She just stared at the old photo all day.
Everyday, whenever she went on a mission with the hunters, she would secretly look at the picture, as if trying to reach out to him. And every mission with the hunters were always dangerous. Sometimes she would find herself saying, "I hope I'd find you in Elysium." But then she was the lieutenant of Artemis. She vowed never to get involved with any boy.
He's dead anyway.
Thalia touched the photo of Luke Castellan with her fingertips, desperately holding on to their good memories together. But like her old life, those memories were slipping away. It had been twenty seven years past, but she still remained fifteen. If she didn't join the hunters, she'd be thirty-nine now. And if Luke didn't. . . Well, there was no point going in that zone now. It only made her sad.
Her brain was stubborn. Those memories hit her like a brick wall.
She remembered the first time she and Luke met, when they fought together the dragon in the cave. She also remembered the time when the goat Amaltheia led them to Halcyon Green's house, how they defeated the leucrotae and freed the old man from his curse. She thought of the time when she and Luke tried to get rid of her fear of heights, that ended tragically with a broken ankle but ( romantically ) with a tight hug.
Thalia knew she'd be obliterated on spot or banished by Artemis as she thought of all these things, but she was surprised when the sky didn't zap her or something. She smiled sadly at Luke's photo, at his handsome, smiling face. She remembered those lovely blue eyes, his blond hair and dazzling smile that could melt anyone's heart ( especially hers ) .
She imagined all the possibilities when they ended up together. What if Thalia didn't become a pine tree and joined the hunters and Luke didn't become a servant of Kronos? What if they just had a normal life together? But the Fates always made sure demigods' life ended tragically, she thought bitterly.
She didn't realize, tears were tracing wet paths on her face. She hastily wiped them when she heard a voice behind her.
"Thalia? Are you alright?"
She quickly hid the photo in the pockets of her silver cloak, then faced the voice. It was Jason.
"I know it's a stupid question," he admitted. "Of course you're not."
She smiled at her little brother. Luke didn't know about him. But she chided herself for thinking that.
"It's fine." she said.
Sure enough, Jason asked her another question.
"Who's that?" he asked curiously and pointed at the picture. Then he caught himself. "Oh, sorry. I shouldn't ask. It's personal."
Thalia just smiled at him. For once, she didn't feel annoyed with him for asking stuff. It was just like a normal sibling conversation.
"Oh, the guy in the picture? He's Luke. An old friend."
An old friend I used to love.
