𝒞𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓇𝓉𝒾𝒸 | ᴘᴇʀᴄʏ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ¹

1. I've already got a girl

❈ Helena stood alongside Paul Blofis, her boyfriend's mother's boyfriend, that was a mouthful, excitedly waiting for her said boyfriend, Percy, by the doors of Goode High School. It was Monday morning, and the first week of June, she could see Percy sitting in Sally's car parked in front of the school. Sally was tapping her fingers nervously on the wheel. She looked like she was dressed up for a job interview – her best blue dress and high-heeled shoes.

Goode was this big brownstone building overlooking the East River. A bunch of BMWs and Lincoln Town Cars were parked out front. Helena watched as Percy stared up at the fancy stone archway as his mother talked to him.

Paul had managed to convince Goode High School to accept Percy for eleventh grade, despite the fact that he had been kicked out of every school he ever attended. But everything would be fine and orientation would go smoothly and after school Helena would get to meet one of Percy's friends from his top secret summer camp, Annabeth, and they would all get to go watch a movie.

Paul turned to Helena and asked, "What is taking them so long?"

"You know Ms.Jackson Mr. Blofis, she is probably nervous and making sure Perce is okay." Helena answered.

"That's Sally for you, always worried for her son."

Helena let out a small laugh. The two of them talked about what the plan for today's orientation was and the extra classes Helena was interested in before Percy walked up and joined them, looking slightly frazzled.

Helena smiled at him. "Hey, is Ms. Jackson okay? Are you okay?"

"Hmm, yeah, I'm fine." Percy replied, leaning down slightly to kiss her cheek. "Also call her Sally, you know she hates it when you call her Ms. Jackson makes her feel old."

Percy lifting her hand, intertwined their fingers and kissed the back of hers. A habit he picked up after he asked her to be his date for his school dance a year ago.

"Alright, you two," Paul interrupted with an amused smile on his face. Percy, I know you may feel nervous, but there is no need to be. Heaps of students here struggle with dyslexia and ADHD. There is no need to worry."

Percy smiled at Paul, nodding his head before his eyes fell on something in the hallway. His smile faltered. Helena gazed in the direction he was looking and found a redheaded girl standing there eyes wide as she started right back at Percy. Did she know Percy? Why was he reacting that way? She was pretty. Helena couldn't help the jealousy forming in the pit of her stomach. Percy had never talked about her before. Helena trusted Percy of course she did, but Percy was, very obviously, keeping secrets, and her mind tended to wander against her wishes. She couldn't judge him; she was keeping secrets too.

Helena suddenly felt a hand grab her's, Percy had grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. He turned to Paul. "Where do we go for orientation again?"

"The gym, Helena, can show you." Paul answered. "I need to go take care of some things. I'll talk to you kids after, okay?"

Percy nodded before dragging Helena away in the direction where most of the students were going. He hoped it was the gym.

"You okay, Jamie?" Helena asked, looking at Percy.

Percy slowed his pace, looking at his girlfriend with a smile. Ever since he told her his middle name was James, she had adopted the nickname Jamie. It was his favourite.

"I'm fine, Pretty girl. There's no need to worry. It's this way to the gym, right?"

Helena nodded. "Mhm, just down the hall."