The Five Demigods Who Saved Olympus | Book 1, 2, & 3

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Noelle and Heath just stood there, gazing at each other for a good minute. Noelle had realized the time that had passed that the two stood there gazing and soon remembered why she had come here. And it wasn't to gaze into Heath's beautiful, icy blue eyes. She pushed past him, making her way into his apartment. His mother, Lydia, stood to the side of the kitchen, cooking soup on the stove for lunch. It was a familiar scent. Tomato and celery. One Lydia made often. Noelle made her way to the living room and sat down on the couch. Noelle had no problem making herself comfortable, considering she and Lydia knew each other very well. Before her mother's death, Heath and Lydia lived just down the hall. She'd often see Heath and Lydia walking through the building. Lydia would even come over every now and then to help her mom with groceries and such since the two were friends. After Noelle's mother had died, Lydia came around the apartment and helped her with anything Hestia wasn't equipped for. Noelle didn't think of Lydia as a mother figure. She felt as if seeing anyone as a mother figure was like replacing her own mom, and she never wanted to do so. She more so saw her as an acquaintance. An acquaintance who was always willing to help her out. And in all truth, Noelle didn't have anyone else to help her out. She didn't have any friends. Lydia was one of the only people she felt she could open up to.

"They've called for us. We've got two weeks until Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon unleash hell on Earth." Noelle explained, resting her elbows on her knees as she leaned forward in her seat. Heath was a little in disbelief. Though the children had been told when they were young that the day would come that they'd have to save the Olympians from something that they themselves couldn't handle, he secretly hoped that day wouldn't have to come.

"And what exactly are they having us do?" Heath finally asked.

"Cronus has risen. We take him out before he eliminates all Olympians. Including us." Noelle said.

"What? Why would Cronus come for us?" Heath asked, not entirely sure he wanted to know.

"Because we're not supposed to exist. We are a product of everything Olympians stand against. We're pathetic mortals to them, even though we share their blood. And that's all we'll ever be. We're disgusting in their eyes. Though these are different times and some aren't so harsh on it as they used to be, Cronus hasn't been awake for over a millennia. I have no doubt that his views will be any different than they were when he was breathing. There can't be anyone left alive to take his place as ruler of the Kosmos." Noelle explained, not caring how much she had rambled and expressed her hidden feelings about the Gods.

"So, go pack a bag so we can kill this son of a bitch before Christmas." Noelle said, pointing towards the hall to his bedroom. Heath sighed. This isn't how he wanted to spend his Sunday. He mentally groaned.

"Sounds likely that we'll be missing Christmas." Heath said, just about to walk off to pack his bag, but Noelle's voice stopped him.

"There are worse things in the world." Noelle muttered. Heath said nothing, but he heard her. Despite her affection towards Heath, she didn't want to show that she cared. She never had with Hestia or anyone else since her mother's death. Heath felt no sort of way towards what Noelle said, considering he was used to it. It used to bother him because he had always thought she didn't like him. Which of course, wasn't the case at all. It only bothered him because he too shared the same affections Noelle did. Lydia came to sit beside Noelle. She took Noelle's hands in her own and grasped tightly. Noelle noticed how clammy her hands were. She immediately gave Lydia her full, undivided attention.

"Please stay safe. And keep my boy safe as well." Lydia said with trembling hands. She was terrified. She knew Hades for only a night, and even with Hestia's help in giving her information, she didn't fully grasp what was going on. She wasn't sure if she'd ever see her son again.

"I give you my word that I won't let anything happen to him." Noelle said, assuring Lydia. Heath then walked out of the hallway and into the living room with his bag over his shoulder. Noelle gestured for Heath to go first. The two headed for the door and Lydia followed behind after.

"I love you, Heath. Bring him back to me Noelle." Lydia said. Noelle nodded her head before heading down the hall. Heath stayed for a moment to give his mom a hug and kiss goodbye. When he saw that Noelle was no longer in the hallway, he ran downstairs to meet her there. When he finally caught up to her, they walked side by side out of the building.

"Let's take my car." Heath said.

"We kind of have to. There is no other car for us to take, Heath." Noelle said.

"Well, you could always walk." Heath said, countering back. Noelle was taken aback. While it was typical behavior for him, Noelle however knew due to the two not being close. She stopped to stare at him. He didn't turn back, so he didn't know how she reacted to what he said. The two made it into the car and she propped her feet up on the dash and leaned her head back.

"Uh, uh. If we get into a crash, you'll break your legs." Heath protested, grabbing ahold of her legs and setting them down on the floorboard.

"We'll be fine. We won't get into a crash." Noelle said, clearly annoyed, and put her legs back where they were.

"You may be able to heal cuts, and minor wounds. But, things such as broken bones can't be healed so easily. At least, not with your power." Heath reminded her.

"I know this. Your powers probably aren't so great either. We're only human." Noelle said, indicating she felt slightly offended. Her annoyed tone remained the same.

"I don't get why you hate me so much, Noelle. We've grown up together. We've trained together. Despite all of that, you've always been hostile. And I've always been nice to you. So, why do you?" Heath complained, pulling out of the parking lot.

"I don't believe I ever said I hate you." Noelle said, cutting back on her annoyed tone as she stared out the window.

"Do you even know where you're going?" Noelle asked.

"Yes, I do. I don't know why you'd say it like that. You hardly know the others. You've been just as hostile to them as you are with me. Why is that?" Heath asked.

"What's with all of these questions?" Noelle asked, finally turning to him.

"I've asked the same amount as you have." Heath said.

"Well, I'm not obligated to answer any of your questions." Noelle said.

"Then, I'm not either." Heath said, hoping she'd react. But, Noelle didn't. She instead looked straight and stared out of the window. Heath sighed.

"Look, Noelle. I know nothing about you, though I've lived just a few doors down from you for years. I'm supposed to trust you and fight alongside you for whatever they need us for. I'd like to know who I'm fighting with." Heath said, turning down a familiar street.

"You'd like to know me?" Noelle asked.

"I always have. You've always been so close to me, yet so far away at the same time. I don't know why, I never have. But, I'd like to know, if you'll share any of it with me." Heath said. Noelle sat in silence with her hands placed in her lap. She never had someone who wanted to know her. Hestia didn't try much. They were never like that with each other due to Hestia never feeling the need to get to know her on a personal level, though as Noelle got older, she did regret not doing so. The rest of the Half-bloods didn't either. Heath knew they too wanted to get to know her, but not as much as Heath did. He desperately wanted to. He was drawn to her for so long, and he never knew why because he didn't know a thing about her. Noelle set her legs down and turned to him slightly.

"Fine. you get 10 questions. Ask whatever you'd like to know. But, only 10. After that, we sit in silence." Noelle said. A small smile appeared on Heath's face. He turned his head slightly to look at her and said,

"Works for me."