"Dang it…AGAIN?" Running through the halls with my best friend was not how I thought this was going to go. We heard a trumpet sound which usually means someone has arrived at camp. I tripped over a rug which delayed us, then she tripped on me. I finally got to the door and another trumpet sounded.
Now, I am sure you're thinking 'Rory, two trumpets is probably a re-signal.' Wrong. Each trumpet sounds once per student arrival. I get to the courtyard where two professors stand and hear a third trumpet. I have not heard multiple trumpets since I arrived three years ago. I look at the poor students who just arrived. I watched as horror washed over one of the students' faces. The tallest of the students looked down at his chest where he had received an emblem. In a loud voice, the Aphrodite professor, Madame Celina, announces "He will study in Adonis' house!"
You could tell he was a model at some point before he got here. It is really no surprise he made it to the minor hall, though. The other two started looking around frantically, which is when Melody Heronia, professor of House Hestia, walked over with Daphne and me. She subtly hinted at us to comfort and help them. I saw Daphne approach the taller of the two girls. I went to the other. Daphne helped her find her house emblem. It was also on her chest but close to her collarbone. Daphne smiled and called "Nike, goddess of victory!"
The girl I am helping looks frightened. "Don't freak out. My name is Rory. I am a student here at Belle Crest. The houses here tell you where you belong and which god wants you on their priestly roster. They mark us on different parts of our bodies, but most of us find it close to our hearts." I pull on my collar and show her my house emblem. "I am in Hestia House. She is the goddess of the hearth and home. Would you like to introduce yourself to me? I can help you find your place?"
She shyly pulled on her collar and tried to find her mark. It was not over her heart, which immediately tells me she is not a minor deity's house or my own. "My name is Irena. I was on my paper route when I ran into the other two and we somehow ended up here."
"Paper route, huh. How long have you been delivering news?"
"About a year. I started when I was twelve. I'm thirteen now!" Suddenly, it made sense. I knelt down and tugged up her left pant leg. There was her symbol: a winged shoe.
"Congratulations, you're in Hermes House!" In a louder voice I yelled her house name and a few Hermes boys came running up to her. I laughed and walked away. Each house gives their members the tour. I walk away and approach Daphne. With all the excitement of new students, she is always the best person to be around. Daphne was my guide when I arrived at Belle Crest and we have been inseparable ever since.
Daphne drags me up to the cafeteria and we sit at the community table. I start chatting with the people sitting there and dig into my food.