𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭" 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨

Evander

||~Percy~||
"Have you guys heard about the new demigod here?" Piper asks. We're all sitting on the sandy shore of the beach at Camp, hanging out and having fun, like normal teenagers. "You mean Evander? Yeah, he's nice for a son of Ares." Annabeth replies before going back to making blueprints with Leo about whatever they want to build.

I shrug, "Haven't met him yet." I say, drawing in the sand. A dolphin and a shark. I love sharks.

"Annabeth!" An unrecognizable voice calls. We all turn our heads to the sound.
A boy with brown hair comes into view. He has red eyes with olive skin. Sharp features as well.

Jeez, he looks so much like Ares, its almost startling.

"Hey, Evander!" Annabeth waves to him with a smile. Evander sits beside her, smiling. "Guys, this is Evander. The newbie." He waves to us. "Hi." He says.

"I'm Piper McLean." Piper introduces herself, then points at Will. "That's Will Solace, Nico DiAngelo, Leo Valdez, and Percy Jackson." She introduces all of us, pointing to who is who.
Evander's head snaps to me, "You're the Percy Jackson?" He asks, eyes wide.
I slowly nod, "Yep." I say, popping the p.

"Sick!" He laughs. I give him a small smile. "I've heard so many stories about you, dude! You don't seem as scary as the stories say, you know." I just shrug, chewing the inside of my lip until I taste copper. I have a bad feeling about him, but I don't know why. He hasn't done anything to me or any of my friends, so why do I feel so uneasy around him?

~~~

I am sitting alone at the Poseidon table for lunch. I watch as Annabeth walk to the garbage, throwing out her paper plate. Evander walks towards her and begins chatting with her. I just stare, feeling a pang of jealousy shoot into my chest.

Why do I feel so jealous? I know Annabeth loves me. Evander isn't doing anything wrong. Why am I being so unreasonable right now? Why do I feel the need to get him away from her? Am I just going crazy?
A sharp pain spreads across my scalp, and I realize I was tugging my hair. I let go, watching black strands of hair escape my palm and into the grass below me.

I pick at my food, my mind drifting off to when my mom was still with Gabe. I remember all the times he yelled at me. Hit me. Threatened me.
Bile rises at the back of my throat when I clearly remember the times he's touched me. The times I was forced to stay quiet as he used me.

I feel his hands on my skin. His words echoing in my head. My ears ring loudly. I can't ever escape what he's done to me, no matter what I do or how hard I try. I can never escape him. I remember the times he's forced me to pretend like I'm okay around my mom. To act like I was fine, and that I was happy.

I still remember the first time I've ever hurt myself. It felt so good that day. To be in control of something for once. It hurt, sure. But I got used to the pain. I relished in it, just as I do now. I loved the thrill of it, just as I do now. I felt alive when I did it, just as I do now.

I can't forget the handprints embedded onto my skin. I can't forget the way he hurt me. Used me.

I shake my head. I'm Percy Jackson. Savior of Olympus. The Perfect Hero. I'm supposed to be strong, not weak. I can get over this. Its not even a big deal, it happened so long ago, it shouldn't even matter to me anymore. None of this should.
I'm Percy Jackson. I shouldn't feel so weak and small.

~~~

"Hey, Wise Girl." I kiss her cheek as she blushes softly. "Hey, Seaweed Brain." She closes her book and leans against me as I sit down beside her in the grass. I notice she has a pin in her hair. "What's this?" I ask, gently touching the pin. It's in a shape of a small sword, red rubies scattered across it.
"Hm? Oh, Evander got it for me. He begged me to wear it today." She replies, resting her head against my shoulder. I run my fingers through her hair as I become lost in my thoughts.

"Oh." I mumble. Does she even like wearing jewelry? She told me one time she doesn't like wearing jewelry unless its for fancy occasions. Have I been getting the wrong gifts for her? Shit, maybe she never told me because she didn't want to make me feel bad. I think back to all the times I gave her gifts. Worthless, stupid gifts.

||~Annabeth~||
I relax against Percy, listening to his heartbeat, sighing in content as Percy's fingers comb through my hair. I've always loved these little moments we get. Being able to be away from everyone for a short while in peace, watching the scenery and just... relaxing together. It always makes me feel so fulfilled.