Percy was ready for detention. It would probably be the best part of his day. During gym he got nailed in the face with a dodge ball, getting a nosebleed. Great. He got an F on his homework because he lost it. Perfect. And Grover had yelled at him when he explained why he got a detention. It wasn't his fault, it was the stupid sophomores. His slip read room A209. He gave a huff and opened the door slowly.
He was the first one in the classroom. He clenched his teeth. First one to detention, last one to class. Of course. He took a seat near the middle. The back was for trouble makers, which he was trying not to be, and the front was for nerds, which he was certainly not.
The next one in was a Latino boy. He sat down right next to Percy. He turned immediately and held out his hand. What was with him? This was detention, right?
"Leo Valdez. Since we are going to be here for the next two hours might as well know each other's names." He explained seeing the look on Percy's face.
"Percy Jackson." He barely shook his hand. The boy seemed too ambitious. He turned back and faced the front. A few more kids shuffled into the room. Most sitting in the back.
"Why are you here?" Leo asked. He really wanted a conversation. Percy sighed. Maybe talking would make it better.
"Late to class three times. It wasn't my fault though. You?" Percy had to make sure everyone knew it wasn't his fault.
"Paper airplanes. Really bored in class. I'm a natural at getting in trouble." Percy smirked. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
"Me too, I usually get another school every few months," Leo laughed. Percy turned around, was he laughing at him.
"Ditto. And new foster homes too," Percy's mouth slowly turned into an 'O'. Leo giggled. "Yeah, I'm just glad to have a good one right now."
So this boy didn't have an actual family. He knew about switching schools, but switching families must have been even worse. Living with his evil step-father was horrible by itself, but having multiple of them everywhere you go was just unimaginable. He suddenly felt bad for the boy. But seeing the bright smile on his face calmed him a bit. He was at least trying. You had to give the boy credit for that.
"You wanna meet up after this? And just talk." Percy offered. The boy's smile grew even wider, if that was possible.
"That would be awesome!" Just seeing Leo this happy was enough to make Percy's day a whole lot better.
