Percy Jackson Oneshots

Chapter 24: Slam Poetry

Lea paced the back of the stage gripping the microphone tightly in her hand. Her knuckles had gone white and it was starting to tingle with pain just slightly. People had come and gone telling her that she would be fine.

It was slam poetry night at camp and the Gods had come to watch. Even her mother, Iris goddess of rainbows and a messenger of Olympus, was there.

Her sweat had gone cold and trickled down the chubby cheeks she was born with before dropping down to the floor when the reached the round chin she sported on her features.
Her brown eyes flicked back and forth quickly between the stage and an exit she could flee from. Her shoulder length brown hair twirled endlessly around her pointer finger.

Clapping soon found its way to her ears and she froze slightly hunched over. "Thank you for that." Was heard and she knew that she was next.

"Next up on our list is Lea from the Iris cabin!" Clapping once again resumed. Muted and polite. Not much enthusiasm she mused.
She supposed they were looking for something light and happy but that wasn't going to happen.

She hesitated only slightly before continuing her strides to reach the center of the stage. Eyes boring in the side of her head and she felt as through she could make a tiny movement with her hand and everyone would be able to see it.

She made it to center stage. The microphone stand stood proudly in the bare-ness of the stage. It as though it was a beacon for her fear.

She walked closer.

She looked into the crowd of demigods and the few supportive parents and saw her mother smiling down on her. It was imitating. She was beyond frightened and wished that there was a curtain before her to stop the gazes that pierced her soul.

A breath a fresh air... she placed the microphone on the stand so her hands were free.

"Explaining my depression to my mother: A conversation"

Her voice wavered slightly.

The crowd instantly stopped talking and he air was heavy with tension. She had felt as though she had tread on a subject that no one wanted to talk about and everyone had collectively agreed that they would keep it on the inside.

It wasn't right.

Her mother's face was solemn but there was no way she was going to stop. Perhaps she remembered this conversation from months ago.

"Mom, my depression is a shapeshifter"

Lea shifted on her foot and held her hand up.

"One day it's as small as a firefly in the palm of a bear"

She acted as if there was something precious in her hand. Then a firefly flew out and people watched in slight awe as it circle her head before flying off.

"The next it's the bear"

Her hand clenched down and turned into a fist as she gazed upwards with a frightened expression. A long shadow cast behind her as if something tall and large was there instead of her own body.

"On those days I play dead until the bear leaves me alone"

She looked away and moved back slightly from the microphone. She cowered slightly. Her chubby frame hunched over on itself.

"I call the bad days "the Dark Days""

The air rippled with tension. Her eyes flickered to the crowd before they landed at her feet.

The room itself seemed to resonate with her words. Apollo's smile stopped the moment she took that stage because he could sense something was wrong.