the life and times of a broken down star-- Ayden Smith's photobook and journal

Hi there, I'm Ayden Smith and welcome to the hell that is known as my life. Okay so it isn't that bad, I'll admit that. But you know those movies where the kids are all happy and brought up all happy and stuff. Yeah, it's like a disney movie I suppose if you want to think about it that way. Anyways, my life isn't some fluffy crap that Walt Disney wrote and produced and directed or whatever. I've never actually had a family before. You, you piece of parchment you, you're my only friend. 

Now let me explain what I mean by that. No, I'm not some narcissist who only loves himself. I once knew a kid like that, I think Jack was his name... He wasn't very approchable and once or twice stole my money while I was sleeping... Anyways, sorry. I can get a bit sidetracked it's just a habit I have. I don't have friends because they're all scared of me because of my powers as a demigod. I mean, would you want to hang out with a kid who could tell the future? Didn't think so. But it's fine, I don't care most of the time because I have you and the stars as my friends. 

Anyways, I'd write more about my tedious rise and fall to camp, but somebody is coming into the cabin and my flashlight is flickering. Plus I want to look at the stars before I fall asleep, they always calm me and give me a sense of home, since I never really had one. 

It's uh, been a while, hasn't it old friend? While I've been sword fighting and star gazing, you've been under my mattress collecting dust for the past weeks. I'm sorry, okay? It isn't my fault I can't find anytime to write. Wait. Okay, I'm arguing with a journal... So not normal. Not normal at all. Anyways, not much has been going on. I'm making more and more friends finally, and I guess thats partially the reason why I've not written in a while. 

The holidays are coming, but I'm staying here, just like I always do. But it's cool, Chicago never really appealed to me, so I don't want to go back there. There being the orphanage, if you can't interpret that. You probably can't, seeing as you're just a piece of paper. Oh great, there I go again, having a conversation with a non-living thing. Ayden you are losing your mind... But I realize I haven't actually explained to you about my past, and so thats why you might be confused about what and why I say things.
 
This is the orphanage I grew up at since my parents didn't want me. Well, it wasn't my mom's fault, goddess are not allowed to raise their children. My dad on the other hand had no reason whatsoever to give me up, so I have not forgiven him. Looks like a nice place to live until you figure out that the people who run the place are complete and utter morons who care only about money. And then also me with the homeless cat that I named Lewis. Let's see I was what, seventeen then? That was a good day for me. Lewis and I got to play all day with those oranges. It was fun. I don't know what happened to Lewis after that. Mr. Harris must've gotten rid of him. 

I don't want to talk about my life anymore. I'll see you when I see you.

That's how I feel the farther and longer I am away from Chicago. In the city, I have observed that there are no stars. The clouds and pollution cover them up and it's hard for me to fathom the galaxy. But here, at camp, the sky is clear and far enough away from New York that the sky shine with dots of light that sparkle. Here, my head is clear and I can harness my powers better than I have been able to before. 

I wish that this post could be longer, I really do. But with everything going on with christmas coming up the lane fast, it's getting harder and harder for me to write. When I first started to write in this notebook, I thought it would be a waste of time and I'd forget about it in about a week or two. But you have actually helped me open up about myself and what I have lived through as a child. So thank you. Thank you.