I'm Special

Male Skirtiness

Chapter 32 (Narrator's Point of View)

In the active Long Island, there in the Poseidon cabin, lived a boy who was once a girl. He sat on his bed pouting, he didn't know why he was a boy. He was anxious of the cause, that and he was wearing a skirt. He despised skirts as a girl but now it didn't seem so bad. Even-

"Can you shut your mouth and let me keep my thoughts to myself?" A soft voice laced with annoyance asked. It was little Alex.

"And for fuck's sake, I'm not little." Alex commented.

I'm ignoring that. On a completely different note, a confused looking Nico stares at the little boy in concern. His little Alex was going insane and talking to himself again. Just as Alex turned, Nico asked-

"Ragazzino, are you alright?" Despite of his unawareness of the true definition of Nico's nickname, Alex blushed.

"You know what? Leave. Leave and never return, you freakish invisible parasite." Alex stated. What he said hurt frankly and I have decided to quit. So have fun without me.

Alex's POV

I sigh relieved after a minute or two. That freakish invisible guy creeped me out. I turn towards Nico with a relieved smile on my face, "Anyways..." I begin but I am interrupted by Annabeth.

"Alex get over here." I frown instantly at her order, but comply anyways. Standing next to her, I notice the height difference almost instantly.

Le sigh, why am I so short?

"Alex! Can you please come over?" Annabeth asks. I look at her confused. Does she not see me? I tap her elbow a few couple of times but she doesn't respond. I stand still beside them and shuffle about on my feet. They keep talking, and are yet to notice my presence.

"Annabeth," I finally begin after a long eternity. "I've been here for such a long time." I wanted to sound tough, but all that came out was a shy whisper.

She grabbed my arm in a firm grip, "Alex, I don't know what to tell you. Even I don't understand what's happening-"

"Yeah!! And my girlfriend over here knows everything." He interrupts, pointing at Annabeth.

"Soooo," I begin, "there's no way to turn me back?" I ask. The tears begin and I'm about to cry a river. Percy wraps his hands around my shoulder reassuringly, "Sorry lil' lady...I mean dude. This is your life now."

"Isn't there any magic that can change me back? What about the Hectate cabin? Apollo cabin?" Annabeth lets out a hum as she pulls her hair into a tighter ponytail. "That's a start, I guess."

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I didn't want to walk around showcasing my changed gender. But I had to do this to get answers. Without answers, I might possibly be stuck like this forever. Though the skirt isn't all bad, comfortable even.

"Hectate cabin first. This looks like a magical matter."

It is a cabin built of stones engraved with magical writing. The cabin also has a slanted roof and high ceilings. The cabin is four modules back to back, two on either side, and has four entrances. We walked into the dark cabin. Inside were three girls, all with green eyes and dark hair. The offspring of Hectate. Though Lou-Ellen was not here. Annabeth gathered them up and discussed with them. I'm pretty sure they were talking about me, from all the glances they are sending me. That or I'm irresistibly cute.

The sound of someone whistling the 'SpongeBob theme song' catches everyone's attention. Lou comes out of what I think is the bathroom with only a towel covering her female parts. Her face begins to heat up as soon as she realizes she has visitors and she runs back in the bathroom.

I stare at where she once was, and my cheeks slowly heat up. If I was Lou, I would die of embarrassment.

I'm such a coward.

Yes you are, my subconscious adds.

I've missed you, I coo at it.

The feeling is not mutual.

O-U-C-H

That hurt.

Suddenly, I am pulled into a very firm chest. Nico's chest. "Are you alright, ragazzino. You haven't spoken since Lou-Ellen left."

"I'm fine." I reply. "I was just thinking of myself in Lou's position." Nico chuckles at my statement. "Why? Is there something you want to show me?" My cheeks heat up even more, it hurts to blush this much.

"Nope. Nada. Nothing to see here." I state, wrapping my arms around myself trying to still contain what is left of my dignity.

At that moment, Lou decides to come out, this time fully dressed. She goes to Annabeth, discusses for a while before she walks towards me. The silence is awkward as Lou just stares at me. I wanted to bring up a topic, but what do I say in situation like this. 'Hey, I woke up as a guy just this morning. Wassup.'. I THINK NOT.

"Have you eaten anything strange lately?" Lou asks. I look at her strangely, how does food come into this situation? And that reminds me, we haven't had breakfast yet. I'm famished.

"No?" I reply, though it comes out like a question.

"Have you touched anything strange? Like a strange carving or stone. Gem, maybe?" She continues. I reply with a shake of my head, "I don't think so."

In a quick second, Lou grabs both my hand in hers and squeezes. Hard. And in response, I let out a long high pitched whine and Nico is instantly by my side. He pulls me away from her and stands in front of me protectively.

"There is no magical aura around you, nor is there any within you. I'm sorry but I can't help you."

I sigh and glance at my now pale fingers. Am I going to stay a boy forever? I'm sure it won't be so bad, but I want to be a girl again.

The walk to the Apollo cabin is filled with that familiar and sour awkward silence. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary cabin, but when hit by sunlight it looks as if it's made of solid gold, and gleams so much that it is difficult to look at. We walk into the cabin, there are bunk beds on either side with a cot in the middle of the cabin for the injured. Rough cedar beams rib the ceiling and the white plaster walls are bare except for a few hooks for coats and weapons. It smelled of clean linen and dried sage. I had that vintage hospital feel, if that even makes any sense.

Will is seated the closest bunk bed to the door. He raises his brow, "Can I help you with something?"

I don't know, can you? I snicker inwardly.

"...Alex." Annabeth finishes. I missed her explanation. I brush it off though, its not like the speech was life or death important. Right?

Percy and Annabeth pull apart, revealing me in all my male skirtiness glory. I smile sheepishly and Will's eyes widen and his mouth falls apart in awe or shock. He rushes over to me and grabs me by my cheeks.

"You are so cute." Will praises. "Maybe even cuter than before. Though I may be bias because I'm gay."

Then it all happens so fast. One second, he's cooing and pulling my cheeks. And the next, he's trying to stab a needle into my arm.

"Oh hell nah. That shit isn't coming near me." I quickly rush behind Nico, knowing he will keep me safe.

"Ragazzino." Nico's stern voice echoes. "You need to do this. We need answers so we can be able to help you." Someone grabs me from behind. I struggle and squirm, trying to escape their grip but it seems pointless. The needle pierces my skin and my vision becomes clouded with black dots. My body slumps over and the last thing I see are chocolatey brown eyes silently asking for my forgiveness.

I welcome the dark with open arms. It feels safe. It reminds me of Nico.