CHAPTER III
observations and realizations

SCARLETT LOVED WHEN it was night. She loved sneaking out, taking nightly strolls while everyone was in their cabins. It was calming; for once camp was quiet—no yelling or chatter. It was just her, the moon, and the stars.

However, her serenity only lasted about five minutes, when she saw a panicked Grover crossing her way.

Scarlett wasn't necessarily friends with Grover, but she didn't not like the satyr. He was nice to her whenever they did talk, and didn't fear her. Well, maybe he did—but he was still kind to her.

"Oh, hey Scarlett," Grover greeted her, with a friendly smile. In his eyes, she could tell he was stressed.

"Hey, Grover," Scarlett greeted back. "You good?"

Grover sighed. "It's something with Percy,"

Scarlett nodded. "Wanna talk about it?"

Usually, Scarlett wasn't nosy or this nice. But her interest shot up when Percy got mentioned.

Grover hesitated. "I...I don't really know if it's a good idea. I'm not supposed to tell anyone."

"Okay," Scarlett just nodded. "Well good night, Grover."

She began to walk away, when she heard Grover's voice.

"It's his mom," He blurted out. "She's alive,"

Scarlett turned back, her curiosity growing. "What about her?"

Grover briefly explained what happened: how his mom was trapped in Hades' realm, and how Mr. D and Chiron requested him not to tell Percy. Scarlett thought that was stupid.

"They're just going to let him believe his mom is dead?" Scarlett scoffed incredulous. "That's bullshit."

"I know," Grover hung his head sadly. "Look until I figure this out, please don't tell him. Or anyone else. I really don't want to be scooping up horse poop."

Scarlett debated on whether or not to tell Annabeth. Then she remembered that it wasn't really her place. Percy deserved to know his mother was alive before anyone else. It wasn't fair that she got to know before him, and that it was supposed to be kept a secret from him.

"You're secret is safe with me."

THE NEXT MORNING, SCARLETT was in the Hermes Cabin, writing in her gratitude journal. On the first day of camp this year, Oliver gave her a maroon journal to write her feelings down. She thought it was a gag gift, but Oliver seemed pretty genuine when explaining how to use it. Apparently he wants her to be more in touch with her feelings and shit.

Obviously, she thought it was dumb, but she was bored. She had no idea how to answer any of the questions. Favorite childhood memory? Did breaking Nancy Bobofit's nose count? Last thing that made you smile? Seeing Johnny Harper glare at her from across the pavilion, with his bald head? She had a feeling those weren't the answers Oliver was hoping for.

  Suddenly her attention turned to Percy, who was in his sleeping bag. He woke up with a start, looking panicked.

  Luke immediately stood up from where he was across the room. "You okay?"

  Percy took off his blanket. "Super."

  "We all have them, you know," Luke admitted. "Reoccuring nightmares, that's normal around here."

  Percy got up as Luke continued. "And ADHD, and dyslexia. Demigods just process reality differently then humans do. For the first time, you're just like everyone else."

  "So are you also..." Percy paused. "Do you not know who your—"

  "Am I unclaimed? No, Hermes is my father," Luke shook his head and smiled. "That doesn't matter, we're all on the same team here,"

   "Why is that okay?" Percy questioned. "Why do they get to bring us here, just to ignore some of us?"

  Scarlett's been wanting to know the same thing.

  "Spend too much time trying to figure out why the gods do what they do, you'll drive yourself crazy," Luke sounded like he was speaking from experience. "Sooner you stop worrying about that, the sooner you can enjoy what this place actually does offer,"

  "What's that?"

   "Glory," Luke grinned. "Come on, I'll show you,"

  Percy nodded. Luke turned to Scarlett, who was pretending to be jotting something down. "Hey, Scar. You should come with us."

  Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

  Luke scoffed. "Come on. We both know you're not writing shit in that journal," he then added more quietly. "Annabeth would want you too."

  Scarlett shot him a glare. "Fine, I'll come."

  She stood up, closing her book. Percy was looking at her curiously. As they walked outside, he stood at her side, trying to start a conversation.

  "So... is Hermes your dad too?" Percy asked, trying to start conversation.

  "Nope."

  "Oh, so you're unclaimed?"

  "Yup."

  "And you don't know—"

  "No, I know."

  Percy looked confused. "Then why are you still—"

"Demigods have always fought for glory. They used to call it kleo," Luke interrupted unknowingly, not hearing their conversation. Scarlett rolled her eyes, getting ready to hear his speech that he gave to all newbies.

"It's like this stuff that attaches itself to your name," Luke explained. "Makes it bigger, scarier, more important. People listen closely when you talk. They work harder to be your friend. And they think twice about messing you."

Just as he said that last part, Clarisse La Rue came and bumped into Percy.

"Hey!"

Clarisse turned back and pushed him on the ground.

"Woah, knock it off Clarisse," Luke told her sternly. "It's like his first day, come on."

Clarisse just smirked. Scarlett rolled her eyes, and went to help Percy up. She held out her hand. Percy looked surprised for a moment, but took it anyway.

"Thanks," He muttered quietly.

"Wait so this is the kid who killed the Minotaur. Is that right?" Clarisse pointed at Percy, amusedly.

"Yeah...?"

"I'll bet. Look, you want attention around here, dummy? You better be ready for it when it comes." Clarisse sized up, making Percy jump back. The others laughed.

Before turning around, Clarisse turned to Scarlett with a grin. "Aww Scar, look at you being friends with the newbie."

"Hi, Clarisse," Scarlett said with an exaggerated smile. "Oh, by the way, how is poor Jacob doing? Heard he couldn't even pick up his sword." she asked with mock-concern. "I hope he's doing okay, especially with the breakup."

  Rumor has it, Jacob—one of the strongest Ares' kids, has been having a tough time picking up his weapons. Apparently they were "too heavy". So much for having super strength. Wonder what happened...

  Clarisse glared at her, and the rest of her gang finally left.

"Well... she seems nice," Percy said.

"Ares kids. They come by it honestly," Luke shook his head.

  Percy turned to Scarlett. "Is she your friend?"

"We tolerate each other." Scarlett explained. "The Ares cabin doesn't mess with me, and I don't mess with them...at least most of the time."

"How come?"

  "I have my ways." A sly smirk formed on her lips.

"Yeah, you do not mess with Scarlett," Chris chuckled. "Trust me."

  Percy raised his eyebrow, and then turned to Luke. "And they don't mess with you either because...?"

"They know better," Luke spoke with a smug smile.

"Luke is the strongest swordsman at camp," Chris added.

"So they leave you alone because...glory?" Percy asked, making Luke nodded. "So if I get glory, Clarisse wouldn't mess with me either?"

"Well..." Scarlett began.

"Exactly," Luke agreed.

"And people will think I'm a big deal?"

"Well, sorta but—"

"And my dad's got no choice but to claim me!"

Scarlett spoke up. "Percy you can't force the gods to do things for you."

  They just don't care.

"Well, yeah but...it would be harder to pretend I don't exist, right?" He glanced between Luke and Scarlett.

Scarlett thought for a moment. "I guess...?"

Luke looked like he was still considering something.

"Well great," Percy grinned, suddenly more optimistic. "Where do we start?"

  The group made their way to their way to the archery practice area. Luke figured that a good way to get glory was through finding out what Percy was good at. He handed Percy a bow.

  Scarlett hung in the back, and found herself next to Oliver, who was also practicing.

  "So, that's Percy," Oliver watched Percy amusedly.

  "Yep," She nodded, not taking her eye off Percy. "Luke dragged me along with him to show him around."

  "I want to be very honest..." Percy spoke. "I've never done anything like this before, and it looks super dangerous."

  "Yeah, and you never killed a Minotaur before either," Luke pointed out. "Til you did,"

  Percy stepped forward, taking out an arrow and placing it on his bow.

  "No giving him beginner's luck," Scarlett muttered to Oliver.

  "No giving him bad luck." Oliver replied.

  "Why would I give him bad luck?" Scarlett scoffed. "he already has enough of it."

  With determination, Percy shot the arrow...completely missing the target. The campers in front immediately ducked and screamed, while Percy fell back ward.

  Scarlett burst out laughing. Oliver raised an eyebrow at her, and other campers turned to her suspiciously.

  "Oh come on! That was not me!" Scarlett groaned, almost offended by the accusations. "Archery is just not one of his skills."

  "Should I try again?" Percy asked weakly.

   "No!" Everyone yelled.

   Luke helped Percy up, and Scarlett joined them.

  "Definitely not an Apollo kid," Scarlett remarked.

  "Let's go to the Hephaestus cabin," Luke said. "See what they have in store,"

  Percy nodded, while Scarlett cringed.

  Flashes of Johnny's bald head came to Scarlett's mind. Probably not the best idea for her to be there. Especially with the huge fit he threw about it. That manchild.

  "You guys go ahead," Scarlett told them. "I'll meet you guys later."

  Luke raised his eyebrow, making Scarlett give him a look to go with it. It took him a moment to realize Scarlett was not exactly the most welcomed person at that cabin right now.

  "Okay yeah, see you Scar." Luke nodded, and gestured for Percy to follow him. Percy looked at Scarlett confused for a moment, then went to follow.

  "IS THERE A GREEK GOD OF DISAPPOINTMENT?" Percy asked defeatedly. "Maybe someone should ask him if he's missing a kid."

   After a debrief with Annabeth, Scarlett joined Percy, Luke, and Chris for lunch. Judging by Percy's lack of optimism, things didn't go the best for him there.

  "Well there's Oizys," Scarlett shrugged. "but she's a goddess so..."

  "And her whole thing isn't really disappointment, it's more like...failure," Chris explained.

  Percy seemed even more lost. Luke shot both Scarlett and Chris a look saying, 'you guys are not helping'.

Then he turned to Percy with a friendly smile. "We're going to find the thing you're good at. I know it," Luke assured him.

   "Who knows, you could be like a son of Nemesis or something." Luke said, glancing at Scarlett.

Scarlett shot him an annoyed look. For some reason, she really did not like the idea of Percy being her half brother. Then a bell chimed, signaling that it was time for offerings.

"Our turn," Luke sighed. He, Chris, and Scarlett got up. Percy looked at them confused.

"Burnt offerings," Luke stated. "The gods like the smell, so it gets your attention before you say a prayer."

"They like the smell of burnt mac n cheese?"

"More like begging and desperation," Scarlett added dryly.

"You burn what you'll miss the most. Then they know you really mean what you're about to say, so they listen," Luke said, as he and Chris then began to walk away. Scarlett went to follow them.

"Hey, Scar?" Percy called out before she left, tentatively using the nickname everyone calls her. Scarlett turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"If you know who your parent is, why aren't you claimed?"

"Not all gods claim their children, even when it's obvious," Scarlett sighed. "Especially minor gods, who aren't as respected as the Olympians. They don't even have cabins." She explained, trying to conceal the bitterness in her tone. "and because of that, minor gods tend to not claim their kids."

"Oh." After a few moments, Percy spoke again. "So who's your parent?"

  "You'll find out soon enough," Scarlett told him. "Later, Sunshine." She let the nickname slip without thinking.

   Before he could ask any more questions, she walked away.

  Scarlett debated on telling him. But for some reason, she didn't want to. At least not yet. Maybe she wanted it to be a mystery for him a little longer. He's the only one who didn't know.

  Besides, she thought she did enough socialization for a day.

JUST TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR: Scarlett was not a stalker. That was Annabeth's thing. Scarlett did not care about what other's did in their time. She was just simply enjoying her nightly walk...until something—or someone—caught her attention.

  She saw Percy heading into the woods, with a bag of food and a can in his hand. If Annabeth was here, she'd insist they follow him. But she wasn't there, so Scarlett was gonna continue on her walk.

  Except, she may have taken a detour. In the woods, going the same way Percy did. Total coincidence.

  She hid behind a tree, and saw him sitting down, lighting a fire in the can. The bag she saw him bring was the same bag of blue candy she saw him staring at yesterday. He took out the blue food and put it inside the can.

"Hi mom," Percy spoke. "I...I don't know if I'm doing this right, and I hope you can hear me,"

Scarlett realized what he was doing. Earlier, they had told him about burning offerings to the gods. Now here he was doing the burnt offerings... for his mom.

   His mom who was alive. Sally Jackson was alive, and no one was going to tell him. They were just going to let him suffer and mourn his mother. Scarlett felt angry on his behalf. Percy deserved to know. This boy was in so much pain, that he's doing the burnt offerings to his mortal mother instead of his unknown father.

"I think you used to hate this. When the phone would ring, the night after you left me at a new school. I'd tell you that people were awful...and I wanted to come home. Well, the good news is, this isn't that call." Percy continued on. "I hope you're sitting down. But, I think... I've made some friends here. Like real friends. I think they might really like me." He smiled a little bit. "Imagine that."

Luke, she thought. He stuck by his side the whole day. Sure, Scarlett was with him for part of it, but she wasn't nearly as welcoming and patient as Luke was.

Also, Scarlett did not like him.

  "He isn't here," Percy spoke again, some hurt in his voice. "My father. He just...didn't show. I mean, ignoring me is one thing, but he doesn't get to ignore you."

Having the feeling it was getting a little too personal, Scarlett decided to leave. She carefully avoided stepping on any broken twigs, and successfully made it back to camp.

Scarlett resumed to her usual walk around camp. As she started heading back to her cabin, she felt someone yank her arm, pulling her to another direction. When she turned, no one was there. She groaned, realizing who it was.

"Annabeth, where are we going?" Scarlett questioned. "Jeez, are you trying to rip my arm off?"

Annabeth loosened her grip, but still tugged her. "Come on! He's in the bathrooms! Clarisse is doing her tradition."

"Dunking his head in the toliet?"

"Yep," Even though she can't see, Scarlett can hear the smirk in her voice.

They made their way outside the bathroom. The girls stayed behind the door. They watch as the Ares kid, get ready to dunk his head in. Clarisse stood in the back, watching in satisfaction.

Then the weirdest thing happened. The water from the toilet drained. Clarisse stepped forward confusedly. Then suddenly, the water shot out from the toilet, knocking the three Ares kids against the wall. They were all drenched in water.

Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise. She's never seen anyone like that. No camper that powerful—at least not from a regular demigod. He had to be child of The Big Three. Since his powers included water it had to be...

"Poseidon," Scarlett realized. "He's the son of Poseidon, isn't he?"

Annabeth didn't say anything, but Scarlett had a feeling she agreed. The Ares kids ran out, not even noticing Scarlett there. Annabeth took her cap off.

"Come on," Annabeth whispered. She crossed her arms, and leaned against the wooden door frame. Scarlett stood next to her, her arms crossed as well.

Percy stared at them for a moment. "I can explain."

Annabeth shook her head, chuckling. "No you can't,"

"Okay." Percy paused, studying Annabeth. "Wait, I know you."

"No, you don't." Annabeth made a face. Scarlett side eyed her.

"You were there," Percy insisted. "The night in the infirmary. With Scarlett." He pointed to Scarlett.

"Yes," Annabeth confirmed. "I'm Annabeth."

"Are you stalking me, Annabeth?" Percy asked. Then raised an eyebrow at Scarlett. "You too?"

"Yes." Annabeth replied, at the same time Scarlett said, "No."

"Observing," she corrected, grumbling.

"Okay..." Percy glanced between them confusedly. "why?"

"Well I've been waiting to see if something like this would happen," Annabeth explained. "So I'd know if you can help me."

"Help you do what?"

"Win capture the flag."

ive been planning this book a few weeks before the series came out, and annabeth fr stole scar's nickname for him smhh

if any of u read my book labyrinth, melody and percy's dynamic is so different from scarlett and percy's its funny 😭😭

(UPDATED) LEXI NOTE !
started school so reposting these chapters went a lilts slow sorry💔

it's so crazy i started this fic mid sophomore year and now i'm a SENIOR what the helly