Perseus Potter

Chapter 1

Percy groaned in frustration as the sound of a knock rang through the room, interrupting his work. He was going to ignore it but his familiar, Pruina, a snow-white cat with intelligent, icy blue eyes and who loved to curl up on his lap while he read, nudged him and looked at him pointedly.

"Okay, Ina," he said with a sigh. "I'm going. You can stop glaring at me now."

He quickly hid his workshop, closing the secret door behind him as he walked to see who was disturbing his peace. When he opened the door, he sighed in defeat as he saw the person standing in front of him.

"Perseus Clay Jackson!" Annabeth shouted. "If you skip another meal, I will drag you to the pavilion myself!"

Percy looked at his best friend guiltily. "Sorry, Annie," he muttered. The demigod knew it wasn't healthy to be skipping meals, but he just didn't want to keep lying to the people he thought of as family.

She sighed and shook her head. "Come on, we're having a picnic at the beach. Piper said that if you don't come willingly, she'll charmspeak you anyways. You need to get out of your cabin."

Percy's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Fine," he relented. "I'm coming."

Annabeth nodded in satisfaction and watched as he trudged back into his cabin. "Don't forget your swim trunks!" she called after him.

He sighed and quickly changed into his swim trunks and long-sleeved swim shirt. Checking his reflection in the mirror, he frowned as he realized just how many of his scars showed. Slowly, self-consciously, he dragged himself back to the door where Annabeth stood waiting.

When he exited the cabin, she had to hold back a wince at the plethora of scars that were visible on his legs. Percy noticed the reaction and avoided her eyes. Only Nico, Leo, and Will had seen his scars before. Leo saw them by accident, when he went to wake Percy up on the Argo II. Let's just say that Percy never slept shirtless again. Percy had shown Nico, having needed someone to talk to about Tartarus. Will had to know because he was his doctor, and, therefore, the only person Percy allowed near him in the infirmary.

"Let's go," he said stiffly, continuing to avoid eye contact. He walked towards the beach, taking the scenic route in order to avoid running into anyone.

"Percy, wait!" Annabeth called, running after him. He hesitated for only a moment before continuing, but that moment gave the demigoddess the time she needed to catch up. "Listen," she started, choosing her words carefully, "I'm not going to force you to tell me about it, but I want you to know that if you want to talk, I'm here."

Percy's head moved slightly, acknowledging her words, but he didn't respond. Finally, after a long moment of silence, he spoke. "You don't think I'm broken?" he asked doubtfully.

Annabeth smiled and bumped his shoulder. "We all have scars, Jackson. They make us who we are, and I, for one, like who you are."

His face fell as she unknowingly reminded him that he was still living a lie. He forced a smile before his friend could notice, but he was still filled with turmoil. How could he tell her, his best friend, that he wasn't who she had gotten to know? Her startling grey eyes danced as she told him about a prank the Stolls had played on Clarisse, barely holding back her laughter.

When they reached the beach, Percy saw his friends sprawled out on picnic blankets, already dressed in their swimsuits. His eyes scanned the scene as he carefully committed every detail to memory. The water was a beautiful shade of deep blue, lapping gently against the pale-yellow sand. Just out of reach of the waves, multiple picnic blankets had been set out.

Piper and Jason sat side by side, holding hands while Piper laid her head on Jason's shoulder. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a French braid. She wore a light blue one piece that fit her perfectly. Jason was smiling lovingly down at his girlfriend. He wore swim trunks the same shade of blue as Piper's suit. His glasses were folded and neatly set to the side.