Love's Hero

Stressful Tears

Jazmine POV (again sorry.)

We start walking over to the bonfire. Other campers were singing camp songs. The fire seemed to be reacting to the mood. Flaming up and turning happy pinks and purples. I sit down by Piper and Jason sits on her other side I lean over to Piper.

"What am I suppose to do?" I squish over to Piper as Leo and Calypso sit on my other side.

Piper replies, "Enjoy yourself. It's a campfire sing-a-long. So sing!"

She shouts over the increasingly loud singing campers and laughs as Jason swings on to his shoulders.

I stay seated, not knowing what to do when Chiron gallops into the center of the circle. He raises a hand, immediately silencing the gleeful campers.

"Campers. Today we stand here to celebrate a new camper. Please welcome, Jazmine!"

He signals me to stand and I try to shrink back. Some Hephaestus children behind me lift me up above their heads. I cringe from the loud cheers and my bruises.

I struggle to get set down. I sling my body to the right and the men holding me up lose grip.

I fall towards the ground reaching my hands out to whatever will stop my fall. I touch a head. I pull, slowing my tumble. The man behind the head, catches me, easily. He holds me, cradled like a child and gently seats me back where I was sitting.

By now, the other campers aren't paying attention to me anymore. The guy who caught me looks at my face with worry.

"Are you okay love?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

I ignore his worry-filled look and try to stand up to go back to my cabin. He reaches his hand out and grabs my arm.

"My names Daniel. You'll find me at the Hephaestus cabin."

I yank my hand away and stomp off. As if. I feel tears come down my cheeks. Stressful crying. I ferociously wipe away my tears, checking to make sure no one is around me. I start shaking now overwhelmed. I don't even know why I'm here. I don't deserve this.

Suddenly I see a faint pink glow surround my shadow. I swat at it, surprised. I glance above my head. I scream, trying to scare off whatever is over me.

Piper and Calypso, who followed me see the sign. Piper hugs me. I push her off.

"What the actual hell is a pink glowing ghost thing doing floating over my head on the worst night of my life!!!"

They both look at me startled. Calypso tries to explain.

"Jaz, dear. You've just been claimed by Aphrodite, the goddess of love."

I scoff at Calypso's explanation.

"Okay. I understand that I'm demigod. I understand that you saved me but no where in all of hell am I the f***ing daughter of love. Do you know what my father did to me? What my brother did to me?! I'm am a worthless piece of shit. I don't belong here. I don't belong with preppy daughters of love. I deserve my fathers beatings. I'm ugly. Disgusting pig. I know it. My father knew it. That's why my mom left. Me! I am not Aphrodite's daughter. A God would not ever leave their daughter with a abusive father. And that's final."

I'm shaking by the end. Crying into Calypso's shoulder. She pats me on the shoulder.

"It's okay, dear. You're now here. You don't need to be bothered by that disgusting man ever again."