A Boy with Green Eyes

The Receptionist

Oh. My. Gods. 

I glanced at Percy, and his face was full of fear. He ran his fingers through his hair a few times, and bit his lip. A photo of Gabe was on the email, smiling ever so 'innocently'. He was staring right into Percy's sea green eyes. Gabe's scruffy, rat-brown hair, crooked teeth with all those fillings, and stained T-shirt - which was probably stained from the hundreds of bottles of wine - did not make him seem like a trustworthy person to hang out with at Macy's.

The Principal eyed him closely, waiting for his response, "So, it seems that your father -"

"Stepfather" Percy corrected, dangerously calm. Soon, his fear gave way to anger, "He's lying. Gabe is lying. He always ruins everything - and by everything, I mean my life and my family."

"What do you mean?" the Principal and Frank asked in sync.  (lol I'm not trying to refer to JB - but I have to admit, that song's catchy)

Before neither me or Grover could answer the Principal, he put his hand on my shoulder, "Let me handle this," 

"I meant that my mother's always in fights with Gabe, and is abused by him. He smokes, he drinks, he plays poker with his poker buddies, and worst of all, he disrespects my mom, even though she does all the cooking, and most of the work," Percy explained, trying to control his anger. He shoved his hands further down the pockets of his hoodie. His face was fuming red. "I always try to convince my mom to divorce with him, but she says without him we don't have the money to keep the family up - but sometimes, I feel that what she's saying is not exactly true. I wish Gabe would just leave my mom and I alone, let us live in our own happy, little apartment in Manhattan, and let my mother have the life she deserves after all she's faced." 

The Seaweed Brain Defense Team was speechless. Flashs of confusion and curiosity went around everyone's faces. Grover and I nodded with understanding. On the other hand, the Principal had a look of doubt across his face,  figuring whether he should believe Percy or not. Grover licked his lips as he looked at a wooden shelf sat next to him. 

Grover blinked his eyes hard a few times, and mumbled, "Sir, Percy isn't lying. Don't ask why I know. I just do." 

The Principal did not look at all convinced, but after a while, he nodded. Grover and I put a hand on Percy's shoulders, as the Principal typed rapidly on his keyboard. The clicks and taps of the keys echoed through the room, breaking the bitter silence. 

"I'll have to have a meeting with both your father and mother," the Principal said with concern, "I will meet them tomorrow afternoon at 5 pm," 

"Okay," Percy muttered, with little hope, "Mom and Gabe always had to have meetings with Principals, but Smelly Gabe always won," 

As the Principal clicked the 'Enter' key, he snapped his fingers, and the receptionist rushed into the room. The receptionist took a sniff in the air first, and glared at the Seaweed Brain Defense Team and I. What's up with this lady? 

The receptionist escorted us out of the room. Once she closed the door, she frowned at us, "Sorry, I've been eavesdropping the whole conversation - It's boring having to sit on the same, old, grey chair everyday, 'ya know?" Everyone raised their eyebrows in curiosity. She rolled her eyes and said, "Look, this is serious. I can't tell you why I know this, but Percy, your mom has been keeping Gabe all this years for the sake of you," 

"What!?" Hazel gasped, "What do you mean? How do you know -" 

"I just know, like Grover here, he should know too," the Receptionist muttered, glowering daggers at Grover. Grover blankly stared back. She immediately sneezed and rubbed her nose. I swore I heard her say, 'fur'. 

"As I was saying, Percy, your mom has been keeping Gabe all this time for your own safety. You have an extremely strong aura, which smells faintly of a swimming pool," the Receptionist muttered, her voice trailing off, "Your aura can attract creatures that you do not want to know." 

"Creatures?" Nico asked, squinting his eyes at the Receptionist, suspicious. The Receptionist seemed to not hear what Nico asked. 

The Receptionist glanced at her watch and immediately started packing up her purse, "Sorry, I'm in a rush. I've got to go." 

As she ran out the entrance, she received a phone call. 

"Hello?" the Receptionist asked, frantic. She nodded her head as she listened to the person speaking through the phone. 

"Yes, yes, yes. On my way, We'll just meet up at the park and I'll take my baby Tys-" the Receptionist ran out the door before I could catch any more of her conversation. 

The Seaweed Brain Defense Team slumped on the office sofa, and I plucked a grape from the bowl of fruit on the coffee table next to me. 

"Guys, we have to figure out a plan to keep Percy from getting expelled," Jason said, sticking another bandage on his lip. 

"Yeah, but we can't do much 'cause the Principal's already planned a meeting with Percy and his parents," Piper replied,  the feathers in her hair bouncing up and down in anticipation. 

"All we can really do is just be with him there and try to defend Percy from Gabe," I sighed, putting a hand on Percy's shoulder. Percy stayed silent since we went out the Principal's office.

  "I'll try to read more emotions and keep everything right on track," Grover said patting Percy's back. 

"Don't worry, I'll be the one to give that Gabe guy a lesson," Leo said with certainty. He pumped his fist in the air, "Mr. Mchsizzle's on fire!"

"And I'll be the one to bring him back to where he belongs - the underworld, " Nico cackled. At once, Nico shivered, and shook his head fiercely, ".....Wh-where I-I....belong?" 

Before I could ask what Nico was talking about, Frank said timidly, "And I'll be the dragon, always ready to defend a friend." 

"Seriously, Frank?" Leo laughed. 

"What, my mom says I can be anything," Frank protested. 

"And I'll be your back up heart Percy, I'll always be right there for you," I said, smiling. My inner voice took over, 'Gods, that was corny Annabeth!'. I ignored it, and focused on what I was saying, "And I'll be your back up brain too, in case you don't know how to sound out words," 

Percy swatted my arm, half-heartedly and the Seaweed Brain Defense Team huddled for a group hug. 

Everyone sighed, and Percy finally broke the silence, "Well, all in all, I'll talk to Gabe first once I get back home." Percy got up from the sofa, and walked out the entrance. 

His green eyes were not playful anymore. They were not as mischievous. They were not as easy-going. All I saw was pure hatred. 

As the Seaweed Brain Defense Team went separate ways for home,  Grover, Percy and I walked side by side as usual. We passed block by block, building by building, and as we crossed the street in silence, I realized that I've never dared to look above the Receptionist's warty nose. I tried to make clear of the image of the Receptionist, but all I remembered of her was that she had only one eyebrow.