Aaron
Aaron walked back to cabin 7 to find few of his cabin mates moving his stuff out.
"Guys, what are you doing with my stuff?" He demanded running up to the movers.
"Direct orders. Looks like you really aren't one of us" It was Mark Thompson, the main guy who has been giving Aaron issues since the charm-speaking incident. Aaron watched as they took his clothes over to Aphrodite's cabin. Will walked out just as Aaron was about to get flustered.
"Hey man, calm down. This isn't a stupid prank. I was trying to wait for you, but Chiron told me we had to do the switch before lights out. He gave me this to give to you." Will passed him a note that read.
Child of Love belongs in the house of Love.
See you soon,
A.
"So I take it I'm really not the Son of Apollo?" Aaron was half relieved. No more late night Shakespeare.
"Not everyone is cut out for us. I'm not really sure how it will be over there but I'm sure you'll be fine. See you around." Will walked inside followed by Mark and the two other guys that moved his stuff. Aaron faced Cabin 10. He suddenly felt alone a vulnerable.
Aaron walked into the cabin and everyone stop talking for a whole 4 seconds. They then quickly turned their heads and resumed their gossip. Girls laid on beds taking magazine quizzes while they guys took turn flexing in the mirrors. Aaron looked up around and saw the empty bunk with Aaron on the trunk in front of it. Everyone had pictures of famous celebrities everywhere; Aaron didn't even own a picture of himself. 'This is where I fit in?' He thought to himself. Everyone there was so pretty. Barbie/ken doll perfect. Where other guys had abs, Aaron had ribs. He started to feel small again. He walked to the bed and saw a note with a pink flower on it.
Congrats on the move.
-Tamara.
It was the third letter he received at camp, and it made him smile. He put it in the trunk and took out his sheet to make his bed. They smelled like they belonged in a store that had bad lighting and loud music. Aaron lied back on his bed staring at the ceiling. He wasn't sure if Aphrodite was his mom, but he was starting think it really didn't matter. 'I'm going to make my own way here' He thought to himself. He thought of the flower, and then of the girl who gave it to him. All of the day's events came rushing back. A smile crept on his face without him noticing.
"Who are you thinking about?" Piper asked standing over him.
"What…no one" Aaron really had to get better a lying.
"Listen if I'm going to be your head counselor, and favorite sister we are going to have to talk about some secrets." Aaron gave her a perplexed look.
"Do you get all girly in the cabin? I'm not sure if I can take that." Aaron was only half joking. He wasn't sure if he could stand a super feminine Piper.
"Of course not." She said while punching his arm. "But I still want to know who it is your thinking about."
"How do you know-"
"Goddess-of -Love." She made a gesture to his new home. "We know love when we see it." She paused to take a seat. "Does it have anything to do with that note that was on your bed?" Aaron's mouth dropped. "Ha! Now before you get all mad, I didn't go through your things I just saw her put it there." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I think we are going to have fun here." Piper got up and headed toward the bathroom.
Aaron took a deep breath, and thought about what Piper said. He decided she would be the first one he told about his feelings when he got over them himself. Everything was just so sudden, and he had no idea how to address it. As he laid his head to go to sleep he had one thing on his mind. One scene he kept on reply.
"I still have my eye on you." That smile came creeping back.
The next day started way too early with a blow of the Shofar
"Remind me to break that thing later." Piper yawned. The campers strolled out of their cabins in their pajamas rubbing the sleep from their eyes…well everyone but Hypno's cabin; they fully embraced wanting to be asleep. In the middle of the cabins stood Chiron, Annabeth and Lou Ellen who were fully dressed. Aaron couldn't image what time they had to get up. He looked back and saw Percy in the crowd. Whatever was going on, he was not part of the planning process.
"Campers," Chiron started "As you know our camp is in great danger. The witches that have been attacking us must be dealt with. The time has come for us to take the offense."
"About time" Clarisse screamed from the back. All of Aries cabin was looked like barbarians even in their PJ's. Aaron prayed he'd never end up with them as siblings. Of all the Olympians, he spawned the biggest jerks. He looked at his new cabin mates who all looked like they were posing for a Hollister ad. He laughed at the idea of being the ugly duckling of his family.
"But first, we have some information." Lou Ellen spoke stoically. She was the epitome of her mother. "I've searched the archives of Wiccan prophecies. Apparently everything is online these days." She looked at Leo who was smiling ear to ear. Clearly he must have won a bet or something. "In 1694 a woman named Heather Lancaster was burned at the stake right outside Salem Massachusetts. She was a strong witch gifted the power of foresight. As a she burned she cried out a premonition. She saw that a coven of her blood will use the child of the sky, a prophesized child, to gain strength and take seat as rulers of the new world. They will destroy what is left of the ancient world, and bring forth a new order." It seemed that only Lou Ellen's siblings understood anything she said because they all gasped in unison.
"It means they are going to take a Demigod, and use them to kill us." Annabeth clarified. "Rachel's prophecy stated we would be in danger; here it is." The camps eyes darted directly to Percy. They weren't after any child, they were after his.
"It seems that the Twice Blessed child has revealed itself" He interjected, pointing to Annabeth's abdomen "And we must protect it at all lengths."
"We decided the best plan of action is to attack them before I give birth. Their plan can't be completed until it's born, so now is the time to attack. They will still be in the planning stages, and will not expect a full on assault."
"LET'S GO KILL SOME WITCHES!" Clarisse screamed starting a battle cry. Lou Ellen waved her hand to silence the crowd.
"The team for this impromptu quest has been selected out of elimination. Their magic is not strong enough to directly affect the children of the Big three, meaning they will be the three member of this quest." Everyone parted as three pools were made in the crowd. Percy walked up and joined Annabeth, while Jason gave Piper a kiss before walking forward. Nico stayed put refusing to move.
"Nico," Hazel said coming up behind him. "I have to stay here and protect the camp with Hecate's cabin. It has to be you." She pleaded with her brother but he didn't budge. Aaron knew a trip with Percy was the last thing Nico wanted to participate in. Aaron noticed the way he twisted his mouth the left in order to not show emotion. Aaron forced his eyes to stare at something other than his mouth.
"I can't go either." Percy spoke stealing the attention. "I'm not leaving without you, especially now." He spoke to Annabeth as if she was the only one in the field. Aaron wondered if he would ever feel that kind of love.
"I hope you are not implying your pregnant girlfriend should go on this quest with you." The voice was heard by everyone, but not through their ears. It was like the entire camps conscious spoke at the same time. Just then a slight wind blew next to Percy and the most beautiful women Aaron had ever seen appeared. 'I'm related to that?' he asked to himself.
Aphrodite smiled and waved at the crowed like a perfect pageant queen.
"No, Aphrodite, I mean I'm staying here to protect her." Percy laced his fingers through her causing Annabeth smile. She took a breath and put her hand on the shoulder.
"No Percy, you have to go. I'm clearly no position to leave camp, and should stay around in case we have an invasion. Plus you're kind of protecting me anyway." She rubbed her stomach. Percy went to speak but Aphrodite stopped placed her finger to her lips stopping him.
"One thing I've noticed about mortals through the centuries. You don't want to question a pregnant one." Everyone chuckled except Percy who still looked concerned. Aphrodite turned to the crown, eyeing down Nico. "Son of Hades come forth." Aaron assumed Nico didn't want to piss off the goddess, that or she had some strong Charmspeaking because Nico walked straight up to her. "No matter what you believe, this quest will fail without you." Nico refused to look anywhere but the ground.
"This is crap!" Clarissa charged to the front of the crowd. "We aren't dealing with monsters. These are mortal witches. They don't just turn to dust when you cut into them; they bleed." This was the only time her outburst made any sense. These guys are used to killing things that didn't leave a trace. Could they really murder another person?
"Yes daughter of Aries. This quest will require an ability to end another mortal life." She turned back to Nico who looked up and met her eyes.
"Will I get my Shadow traveling back?"
"I believe so."
Nico paused like he was getting up the courage to say the words.
"I'll do it" he replied. The campers let out a cheer and applauded. Aaron found himself clapping, but not sure how he felt about Nico being gone for a while. 'It's not like he'd ever think of me that way.' Aaron thought to himself, but he still didn't want to see Nico in any danger.
"Wonderful. Now Chiron I do have one request." Aphrodite spoke silencing the crowd.
"I had no delusions otherwise." Chiron smirked.
"While these three heroes shall be protected from the magic by blood, it was two others that stopped the witch during the first attack." Aaron's heart dropped into his stomach. 'This cannot be happening' he said to himself.
"I request the quest be of five demigods instead of three." While Aphrodite said request, it sounded more like a dictation.
"I see no issue. The rule has been broken before." Aaron wished Chiron screamed at the goddess, and told her she was crazy. Of course he had no such luck.
"Splendid. Piper and Aaron join you place among the heroes of the quest." Aphrodite started a clap that caught like wildfire. Piper grabbed Aarons arm and rushed him up next to Jason. Aaron stumbled over his feet and tripped. 'Of course in front of the entire camp.' He cursed to himself. Aphrodite spoke again. "I give you your heroes." Another round of applause surged through the crowd. Aaron stood at the end of the line grabbing Pipers hand. She looked down and locked fingers with Jason. Jason must have assumed his was for a triumphed sign of victory so he grabbed Percy's hand and raised it in the air. That's when Percy grabbed Nico's hand and did the same. Nico twitched and stared at the hands that were locked, while Aaron winced at the connection. Then Nico relaxed, and let out a smile. Aaron eyes dropped so he could cover up his feelings from the entire camp.