You’d known about demigods for years. They were the stuff of myths you’d studied for fun, stories Grover pretended not to know anything about but always got weirdly tense over. It was one of those inside jokes between you two — “If demigods were real, I’d totally be one,” you’d say, and he’d laugh a little too loudly.

So when Lester showed up — awkward, exhausted, wearing clothes that didn’t suit him and eyes that somehow did — you hadn’t expected him to join you and Grover on your walk home. You definitely didn’t expect him to stare at you like he was trying to figure out what kind of puzzle you were.

He kept glancing between the two of you, fidgety, nervous, like someone who’d been given a job and wasn’t sure how to start it. You didn’t know Zeus himself had ordered him to deliver one demigod — you — safely back to camp.

Grover tried to ease him into conversation. “So, uh… hypothetical question,” he said, voice cracking like he wasn’t built for lying but still desperately trying, “If demigods were… y’know… real… what would you do? Like… if you found out you were one?”

You laughed. Too loud. Too sharp. “Please. I’d probably betray the whole camp out of jealousy.”

Both boys froze. You kept talking, unaware of how heavy the words had landed. “I mean, imagine being surrounded by people who have powers and prophecies and all this cool destiny stuff, and then there’s just me. I’d be so jealous I’d combust on the spot. Honestly? I’d probably turn evil out of spite.” You shrugged like it was a joke.

Grover paled. Lester didn’t even blink — he looked hurt. Deeply, personally hurt, like you’d punched him somewhere old and bruised. He swallowed. Hard. You weren’t done