18

Ψ 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 Ψ

𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐬𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, he was scarfing down food my mom had packed for him as I tried to find my words to speak.

I held my head and groaned to myself as I finally said, "I feel bad for speaking the way I did to Clarisse, but then on the other hand she freaking deserved it."

"Mmm, your mom should be treated as a God herself with the way she cooks..." I laughed and shook my head with a smile on my face.

"Look, don't go so hard on yourself. Clarisse acts out for a reason. Honestly it is upsetting to see her do that, but neither should you have to condone the bullying. So, I say...just ignore her and please don't take up another challenge from her. Like ever? Her dad is the God of War for a reason..." I laughed and he did too as I bumped our arms together and I looked out into the lake.

"You think my dad will ever want me? And be honest..." I asked, turning my head to my right as he stopped eating and set his container beside him and looked at me.

"I've seen... a lot of kids like you that have been neglected over and over again. These gods...they are selfish. And none of it is any of your faults but you guys always go back to blaming yourselves. Don't do that. You have an amazing mom, an amazing personality. No god can take credit for that. She did a great job." He let out grabbing his food once again and munching down.

I smiled and hugged him as he ate, not caring if he got annoyed and whispered, "thank you...I needed that."

He patted my back and I let go of him and he smirked and said "I'm gonna...head out."

He quickly ran off with his food and I was confused and while I saw him run in one direction, in the other I saw Luke walking over to me and I turned back to face the river as I felt him sit beside me in the sand as my head slowly like a worm to look at him.

"What you did was one of the dumbest things you could do." He simply let out as I nodded in agreement beginning to look away.

"However, I can't say I'm not impressed." He chuckled out as I turned my head to look at him.

"Even if I lost?" I was confused and I saw him grin slightly as he turned to look at me.

"I think...for being here for a short amount of time, learning and practicing...with a little more training, you'll be able to take down the daughter of the War god." I didn't know if he was truthful with his words, but I wasn't gonna question him at all.

I felt a weird feeling in my stomach as I turned away from looking at him and tried to calm myself down. I took some deeper breaths "Clarisse was right though..." I had to point it out.

"Her dad at least considered claiming her as his own. My dad...for all I know he thinks I'm a huge joke finally being found after 17 years. Maybe I'm weak...maybe I'm...I don't know." I stopped myself before going too far. I laid down on the sandy ground and looked up at the sky.

He laid back with me and he told me "Don't get in over your head, many parents are like that. My own exactly."

I asked him, "Do you hate your dad?"

Luke's smirk appeared on his face as he turned his head to look at me "would you really like to know?"

I wouldn't know if the words that would leave his mouth would make me happy or sad, angry, or annoyed? My own emotions were getting in over my head and all the confusion as I began playing with my bracelet and felt that lump form in my throat.

"You're nervous." He pointed out and I shook my head "no I'm not."

He sat up again and held up his wrist saying, "anytime you get even the slightest bit nervous you play with your...bracelet."

I lifted myself up and looked at him with my eyes glancing at his own and asked, "you've noticed that?"

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck and stood up telling me "I've gotta get somewhere, you should head back to the cabin."

I watched him walk away and off the land and I got up and walked over and said "wait."

His body paused and he began turning around and looked at me and I played with my bracelet-

I groaned and stopped myself forcing my hands to their sides.

"It looks like you may also have problems with your dad. So, I'm sorry if my words may have gone against you. I'm new to this and I shouldn't judge others' families because clearly, everyone here has messed up their parents. Don't we?" I tried to clear up and apologize all at once and still wasn't confident if it was good at all.

"All is forgiven, to be honest...no grudge was to be held. Not for you." I felt that feeling again in my stomach and it was bubbling even more than I thought.

"At least we know we both have daddy issues, right?" I asked.

He approached me closer, and I panicked slightly stumbling back trying to remain as distanced as possible.

I don't know if he recognized teenage girl hormones are very high when you're at my age.

"I suppose we do. Now get to the cabin before Chiron finds out. I've gotta check in on something first."

I nodded and we walked separate directions, of course I looked back just feeling so many teenage girl emotions, all of which I hated because my mom and I had this stupid talk.

First it was about periods, then hair everywhere and then the explicit birds and the bees talk. I turned back around and continued walking.

Luke turned around and saw me walking away and all he did was smile.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Damien, the best friend.

Luke, the potential love of her life.

Hayley may have experienced more at camp in a few days than her entire life.