When I walked out of the store, I saw Jason and his group walking, right in front of the door. They were going in. Their eyes widened in shock when they saw me carrying 2 packs of very strong beer. I walked away, acting like I didn't see them. I walked into the store next by, but the nice guy doesn't work on Mondays. I bit my lip.

"Sir, can I have three packs of *whatever is a strong kind of cigar*?" I asked nervously. The person in line behind me looked at me in confusion, and so did the store person.

"Kid, why you wanting this stuff? I will need to see and ID." He said. There was no way I would pass as an 18 year old, heck, people think I look 13 with my height and being underweight.

"It's not for me, I swear." I told him. "I'm not a smoker." I said again, just to be sure.

"Whatever kid, if you get me fired for this I'm going to be mad." The guy shrugged. I sighed in relief. He handed me the stuff and I payed, walking out. I put the cigarettes in the bag and skated home as fast as I could. I checked the time, shit, I'm late.

I opened the apartment door, but his friends weren't here yet. I sighed in relief, but that instantly went away when Gabe staggered into the room. I thought he was out of beer. I shrugged, not really caring.

"Your late, brain boy." He growled angrily.

"I know, the clerk wouldn't let me go so easily, buying cigars. Now, I have to get back to work, or else I won't get payed. And how horrible that would be for you." I silently prayed to whatever god was out there that he would let me off the hook. Nope. A punch in the gut and an old beer bottle against my thigh. I refused to make noise, so I walked out quickly.

I smiled when I arrived back at my safe place, yes, most people hate their jobs, me, I find them a beautiful blessing that a 15 year old can work. No, usually 15 year olds cant be chef's but they were low one day and said I could try it, turned out I was an amazing cook and I stayed in that position.

I connected my phone to the speakers, playing my playlist. And I'm sorry for my girly music, but I like nightcore, and that's what I played. I was listening to superhero, it's a love song, kind of, but it's sad. I started wiping down counters in the dining hall and sweeping, until I saw a familiar face outside, Annabeth. I opened the door, asking what she was doing alone.

"Well, my step mom and I got into another fight, so I told my dad I was going for a walk." She shrugged. Well, at least it wasn't raining.

"Well, I would let you in but I'd rather not get fired." I grinned at her, and she blushed. I don't understand why, but she did.

"Yeah, I should be heading home anyways." She said, waving to me as she walked away. I shut the door again and continued to clean.

I didn't get home until around ten, which sucked, because Gabe would be mad, so I snook in through the fire escape, but I heard yelling from the roof.

"I'm telling you, he doesn't care! Besides, he's a good victim. Loosen up Jason." I recognized Jared's voice, and I knew it was just those two.

"We don't need to tell everyone that he drinks and smokes. I think that's his business." Jason argued. Why were they up on the roof top. I wanted to bad to go up there and punch Jared's face.

"Why not? He deserves it." Jared said simply. I decided that this would be a good time to step up, and I was going to, until I heard Gabe shout my name, from the window.

"Perseus! Get your ass here now!" He yelled drunkly. I flinched, I truly hope his friends were still here, he wouldn't beat me, unless his was his two girlfriends who find it fun to touch me. I shuddered. I ran down the fire escape, and it didn't help that it was very loud.

"Coming!" I said, and I knew Jason and Jared heard me, but I'd rather they hear me than not respond to Gabe, cause bad things happen when I don't. I hopped through the window, when Gabe was out of my room. My bed looked horrible, well, as horrible as it could get. I had a small bed, it was a single sized bed, and it barely fit me, but I didn't care, I'm saving up for room decorations and stuff anyways. I put the remaining of my money into my savings jar and grabbed my bills jar, and grabbed the mailing. Of course I had to mail it because I don't have anything to pay it online.

Once I finished that, I continued to write my essay that I was almost done. Then I would have to do my Greek and math, both of them are easy at least.

"Percy?" I heard knocking at the window. I jumped out of my seat, and I saw a guy I vaguely recognize from being on the football team. I opened up my window, giving him a questioning look.

"What are you doing here? I hope your not trying to be a Prince Charming." I laughed at him, making sure I was quiet enough so Gabe wouldn't hear me.

"I'm no prince, but I sure am Charming." He winked jokingly, making sure he was quiet as well. "Jason and Jared were arguing and then they saw you, and tried chasing you, they said they were going to make you shut your mouth but, eh. They told me to come here and beat you, but I'm not that kind of person." Leo I think his name is shrugged.

"Well that's good. I heard a bit of their arguing, they think I drink and smoke." I bit my lip a bit, I have smoked, plenty of times, and drank, but never got addicted. I still had a couple packs of cigars and 2 beer cans lingering around for some reason.

"They said they saw you carrying beer and buying cigarettes." Leo shrugged. I sighed, walking away from the window, allowing him to come in if he wants.

"It wasn't for me." I said, and suddenly I heard the sound of glass slamming against the wall, and then clapping. They were playing 'who could hit the dummy' and eventually they would come drag me out and used my as a target.

"Well, I shouldn't stay long, sorry if things are said about you tomorrow, you seem cool. Bye." Leo said, hopping out of the window. I sighed. Part of me was sad that he left, having one of the cool kids come here to 'beat' me up, even though he didn't. I knew it would be better if I didn't get attached though, they would never be allowed to find out anyways, or Gabe would have my head.