Forgotten Paradise by Average Canadian

Chapter 17: It was a Gift

Wednesday, oh the sweet middle of the week. And what a week!

Annabeth ended up decluttering the house with a Garage sale, getting her own lair in the never used basement, getting a fish named Puppy and a puppy named Fish and it was only the middle of the week.

Percy was keeping her on her toes.

Annabeth packed up her calculus things and went to her locker. She ditched the books for her lunch and started at a brisk pace towards the cafeteria while watching the hordes of teens travel in clumps.

She turned the corner sharply and collided head on with oncoming traffic. Her body collided with another soft figure that gave way and fell to the floor. Books scattered and pencil's skittered across the floor while someone snickered at the clumsy knock in.

"I'm so sorry." Annabeth stammered as she helped the girl she knocked down up and starting collecting her books with her.

Nervous eyes looked up at her like she was an alienistic form. They stared at her in awe and intimidation once all the books were picked up.

"What?" Annabeth asked feeling if she had anything on her face.

"Not-nothing." the petite girl continued gathering up her things

"Then why were you looking at me like that?" Annabeth asked while her brow furrowed.

The girl looked at her feet and shrugged "You were the first person to help me up today. That's all."

Thick baggy shapeless slacks, a large old-man brown sweater, her caramel hair tied back tightly, and thick rimmed dirty mud colored glasses that had scratches on the lenses.

Annabeth was surprised this girl wasn't pulp right now.

"No problem." Annabeth commented. The girl nodded quickly while avoiding eye contact. Acting as if Annabeth was her superior who had just scolded her. She turned to go but Annabeth stopped her.

"I didn't get your name."

"Oh. I-I'm Calypso. I-I just transferred." She said shyly shuffling her worn.. whatever those were.

"Well Calypso if you can't find a place to sit your welcome to join my table." Annabeth invited.

Calypso had an appreciative ghost smile on her lips. "Thanks." Her eyes traveled up to meet Annabeth's in gratefulness but quickly shied away again.

Annabeth walked toward the caf being a little more cautious on turns now. She plopped into a seat next to Percy and laid out her food. Almost like a side street vendor, or a pawn shop.

"Trade you the muffin for both these chewy bars." Percy offered.

"Deal." Annabeth decided while already handing over the food.

Leo took the opposite seat while Piper slid in beside Jason.

"Gym today was brutal." Frank complained as he sat down.

"Well when you're as big as you are it's kinda hard to miss." Percy pointed out.

"What were you guys playing?" Hazel took her always reserved seat beside Frank.

"Dodgeball."

Annabeth bit into a chewy bar. Her thoughts clear and wandering as she watched her friends talk. The cafeteria line receded slowly like a draining hourglass and standing awkwardly in the corner of the cafeteria was a brown lump blending into her surroundings like a chameleon.

"Calypso!" Annabeth waved to her so abruptly that Percy and Leo jumped in sync.

Calypso looked around her as if there was a another Calypso behind her somewhere that Annabeth was motioning to. Then she pointed to herself.