Leo had been working on some repairs on the Argo II when dinnertime rolled around. He decided he needed a break, and dragged his tired, aching body to the kitchen to make food for everyone. Today was July 7th, his birthday. Nobody else knew that, but Leo knew that everyone wouldn't care much anyway. He went to the break room to call everyone to the mess hall. Leo was about to enter the room when he heard his name in the midst of the ongoing conversation. He felt bad about eavesdropping, but he had to know who had mentioned him. He pretended he was leaning on the wall, and then pressed his ear against the door. The conversation went something like this:

"Do you think Leo's okay? I haven't seen him in a while. Do you think something's wrong with him?" Hazel asked.

"He's probably working again. It's not like anyone would willingly check up on him. We have work to do, too. He understands." Frank said.

"Yeah. And besides, we've got better things to do, like defending the ship. I'm sure he's fine with not being at every meeting. I don't see the necessity of it. He doesn't have to be here all the time." Jason replied.

Leo did not understand. What were they doing now then? Having an important meeting? It didn't seem like it. He wanted to be a part of the team too. He wiped the tears brimming at his eyes and plastered his signature grin on his face.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself." a voice told him. He took a shaky breath and entered.

"Hey guys! Dinner's ready!" Leo said with fake enthusiasm as the rest of the demigods got up and shuffled to the mess hall. "I'm not hungry, so I'm just gonna head back to my cabin." Leo said. He ran past his cabin, and into the engine room where he was working on repairs and inventions.

"Emotions are another of your weaknesses,'" said the voice in Leo's head.

"You're a useless, worthless freak. Who could ever like you?"  it questioned.

Leo's knees buckled.

"Stop! Just leave me alone!" He said through tears.

"You will always be alone." The voice echoed before disappearing.

The folded, faded photo grew heavier in his pocket. Leo brought it out. It was a photo of him and his mom, before the accident...He strained to look at it through the tears blurring his eyes, and whispered, "I'm sorry mama. It's my fault." He continued to sob quietly, kneeling know. 

"No one should know I am weak,"  He thought.

 "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being a freak. For what I did."