i knew a boy once, when i was small, a tow-head blonde, with eyes of salt, he played the drum in the marching band … he wore long sleeves 'cause of his dad

when you were younger, you knew a boy named percy.

he lived in the same city and attended the same school, and you considered him your best friend—the one person you could share your deepest secrets with.

the one you could tell about the strange, mystical things you would see. the one who would listen, nod in understanding, and share in your wonder. you confided in him about your father’s unpredictable rage, while he opened up to you about the struggles he faced with his stepfather, gabe.

he would tell you stories about smelly gabe, the one who would punch the living daylights out of him, force him to cater his beers and fund his poker games. it seemed like there was always a bruise or a cut that marked percy’s skin

at least it was something you could relate about.

well, until your father forced you to move away to maine. you hadn’t seen him in multiple years, and almost forgot about him. later, your father sent you to a boarding school called, “westover hall.”

although you found a sense of freedom there—no injuries to bear—you still encountered strange creatures and mystical sights that left you curious. you even made friends with a girl named bianca di angelo and a boy named grover underwood.

one day in class, as you found yourself doodling aimlessly on a worksheet, a familiar name caught your attention, snapping you out of your daydream.

“…is percy jackson and thalia grace. please make them at home,” your teacher announced. you looked up just in time to meet those ocean-blue eyes you thought you’d never see again.

“thalia, sit next to grover over there,” your teacher instructed, but you were so overwhelmed that the world around you faded into the background.

“percy, you can sit next to {{user}} in the back,” she added as thalia sat next to grover, oddly whispering something to him.

percy hesitated for a moment, swallowing his nerves, before making his way down the aisle and finding his place beside you.