Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

Jane's Party

     Piper's feet were sore from walking in heels all morning. She had walked in a runway show and after a small lunch that was more like a snack, she was driven by Jane to a casting. There, she was measured and fitted in several outfits. She was posed for a catalogue selling  outfits for autumn. The photoshoot lasted until 8:00 PM and Piper's stomach was hollow with hunger. She had been losing weight since Medea's photoshoot, but whenever she lost any, it was never enough.

     Jane's criticizing voice wasn't just outside Piper's mind anymore — it was inside her mind. It told her to skip meals. It told her that hunger was a prize to be sought after an praised. It told her that every bite of food demanded a price and if that meant spilling numbers out of her mouth until it felt raw, then so be it. It told her that denying her basic needs was a necessity. It told her that what she saw in the mirror everyday was how others saw her and that would never please anyone.

      Piper's mind felt like a fuzzy blanket filled with gaping holes as Jane drove her and another model, a girl named Silena, to a party. Silena was taller than Piper and more slender with thick, dark hair and large brown eyes. She was wearing a tight pink dress while Piper wore a matching black one. Both girls were shivering in the air-conditioned car while Jane hummed to pop songs playing on the radio.

      "How long have you worked for Jane?" Piper asked Silena.

      "Since I was 16," Silena said. "I was scouted when I was 12. I worked with places like Target and Walmart until I was old enough to work with more prestigious brands."

      "What are these parties like?" Piper asked; she and never gone to one.

       "You get to meet executives and designers of important brands," Silena said. "Sometimes you can book a job. There's usually food there too."

     "Don't eat too much," Jane snapped.

      Both girls exchanged glum glances. Piper's stomach felt like it was being clawed by a cat and she imagined Silena was just as hungry. When they arrived at the party, they followed Jane into the mansion.

      Music blasted and Piper's eardrums and eyes felt assaulted by all she took in. Servers were carrying plates of food and drinks around. There was a table laden with food. Piper even spouted a chocolate fountain. People dressed in expensive clothing stood around and chatted. Their eyes slid through Piper and Silena in a predatory way that made Piper shiver.

       Piper followed Silena's lead. When the other model requested a Diet Coke, she had one too. When Silena decided to get a salad, Piper ate one too. She chatted with anyone who approached her and smiled as if she was having the time of her life, but her limbs felt shaky and her stomach was growling.

    Finally, it was too much. Piper made her way over to the table of food and grabbed a plate. She filled it with more food than she could possibly eat comfortably and took it to the bathroom. She let the food fall down her thrust do that she could barely taste it. Then it was gone and Piper's elation left too. She let the numbers leave her mouth. She washed her hands and rinsed her mouth with water to clean away the guilt staining her breathe, but it lingered as it always did.