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“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Hazel, happy birthday to you,” Bianca, Nico and Anastasia sang as they woke Hazel up.
Hazel stirred awake and looked at her siblings like they had murdered Maia, who was peacefully napping on the other couch, curled up into a ball. She really loved Nico’s cat.
“Happy Birthday Hazel, you're fifteen, how do you feel?” Bianca asked.
“Exhausted,” Hazel deadpanned. Bianca rolled her eyes and hugged her, Hazel smiled.
“Don't be so salty Hazel basil, it's your birthday, and we have a lot planned for today,” Bianca said, she grinned.
“Does it involve ditching us to make out with Drew?” Nico asked. Bianca glared at him.
“No, fuck off,” Bianca snapped.
“Okay, pissy much?” Nico asked.
“I hate you,” Bianca replied.
“Both of you shut up, don’t even argue on Hazel’s birthday,” Anastasia snapped.
Bianca and Nico had the decency to look ashamed.
“Anyways, the day starts with breakfast in bed,” Anastasia said, holding a plate of Kit Kat pancakes.
“Bianca made us all our favorite kind of pancakes.” Nico said, holding a plate of chocolate chip pancakes.
Bianca was holding a plate of Oreo pancakes and a plate of Nutella pancakes for Hazel, she handed them to her and Hazel grinned.
She really loved her siblings. Her birthdays in the past had been super rough. Her birthday last year wasn't the best, but she was excited for her birthday this year.
“Bianca decided after she was done cuddling with Drew to make us pancakes, maybe to make up for how loud she was,” Nico said.
“Nicćolo I swear on dad if you even think about mentioning my sex life one more time today i am going to actually kill you,” Bianca snapped.
Nico glared at her and started to eat his pancakes. After he finished, he let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry for being annoying,” Nico said. Bianca wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“It’s okay, we’ll talk later,” Bianca said
“So what did you plan for my birthday Bianca?” Hazel asked. Bianca grinned and flipped her phone open, checking the time.
“Okay so, we're leaving camp in an hour to get a family portrait done. Lunch is a surprise, but we're staying in camp for it. Then we're having an early dinner here and heading down to the underworld cause Dad and Persephone invited us down for your birthday. After that, we can go wherever you want.” Bianca explained. She took a sip of water.
“What’s the surprise?” Hazel asked.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you,” Bianca replied.
“Oh and it's eight am by the way,” Nico added.
“Okay,” Hazel said.
After they had finished eating Bianca grabbed everything and brought it back to the kitchen. When she came back she leaned against the door frame and said, “okay, put on your best clothes and then we’re leaving.”
Twenty minutes later
Hazel looked at herself in the mirror, she had just put on her favorite purple dress and gold jewelry when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” Hazel called out. Bianca came in dressed to the nines.
“I might have asked Drew to do your nails,” Bianca revealed.
“Bianca!” Hazel exclaimed. She tackled her sister in a hug, Bianca ruffled her hair.
“Happy birthday Hazel, you’re such a great kid, and I’m so proud of you,” Bianca said. Hazel sniffed.
“I didn’t think I’d make it to my birthday, with everything,” Hazel admitted.
“I know, hey, tell me if the portrait gets too much for you,” Bianca said.
“I will.” Hazel said. She put her Mary Jane’s on and followed Bianca to cabin ten. Bianca told her to wait outside for a few minutes, she was waiting on the porch when Lou Ellen noticed her, she hugged her.
“Happy birthday Hazel!” Lou Ellen exclaimed.
“Thanks Lou!” Hazel said.
“You’re going to love my gift,” Lou Ellen said.
“Do you know what Bianca’s surprise for me is?” Hazel asked. She was really curious.
“Nope, I was sworn to secrecy,” Lou Ellen replied.
“Let me guess, Anastasia?” Hazel asked. Lou Ellen blushed.
“No, maybe, okay it was both Bianca and Anastasia, Annie threatened to not kiss me for a whole day if I didn’t listen to her,” Lou Ellen admitted.
Hazel rolled her eyes fondly, “well, I’m really excited for whatever it is!” she said.
Bianca came back outside and grinned.
“Were you too busy making out with Drew?” Hazel asked.
“Maybe, but no, I was helping her pick out a color to match your dress,” Bianca replied.
Lou Ellen hugged her again and walked back to her cabin. They walked inside cabin ten and into the living room. Drew was setting up the nail stuff, she looked up and noticed her.
“Happy birthday Hazel,” Drew said.
“Thanks Drew, what color did you pick out for me?” Hazel asked. Drew held up a dark purple shimmer polish.
“Matches perfectly with your dress,” Drew said.
Hazel sat down at the dining table and Drew started to do her nails, Bianca was pacing around the room for some reason, Drew smiled softly and rolled her eyes.
“Bianca, sweetheart, sit down,” Drew said.
Bianca sat down next to her and started to read a book.
“Keep your nails in the lamp for a minute,” Drew said. She got up and went out of the living room and came back.
About ten minutes later Drew finished doing her nails, she looked at them and smiled.
“Thank you Drew,” Hazel said.
“Don’t worry about it, the color looks great on you,” Drew said.
“Can you go grab Annie and Nico and tell them to go to my car? I have to talk to Drew about something,” Bianca asked.
“If you’re going to make out with her you could just say that,” Hazel said.
“Very funny Hazel.” Bianca said. Hazel grinned and left cabin ten, she walked back to her cabin and went into her bedroom, grabbing her phone and jacket, she went out of her bedroom and Nico and Anastasia were on the couch playing Mario kart.
“You fucking suck, if you shell me one more time I’m actually going to kill you,” Anastasia snapped.
“Bianca wants us to go to the car,” Hazel said.
“Let me guess, she’s making out with Drew?” Nico asked.
“Well duh,” Anastasia said.
“I don’t actually know.” Hazel said.
Nico and Anastasia went into their bedrooms and came out in their gloves and coats, Hazel grabbed Bianca’s keys off the hook and they walked to her car, Hazel got in the front seat and started the car, she moved to the passenger seat.
“So, how does it feel to be old?” Anastasia asked.
“I’m only fifteen Annie,” Hazel replied.
“If anything Bianca’s old, she’s going to be seventeen in a few months,” Nico added.
“She’s so old,” Anastasia said.
“Bianca being old aside, do you guys know what the surprise is?” Hazel asked.
“Oh we know, we just can’t tell you, but it’s going to happen in the dining pavilion, and Bianca went overboard with your gifts,” Anastasia replied.
The car door opened and Bianca got into the front seat, she handed something to Hazel.
“Happy birthday Hazel Basil,” Bianca said. Hazel looked at it and lit up, it was Fearless.
“Can we play fifteen?” Hazel asked.
“Of course.” Bianca replied.
Hazel popped the cd into the player and skipped to the song, it started to play as Bianca started to drive.
“Cause when you’re fifteen, somebody tells you they love you, and you’re going to believe it,” Hazel sang.
“And when you’re fifteen, feeling like there’s nothing to figure out,” Bianca sang.
“Well count to ten, take it in, this is life before you know who you’re going to be, at fifteen.” Hazel sang.
The drive was about twenty minutes to the portrait place, Bianca pulled into the parking lot and parked.
“Okay, I don't really think I need to make the ‘don't say anything that could confuse mortals speech’ but just be careful, and everyone has a weapon on them right?” Bianca asked, she flashed the hilt of her dagger.
Nico and Anastasia pulled out their daggers at the same time, and Hazel pulled out hers as well.
“Okay, let's go.” Bianca said, grabbing her bag and car keys and locking the door when everyone got out of the car.
They got out of the car and walked into the portrait place cking us in, they sat down and waited for ten minutes for the photographer to come out, they went in and took a few portraits and chose one where Bianca and Hazel were sitting on a bench and Nico and Anastasia were sitting on the floor, the whole process took an hour and when they all got back in the car, Bianca started to rant, and she sounded pissed .
“Did you see how the photographer was to Hazel, he was practically snubbing her and ignoring whatever she was saying, I'd go back in there and give him a piece of my mind but I know that I will actually kill that guy if I do that,” Bianca said.
“Gods Bianca, take a breath,” Nico said.
“Shut up Neeks, that guy was being a piece of shit and I will actually kill him,” Bianca snapped.
Hazel felt upset, the photographer was really rude to her, and it reminded her of her childhood.
“I’m sorry Hazel,” Bianca said.
Hazel sniffed and Bianca pressed a kiss on her forehead, she got out of the car and got back in about ten minutes later.
“Let’s go back to camp,” Bianca said.
Hazel put the cd back into the player and as they drove back to camp they just listened to Fearless. They got back to camp and when Bianca got out of the car, she walked out of the parking lot, which left Hazel feeling confused.
“Does this have to do with my surprise?” Hazel asked.
“Yeah, we’re just waiting for Bianca to come back,” Nico replied.
They sat in silence, Hazel felt really excited, Bianca came back about ten minutes later with a blindfold.
“Trust me,” Bianca said.
“Okay.” Hazel said, she got out of the car and Bianca put the blindfold on, she led her through somewhere and they stopped about ten minutes later, Bianca took off the blindfold as everyone called out.
“SURPRISE”
Hazel looked around and wanted to sob, she saw everyone she expected to be there, but tears welled up in her eyes when she noticed Jason, Thalia and Lavinia, Lavinia! She ran over to them and tackled them in a hug.
“Happy birthday Hazel,” Jason said.
“Happy birthday Hazel!” Lavinia said, she grinned and hugged Hazel.
Back at Camp Jupiter, Lavinia was one of her closest friends and one of her only friends, and she had a small crush on her, but she was amazing, and she hadn’t expected her to come.
“Happy birthday Hazel,” Thalia said, ruffling her hair.
Bianca was standing off to the side, a camcorder in her hands next to Drew who had an arm wrapped around her waist, she had tears in her eyes.
“Are you crying Bianca?” Nico asked. Bianca glared at him and sniffed.
“Shut up,” Bianca replied.
“Okay drama queen,” Nico said, Bianca glared at him and flicked his forehead.
“Anyways, ignore Nico and we’re going to paint teacups after we sing happy birthday and blow out the candles! Rachel helped me get everything before she left,” Bianca explained, Hazel lit up and she noticed Leo helping Jason with the cake, it was two layers, they brought it over and Leo snapped his fingers and lit the candles.
They started to sing happy birthday as Hazel sniffed, she made a wish and blew out her candles as tears flowed down her face. Bianca wrapped her in a hug as she sobbed into her shoulder. Hazel was happy for even getting to her birthday, she couldn't even put it into words. After a few minutes, she stopped sobbing.
“Happy birthday Hazel,” Bianca said, she sniffed and pulled out of Bianca’s arms.
“Thanks, Bianca,” Hazel said.
They sat down at the tables that were set up, Lavinia sat down next to Anastasia and Lou Ellen sat down on her right side, Hazel started to glaze her tea cup and Lavinia was chatting with Lou Ellen.
“So, what’s camp half blood like?” Lavinia asked, she popped her gum.
“It’s fun, I mean, it has its problems, but staying year round is really fun, there’s always something going on, prank war, a certain couple getting caught making out in the archery range at least twice a week, and so much more,” Lou Ellen replied, Lavinia nodded.
“I’m definitely going on the next exchange,” Lavinia said, Hazel looked at her and grinned.
“It’s definitely going to be chaotic, cause according to Bianca the new year is always chaotic, like, really chaotic,” Hazel said.
“Oh yeah, last new year there was a huge prank war and cabin ten, they were absolutely going insane, and then Bianca and Drew were fighting during the prank war, and then it all ended because they got caught making out during capture the flag when Bianca was supposed to be getting back at her,” Lou Ellen said.
“Every new piece of information I learn about my sister is always so chaotic,” Hazel said.
“That’s Bianca for you,” Lou Ellen said.
“Can I admit something?” Lavinia asked, popping her gum.
“If you say that you had a crush on Bianca I’m going to sob,” Hazel said, Lavinia rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, I did, she’s just so pretty,” Lavinia said.
“I had a small crush on her when I was eleven. she was just so nice to me,” Lou Ellen said.
“Okay can we please stop talking about how pretty my sister is?” Hazel asked.
“Sorry Hazel,” Lavinia said.
“Seriously, like all I ever hear is how gorgeous and pretty Bianca is, and I’m honestly sick of it,” Anastasia said, Lou Ellen snuggled into her shoulder and she smiled.
“Sorry Annie,” Lou Ellen said.
“Don’t apologize Lou,” Anastasia said, she finished painting her tea cup as Phoebe came over and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
“Hey,” Phoebe said, Lavinia looked at them curiously.
“Are you all like, dating?” Lavinia asked, popping her gum.
“Yeah,” Anastasia replied.
“Wow, you can get two girlfriends but I can’t even get one? This is a crime,” Lavinia said.
“It’s okay Lavinia, I’m sure you could probably hook up with someone on the next exchange,” Hazel said, she let out a giggle.
“True!” Lavinia said.
Hazel was having so much fun with all of her friends and her sisters. She got up and went to take a small walk away from everyone, she noticed Percy following her.
“Hey Percy,” Hazel said, Percy grinned and threw an arm around her shoulder.
“Bianca told me not to tell you but she snuck off and went to go fight the guy that was being a dick to you,” Percy admitted, Hazel let out a giggle.
“I knew she was going to end up doing something to him,” Hazel said.
“He was being a piece of shit from what Bianca told me, and he deserved it,” Percy said.
“You’re right, anyways, let’s go back to the dining pavilion.” Hazel said, they walked back to the dining pavilion and Hazel sat back down in her chair. She was about to say something to Lou Ellen when out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone running, it was Leonora! She ran up to Hazel and caught her breath.
“Sorry, i had school and then i had to run home and then i had to convince my co worker that i wasn’t insane and that there was something here and,” Leonora said, Hazel hugged her.
“It’s okay, sit down,” Hazel said, Bianca noticed her and Leonora hugged her, she gave her a chair and she sat down, Lavinia popped her gum.
“You are gorgeous,” Lavinia said, Hazel let out a groan, Lavinia had a habit of flirting with random girls back at camp Jupiter, and she was going to throttle her.
“So are you,” Leonora said.
“Not to be annoying, but flirt on your own time and not in front of my teacup,” Hazel said, she gave them annoyed looks.
“Sorry Hazel, happy birthday! I put your gift on the table.” Leonora said.
The next hour passed by quickly, she headed back to her cabin after Bianca had helped Roxy bring all of the teacups to the arts and crafts building. She sat down on the couch and Nico and Anastasia cuddled up next to her, with Nico’s head resting on her shoulder and Anastasia's head on her lap. They were relaxing when there was a sudden flash, and it ended up being Bianca with her camera.
“I love you guys,” Bianca said.
“You’re the best Bianca,” Hazel said.
“Come on, let’s go out for lunch,” Bianca said, they got up and left the cabin, they got into Bianca’s car and she started the car, Anastasia was talking to her, or distracting her, the car stopped and Hazel looked out the window and grinned.
“Bianca figured you would want something comforting for your birthday,” Nico said, Hazel grinned and got out of the car, they got a table and ordered food, Bianca took a sip of her water as she placed her notebook on the table, Hazel shrunk into her seat.
“Please tell me you aren’t giving me the talk again,” Hazel begged, Bianca let out a snort.
“Of course I'm not, I wouldn't do that in public,” Bianca said, she let out a scoff as Nico glared at her.
“Just like how you wouldnt make out with Drew in your car multiple times in public?” Nico asked.
“Fuck off, but no, i had a propsition for you,” Bianca said.
“What is it?” Hazel asked.
“We go to Alaska and get everything from your childhood,” Bianca replied, Hazel’s face dropped, she shivered.
“I want to think about that.” Hazel said, Bianca nodded.
“So, you’ll open gifts when we get back to camp, and then depending on what you decide, we’ll either do that or go down to the underworld for dinner with Dad and Persephone,” Bianca said.
“Okay,” Hazel said.
Bianca was about to say something when the food came and they started to eat, Nico and Anastasia were being immature and kicking each other’s feet under the table, and they got her, Hazel kicked Nico and he winced.
“Ow, since when can you kick like that?” Nico asked.
“I’ve always been able to,” Hazel replied.
“You should kick him more often,” Anastasia said, Nico kicked her and she let out a wince. Hazel looked over at Bianca and she was looking at her phone like it held the knowledge to get them to stop, she noticed Hazel was watching and flipped her phone closed.
“Please don't kick each other, do you want dessert Hazel Basil?” Bianca asked.
“Can we get ice cream after this?” Hazel asked.
“Of course.” Bianca replied.
They spent an hour at the restaurant, just talking about everything and anything, Hazel was learning a lot about her siblings, Nico’s second childhood crush being Callan, Bianca’s first kiss actually being a boy from her childhood, Anastasia’s small coffee addiction, and so much more, they left the dinner and went to the nearby ice cream shop, they got ice cream and started to eat it.
“I want to go to Alaska,” Hazel said, even though she knew it would bring up some unpleasant memories for her, but she had a feeling it might help her in a way.
“Okay, let’s go back to camp,” Bianca said. They finished eating their ice cream and got back in Bianca's car. They drove back to camp and went into the cabin. Hazel grabbed her thickest gloves and earmuffs and sat on the couch as Bianca left the cabin. Nico and Anastasia exchanged looks for some reason. ten minutes later, Bianca came back with red eyes
“Are you okay? Do I finally get to fight Drew?” Nico asked, Bianca glared at him.
“No, it’s fine, we’re fine, and it’s just about, nothing,” Bianca replied.
She grabbed her coat off the rack and put it on with her gloves, she grabbed Hazel’s hand and they went out into the woods, they shadow traveled to the one place Hazel had never decided how she felt about, Seward.
They landed in some snow and Bianca helped her up, Hazel led Bianca to her old home, she found an open window and they climbed in it, it was still the same as it had been when she was here on her quest, she looked at the photos on the wall, her old drawings and the photo of her and Sammy, she took it off the wall gently and looked at it.
She had been so happy in that photo, and she turned around and Bianca was crying, she sniffed and wiped her tears.
“I know you’re wondering why I'm crying and being weird today, but it’s a happy and sad day for me and a bunch of other people at camp,” Bianca said.
Hazel felt really confused, she was thinking about what it could be, but she couldn't figure it out, Bianca sensed her confusion and sniffed again.
“Drew’s older sister, Silena, she was the kindest person i’ve ever met, she helped me with so much, she was kind to Nico even when he wasn't, and she was a traitor to us too,” Bianca said, she sat down on the floor and Hazel sat down next to her.
“What happened?” Hazel asked.
Bianca’s face morphed into anger, and she took a deep breath before speaking, “Luke,”
Hazel still felt confused, even though she knew who Luke was, and what he did.
“He used Silena’s crush on him to manipulate her into becoming a spy for the titan army, she didn't want to do it, she was my age when he manipulated her, she was a child, and he used so much over her, and her death is still one of the worst things i’ve seen in my life, she died so painfully, and she was so kind, and she didn't deserve what happened to her, and Drew, she had a lot of rough feelings about Silena, and i do too, she was like an older sister to me,” Bianca said.
Hazel was taking this all in, and it was starting to make sense, how Drew had seemed withdrawn, the fact that she had stayed behind to talk to her after she had gotten her nails done, and why she had come back with her eyes red.
“And yet, she didn't sell me out to the titan army, she never told them, that i, the person who was second in line and almost the prophecy kid and a daughter of Hades, that i was at camp, she let them believe i was still in the hunters, and i’ll be grateful to her for that, but i’m still so angry at her, and i don't know if it’s going to be any easier next year and today she would have been nineteen,” Bianca explained, tears streaming down her face.
“She sounded like an amazing person,” Hazel said, Bianca hugged her and she hugged her back.
“Sorry for dumping this all on you, but you deserved an explanation, and I didn't want you to think that I was leaving you out on your birthday,” Bianca said.
“It makes a lot of sense, and I actually remember Piper mentioning something about how when she came to camp, it wasn't good,” Hazel said.
“Oh no, it was horrible, and I think Drew would have fun explaining it all to you,” Bianca said.
“I need help getting all of my old photos and stuff, do you have the bag?” Hazel asked.
“I do, i’ll help you with it.” Bianca replied, they went around the small room, grabbing everything that she wanted to take with her, she almost sobbed a few times, looking at one of the few photos she had of her mom, she wondered if she would have been proud of her, and the life she had made.
It was still bright out when they left Alaska, Hazel felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest, and they landed in the cabin, Nico and Anastasia were playing on the wii, and she smiled fondly.
“so, who wants to watch me open my gifts?” Hazel asked, she went into her bedroom and put the bag on the bed, and went out into the living room where Bianca was placing all of the gifts on the coffee table, it was a medium sized stack of gifts, and she felt so grateful, she grabbed a random gift off the table and opened it, it was a purple keychain with her name on it in gold, and she read the note on it.
To Hazel, hope you like it, from Dakota
Hazel grinned and put it back on the table.
“Jason brought that with him,” Bianca added, she smiled and grabbed another gift, opening it and gasping.
It was a huge kit of markets, colored pencils and oil pastels, she looked at her siblings and they were grinning.
“That was a gift from all of us, but grab the one in the gold wrapping,” Bianca said, she grabbed it and opened it, letting out a squeal, it was a whole stack of photos, and she looked at Bianca and smiled.
“Thank you Bianca,” Hazel said.
“Open mine next!” Anastasia said, she handed it to her and she opened it, it was a stack of canvas.
“Thanks Annie!” Hazel exclaimed.
Nico handed her another gift and she opened it, it was a purple bag. She looked at the tag and it was from coach, she was trying to figure out who that was from when it clicked, and she grinned.
“Drew?” Hazel asked.
“Drew, and grab the box wrapped in purple,” Bianca replied, Hazel grabbed it and opened it, she gasped.
It was another purple coach bag, and there was a small note attached to it, written in purple gel pen.
To Hazel, i really hope you like this bag, and happy birthday, sorry i couldn't be there, i had a final exam that i couldn't get out of, from Piper ♡
Hazel was really happy, she had wondered why Piper hadn't been there, and she was upset, but she knew she would probably see her soon, the next thirty minutes was a blur of opening gifts, she had gotten gifts, Phoebe, Lou Ellen, Will, Percy, Jason, Thalia, Lavinia, Leo, Leonora and Anastasia, she brought everything into her bedroom and organized it, the rest of the day passed in a amazing blur, dinner with her dad and Persephone was amazing even though Bianca and Nico got into an argument, and she came back to camp exhausted, she got into pajamas and was about to get into bed when the door opened, it was Bianca.
“Did you have a good birthday Hazel Basil?” Bianca asked, Hazel grinned.
“It was one of the best birthdays i’ve ever had,” Hazel replied, Bianca hugged her and she hugged her back.
“Goodnight Hazel.” Bianca said.
“Goodnight Bianca,” Hazel said, Bianca left her bedroom and she turned off her light and got into bed. It took her a while to fall asleep, but when she did, she felt peaceful.