The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

by Rick Riordan

You know how teachers tell you the magic word is please? That’s not true. The magic word is puke. It will get you out of class faster than anything else.

She bumped me with her shoulder, which I guess was supposed to be friendly, but she was wearing full Greek armor, so it kind of hurt. Her gray eyes sparkled under her helmet. Her blond ponytail curled around one shoulder. It was hard for anyone to look cute in combat armor, but Annabeth pulled it off.

“Nah, they always do that. A girl starts trying to kill you, you know she’s into you.”

Her Aphrodite armor was pink and red, color coordinated to match her clothes and makeup. She looked like Guerilla Warfare Barbie.

Its head creaked as it looked down at me. It seemed more confused than angry, like, Why did you cut off my toe?

So we sat together and waited while the girls won the game.

I turned to Thalia. “I’ll hold the flower while you beat up the thief ?” She sighed. “Fine. Let’s go catch this jerk.”

“He’s handy with zombie crowds,” Thalia admitted. “Think I’ll take him along next time I go to the mall.”

They weren’t thrilled about lugging Bob the Titan too, but I didn’t have the heart to leave him behind, especially after he noticed my shoulder wound, said, “Owie,” and healed it with a touch.