Every single day I stared at her without deciding whether or not to declare her my feelings.
In short, she was Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite and the head of her cabin.
While who was I? Charles Beckendorf. Yes, I was the head of my cabin too, but in the end I was a mere child of Hephaestus.
She was beautiful, with her dark hair and those blue eyes... I was an anonymous black guy, always with his hands burned.
I had built a bronze pendant in the shape of a rose, her favorite flower. Opening it she would find a small dedication.
Now I just had to give it to her, but I could not find the courage.
What if she broke my heart by refusing or worse, mocking me?
No, I couldn't even think about it. Silena was not like her stupid sisters...she would never mock someone.
When she turned to me and smiled at me, I thought I would faint. She was walking towards me.
Quiet heart, don't blow up. I'm a magician at reassembling broken objects, but where would I find new parts for my heart?!
- Charlie, hi! What are you doing here all alone? - She asked giving me another one of her beautiful smiles.
- Um, I was just...resting. I worked all night on an old project.
- Really? Can I see it?
Oh my gods. And now how can I tell her that the "project" was actually her pendant?
Father, help me! She is the daughter of your wife!
Okay Charles, you're a big man. A little courage, come on!
- Actually, I have it here with me... - No! What the heck are you saying?! - It is a gift ... - oh gods, I'm really going to say it? - ... For you!
Silena seemed surprised and blushed. I smiled.
- A gift for me? - She asked with bright eyes.
I took out the pendant and put it in her hands. She looked at it in wonder.
- Charlie, that's beautiful. Thank you!
Silena didn't seem to have noticed that it opened too. Well, it was better if she read the dedication on her own.
- But it also opens up!
Okay. Never underestimate the intelligence of the daughters of Aphrodite.
She opened it. I saw her every move like in slow motion: the finger that pressed the little button; the cover that lifted; her lips mimic those words; her eyes widen and bright; the mouth open in an embarrassed smile.
If my skin had been white as that of Silena, I would become more red of my most beloved fire.
- Charles, I don't know what to say... - she said, blushing.
Wow. I managed to make a daughter of Aphrodite blush twice in about five minutes.
Then it all happened so fast that I hadn't even realized it.
Silena's hand on my cheek, her face getting closer and closer and then her soft lips on mine. My heart began to do the rain dance, because everything inside of me seemed to catch fire, ignite at the touch of Silena's lips.
What? The girl that I love since forever is kissing me?
I circled her waist with my arms and pulled her closer to me.
- Charlie ... I love you too.