My Dark Past

Chapter Eighteen

Leo

It's nighttime before we decide to head back.

I hear the conch signaling dinner.

"Well, I guess this will be awkward. And horrible. So, I'll see you there." We both cringe at the explaining to come.

"Sounds good." Aspen walks in first, and I have no idea what their reaction is.

I take a deep breath, steady myself, and walk in.

Piper immediately sees me. So does everyone else.

It goes silent in the room.

"So...... What's for dinner?" I mentally kick myself for trying to be casual.

Piper gets up, and walks towards me.

Then she slaps me in the face.

Hard.

And then she's crying, and she hugs me.

"Pipes, it's okay." I try to help her.

"I am such a BITCH!" She sobs.

I find myself nodding.

"What was that, Leo?" I see Jason behind me.

And then he's hugging me.

And I start to get claustrophobic.

"I will combust in 3.. 2..-" They both back off.

"Thanks, guys." I say.

"You have some explaining to do," Annabeth states, crossing her arms.

Aspen stands in the back.

He leans against the wall, and tries not to laugh.

Annabeth sees him.

"Do you think this is funny?" Annabeth stalks towards him. She pulls out her dagger.

"Well, he's in for it." Percy mutters.

"Annabeth, I wouldn't-" I try to calm her down.

She lunges towards Aspen.

And Aspen has her on the floor, knife throne across the room, pinning her down with his hands.

Everyone stares shocked.

"I don't know where the Hades you guys learned that, but will you teach me?" Percy asks.

"No." We say simultaneously. 

***

"Okay, we're alone, now will you please tell us what's going on?" Piper asks.

"Okay. So you guys wanted to know more about Aspen. We'll start there." I reply.

"Okay." Annabeth said.

"So, I was born in Italy, and grew up on the coast there until I was five. My mother's name was AnnMarie Vacatello. We lived on the streets, and stayed in some pretty unhealthy places. But it was enough. My mom worked nights as a waitress, and maid, wherever we could get. When we got enough money, we then came to America, by ship. My father was Poseidon. He never helped her. He let her struggle. He let US struggle. My mother picked up a disease on the ship. When we got here, she became worse. She stayed sick for 4 or 5 months. I was five. I don't remember exactly. So anyways, she died. I never saw my father again. I think he forgot about me. I know there was a prophecy, but I also knew that it wasn't about me. So I went into foster care. From there I jumped from home to home until I was 12, almost 13. Then I ran away. I had known that I couldn't support myself when I was that young. Well, on my own of course. Then, I met Leo. Leo, it's up to you if you want me to continue." Aspen says.