine on me. I take a careful turn around the cabins and hold my breath hoping this will make me produce any less noise.
My heart drums in my ears and I don’t know if I am getting tired from the running or plea to the gods that everything will go fine this night. I’m jittery, ‘cause my heartbeat covers every single sound. The moment, however, I turn to the stables and catch her perfume, I moan slightly and feel the tension slowly melt off me.
I was never good with animals. Their smell, their touch, their… excrements. But I did kind of change after meeting her. It’s silly, but whenever I think of her that I did meet here because of the chariot races, because of animals, all I can do is smile.
And now, here am I, ready to go on a date with the most beautiful, the most intelligent, the most caring person and I don’t think I’ll ever tell her enough times, the most amazing person I’ll ever meet: Silena Beauregard, head-chancellor of the Aphrodite cabin.
And the second I see her stroking the mane of her favorite Pegasus, a mare named Felicity, I melt. She takes a look at me, with her blue eyes and gives me a half-smile. Then she sighs, ‘It about time you got here, Charlie.’
I do my best not to let my head explode. She’s the only one calling me that and by everything I have ever forged, I love it. I step closer to her and bite my lip.
‘I wanted to look nice for you. It takes some time you know,’ I say as my hand covers her own.
She humphs at me. She turns, brushes something off my jacket and straightens it.
‘You really need a better excuse, Charlie. This one is getting old. But you do look good in that jacket. Whoever did make that choice for you?’
She teases me. She is tall, but like any time she wants to mess with me, I see her tip-toeing and it’s enough to make my heart flutter.
I try not to glower, so I focus on her. Her black hair is dropping on her shoulders and back. She has a nice t-shirt and an unbuttoned checkered shirt over it, over some amazing denims. I have to say that. She might be dressed casual, but Silena is capable of walking on a fashion’s show catwalk and outshining everyone out there.
‘You did, Silena. Also, remind me to go down to the Hermes cabin and have a little talk with the Stoll brothers,’ I reply, brooding.
‘Why?’
‘From what I’m hearing there is a poll on our relationship,’ I growl, helping her saddle Felicity.
‘And?’ she whispers with a smile. ‘From what I’ve heard part of the money for this jacket did come from you betting on the Percy-Annabeth poll. Or am I mistaken?’
‘You must have the last word in everything?’ I want to kiss her. As she hugs me, I keep getting pictures of all sweet things I know of her; of all the cute things she is doing for me every day; and finally, of all the breathtaking moments I have spent with her in my cabin’s room. And around the Camp of course. Please forget what I said earlier.
‘What are you thinking,’ Silena asks taking my calloused hand and giving me one last peck before we go.
My vision blurs as I help her up the saddle.
‘I’m just wondering why I’m lucky to be a demigod. Because I get to work with my hands, train to kill monsters and build machines that others would dream off? Or because otherwise, I would have never met you?’
Seeing Silena blushing is rarer than seeing that Jackson guy staying out of a fight: rare indeed. But there I am, sitting on a Pegasus behind her back as we take off, for New York for our date.
Thinking things are running smoothly?
Hold your breath, ‘cause where you’ll find demigods, you’ll also find monsters.

Notes

So, this is the first chapter of a story of mine. It'll be based around a date of Charlie and Silena. The story will be from a first person's perspective, and it's starting with Charlie. Hope you enjoy.