Gracie Jackson

~ Part 14 ~

"What is the prophecy?" Bella, one of my half sisters, asked. Bella was the youngest in our cabin and probably in the whole Camp, she was also the only other descendent of Athena, instead of being her daughter. "Why can't we hear it?"

"Bella! Stop being so nosy!" Fiona chided. The Cabin erupted in giggles.

"It's ok, I'd be curious too I mean we all take after Athena right? But I can't. I'd be putting you guys in more danger than you already are in just being at this camp," I explained. "There are things you guys don't know about me and my family, and when people find out they often make assumptions, so for now i'd like to keep the prophecy to myself, sorry."

"You don't have to apologize!" One of my half brothers said. His name was Jacob and he was about my age, maybe a little older, he had dark brown hair and glasses that matched his intelligence. "We all have our secrets, I mean you can't tell everybody everything." I looked up at him, shocked that he and the rest of my cabin were ok with the fact that I wasn't telling them the full truth. That's the moment I realized there really are differences between the Greeks and the Romans. I was shocked that my cabin mates weren't judgemental, like almost everybody else I've met, instead they were understanding and caring.

"You guys don't have to pretend to like me," I said. Instantly the 13 other members of the Athena Cabin looked confused. And all started talking at the same time, Fiona had to yell to quiet them all.

"What are you talking about?" Fiona asked, "Why would you think we're pretending to like you?"

"In New Rome nobody would even talk to me, much less be understanding. I guess it's just kind of a shock to be treated as an equal here," I explained, "At least an equal for now." People started asking questions, but luckily Connor burst through the door.

"Gracie, are you ready?" Connor's cheeks went red when he realized he was interrupting something. "Oh, sorry, but it's about time we start investigating."

"It's fine Connor, we'll release Gracie to you. Don't get in too much trouble you two," Fiona teased. My face felt hot and when I looked over at Connor he was suddenly very interested in the floor. I grabbed his hand and marched out the door, pulling him out with me, away from the muffled giggles of my siblings.

"Hey guys!" Jasper said when he noticed us crossing the lawn. Grover was walking behind him with Will and Nico following close behind.

"We came to see our boy off," Nico said. He noticed me and shook his head. "I don't know how you are keeping this secret so hidden, you look just like your mother but with a hint of your father in your eyes, gods I miss them." His eyes clouded and his mind went to a different place and time. Will punched his arm to bring him back to reality.

"Well sorry to cut this family time short, but we have a prophecy to unravel, so if you don't mind we're gonna head out," Connor said, his dads looked at him then looked at each other and simultaneously ran to give him a hug. "Guys!" He wiggled out of their hug and stood next to me. Next, it was Grover's turn to be the embarrassing parent, he hugged Jasper with tears in his eyes.

"Dad," Jasper complained, "We aren't even leaving Camp."

"I just don't want to lose you again, your mother can't handle that stress with her tree dying." Jasper looked down at his hooves and walked over to where me and Connor were standing.

"You guys ready?" I asked, they looked at each other then at me.

"Ready," they said in unison. Together we started out around camp with nothing but our weapons in hand.