Cursed Mind

Chapter 7

*Phoenix POV*

After my sorting is what Jaspar called it, the whole Aphrodite cabin skipped the bonfire and went to the cabin. We walked in and the whole place looked like makeup and short shorts threw up all over the room. Jaspar showed me to my part of the cabin, clean and neat unlike the rest of the cabin. I walk around and then turn around to thank the rest of my cabin for not making my bed and dresser a mess, but they're gone.

So, I went to the only place besides the place for music I find in the trees. I went to the bow range, I grabbed my bow that I got from Chiron and smiled, engraved on the side of the now was the word 'jewel'. It was from my first battle that I won at camp. I pulled my bow back and shot the bow it hit the center of the target, I smiled.

"Nice shot."

I turned around to see a boy skin burnished bronze skin with a bright blue shirt and black skinny jeans. He looked around the age of 17 and had a bow slung over his shoulder. He carefully took it off and aimed with his bow and when he shot it was effortless. It split my arrow in half and I looked at him like I was imaging someone with three heads.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Austin and my dad is Apollo, I do music and bow and arrow."

"Oh okay, I'm..." I go to introduce myself and he instantly cuts me off.

"Your Phoenix Tate your mother is Aphrodite and you helped take down the Kampe, as well as hangs out with Cyprian and Alex.

"Well you know me well, but no offense that is totally creepy," I told him honestly.

"None was taken, and nice shot but here let me help," He took my arm and adjusted my position and I noticed he was almost a foot taller than me. The perfect height, then again everyone's taller than me. He pulled back my arm further than I usually allow, to add pressure on the string, but just enough to loosen my fingers, and hit the target perfectly dead center. "And then... there perfect." He said like the way he helped me was natural.

"Now how about you show me your other talents and we go to this place by the river where no one can find us so you don't have to feel crowded." He explained as he looked at me with wonder but also a smirk as almost he already knew what would happen.

"Sure"

We walked down towards the river and talked about everything, from the people at camp who to stay far away from to the people that would make the best allies. Austin and I soon were talking like we had always known each other. So he brought out his guitar when we got to the spot, he smiled and handed it to me. I picked it up and instantly started to play, music was always my strong point, I may have been a shadow but a very loud one. He looked at me with interest and said:

"Wow amazing and you're not even a child of apollo,"

"Thanks but yea music and archery have always been one of the things I'm great at."

We both smiled and started to look at the water beneath us, our reflection was perfect almost like a real thing. It looked like one of that movie scene where the date is happening and both people are smiling idiots, but yea you get the picture. He grabbed my hand as we both looked at each other and smiled and said:

"So about that thing we have to do tomorrow you're my partner no buts for it."

"Got it," I said smiling I finally found a great friend who understands me like more than Peter did.

He got up and took the guitar and walked away without looking back. I sighed and started to think if I get too close to someone they will just forget about me or hate me so sorry Austin but I can't be friends with you. I got up and headed back to the cabin. As I walked in Jasper ran up to me and had the biggest grin on his face.

"I hear my little sister hung out with one of the campus big shots," He sang in an oh-i-was-right-sorta-way.

I blushed and smiled, "Yea"

"Tell me everything and please tell me you like him please."

Wow, Jaspar is sure one for juicy drama, I told him everything from the way Austin held me to fix my bow and arrow, to the lake spot and how the moon smiled down on us. Jasper smiled and said:

"I was right he is so crushing and you just need to open yourself up."

I smiled and Jasper got out of my bed and all the siblings got up and left my bedside and we all got in bed. I smiled and thought maybe he is right for once I'm not gonna be a shadow. I went to lay down in bed and there was a knock on the cabin door.

"Come in,"

Nico walked in and looked at me and said: "get up we need to talk." He swiftly out and I got up to instantly follow him.

"Nico what is it,"

"Look Phe, there is something you may not understand but because I only like certain people" he sighed, "and you being one of them I'm going to protect you no matter what. Only because you say you're a shadow and people treat you that way. But also because I am a shadow to a lot of people so I sorta have to protect your ability to go unnoticed meaning I must protect you."

I looked at him like he was insane, he sighed and started to walk off then turned back and said "be careful Austin is nice but don't get too close,,, yet" He said and paused then walked away. I returned to my soft warm bed and closed my eyes hoping tomorrow something between me and Alex would happen so I could ask what I needed to do.