Demigods Against Highschool

7: Secrets and Tartarus

LEO

Something is up.

I got Ash's number, and we only really talked when she asked what time we'd be at school. I get why she would contact me, though. Annabeth is scary, and I do not want to upset her. On the other hand, Percy only replies half of the time.

Until one day I got a text. It was before school, and I was watching Netflix. I would be heading to the train station in fifteen minutes. Olive had already left for university, when suddenly my phone pinged.

Ash: So I have to ask you something. I just need to know.

Leo: Wassup??

Ash: So is it normal for Percy and Annabeth to have like, panic attacks?

I frowned. Panic attacks?

Leo: Why do you ask?

Ash: I probably shouldn't say if they have talked to you....

Leo: Please, I'm one of their best friends. If something's going on, I want to know.

I knew that wouldn't convince her, so I pulled out the cherry on top.

Leo: I wont mention you to them if it gets bad. Swear.

Ash: Fine.

Let's go! Although, I'm not entirely sure I want to know the answer to this.

Ash: So the both of them have panic attacks frequently in Greek. A thing I've noticed is the mention of Tartarus and Hell, so idk. But they also skip Greek altogether sometimes. And I usually go for late night runs so I can sleep better, and I've seen them skateboarding at like, 1 AM outside my apartment. They don't know about that though.

Wait, what?

I guess that pieces together why they texted me back when they should have been at school. And I know that they like skating, but at 1 AM?

I don't think Ash could be making this up. Considering Percy and Annabeth are both our friends, I don't imagine Ash would want to cause drama. Would she?

No, I don't think so. Besides, panic attacks aren't something to joke about. As a demigod and war veteran, I know that first hand.

I decide to stow the information away safely, in a secret vault in my mind. The information is there if I need it, but still locked up safely.

I head to the train station. I debate going to Light City to meet Percy and Annabeth, but I decide against it. Aside from that first day, when we coordinated it, it's been almost impossible to meet each other at the station, since we arrive at different times each day. I walk to platform one, where I wait with about twenty other people, standing back trying to be the unnoticed highschool kid.

A Red Line train passes, heading express into the north of the city. I wait for the Purple line train, and put my earbuds in.

Finally, I get on and manage to find a seat next to a business man who doesn't notice me. A few stations and speaker announcements pass until we arrive at Ford Street Station. I stand up, and the doors open.

The first time that I went to school without Percy and Annabeth guiding me from Ford Street, I got lost and had to use a bus and google maps. Now I know it off by heart as I cross through the park, going towards school.

I slink past crowds of people, until I get to locker 223 outside classroom F4. I open it up, and shove my bag inside. Annabeth and Percy text me that they've arrived at Ford Street. If I had met them at Light City Station, I could have rode with them, but oh well.

I head to the bench where we always meet. Being an early bird who walks, runs, or rollerskates to school, Ash is already there.

She's on her phone, brown hair falling in front of her face. I sit down, not sure what to say. Do I mention the texts? Or do I continue to act like nothing ever happened?

I decide to go with a simple ''Hey'' and see what that gets.

''Oh, hey Leo. ''

''How are you?''

''Yeah, okay. Mums packing up her things, she flies out tomorrow. I'll be at school but I don't really care. Things....they should get better. My dad quit his biology job and has a new one that he actually likes at the botanical gardens. I suppose I'm ranting, but how are you?''

I nod. I don't know what it's like to have two parents. One is a god, so he doesn't really count and my mum—

Best not think about her right now.

''I'm okay. I'm getting used to my new roommate. She was kinda closed off at first, I guess, but now we really talk to each other. Not quite friends, but we're getting there.''

It's true. Although I've only known her for a few days, Olive is slowly opening up to me. It all started on Monday when she came home crying because her friends dumped her at a party. It's now Thursday, and I guess since I've seen at her worst, she's willing to be a little more loose around me.

Percy and Annabeth walk towards us and ask if I want to go to their apartment afterschool, which I say yes to. We all talk for a little while, and Annabeth shows us pictures of Estelle and Percy together. Finally the bell rings, and our daily session of torture starts.

Finally we get to Greek.

Now, I'm not hoping my best friends have a panic attack. But if Ash is right, them we could be in trouble.

We all sit at a desk together, and the teacher writes, in big capital letters with whiteboard marker that is already running out,

T A R T A R U S

Percy and Annabeth send each other panicked glances. I can see them tense up.

The teacher talks obliviously, and it's only then I realise that Percy and Annabeth are beginning to have a panic attack.

Ash isn't in this class. Suddenly, Percy faints. Passes out onto the floor from the panic attack.

Annabeth can barley control herself. She is shaking and her breathing is unsteady.

The teacher, thinking Percy is asleep, slams his hand on the desk. But Percy doesn't move.

Realising whats happened, the teacher quickly gets me to take both of them to sick bay. The scary part is, the class doesn't even bother to stare. My guess is that this is such a normal occurrence that they don't have the energy to stare and guffaw, which is mildly concerning. How often does this happen?

The teacher glances at me and sighs, asking if I could take them outside. The class continues to write their essays on Tartarus as if nothing had ever happened.

Annabeth seems calmer now, and Percy is regaining consciousness, so we all walk out of the class. Annabeth sighs. ''I think we all know that we aren't going to the nurses office. Mr Wran wont bother to notify the office, so we're in the clear. You still want to come over?''

I nod. Percy nods and says that the bell will go in fifteen minutes, so we just sit and talk.

But something doesn't feel right. I feel like Annabeth and Percy must have some serious PTSD, or something like that.

I need to confront them. And I need to do it this afternoon