Demigod Offspring Chapter 2

TAMANI

I stood under the tree, not moving, until it got dark. Then I walked home and locked myself in my room.

I could hear my siblings, Summer and Hale, yell for me to come play with them, but I ignored them.

I heard Samantha's ringtone play on my cellphone, but I ignored it.

I heard my mother's soft knock on my door to tell me to come in the kitchen for dinner, but I ignored it.

I must have fallen asleep, because when I rolled over to look at my alarm clock it said 11:57. I closed my eyes, just wanting it to be all a dream. Yeah right, like that was going to happen. I didn't understand why Cass had left. I thought we were fine, and with college looming in the future, I didn't know what I was going to do in my life without her. My thoughts kept me up for a few more hours, until my body convinced my brain it was time to get some rest and I fell asleep again.

I woke up to Summer shaking my shoulder, saying it was time to go to camp. I was almost late, so I rushed to pack and get out the door before I missed the bus.

"Bye, Tam!" my mom said as I ran out the door. I didn't reply.

I got on the bus and looked for a spot to sit. At least Cass' stop wasn't for a few blocks. As I walked down the aisle, a few Aphrodite girls giggles and waved for me to sit by them, but I moved on and sat in the very last row by myself.

Cass got on the bus as her parents waved to her. She looked around as if she was searching for someone. I sat up a little straighter, hoping she'd forgotten about last night and would sit by me. Our eyes met and she bit her lip and looked down. Samantha waved to Cass, and she moved to sit by her. I sunk back in my seat, feeling defeated. I'd make it up to her at camp.

The ride felt longer than it was supposed to. I waited until Cass got off the bus until I stood up, and I could tell she was avoiding me as much as I was avoiding her.

At dinner, I think Samantha and Tanner noticed something was different between us.

"Gosh, guys!" Samantha said. "Brrr, is it chilly in here or is it just me? Turn up the heat!" I looked down as Cass blushed, but didn't say anything.

The rest of the evening passed by in a blur.

After I ate, I spoke to Chiron about my quest for Aphrodite and he agreed that I should leave in secret and not take anyone with me. Later, back at my cabin, I packed a bag with a sleeping bag, nectar and ambrosia, first aid supplies, a flashlight, food and water, and other demigod survival supplies. I was halfway out the door, but I felt guilty about leaving without telling Cass where I was, even after what happened.

Against my better judgment, I grabbed a piece of paper from my nightstand and a pen.

When I was done, I snuck into the girls' cabin and put the note on Cass' pillow. As I moved to leave, I hesitated. Seeing her calm, relaxed expression while she slept took me back to last summer, when she saved my life. In the infirmary, she fell asleep in the chair next to my bed. When I woke up after she gave me the antidote, Cass was the first thing I saw and I wouldn't have it any other way. That's when I realized I really loved her, and that day I swore I would never let anything bad happen to her.

I debated waking her up and persuading her to come with me, but I decided against it. Cass would probably be glad I was leaving. Maybe it would be good for us, and she would have time to figure out whatever she needed to.

'I'm protecting her by leaving.' I told myself. 'She's safe here.'

I took one last look at her sleeping form and slipped into the night, determined to finish my quest as soon as I could so we could figure things out. I wasn't sure how long I could last without Cass' easy smile, her sweet laughter, the way she made me feel – like I was important, like I mattered.

I set out with renewed determination. If I was going to win her back, I had to hurry before I lost her.

I wish I would've noticed the pair of eyes watching me as I snuck out of camp. It would have been useful for what happened next.