What A Beautiful Thing Hope Is

Chapter 8 - Octavian's P.O.V.

The darkness faded into light as my eyes slowly opened. I couldn't tell what day it is or what time. It was kind of bright but I wasn't sure where the light was coming from. I couldn't possibly be dead... There was a part of me that was sure I was still in the car wreck, crumpled up on the road in my ruined upside down car. I remember it so vividly is otherworldly. Another part of me thinks that maybe a few hours have passed since the wreck. Its gotta still be our anniversary... Oh man, how am I gonna make it up to Rachel that I was late? She must be so mad... I've never been late and on our Anniversary... Oh my goodness, the necklace! I got Rachel this lovely emerald necklace and it was in the car and its probably lost now...

My head whipped around looking for the necklace box. I don't know why I thought it would be in my room. Instead of finding the necklace though, I found Rachel. Her eyes looked tired, there was scowl on her face. She hadn't noticed me yet, she was talking to, no, arguing with someone.

The second I realized who she was arguing, I freaked out.

"WHAT!" I attempted to erupt. It came out more like, "what...?" Rachel swiveled around.

"OCTAVIAN!" she yelled, throwing her arms around me.

"Yay, he's awake!" someone else I hadn't seen before squeaked. I turned around to look at the person. Some blond, blue eyed teenager.

"Hi I'm Caesar, I'm your little brother. Is that your toy? I have the exact same one! Its really nice to meet you, I like your dog!"

"Dog?" I moaned. Rachel smiled through her tears.

"I got you a puppy"

"Happy Anniversary" I say. I feel a little nauseous. And my head hurts...

"You might have missed that" she said, forcing a smile.

"What? No! I had a necklace for you, no... I'm so sorry..." I sighed sadly. She kissed my lips.

"I'm too happy that you're awake to care..." She kissed all over my face. I smiled. Then I remembered my parents were there.

"Come on Caesar, we're going" My mother snapped at who I assume was my enthusiastic younger brother. His lip pulled into a pout.

"But Mommmmm! I've barely gotten to talk to Octavian! Pleasseee can we stay a little while longer?" She sighed.

"Fine. I'm going to go get some coffee"

"I'll go with you" My dad said. I still hated them. Caesar pulled up a chair.

"Hi! So, how you doing?" Caesar asked, surprisingly friendly for someone who grew up with our parents. HORRIBLE PEOPLE BOTH OF THEM.

"How long was I out?"

"Two weeks, baby" Rachel says, playing with my hair.

"TWO WEEKS?" Okay yeah no, I didn't yell, I said two weeks and then I coughed. Hard.

"So, not so good?" Caesar asked, continuing the conversation he was mostly having with himself.

"Look, I'm sorry Caesar. But I'm trying to talk to my girlfriend and you know what? No, I'm not really doing so good" Caesar smiled.

"Its okay. I can help" He lay his hand on my cheek. Instinctively, I pulled away.

"No no. I can heal people. Its my gift, from Apollo" I scowled.

"I get Augur powers which make me a freak and you can heal people?"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Caesar said, putting his hand back on my cheek and concentrating. My dizziness and nausea disappeared. I didn't want to say I was impressed because I was also jealous.

"Thank you Caesar."

"I want to be like you" He blurted.

"What? Why?"

"You're so happy. Despite what you've been through"

"Well Rachel is AMAZING."

"No, its more then that. Our parents... Are horrible to you"

"You're happy too."

"Because I like people! Unlike them... I want them to be decent to you but that will never happen. I wish we could be a family, but they'll never accept that. Maybe one day."

"Caesar, I have a family, with Rachel, at Camp Half Blood. And I am happy. And if you ever need a family... Well call me." I smiled. I liked this kid. Even if he was cooler than me. My parents came back in. They didn't say anything. I can't believe I ever wanted to be like them. Rachel introduced me to Umbreon and I immediately fell in love with him. Caesar and I exchanged numbers, and he gave me a quick, unexpected hug before my parents dragged them away.

"I don't need them in my life." I told Rachel as my parents left the hospital.

"They paid your bills."

"Well they're rich."

"Yeah but so am I. Well I was before I gave up my family."

"Maybe you should call them. It seems like today is family day. I like Caesar..."

"I like him too. But we're the only family I need. Who needs parents?" She faltered. I sighed.

"I don't know."