Internet Friends (Percico)

Chaper 26

-Percy-

Why did I agree to this? My head felt like it was legitimately going to burst any second and I swear to god, I was so close to stabbing myself in the wrist with my own pen just so I could get ink poisoning and die.

Why am I considering ending my miserable existence, you ask? Two words.

Prom committee.

It was all Piper's fault! She was the one that made me join! She said, and I quote, 'it'll keep you busy.'

Do I look like I want to be kept busy? I've been through four years of hell and now I'm finally finishing, just to be rammed up the wall with organising prom, which will be on the same day as graduation, so the first time I'll see my mom and Paul in my cap and gown will be when they're sat down and I'm sat in the front row?

End me. Literally just end me.

"Percy," Luke's voice took me out of my thoughts, "have you even written anything since I last saw you?"

Luke had been forced to join too, but instead by his best friend Alabaster Torrington. At least I had one fellow gay (insert the TM sign) here.

"No." I groaned, rubbing my temples. "All I've got is Fall Out Boy."

Luke chuckled and sat down next to me. "Just look up the charts and put some of them down."

"I like Years & Years." I commented. "They're the only band I've heard on the radio I've really liked. The rest I know the words to and sing occasionally, but like...they're okay."

"Put them down then." Luke grinned, amused.

"Y'know, I don't know why I let myself get into this," I sighed and rested my head on my fist.

Luke looked over to where Piper and Alabaster were standing, both looking over a clipboard and chatting animatedly, and then back to me. "I think you do. Both of our reasons are over there, Jackson."

"Fine." I deadpanned. "I don't know why she made me do it."

Luke shrugged. "I don't know why Bassy asked me either. But we do it 'cause we love 'em, right?"

"Right." I scowled as Luke smiled at me slyly, sliding his clipboard of things to do across the table and under my hand.

-

"So, got any plans for the weekend?" Piper asked as we walked to the bus stop.

I shook my head. "Nah, I'll probably just sleep or something."

"I'm throwing a party Saturday night," Piper suggested, "and you didn't come to my last one either, don't think I forgot."

She nudged my shoulder with a smile. I looked down sheepishly.

"I don't know, Pipes," I trailed off as Piper hit me with the puppy dog eyes.

"Come on, Perce, it'll be fun." She stuck out her bottom lip. "Please?"

I looked at her with a frown, sighing. "Alright, alright, fine."

Piper's face lit up. "Yay! What are you wearing?"

I chuckled. "I don't know! You invited me two seconds ago!"

Piper grinned at me and we carried on walking in a comfortable silence. That was, until I had a random thought.

"Hey, this is your third party in like, a month," I said, "why do you throw so many?"

"I'm social." Piper shrugged. "And...I want my dad to notice me, I guess. He doesn't even say anything when the house is a mess the next day. He just gets his maid to clean it up and jets off to his next movie meeting.

I barely ever see him, and it kinda pisses me off, you know? I respect he has a lot of work but even when he's home he's always busy, like, hello, you've got a daughter here, could you act like it?"

My smile softened. I nodded, fully understanding what she meant.

"I know what you mean." I said gently.

"Do you?" Piper laughed half heartedly. "You've got a great family, Percy."

"I didn't always." I looked down. "I...I had this stepdad, long before Paul. He was the ideal father, you know? Caring, supportive, even moderately understanding.

And 'cause I never really had a father figure before I wanted to do everything to get this guy's attention, catch up on all the years I went through without a dad. I acted out a lot. It worked, up...up until we - me and my mom - found out how he really was. He's behind bars now." I whispered the last part.

Piper stopped walking. I looked at her in confusion, until I realised that her eyes had brimmed with tears.

"Who else have you told?" She asked me quietly.

"Annabeth and Grover." I rubbed the back of my neck. "That's it."

Piper stayed quiet. Then she moved forward and pulled me into a hug, burying her face into my neck. I hugged her back.

"Thank you for telling me." She mumbled.

I smiled. "You're welcome. Once a misfit always a misfit, right?"

Piper pulled away just to burst into a fit of laughter.

-

Diving into the pool again after a week of dry land always gave me a thrill. I loved the chill that ran through my body as the water nipped at every inch of my skin as if to pull me deeper.

I especially loved just swimming, not swimming for training, not swimming in a competition. Swimming for myself always felt the best.

Resurfacing again with my hair dripping wet instead of staying put under a cap felt great. So did the feeling of no goggles or skin tight speedo shorts.

Nobody else was here, too. Not even in the stands. It was silent, which would've creeped me out, if it hadn't have been for the fact that I hadn't swam in forever and I needed to forget about the stress of prom, graduation, results, school.

I began doing some lengths. I hadn't spoken to Nico today. Not because I hadn't wanted to, but mostly because he'd said he's staying over at Will's house and I didn't wanna interrupt that. He needed time to himself as much as I needed it too.

And I didn't know any better place to relax than in the pool.

-

so hey dudes, it's ella here

sorry about the lack of updates, another rough week i suppose

things ended for good between my ex and i and i took it harder than expected, but i'm recovering now❤️

anyway, how are we all?? slept well?? ate good?? tell me guys pls i love talking to you all

so!! that's all from me until next time, which may be tomorrow but i'm not sure yet, byeee, i love you <3

-Ella xx