Splatoon: A Dash Of Colour

Chapter 26: Problematics

She didn't seem to want us to leave, half because she had no one to go with and the other half because she wanted to stay with me. I was okay with this, being the optimistic person who always wants to meet new people. Percy, seemed a bit angry that I was okay with this kid following us to the tower.

He ran his hand through his hair and smirked when the girl was placed in the other team. She waved and went to the opposite side, into her change room.
   "Creepy kid."
"She's barely younger than us. Leave her be."
   "She's as tall as a 14 year old, acts like one too." He huffed and unzipped his bag, revealing his charger.
"Are you saying 14 year olds are weird?" I held my roller on top of my shoulder and held the other on my hip.
   "Technically." He shrugged.

We didn't do great, mainly because our teammates were a little less experienced than us, but we pulled through. Back in the changeroom, we evaluated our
K-D score. Percy had a clean 13-0 streak, while I sat with a 5-2.
"I got it from chasing that kid around." He flicked at the trigger that no longer worked since there was no ink. I didn't bother confronting him for bullying, since he'd probably have no reasoning to back himself up.

Once we were at the lobby, she was there... waiting, and watching.
   "Hiya!" She waved. I smiled, but Percy looked away.

   "Oh! I'm sorry! I never introduced myself. I'm Blooper."
"Blooper?" Percy looked back.
   "Yep. That's my name." She sighed. "Sorry to have bothered you guys. I'm starstruck!"
"It's okay." I smiled again. I fixed my bag and signaled to begin walking.

She came with us, and she told me she had to go home. Percy sighed, and finally asked her if she needed an escort. She was fine, thankfully for him, and she waved bye to us. Once the train doors slid closed, Percy grabbed me by the arm and forcefully turned me towards him.

   "What's your problem?" We asked at the same time.

"My problem? You're the one letting fans get all over you." Percy jabbed his other hand's finger into my collarbone.
   "I'm being nice!"
"You're being way too easygoing to that kid. What if you were even more famous? You can't single one out."
   "Well, for now I can."
"Then everyone would want that special attention and fight over you. Can you not get this to your head?"
   "Can you be a little more polite? I see what you're coming from but I'm new to all of this "popularity" thing. Be a bit less harsh." His grip lessened and he looked away.

From what I know, he hates being told what to do, but he gets quite over protective about me and Maggie from doing stupid things.

   "Why do I still tolerate you? Why are you always a problem?" He finally let go. I didn't say anything back. He looked back at me when I never replied. "I asked... a question." He stammered.
   "I-I don't know." I shrugged. He sighed again.
"I need time. Leave me alone." He left me stranded, and he took the next train going back to his place.

_____

He hasn't talked to me in three days. My brain keeps telling me that he's going to dump me, but I hope that's not true. What a waste of two years if so. Finally, as we were texting, I set up a time for Maggie to meet me at the station so we could knock on his door.

Once at the station, Maggie held me by her shoulder. "Don't be such a bummer, dude. He's just over-protective of you." She rubbed me.
   "He's never just... stopped talking to me before." We walked on the train and sat together. The train ride was terrible, for me, at least. My head was rushing, thinking if everything, about Percy or not.

I took Maggie to his door, and she knocked furiously and waited. His brother opened the door. "Oh. It's the loser and a friend. He's on the balcony." He thumb-pointed over his shoulder in the general direction of their kitchen. On the wall was a large window and a glass door, hidden underneath blinds. Maggie stormed into their house and dragged me with her. She opened the door, pushed me though and waited in the doorway.

Percy was either smoking or vaping calmly, looking off in the distance. I was never educated on the difference of smoking and vaping, but I think he's vaping. When he heard the door open and watch me stumble though, he jumped and dropped whatever was in his hand. "What are you doing at my house?" He coughed.
   "I'm here to ask you why you're not talking to me."
"I said I needed time."
   "It's been three days." Maggie scoffed. We both looked at her in a way to tell her to shut up.
"It's having me time. I need space from you and your goo-goo happiness." He turned back to look at me, ignoring Maggie's, dumbfounded look.
   "I'm worried sick. I don't know what you're doing by yourself... you're dangerous by yourself." I whispered.

He glanced over at me, angrily but respectfully. "What?" I turned to Maggie and told her to close the door and leave us be.

I faced Percy, one on one. I tried to mumble out words about how concerned I was, but it felt impossible. Noticing my struggle, Percy actually stood fully for once in this conversation. "... Do you think I'm going to kill myself?"
   "... In a way."
"In would never. I have so much to live for."
   "But your brother, and you're always angry..."
"But you."

By this time I was crying waterfalls. Percy straightened his back and walked over to me. He gave me a tight hug and he rested his chin on my head. "Don't worry about me."

   "I'll try not to."