𝙇𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙨 (𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙭 𝙁𝙚𝙢! 𝙊𝘾) 𝙏𝙏𝘾

I Get Surrounded by a Pack of Homophobic People

TW: Mentions of self-harm

Sylvia looked around the gym. Weird thing she'd been told about military schools: the kids go absolutely nuts when there's a special event and they get to be out of uniform. Probably because everything's so strict the rest of the time, so they feel like they've got to overcompensate or something.

There were black and red balloons all over the gym floor, and some guys were kicking them in each other's faces, or trying to strangle each other with the crepe-paper streamers taped to the walls.

Immature ass—I mean idiots, Sylvia corrected herself, remembering there was now a phoenix listening in to most of her thoughts.

I agree, Fawkes said—squawked? Thought? Whatever, "said" is easier to understand. And look at those girls. The ones covered in makeup and wearing those too-bright pants and shoes. They burn my eyes, and I can only get occasional glimpses from your pocket.

Says the glowing phoenix, Sylvia reminded her.

Every once in a while, the girls would surround some poor guy like a pack of piranhas, shrieking and giggling, and when they finally moved on, the guy would have ribbons in their hair and a bunch of makeup gradditi all over their face. Some of the older guys looked more like how Austin would probably react in this situation–uncomfortable, hanging out at the edges of the gym and trying to hide, like any minute they might have to fight for their lives.

"There they are." Grover nodded toward a couple of younger kids arguing in the bleachers. "Bianca and Nico di Angelo."

Sylvia's first thought when she saw them was she'd protect them with her life. The girl wore a floppy green cap, like she was trying to hide her face. The boy–who looked so precious–was obviously her little brother. They both had dark silky hair and olive skin, and they used their hands a lot as they talked. The boy was shuffling some kind of trading cards. His sister seemed to be scolding him about something. She kept looking around like she sensed something was wrong.

Annabeth said, "Do they...I mean, have you told them?"

Grover shook his head. "You know how it is. That could put them in more danger. Once they realize who they are, their scent becomes stronger."

"So let's grab them and get out of here," Percy said.

He started forward, but Sylvia grabbed his hand and yanked him back. The vice principal, Dr. Thorn, had slipped out of a doorway near the bleachers and was standing near the di Angelo siblings. He nodded coldly in their direction. His one blue eye seemed to glow.

Judging by his expression, Sylvia guessed he wasn't being fooled by whatever the Hades that music-trance thing was anymore. He suspected who her and her friends (well, friend, sort-of friend, acquaintance, and enemy) were. He was just waiting to see why they were there.

"Don't look at the kids," Sylvia ordered.

Thalia nodded. "We have to wait for a chance to get them. We need to pretend we're not interested in them. Throw him off the scent."

"How?" Percy asked.

"We're four powerful half-bloods. Our presence should confuse him," Thalia explained. "Mingle. Act natural. Do some dancing. But keep an eye on those kids."

"Dancing?" Annabeth asked, looking slightly disgusted, and with a rush of emotion Sylvia realized she could ask Annabeth to dance with her.

Sylvia shrugged and nodded. She cocked her ear to the music and made a face. "Ugh. Who chose the Jesse McCartney?"

Grover looked hurt, and Sylvia almost felt bad for him. Until Percy glared at her. "I did."

"Oh my gods, Grover," Thalia exclaimed. "That is so lame. Can't you play, like, Green Day or something?"