A Forgotten Maiden

Chapter 7

The next few days at Goode High were relatively calm. Percy and Calypso settled into a routine—waking up early, walking to school together, and navigating the maze of classes, homework, and lunchtime chatter. Calypso seemed to be adjusting well, though Percy could tell she was still getting used to the noise and the crowds. But she was making progress, and that was what mattered.

By the time the first week was almost over, Percy had started to relax. Maybe, just maybe, they could get through this whole high school thing without any major issues. But that sense of security was short-lived.

It started on Thursday, during lunch.

Percy and Calypso had claimed their usual spot at the corner table, a little oasis away from the chaos of the cafeteria. They were eating in relative peace—Percy with a slightly wilted sandwich, Calypso with an apple she'd taken a few cautious bites of—when a shadow fell over their table.

"Hey, Jackson," a voice drawled from behind Percy.

Percy looked up, already dreading what he knew he'd see. Standing there, looming over their table with a smirk plastered on his face, was Marcus Kane—a senior with a reputation for being a jerk. He had a couple of his cronies with him, guys Percy vaguely recognized as members of the football team. The typical high school bullies, down to the letterman jackets and swaggering attitude.

"Marcus," Percy said flatly. "What do you want?"

Marcus grinned, leaning on the back of a chair. "Just checking out the new girl. Heard there was some fresh meat in school."

Percy's stomach tightened. He didn't like where this was going. "Leave her alone, Marcus."

"Chill out, man," Marcus said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just being friendly. Right, boys?"

His friends snickered, and one of them—Eric, a tall guy with a buzz cut—nodded. "Yeah, just saying hi."

Calypso looked between them, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Hello," she said cautiously, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation.

Percy clenched his fists under the table, trying to keep his cool. The last thing he needed was to get into a fight on the first week back. But he wasn't about to let these guys mess with Calypso either.

"Alright, you've said hi," Percy said, his voice low. "Now, why don't you leave us alone?"

Marcus's smirk faded, his eyes narrowing. "What's your problem, Jackson? We're just talking."

"I said, leave us alone," Percy repeated, his tone harder.

The tension between them was thick, and for a moment, Percy thought Marcus was going to push it further. But then, Marcus snorted and straightened up, his smirk returning.

"Whatever, man. Not worth it," Marcus said, waving them off. But as he turned to leave, he tossed a parting shot over his shoulder. "See you around, new girl. Better watch out who you hang with."

Percy watched them walk away, his jaw clenched. It wasn't the first time he'd dealt with bullies, but it was the first time since coming back to Goode. And now, with Calypso to think about, it felt different—more personal.

"Are you alright?" Calypso asked, her voice quiet but steady.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Percy said, trying to shake off the anger. "Sorry about that. Marcus is just... he's a jerk."

Calypso nodded slowly. "I could tell. But why did he—?"

"Why did he target you?" Percy finished for her, sighing. "Because you're new, and that's what guys like him do. They pick on people they think won't fight back."