Equilibrium

Chapter 44: Luka's POV

The bus pulled up to it's stop in Iowa, screeching to a halt when it parked. Luckily, I had found out that the relic was in the same town we had just arrived in, the only time I've gotten lucky lately. Standing up, I walked behind the few other people getting off the bus, stretching my legs when I stepped outside into the fresh morning air.
It was an overnight trip, so thankfully, I did get some rest.
Now, back to business. Aphrodite's relic.
A mirror that shows you your soulmate, where they are, and how to get to them. It's kinda just telling you that the person you're meant to be with is tHiS person, so go over there and give them a kiss please.
Catch me not looking at the ducking mirror. It'll just hurt too much when I find out that there's no one on this planet meant for me.
Anyways, the relic was supposed to be at some boutique called the 'Bridal Boutique.' What an original name, I bet it's pretty popular.
Just kidding, it sounds like the place women in their forties who've been divorced three times go to buy a cheap wedding dress, getting ready for divorce number four..
The bus stop in Iowa was smaller than the one in Colorado, and it was definitely much emptier. I went up to the counter where tickets and tourist maps were given out to ask the man there if he could direct me to the right place.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Bridal Boutique is?" I asked him, trying not to look too suspicious. But I guess these kinda people were used to it because he didn't even question me before giving a very detailed description of how to get there. It wasn't very far at all, so I could walk there within fifteen minutes according to the guide.
Double checking to make sure I had all my belongings with me, I started to walk. It was a cloudy day and I missed the sun. The whole walk to the Boutique was uneventful and I was grateful for that. The less monsters I encountered the better.
When I laid eyes on the Boutique I almost gagged.
It was a small building in between a diner and a hair salon and I could tell that it was old. The pink paint was peeling off the walls and was collecting on the pavement and it was clear that no one was prepared to clean it up. There were many dresses in the windows and some of them were ripped? Why would someone leave a dress on display if it wasn't even in good condition, what clowns these people are.
Sorry I was just so salty, life was not a vibe.
As I turned the cold doorknob it rattled making more noise than I wish it would.
No one was inside and I couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. The floors were dusty and there was an almost rancid smell floating around. It was almost like no one had been here for months. Cobwebs everywhere, and dresses lying all over the floor in terrible condition.
I started rummaging around looking for the relic. There were many mirrors everywhere but none of them seemed to possess the special magic that all the relics so far had.
Click clack, click clack.
I heard a pair of heels, someone walked over to where I was standing. Bracing myself I got my bow ready, looking around frantically in the dim light.
"Oh calm down sweetheart I'm here to help you!" An angelic voice said laughing.
When the lady came into view I stumbled back in shock, almost dropping my weapon.
She looked almost exactly like Jackie. Her hair, facial features, her smile, everything was oh so similar. Was this her mother? No, it couldn't be. Jackie's mom was back in New York.
"Who are you?" I spluttered in confusion. 
"I'm the goddess Aphrodite, honey. I'm here to help you."
A goddess? A real goddess?
Why did the goddess APHRODITE look like Jackie?
She looked at me skeptically as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. "Luka, my appearance will show you who you find most beautiful in this world. Stop questioning it, you have work to do."
Ok, so she did read my mind.
And no. I do not find Jackie "beautiful", Aphrodite was just playing with me, I knew that.
"Aphrodite- uh I mean- your godliness," Gods, why am I so awkward? "Where can I find your relic?" I asked meekly, hoping that I didn't sound rude. I mean this was a goddess, and from what I've heard, gods and goddesses are supposed to be pretty moody.
She just laughed, "You're such a cutie!"
Nope I am not cute.
"I'm actually here to give you the relic personally to make life easier. You've already faced so much heartbreak, what with Miss Elway leaving you all alone, and as much as I love a good love story, it also hurts me to see someone as broken as you go through all that."
Excuse me? Love story? Me and Jackie? No sir, I'm vetoing that.
Aphrodite looked at me sympathetically for a couple seconds before sighing. She held her hand out in front of her, snapped her fingers, and an ornate mirror poofed into existence.
The relic.
Zoo wee mama we did it bois.
She held the mirror out for me to take it and I did, avoiding looking at the glass as hard as I could.
"Thank you," I said, a little breathless. She smiled at me sweetly, "It'll all work itself out eventually you adorable little boy, just look into the mirror. I beg you."
And with that she walked into the shadows, disappearing.
I have to admit, it must be a pretty big feat for a goddess to help a demigod, especially one that's not even her kid, on a quest, but I could barely think about that as of now. I just needed to avoid looking in the mirror. But it got me thinking. If she wanted me to look into it then there was obviously something important she wanted me to see? There had to be. Maybe it was more than all the "soulmate" crap. Curiousity got the best of me... so your stupid boy looked.
And what I saw shook me to my motherfreaking core.
There was a girl lying in a dark room, it looked like her ankle was all screwed up and she was collapsed, unconscious, on the floor. I moved the mirror around trying to get enough light reflecting off the shiny surface to be able to see her face.
And then I saw it.
Jackie.
It showed me Jackie.
The mirror showed me my soulmate.
Oh bloody heck cheese stick on gods I was in love with Jackie Elway.
OoP oh no, help, nope nope nope this is NOt happening I'm FREAKING out right now oh no.
But, no matter how much I can't stand to admit it, I know it's true.
I love everything about her. The way she would get angry when I would call her short, and how her hair was always so messy and she didn't seem to care. Her dumb jokes, the way she bites her lip when she's unsure. How she was confident about everything, even if the situation turned out badly. I love how she's still so strong even after everything she'd been through in her past life, and how she was brave enough to share it all with me.
I could list a thousand different things, I really could.
Jackie and I had known each other for a very short amount of time, but I guess when you're soulmates, it still counts. It all counts. Why did I hide my feelings for her from myself for so long? Maybe I was scared of real love. Real and true love.
There was no telling if she felt the same way about me, but I would keep fighting for her. I'd fight for her the rest of my life.
Right now she did not look like she was in the best condition. Her ankle looked even worse than before she left, and the fact that she appeared to be unconscious terrified me. Upon closer inspection, I noticed thick ropes binding her hands to a tall metal pole.
She was in trouble.
Someone took her, I could feel it.
I needed to save her.
I needed to find her, help her, and get her back to camp. A million thoughts raced through my head. Love, guilt, desperation, fear.
Equilibrium.
I found it in me. It's there, in my heart and soul.
As quickly as I could manage, I stuffed the mirror into Jackie's backpack and ran as fast as I could back to the bus stop. Yeah I know, it'll take a while to get to where she was, but it was currently my only option. The mirror showed me where to go, and it showed me how to reach her. All I had to do was follow it.
Find her.
I'll do anything for her.