Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
Confucius
Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or HoO
This is my opinion of Drew Tanaka. She's cruel to be kind, she helps the other characters create a impenetrable outer skin.
"What do you want to do?" Drew Tanaka always asks. She gently uses a brush to apply an unseen powder to your cheeks.
Drew is the least likely person to help you, but when everyone else thinks you are fine, she knows exactly what you need. You are the closest thing to a friend that Drew has and you don't want to screw it up.
"Whatever you want to do," You would always reply.
You look into the mirror atop Drew's vanity table. You hardly recognise yourself. Instead of dull blonde hair it is glossy and falls to your shoulders in waves. Your eyes, usually a flat flint colour, are silvery, it must be some kind of subtle eyeliner. Your dark skin is flawless and smooth. You meet Drew every morning without fail, pay her a drachma, and listen to her gossip about Piper's new boyfriend, the handsome head-councillor for Apollo.
Your sister, Annabeth, tries to stop you from visiting the Aphrodite children, she tells you that they are stupid and shallow. She's a hypocrite, her best friend is an Aphrodite kid. You find the Aphrodite children sweet, kind and much cleverer than anyone in Camp. Malcolm is supportive, he tells you that you are fine just the way you are, but that is a lie. You know it is a lie.
Drew and Lacy are like twittering birds, always busy tidying up or helping behind the scenes. That is what they prefer, they like the spotlight even less than you do.
You expect Drew to drag you to the lake so you can do eachother's nails (an activity you hate) or take you to the pavilion so you have a great view of all the couples (another activity you hate).
You don't expect Drew to yell at you, "For mother's sake! Don't you get it?"
You shake your head nervously, you've never had Drew angry with you before. Drew notices and speaks in quiet hisses, "You don't do you! What do you want to do? It's a simple question!"
"I don't mind," You reply meekly.
"You sure are stupid for a daughter of Athena! You've been here every morning for the past four months! Look on the table! What do you see?"
You stare at the impeccably clean vanity table, you see several pencils (HB, 3B, 5B, 4B, you didn't know Drew sketched), a closed book, a pot of paint and that's it. There is nothing else. Your mind tries to connect the dots, Drew taps her foot impatiently. Then you understand.
Drew had never used make-up on you. The powder brushes were clean paint-brushes, the lipstick was the back of a pencil-
You've been so stupid. You look at the mirror to see if the beautiful girl had left, she was still there, mimicking your every movement. Idiot! Mother would be so ashamed!
Drew watches like a hawk, "Thank the gods! At least you figured it out on your own! The past ones needed me to spell it out for them," Her face softens from iron to stone, "You thought you were ugly, so you saw an ugly person in every reflection. Hon, it was all in your head."
You leave the room feeling as light as a feather. When a random Demeter kid smiles and waves at you, you smile back and walk over to him.
Drew was the best friend you could ever wish for, you just needed to see through her Mean-Girl facade. You were glad you chose her.
Beauty is not caused. It is.
Emily Dickinson