Zeus' fist

"But tell me about you." Justin emphasized. "Any crazy dreams? Any hobbies? Anything you're into. Tell me about who you are."

Carmon shrugs, "I prefer the company of my books to that of others. To be honest I tend to find people draining."

"So you're into books." Justin said.

Carmon just nods.

"Call me Holden Caulfield then." Justin said with a chuckle.

Carmon gives a small smile and rolls her eyes.

"Seriously. He's crazy. His family is pretty much everything to him and his life is just an absolute mess. And that's just a start." Justin laughed. "He's always been that character I've connected with more than any."

Carmon looks at him, "How so?"

"Salinger wrote Holden in a way different than any other character in literature. He acts on instincts. He's written in a stream of consciousness form and he acts on instincts rather than weighing his options. He seems more human. He makes mistakes, lots of mistakes. And he is such a relatable character because of those mistakes because sometimes authors focus on the main character being perfect, i.e. Gatsby. But Holden is flawed, very flawed and I really resonate with that." Justin said.

Carmon frowns, "But the whole point of Gatsby was that he was selfish, and arrogant. In fact all of the characters in that book were supposed be lying selfish beings. In other words, all the worst parts of humans."

"Everyone views him as perfect though. He puts on this mask and no one sees who he is behind that." Justin said. "But my point about Holden is that he speaks to every normal human. He's saying what we're always thinking and I love that."

(Real talk. Catcher in the Rye is my favorite novel of all-time.)

{I cant stand Fitzgerald. All of his work he stole from his wife.}

Carmon just sighs, "Its hard to think that nothing in my life feels normal anymore."

(Catcher in the Rye was Salinger.)

"I don't know. I guess I just appreciate the normal human experience of Catcher in the Rye." Justin said.

{No I know. I'm just saying ;p }

Carmon sighs, "Did you have trouble adjusting when you found out who your dad is?"

"Not really. I was a lot younger when I found out." Justin said. "I never connected with my stepdad anyway. The only shock, no pun intended, was when I found out who he was. Then one day, I looked at the sky and talked with him and it felt natural. Like I actually had a father whether he was here or not."

Carmon nods, "I wish I could say the same. I had always known that my step mom wasn't my birth mother, and while part of me was fine with it, I still had to know who my mother was. The only reason my dad told me was because he knew I wouldn't stop asking. As soon as he did he sent me here." she says slightly saddened by the memory.

"That sucks." Justin said. "I haven't seen my mom since I came here. But I know my dad is watching over her just like he is me."

Carmon gives a small nod, "I guess its just a little overwhelming. Those that don't have powers seem to know their place here, while I would rather just sit at home."

Justin frowned. "Is it a little warm over here, do you think?" He snapped his fingers and sent a slight breeze across the forest to cool the air a bit. He continued. "But in all honesty, those people have also been here for a while. My best advice would be, just be yourself until you find yourself, if that makes any sense."

Carmon sighs though she was grateful for the breeze, "I guess so. Its just a lot to take in and some want me to fight...?"

"Yeah. Ares kids especially. I'm not sure if you know my friend, Jordan but he's a huge fighting guy but I had a real good friend, her name was Hannah. She left camp not too long ago. She never learned how to fight and she's doing great things. It's a useful skill to have, to fight. I know the basics, but it's not a necessity by any means. You can get by without it. I wouldn't worry about it if you don't want to learn."

Carmon nods as she looks at him, "You and this Hannah girl. Did you ever date?"

Justin paused for wuite a while. He had to think about it for a second because the situation was so weird. "No." He said slowly. "No." He then reiterated. "We didn't."

Carmon could tell she struck a nerve, "I'm sorry. Its not my place to ask."

"It's fine." Justin said. "I've got one of the most complicated love lives at camp. I'm surprised you haven't heard the rumors. 'Justin's a player. All Justin does is hurt. Justin can't control himself.' Word gets around." He shrugged.