Leo's POV

Shop was turning out to be my favorite class. We did hands on things that were so cool, they were probably illegal. It was composed of only five students, which meant Mr. Adams was able to give us his undivided attention. With his bushy beard and burly body he looked like someone I wouldn't want to wrestle with. In fact, I wouldn't want to take on any of my classmates.

    Beckendorf was a tall, strapping guy with thick arm muscles. Rumor was he could turn a chunk of metal into anything. Nyssa was a senior who often sported camp tank top that showed off her muscular arms. Harley was a middler, but even he looked like he could take on Chuck Norris. Next to them, I was even more conscious of my scrawny frame.

     Even Calypso, looked more intimidating than me. Today she wore a white blouse and jeans and she looked like the pictures of nymphs we saw in history class.

     "Class, today we'll be making swords and daggers for Mr. Brunner's Class," Mr. Adams said.

     "We're making weapons?" I asked.

       "Yes," Mr. Adams said gravely. "For educational purposes. These are dangerous, so no tomfoolery."

     I sighed because he was giving me a look. It was a look that those in authority — judges, foster parents, and teachers — loved to dole out to bad boys like me. "Tomfoolery?" I repeated. "I never fool around, sir."

     Hephaestus sniffed. "Good boy. Wait, was that sarcasm? Machines aren't sarcastic. Why do organic compounds have to be so unnecessarily complicated?"

    We stared at him as if a fire was beginning to burn in his beard, which was actually happening. "Mr. Adams!" Calypso said, screwing off the top of her water bottle and dousing him. "Your beard is on fire."

There was a crackling sound and a hiss as smoke rose from Mr. Adam's beard. I pinched my nose, blocking out the acrid tang of fire mixed with the familiar smells of machine oil and metal. Mr. Adams looked quite unperturbed and I thought of how if this is what Blackbeard looked like, then he wasn't that scary.

"Accidents happen," Mr. Adams said, "but luckily Miss Calypso sorted this one out. I know you all have that ability. Now, I want you guys to work with partners. Beckendorf, I want a one-on-one session with you. Nyssa can work with Harley. Leo, you go work with Calypso."

I sighed, but put on my trademark smile. "I bet you're thrilled to be working with me, sunshine."

Calyoso snorted. "Your shoes are untied."

I relaced and tied them. "Well, you're an observant one," I said, trying to get on her good side. "It will help us on our project."

"We're partners in a class project," Calypso said. "Not two people stuck on a deserted island. Once this is over, we won't have to speak again."

Yeah, I was really on her good side. As we heated up the forge, I studied Calypso. Her caramel-colored hair was braided and she smelled of cinnamon. When soot smudged her face, she forged ahead. Honestly, she looked kind of hot. Not that she was my type. She was too annoying and too stuck-up. Besides, she would rather be with a guy like Jason or Percy than some simp like me; nope, I did not like her at all.