the archer, percy jackson

004. how to fit in

chapter four
004. how to fit in!

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    THE NEXT few days were ... well, normal. Wendy wasn't exactly sure what she expected, but to go about her days just like any other after the boy with the Minotaur horn arrived wasn't what she thought would happen. She was almost frustrated at how normal it was. The Summer Solstice was getting closer, and if Percy knew nothing, then they were at a dead end▬and running out of time. But despite this, Wendy had to go about the next few days like nothing was happening because nothing was happening. The only interesting thing became the enjoyment that was watching Percy completely fail at foot-racing against the wood nymphs. 

     Wendy went to her summer activities, she did her quizes and read her books in her chair back in her cabin and attended dinner with her siblings. She turned twelve, which was the only exciting thing to happen since. Annabeth got her a new book on Greek architecture▬which would bore most people, but not Wendy, of course, she loved it. But amongst all of this, Wendy found herself trying to help Percy fit in (and it became a task that was surprisingly super hard). Since their chat at the lake, Percy started to gravitate towards Wendy, almost like he wanted to be friends with her▬maybe because other than Grover, she was one of the few people here that he sort of knew. 

     She didn't realise it was happening until she was sitting by herself on the benches near the lake instead of going to her pegasus riding lessons. Wendy sat on the top of the bench instead of the seat, reading with her book perched on her knees when suddenly, someone else climbed up on top of the bench with her. "Why do you guys even have foot races with nymphs?" Was how Percy greeted her, and Wendy had been so surprised she didn't respond at first. 

     Now, they would sit at the bench every afternoon after their summer activities, or even in the morning before. Wendy has never had another friend aside from Annabeth (and maybe Grover)▬and Annabeth was her sister, so Wendy often wondered whether if they weren't siblings, things would be different. She wasn't good at making friends or just talking to people in general. Yet, no matter how she commented about his untied shoelaces the first day he arrived, Percy went out of his way to find her and talk with her anyway. 

    Today, Percy leapt up onto the bench beside Wendy with a: "So, I have a new list of things I suck at."

     Wendy glanced away from her book to meet his gaze. "Oh?"

     "Yeah, archery▬" he counted them on his fingers, "▬wrestling, we already know foot-racing is a no-go▬" Wendy hummed, "▬Homer makes me want to drown myself, but at least I don't get a headache when reading him now. I think the▬what's the god of forges?"     

     "Hephaestus," answered Wendy automatically.

     "Yeah, well, I think his kids hate me."

     "I don't think they hate you."

     "I knocked over this project they've been working on for ages."

    "Oh, they hate you."

     Percy shrugged as if to say, well, what did I tell you? 

     Wendy closed her book and sat cross-legged on the bench. "Well, there's gotta be something you're good at. Other than exploding bathrooms. You can't be completely useless."

     Percy made a face. "Thanks?"

     She flushed. "Oh, sorry. I just mean, like, we all have our little thing we're good at. None of us are▬like▬useless. Like how Selena from the Aphrodite cabin is great with pegasi, or Apollo kids are great in the infirmary or art or music or archery▬or just being full of themselves..." added Wendy in a mutter. "We all have like a talent. You just haven't found yours yet. But you will."