Adjusting
It’s been 2 weeks and 3 days since Lila and I arrived at Camp Half-Blood, and 3 days since we were told we'd be starting school up again. Aura had somehow gotten the paperwork to become our legal guardian, Kaleb told us that this was normal for her and Lou Ellen had chimed in to mention that most Demigods have bad luck with parents so many campers will change their legal guardians to someone here. Mostly Chiron or one of their older siblings. Aura had given us about a week of time to adjust before she started prepping us for our new school, our new “siblings” had a similar idea. Lou Ellen, followed by all the others except Aura and Luna, had burst into Lila and I’s room last Friday.
“Strategy.” Was all she said.
“What?” Lila asked back, I was already imagining her head tilt even though I, from my position on the top bunk and Lila’s on the bottom, couldn’t see her. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Derek making a few gestures, there’s silence for a minute, Lila trying to decipher it, unwilling to give in no doubt. I sat up, putting down the 2 school pamphlets Aura had given me to choose which school with.
“What did he say?”
“He said, you two are starting school soon, right?” Answers Amara for Derek before asking a question of her own.
“Have you chosen which school yet?”
“Well one has better aspects but I really don’t want to have to share the school with you.”
“Oh don’t worry. You won’t see me around school much, but I’m sure Lexi can keep you company in detention.” She fired back.
“Ok, chill out. We just wanted to give you some advice. School is a bit harder now that you’re part of our world.” Kaleb spoke up and from under my bunk I heard Lila’s response.
“What should we do?” Lou Ellen stepped up to that question.
“Well for starts our family is not only messed up but huge. So, it’s important to have a plan for family related questions, as far as my mortal friends know; I’m living with my sister in my mom's house, my mom travels a lot and my dad's dead. I work at a summer camp and have 5- well 7 now siblings. I also take self defense classes. See? That covers just about everything I need the mortals to know.” Kaleb’s eyes rolled and he said,
“Partners works best, Lou and I go to the same school so I have pretty much the same cover story. Amara and Derek go to a different school though, what’s your cover story?” He directed the last part at them. Amara and Derek exchanged a look and he pointed at her, Amara started to talk.
“As far as our classmates know, Derek and I live with our half sister in her foster home, we live with 5 others and are taught some self defense from our sister’s friends. My dad’s dead and Derek’s dad lets him stay with our sister because she lives in the same area of our school. Derek was attacked by a feral dog and that’s how he became mute, “ Amara turns to direct the next part at Lila and I. “Half truths are the best, less likely to mess up. You two are obviously going to be partners, just remember to practice your story and always let the other know if you add something. Mortals are sharp about the most random things and you’ll already have a spotlight on transferring in mid-year.” Derek made a few gestures and Kaleb translates, signing a lot to help Lila learn.
“Derek says to be careful discussing our world, muggles are nosey.” Lou Ellen perked up at that and added on.
“Oh! Use code names, like cabin numbers instead of the parent or say climbing wall instead of lava wall.”
The rest of the discussion had been full of advice for “do’s and don’t’s of rejoining muggle life” The final result of our story was this; Lila and I are orphans that are currently living with 6 others in a foster home, we learned some self defense from the other people living with us.
Today had been long, only 3 classes with Lila and 2 boys being idiots. They were trying to target me because I was new, gods how I wish I could have sucker punched them both but reluctantly I had in the moment decided to follow Amara’s advice. I’ll lay low the first couple weeks, if those idiots don’t quit it by the end then they’ll have no one to blame but themselves.
Lila found me out by the steps and we set off to find the “Portkey” Aura set up for us to get back to the Cabin with. Lila and I are chatting about our day, she’s already made a friend, Abigail. She’s in most of the same classes as Lila so they clicked quickly, I complain to Lila about the 2 boys, leaving out my plan. I know my sister, she doesn’t like violence, that’s why I have to take care of her. Before we know it, the dusty door to the abandoned nail salon is within our sights. The creak of the door alerts the others to our presence.
“Why has nobody oiled this damn thing?” I ask. Kaleb peers his head up to glare at his sister’s back as he answers.
“Apparently it has charm.” Lou Ellen makes a face at him. Mateo speaks up from his spot by Derek.
“How much longer till the Portkey starts up?”
“6 minutes.” Comes Duke’s reply, he pauses to look up at Amara and Lexi’s game of Jacks before continuing.
“Also Lexi got 3 jacks not 4 on her last turn.”
“This game is the worst!” Lexi cries and slumps over on the ground.
“Well here’s the good news, Reyna is making tamales tonight!” Amara chirps, sweeping the leftover Jacks into her hands.
“What are tamales?” Lila asks. Before anyone can answer I throw in a question of my own.
“Who is Reyna?” Lou Ellen stands up, dusting off her jeans. Her smile is crooked as she answers.
“I suppose you’ll just have to wait and see. Now come on munchkins! Portkey will be starting up any minute now.”
(In case anyone is wondering, Jane doesn’t go to school with them. She used to live in Camp Half-Blood year round so that she could be near a safe place but once the Romans were discovered (and a portal was made between the two camps because convenience) Jane wanted to advance her fighting. She managed to get a spot in Camp Jupiter after going through the Wolf House. She’s a full member, tattoo and all, Luna represented her (Aura retired from her Ambassador of Trivia role or she would have done it). Jane now spends summers at Camp Half-Blood and will be getting an education in New Rome. She visits CHB on some weekends and despite being the only non year rounder in The Band (Mateo, Amara, Duke, Derek, Lexi, Jane) she’s still just as close with them. She also spends a lot of time with her Aunt Nicole who raised her and currently lives in Chicago. Jax is a year rounder and chose not to go back to school. They have a job lined up at Katie’s dad’s flower shop.)