A Forgotten Maiden

Chapter 6

The sun was barely up when Percy's alarm clock blared, yanking him out of a deep sleep. He groaned, smacking the snooze button harder than necessary, and rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. For a moment, he considered skipping the whole day—just calling it off and staying in bed. But then the reality of what today meant sank in, and he forced himself to sit up.

First day of school. Again.

Percy hadn't set foot in Goode High since the chaos with Gaia. Now, with Calypso at his side, it felt like he was stepping into a whole new world. He wasn't just a demigod trying to blend in—he was responsible for someone who'd never set foot in a mortal high school. The stakes felt higher, somehow.

He dragged himself out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. It was a small miracle that he'd managed to find something clean in his closet. As he laced up his sneakers, he heard a knock on his door.

"Percy?" Calypso's voice was soft but carried a hint of nervousness. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah, I'm up," Percy replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Come in."

Calypso pushed the door open and stepped into his room, looking almost shy. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a simple blue top they'd picked out during their shopping trip. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she looked, for all intents and purposes, like a regular high school student. But there was something in her eyes—an uncertainty that made Percy's heart tighten.

"How do I look?" she asked, smoothing down her shirt.

"You look great," Percy said, giving her an encouraging smile. "You're going to do fine."

Calypso gave a small nod, but she didn't seem entirely convinced. "It's just... everything here is so different. What if I mess up? What if people can tell I don't belong?"

"They won't," Percy assured her, getting up and walking over to her. "Trust me, Calypso. You're going to blend in just fine. And if anyone gives you trouble, well... they'll have to deal with me."

She smiled at that, a small but genuine smile. "I appreciate that. But I'd rather not cause any trouble on our first day."

Percy chuckled. "Fair enough. Let's just take it one step at a time, okay? We'll get through this together."

Calypso nodded, and the tension in her shoulders seemed to ease a bit. "Together," she echoed.

They headed down the hall to the kitchen, where Sally was already up, cooking breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs filled the air, and Percy's stomach growled in response. It was strange how normal this all felt—having breakfast with his mom, getting ready for school—but he wasn't going to question it.

"Morning," Sally greeted them with a smile as they walked in. "How are you both feeling?"

"Nervous," Percy admitted, taking a seat at the table. "But ready, I guess."

Sally set a plate of eggs in front of him, then turned to Calypso. "And you, Calypso? How are you feeling about today?"

Calypso hesitated, then smiled. "I'm... a little anxious, but Percy's been very reassuring. I think I'll be okay."

"I'm sure you will be," Sally said warmly, setting another plate in front of Calypso. "Just remember, high school is just a small part of life. It can be challenging, but it's also an opportunity to learn and grow. And if anything gets overwhelming, you can always come home and talk about it."

"Thank you, Sally," Calypso said, her smile more relaxed now. "I'll keep that in mind."

They ate breakfast together, the conversation light and easy. Sally told them a little about her plans for the day—writing, a few errands, maybe a trip to the farmer's market. Percy listened, trying to push aside the knot of anxiety that had taken up residence in his stomach.