Glass Flower

chapter four

While Percy was inside, receiving his prophecy, Aurora was pacing outside on the porch of the Big House waiting for him. Rain had started pouring down in the camp, and everyone was surprised and also terrified by what was happening. Aurora didn't really understand the panic. She had a feeling that whatever it was, pretty heavily relied on why Percy was in there right now. When he walked out with Grover and a blonde girl, she finally felt like she could breathe. The girl looked at Aurora, as if she was inspecting her. Grover was excited and pranced towards Aurora hugging her, blabbering something about how he wasn't a total failure yet. Aurora laughed and hugged him back.

"I'm going to get ready, hurry up, Seaweed Brain," The blonde girl looked at Aurora before sticking her hand out, "Annabeth Chase, you're Aurora Gutierrez?"

"Mhm," Aurora shook her hand and Annabeth nodded, glaring back at Percy as she ran through the rain, "Well she seems fun."

"That's one way of putting it," Percy laughed a little, "Hey Grover, can I talk to Rory alone?"

Grover nodded, going to pack his things. Aurora looked at Percy, who asked her to go back to his cabin with him. Aurora followed him, getting soaked in the process. Percy tossed her a towel when they got in the cabin, as he started packing things in his backpack. He explained everything he had been told in the Big House. Aurora listened wide eyed, her friend had to go and fight the Lord of the Dead. Then she thought of the fact he said the Furies, the Kindly Ones, worked for him. If there was a chance her father was alive, then she needed to go too.

"Take me with you," Aurora demanded and Percy looked at her as if she just sprouted thirty arms and legs, "I need to go to the Underworld, Percy one of those things took my dad, that means that he could very well be alive, I didn't see it kill him!"

"Well, Rory, I," Percy looked nervous, "I can only take two others with me, Grover is a no brainer and Annabeth well she.. I already told her she could come with me."

Aurora's face dropped, her heart wrenching a little, "Oh, okay,"

"I'm sorry, I mean she's a little annoying, maybe a bit pushy, but she does have a lot of knowledge about these things,"

"It's fine, I'm supposed to train with Luke some more anyways, and Silena has been super nice to me so I can hang out with her till you get back."

Aurora had her arms crossed, and her lips pressed together tightly. She knew he could tell she was pouting, but if she talked about why she was pouting it would be even more embarrassing. Aurora didn't want to be mad that Percy had to take Annabeth. She had heard about Annabeth and she really was the better option for this. Still though, it made her stomach twist at the fact Percy wanted to take Annabeth instead of her. At least, that's what Aurora felt like.

"After I punch the Lord of the Dead in the face, I'll ask about your Dad okay?" Percy reassured her, and Aurora forced a smile. Worried that he was going to get himself killed before he got the chance.

After the three quest goers were ready she went down to say goodbye to them with Luke. Aurora noticed that Annabeth blushed just even more than she did when Luke was around. It was understandable, even Percy seemed to be ready to start giggling at Luke's entire presence. They said their goodbyes and Aurora watched as Percy left the camp. He promised he would be back by her birthday, and that by the time he was Zeus wouldn't want him dead anymore. The sky rumbled a little louder when he said that, but he tried his best to convince her it didn't bother him. Aurora was a little bitter that he didn't hug her, but she had a feeling it was so he would seem tough in front of everyone.

"Hey, they'll be okay," Luke smiled, trying to reassure her as they walked back to camp. Aurora looked up at the older boy and nodded a little, "Annabeth is good, probably one of the best of us, and Percy is actually exceptionally good considering he's just started."