Hades' Lost Daughter

Chapter Six

By the time we got back to the manor, it was almost noon and other staff members were waiting for us to help us unload the bags. We moved quickly towards the kitchen where there were a couple of children helping as they washed the dishes.

On my way to get the second round of bags, Barbara stopped me halfway and shook her head. "Why don't you get ready for the day? Tomorrow is your birthday and I already have the day planned for us," she said softly as she smiled.

As she mentioned having something planned, I stiffened and my eyes widened. I hated surprises and I wasn't in the mood to celebrate. I had considered asking Barbara if wanted to watch movies with Alex and me. But that was it. I didn't want anything over the top.

Before I could protest, Barbara was already making her way towards the kitchen without turning back. I rolled my eyes and headed towards my room to get ready.

Along the way, children and teenagers were starting to emerge from their rooms and towards the cafeteria to find something to eat. It was Saturday and a lot of the kids preferred to get up late and do their chores early the next day.

I walked against the flow of the crowd until I finally reached my room. Thankfully, it was empty and I grabbed a pair of clean clothes before heading towards the bathroom across the hall.

I sighed in relief when I saw there was no one there and I was quick to turn on the shower. The warm water made me shiver under its touch and I smiled. Quickly, I took off the rest of my clothes and jumped into the shower. Instantly, my muscles relaxed and I let out a sigh of relief as I washed all the tension away. The part I was most looking forward about my birthday was knowing what had happened the day before. The memory still made my skin crawl.

When I stepped out of the shower, I put on my clothes and walked out of the bathroom. To my surprise, Alex was sitting on a chair in the hallway, next to the bathroom's entrance. "Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise as I dried my hair with the towel.

Alex gave me a small smile and sighed. "I was actually looking for you. When I didn't find you in your room nor with Barbara, I guessed you would be here. I know how much you love to take long, hot showers."

I chuckled and nodded my head, "you know me so well. What's up?"

Alex crossed her arms in front of her as she stood up and eyed me closely. "I was worried about you. I haven't seen you in days and when I saw Andrew yesterday he said that you were feeling under the weather. I was worried about you and yet, here you are, looking fine." She raised an eyebrow skeptically and I sighed before shrugging.

"You're right. I should have come to you before but like Andrew said, yesterday I started to feel unwell in the morning and decided to come back to my room and lay down. I was going to come and find you once I got ready for the day," I explained as I placed a hand on my chest.

Alex eyed me carefully and then sighed and nodded her head. "You're right. I was just exaggerating. You look well. Do you have anything planned for today?" she asked cheerfully. Her eyebrows raised suggestively and I laughed and shook my head.

"Not really, but Barbara said she had something planned for today. Do you know what she's talking about?" I asked with my arms crossed in front of my chest.

Alex's face paled and she instantly shook her head, which made me think she knew what I was talking about.

"No, she didn't mention anything to me," she said innocently and I studied her closely.

"Okay. I'll pretend to believe you," I said with a chuckle.

Alex smiled warily and she followed me to my room. Once we were there, I placed my clothes on the dirty clothes laundry basket. "Ready. Now, let's get to lunch before the food runs out," I said and she nodded her head.

We walked towards the cafeteria where it was already starting to fill. Alex and I quickly got in line to get out food and then headed for our usual spot by the tree. Most of the other kids were inside since the breeze was starting to feel cold.

Alex was filling me in on what had happened the last week I hadn't gone to school. I only listened and pretended to be interested as she told me what assignments were missing. I only pretended to listen as my mind wandered to what Barbara could have planned for the day.

"Hey. May I join you?" his voice made me return from my thoughts and I stared at Andrew who looked calmly at us.

"Sure, you don't even have to ask," Alex said with a bright smile and I turned to look at her with wide eyes. My glare didn't seem to faze her as Andrew sat down and looked at her thankfully.

Andrew quickly got comfortable and looked at me. "Do you guys have anything planned for today?" He took a bite of his food and I quickly shook my head.

"Not at all. Has anyone explained to you how Saturdays work around here?" I asked.

He nodded his head and shrugged. "Sure, it's one day girls in the manor, one day boys. Apperently today it's the boys' turn to go out." I smiled and nodded my head.

"Where are you guys going? Do you know?" Alex asked as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. That was when I realized why Alex was so eager to have Andrew around. She had a crush on him. My eyes widened but I decided I would ask her later about it once we were alone.

Andrew nodded his head and smiled. "Yes, we're going to a football game."

"Do you like football?" Alex asked.

Andrew shook his head, "nah. It's not really my style but I can tolerate it."

"So what do you like?" I interrupted with a raised eyebrow.

Andrew's deep blue eyes met mine in an intense glance. "I'm more of a fighting and self-defense guy. I like hand-to-hand combat and fencing and those kinds of sports."

I raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything as we broke our eye contact and finished my food.

A couple of minutes later, the headmistress's voice echoed around us in the speakers.

"Boys, please present yourself at the entrance for your activities for the day. In ten minutes we will leave and everyone must go."

I smiled under my hair and then I turned to face Andrew. "Bummer, it's a shame you won't be able to stay with us. But at least you'll meet more boys around here."

Andrew's smiled widened mischievously and his eyes gleamed with something I couldn't understand. "Actually, Barbara made an exception for me. She said I was needed here for something important and if the offer still stands, I would like to spend the day with you. Tomorrow it's your birthday, right?"

My blood ran cold and I stopped eating. Suddenly feeling famished. Alex smiled brightly and I saw her eyes gleam. Great, this birthday wasn't going how I expected.