Percy Jackson's Sister

Making New Friends is Easier at Camp

        The next morning, Chiron announced the chariot races would be held as usual.

      The camp got really excited and started to choose partners. I was excited to see what Percy and Annabeth would come up with.

     After sword training, something I had gotten pretty good at, I sat with my back against the wall to rest a bit. I was sweaty and tired but I had managed to beat all of my opponents.

     "Hey," a camper had walked up to me without me noticing.

     I looked up at him. "Hi."

    "You're pretty good with that," he said, sitting next to me and gesturing at my sword.

    "Thanks," I said.

    "I'm Justin," he said.

    "Cassidy."

     "I know."

     I raised an eyebrow.

     "The whole camp knows, you know, daughter of Poseidon and all."

     "Right," I nodded. There was an awkward silence.

     "So," I said. "Is there a reason you're sitting on a dirty floor making awkward small talk with a sweaty girl?"

     He laughed. "Is 'I wanted to get to know you better' a good enough reason?"

    I smiled. "I think so."

   Connor stumbled in, his hair stuck up in all sorts of places.

     "Casidilla," he said. I wish I knew how he and Travis could come up with so many nicknames. "Want to check out our new chariot?"

     "Obviously," I said, getting up. Connor grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the arena and I waved goodbye to Justin.

     Connor took me into the forges where two other teams were working on their chariots. I examined them with admiration, they were welded perfectly and the gears and axels were all coming along well.

    "You know your stuff," A tall guy said behind me. I hadn't realized I was judging the chariots out loud.

    "Charles Beckendorf," he introduced himself. He had a dark complexion and arms taught with muscles. His brown eyes shone with pride at his chariot. "Most people just call me Beckendorf."

    "Cassidy Malloy," I said.

    "Yeah, I know. You're Percy's sister. You came to check the competition?"

    I shook my head. "No, I'm not competing. I came to check out you're competition." I nodded my head towards Travis and Connor.

    He smiled. "Yeah, those guys always have some trick up their sleeve."

     I left Beckendorf to continue working on his chariot and even gave him a few suggestions. He let me in on his secret weapon- Greek fire. He explained how powerful it burned and how impossible it was to stop it.

    The Stolls had packed their chariot with so many booby traps, I actually thought they could win. They explained each one in detail as I made adjustments to them, making sure it was ready for racing. I spent all day in the forges, half the time working, half the time joking.