MONDAY

Piper was in their little office, leaning her head on her hand, staring blankly at the computer screen. Claire had left five minutes ago to get them snacks, and Piper was still trying to come up with something to write about.

Any idea?

One that you would accept to write? None so far.

Maybe Claire can help us.

Maybe chocolate can help us. I hope she's bringing some.

The sound of a doorknob turning caught her attention.

Finally, I'm starving.

She was too fast, I hope she didn't forget what she was gonna do halfway there and came back empty-handed.

Wouldn't be the first.

More like thousandth...

The door opened, but who stepped inside their room wasn't Claire, but Niel.

Oh, no, not him again.

What is he doing here?

Maybe looking for Claire?

Well, she's not here; he can leave.

Niel took his time to approach her desk, looking everywhere, taking each step slowly, like he had any time in the world. Piper was watching him warily, until he stopped right in front of her desk. She held his eyes, not standing up.

"So, pirate, what can I do for you?"

"You could clarify who are you?"

Piper blinked twice.

"Seriously? Well, okay then."

She stood up, plastered a fake smile in her face and extended her hand to him, using a high pitched over-excited voice.

"Hi there! I'm Trish, nickname for Patricia, it's so nice to meet you!"

He stared at her hand like it was a poisonous snake. She pulled it back, letting the scowl slide back to her face.

"It wasn't what you wanted?"

"The jig is up love, the least you could do is stop making a fool of yerself. We can still be adults about this."

She snorted, sitting again.

"You can start being the adult and stop making silly questions."

He sat in the chair in front of her desk, even if she didn't invite him to do it.

"Only children never question love."

Piper took her time to close every window in her computer, before raising one eyebrow to him.

"Do you deal with children? They're the ones who question more! Why is the sky blue? Why can't I lie? How are rainbows created? Why do people get sick?"

"I said we could be adults and yet you persist to deflect. I'm trying to be mature about this."

She sighed, before crossing her arms and legs. The body language was clear, 'back off'.

"Okay. Let's be mature. Ask away."

Niel narrows his eyes looking for guile, a trick. He nodded, as deciding to trust that she might be serious.

"I've seen you fight. It takes years of intense study to be as polished as that."

Or a war. You learn things amazingly fast when your next breath depends on it.

"My first question, are you a threat to the school or Claire?"

Okay, I wasn't expecting this.

It must be a trick.

"The only thing you need to know is that I protect my friends. Claire is in it. As for the school... no, I'm not a threat. Unless we're talking about bullies. It isn't why those guys from the play were? Bullies?"

He nodded and paused for almost a full minute, looking at her and cataloging every detail.

"Is the secrecy to protect you or me?"

"Why would I want to protect you?"

Nice one!

"Noted. Who else are you, Patricia?"

"I don't answer to Patricia."

"Fine. Who else are you, Trish?"

"Tyron MacMillan's daughter. Anything else?"

Hum. He didn't even blink when you said my father's name.

I noticed it.

Do you think he didn't recognize it?

I think he has an excellent poker face.

Maybe he already knew.

Which means he did a little research on us.

"One last question. Do you feel threatened by me?"

Okay, this is just weird.

Piper uncrossed her arms and stood up, raising now both eyebrows.

"Should I?"

Niel flashes his best Cheshire grin.

"I'll be in touch, Tyron's daughter. Clear skies."

Niel stood up, tipped an invisible hat and went to walk out the door. She watched him leave while biting the inside of her mouth.

Okay. I admit it. That fight? Worst idea EVER.

THANK YOU.

First Claire, now Niel.

Wait. Do you think he would go to Claire for answers?

Oh, no.

Piper shot from her chair and moved to the closed door, but the moment she touched the doorknob, she froze at hearing Claire's always cheery voice.

"Niel, hi! I wasn't expecting to see you here. What are you doing here?"

Oh, no.

Should we just charge ahead?

"Hum, h-hi, Claire. I, hum... I was... looking for you."

"Really? What for?"

"Hum, eh... just... you know, wondering if you have any plans for the break."

Oh, God, he's pathetic.

I feel sorry for him.

This would be a good moment to be at an Aphrodite's daughter's good side, huh?

I wasn't really a matchmaker like my siblings.

Come on, you'd still be able to help him.

He's so bad at it even an Ares' kid would be able to help him.

Piper could hear Claire's loud sigh of happiness through the door.

"Oh, Niel, I'm so glad you asked! I'm going to Rio with Trish! Isn't that awesome?"

Like always, Claire started rambling about all she wanted to do.

Claire might look shy, but get even a little close to her and she starts to overshare.

"Oh. Hum. That's cool."

"Why did you ask? Ooooohhhh, I know. It's so obvious I don't know how I didn't notice before. I know what you want!"

Piper froze again against the door, her ear focused on the conversation happening a foot from her.

It was about time.

Should we intervene?

Wait, we're talking about Claire.

So?

"You want a souvenir! Of course! Just tell me what kind."

Piper facepalmed from behind the door.

Called it.

How can she be so sharp to tell us apart and so clueless about Niel's intentions?

I wish we could watch his face.

I don't hear anything.

Open the door.

She did, and found a smiling Claire with her arms full of snacks, looking at the back of a retreating Niel.

Trish looks at Claire.

"Is that normal?"

Claire focus on her friend, with an inquisitive glance. Piper nods to Niel's direction.

"He leaving."

Claire nods happily

"Yep. Niel is funny like that; he just walks up and walks away lately. I already wrote a great review on the play though. I think he just likes being mysterious."

She giggled and enter their office, like there was nothing weird at that.

Painfully oblivious.

Piper closed the door, after looking both ways to make sure Niel or anyone else was coming that way.

"Claire? We need to talk."

"Hum? What about it?"

Piper accepted the soda Claire offered her.

"Remember what I told you about me and the others?"

"Yes?"

Piper copied Claire's stance and perched herself on a table.

"You know you need to keep this a secret, right?"

Claire rolled her yes.

"Duh, obviously."

"Good. Because there is one more thing you should know."

"What?"

Try not to make him sound as the only bad guy.

You, defending him?

She'll be more easy to convince if we don't look like we're attacking only him or something.

"Niel asked me how I knew how to fight. He was prying, and I suspect he won't be the only one. So please, be careful with questions people ask you about me or the others, okay?"

Claire stood up and saluted. The image was ruined by the wide grin and dirty hands and mouth, but Piper would take what she could.

I really, REALLY hope no one goes for Claire for information.

Why?

She might be a sweetheart who, on her own, can keep secrets for years to come. But she sucks at dealing with pressure. Forget about torture, she cracks with the interrogation.

We're screwed.