Lucy

Chapter Thirteen

The rain had drenched Percy completely by the time he had gotten home from school, Angie had run ahead, laughing, holding her books over her head to stop some of the storm from hitting her. Percy had taken his time, he liked the rain, aside from the fact that his glasses got wet and blurred his vision. The rain wasn't too cold, but if he stayed out long enough, he would probably get sick. Although he never really got sick.

He stepped onto the porch and out of the storm as thunder sounded in the distance. He looked back out into the empty street, the rain was so heavy the road looked like a running river, would it flood? He wondered whilst taking off his glasses and wiping them on his wet sweater the best he could. When he put his glasses back on, he noticed a dark shadow in the distance, across the street. Percy squinted, straining to see what or who it was.

"Lucy?" Percy frowned as she came into view. She didn't say anything, but she was looking at him. The rain had drenched her hair, it fell flat down her shoulders, a few strands stuck to her face. Her knees were muddy and her expression was vacant. She did not speak.

Percy couldn't help himself, for some reason he thought she might get sick in the rain, even though that was stupid because she was immortal. He was worried for her, the expression she wore was kind of dazed, confused.

Percy stepped into the rain and walked to her, when he was close enough, she met his eyes. There was nothing, she wasn't really seeing him, she was lost in thought.

"Lucy," Percy had to speak loudly over the thunder, "You can't stay out here in the rain."

She said nothing, they stood together for a moment, Percy observed her for any sign of emotion. When nothing happened, he took matters into his own hands. Gently, he reached out and took her hand. She flinched but didn't let go. Percy began to guide her towards the porch, she followed quietly. He stepped up and out of the rain, Lucy did the same. The porch was small and Lucy didn't seem to care about how close they were in that moment.

Percy's hand, enveloping hers, was resting on his chest. They could both feel the fast beat of his heart. Finally, Lucy came to, she actually looked at him, really saw him.

"Percy?" She gave a confused look, then looked at their clasped hands and took a step back, releasing herself from his grip.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Lucy thought about the question, she frowned. She didn't seem to know. Or maybe she just refused to tell him.

"Come inside, you need dry clothes," Percy opened the door and turned back, Lucy considered it for a moment. Then, with a sigh, she shrugged and followed him inside.

***

Why was Lucy here? This was ridiculous, she should've just gone home, and yet her subconscious had transported her to Percy. She felt stupid and weak. Daemon yells at her and she pulls a blank, how did she let him treat her like that? It got to her, he hadn't yelled at her like that for a long time. She hadn't taken his stupid Bolt, so it just made her even angrier, she didn't deserve his shit.

Percy had sent her to the bathroom with some of his clothes, a large grey t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants. His clothes smelt like a mix of cheap deodorant and an earthy, mortal scent she didn't have. Lucy began to dry her hair with the towel Percy had given her, she walked out of the bathroom to his room, he'd left the door open for her.

His room was small and quite clean, he was sitting on the bed cross-legged, having changed into a long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants. He looked up at her as she walked in.

"You know, I can't get sick," Lucy said. Percy nodded, she wanted to say thank you, but Lucy didn't use her manners often, being kind or respectful made her uncomfortable.