So I'm here: Camp Half Blood. I thought, pulling out my dagger. A home for kids with no home. And now I have to betray these people to save my father. Yay.
I lie on my bed, staring at the ceiling of the Aphrodite cabin. I had my iPod, which I turned in my hand as it went through the playlist. It came to a certain song and my mind drifted to Silena Beauregard.
Before I got to fighting (or when fighting got to me)
I looked to find examples on the field of chivalry
And I saw mighty arms much stronger than my arms could ever be
So I thought perhaps the field was not for me
All these people, I thought they are fighters. I'm just some lame-o child of Aphrodite. All we are supposed to do is look pretty. What can I do.
But still I stayed and watched the fighting 'til one figure stood apart
In armor newly fashioned and a helm more pot than art
But each blow was thrown with honor and a lightness of the heart
So I took that step which soon became a start
Maybe I can try. If she could sacrifice her lifeā¦
'Cause she was not the biggest fighter nor one to raise a fuss
But I remember being proud that she was one of us
And we might never stand together in the shield-wall side by side
But because of her I lift my sword with pride
She was ladylike and lively, not the type you would expect
With a braver heart than many and a slot-shot to respect
I guess she'd once decided this was where she'd like to be
And I thought if she could do it, why not me
I tried to picture her: a girl with blond hair and a lively smile, standing up to a drakon with a sword in her hand, or helping some poor Hermes girl with her hair while gossiping about some happy couple.
'Cause she was not the biggest fighter nor one to raise a fuss
But I remember being proud that she was one of us
And we might never stand together in the shield-wall side by side
But because of her I lift my sword with pride
She was an Aphrodite kid too, I thought, they can't all be bad. She is one of us.
So now as I gather armor, bits and pieces here and there,
I think about examples: how you act, and what you dare
'Cause you never know who's watching or how far that story goes
And wherever that Lady is I hope she knows
The song is almost over, so I started to put stuff away. She needs someone to bring honor back to the Aphrodite cabin. Show them we are not just a bunch of shallow, stuck up jerks. I should set a good example. I should.. The song reached the last chorus, so I leaned back and started singing along
"'Cause she was not the biggest fighter, nor one to raise a fuss
But I remember being proud that she was one of us
And we might never stand together in the shield-wall side by side
But because of her I lift my sword with pride
We may never stand together in the shield-wall side by side
But because of her I lift my sword with pride!"
I stuck my knife in the pink wallpaper and plucked out the earbuds. She wasn't a traitor. She was on our side in the end, that's all that matters. I wish I could have fought with her, I guess I'll just have to be content with being proud. It drives Drew nuts,
The next morning, I got ready to leave, humming the song I listened to the night before. Just as the other Aphrodite kids were leaving, I pulled Lacey and Michael to the side.
"Silena is still one of us." I said, "tell the others. If-when- I get back, I can change things. Try to get some of the others to listen. Promise?"
"Yeah, sure!"
"You can count on us!"
I smiled at them. They are true children of Aphrodite, not Drew.
Silena would be proud
