Birthday girl 🖤

I LOVE RUM

"That, or he isn't very powerful." The boy standing behind her stated neutrally, looking more curious than critical.

"Oh, be nice, you two." The smaller girl scowled at them, quickly readjusting her features as she stuck her hand out to him. "Hi, I'm Victoire. This is Kuan and Isabel." She gestured over her shoulder at each of the kids in turn.

Lambert nodded slowly, unsure of how to take such varying reactions. "I'm Samuel." He said, gingerly taking Victoire's hand.

She shook firmly, and then turned to Kuan. "You'll probably be staying with him for a while, since you haven't been claimed yet. The Hermes cabin is nice; big, but full of people. They're pretty welcoming."

Starting out toward said cabin, the other kids easily fell in line with Isabel in the lead. "So," she said, conversationally, "how did you manage to avoid the monsters for so long? Do you really just have lame gifts, or was it your parents?"

Lambert blinked. "Monsters..." he said, quietly, thinking back. All the things he had definitely seen, the creatures that everyone insisted weren't there, the thing that had killed his mom. They were all monsters. Monsters that had come because of him. It was his fault.

He stopped walking, clenching his fists and trying to keep the tears from dripping down his cheeks. Isabel took a second to notice, Victoire pulling on her arm and shushing her gently.

"Hey." Isabel waved a hand in front of his face, looking concerned. Lambert squeezed his eyes shut, trying to ignore her. "What's up? Sam, what's wrong?"

"It's 'Samuel'." He gritted out, feeling himself lose the battle with his emotions.

Isabel scoffed. "Okay, 'Samuel'. What's up?"

He could feel her staring at him, along with Victoire and Kuan and all the others in the vicinity. He just shook his head, unable to form words at the moment.

"Sam, what's wrong? Do you want us to go get someone?"

My mom, he wants to say, but he knows that is childish, not to mention impossible.

"Sam. Hey, Sam. Can you tell us what's going on? You know we can't help if-"

That's it. "I don't want your 'help'!" He breaks. "I don't want 'powers' or monsters or to even be here! I wish I were home with my mom, but instead I'm here with you so can you please just shut up?"

It is blessedly silent for a few seconds. The air smells faintly of ozone, he notices vaguely.

"Alright, fine. We'll leave you alone. Good luck with this one in your cabin, Kuan." The sound of receding footsteps shouldn't bring such shame with it, but he can't help himself. His mom would always tell him that every first impression was a chance to make new friends. He supposed he had failed pretty spectacularly at it.

"There, there, Sam." A new voice, one of an adult. An oddly sweet smell accompanied him, but Lambert couldn't quite place it. There was a cool hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes.