Holy Apollo

Just like during many of my sleepless nights, I had given up on the idea of resting and taken a walk around camp. That usually calmed my nerves and the pictures of the past in my head, but not today. I had almost ran out of ideas when I remembered the beach. Jack enjoyed it because it helped him so maybe it would help me too. I certainly had nothing to lose and I needn't worry about people being around at 5 in the morning. As soon as I reached the beach, I was hit with a wave of fresh air that reminded me vaguely of the sea near our summer house. Those were some pleasant memories. Not wanting to stay standing up and unwilling to get my night robe dirty, I decided on a very unlady-like act: climb up one of the giant trees. I found a branch low enough and found myself up there in no time. I stayed there, staring off into the horizon for who knows how long, until I heard footsteps. Sure enough, Jack had just headed towards the shore

Jack said he was my "boyfriend" but I don't know if that is a correct term. I've seen what "having a boyfriend" meant and our relationship was nothing like that. He was the first person I've ever gotten close to since my family and the only one I really trust. I had gotten through my fear of him and that had resulted in a beautiful and much needed friendship.

A shy smile forming on my lips, I tried to climb down the tree but found it impossible. "Could you please help me get down from here?" I called out to the young boy a few meters ahead of me

"Thank you, kind sir"I replied with a smile and took his hand as he helped me down the tree. "How come you're here so early? It's not even breakfast time yet. I figured you'd be asleep. Not that I mind the company"I rushed to add, in fear of coming off as rude or demanding

"That is perfectly acceptable"I nodded as I sat myself down next to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "You know, before today, I've never been to this beach. It is really incredible though, I'll give you that. There's something in the air, which, even though the beach is so near the camp, cannot be found anywhere else but here. I have to admit I'm rather enjoying myself. You were right, this place is indeed helpful in matters of the spirit"

"It's been going okay. It is a bit weird though. Studying in books about things that, a few years ago, were my everyday reality. I'm having a bit of a trouble with the technology advancements of the time and the progression of feminism but it's generally going okay"I said, curling myself up closer to his side."I really appreciate you helping me, Jack"

"I've actually thought of that once of twice"I mumbled and shrugged. "I don't know, a book just feel safer, more familiar. Besides, I've tried using the computer once and I got so frustrated I almost set it on fire. I would like to know though. I want to learn more about the music. I've always liked it and I wish to see how it turned out. And that other thing, film? What is all that about?"

"Oh. Seems interesting. I think my father knew a family whose daughter married an Edison but they mustn't be related"I mumbled, mostly talking to myself and thinking out loud."I would really like you to do that, please. Oh, and, is there a way to watch old films? Is there any kind of record or archive? O would really like to watch the progression"

"Yes, I have read about them"I said as I stood up. "There's a special section in the library for celebrity demigods. I'll have to look for some of those documentaries though, this seems like a very intriguing subject. And yes, I would love to take a walk with you, Jack. This is such a beautiful place and I have seen but a fragment of it. Would you be as kind so as to show me around?"I asked and gave him a shy smile as I followed his example and brushed the sand off my dress

I turned to look at him with widened by surprise eyes. "Pluto is a planet? There are other planets other than ours? Are there aliens? Have we met them? I thought there was no life outside of Earth"I exclaimed and grinned."You'll have to explain me all about that too. But for now, I would like to just enjoy our walk on this beach. I like how peaceful it is in the morning. I hate crowds"

"Yeah, there are planets beyond us. Pluto is one; but a few decades recently it was uncredited as a planet multiple times, being too small. But yes, we can talk about this later." Jack said, smirking. "Well, since my dad is Deimos the god of terror, he specializes in terrorizing crowds. But welp--I don't go around spraying terror upon every living soul. Feels wrong." he said. "Frankly, I would love to have a peaceful god or goddess as my parents: Hestia is an option. I don't wanna become the nerds from the Athena cabin. Maybe Demeter."

"We would be half-siblings if we shared the same mother though. And simply that. So I'm quite grateful we don't. Besides, you're not too frightening or something. So it's alright, you are on the friendly side."I assured him as I tugged him along further down towards the start of the forest tree line. "When I was a young child, our nanny would tell us about a legend they had at their village. It is said that, in every beach, there is a hidden cave inside which lives the most beautiful mermaid in a existence. Up until I left my house, I kept searching for the one in the beach near our summer house but it was nowhere to be found."

Jack laughed. "Yeah we'll be half-siblings, alright.Although I don't wanna deal with that." he said. Their trek was getting them near the edge of the forest. "That's how legends work. But now I suppose you'll have to believe in Greek mythology instead." he teased. "To not believe in Greek mythology while you're a Greek demigod is…illogical." Jack used the common term from Star Trek by Captain…Spork or something. "You know, I rarely am on my friendly side. Only happens when I'm around you." he admitted.

"I still think I'll find one cave some day. And I've seen you be friendly with others, so don't try to hide from me. But anyway"I mumbled as I stopped and turned to face him. "If we were ever given the chance, I would like to go on a vacation. Not too long, just a couple of days. I've just never been out of camp and I'm curious about how the world looks like. But since I would be too scared to go alone, would you - in a hypothetical universe - like to come along?"

"Hypothetical universe?" Jack laughed. "You don't have to hide it so sophisticatedly: of course. I would love to." he said, grabbing her hands. "Although I'll have to ask my mom first. I'll convince her." he said firmly. "But don't feel lonely. You've got me accompanied." Jack hugged Layla, which classified her as the second person in the world he'd ever hugged, behind his mother.

I blushed as I rested my head on his shoulder and exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Jack. That is very nice of you. Although I wouldn't want to impose any trouble on you, so if it's not very easy to accompany me, don't worry. Besides, I'd much rather stay here at camp with you by my side than go out and explore without you"I said, my voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt

"I feel the same way." he admitted. He ran his hand through her brown hair. Then the two of them seperated. "You might be one of the few people I trust. You know, back when I first met you two years ago, I had like, uh--a huge crush on you." Jack admitted. "Although you might have noticed the signs of it a long time ago. Did you?"

I blushed a darker shade of red and took an instictive step back as I lowered my head to the ground. "N-no, I, uh, I-I didn't know. I-I trust you very much too. You're actually the only person I t-trust and talk to. T-Thank you for being my friend"

Jack smiled gently. "Thank you too. Come on now, let's go get breakfast, shall we?" he offered, grabbing Layla's hand. The two demigods then headed toward the Mess Hall.

OOC: That's a wrap! I'll go make the vacation topic--okay?