It Starts with a Dream

12/ Their Home

I eventually fell asleep from emotions. I had a dream about my mother and I. What good times. Then I heard a random pounding. I opened my eyes and I seemed to be coming from the door.

"Chip," I heard a voice say. "I have your book bag."

I jumped up and ran to the door. My stuff! I opened the door to see Nolan standing there with my bookbag. He handed it to me and I took it. I held it close to me.

"Thanks Nolan." I thanked him, smiling a bit.

"No problem, but are you okay? You have red rings around your eyes." He asked.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"Okay," I said, probably a bit suspicious. "Anyway, Lydia is having a welcoming ceremony for you today at dinner, which is in ten minutes."

I felt my face burn, "A wel-welcome ceremony?!"

"Yeah," He started. "Everyone gets one."

"Okay..." I said, not really excited about.

"Come on, let's get there early so we can get a good seat."

I nodded and followed him to the pavilion. My first time eating there and it might be my last if i don't die from embarrassment. As we walked I saw other students with us. No one looked similar, everyone had their different features that separated them for everyone else. We reached the top and took a seat with Ayden, Navi, and some guy with reddish brown hair. None of us were from the same cabin. I guess they weren't strict about seating, like the major side was.

I saw Lydia and two others walk up to a podium in the very front of the pavilion. She cleared her voice and said, "Today we have a new camper."

Right then my heart pounded and my face started to burn.

"His name is Chip Days," Lydia announced. "Please come up."

I got up and walked slowly up to the front, everyone staring at me. The only thing going through my mind was, "Don't trip."

Once I got to the front, Lydia smiled and put her arm on my shoulder. "Everyone, give it up for Chip Days Son of Morpheus!"

There was silence, then suddenly, everyone started clapping loudly. Everyone looked so mesmerized and happy at my presence. I felt my face burn even more. Why?

Lydia handed me a MCHB or Minor Camp Half Blood shirt. It wasn't like the other shirts I saw the Major kids wearing. It was red, had two swords crisscrossed, and had Μικρά Θεοί on the front which translates to Minor Gods. Don't ask me how I know that. Looking at this made my stomach feel weird. I looked at everyone, no was wearing the camp shirt. What was the point of this? I took it and held it in my arms.

Lydia took something else out. What is it this time? It's a tiny book, kinda like the one I received from my dad. It had the Minor camp symbol on it. Lydia looked at me and grinned.

"This book is what you'll keep all of your memories, pictures, and achievements from your time here at camp."

I took the book and opened it. The inside, like Juniper's, said Journal of Chip Issac Days 2019-.

"Welcome to the family Chip," Lydia started. "As Jeremy Hills would say 'May all who live here gain the knowledge and strength, not only to prosper, but to also aid to the ones around them.' and we hope you follow that logic to your success here."

After this I was finally dismissed. I sat back with Ayden, Nolan, and Navi. They all congratulated me and demigods (who were obviously older than us) came over and gave us a menu of today's food.

"Hello Chip," Said the reddish haired guy. "I'm Milo Rhode, Navi's boyfriend and child of Nyx."

We shook hands. Navi had a boyfriend? That was kinda a surprise for me.

"Welcome to camp," he continued. "You'll love it here, i promise you."

I smiled awkwardly, "Thanks."

For food I ordered was two slices of homemade pizza and a lemonade to drink. I looked to my friends, they all seemed to be enjoying each other's company. Even Navi was smiling. None of them cared that they were here without their family.

Ayden looked at me, he probably noticed I was uneasy. "Hey, what's on your mind?"

I sighed, "How are you all so happy here? You all are here without family, friends, or anything like that? How do you adjust being away from your family?"

Everyone at my table looked at me in silence. Finally Milo spoke, "Well, I grew up with my dad who was very selfish. He told me many times that he didn't want me with him. Once I found out I was a demigod and was taken here, my whole life was turned around. Finally people were glad to see me! I even made friends and met Navi. This place is my home and I haven't talked to my dad since I left about four years ago."

"So this place is like a safe haven for kids who are demigod children right? But you see it as an actual home for you?" I asked.

"Pretty much," Milo replied.

"But all demigod children stories are sad like that though," Navi started. "My dad is named Gabriel Glen, a track runner for the Olympics, he's the best parent I could ever ask for. Chip, just because you're here doesn't mean you stay here forever! You can go back home whenever you like, but most kids like staying here over the summer then go back when school starts. I go back every winter to visit my dad, you could do the same."

I sighed with relief. After I finished I offered the rest to my dad, we all went back to our cabins.

I went inside and grabbed that book from earlier. Juniper Collins. Who could that possibly be?

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Published early because I haven't updated this story in weeks, I hope it was worth the wait