The Stolen Jewel of Hecate

Chapter 33

It was Tuesday. The day of the date. The day I embarrass myself in front of a guy I barely know, with my friend having a front-row seat to watch. "Come on Sam. I know you're not excited about this but think of the benefits," Hephaestus said. Was this dude reading my mind? How did he know I was dreading this date at this moment. I gave him a look of both 'what benefits?' and a look that shows I'm not up to deal with this crap this early in the morning. "Sam, think about it. You get free food, you are out with your friends if you do well you get to help your brother which I still don't understand why that is a bonus. I can't see why you wouldn't like this," He said crossing his arms and I rolled my eyes. "I guess those are some good things, but I am going to embarrass myself. I'm an awkward potato," I say getting up making my way to my closet to change. "Come on Sam. You are the mighty Sparks. You might not be in other people's eyes 'cause, you know, but you are still the confident girl who always knows what to do," he said making his way into my backpack to get comfortable. "Uh-huh. Sparks knows how to kick butt, not how to impress a guy she isn't even interested in," I said, laced with sarcasm. "So you are saying you can defeat a giant monster dog by yourself, but can't go on one lousy date?" He said and I nodded. "You do know that doesn't really make much sense right?" He asked and when you think about it, it really doesn't make sense. "Yes," I mumbled. I grabbed my backpack and zipped it up and headed downstairs. I head downstairs to see Alec on his phone, eating the biggest bowl of cereal I have ever seen. "Alec, I get it, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but come on man. Did you at least save some for me?" I asked with my hands on my hips. He looks up from his phone to see me looking at him waiting for an answer. Next thing you know, he turns around to the counter, grabs a bowl, and comes up to me, handing me the bowl. He remembered my picky way to eat cereal. I grabbed the bowl and thanked him and he smiled at me. "You're awfully happy today. Why so happy? You are never happy when you have to go to school," I say and his smile turns into a smirk. "Of course I'm happy today. My little sister is going on her first date. I finally have a sister and not a brother," Alec said and I rolled my eyes. "What do you mean 'you finally have a sister'?" I asked and he chuckled. I gave him an 'are you kidding?' look and that seemed to make his chuckle increase. "Sam, I have never seen you do a girly thing in your entire life. You never talk about having a crush on anyone, you never let mom do your hair, it's exhausting to see you never be a girl," He said with a sarcastic sigh and I give a real sigh. "Just because I don't want to impress boys doesn't mean I never act like a girl," I said crossing my arms. He laughs and that's when I about finish my breakfast. "OK, I'm leaving from your insults. You have a nice day Alec. I'm going to suffer," I said as I shut the door. I'm heading down the bus stop when I feel a kick from my backpack. "What?" I asked and a head popped out of my backpack. "You do know what you're up against today right?" Hephaestus asked and I shook my head. "Your buddy is going to be a ball of nerves. You do know that's going to be ugly right?" he asked and I froze. Holy shit he's so right. "Shit, you're so right. Why did you have to remind me about that?" I asked, slightly irritated. He laughed and he dipped his head back into my backpack. I look up to see Ellie pacing back and forth at the bus stop. "Sam! Thank god you're here. I'm a ball of nerves and I don't know what to do," Ellie said. Well, Hephaestus really hit the nail on the head with that one. "Just relax and take a breath. You have known him for a while, you will be fine," I said, but she was still slightly panicked. "What are you so nervous about? You already know he likes you, you have already been friends for a while, it can only end well," I said and she looked up at me with some of the worry draining away. "I guess you're right. I just don't want to mess up," she said and I rolled my eyes. "Please the only one who is going to mess up tonight is me so you can calm down," I said as we got on the bus. "You are going to do great Sam. This guy would be crazy to not ask for a second date, even though you won't say yes to it, freaking downer," Ellie said and I gave her a look. "Oh come one Ellie. My main goal is to get him to ask for a second date so I can interfere with my brother's love life. As bad as that sounds out loud," I said and me and Ellie laughed. "You are so sad sometimes Sam. I know I shouldn't say that being your best friend and all, but really? You're more invested in your brother's life than your own. He should be the one meddling into your life and trying to help you with your love problems don't you think?" Ellie asked and I shook my head. "It's better this way. I already said I don't need love in my life," I said and Ellie gave me a smirk. What is it with people smirking today? We are only two hours into the day. "Oh really. Not even if Logan asked you out you would say 'I don't need love in my life' to his face?" She asked and I turned red. Does she need to know? She is my best friend, but this is embarrassing. "You are not answering me and I'm going to take that as a yes and I'm so excited," She said and I looked at her still red as the devil's ass cheeks. "Even so, love is not needed. It will go away eventually," I said looking out the window, resting my head on my palm. Ellie gave me a sigh and went on her phone, probably texting Steven or something. I felt kicks coming from my backpack and I tried to, inconspicuously, elbow him back. Sadly I failed and Ellie started looking at me. "What are you doing?" She asked and I stopped what I was doing. "I-uh am trying to make my bag less lumpy. Yeah that's it," I said and she gave me a confused look. She was about to go back to her phone until she realized we were at our destination. We both got off the bus and Ellie just would not stop talking about tonight. I have never been more excited to get away from my best friend in my life. I get it, she's excited, but holy shit I can only take so much talk about dates before I lose it. "Well, thanks for coming tonight Sam, I'll see you at six-thirty?" She asked, and I knew that was a silent question for me not to join them at lunch. I nodded in response. Why didn't she say 'I'll see you in math?' She is volunteering with the smaller kids today during the first class, and when we have tech she said she was going to leave early to get ready. Even though she doesn't need that much time. I make it to my locker to grab my things when I overhear Emma going on a tangent for the whole school to see. "Ladies and gentlemen!" She shouted. Is that a microphone? Where the devil did she get that? Why is she on a chair? Why is she allowed to break that rule? Her two minions were handing out papers on the ground while Emma was shouting out her lungs. "This Friday there is going to be a party and the whole school is invited! I am inviting all the schools in the area to celebrate the new heroes we have already learned to love!" Emma shouted and I stood there shocked. She wanted to celebrate me? Well the other boys too, but wow. "This is a very formal event and it will take place at Castle Parties downtown. All the information you need is in the fliers being handed out," She shouted. Well, I'm not exactly invited so I'm just going to go straight to math. I'm pushing my way through the happy crowd getting smushed in all directions. People touching things that shouldn't be touched, it was extremely uncomfortable. I got to where Emma was standing on her chair, and she saw me trying to get through. She gave me a slight evil glare then looked back out at the crowd. Jerk. She kept talking to get the crowd excited for Friday, and this made it even harder to get through. I just want to get to math. Is that too much to ask? I squeezed my way through the crowd and when I got out, my foot got caught between two different guys' legs and I almost did a faceplant. Almost. A set of strong arms grabbed my waist to prevent my fall, and they seemed to fit perfectly on my waist. They felt like they were made to fit there. I look up to see who's arms caught me and I look up to a very familiar set of ocean blue eyes. Logan freaking Smith caught me. I'm lost in his eyes. I heard noises in the background but I was quite happy where I was. "Sam, can you hear me? Are you OK?" Logan said loudly, and he sounded worried. He was worried for me? That's amazing. I could do a happy dance right now. "Sam!" He shouted now. Oh right. For a conversation to work I have to reply, got it. "Yes! Yes, I'm fine. I'm OK. Sorry I was lost in my own little world. Thank you for catching me," I said and he helped me get stable on my feet. "I'm glad. Hey, have you been listening to Emma? About the party, are you going to go?" He asked with what seemed like hope in his eyes. I want to go, but something tells me Emma will want the heros to be there and I can't exactly clone myself. "As much as I would love to go, I can't. I have plans," I said with a frown forming on my face and I think the same was happening to Logan. "Hey, this is the chance to get that amazing girl to go to the dance with you," I said and he let out a sad chuckle. I know he is my crush and I don't exactly want him with someone else, but I would rather see him happy with another girl than unhappy with me. "I'm too nervous for that, maybe when the confidence builds up I'll ask her," he said and I put my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you are overthinking this. Even if you just go as friends it's better than nothing at all right?" I asked and he nodded after a second. "I guess. Want to walk to class together, seeming as we have the same destination?" he asked and I immediately nodded. We were on our way, shoulders touching, with smiles on our faces. "Want to see if we can sit together? Ellie isn't here today so the seat beside me is free," I said. Logan paused for a moment and he really slowed down his pace. Was it an awkward question? Maybe he doesn't want to sit beside me and doesn't want to be rude about it! I must have put him in an awkward situation. He looked down at me and eventually he smiled. "Sure,"

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Author's note:

I'm extremely sorry for not posting last week. English had me busy, but now I have no homework for the next 22 ish days so I have no excuses for not posting and for short chapters for the seeable future. Stay safe.

~bubblegum_writeing