Time to Meet Percabeth

Julia Bradden

Shit. Shit. Shit.

It was my first day and I was already running late for my first lesson of the day. The ladies in the office had been chatting for so long about something or other- some first date that had gone sour and something about an incident with a water jug and some lemons- that they took ages to get me my schedule. I just really hoped that my first teacher of the day didn't mind too much.

I was only about seven minutes late. I think that's easily forgivable.

Right?

I decided to put some speed on and nearly jogged my way to the classroom. Standing outside the door, I decided to pause and use the moment to gulp down air as if I had submerged underwater, if only so that my staggard breathing didn't give away the fact that I had run here. I didn't reckon that would be the most wondrous first impression.

I wrapped on the glass of the classroom door with my knuckle and opened the door to find a classroom of people looking up at me. The teacher was stood at the desk, eyes trained onto a book he was flicking through. Without looking up at me, he said, "You're late. As usual."

My heart thumped in my stomach. His tone wasn't harsh necessarily, perhaps not even disappointed... more resigned. This was exactly not what I wanted. I wiped my palms onto my skirt, attempting to wipe away any stress and anxiety that had begun to cloud me. I opened my mouth to respond, to apologise, but instead, a voice echoed from behind me, "Sorry, Blofis."

I pivoted to find a tall boy with black swooping hair stood behind me. My god he was... fit.

His eyes settled on me and he smiled timidly, before squeezing past to enter the classroom. Meanwhile, I was just stood there gazing at him like an idiot. So, the teacher- Mr Blofis- had been talking to him, at least that was a relief. As he walked past the teacher, the student tapped him on the shoulder and gestured towards me, "You've got a new student."

Mr Blofis looked up at Percy, registering his words, before looking across and spotting me standing by the doorway. He dropped the book he was holding instantly and smiled up at me. "Apologies- I didn't see you there! Come in- welcome. I'm Mr Blofis- you must be..."

"Jules," I answered for him, supplying him with my preferred name.

"Okay, great!" He glanced around the classroom, spying for somewhere for me to sit. "Percy," he said, addressing the boy who had entered with me. "Could you work with Jules today- take that desk at the back there. Perhaps you can make sure she gets to her next class okay as well."

Percy grinned at me, a winning, handsome smile and nodded for me to follow him. "No problem."

As we settled into our seats and Mr Blofis began speaking about the upcoming book reports that I had absolutely no idea about, Percy began speaking to me in hushed tones.

"So, new girl, huh? How you finding it?"

Honestly, I wanted to listen to the teacher, but I really thought that would damage my street cred if I told the first- admittedly attractive- person I met here to shut up. Instead, I just smiled slightly at him, not taking my eyes from the teacher and said, "It's not too bad. Though, this is only my first lesson of the day."

"You ever moved schools before?"

"No."

I saw him grin at me again from the corner of my eye. "Well, I'm kind of a pro- so if you have any issues, just lemme know."

Great. So, he actually was a troublemaker then... maybe not the kind of guy I wanted to become friends with. I didn't bother to answer him. Instead, I began making notes on what Mr Blofis was saying about due dates and assignments.