𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒, apollo

𝐱𝐱𝐱𝐯. the king of gods despises nova women

THE REST OF MY summer was calm. Luke didn't show his face again and there weren't any more crazy trips called quests we had to take. Right now, the bigger half of the campers were packing to go home, but I still stared at the letter in my hand.

If you intend to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, you must inform the Big House by noon today. If you do not announce your intentions, we will assume you have vacated your cabin or died a horrible death. Cleaning harpies will begin work at sundown. They will be authorized to eat any unregistered campers. All personal articles left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit.
Have a nice day!
Mr. D (Dionysus)
Camp Director, Olympian Council #12

I touched the new addition to my necklace stack. It was my camper's necklace, with one bead already on it. The background was blue mixed with purple, symbolising mine and Percy's arrival at the Camp. In the middle of it, there was a yellow lightning bolt painted, referencing to our quest. Apparently, the decision was unanimous.

I sighed and glanced back to the letter. It was morning, meaning I had a couple of hours to decide. Grover was finally approved for his quest to find Pan. Annabeth was giving another chance to her dad, deciding to stay with him for the school year. And lastly, Percy was going home to his mom who he had communicated with the whole summer with Iris messaging.

But me and my mom? The last time I saw her was on Christmas Day, when she announced that she was going to Miami for a work conference.

Plus, I liked it here at camp. No one gave me any more weird looks anymore like on the first day and I made some new friends. And if I stayed here, it meant no more school. Like no more maths, literature, PE...

But my dad's words repeated in my mind. My mom had a life before me, she was engaged. She was infertile, but somehow, I was born. I mean, it was probably my dad's god genes to blame, but still. I feel like I should actually talk to her for the first time, like sit down and everything.

I shook my head, I needed to make a choice.

"𝖄ou sure you want to do this?" Percy asked as we both headed to the Big House, to drop off our letters. I sighed, fidgeting with the paper in my hand, "If what my dad has said is true, then mother dearest and I have some things to talk about."

He nodded, but then nudged me. "Hey, if you will ever need to escape, my mom says you're free to stay with us for as long as you'll need. And she wants you over for dinner at some point, to thank you."

"I already told you, it was nothing," I rolled my eyes, but then grinned. "But, I will definitely take the dinner invitation. I love your mom's cooking. And thanks for the the other offer, knowing my mom, I probably will take it at some point."

"Always," He smiled. "You're my best friend, Gett."

I nudged him, "Oh, look at us, we're so sappy."

THIS WAS IT. I was standing in front of the door, one of my hands holding my bag, while the other was frozen in front of the door, holding my keys. Maybe I should stay tonight at Percy's? When Sally picked us up, she offered for me to stay with them if I wanted to. After all, she knew my relationship with my mother.

But I said no, knowing that if I didn't face her now, I wouldn't be able to do it at all. Which is why, I finally placed my key into the lock, and twisted it. I quietly closed the door behind me, although I didn't know why I decided to do so. She probably was at the hospital like always.

The apartment was dark, making me think that my suspicions were probably right. For the past few months at Camp, I grew more comfortable being in the dark, so I opted to turn on my phone's flashlight, rather than the big lights. Also, it felt good to finally hold my device after not having it for almost three months.