12 CLARISSE LA RUE

You'd been on a mission for months, and that had troubled Clarisse's cold heart. Chiron had promised that if she wrote a letter, it would reach you. Of course, it wasn't an easy task to write you a letter. But perhaps the hardest thing was expressing that she missed you without actually saying it.

I missed you so much. That phrase crossed your mind several times. Why not just write that? It was matter-of-fact and... no, very emotional. 'MUSM.' "Miss U So Much." Days passed before you could read the letter, imagining it as something emotional, or a letter from afar. When you finally returned to camp, crossing the barrier protecting it, the sound of clapping and shouts of congratulations competed with the sound of birds.

The daughter of Ares couldn't believe you were finally back, and before she knew it, she was running into the crowd. Clarisse's strong arms wrapped around you in an awkward hug. She didn't care; she needed to quell that feeling of missing you, and the guilt for having allowed you to go on such a dangerous mission.

"MUSM, huh?" you said mockingly. Clarisse squeezed you even tighter.

"Shut your mouth, you piece of shit," he said in that aggressive tone, but his worried gaze revealed his tone, giving you a feeling of comfort.

You stayed like that for a long time, and for a moment Clarisse was reluctant to let go of you, but finally she let out a resigned sigh and moved you away slightly.

"Come on, come on. There's a fucking party planned for you," he murmured softly, putting his arm around you and leading you toward the cheering crowd.