The Valdez side-effects

Chapter 15

Apollo brings me to a red sports car.  "No offense or anything," I look up at Apollo.  "But it isn't really a chariot..."

"Ah, now it isn't. But I can change it into anything.  God, remember?"  He smiles brightly at me. 

"My bad." I look away.

"Well, get in!" Apollo says enthusiastically.  I climb into the passenger seat.  "So, where too?" He asks turning to me. 

"Anywhere but Camp Half-Blood." I say, feeling a lump rise in my throat.  

"Alright, didn't you say you wanted to go to New York?" He asks, starting the car. 

"Yes.  Please."  I say as he pulls into the road and takes off down the highway. 

We sit in silence for a few minutes.  "Why New York? What's there?"  He asks. 

I shrug.  First place I thought of.  Percy lives there, Mount Olympus is on the six hundredth floor of the Empire State building.  I figured it would be safe for a demigod like me.  Or not demigod.  Whatever I am." 

I see Apollo nod from tge corner of my eye.  We are silent for another few minutes.  "And why did you leave?" He asks.  "Did they like, abuse you or something?" He laughs half heartedly. 

I take a deep breath.  "It's a sappy love story." 

"Oh no.  Did some Aphrodite kid ruin your love life or something?"  She looks over at me. 

I shake my head.  "Everyone I love might not live me back because apparently I have been passing on my emotions.  Those people don't love me or anything, it was all me.  I figured if I leave, their lives will go back to normal because I won't be influencing them anymore.  And I-"  I stop myself and look over at Apollo.  "Sorry."

"Nah, let it all out darling."  He says.  When I don't say anything, he looks back over at me.  "What about the Valdez kid?" 

I flinch at the mention of his name.  "Leo?" 

Apollo nods.  "Yes.  Isn't he your boyfriend or something?"  He asks.

"Most likely not.  Right about now he is realing I tricked him into all of this and he hates me!  But I didn't mean to trick him.  Stupid magic!"  I start to sob.

"Now now." Apollo awkwardly pats my back.  "You listen to me.  The magic would only have worked is the emotion was felt by both parties.  And no offense, but I am pretty sure only Aphrodite can do magic like that."

I look up. "What?"

"Leo does love you.  And so does everyone else.  I am willing to bet that Hecate just said that so you would doubt yourself."  He shrugs.  "She wants you to think no one really loves you so you will become. godess." 

"Why are you gods so set on making me a godess?" I ask, trying not to scowl. 

"We are afraid of what you will do.  You can't run around starting a new race."  Apollo says. 

"But I am a different race already, and it sucks.  Why would I inflict that on anybody else?"  I turn away.  "I'm alone and it sucks." 

"The offer that Zeus made you was that you could become a godess and you will never be alone or you can stay mortal and always be alone."  Apollo says. 

"And I suppose the only reason you are driving me is because you are bringing me to Mount Olympus?"  I sneer. 

"No.  You said you didn't want to."  He looks offended.  

"Really?" I ask, taken aback.

"Yeah.  I swear it on the River Styx." He grins at me. 

"Thank you." I let out a sigh. 

The next few hours are passed in silence.  Once we pull into the city, Apollo asks me where I want to be dropped off.  I don't know where I want to go.  I think I should go and tell Percy's mother he is ok.  I ask to be brought to his house. 

Apollo drops me off at an apartment building.  I get out of the sun chariot.   "Thank you."  I tell Apollo.

"No problem kid.  If you ever change your mind, you know where we are."  He winks at me and drives off. 

I turn to the apartment building and look for the buzzer labled Jackson.  Once I find it, I hesitate before I ring it. 

"Hello?"  A woman's voice says from the speaker. 

"Um yes.  Hello Misses Jackson?"  I respond.

"Who is this?" She asks.

"My name is Leora Kain.  I'm from Camp Half-Blood."  As soon as the words leave my mouth,  the door buzzed open. I took that as a sign that she let me in. 

I hurry inside and head up to the apartment.