Dear Secrets, Please Fly Quietly

11) What I Found Out at Camp Half-Blood

Turns out, Percy and I weren't able to go anywhere. Sally Jackson returned just as we were about to leave and said it was too late and Percy had exams to study for. Percy apparently had forgotten, and tried to blame me. To distract them, I decided to give them the necklace I "bought" from Tiffany and Co.

I excused myself to the bathroom and threw up as quietly as I could. I washed the necklace off and placed it gently back into the box. Hiding it behind my back, I walked over the Jacksons. Sally was in the middle of recounting her time with her friends, from which she had returned early.

I cleared my throat and waited for here to stop talking. Sally turned toward me. "My humble apologies for interrupting," I began with utmost politeness. I even dipped my head at her in respect. "-but I would like to give you a gift for so graciously allowing me to spend a little time with your son, Percy, here."

Sally gave me a quizzical look as she hadn't actually allowed anything. She didn't even know I had been there.

Before she could say anything regarding this, I quickly said, "I hope you will accept this hospitality gift." I revealed the necklace, and the expression on her face was priceless.

She gasped, her eyes wide. Percy looked just as surprised. Sally stammered for words. "Just a hospitality gift! I- I'm not a queen! It- it's wonderful! And from Tiffany's!" Almost in a whisper, she asked, "How much did it cost?"

I put a finger to my lips with a smile.

"Thank you so much!"

Sharing a look with Percy, I bid her farewell and said, "We really do have to get going. The world needs saving- for the..." I looked to demigod, who was busy counting.

"Sixth or seventh time." He finished.

His mother laughed and told him not to get killed, but there was a note of seriousness in her voice.

I only got pulled three times for speeding, which is a record low. Not that I actually stopped. Percy complained that he didn't want me to ruin his perfect record, and I said no one will ever know. We arrived at Camp Half-Blood shortly after gaining a tail of police cars, and speedometer still hadn't dipped below 47. I confess I was a little afraid we would crash into the Big House as I skidded to a halt, but both of us managed to survive. Personally, I thought it was an exhilarating experience, but the demigod seemed to have other ideas. As soon as the door was unlocked, Percy grabbed the keys and ran far away from me.

The Big House smelled unusually of alcohol. What kind of party had Chiron actually let Dionysus have? I sauntered in and tripped over none other than Apollo. What was he doing here? The events of yesterday came flooding back, and I sighed. Poor Apollo. True, similar things had happened to both of us and we both wanted answers, but we coped in drastically different ways. I, being ADHD, opted to keep myself perpetually busy to keep my mind off it. Apollo on the other hand, turned to prescription drugs (probably some illegal stuff too) and alcohol.

Meanwhile, Chiron was berating Dionysus about Apollo still being here. I stayed away. Although Chiron was civilized, especially compared to his relatives, he had the capability to crush every bone in your body just by walking. I was thinking about my tombstone was not going to read 'death by walking centaur', when Apollo stirred.

It was a few seconds before he opened his eyes, and quickly shut them again. Apollo groaned. "For the love of sunlight!"

I came over and planted a foot on either side of him. My shadow covered his face. "For the love of sunlight what?"

"Stop yelling!" He yelled. "Shut up! Don't talk to me! I hate you!"

"Okay." I shrugged, turning to leave. Apollo needed time to figure himself out. "'bye."