Raised from the Depths: The Apple of Their Eyes [A Percy Jackson FanFiction]

One: When your parents act weird, you'll probaby start feeling weird too

I stared into the mirror, though to be honest, I'm not quite sure why. I don't know if I was expecting my reflection to wave back, or if suddenly my lips would spread into a thin smile, or maybe that my hair would turn all greasy and black, but there I was, frozen like a obsidian statue, my pale amber eyes unwavering.

Maybe it was just the fact that it was Monday, and I knew if I broke away from that mirror, I would have to go to school, something no 15 year old in their right mind really wants to do.

"Affinity? Are you okay honey? It's almost time to go." My dad's voice called out from the living room. I blinked, and my reflection blinked back. Time to feed the beast.

"Yeah, dad, I'm ready." I called, turning reluctantly and brushing a stray piece of hair out of my face. I walked into the living room, throwing on a coat and slinging my backpack over my shoulder, before beginning towards the door, when suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed me from behind, and spun me 180 degrees to face them.

"Them" being my mother.

She gave me a warm smile, puckering her larger lips and placing a kiss on my forehead. If you saw us together, you would never know she's my mother; probably because I'm adopted, and we're two completely separate races. My mother was gorgeous, with glowing brown skin, not a wrinkle or blemish to her name, with wavy, thick, caramel-colored hair (it was naturally lighter than her skin tone, and she definitely worked it). Her eyes were a hypnotizing, earthy green, and her body was lean and tone, though I've never witnessed her working out a day in my life.

Next to her, I looked like a miserable, undernourished ten year old. I was skinny with no muscle definition, with pale skin that's close to completely covered in freckles. My hair was pin-straight and brown, although there were decently prominent auburn highlights throughout it. My eyes were probably the most interesting thing about me, being a pale amber with unusually long eyelashes. These more flattering features were paired with prominent bags under my eyes, dark and purple and puffy. Most people do anything to try and get rid of the circles under their eyes, but I had honestly never minded them them. They were just kinda... There.

"Stay safe today." My mom advised, giving my shoulders one last squeeze, before releasing me.

I smiled, shaking my head. "Yes, mother." I said with a slight sarcastic tone. I appreciated my mother's concern, but lately... Both my parents seemed a bit paranoid. It was confusing, considering nothing dangerous really happened in the UP. Even the black bears tended to stay away.

I turned back to the door and walked after my father. As soon as I exited the house, the frigid air began making my every breath visible. My hometown, Marquette, Michigan, was located in the upper peninsula of the state, and even though October had just fallen over us, the air was chilled, and everything was dying; grass shriveling and turning brown, animals either migrating or hibernating. The forest had become the colors of a sunset, orange and red and yellow. But those leaves dropped far too quickly, rotting into the forest floor as the first snows powdered the ground and frost decorated the landscape.

I slid into the car just as thin snowflakes began to drift from the sky. My father glanced over at me, before turning and looking down the driveway as he pulled out. My dad had longer, sandy brown hair which he wore pulled back in a bun, with facial hair covering his chin and upper lip. He had dull blue eyes, deep and thoughtful, and pale skin covering his sharp facial features.

"Dad, I'm sure it's not necessary to drive me to the bus stop." I teased, although in reality, I didn't mind the extra time in the warmth of a heated car.

"I know, but we just want to make sure you stay safe." He explained, driving down the road to the bus stop on the corner.

Again with the safety, as if I haven't walked alone to the bus stop a hundred times before. However, considering we were already parked in front of the bus stop, where my classmates were eyeing the car, probably wondering why in the world I hadn't just walked half a block, I decided just to drop it.

Minutes later, the yellow bus steamed forward, and I opened the door to the outside, the nipping temperature instantly leaking into the heated compartment. I bid my father goodbye, and jogged over to the sidewalk, where the other kids were already filing inside.

I began up the steps, my eyes finding the bus driver. It must have been a sub, for I didn't recognize this man, but he didn't fit the stereotypical appearance of an underpaid bus driver. He was handsome and young, with wavy blonde hair gelled up on his head. He smiled, nodding to me as we made eye contact, and I nodded back uneasily. Usually, people made a point of avoiding me. My parents said my personality was "off-putting", so any acknowledgement by a stranger was a surprising abnormality. And rather unsettling.

I pursed my lips, continuing down the aisle and taking a seat next to a freshman boy, who instantly glued his shoulder to the window, pressing himself to the side. I ignored it, used to this treatment, and clutched my backpack to my stomach as the bus lights clicked off and the vehicle began rolling down the street. As I saw us pass my father's headlights, my stomach flipped uneasily. I cursed them silently for putting the idea in my head that I needed to stay safe.

Now something about to today just seemed off. I could feel it.