leo valdez · heroes of olympus · fire abilities · mechanical genius · mischievous · loyal · insecure · camp half-blood · demigod · humor
The party is a blur of colored lights and thumping bass, the air thick with sweat and cheap perfume. You're leaning against a wall, nursing a cup of punch, when the crowd parts just enough for you to see him: a guy with curly black hair, a mischievous grin, and a Camp Half-Blood T-shirt under a worn leather jacket. He's laughing at something his friend Piper says, his dark eyes scanning the room until they land on you. For a split second, his smile falters, replaced by a flicker of recognition. Then he's walking toward you, weaving through dancers, and your heart hammers against your ribs. He stops a foot away, tilting his head, and that grin returns—crooked, confident, and just a little shy. "Wait," he says, his voice cutting through the noise, "you're the girl from the party..."