Chapter 5: Aaron's POV
Cassandra was a smart girl and I'm not going to lie, I could see why the sun god fell for her. She was damn pretty to. At least I used to think so. She was the leader of the quest and every time I looked at her pale face creased with anxiety and rage I thought of Texas. Texas who had died for her, Texas who should still be alive. Texas who should have been here with us right now and whenever I thought of Texas's electric green eyes and her black and red hair that was cur raggedly I felt vexation towards Cassandra. Texas died saving her. Texas should be here now.
"Did you hear me, Aaron?" Andrew asked. He, Zakk, and myself were sitting in one of the tents. I looked over at Andrew.
"What?" I asked and both of them looked at me sympathetically. We were only a few miles from camp but Cassandra thought that we should all sleep until we could get a definite plan. The prophecy said to head east so her genius idea was to just follow the compass east.
"Are you ok?" Andrew asked and I nodded. Andrew, Zakk, and I had become good friends over the course of the last few hours. I didn't hide my emotions very well though. "I'm sorry for your loss." Andrew said after some time and Zakk nodded.
"It's all her fault." I said, rage seeping through my voice. Both of the guys looked up.
"What's whose fault?" Zakk asked and I punched my fist into my hand.
"Cassandra's. It's her fault. If she wasn't such-" Zakk cut me off right there.
"What happened to Texas was not her fault If you-" ANdrew cut him off looking at both of us.
"We can't let anything get in the way of team work. We have to work together. Cassandra did nothing, Texas's death was unfortunate but not in vain. We need to honor her memory and help Cassandra." Andrew said. I grumbled something.
"Just because your sweet on her-" I started but I was interrupted by the tent door unzipping. It was Nico. He came in and sat down.
"What are you guys talking about?" he asked and I shrugged, not wanting t tell Nico about my opinion. I knew he liked Cassandra. Kate followed Nico.
"Guys, we need to talk." she said no one moved. "As a group." Kate said. After a few minutes we all got up and followed her out to the site that she had built. I'd only came because of Texas and now that she was gone camping in the wilderness meant nothing to me. Cassandra was sitting on a log and she looked like she'd cleaned up ok. Her mocha colored hair was combed and her sea blue eyes looked a little less glassy. She still appeared to be in shock though. Kasey was sitting next to her and Andrew went over to join his girlfriend. Cassandra stood up and we all shushed up to listen to her. The idiots.
"I-I-I-I think that we need to ask for help from the gods. I can-" She started but I didn't let her finish.
"No." I said plain and simple. "That's a dumb idea. No one's going to answer to you. How many times have you asked Apollo for help in the last year? How many times has he actually responded? Zero. None. It's a lost case. You might as well high tail it back to camp because no one here wants to play Dr. Phil with you, Cassandra Anderson." I said harshly and I could see her trying to hold back tears.
"Screw you." She said and it was the first time I'd heard Cassandra ever swear. With that she ran off into the woods somewhere. Everyone looked at me, jaws agape. Let them stare. She deserved it. Finally the person I'd least expect to speak up did.
"I hate the winey little brat but that was uncalled for. That was mean spirited and horrible." Kyra said. I shrugged and didn't think anything of it. Andrew was the next to speak.
"You don't see her in you?" he asked. I shook my head, only able to think of Texas. "She lost someone dear to her to! She lost a lover, like you!"
"She was a idiot to think a god would love her forever!" I yelled. Then Nico punched me. I was quick to bite back to anyone's punches verbal or physical. I went to hit back but Kate grabbed my hand. Nico pushed her out of the way gently.
"I can fight my own battles, Kate." He said and again went to it me but I drew my sword and Nico backed off.
"Sit." I ordered and everyone obeyed. "From now on I lead starting now. Everyone has five seconds to extinguish the flame and pack up. We're getting the Hades out." I said and made sure that everyone was disarmed and ready after packing up and making sure that the fire was out we took off into the night.