Chapter Eight
During the car ride to Manhatten, we should have been planning what to say to the gods. But really, we all sat in an awkward silence. It was really bad for Drake and me because we had never ever had an awkward silence before. Well, there was that one time... but that's a different story. Maybe I'll tell you later.
I looked out the window as we sped off down the road. I just wanted to get there, get this over with, and get home. And by home, I mean Camp Half-Blood.
Lay began to laugh suddenly.
"What's so funny?" I asked, and silently added, Zeus might want to kill us. Yeah, that's just histarical.
"It's just..." she paused, another giggle escaping her mouth, "...I never thought I'd be on a quest. No one ever thought I was brave enough, just because of how quiet I was or how I acted. Only you, Clay, Drake, Stacie, and I know how well I can fight with a sword. I just wish they would know. I always felt... out of place in the Apollo cabin, you know?"
"Kind of," I replied truthfully. Sure, I loved the place, but I didn't prefer feeling lef out because Lay was my favorite sister. Because she was a loner, so was I. And that really can make you feel like an outcast.
"I want to go back... change how I acted those first few years of camp, and maybe, just maybe, people wouldn't see me as this-" she pointed at herself while frowning, "-and see me as this." She pointed at herself and pretended to laugh.
I didn't respond at first. My eyes slowly moved over to Drake, who looked like he was almost alseep.
"Why do you want to go back?" I asked, "Why not just act different now."
"People will think I changed because I don't feel like an outcast anymore. I can't do that."
"You should," I encouraged softly.
She shook her head, "Not a good idea, Delilah."
I sighed and let my head gently lean against the warm window. "Why not, Lay?"
"I dunno. I just don't want them to think you changed me into your personal..." she paused, "I don't know. I just don't want them to think they can manipulate me, like I'm clay and they can mold me into anything they want."
Like clay...good analogy, I thought.