Maidenhood

Walk by the Beach

I was exhausted by the time I dragged myself to the oracle cave. Chiron had been mad at first because I went into battle without his permission. After he learned that it wasn't my fault though, I was pardoned and Octavian was stuck with doing dishes. Man, that kid gave me a glare so intense I swear I got sunburned.

From my cave I could hear the camp still celebrating without me. I had made an excuse and slipped away the second they started doing demigodly activities that I was incapable of participating in. It sucked sometimes, being the only mortal here at camp. The nymphs were sympathetic at times but on occasion they make fun of me. That's when I pull out my hairbrush and they go running. You'd think everyone in the camp believes I can turn my brush into some megaweapon the way they react.

I collapsed on my bed and in a few seconds I was out cold. I think I had a little too much punch for my own good because I dreamed of Aphrodite. Aphrodite seems to pity me or something. What she doesn't get is that it is possible for someone to swear off boys and keep their promise.

The next morning I had a splitting headache from watching Aphrodite change her looks over and over. Apparently, I have no perfect vision of what I think is beautiful. Eventually she turned into whatever she prefered at the time and started our conversation on love. Let's just say, I threw my hairbrush at her. On the bright side, it's now official that Aphrodite hates me!

I groaned and dragged myself out of bed to my vanity desk. My hairbrush was gone and replaced a pick sticky note. I almost laughed as I read it.

Rachel Elizabeth Dare,

As a punishment for throwing your hairbrush at me... may your hair be snarly for a week.

Love, Aphrodite

It's funny what Aphrodite can come up with as a punishment. Joke's on her, my hair is untamable anyway.

I felt very happy as I left my cave, my crazy hair flying behind me as I ran towards breakfast. I could hear the Aphrodite girls gossiping about me as I ran past. Their mother must have already told me my punishment with her special gleeful air. I scoff as I pass them.

Breakfast was as crowded as usual and I was presented with my ever present problem of where to eat. Instead of a table, I chose to eat at the beach. The sun was up already and shining down on the strawberry fields. I made the mistake of glancing over as Katie skipped through the fields, holding hands with Travis. Aphrodite seemed to be busy at work these days.

I sighed as I looked over the water. I had the fleeting thought of falling in love and how fun it would be. I shoved the thought out of my mind and focused on the view. The water reminded me of Percy. I quickly stood up and tried stopping the memory that came flooding in. The beach had looked just like this the time I had... I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. The time I had kissed Percy, my thoughts finished for me.

Coming back here was a bad idea, my crush of Percy was growing. Scratch that... It wasn't growing, my regret was growing. Aphrodite must have done something worse than messing up my hair. Yesterday I didn't regret my decision a bit.

"How do you deal with it?" A voice came up from behind me.

I swung around expecting it to be some god or someone who could read my thoughts. It was just Leo. "Deal with what?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"A life without love." Leo clarified, looking down at his feet as if he was embarrassed about asking the question.

I sigh, suddenly feeling sympathetic towards Leo. Of course he'd bring this to me... "You just do." I tell him softly. "You ignore your feelings and hope they go away."