Chapter Text
Stella thought she had made two great mistakes in her life. The first one was jumping into Little Tiber when arriving at the Roman campus after Percy rescued her and set Thanatos free from the chains of ice in Alaska. Her second mistake was to get her knee crushed first by one of the giants, which Apollo healed, then again on her and Percy’s last quest to get the three letters of recommendation for applying to college. Stella thought the effort was completely in vain now. All the ligaments in her knee had been torn off. Rehabbing was going at the speed of a snail.
“Did the academy answer?” Sally peaked her head into Stella’s room. Stella nodded. Sally stepped inside and sat down on the bed with a little effort due to her pregnant belly.
“I have to ride the tryouts. Sending videos is not enough.” Stella sighed and looked up at the roof. “At least my grades were good enough for me to get in.” She said with a broken voice.
“And they will hold no extra tryouts later? The only chance is the last one’s next week. ” Sally moved Stella’s hair behind her ear.
“Maybe in July, if there aren’t enough students applying. But they could not guarantee anything.” Stella sighed.
“We will keep our hopes up.” Sally kissed her forehead. Stella stood and pulled her mother up without putting weight on her knees. Percy peaked his head inside her room.
“You can always join me in new Rome.” He smirked.
Stella smiled. “I won’t barge in on your and Annie’s dream.”
“You know you are more than welcome to barge in on my and Percy’s dream.” Annabeth rolled her eyes and they all walked sat down on Stella’s bed. Annie demanded to have a look on the knee. Stella pulled her sweatpants up and took of the kneepad she got from the doctor. The knee was still bruised and swollen. There was no part they wasn’t blue.
“You take ambrosia?”
Stella nodded. “Will put me on max dose. I will probably turn into a god or burn up any day now.”
“I don’t understand. You should be healing.” Percy sighed and shook his head.
“What did Poseidon say?” Annie took a bite out of the candy bar Stella handed her.
“He said he had no idea what was going on. He wanted to be updated on how it’s going.” Stella told her. “It’s a mystery.”
“Maybe Apollo cursed you.” Annabeth shrugged.
“He healed it last time. I have not done anything to upset him. I’ve been sending him great offerings to get his help. He should not be mad at me.” Stella shook her head violently. She put the knee pad on again. She was very careful.
“Will you apply again next year?” Annie asked.
Stella nodded. “I guess. There’s not much I could do about it anyway.” A part of her wished Percy would have left her to die. That part of her was growing every day. Percy wrapped an arm around her and gave her a hug.
“I will be fine. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” She sighed.
“Have you heard anything from Travis?” Annabeth asked. Percy’s look grew strained. Stella shook her head.
“We are over. I haven’t heard from him since summer when we broke up.” Stella smiled sadly. It was as if everyone else was moving forward with their lives and leaving her behind to jump around on crutches. She could go with them to New Rome. She was applied for the collage. But that was not what her heart desired. Stella had no idea of what to do now. Her grades were dropping just as her mood, it was as dark as the winter afternoon outside her window.
Percy snapped his fingers before her face. “Are you still in there?” Stella pushed his hand away.
“You could always work a year and save some money.” Annie said and stood up. Just that moment Sally popped her head in again.
“I could ask the candy store if they have an open spot.” She handed Stella a plate of sandwiches. Stella nodded and grabbed a bite.
“It’s better than just sulking around.” Stella agreed with her mouth full of sandwich. She wiped the blue caesar dressing from the corner of her mouth.
“It’s going to be alright.” Percy ruffled her hair. Stella hardly slapped his hands away and glared at him. He smiled and closed the door behind himself.
After visiting the doctor, Stella was finally rid of the crutches. The rehabbing was working slowly and steadily. The ambrosia seemed to be working a little bit. Stella was starting to feel a little hopeful again. She was not however, allowed back in the saddle for another couple of months. She was lucky enough that her horse, Xanthos, who she met in Rome during the war against the giants, was a godlike being who showed up when Stella called for him. When he galloped, his hooves leaved burn marks on the ground. He also had light abilities. At first Stella thought he was one of Apollo’s sun horses. But Xanthos denied it completely. He was his own, a horse blessed by the gods for his bravery. But the bravery he’d done was a question mark even for the horse himself.
“It’s weird. I can’t remember what I did.” Xanthos had told her. Stella had the same experience with a dog she met too. The Labrador, surprisingly, had the same name as Stella’s mother. The dog said she was blessed by the gods, but couldn’t remember why.
“Stella.” Percy marched into the kitchen where Stella was busy with homework. “Please help me with maths.” He groaned. His hair was still wet from his morning swimming practice.
“I am struggling too you know.” Stella sighed but made space for her brother by her side. Her books were spread across the table. Percy grabbed his chair and sat down by her side. Together they slowly but steadily started got through their homework of the day. Snow mixed with rain fell from the sky. The phone rung and Sally answered. She turned towards them with a strained look.
“It’s Apollo.” She said. “He is asking for the two of you.”
Stella and Percy gave one another a look.
“Let him in I guess.” Stella said and packed her books together. She hoped he was there to help her with her knee.