SWEET SORROWS│p. jackson

[ 25. ]

ACT II
𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓼

"LEO, are you sure we need all this?"

Alabaster just wanted to start off by saying one thing: None of this was his idea.

The entire crew of the Argo II were crammed inside of an extremely claustrophobic closet on the lower deck of the ship. Inside, was what seemed to be an infinite amount of cleaning supplies.

For such a small space, the boy had managed to pack 12 packs of Febreze, a 80 pack of soap bars, 20 Clorox wipe containers, 60 containers of hand soap, a tub of detergent and softener, and at least 60 car fresheners with an assortment of scents. And that was all Alabaster could see up front.

Leo squirmed around to give her a judgmental look. "Piper, what kinda question is that?"

"I think Piper may have a point," Annabeth grunted as she took a step back and bumped into a grimy mop. "This is a bit much."

"A bit?" Alabaster scoffed, reaching on the top and pulling out a spray bottle of Windex. "We have a window washing spray and don't even have windows to spray it on!"

Leo frowned. "I need all of you to think about it. This mother ship is gonna be loaded with teen angst and dirty ass laundry. We need to conserve and stock as much as we can!"

"He has a point, guys." Andromeda said, and Leo had to awkwardly yank his hand up from between Alabaster and a shelf to high-five her.

"Jesus," Alabaster muttered.

"Why so many car fresheners?" Jason squinted.

Leo beamed. "Glad you asked, Lighting Mcqueen," He grabbed one, waving it under his nose. "When you're all sleeping Uncle Leo's gonna sneak into all your rooms and hide them so when Buford does his laundry rounds, he won't have to smell teenage boy."

"How would your magical table even smell anything, man." Jason scoffed. "It's a table."

"And girls stink too," Alabaster frowned.

"Uh, no we don't."

"Shut up, Andie."

"Now, I sense you guys are upset-" Leo started.

"Wait, hold up." Andromeda's eyes widened as something within the depths of the closet caught her eye. She leaned forward and grabbed a car freshener. "I love this smell! Leo, can I keep this one?"

"Of course. Just make sure you don't let too much smell out. We need to-"

"Alright," Annabeth snapped, finally having enough of being pushed and nudged around in the tiny closet. "Everyone out!"

Jason was shoved out first, and he stumbled back-following him was Annabeth, Piper, Andromeda, Leo, and then Alabaster. To be fair, it was his fault for walking in first.

"It stunk of bleach in there," Jason sniffed, his nose twitching.

"Oh, yeah. Probably 'cause I brought a couple jugs of those too."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Alright, c'mon Leo we should get back to the upper deck. Andie, Piper-didn't you say you had something to-"

"The basket!" Piper and Andromeda both gasped in horror.

The last thing Alabaster saw was a flash of Piper's braid as the two girls sprinted down the hall and into Andromeda's room.

"What basket?" Alabaster frowned.