¹𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀. percy jackson

LVII.

"What happened to friendship." Grover pouted 

"Oh you have it easy" Annabeth appeared behind them. Lucia scooted over allowing her to sit down as well. "You won't be having to third wheel all next summer."

Lucia scoffed, pointing her thumb to the boy at her right "Booo no! Percy's the third wheel!"

"Hey?" Percy was the one to complain this time, he pouted dramatically.

Lucia looked up at him with a grin, "Sorry Perce." She pecked his pouting lips. "Get used to it."

He didn't seem too bothered. He stopped to look at them, and a crooked grin splayed his lips. "I love you guys...."

Lucia wrapped an arm around his waist. The other rested on Annabeth and Grover's back. "We protect each other, Real."

Annabeth smiled, she leaned onto Lucia's shoulder. "Real."

"Real." Grover agreed.

☼

THAT EVENING WAS THE LAST NIGHT OF CAMP—the bead ceremony. The Hephaestus cabin had designed the bead this year. It showed the Empire State Building, and etched in tiny Greek letters, spiraling around the image, were the names of all the heroes who had died defending Olympus.

There were too many names, but Lucia was proud to wear it. Once it was on her camp necklace she stared at the clay attentively—she now had her first bead.

Percy held his hand out, "Don't forget this one."

In his hand was a red bead with an intricately designed maze painted in white, the mark of Daedalus' was boldened in blue at the center.

"You saved one for me?" She asked softly,

He nodded, "You've been here two summers. Two beads."

Lucia looked up at him. A beaming smile formed on her lips which only looked brighter amid the campfire light. She looked at his neck. "Why don't we string your shell on your camp necklace? That way you don't have to wear two."

He grinned and raised his chin to give her access. "All yours, Sunlight."

Lucia chuckled, she reached up and made the change. When she was done her hand softly touched the seashell pendant that now lay atop his heart at the center of the clay beads.

"Never forget this summer!" Chiron announced. He had healed remarkably well, but he still trotted in front of the fire with a slight limp. "We have discovered bravery and friendship and courage this summer. We have upheld the honor of the camp."

He smiled, and everybody cheered. As Lucia looked at the fire, She saw a little girl in a brown dress tending the flames. She winked at her with red glowing eyes. No one else seemed to notice her, but Lucia realized maybe she preferred it that way.

You are but a lost soul right now. Taken from her home. But you will find the warmth of your hearth again.

"And now," Chiron said, "early to bed! Remember, you must vacate your cabins by noon tomorrow unless you've made arrangements to stay the year with us. The cleaning harpies will eat any stragglers, and I'd hate to end the summer on a sour note!"

Lucia and Percy held hands as he walked her to her cabin. When they made it to the front, Lucia waited as her siblings poured in.

"Don't keep her too long Jackson!" Austin chided,

"I'll try!" but the look on his face told her he wasn't going to try at all.

Lucia snorted, she let go of his hand and rested her arms on his shoulders. "You heard Chiron, you have to be out by noon tomorrow."