Inexperienced

Apparently I am not immediately notified that my mum has arrived, because after Aloisyus had picked me up and we had run towards the Big House, my mum was already seated on the front porch, talking to Chiron.

As I approach, she turns to look at me and instantly jumps up, running towards me. Before I know it, she has me engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.

'Ow, mum, can't...breathe!' I whimpered as she patted my head, saying, 'I was so worried, I- your father- you can't ever do anything like this again!' She releases me and looks at me angrily, before pulling me into a hug again. I looked over her shoulder to see Aloisyus grinning broadly. I glared at him at he shrugged, like can you blame me? I rolled my eyes at him, which I'm not very good at, so I always end up rolling my whole head instead of only my eyes.

My mum was finally done fussing over my and turned to Chiron.

'Thank you for taking care of her, and explaining everything. I will be very comfortable leaving her in your care, as I know I must. I will go home again now, to inform my husband that our daughter is allright.' Chiron nodded, and as my mum moved forward to say goodbye, I turned the situation over and over in my head.

She was going away again? Whithout me? She must have seen the look on my face when she turned around, because she smiled slightly and put her hand on my shoulder.

'Don't worry, you'll be fine. I expect you already understand why you are here?' I nodded. I did, and now that I was reading those books, I probably knew a lot more than she thought. I had already finished the first book, and had just started in the second, The Sea of Monsters.

I sighed. I knew I would be fine, but I would miss her. I hugged her again and whispered, 'bye' in her ear. She pulled away, stroking my hair. Normally I would move out of her reach because I thought I was too old for that, but this time I let her. I wasn't going to see her for a while, because technically 'normal' humans a. k. a. mortals weren't allowed at Camp, and the summer holidays had still over six weeks left.

I walked with her to the top of the hill, where her car was parked. 'I will pick you up at the end of the summer, and I'll send you some of your clothes. Have fun!' I waved at her until she was out of view and then slowly lowered my hand. I don't know how long I stood there, only that at some point I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked sideways too see Aloisyus standing next to me.

'Come, let's get back. It's getting late.' He put his arm around me to comfort me, and I lean slightly towards me as we walk down the slope. The sun was setting, coloring the strawberry fields in tints of pink and orange, with a few wispy clouds still clinging to the rapidly darkening sky. It was a beautiful sight, and it lifted my heart slightly.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad here after all.

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