01. Grover sells out Percy for a PB&J

Callidora

        Watching Percy Jackson is the biggest snooze fest ever.

        And, yeah, I know, it's a bit hypocritical of me to be so critical of him. It's not his fault. He doesn't know my mission here, and I didn't want him to. In fairness, I did volunteer for this even though my presence was so clearly unwanted as seen by Chiron's insistent denial to my pleads to just be included here. Even if I did wedge my way into this, I didn't think watching him but just be watching him! I'll be the bigger person and admit it's not exactly fair of me. I see it. I acknowledge it, and I completely understand it too. But I like having a more hand—on approach to these kinds of things. I don't think that makes me the bad guy! In fact, I see myself as brave for being so willing to put myself in the face of danger.

        And with Percy, I just think he needed a bit more than a nudge. Maybe a slight shove... off a big cliff.

        I might just be an adrenaline junkie.

        It's crazy when you really think about it though. How my life has gone from feeding pegasi and putting my life on the line just to get that dang blue flag to worrying about math and trying to remember the same five dates in U.S. history. (Like we get it people, but the Roanoke colony did not actually disappear!) Although, I suppose my life isn't as adventurous as I'd like to invite, so it's not the most drastic change. But once you've been told you're a halfling with blood of ancient greek gods and goddesses flowing through your vein, normal things begin to grow a little more mundane. 

        Life slows down a lot more. I'm walking to class instead of running for my life and looking over my shoulder continuously. What a fun change of pace. Stop and smell the roses as they say, but being normal is only great for the first few days before it loses all its novelty.

        But it was cool to have a little glimpse of what life could've been like if my parents were, you know, my parents. This train of thought is often the beginning of every existential crisis. Can't wait for mine.

        Anyways, back to Percy Jackson. My entire life— really three months— have been all about Percy, Percy, Percy. I don't even talk to him. I don't even think he knows my name! It's so creepy. I am so creepy. The way I lurk. The way I have to lurk. All for the bigger picture, I remind myself.

        There's an ugly part of me that turns green when I see Grover with him. Grover gets to actually talk to him. Grover gets to become his friend and keep a closer eye on him. Many times I wonder if I drew the short straw of the pile with just being a simple watcher, but then Percy Jackson opens his big mouth and gets himself in trouble for the third time in a row, and I remain happy with the job I've been given.

        It's a short term remedy to my large sized problem. His charming personality may remind me of my place for a good hour, two tops, but by the end of the day I'm itching to do something than other than observe him. And just because I can, I go and complain to Chiron. A lot of things tell me though he could care less like my common sense. He's a wise centaur with a lot more problems than I could ever want to comprehend. One more can't hurt though. 

       I suggest so many things. I could strike up a conversation, bump into him, who care? Just anything to speed up the process, get me in there! It doesn't surprise me when he warns me again it. He speaks in this very final way that only he can to shut me up. So, it's a short—lived conversation and a long walk back to the dorm with my feet dragging behind me for a lot of nights.

        Here are my findings though because I have to do something with them.

        I could sum up Percy Jackson's life into three points.

                    1. His friendship with Grover.

        I really can't say much about this point. They're attached to the hip.

        It's his job, so I'll cut him some slack. He's also just an easy person to befriend. Besides the fact that he's as— and how can I say this nicely— pathetic as can be which triggers the natural hoof—tripping and locker—pushing response, he's as sweet as a tooth—rotting candy kids flock to. Percy exists in the same stratosphere. The more they hang out together the Venn diagram of similarities begin to close in on itself. It's just a matter of time before it merges into a complete circle.

        He's supposed to be guiding him. Protector duties and all. Be there on Percy's journey to the his eventual half—blood revelation.

        I want to place my hand on Percy's shoulder and pat it solemnly. "It doesn't get much easier from here," I'd tell him and watch the color drain from his face.

       But I'm supposed to keep my distance. Weird.

                    2. Nancy Bobofit. (And that's all I need to say.)

        Quite frankly, I was surprised to find out she wasn't another monster coming after Percy. It was just how she was. The thing about her is that I have to psychically jam my fingers into my ears and starting singing my heart out to keep myself from hearing her shrilly voice make victim of another poor soul that happens to look at her weird. Fortunately, I'm not on her radar. Yet. Never say never. No one is ever truly safe from her wrath.

        Maybe they have some sort of secret, historic beef that goes back way before the times of western civilization like in those stories Chiron makes us read. Percy may just be doomed to be forever subjected to her fury, in this life and the next.

        Grover and I may be here to make his transition a little easier, but he's on his own on this one.

                    3. Percy likes to use his big mouth to get into big trouble. 

        A part of me feels bad. Initially. It's like he couldn't catch a break. Initially, I felt bad. But then I had classes with him, and it's like he can't even help it.

        I'm no child of Apollo, but I've been working on this metaphor of the situations Percy finds himself in. It is as if Percy has been placed in this race against his will where he's put against every single enemy in his life, say his fourth grade bully or his smelly pre—school teacher, but it's just him against all of them. The whole school is there in the crowds to boo at him, and when the announcer yells go, and it is only then that Percy realizes his shoes have been glued to the ground. And there's no finish line at the end of his track. And there are rings of fire hurdling towards him with no sign of stopping. 

        Hopefully that made sense. 

        And those are all the points I could make up. It's so bare and short it actually makes me sad. The list was the condensed version before I could even make a condensed version. They all pretty much overlap too.

               With being friends with Grover and simply Grover being friends with Percy, they invite a lot of trouble. Nancy Bobofit makes herself the rotted cherry on top of all the detentions, straight D's, and bullying. Already when he's on the ground, Nancy cackles somewhere from her high horse she probably stole and kicks him back down. Then spits just for fun.

        Okay, maybe I'm going a little crazy now.

        But the moral of the story is you could say I know him. I say that anyway. Even if the closest I'll ever get is through Grover, but I'll take it. I essentially corner him to give me every detail he can muster up even if he's stuttering and bleating through the pressure of my intense stare. I won't take a detail unspoken. I'm practically itching for it. 

        Like right now. 

        I'm waiting in this secluded part of the gardens at Yancy. Not many kids know about it. Not many kids would intentionally come here even if they did. I found it some time during my second week. I was trying and failing to forget about my latest failed test when I stumbled upon a hidden, green—infested archway. Excited, I ran back to Grover, thinking I had discovered the new next thing. A faraway spot not even the teachers may know about. But then he broke it to me that it's just not well kept, and the gardening club actually goes there once a month to check on their pots and planters which I must've missed. 

        Skillfully ignoring his words, I asked Grover if we start meeting up every once in a while, so he could fill me in on what's going on with Percy. He was hesitant at first. My earnest attempts must've made him nervous, but soon I found myself packing snacks bi—weekly and hoping Grover would come with something new.

        "For such a fancy schmancy private school, they sure do need a better cafeteria," Grover grumbled, and with a whole lotta sass, the satyr plopped down next to me with a frown and the shake of his head. 

        I scooted over to make some room for him as I swallowed down an amused grin. It was hard to refrain from laughing, but I had managed somehow. "And yet, I see a clean plate every day at lunch."

        He glares at me with betrayal in his eyes. "You know I hate to waste food," he argued.

        I let out an 'ah' and nod four, five times to really sell it. Grover just scoffs and turns his head, peeved. It's clear he didn't find it as funny as I do. His unnatural silence makes me roll my eyes before I dig into my bag slowly, even tauntingly because I know when I look back over Grover would be watching my every move through the corner of his eyes.

        Whipping out a familiar plastic baggie, I wave it in his face. A simple PB&J.

        All attention zeroes in on the simple treat. He lunges for it, but I place an index finger between the two. With the small click of my tongue, I bestow a knowing look. Grover sighs and glances to the green grass for help. I've put him between a rock and a hard place. To me, it's really simple.

        Eyes clouded with conflict, Grover mumbles, "You know Chiron told you not to interfere anymore. He told me not to let you interfere anymore!"

         I rolled my eyes. Yeah, even if Chiron told me to stay away and stay away from a respectable distance, I don't listen. I can't listen. Sounds a lot better if I can't. Sounds like it was just an uncontrollable sequence of events that just happened to slowly sway in my favor.

        "Chiron isn't here," I argue, "But this yummy PB&J is!"

       Grover whines, face scrunching up in complete agony. To play with him even more, I open the baggie up, letting the sound ripple through the peaceful air. His ears twitch at the sound, and I know I've got him.

        "Come on, Grover," I urge, "I'll just have to throw it out if you don't—"

        "No!" He bleats before swiping it. I tug myself back at the fact he almost took some of fingers with him. He's already munching on it before I can blink. "You know how much I hate wasting food!" 

        It's disappearing before my sight. You'd think he'd like to savor it. I told him as much the first time I met him, but I don't think he could hear me through the fog of his own chewing.

        When Grover's done, he cannot escape my knowing eyes. With a defeated sigh, he concedes. "I enable you too much," he murmurs to himself, "I don't know why you ask me. It's not anything you don't know. You stare a little too much to not know."

        "Hey!" I bark. "It's my job!"

        Grover's hands shoot up in surrender, but I know he doesn't truly believe me. I shake my head and mutter a snark 'whatever' before gesturing for him to hurriedly continue.

        "It's just the same old, same old. Same ole' typical gaslighting, same ole' alge tests— Hey! By the way, did you finish the study guide for that?" I look at him with a look. A look that says 'are you serious?' A look that says 'you're gonna ask me of all people?' He nods, understanding. "But he's getting better at memorizing all the Greek monsters I've thrown at him!"

        "Good?" 

         "Great!" Grover nods in agreement. "Just makes it much easier to bring up the whole... Well, you know."

         I hum. I sadly did. "Do you think that'll be soon?"

        "Who knows," he shrugs, light and easy. "His mother wants to give him as much time as possible, but we all know—"

        "It's not up to anyone."

        We share a knowing glance before Grover goes back to his sandwich. That's when I suddenly remember the other snacks I packed beforehand, and I reach to pull out a bag of chips. Ripping it open, I place it between the two of us. 

        He happily pops a chip in his mouth. "Are you excited for the field trip?"

        "Might be cool," I conclude, "I don't think I've ever been on one."

        Grover gives me a reassuring beam. "You'll have fun."

        The sound of me biting into a particularly crisp chip fills the air. I think on Grover's words. I'm a bit of a liar. To say I've never been on a field trip would be a lie. But I take the liberty to not count it. Actually, my first and last field trip happened in elementary school. It was nothing fancy, just to the park. Our class was so big I don't think the teachers wanted to account for all of us in an aquarium or zoo. But I was excited. Excited to be outside, away from that dingy classroom where I struggled to write my 'q's and 'p's. I could run around and play tag until I had run myself ragged. I didn't know it at the time, but this would be my first encounter of the half—blood world. Let's just say my ex—soccer coach had a vendetta against me and reincarnated with the body of a lion. Still, he kept his ugly, snooty smile. 

       I had almost died that day, nothing serious. But the tricky part was how no one else saw what I saw. No one saw Coach Gary. No one saw how it only targeted me. They only saw what they could. What they wanted.

      I was secretly and inadvertently responsible for destroying a public space. Whoops? 

        When my hand hits the bottom of the bag and is only met with greasy crumbs, I glare at Grover with a fury. He's munching on the last chip as he catches my eyes. With a nervous chuckle, he turns swiftly to finish it in peace. Shaking my head, I swipe the crumbs off my face and hands before sighing. "We should probably get back."

        Grover nods, extending his hands out to take all my trash which he promptly throws away but not before separating the recycling from the actual trash however. Then, coming back to where I'm finishing packing up all our stuff, his hand extends to collect mine, and he helps me up before I hand him his backpack. I pick a fallen leaf off his head of hair with a smile and a wave as we part ways, but before I can go, he stops me.

        "By the way," he says with a shy smile, "Cool it with staring, please. You're scaring him."

Percy

        "Can Callidora not stare at me for two seconds?"

        Grover shoots up at my annoyance. He quickly looks over to Callidora with a pained face before looking back at me. I notice he's slowly inching to the left, trying to get her out of my sight, but I can still feel her stare on me.

        He laughs nervously. "She must be zoning out."

        I shake my head and continue, "She does this all the time. What's her problem?"

        Grover is at a loss for words. He's stuttering and trying to muster up what he hopes I might think of as a good excuse before blurting out, "Maybe you have something on your teeth!"

        I'm taken aback, a little bruised by it. Grover goes back to ranting about Greek creatures before I can continue on that subject. While he busies himself with his many flashcards, I quickly check my teeth in the reflection of my spoon.

       But the problem still remains: Callidora Song.

         Yeah, I knew Callidora Song.

        It's hard to forget someone named Callidora. I remember the first time I heard her kooky name. It was the beginning of Biology when the teacher made her introduce herself to the whole class. A fate worse than death. I zoned out before I could hear her speak a few facts about herself. I thought there were more pressing matters at hand like who names their child Callidora? And how much could you possibly hate them because I think we just hit a new record. 

        I don't actually know her though, per se. She's just there. She's just always there. 

        I think it's kind of hard for her to not be there all the time. Some people just have this big presence that takes up the room, and it's all a little suffocating. I've wondered from time to time if she ever had an off switch which I would be happy to flick off for everyone. Don't call me a hero, but we all have a part to play. 

        But it's not like I hate her. There's no reason to! As I've said before, I barely even know her. Scratch that! I don't know her. But she seems to want to know me with the way she can't keep her eyes off me.

        Some may be flattered by having the school's queen bee fawning over them, but it's like I can't do anything without her watchful eye.

         And that's another thing. In the three months Callidora has been here, she's managed to weasel her way into the school hierarchy, dethrone the last nobody, Alice Flynn, at the very top, and take the crown for herself. She's gone from being the new girl with the weird name she's become the most popular girl in school with the weird name! I don't think there's ever been a time I've seen her alone whether that be in the hallways or at lunch. Maybe you won't see her lackeys surrounding her like some sort of force field in class but the moment the teacher says we have some free time they flutter to her like a hive. 

        I peek back up to see if she's still staring, and I shouldn't be surprised when I catch her piercing glare. 

        My eyes glance back down as quickly as they can. There's nothing that gets past her. 

        "I just don't get it," I grumble, "What's so interesting?"

        I must've interrupted Grover mid-sentence because his eyes are as wide as saucers. Humming thoughtfully, he shrugs before saying, "Well, with all those girls that surround her, anything must be interesting."

         "Wow, Grover, thanks!"

        He gives me a sheepish smile to smooth it over, and that convinces me to drop it all together and go back to what we were previously talking about. I shake the thoughts of her out of my head with finality, but before that, I decide one little glimpse wouldn't hurt. Just to check. When I glanced back for the final time, sure about it, Callidora was there. And I could've sworn she was smiling evilly. 

        The rest of lunch goes on without a hitch. Surprising because I just felt the presence of Nancy Bobofit sneaking up on me. I would check behind me every so often as to not let her get the upper hand, but I just looked stupid when I saw no one was actually behind me. It was a lot of that and deciding the lunch ladies' special was not for me until the period ended, and then it was back to class. 

        It's like Nancy just sensed the bit of calm I had in me as I was walking with Grover back to class. I should've seen her coming. It's really hard not to with that firetruck—red hair of hers. Like a big blaring stop light flashing in my face. But Grover was discussing this new book he picked up from the library about gardening with so much animation my mind was falling behind in other areas. It happened before I could realize it. 

        Ms. Bobofit decided that out of all the places she wanted to stomp her big feet she was gonna badger right through me and Grover. The books in Grover's hands clatter onto the ground almost perfectly, falling to follow her path of destruction. Grover hurriedly kneels down to gather them all, and I instinctively lower myself to help him out.

        But my chest begins to burn with such a familiar anger because it's the same way I feel every time Nancy decides to torment me and Grover like it's the only way she can have fun. And then I get angry when I realize that I've been here for so long, been like this for so long and had to kept my mouth shut because then I look like the bad guy. It's a domino effect of thoughts that make me grow red in anger. When would this girl get out of my face?

        Before I can even think, I stand up, spinning around to yell after her. "Can't you look where you're going, Nancy?"

        She whips around and releases her wrath through her beady eyes and snakey glare. "What was that, Jackson?"

        I hand off the rest of the books to Grover, skillfully ignoring his fearful gulp. Taking a step forward, I shrug. "Hey, I know it's hard being bowlegged and all but, come on, people are walking here." 

        The sound of student's 'ooh's fill the cramped hallway. I'm reminded that we do have an audience. We always do. They always are on her side too. They may not like her, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and I won't say I'm everyone's enemy, but I'm definitely not the favorite. 

        "Lot of big talk for someone that can barely do multiplication," she spits.

        Okay, ouch. Now, I definitely couldn't back down. "Hey, no need to bite my head off. I know how much your parents spend on dental."

        And then just to really sell my point, I gesture to her mouth and give her a sorrowful smile.

        I must've got her real good with that one because she comes charging at me like a rampant bull let loose. I feel as though someone has wrapped me in rolls and rolls of bright red fabric which is essentially the story of my life. She's about to make me eat my words which no amount of Nancy Bobofit could truly flush out of my system, but I still had to resist the urge to shut my eyes and flinch. Her stomps echo in my ears, and my fists tighten instinctively at the mere thought of her ugly face being so close to mine. I'm prepared for anything, I tell myself, be prepared for anything! The sound of her feet skidding across the floor stop just as her hot breath accumulates on my face. Maybe if I threw up on her that would scare her away for good. Before I could test out that hypothesis a booming voice cuts through the hallway.

        "I'm sure there are much more pressing things to get to than watch Mr. Jackson and Ms. Bobofit fight in the school hallway."

        Mr. Brunner parts the crowd with a less than amused grimace. I glanced around and realized there were, in fact, masses forming around us which made me cringe. However, they started to scatter at being caught. It was a wise choice; I just wish I wasn't in the center of it again. 

        Mr. Brunner rolls up to. A part of me is just waiting for him to chastise me and let Nancy off scottfree. He's eyeing with a particular disappointed glare which makes no sense to me. Mr. Brunner always found a way to look for the best in me, and it's flattering, but it's just starting to sound like a way to put a lot of pressure on me. My mouth begins to part to defend myself, but then he addresses us both, "Get to class, the both of you."

        Um, that was odd. But I'll take it. 

        "Everyone back to class too," Mr. Brunner commanded, "We can have just the same amount of fun learning about the Odyssey!"

        "Doubt it," I heard one kid mutter as they walked passed. 

        Nancy decided to kill me another day. She bumped into me once again as she trampled by. I had to swallow the urge to say another smart thing. Even if it was a really good smart thing.

        I sighed in secret relief. 

        And just like that, the crowd dispersed. 

        All except one.

        "Is there something you need Callidora?"

        The way I addressed her, you'd think I've known her my whole life. This is the first time I've ever spoken to her. When I look up, I'm surprised to see the pure repulsion on her face as if she's completely shocked that I would even say her complete name, or maybe she just hates her name. I would get that too. 

        "I just feel bad," she gives simply.

        "For me." I'm shocked. Where was this girl's manners?

        She seemed confused. "Who else?"

        "Okay?" I scoff. "Why?"

        Callidora mulls it over thoughtfully before deciding to bestow what is obviously very important information for me to hear. "Nancy Bobofit was put on this Earth to torture you. At least that's my theory."

        That fills me with some sense of weird relief. At least I wasn't the only one seeing how crazy she was. "At least we can agree on something."

        She's about to speak again, but something behind me catches her eye. Callidora looks past me, and I turn around to see Grover hovering nearby, hiding behind a large column. 

        I guess he never left in the first place. I wasn't too sure about the weird game of hide and seek though. He seemed scared. No, that's not the right word. Grover looked worried? Did my incident with Nancy spook him that much? He's always talking about taking the peaceful route, the high road if you will.

        "But you make yourself an easy target," Callidora explains, gaining back my attention.

        Uh, what? "How," I ask incredulously.

        She looked me up and down with a pained face as if it was obvious. 

        That pushes me over the edge. I dare to ask her with a mocking smile. "Is that why you're so fascinated by me?"

        Her cheeks begin to flare up. I silently pat myself on the back. Callidora opens her mouth, but it takes a few seconds for the words to come out. "It's hard to look away from such a train wreck."

        "Right. Glad I could be of service."

         She waves me off. I didn't really mean it is what I wanted to tell her.

        "Don't worry, Percy," she assures, "You'll get Nancy one of these times."

        Her teasing tone came light and easy when she said it. I knew she didn't think anything of it, but it made my blood boil. It was all a big joke to everyone. Nancy Bobofit and I were two lions in the same zoo cage for everyone to watch. Actually, scratch that, I'm a lion, and she's a small cat. Either way, it made me mad how nonchalant she could be. She wasn't the one being tormented, and she had no problem doing nothing about it.

        It just made me think back to how infatuated she seemed with me. With all that staring you'd like to believe she'd intervene. Even just once! I just know she knows that I know all about her big staring problem, so the way I responded was completely rational. It's been a long time coming anyway.

        "You know I get crushes and all, but there are laws against stalking!" I snapped. "Fines for creeping on people!"

        She looked appalled at the fact I could even propose the idea of her liking me. Then, she broke out into laughter like I was telling a good joke. "Color me scared."

       I nod vigorously. "Oh, you'll be scared once you're in the back of a cop car."

       "I'm sure you'll be laughing then."

      "I'll make sure you see it."

       "Looking forward to it."

        It bothered me how much this conversation didn't bother her. "I just thought you should know and all. Isn't it so wild some people just have a few screws loose?"

        Even though it was a very obvious jab at her, she appeared finally bored of this conversation. She begins to walk past me probably to her class where she should've been in the first place. "Crazy," she grins. 

.         "Outlandish." Don't know where I pulled that out from.

        "Unbelievable," she responded knowingly. I cursed myself. She had gotten the last word, and we both knew it. Callidora walked away before I could respond. How could I lose to someone named Callidora? I told myself she was running away because she knew if I had gotten another word in she would running for the hill, bawling her eyes out. Yeah, run away in fear, Callidora. You really got her, Percy.

        The first chapter is out!!! I hope you guys really like it, and I can't wait for the slowburn. I'm so excited to figure out and show all my ideas for the dynamics between all the characters especially Annabeth. I never read the PJO books as a kid because I hated reading, but I just finished the last PJO book last night and UGH I'm destroyed. On The Lost Hero and missing Percy's unhinged povs. It's not very edited because I got really lazy at the end but hopefully it's okay. Hope you guys enjoyed!!