everybody talks | luke castellan

playing dodge

⠀⠀⠀The next day dawned over Camp Half-Blood, casting its golden hues over the rolling hills and ancient trees that surrounded the training grounds. Alessandra rose with the sun, her thoughts lingering on the note she had received from Luke the night before. She couldn't shake the curiosity bubbling within her as she went about her morning routine, wondering if the words on that note weren’t just for show. 

The note from Luke had caught her off guard, its simple yet heartfelt message stirring something within her that she couldn't quite name. She smoothed down her shirt, trying to shake off the lingering sense of anticipation that clung to her like a second skin.

"Even if it was, why would I be bothered?" she whispered to herself, the words a half-hearted attempt to quell the fluttering nerves in her stomach. She couldn't deny the slight thrill that coursed through her at the thought of seeing Luke again, but she refused to let herself get carried away by the possibility of something more.

Why would there be something more? This was the first time they properly talked.

With a shake of her head, Alessandra pushed aside her lingering doubts and made her way out of the cabin. The crisp morning air greeted her as she stepped outside, the sounds of nature filling her ears as birds chirped and leaves rustled in the breeze. She took a moment to savor the tranquility of the campgrounds, letting the familiar sights and sounds wash over her like a comforting embrace.

Yes, what was there to expect? 

As Alessandra made her way towards the mess hall for breakfast, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides. 

I should’ve skipped breakfast.

Despite her internal turmoil, Alessandra forced herself to maintain a calm facade as she approached the serving line when she caught sight of a group of campers gathered around a table near the back of the hall. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized Luke among them, his easy smile and infectious laughter drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

But try as she might to push the thoughts of Luke to the back of her mind, his presence lingered like a shadow, tugging at her thoughts and stirring up a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. 

Why was she feeling this way? She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something about Luke that drew her in despite her best efforts to resist.

She felt weird under her skin. 

Hence, the reason why she ignored the image of Luke Castellan and his smile before making her way towards the table where her siblings sat. 

"Hey, Alessandra! Over here!" Luke called out, waving her over with a bright smile.

Alessandra swore under her breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she felt the eyes of the entire hall on her. For a moment, she considered ignoring, turning, and walking away, retreating to the safety of her own table where she wouldn't have to face the scrutiny of Luke's gaze.

But she remained rooted in her place, her muscles tense with apprehension as she turned to face the source of that voice. She offered him a small wave and a smile, hoping to convey a sense of politeness without giving away the turmoil swirling within her.

Then, with a deliberate stride, she made her way towards her siblings' table, her steps measured and quick. She couldn't help but notice the curious looks that followed her, the whispered murmurs of speculation that floated through the air like ghosts. Even Annabeth, her usually composed half-sister, regarded her with a puzzled expression, her brow furrowed in confusion. 

Everybody talked and she knew her name was dragged along with it.

Alessandra ignored the prickle of discomfort that crept up her spine, focusing instead on the reassuring presence of her siblings. She offered them a tight-lipped smile, trying to convey a sense of normalcy despite the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

As she settled into her seat, she couldn't shake the feeling of Luke's eyes on her, the weight of his gaze lingering like a shadow at the edge of her consciousness. She tried to push the thoughts aside, to bury them beneath the facade of indifference she had cultivated over the years. 

During training, Alessandra found herself constantly aware of Luke's presence, his proximity sending a ripple of discomfort through her veins. Every time their eyes met, she felt a flush of heat creeping up her neck, her heart racing with an unfamiliar sense of unease.

As she practiced her swordplay, she couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes boring into her, the weight of his gaze heavy on her skin. It was as if he could see right through her, peeling back the layers of her carefully constructed facade to expose the vulnerability lurking beneath.

With each swing of her sword, Alessandra's movements grew stiff and awkward, her focus fractured by the relentless onslaught of thoughts swirling in her mind. She stumbled over her footwork, her strikes lacking the fluid grace that usually characterized her fighting style.

Clarisse, who had been sparring with her, shot her a puzzled look, her brow furrowing in confusion at Alessandra's uncharacteristic clumsiness.

"You alright there, Moretti?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.

Alessandra forced a tight-lipped smile, trying to brush off her friend's concern with a casual shrug. "Just a bit distracted, that's all," she replied, her voice strained with the effort of maintaining her composure.

But even as she spoke, she could feel the weight of Luke's gaze burning into her, his presence like a beacon drawing her attention against her will. She cursed herself for being so affected by him, for allowing him to unravel her with nothing more than a simple glance.

As the training session drew to a close, Alessandra couldn't shake the feeling of relief that washed over her, the tension draining from her muscles as she finally stepped away from the arena. She made a beeline for the safety of her cabin, eager to escape the suffocating weight of Luke's presence and the tangled mess of emotions that threatened to consume her.

The day dragged on, Alessandra's mind preoccupied with thoughts of Luke and their awkward encounter in the dining hall. She found herself avoiding him at every turn, ducking into shadows and slipping through crowds to avoid his gaze.

Despite her best efforts to focus on her duties as head counselor, Alessandra couldn't shake the nagging feeling of discomfort that lingered in the pit of her stomach. Every time she caught sight of Luke out of the corner of her eye, her heart rate spiked, her palms growing clammy with nervousness.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the campgrounds, Alessandra made her way to the cabin, seeking solace in the familiar confines of her room. She closed the door behind her with a sigh of relief, grateful for the temporary reprieve from the chaos of camp life.

But even in the quiet solitude of her cabin, Alessandra couldn't escape the memory of Luke's smile, the warmth of his laughter echoing in her mind like a haunting melody. She paced restlessly across the room, her thoughts consumed by the events of the day and the unsettling feelings that had stirred within her.

With a frustrated groan, Alessandra collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her hands as she tried to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She knew she couldn't keep avoiding Luke forever, but the thought of facing him again filled her with a sense of dread she couldn't quite shake.

As she lay there in the darkness, the weight of her uncertainty pressing down on her like a leaden blanket, Alessandra couldn't help but wonder what the future held in store for her and Luke. Would their paths continue to cross, or would they drift apart like ships passing in the night?

Only time will tell. But for now, all Alessandra could do was try to make sense of the tangled mess of emotions that threatened to consume her, one day at a time.

"Why are you avoiding me? :(

- L."