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Reyna stood in front of a mirror, a tube of bright red lipstick in her hand as she carefully applied it to her lips, the reflection of her older sister doing something similar in the mirror behind her. Make-up wasn’t Reyna’s favorite thing on the planet—it wasn’t the worst, by far, but definitely not the best—but she diligently put it on everyday. CC’s Spa and Resort had offered her and Hylla a safe haven that would be stupid to turn down. Reyna, at the tender age of twelve, knew she would be an enemy of Rome if she so much as stepped off the island. Circe would protect her from that.
So, everyday Reyna dolled herself up, putting mountains of blush on her paling skin from the lack of sun, and sporting a giant smile as she helps doll up other girls in a similar manner. She had no other choice.
Reyna smacked her lips, putting the tube of lipstick in the pocket of her dress pants. “Ready, Hylla.”
Hylla put down the compact of eyeshadow she’d been holding. “Here, let me.” Hylla reached forward and adjusted Reyna’s blazer. “There you are.” Hylla pressed a soft kiss on the crown of Reyna’s head, careful not to smudge any lipstick.
“I wonder what task I’ll be on today,” Reyna mused as the two girls walked towards the cafeteria. “I hope I don’t have to feed the guinea pigs again.”
“Whatever task we get, we’ll do,” Hylla said. “CC is letting us stay out of the goodness of her heart, we’re indebted to her.”
“You’re not,” Reyna mumbled under her breath.
Hylla stopped, causing Reyna to run into her shoulder. She didn’t comment on that, though, instead just grabbing Reyna’s shoulders. “We’re together,” Hylla said sternly.
Reyna nodded, but deep down a pit of guilt swirled in her stomach.
“Now, come on, let’s go eat.”
Hylla dished out Reyna’s food, carrying it over to the bench where they usually sit for her, coaxing her to eat as if she were her parent. Reyna did as she was told, the guilt of being the reason Hylla’s stuck on this island a motivator.
Their tasks for that day were simple; Hylla did the average secretary job she’d been given as one of the older employees, while Reyna was tasked with organizing the library Circe kept her books. Hylla led her to her place, and gave her one last, chaste, kiss on her hair line before going on her way.
Every so often, Reyna would spend a little extra time in one section, flipping idly through the pages of the books with the interesting covers. Though leaving the island was only a fever dream, Reyna still seeked the knowledge of what to do if that fever dream were to arise.
A little bit into the day, when Reyna was organizing the books on magic, the door swung open and Hylla marched in, leading a girl who clearly had just done a makeover. She looked older than Reyna, but not by much, her dress was something plucked straight out of The Odyssey , light on color which complemented the gold woven into her braids. The girl stood in the doorway, gobsmacked, not moving as Hylla gave her a tour.
Reyna gave the girl a small wave, to which she mirrored.
“That’s my sister, Reyna,” Hylla said. “Reyna, this is Annabeth.”
“Hello.”
Hylla looked ready to move on, but Annabeth stepped forward towards Reyna, though her eyes were clearly fixed on the mountains of books around them. “This is amazing.”
“It is, isn’t it,” Reyna said. She grabbed a book off the shelf to move it to its correct spot. “Everything you could imagine is here.”
“I can’t wait to tell Percy,” Annabeth mumbled.
Reyna noted the way Annabeth’s cheeks reddened at the sound of the name, as if it were a trigger. Reyna also noted the way Hylla flinched at the name, though Reyna hadn’t a clue why.
“Yes, yes,” Hylla said quickly. “Why don’t we see CC now, alright?”
Annabeth looked disappointed, but was ushered out of the room. “Is Percy there?” she heard Annabeth ask. Even though she couldn't see the girl, she could envision the way her cheeks darkened at the name. She remembered back in Puerto Rico when she was eight, her sister had reacted similarly when a girl in her class gave her a slice of homemade pastalòn. She had questioned Hylla about it, but her sister had dismissed her, saying she’d understand when she’s older. Reyna had that gut feeling she wouldn’t understand that when she’s older.
That moment, though, that didn’t matter. Reyna went back to organizing books, the thoughts of reddened cheeks and boys named Percy long gone from her mind.