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The day before Alison leaves Camp Half-Blood is more joyous than Emilee expected it to be. They had worried that their siblings would be upset at losing their current head counselor, but they now suppose that Alison’s efforts to transfer leadership over to Lee Fletcher were effective in mitigating the pain of the loss. Not that it’s a real loss or anything. Alison can come visit and call if she wants to; it’s not like she’s gone forever. Still, it’s relieving to see everyone celebrating instead of sobbing.
Graduations from Camp Half-Blood tend to be rather emotional, even if they’re not usually a final goodbye, but it’s not like Alison to get all sappy, so no one else does either. Even Emilee’s holding it together, although she knows how terribly she’s going to miss her sister. She figures she can just keep her composure until Alison’s left, then she can lean on her other siblings and friends for support. Noticing Lee’s glances towards them throughout the day, Emilee is certain that he’s just waiting for them to break. They’re determined not to. Not today. Today is Alison’s day, and they won’t take the focus away from her.
They spent the morning at the archery range, letting loose arrow after arrow until their arms grew weary. Alison and Lee were competing with each other while the surrounding campers took sides and placed bets on who would get the most bullseyes. Emilee sat off to the side, contentedly watching their siblings in their element. She and some of the other less skilled campers took shots too, showing off what Alison had taught them over the years she spent at camp. Emilee tried to refuse, but Alison teased her until she relented and took a couple of shots. She’s still just proud she hit the target.
Most of the campers split off from there to do their own thing, but Lee, Emilee, and a couple of Alison’s other friends and siblings stuck with Alison as she led the way to the arena. Alison has requested that they do a small tournament with all of her closest campers, just for the fun of it. Each of the contenders had been at camp for at least two years, and they knew each other’s fighting styles well, so every fight was about as evenly matched as it could get.
They’d decided to run a bracket-style tournament with randomized matches. Emilee ended up facing off against Lee first and losing, which they really didn’t mind because it meant they could sit back and enjoy the other fights. After five other matches, Alison and Lee faced off against each other. It was fun watching them spar in close combat for a change. About halfway through the match, Alison yelled at Lee for taking it easy on her, which he immediately adjusted, giving it his all and eventually winning. Despite the loss, Alison didn’t look bothered in the slightest. If anything, she looked proud.
After lunch, they played capture the flag, which Alison’s team handily won (with major help from some curious combination of Ares, Athena, and Aphrodite campers).
During the downtime afterwards, before dinner, the same group of siblings and friends from the tournament came together in the Apollo cabin to simply hang out and talk. Emilee, for once, stayed mostly quiet, which absolutely caused one of Lee’s concerned glances. They just waved him off while the rest chatted over their silent exchange.
When dinner came around, Emily once again found herself standing before the flame, after scraping some of her food in, and praying. Dad, please watch over Alison when she leaves camp. Even if she’s mad at you, she deserves to be loved and kept safe. If she’s ever too proud to ask for help, consider this me asking for her in advance. I love her, and I love you, and I know you love us. Thank you.
Before they ate, Chiron announced that Alison would be leaving early tomorrow morning and praised her for her hard work, bravery, and dedication. He called for a toast, and everyone raised their glasses to Alison and her glorious future. During the meal, just about everyone stopped by the Apollo table to wish Alison well, even if they weren’t close. Though Alison didn’t show it, Emilee was sure their sister appreciated it.
And now here they are, sitting around the campfire with everyone. Emilee’s got her violin, and her brother, Alex, has his guitar. Together, they lead the campfire songs while everyone around them makes s’mores and sings boisterously, even if they’re terrible at it. It’s awful and incredible all at once, which is exactly what Emilee needs to make her stop thinking about how much she’s going to miss Alison.
Despite their differences, the two had grown closer than either ever would have expected upon their first meeting. They can’t be sure that Alison feels the same, considering the fact that the older girl rarely spoke openly about her feelings, but Emilee knows that no one will ever be able to take Alison’s place in her heart. Their relationship is messy and genuine and perfect. They’ll never agree on whether or not Apollo loves them, but they will always love each other, no matter where the future takes them. Of that, Emilee is certain.
As the night winds down and people surround Alison to say their goodbyes, Lee maneuvers through the crowd to stand at Emilee’s side, asking, “How’re you doing?”
“Good,” she says simply, without looking at him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so quiet. I think I’ve heard you less today than the day you actually lost your voice,” he jokes.
They smile and laugh softly, “I just don’t have much to say.”
“Well, we both know that’s a lie.”
“And so what if it is? I’m not making Alison’s day about me.”
“So you’re pretending like you’re perfectly okay with her leaving?”
“I am okay with her leaving,” they protest, slightly glaring at him.
“Okay, fine, but you’re not happy about it,” he counters.
That, she can’t deny, so she instead says, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Just tell her you’re going to miss her. You don’t have to make it a big thing, just be honest.”
“What if I tell her and immediately start crying?”
Lee chuckles, “Then you’re being normal, Emilee. There’s nothing wrong with crying.”
“I just want her to be happy.”
“And she’ll be happy to know that you’ll be thinking about her and missing her when she’s gone. It’ll make her feel valued.”
Emilee considers his words for a second, then shrugs, “I dunno, maybe I’ll tell her before we go to sleep.”
“I’ll take that as a win.”
“Hey, Lee?”
“Hm?”
“You’re already a great counselor.”
He smiles and pats her back, “Thanks, Em. I’m doing my best.” He then heads back into the crowd of people, leaving Emilee to think.
They know Lee is right that Alison would probably like to hear that she’s so valued, but the last thing they want to do is cry. Both because then it would turn into Alison comforting her when they should be happy, and because it would be embarrassing. But Emilee has always worn her heart on her sleeve, and Alison accepts that about her even when she struggles to accept it herself. There’s a slim chance that they’ll be able to be honest and hold it together, but they don’t think they’re going to take that chance.
As the night winds down and campers start making their way back to their cabins, Emilee finds herself stuck by Alison’s side. She’s been keeping some degree of distance for most of the day, thinking that would help keep her from breaking down on anyone. The flaw in that thought pattern becomes apparent as they approach the Apollo cabin, and Emilee can feel herself tearing up. All she can do is stare at their cabin– their home and think about the fact that by breakfast time tomorrow, Alison will be gone. Her bunk will be empty until someone new comes along to take the place that was hers for years. They don’t know which will be worse: the emptiness or the replacement.
They’re being dramatic, and they know that, but they just can’t help it. And of course Alison notices. How could she not, when they’ve stopped in the middle of the path and let her walk ahead?
Turning to face them and walking back to stand in front of them, Alison teases, “You’re actually gonna miss me, huh?”
Smacking her arm light-heartedly but not softly, Emilee pouts, wiping away the small tears that had formed, “Of course I’m gonna miss you…”
“You’ll be fine,” Alison says plainly. “I’ll try to call, but I’ve only got two drachmas, so I make no promises.”
“Do you promise you’ll call if you’re in trouble?”
“I literally just said I wouldn’t make any promises.”
“Don’t be a jerk, just promise. If you need help, I’ll come find you wherever you are.”
“Okay, fine, I promise to call if I’m in serious danger. Happy?”
They nod, then quickly wrap their arms around her, burying their head in her shoulder and crying softly, “I’m sorry, I thought I could keep it together.”
Alison slowly wraps her arms around her sibling, “I was pretty sure you couldn’t. I’m shocked you lasted this long, honestly. I thought you’d be crying as soon as the sun rose.”
“That’s not fair!”
“It absolutely is,” she laughs, pulling back enough to kiss the top of their head.
Alison has never been the most affectionate person, and physical affection was particularly rare, so Emilee knew that, even if she didn’t say it, Alison was feeling as much as they were. She was just processing it differently, as usual. Letting go of their sister, they took a deep breath and let it out slowly before saying, “I’m gonna miss you complaining and judging others and generally just being mean so much.”
That gets a real laugh out of Alison, who replies, “You’re kidding, right?”
They shake their head, “I’m serious. Being a blunt jerk is part of who you are, and I’m going to miss every part of you. Plus, I don’t know who else is going to challenge my belief that people are inherently kind beings.” They have to joke, or else they’ll go back to crying.
“Hm, yeah, I am pretty good at that,” she hums contentedly. “You can always make more friends in the Ares cabin, you know.”
“That’s not the same, though,” she whines, “I can’t spend all my time bothering them if we have to sit at different tables.”
“Bother Lee, then.”
“He’s too nice!”
“Michael?”
They consider it, “Maybe…” then shake their head, “No one will be able to replace you, no matter how mean or matter-of-fact they are.”
Alison smiles, “Thanks, Em.” Glancing back over her shoulder at their cabin, Alison sighs, “I don’t know how much I’m going to miss this place,” then turns her focus back to Emilee, “but I’m going to miss you a lot.”
“If you ever miss me too much, you can always call,” Emilee partially sings.
“No promises, remember?”
“Except for one.”
“Right, except for one,” she smiles, then turns on her heel. “C’mon, I need to get as much sleep as I can before I hit the road.” She heads into the cabin without waiting for Emilee, who hesitates yet again, staring at the symbol of their father on the front of the cabin.
“Please…” she whispers, “Please look out for her out there.”
The following morning, Alison, Lee, Emilee, and Chiron stand at the top of half-blood hill. While Lee checks over Alison’s pack to make sure she has everything she needs to start her life outside of camp, Chiron gives her as much advice as he can on fitting in with mortals, and Emilee makes sure Alison doesn’t sass the centaur too much. He’s just trying to help, even if it is all advice Alison has heard before.
Once Lee is confident in the quality of Alison’s gear, he hands it back over to her and nods, “All yours.”
“Perfect.” She swings the pack over her shoulder, takes a step forward, and turns to face her siblings and Chiron. “Well, this is it.”
“For now,” Emilee insists.
“Right,” Alison smiles, but says nothing more about it. Instead, she nods to Lee and Chiron before pulling Emilee into a hug. Just to them, she softly says, “Hope I’ll see you out there one day.”
Emilee smiles as they separate and says, “Maybe if you call me.”
“If I need to.”
“Or want to,” Emilee tries.
Alison just nods, starting off down the hill and calling back once she’s turned away from the trio, “See ya!”
Emilee has to be led off by Lee before she gets the chance to consider running after Alison. She spends the day avoiding the archery range, their cabin, and their spot at the end of the Apollo table. She figures that the less she’s reminded of Alison, the better, at least for a little bit. In a month or so, she knows she’ll just be waiting for a call.
That call never comes.