New life

The Saturday’s morning started at 7 o'clock. You can think that it's because of the golden hair man who threatened me every night, who made me feel pain, who wanted to kill me, but l woke up at this time because l couldn't lie anymore in the bed. I wanted to scream, to shout, to dance, to do something that would take some time till everybody was awake and ready to go to Charlie.

So, l got up from the bed trying not to make much noise, got dressed and went outside. Not a soul could be seen in the whole camp like everybody was dead. I closed my eyes and understood that l was wrong. I heard demigods breathing, talking in a sleep, snoring. That was the life till the time everybody is awake.

Then l heard something coming toward me. l opened my eyes and saw Chiron.

"Good morning, Stefania" He smiled nicely.
"Good morning. Why are you awake?" I looked at the centaur.
"I need to talk to you."
"Why can't you do it later?" I asked. I didn't want to talk to anyone, l just wanted the time to go faster till we are near Charlie's house.
"I won't be able to speak to you later, because you want to escape this place as fast as you can and to appear near your friend..." l blushed. "Friend", of course! "And as the time for you to leave will approach, you will think only about your friend. So, what about a little conversation now?" He looked at me and as l nodded gestured in the direction of the seashore.
"So, Jason asked for a permission to visit your friend and l agreed... But you should know that there is no way back. You have your friends with you, so l hope that everything will be alright there..."
"Chiron, l don't understand..."
"As the time comes, you will understand. You just need to know that you can trust your friends, you can entrust your life to them, they will fight for you. All of the 8." He made a pause and looked at the sea.

Transparent, turquoise waves rolled on the sandy shore. Each wave competed with the previous one, hoping to wet the sand further. There's another wave approaching straight to our feet, but ran back to its native element not touching us. I took a few steps forward, and my feet touched the still cool, crisp water (I took off my shoes and held them in the hand). After standing little in water, I came out, and my wet feet were sticked by fine sand.

I looked up and met with the wise eyes, that saw a lot of things, of the teacher. He looked at me, being in his own thoughts and memories. I was a little embarrassed by his gaze penetrating almost through me and turned back to face the sea.

"Stefania, you need to know something, something very important. You heard you prophecy, but Percy didn't tell the whole thing. There are two more lines..." He made a pause. "Bad thing can happen if you don't know the whole prophecy, so don't blame me..."
"Chiron, just say those lines" l wanted it to sound nice, but actually it was rude.
"The air will see the light whether it's her birthday stroll" Chiron said and looked at me to see my impression.

Well, all l though was why Percy didn’t tell me those lines?! There is nothing to worry about. But... If Percy said nothing about it, that means that... he knows something, feels that something bad will happen... He didn't want me to hear the truth... Bad... Something bad... But what? The lines only say that l will know something on my birthday, and that's all! Oh, l have no ideas...

"Stefania, don't think about it. Look around. Enjoy this morning. Throw away the thought about this prophecy and about the demigods’ world. Remember that soon you will meet your friend..." Chiron said and walked past me to the Big house.

Time walks fast when you do something you enjoy. So, l started my morning exercise. Not that l enjoyed it, but it helped to forget about the world, to think about my moves, to train my power of hearing sounds.

As l finished my running in the forest and around the camp, l wen to the third cabin where Percy was sleeping. Still sleeping.

"Seaweed brain..." l whispered coming forward the bed. "Seaweed brain... My seaweed brain... Wake up..." l stopped near Percy who was still asleep. "Wake up, Peeercy" l said quietly. In another moment l heard his heart bouncing faster-he started to wake up. "Don't open your eyes, Percy." I whispered.
"Annabeth, is that you?" He asked me like he didn't like that game.
"Yes, it's me. Percy, l wanted to tell you something..." l stopped. I was about to burst with laugh, but l took all my power in hands and continued. "It's very important..."
"Is Stef here?"
"No, she is running around the camp."
"But then why are you whispering?"
"Because..." Ughr! "Because it's necessary. I wanted to tell you, Percy, that l'm leaving, because l love another guy, not you, wh...."
"What?!" Percy opened his eyes. He thought he would meet Annabeth standing near him, but it was only me. "Stef?" His eyes shot lightings.
"Yes, my dear?" I said and started laughing.
"Stef, it's not funny." He was looking in my eyes and l understood how he felt. What would l feel if Charlie said that he doesn't need me? Horrible.
"Sorry, Pers, not a good joke..." l looked down and then back at Percy. But he was looking somewhere left to me. "Percy...? Sorry." I made a pause, but Percy still was looking somewhere. "Percy! What are yo..."

In the next second the water fell on my head.

"Now we're even." Percy smiled. His oceans shone playfully and it was clear that he enjoys using his powers. He stood up faster and ran to the bathroom.
"Percy!" I screamed and heard him laughing.

As we had some shower, we went to the pavilion where everybody was already eating. I sat to the first table and ordered a cup of tea, a yogurt and some cookies.

"Hello, Stef" Jason said as he swan a piece of chocolate. "Do you feel like you will meet Charlie soon?"
"Oh, well..." l made a pensive face. "Yes!" I screamed and everybody turned their heads in our direction.
"Piper, l think you're late." Someone said. "Jason just proposed to Stef. Sorry." Everybody laughed and Piper smiled, too, but l know that she didn't want anyone to notice her being red or angry.
"You know what, Jason?" I said. "I think that Piper is better that me, so you'd better propose to her." I smiled.
"Well, l guess, l will" He laughed.

As we finished eating we all met near the Thalia tree. It was said that we would be driven to Charlie's house and then in the Monday`s morning we would be taken, so we had two days to relax from all camp stuff.

"Hey, Stef, are you coming? Or you are staying here?" Percy smiled, they all were already in a minivan.
"Yes, l'm coming ." I was looking at the camp and felt like l wouldn't come back there soon.


We arrived there at noon. The whole way l was looking out of the window and watching the scenery, Leo was telling some jokes to Frank and Piper, Hazel was watching the scenery too, Annabeth was reading some book and Percy and Jason were talking. At the end of the trip, when l noticed some familiar terrain and told others that we would arrive soon, everybody started speaking about where they wanted to go in the town and how good these weekends would be.

Soon we arrived at the town and l took Annabeth's phone to message Charlie: "Meet us in 15 minutes". And, honestly, these 15 minutes were the longest in the history. I was thinking about how we would meet, how we would chat, how we would hold ourselves now when our status had changed.

Soon we arrived to the house near what Charlie was standing and smiling. I know for sure, he just couldn't help himself from smiling, he was just too happy to stay with normal face.

"So, guys, meet you in Monday. Bye!" Argus said, as the car stopped, and, as we went out, he drove away.

So there we were, standing in front of each other, me with the seven and Charlie. Our eyes met and l understood everything.

"Charlie! Stef!" We said at the same time. Well here we should run toward each other, kiss and live happily because we loved each other, but... There is, was and will be one "but". I didn't run towards and didn't kiss him, no. I just slowly walked toward him still looking in his blue eyes, that didn't move either from mine, and hugged him.
"Charlie, l missed you so much..." l whispered him in the ear.
"Stefania, you can't know how l missed you..." he whispered and cuddled me pulling me closer to him by his strong arms that burn my T-shirt where they touched me. I understood that l was crying only when Charlie said:
"Shhh, Stefania, l'm here."

Happiness. Yes, that were tears of happiness, because l was finally near Charlie, whom l loved so mush and whom l was embracing so strong.

"Mmm, amour!"
"Leo, shut up!" Percy whispered.
"No, ahaha, it's okay!" I made a step back wiping my tears. I smiled happily when Charlie's hand found mine. "So, l guess now l'll introduce you to my new friends."

As Charlie got to know everyone, we decided to go to the fun park. There were a lot of roller coasters, many shooting games, karaoke, other fun stuff and cafes. As we arrived there, we decided firstly to go on a roller coaster called "Dead Zone" that was by far the biggest roller coaster in the park. And guess who sat on a first sit of the first car? Leo! He was totally excited about the roller coaster! Percy and l sat behind him, then Jason and Frank, Piper and Hazel and finally Charlie and Annabeth. You know, it was a crazy idea to go on this roller coaster.... I thought l would die! Everybody around me was screaming, but, l think, Leo screamed, because he was admiring the ride. He shouted something like "You don't have to worry!" or "We are going to fall down now!" (When we reached the highest point and then flew down). As our legs stepped on the ground, the whole my body was trembling!

"I would never ever go there again!" I said and Piper nodded.
"Guys, there is a photo of you." A man who worked in the park said. "Do you want to see yourself during this ride?"
"Yes!" Leo said. "Let's see how scary this ride was for you!"

As we went toward a monitor where our photo was, we burst with unstoppable laugh because everybody had nontransferable face of fear! Except for Leo, whose eyes shone with madness of the exciting moment.

After that roller coaster we went to a Horror House, that wasn't scary at all. Maybe it was because l'd been there a millions times when l was little or maybe it was because l walked with Charlie holding my hand, who knows?.... After the house we went to the shooting games where all gentlemen wanted to be the best and to win the best prize for their girlfriend (except for Leo, who just stayed near us with a sad face). Well... Percy failed as well as Charlie. But Jason and Frank succeeded winning bears for Piper and Hazel.

"You'll see, l'll beat you in a water shooting game!" Percy said looking in the direction of the game.
"We'll go there, l just wanted to shoot one time." I said and took a bow and an arrow. I made a deep breath and looked in Charlie's eyes. He thought l was waiting for his sigh to shoot, so he nodded. I raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly still holding the bow and the arrow pointing at the target. He brought his eyebrows in disbelief together and then l shot still looking at him in the eyes.
"Ten!" A worker said. "You won a bear. Congratulations!"

He gave me a furry toy, as l took it l turned to Leo.

"Leo, this is for you!" I smiled and gave him the toy watching his sad face starting to shine and his eyes starting to be warm and thankful.
"Good job, Stef!" Percy said. "Will we go to that game now?" He asked impatiently like a little boy and we went after him.

After Percy won a big white bear with a beautiful stripped tie, we went to a cafe where we ordered some burgers, Coca-Cola, tea, ice cream and a blueberry patty for Percy. As we finished eating and talking (well, we talked more than ate), we were led to a Photo Boom by Jason who decided to take a collective photos of us all. As we entered a little cabin the camera started making shots of us. Well, if you could see our faces... But that was a real fun - we were grimacing, making each other fun faces, we were hugging and someone was kissing (Leo theatrically made a sad face and l and Charlie just looked at each other scaring each other and feeling fear of everyone around).

Then we went to other roller coasters. What l need to say is yes, it was really dreadful and l really thought my heart would never come back to its natural place in the chest (every time we were on a roller coaster, it went down to my feet), yes, it was like this, but this l will remember forever, these moments will remind me of my friends, of the time we spent together. So, please, if you have some opportunity, take it! Or you will regret that you've missed your chance.... *sorry, just my thoughts*

"It. Was. Fantastic!" Leo said as we were driving to Charlie's house. He still held the toy l won for him.
"Yes! Amazing day!" Piper smiled.
"Now what about pizza?" Charlie asked us not looking at the road. He was a good driver, so he could allow him two seconds not looking.

We all agreed.

As we arrived, Charlie and l made some kind of excursion around his house and at the end of it everybody decided where and with whom they would sleep (Annabeth and Percy, Hazel and Frank, Piper and Jason, and Leo who said he would enjoy the lonely sleep on an enormous bed). Then l ordered pizza, but as a guy who delivers pizza arrived everybody said that they were tired and they would just go and sleep on enormous beds.

"Are you tired, Stef?" Charlie asked me when everybody went to sleep.
"No, but if l lie, l won't probably get up."
"Okay then, because l`ve planned something..." Charlie looked at me like he was asking me if l wanted to do something he`d planned.
"And it is...?" I smiled.
"It is a secret." He laughed. "Can you close your eyes and keep them closed till l say to open them?"
"Oh, l think l'll fail!" I laughed.
"Stef, l'm serious..." Charlie wasn`t smiling.
"Um... Yes, l won't open my eyes till you tell me to."
"Great!" Charlie suddenly cheered. "So, close your eyes."

As l did it, Charlie took my hand and led me to some place. Charlie may have thought l wouldn't understand where we were going, but l did. He led me to a tree house. Why did l know? It was our childhood game. One of us took other one's hand telling him not to open eyes and led him to some place; and then the person who had his eyes closed should have name the place where he stood not touching anything, just remembering the rout how he was led there.

As we entered the tree house and went upstairs, Charlie finally said:

"Open your eyes..."

He whispered right in my ear so secretly and so sensually, that it didn't look like a game for children. I even felt like cold chills ran through my whole body. It was a kind of burning coldness, which Charlie never used. But everything happens for the first time, doesn`t it?

I opened my eyes and saw a different tree house. I mean it was the house where l spent all my childhood, but it was so breathtakingly decorated that l felt like l was somewhere else. There were candles everywhere that created an atmosphere of mystery, as if there was nothing else but us besides this little house, there was only this hour, this minute, this second. Near the window a small table stood, that looked like a small podium, which was served on two: glasses, plates, forks and dark pink napkins. Red black and white pillows were scattered around the table.

"Do you like it?" Charlie wasn't whispering anymore.
"Yes. Charlie... It's... Oh, my god! Charlie! It's so... beautiful here and cozy... Did you make this by yourself? Or somebody helped you?"
"By myself." He said proudly and smiled. "I made it for you..." He looked down and then back at me. He was frightened, he didn't know how l would act, what l would say, and he didn't want to screw up everything.
"Hey," I took his hands and looked in his blue eyes. He listened to me very attentively, because he knew that l would say something important. "Charlie, l like this place. It's gorgeous. I love it..." l made a pause. "I love you..."

"I've said it... l've said it. I've said it! Yes! Finally. Yes, l love you, Charlie! Yes! Yes! I've said it!"-that was my mind in that moment.

I was looking in Charlie's eyes waiting. And he knew it, he knew what l was waiting for. But he was looking in my eyes thinking about something, looking in them for the truth and as he found... Well, he kissed me.

"I love you, too, Stefania." His face was nothing but happiness. As well as mine.

Then he led me to the table and as we sat he put me a slice of pizza on a plate.

"Thanks." I smiled. "Can l ask you..." l said as he put himself a slice too. "Did you like this day that you spent with my friends?"
"Yes, they are cool... how do you call it?... um, yes, demigods! They are cool demigods!" He smiled and l showed him my tongue.
"No, seriously?"
"Stef, they're really cool, nice, extremely interesting people with whom l would spend all my days if l could. But l'm interesting, um, what parents does they have?"
"Um... Jason is my brother of my father's line and Piper is my sister of my grannies' line. They both taught me how to use my powers. Hazel is a daughter of Pluto, it's a Roman name for Hades, and Frank is a son of Mars, or Ares. These two are absolutely amazing! Hazel can do some magic and Frank can turn into any animal! Leo is a son of Hephaestus and he can create fire in his hands! He calls himself "Boy on fire"! He is also an engineer and a real funny guy. Then Annabeth is a daughter of Athena and she is like Mega Mind, you know. And, finally, Percy, the son of Poseidon, who can control water and who became the best friend for me..."
"Yeah... You're cool, and l... Well, that's doesn't matter." Charlie's face went from sad to normal during this sentence.
"Hey, Charlie." I moved closer to him and took his hand. "You're cool, too. You have this amazing house and many cars. You have the life everybody dreams of while they are sleeping. You're cool because you're totally awesome and handsome. You're cool because you're who you are, you don't pretend to be someone else. So, stop saying this, Charlie."
"But l saw how you shot today. You even weren't looking at your target! And Percy used his power of water to win a prize for Annabeth. And other boys. But l won nothing!"
"Charlie, you won me." I said and Charlie looked at me like he was in his own thoughts. But then after a while his face lit up as if he`d realized something very, very important, something that he wanted so long to discover, something that long occupied his thoughts.
"I love you, Stefania! You don't have to be a daughter of Athena to teach me some wisdom. I'm so thankful to the destiny that l have you!" He said. Oh, Charlie, you'd better not touch destiny...

As we finished eating Hawaii pizza and extinguished candles, we went to the house.

"Stef, um..." He ran his hand through his hair.
"Yes, Charlie?"
"Maybe... Um..."
"Yeah?"
"Um, maybe you will sleep today with me?"
"Yes."
"What?!" Charlie opened his eyes widely.
"You heard me." I smiled.
"I thought you would repeat..."
"No!" I smiled insidiously and ran to Charlie's room laughing and hearing Charlie running after me.

As we entered his room and lied down on his bed (thank all the gods, the light was off! I was red maybe like a tomato!), we fell fast asleep right in our clothes. It was so great to be near him, to listen to his heartbeat, to feel his arms around me, to know that you're loved.

Notes

Hoooray! I`ve done it!!! Finally, the new chapter is published!
So, as l`m going to England, l won`t be able to write and to publish for 3 weeks. But l have two days till l leave, so (l really really hope) l will try to write one more chapter!
Thank you for reding this! Oh, and thank you, guys, for subscrebing my story and for voting! It really means a lot!
*if you want to know more about me, check out my tumblr account: lexycooperseesyou.tumblr.com*