Like a needle in the hay

Derek smirked and looked over at her, leaning against the mare. "Hanging out refers to friends and or aquiremimices enjoying each other's company."

"Oh... Enjoying company... That sounds... nice" Truth was, I wasn't a big fan of 'hanging out', as the guy put it. Actually, I rarely spoke to anyone if it wasn't absolutely necessairy. But he looked like a good guy. Not like a criminal or an abuser. I still remembered my psychiatrist's advice from our last meeting. You should learn to trust again, Layla. You're safe here. Time to make some friends, don't you think?

"Yeah, real nice." He chuckled lightly and came from behind the horse and smiled warmly at her. "So, how long have you been at camp?" Derek asked Layla.

I returned his smile with a weak one of my own."I-I don't remember really. But, I-I think it must be a year ago or something"I mumbled, feeling a bit unnerved going back in time. What if he asked about me before I ended up here?

OOC: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Derek smiled warmly and walked up to her, stopping a few feet. "So you must be a year-rounder?" He asked her as he causally padded the mare's neck. "I just come here in the summer."

"A what?"I asked again. Another new-word. I hated being so out of date

"A year-rounder? Its a demigod that stays here at camp for the entire year." He explained to her and crossed his arms.

"Oh"I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up from my embarasment. "Yeah, that's what I am. A year-rounder. That's me"I rambled on awkwardly

Derek nodded slowly and smiled. "Well that's good."He put his hands in his pockets and looked over at the girl. "If you don't mind me asking, why do you seem so...frightened?"

"Frightened? What? Me? Don't be ridiculous!"I said dismissivelly and gave a nervous giggle

The son of Demeter raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? I can see it in your eyes, Layla."He stated with a slight smile.

"Um, y-yeah, I-I am serious. I-I am fine. Um, I-I actually have to do.. something. Uh, bye"I said in a hurry and carefully steped down from the hay stack before making my way towards the exit, all but running away from him. It never turned out okay when they started asking questions. It meant they wanted something. They always wanted something from her. But she would submit herself to it no more.

"Wait!" He stretched out his hand, causing the hay to block her exit. "You don't need to be scared of me.."

My eyes widened as a flashback took over my brain, my way blocked by a wall, men's laugh behind me as I franctically searched for an exit."No... Please, let me go"I whimpered, still living the past. I had nowhere to run and they were coming closer, they kept coming closer."No... Stay where you are!"

He slowly took down the wall. "I haven't even move from where I was..." Derek knew that she must have some mental issues.

Tears were running down my eyes as I cowered in a corner, falling on the floor and hugging my knees to my chest in a weak attempt to protect myself. In my dream state I was again that filthy girl with the dirty dress, fighting to stay alive and hating herself from the bottom of her heart. I was once more a nothing.

He slowly walked toward her. Maybe he shouldn't have made the wall of hay. "Hey, are you okay?" Derek asked her, kneeling down beside her.

Suddenly the fladhback ended and I came back to reality. Trembling, I shook my head no. No for so many reasons. No, I wasn't okay. No, I didn'tneed his help. No, I didn't want him near me. But I couldn't say that. Because no, I wasn't sure all these were true. My greatest fear was that I'd someday trust somebody and now it was coming true.

"Well...I apologize that I put the wall up. I should've known better." Derek said softly, staying where he was so that he could comfort her.

I sniffed and nodded, taking a deep breathe to stop crying."I-It's a-alright. I-I'm sorry"

"There's no need for you to be sorry, Layla..." He said in a whisper and touched her back gently.

I jumped in surprise but tried to relax a bit."O-okay"

He sighed, knowing he probably triggered some past memory. He waved his hand and a beautiful purple pansy grew in front of her.

I stared at the flower in confusion and turned to look at the boy."D-did you m-make t-this?"I asked in awe

Derek nodded slowly. "Mhm. It's one of many talents." He nudged her gently and laughed a bit. "It's yours."