Five Times Percy Didn't Adult and the One Time He Did

Four: Paul Blofis

For the most part, Percy's school had a strict allergy policy, and they were good at enforcing it. But a high school is far less easy to control than an elementary school, and parents didn't pack lunches for their kids anymore. The school did their best- they had teachers in the dining hall, ready to confiscate the blatantly obvious allergy foods, like peanut butter sandwiches and Reeses' cups. Other foods weren't as easy to catch. Peanut brittle that looked like regular chocolate, or a snickerdoodle cookie that looked like a regular sugar cookie.

Percy knew and Percy was used to it. Even at camp, some kids enjoyed eating their peanut snacks at the dining hall. Those were moments when he was slightly relieved he had his own table- and that food magically appeared. His would always be safe from peanuts (and it had only gotten better after a certain god of the sea had specially enchanted Percy's cups and plates).

He brought his own lunches and avoided the tables he knew were always sharing some homemade snack. His swim team sat with him, joking and rough-housing each other. They never brought peanuts, either- not after learning their star swimmer was allergic. They'd banded around him the minute he joined the team, and even more so when he carried them to win a state title. Percy could inspire a special kind of loyalty.

"Dude, you gotta try these," Matthew shoved a container of crackers in Percy's direction. "My dad brought them over from England during his last trip and they're so much better than what we have here."

Percy raised an eyebrow and looked at the crackers.

"I checked the labels already, dude. They're good. Even have a picture of it if you wanna check for yourself."

Percy tilted his head slightly and Matthew handed him his phone. Scrolling to the right picture, Percy looked at it for a moment.

May contain: nuts
Made in a facility that processes: nuts, soy, gluten

No mentions of peanuts, so Percy tossed the phone back to his teammate and grabbed a handful of the crackers. They finished eating and Percy started heading to his last class for the day.

English. His step-dad's class. Somehow, his favorite class. He still wasn't the best reader- or writer, for that matter- but Paul knew Percy and Paul knew how to work with Percy, not against him.

He settled in his regular seat and twirled his pen while waiting for Paul to finish handing out corrected essays. When it was his turn, Paul ruffled his hair.

"Good job, kiddo. Best essay in the class."

Percy grinned up at him and shoved the essay in his backpack. Sally was going to want to read it- and probably hang it up.

By the time Paul was back at the front of the class, Percy's lips felt puffier. By the time Paul started talking, Percy felt panicky and off.

By the time Paul looked over at him about a question he asked, Percy knew it was the crackers.

"Dad-" he whispered.

Paul barely even registered the name, the fact that Percy had called him dad. Class was dismissed faster than it had begun.

When Percy woke up, he felt nauseated. But Paul was there, holding his hand, and looking at him in concern...

the entire time.