4. Making New Friends

November 2009

Olympus

Things have been going well in almost all aspects of my life, it felt too good to last. Something was bound to pop my peaceful bubble, in my it experience never last for long. And that day came on a cloudy day when we were called in to meet with Dad and Zeus.

"So why are we here?" Percy asked Dad as we stand around a large room, it was beautifully ostentatious, tall marble columns with gold details and plenty of natural lighting. Annabeth had done an incredible job, and she wasn't even remotely close to finishing.

"Let's wait until Zeus get here," Dad responded with a stern face, he looks so serious. Percy and I looked at each other mocking Dad's serious face, we break out in a soft chuckle. After a minute Zeus finally decided to grace us with his presence. He came in his natural height, a giant, but as he came closer he shrunk to our size.

"Uncle Zeus." I waved excessively at him which he rudely ignored. "What's up?"

"Isabella. Perseus. Let us begin, it seems that the next prophecy will come to flourishing much sooner than we would have wanted or anticipated," He spoked directly without a hint of hesitation. What a way to drop a bomb.

"What? You're joking, right?" Percy asked after a painfully long moment of silence.

"If you are, it's not very funny," I remarked, my Dad and Zeus continued to stay silent. Dread and anxiety began to settle in my stomach. I began to prepare myself, swallowing down some of the fear I was already feeling before whispering, "You're not joking."

"We wish we were," Dad stated. " Zeus and I notice that Gaea has been awaking, slowly but she'll wake one day. And when that day comes, chaos and war will come with her."

The dust had just settled from the last war and another one is being thrown our way. We thought we had more time, at least I thought we would have more time before this happened again. We should have more time, if anything this prophecy should have happened after we were gone. The easy, peaceful life that I want is thrown out the window now.

"There's more," Dad spoke again and I didn't want him to hear him. "There's something we have been keeping from you and every other else in the camp."

"What? You have something to put her back to sleep," I joked humorlessly, I'm sure there's some very strong sleepy-time tea in this palace of gold.

"There is another camp in California, for our Roman counterpart's children. It's called Camp Jupiter," Zeus declared rigidly, his hands behind his back with a straight posture every aspect of a king.

"I did not see that coming," Percy mumbled.

Neither did I.


My first week in Forks ended without any more occurrences, there weren't any panic attacks or strange interactions with any of the Cullen family. It was relatively a normal week for a semi-normal teenager. And I like it. But there was one thing, Edward was absent for the rest of the week. Every day a very small part of me hoped that when I walked through the doors of biology, he'd be there.

He finally came back on a Tuesday in all his brooding glory self, his silver automobile parked in the same spot from my first day. Seeing his car made me nervous since now that he was here it meant it was time to properly meet the Cullen clan. Jessica and Mike have been persecuting me as to when we'd meet with them. I just kept telling them that I wanted to wait for the whole clan to be together. And today is the day finally meet them.

For the most part, the day it's a normal boring day filled with agonizingly long class periods. Lunch came and went so it was time for biology, the class I have been dreading all day. I walked in with Mike towards class after we've said goodbye to Jessica, my eyes are drawn to the once empty seat next to mine. With a quick nod to Mike affirming that I'll be fine, I take me a seat next to Edward, who's eyes have returned to their golden state. I quickly look away.

"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen," He said quietly, his voice was smooth with this charm quality that just drew me in. "I'm sorry for my behavior last week, I hope you can forgive me."

"Hi. And don't worry about it. It's all been forgiven," I told him, noticing that he doesn't even bother to clarify my name.

"How are you liking Forks? It must be completely different from Manhattan," He stated quietly. His eyebrows are clenched, creasing his forehead.

"Almost feels like I'm on a different planet, always raining," I responded as I pull stuff from my backpack but something he said made me worried. I don't think I told anyone from which borough I'm from, people had just accepted New York as an answer. Mike and Jessica are the only people in Forks that know I'm from Manhattan.

"Why did you decide to move then?" He flips to a new sheet on his leather bond journal, very fancy and very old school in my opinion.

I hesitate to answer, not sure if I should give him the same story I've been giving to everyone else. Or if should I just end this tip-toeing we're doing around each other, we both knew there was something more about each other.

"Um it's kind of complicated, I don't think you'll understand," I settled in telling him. Trying to dodge the question altogether, the bell was about to ring so hopefully it would end this conversation.

"Try me," He said with a smirk.

"Um, okay. So my dad has some business in Seattle, and I didn't want him to be alone on West Coast so I came with him. And since I only have one year of school left after this semester, I thought it was a good way for us to bond before I go to college," I whispered a little a frustrated that my plan to avoid his question didn't quite work out.

"So you left- "He was cut off by the shrill sound of the bell signaling class to begin, literality save by the bell. I have never been this happy for a class to start, but my joy was short-lived when I felt a small sensation on my left arm. I look down to see a sheet a paper from his journal making its way under my arm.

He is trying to pass secret notes during class, I can't believe him. With a glance front of the classroom to make the teacher back was turn to us, I slip the paper over to get a better view.

So you left your mother alone in New York?

No, she has my brother and her husband with her.

And you don't like her new husband so you chose your father in the divorce then?

You're so wrong again! My parents were never married and I like her new husband. He's kind and loves her.

Why did your parents never marry?

Well, that is a heavy question.

I apologize if I overstep myself. I had no intent to be disrespectful. You don't need to answer.

I forgive you, I was just caught off guard, that's all. Well, my mom was young when they met and they weren't supposed to "get involved". But they did anyway, fell in love and my mom got pregnant with me and my brother. But my father's family still disapproved so they weren't able to be together.

You weren't wrong when you said it was complicated. Is there perhaps a way we can discuss this outside of school?

Reading over his last note I knew it meant more, this was no longer about my parents. I grip my pen harder as I write my response.

We can meet at my house after school at 4:30. Is that okay?

With a huff, I slowly slide the paper back to him. It feels like an eternity before I feel the paper poking my arm. I gingerly open it and only a one-word response.

Yes.


I could be making a hole in the ground from all the pacing I was doing, it would be probably all way to the underworld by now. I glanced back down at my wristwatch, fifteen minutes until they arrive, it's going to be an agonizing long fifteen minutes.

"Will you stop that," Jessica huffed from the couch reading a book, Mike was next to her watching something on the television. I haven't been paying attention, giving up ten minutes into the show or movie.

"I'm nervous, they'll be here any minute and I don't know how I should do this. Not sure if I can do this, maybe I should just cancel-" I'm cut off by a loud 'no' from both of them, which in return causes me to glare at them.

"It'll be fine; we just have to be calm but be prepared. We can never know what could happen, we are outnumbered," Jessica stated, her voice was calm, clear. Something that was trying to achieve.

"But take into consideration that we have the upper hand being the more skilled and experienced in combat. If it comes down to it, but it won't. I've known the Cullens for a year now, there have never been any issues with them," Mike mentioned not taking his eyes off the screen.

He makes a good point; I need to calm down. Clearing stressing over it won't help me, with a puff I resolve to the empty seat on the other side of Mike. I try to pay focus on the show but it's a lost cause since I have missed so much of it. But I still try to stay seated, trying to compose myself in the next ten minutes.

When the clock on the microwave read 4:28, the sound of multiple feet moving softly over the pebble driveway leading to my front door. My heart rate began to increase as my hands start to perspire. And I'm not the only one that hears them, I turn to see Jessica marked her place in her book before closing it. Mike turned down the volume of the TV until it's only soft background noise. The air felt tense until Mike opens his big mouth, like always.

"They're here," Mike dragged out the words more than needed to, it gave a more eerie effect. Jessica and I glared at him.

I take a quick, deep breath and make my way to the door, opening it the second they rang the doorbell. The echo hasn't even ended when the cold breeze from the outside wafts inside, causing me to break out in goosebumps. Seven people now stand at my front porch, all equally pale with striking gold eyes and dangerously beautiful.

"Hello," I greeted them, breathlessly.

"Good evening, I'm Carlisle Cullen and this is my wife, Esme. We haven't had the opportunity to properly meet," The blond man with a slight British accent, his hand right behind the women next to him, Esme. He and his wife look as if they could be gods. His nearly perfect physic, defined jawline, and not a hair out of place.

"Right, I'm Bella. But you probably already knew that" I babbled lamely. With nothing else to do, I stick out my hand to shake. He stares at mine for a brief second, I almost don't notice it. Had I been a normal mortal, it probably would have gone overlooked. He removes his hand from the back of his wife and grasps my hand gently in a handshake, it was impossible to ignore how cold and stiff his hands are. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure for me as well," His voice was perfect, ringing almost like a small bell. Yet I could still hear a bit of caution in his tone. After we released hands, I turned to Esme.

"Hello, Esme," I once again reach out to shake hands, her hand just as cold and hard as Carlisle. Her light brown framed her face in gentle curls, a large smile on her face showing her sharp high cheekbones.

"Hello, Bella, it's so nice to finally meet you. I sure you know the rest of my family," She shakes my hand as she makes a slight nod towards the others behind her.

"Um, yes. It's hard to miss anyone, Forks is a very small town." I replied after I released her hand.

"It is indeed." She nodded.

We stand there awkwardly, staring at each other for a minute before I finally snap out of it and mumbled, "Please come inside."

I stepped further inside, allowing them to enter. I noticed that they were all wearing coats, I let them know that they can place their coats on the wall hooks by the entrance. They do so as they each come in, Edward being the last one to enter so he closed the door softly behind him. As I lead them to the living room where I left Jessica and Mike, they stand as we make our appearance.

Turning back to face the Cullen family, I spoke to them as I lifted my arm towards my other guests. "I'm sure you know of Mike and Jessica from around town,"

"Yes, we do. Hello," Carlisle spoke to them, in which they both responded with a small hello. The Cullen family all looked a bit confused as to why they are here.

"Would you like to sit down? That way we can all be more comfortable," I said gesturing to the sofa.

They nodded in agreement and make their way around the living room but only Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Edward sit on one side of the sectional, the rest stand. Mike and Jessica sit back down on the opposite end, leaving a clear space for me between them. Once I've sat down more awkward silence follows, I hate it. It's only been five minutes and this meeting is already falling apart. I'm sure they have come to their conclusion on how we may not be who we say we are, a danger to their lives and secrets. Possibly have already debated that we should just be killed to safeguard their family, and judging by the expression in Jasper and Rosalie I'd say they're in favor of that route.

There's a strange dance that we're doing, suspicion and confusion can be just as dangerous as a weapon. It can lead to lives lost and an afterlife, I've had I would like to avoid that as much as possible. So that is why I'm the first one to speak.

"Well, we all know why we're here. No need to avoid it, or dance around the topic. Ask us what you would like to know and we'll try to answer as best we can. I hope it is the same for you to any questions or concerns we may have," I hoped I don't sound too callous or cold.

Carlisle gave a brief look over to his family members, making eye contact with each of them to get their opinion. I assumed that since none of them spoke to argue back that they must agree, Carlisle looks back at me and nodded.

"Okay, I let you go first. What would you like to know?" I smiled softly. I hoped that in allowing them to go first, it will help them be more relaxed with us.

Carlisle opened his mouth to ask me his first question, but Rosalie beat him to the punch. "What are you? Are you even human?"

She isn't here to waste time, straight to point to get an answer. I can tell that while she may give the appearance of an unfriendly, icy woman. It's all just a barrier she has created and perfected over many years to protect herself. I've seen multiple it times in Annabeth and Clarisse, only to find a loyal protector of those they deeply love.

"Rose," Carlisle scolded at her, shock by her words and tone.

"Um, wow…okay…," I stuttered, once again shocked by one of Cullen's question. "To be completely honest, we are not fully human."

"What do you mean?" She asked again, growling. "What are you?"

"If you would let me talk then I can answer your questions," I retorted back, think about the best way to approach her question. Do I give them a whole lecture of the Greek Gods or just jump to the point? But jumping could lead to more questions and frustration. "I'm correct to assume that all you know the Greek Mythology. Stories of Zeus and his many, many affairs with mortal women often resulting in a baby like Hercules. Or of Medusa with her hair of snakes and how one looks into her eyes can turn your stone. I'm only asking because it will help me answer your question a lot easier."

They all nodded while Rose's face hardened as if I was playing some kind of joke.

"Well, …it's true. Greek Gods are real, they exist along with all stories ever told through some are wildly exaggerated or fully incorrect. And often time they'll come down to Earth from Mt. Olympus to…you know, have relations with mortal men and women. Almost always resulting in a child that is half-God and half-mortal called demigods. Well, Mike, Jessica, and I are demigods."

I gave them an uncomfortable grin and shrug my shoulders, staring back at faces across from me. Their expressions vary from skepticism and disbelief to curiosity and confusion.

"You're not serious," Rosalie stated, not fully believe me of course.

"We are serious; it may seem like some joke or that we're lying. But Bella is telling the truth," Jessica snaps her, I can tell by her tone in voice that she aggravated by Rosalie, who only responded with a huff. "Did you believe that vampires were the only other species that inhabited this planet besides animals?"

Jessica's words cause all of them to stiffen, even Carlisle the calmest of all. Jasper looks as if he's ready to attack, causing Mike to tense up. Everyone is at the edge of their seats, no one speaks for a while. I sit there, painfully waiting for everyone else to calm down, this was not how I thought this meeting was going to proceed. My whole body is vibrating, ready to fight and it takes so much to force myself to sit there.

"You knew? For how long? And who told you?" Jasper fired questions at us.

"Of course we knew, the moment you all walk through those doors at Forks High School, I knew something wasn't normal about you guys," Mike fired back sharply.

"We didn't know exactly what you were until later, it took a lot of research but we figure it out eventually. No one told us, but we did tell Bella on her first day," Jessica added on, giving me a sideways glance.

"We've been keeping an eye on your family ever since, making sure no mortal was fed on or hurt. We've kept our distance so you wouldn't get too suspicious of us. When we figure out that you fed on animals, we were able to be more at ease. Knowing you guys just wanted to live a quiet, peaceful life in Forks. But we were always there, just in case," Mike explained even further, truly showing how much more we knew of them that they knew of us.

"You never interacted with other people, only spoke when you were spoken to. A clear sign that you guys were only here to keep up an appearance. Not to make friends," Jessica pointed out. "As if you have done this before so why bother getting close to anyone. It's a feeling that all too similar to some of us."

Once again they left them speechless. So Mike pointed out more things he has noticed about them; their age is a big one. Carlisle and Esme appeared to be in their mid-twenties yet they're the guardians of fully grown adults. Esme's weekly trip Sunday market trips always fell on the same hour without fault yet dropped off most of it a few days later in a shelter at Port Angeles. How they each play with their food during lunch. One by one he brought up certain acts that Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, Edward, and Jasper did to keep up their act. And how they almost failed everything despite how they tried to.

"It looked as if you guys let your guard down, got too comfortable with the idea that most mortal wouldn't notice. And if someone did notice anything strange, they would just wave it off. Convince themselves that what they saw was impossible or that their mind was playing tricks on them," Jessica informed them, her voice is serious and cold. "Never once considered that others were among you."

It's another minute before anyone says anything, they all sneak glances at each other. Concern and uneasiness are all over them, in their face, posture, it hangs like a cloud around them.

"About three months after guys move there, we knew what you guys were. It wasn't exactly mission impossible," Mike finished with a shrug.

"If you've known all this time what we were, why didn't you confront us? Or…a-attacked?" Esme spoke up in a small voice.

"When we noticed that you weren't a danger to students or the town, we decided to leave you alone. Why fight when there wasn't any motive to fight. We're not like that." Mike replied simply. "But we still kept an eye on you. Just in case."

"Now that it is all out in the open, we each know what we are. Can we please calm down? We don't want to fight you, but we will if have to," I state as calming as I can, although I can hear a slight quiver in my voice.

"I agree with Bella, let us try to stay calm. Jasper, we came to get answers, not to fight. Remember that, "Carlisle told him in a stern voice of a father and leader. Jasper and Rosalie shared a look; I can practically see their whole conversation in their eyes. They both nodded at each then to Carlisle, he sighed in relief and turned back to us. "It seems that we are more in the dark as to who you are if you could please give more information about your kind. We'll greatly appreciate it."

"Of course, I understand. Ask us your question," I relaxed back into the sofa, drawing my legs up in a crisscross position.

"If what you saying is true, then which one of your parents is a god?" Carlisle inquired calmly.

Mike spoke, "For me, it's my mom, Athena."

"My father is Apollo," Jessica chimed in and then there's me. I look at everyone, and they all look back at me waiting for me to speak.

"I'm the daughter of Poseidon." I declared, rolling my sleeve up to show them my trident tattoo on the outside of my forearm.


Author's Note

If there was any trouble finding the Pinterest board, please look it using this link. Thank you so much for reading.

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