Mortal Power: A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 19

When you're hungry and low on cash, always have a child of Demeter with you.

I am currently munching on the most delicious fruit salad ever made, simply because I uttered the word 'hungry' to my talented pal.

Orca sits back with a smile on her face as Drake and I pick berries off the bushes she grew in just a few minutes. "Orca," Drake says through a full mouth. "I wuv oo."

She laughs. "Gee, thanks Drake. Audin?"

I simply moan to express how much pleasure is dancing on my tongue.

See, this may sound a little over the top to you, but we have been starving for hours. Wandering the streets with a low amount of money that needs to pay for transportation to LA, we got hungry beyond belief. We couldn't take it anymore, so we followed Orca to a small, empty park to work her magic.

She giggles at us again. "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be back soon."

"Dear gods, not the bushes?" I say, cringing.

"Ew! There's a McDonald's just across the road," exclaims Orca.

We laugh and she departs, leaving Drake and me scoffing berries.

Drake snorts. "The all intelligent Audin, ladies and gentlemen."

I punch him lightly on the arm. "Oh please, that's something you would say."

His smile falters. "What's wrong?" I say with a frown.

"Nothing."

Silence fills the gap for a few seconds.

"Because I'm a child of Athena, everyone expects me to be super smart and always onto things. But I'm not as smart as my siblings. I'm useless."

I frown at him again. "No you're not. You're plenty smart, you just don't have to be smart all the time. Being a child of Athena isn't just being knowledgable, it's being quick-witted. And you're pretty good at insulting me well on the spot."

He laughs lightly. "I guess. Wisest fourteen year old in the world right here."

I laugh too. "Yeah right."

We look into each other's eyes. "Thank you," he says quietly.

"No problem."

I've never done this before. Usually, staring is rude. But this... I'm enjoying this, and I'm guessing he is too.

He draws closer to me. "You're beautiful, you know. Not just on the outside."

I smile sadly at him. "How do you know that?"

Out of nowhere, pain shoots through my skull and I cry out. "Audin!" I hear him exclaim, but everything is getting fainter...

The sun is out, the birds are chirping, the sweet-smelling grass is swaying in the soft breeze. I am stretched out on a red and white chequered picnic blanket next to a man.

"Baby, I've had such a great day with you."

I grin lazily at him. "Me too hun."

Ugh, what? Who is this? When have I ever said 'hun'?

"You know, Gin... I love you."

My heart flutters. Why? I think. I don't know this dude!

"I love you too."

We lean in to each other but I'm screaming in protest inside...

"Audin!"

I suck in a breath as my eyes stretch wide open. I'm staring up at Orca and Drake, who both look worried.