Reyna was unlucky enough to get up earlier than normal to walk to school. All thanks to the assholes that'd ruined her bike. She would have considered pressing charges if she wasn't certain the cops were dirty. As she walked, Reyna's only solace was the morning air and a cool breeze tangling her hair.

The sound of tires slowing and grinding against the gravel alerted her of an approaching vehicle. A blue Prius slowed to a near stop next to her and the window rolled down revealing a blonde curly haired girl. It was Annabeth, with Percy Jackson sitting in the driver's seat.

"Need a ride?" He asked turning the music down  so that his voice would carry over the engine of the car.

"I'm alright." Reyna smiled adjusting her backpack.

"Get in the car, Reyna." Percy chuckled, unlocking the door. Reyna rolled her eyes and slipped into the back seat surprised to find the car rather clean. Percy wasn't well known for his tidiness. "I heard what happened yesterday. Castellan's a dick."

"Percy." Annabeth gave him a slight glare.

"Sorry babe." He patted her shoulder picking up speed to go just over the speed limit. "Point is-he's not the golden boy he used to be. Don't even get me started on his lackies. Bunch of nut cases they are."

"So I've been told. Are they really responsible for everything that's happened?" Reyna asked resting her bag on the car's floor.

"Responsible? No, he doesn't have the brains. Besides, this town has always been weird. We just get a bunch of bad luck. Zoë probably had enough and just cut all ties. Bianca was a...very bad accident I...listen it's best not to think too much about it." Percy sighed leaning back against the seat.

"We've all tried to cut ties here but it's like something brings us back." Annabeth mumbled, biting nervously at her thumbnail.

"How so?" Reyna asked.

"Percy and his mom tried to move but the house they were going to buy was sold just before they closed out on the deal. I tried living with my dad but it was difficult trying to stay in touch all the way in San Francisco. Thals tried hitch hiking out of here but no one ever comes through here and it wasn't like she looked the most friendly. Then you ditched town. Everyone thought someone had finally succeeded in getting out of here but you're back now." Annabeth glanced over her shoulder at Reyna as if looking for an explanation in the other girl's features.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Jason came back." Percy chuckled. The conversation came to an abrupt end when they rolled into the parking lot. As Percy parked in his designated space Reyna tried not to dwell on their conversation. Was it really the town that'd brought us back?

Grabbing her bag and thanking Percy for the ride, Reyna made her way inside. Halfway to class, Reyna's phone buzzed.

Thals: You doing soccer try outs before we chill later today?

Rey: Soccer tryouts are today?! I don't have any shoes.

Thals: You still wear a size eight?

Rey: Yeah, actually.

Thals: Good because I still have your old gym sneakers. The ones I borrowed in eighth grade.

Rey: I thought I lost those!

Thals: Consider this a refund. See you there.

And that was how Reyna signed up for soccer tryouts. Whether or not she'd agreed, Reyna was quite certain Thalia had written her name down anyways. In all honesty Reyna hadn't touched a soccer ball in a long time and the mere thought of being so out of practice made her nervous. But Thalia pulled through for her once again when they met at lunch. The other girl held a pair of shoes in one hand and a soccer ball in the other.

"Who's your favorite person on the planet?" Thalia smiled extending the shoes towards Reyna.

"I suppose you want me to say you." Reyna smiled lightly taking them with a nod of thanks. Thalia dragged her to her lunch table where only one other person sat. The auburn haired girl Reyna still didn't know the name of. Reyna sat down awkwardly at the table and extended her hand. "Thanks for yesterday. You have killer aim."

"Hmm." The other girl pressed her lips into a thin line and shook Reyna's hand with a firm grip. Reyna couldn't help but notice that the girl's eyes were such a faint grey they looked silver. "I'm going to the library."

With that, the girl stood up and left Thalia alone at the table alongside Reyna. "Was it something I did?"

Thalia shook her head. "Nah, Arty's not a social person. She used to be but...things change. Her brother on the other hand...."

Thalia gestured to another corner of the outside seating where a blonde boy stood making large theatrical gestures while a rather large group of people laughed at some stupid joke he'd made.

"Anyways. Try the shoes on. See if they fit." Reyna had forgotten that was one of the main reasons they'd met up at lunch. But sure enough, they fit like they always had and after a few test jogs Reyna gave a thumbs up. "Now, the real test."

Thalia stood and tossed the ball at Reyna's feet. Reyna trapped it with ease and began to dribble around ever so carefully in a small display of footwork. Guess I'm not too rusty.

Thalia gave her an approving nod catching the ball as Reyna kicked it at her. "Looks like we might have a new co-Captain."

"Who was it before?" Reyna asked sitting down to actually eat since it was lunch time.

"The most feared dynamic duo this entire state has ever seen." Thalia smiled her eyes glistening brightly. "The girls with the aim. The stars of the team. Best centers to ever grace this school."

"Okay I get it, they're really good." Reyna laughed gesturing for Thalia to actually sit down. "How about you give me some names?"

"No one is allowed to have their jersey numbers it's practically taboo. Number Seven, Artemis, number ten, Zoë." Thalia said proudly.

"What about you?" Reyna asked. "I read a news article that Thalia Grace had was the rising midfielder at Half Blood County. In fact, she may be the next one to watch in the upcoming battle for state."

Thalia shrugged but it was clear her confidence had soared with the mention of the news article. "Maybe they'll have an article about you soon enough."

"How about both of us." Reyna laughed as the bell rang.

"Perhaps." Thalia nodded collecting her things. "See you at try outs."

"I'm gonna kick your ass." Reyna called as Thalia jogged off having to go across campus for her next class. There was no response but Reyna could certainly imagine what Thalia would have said. Shaking her head she made her way to class finding hat her worry was replaced with excitement. It had been so long since she and Thalia had been on a team together.

It was like their old routine was starting to pick up again. Even in the locker rooms they couldn't help but mess around. As it turned out, Annabeth was also trying out, so was a girl named Hazel, and then Rachel who had red vibrant hair. They all seemed to be relatively calm and collected people.

More importantly, they seemed to know one another and Reyna couldn't help but feel like she was the odd one out. Of course, there were a bunch of others but they all stood clustered together. It may sound rude, but Reyna was certain they permeated a scent of fear.

Making sure to stay away from the scaredy cats of soccer, Reyna claimed a spot next to Annabeth to change. As the blonde was about to slip on her shirt Reyna took note of a rather harsh looking scar across Annabeth's shoulder. She recalled that fateful evening at lunch and Thalia's words, I know what you did to Annabeth.

A shiver passed through Reyna's spine and she tore her eyes away not wanting to be rude.

Thalia, in the meantime was lacing up her shoes, legs bouncing with an excited and nervous energy. This is going to be amazing. Just like old times.

The time finally came for them to meet the coach. A tall thin man with impish features and athletic gear adoring his figure from head to toe stood waiting on the pitch.

"Nice to see so many returning faces." He smiled taking a glance at the clipboard before calling off names to see who had shown up and who had chickened out. "The name's coach Hermes. Just start off with a mile warm up and we'll get right to it."

There were many groans about the idea of running but those who seemed to not mind took off at a brisk pace. Reyna got the feeling that for the most part the team consisted of the usual people and no one was expecting much to change.

Thalia could already guess who was going to make the team and being a bit giddy decided to push the pace just to see if any newbies decided to play the game. See if they were good enough to match the pace and still be functional afterwards.

The usual ones kept up with ease and even held a conversation. Annabeth was venting about a stupid English assignment she got stuck doing with a 'bunch of idiots.' Rachel and Hazel discussed art projects together. As for Reyna, Thalia, and Artemis? The three just ran along quietly not really feeling the need to say anything.

The rest of tryouts for the first hour consisted of drills to observe footwork and Reyna was certain she passed with flying colors. Thalia showed off a bit but it was only because she was bored. The real fun only began when they were allowed to use the whole field and play a skirmish game.

Annabeth was given the shot at being the other team captain and everyone was divided evenly. As it would turn out, the teams were divided rather evenly leading to a tied game but that didn't mean it wasn't fun. Sarcastic banter bounced back and forth across the field as the playing went on.

"You call that a shot Chase?" Rachel joked jogging past wearing a red jersey to signify the opposite team.

"I call it a ball." Annabeth replied wittily. Rachel just rolled her eyes but it was all fun and games.

Thalia received the ball on the right side of the field and made a break for the goal only to be met by Reyna who gave a smug smirk. "Alright fancy feet what do you have?"

"I'm hurt that you only came up with fancy feet. I thought I taught you better." Thalia mused sprinting past. Reyna gave a huff of a sigh and went for the ball slide tackling her friend. The two went tumbling on the ground laughing hysterically. "Shit man, I forgot you were good at that."

"Surprise." Reyna laughed getting to her feet and taking off while Thalia just shook her head.

After about two and a half hours things finally calmed down as the sun began to set in the distance.

"Nice work everyone! Cuts will be posted tomorrow. Have a good evening and stay safe." Hermes stressed the last two words and everyone nodded along in understanding. "Good, now go change out."

"We still hanging out?" Thalia asked as she walked side by side with Reyna.

"Yeah of course." Reyna smiled, earning an equally excited grin from Thalia. In the end, three girls walked towards a beat up pick up truck that sat three people across.

"You brought this?" Thalia asked eyeing the car wearily.

"Apollo took my car." Artemis replied dryly. "I'm used to it by now. Anyways, is Reyna staying the night or just you?"

"Just me." Thalia said.

"You're staying over?" Reyna asked, surprised. Thalia had never been big on staying at other people's houses. It made her anxious not knowing what went on at home. Especially when Jason wasn't allowed to tag along.

"It's that or going home." It seemed like an obvious answer but Reyna nodded in understanding.

"Cool. Then she's the only one who needs a ride home." Artemis glanced at Reyna before unlocking the car. "Sorry for being rude earlier but-"

"It's fine. I don't mind. To be honest it's nicer than how most people treat me let alone look at me," Reyna shrugged as Thalia slid into the middle seat leaving Reyna the passenger side.

"This town's not big on saying nice things." Thalia sighed kicking her feet up on the dash.

"You could say that again." Reyna laughed, trying to relax as the engine sputtered to life.

The drive itself was silent but none of the girls minded it. They had a lot to think about, and with windows rolled down and radio humming, there wasn't a point to talking anyways. As stars began to glow vibrantly in the sky, Reyna was reminded of the tattoo across Thalia's shoulders and back. She did her best to recall the tattoo before snapping out of her daze. She wasn't sure why the image remained so vivid in her mind, but it bothered her.

"So, your brother is the polar opposite of you?" Reyna asked breaking the silence at last and firmly redirecting her thoughts.

"That's putting it lightly." Artemis smiled thinly.

"It's fine. It's the same for me." Thalia said tucking an arm behind her head.

"Not me. My sister is pretty much exactly like me. Just a bit more wild, at least when she was my age." Reyna explained.

"Sometimes I wonder what it'd be like having a sister." Artemis shrugged. "Then I think that if she had Apollo's personality I'd go insane and realize I might actually be lucky."

This caused Reyna and Thalia to laugh but Artemis remained quiet. To Reyna it was nothing unusual, to Thalia it was something she'd grown used to recently. These weren't the sort of times where one laughed very much let alone freely.

As the laughter died down it seemed like whatever tension had existed faded and the trio rode in silence once more. All having different thoughts race through their minds. For Reyna it was the comfort of having friends once again. For Thalia it was how much things had really changed. And for Artemis it was that the car was much more empty than it should be.