Well that was the most full-on experience if my life. I swear, if Luke wasn't standing next to me glowing red and decked as if doing archery, then I'd think it was all a dream. As it was, we looked at each other and simultaneously asked the question,
"What are we going to do now?"
Having been blessed by Athena, it didn't take long for my smart brain to realise that we should probably leave the school before the class magically comes back. Luke agreed with me wholeheartedly, not really wanting to be seen by his mates as a glowing red man with a bow and arrow. So went past our lockers, grabbed all of our stuff and left campus. At first it was silence. But then Luke eventually had to ask the question, "So, your house first?"
In truth, I both really wanted to go home, and I really did not. After all of the weirdness we just witnessed, I wanted to visit the place that I know will be the way I left it: normal. But, at the same time, it would mean facing the fact that I may never return and see my mum. And that is seriously painful. Also, I did not want to see Pete right now.
Luke must have seen the conflict on my face, for he then suggested, "Or would you prefer mine?"
I looked at him in relief, but realised that he must feel the same. "Are you sure?"
He smiled, but I could see the pain under the mask. "Yea, totally." He would miss his family just as much as I would miss mine.
Having decided on a destination, we boarded the bus, sitting next to each other, silent, with Luke on the aisle. He was seriously taking his role as protector seriously. Honestly, as much as I felt thankful for a protector, I truly needed a companion more. Someone who understood what was going on through my mind: the joy, the shock, but most of all the pain and sadness of leaving our normal lives. I have never been one for surprises. Unfortunately, our life basically on the run will be full of it.
To be honest, I would never have pegged Luke as a son of Apollo. As I mentioned before, we have never really conversed. But I knew from the guy was that he was hugely popular, and had a knack for getting people to like him. He was one of those people who are able to get along with everyone. I have always respected him for that
Okay, more than respected. You could say that I have had a little crush on the guy for a while now. There have even been times where, on assignments, I was given the chance to get to know the guy a little bit. The amount he made me laugh… Knowing that he was a cool but also caring guy made me like him that much more, and made me cross my fingers every time assignments were given, hoping that we will be partnered together. However, none of it meant more to me than the fact that we really got along.
Of course, that was before the whole jewel-demigod thing. Now I have no idea what will become of us: whether we will become a couple, a couple of friends, or perhaps even acquaintances. At this very point of time, with events being as they are, it would probably be better to just be friends…
While in the middle of my brooding I was harshly elbowed in the ribs. Startled, I turned towards my attacker, who was looking at me with a guilty expression on his face. "We're here," he stated, still slightly embarrassed at what he had just did.
I looked out, noticing the bus had stopped, and a slightly annoyed bus driver was staring at me a way that said, "Get off my god damn bus!"
I obeyed, high-tailing it out of there as quickly as Luke would allow me to (he was beginning to take his role as protector to a new level that includes the word 'annoying'). Once out he walked me to his house, which I could say was… pretty ordinary.
Being an only child raised by a single mum, Luke's family did not need a large house. In my opinion, it was cute and cottagey but on the small side. The backyard, on the other side, was about the size of the whole house, well-tended to and beautiful. Luke's mother must love gardening! Going inside did little to change my opinion. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, the world's tiniest kitchen and a living room that contained a television from the 80s. That's about it. Although in truth I cannot judge, with the world being so expensive that this is most likely the best the two of them could do. So, out of respect, I said nothing.
The first thing Luke did was make a beeline for his bedroom, closing the door on me. Rude! To entertain myself I opened one of the cupboards, and was greeted by the sight of donuts. Those I immediately demolished. Then, feeling bad for Luke, I cooked us something for Lunch, all the while whistling and listening to the loud bangs that came from his room from time to time.
I know what you're thinking. Why didn't I just use my awesome, incredible powers? The truth was I was scared. I was never ever responsible for anything. Now I have the power of the gods resting on my shoulders. I didn't want to do anything to break the trust I was given. I also had no idea how to. So, for the time being, I was going to do things the hard way.
After a while, I got sick of watching the food slowly brown in the oven, so I decided to go and help Luke with his packing. Which in hindsight wasn't my smartest idea. For when I opened the door I was greeted to a mess of a room, a horrible guy smell, and a very naked Luke who had just come out of the shower after a hard day's packing.
"Eeeekkkk…" I immediately shut the door on him, and frantically paced through the living room. Why the hell didn't I knock? Great, a few hours as the new me and already screwed up the packing. What's next, the food?
The food!
When I entered the kitchen I greeted by a large amount of smoke. Trying to fix the problem, I opened the oven. My second mistake of the day. As soon as it opened the room became black, my breathing was becoming non-existent and the fire alarm went off. I immediately banged on Luke's door, shouting at him to hurry it up, and ran out of the house. A few minutes later, Luke showed up, his hair still damp from the shower, and we both ran as far away from the neighbourhood as we could.