Lonely Beauty: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book One

Chapter Two: Getting Angry

By Liz

Grover and I have been watching Percy over the last two months of school. I worried constantly for the boy, knowing that he must be thinking that he was going crazy. I knew that since Grover couldn't lie for his life that Percy had doubts and that despite that the kids were all misted, he still believed that something happened that day at the museum. It was weird for me to act like all the kids, like I was just someone else who also thought he was a freak. It felt wrong in all the senses of the word. He probably thought it was this huge prank on him at first because he would say something about Mrs. Dodds and everyone would look at him funny.

I was nicer to him. I know, this was slightly blowing my cover, but I just couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't be mean to him. He would always look at me weirdly and give me the look saying 'I know you were there.' I would always frown and turn away when he stared at me like that. I didn't know why my father was torturing him like this.

I knew my father was smart though and that he wanted what was best for Percy, but this time I couldn't agree. There were a few close calls where I was so close to telling Percy that that did happen for real, it wasn't some hallucination. Before I did though, I bit my tongue, and turned away.

Ever since that incident at the museum, I always had nightmares at night. I heard that demigods got them before, but never like this.

I would be standing in front of myself.

"You have to tell him." I stared at the clone in front me, her face blank, her brown hair framing it.

"I know, but I can't!" I cried and she just smiled.

"He has to know." Her blue eyes bore into mine.

"No!" I screamed and she morphed in front of me.

My hair became wispy and thin, put into a bun on top of my head. My skin started to wrinkle profoundly and my eyes glowed like embers in a fire. Wings stared to grow on my arms from something that looked like sticky tar. Mrs. Dodds grinned maliciously at me, her teeth a mossy yellow.

"HE HAS TO KNOW!"She shrieked and lunged for me.

I would then fling right in my bed, breathing deeply and look over at Mandy, my roommate, to see she was soundly asleep.

I was feeling terrible every day, the dark weather not helping my mood. One night I was having one of my terrible nightmares again and a thunderstorm was overhead, the winds were so terrible that our windows flew right open, rain spewing onto Mandy and me.

She screamed, covering her head with her arms, "OH MY GOD!"

About three days later, I saw a news caster on T.V. holding his hat, talking loudly in his microphone, trees bending around him.

"There is a tornado, the biggest one ever spotted in the Hudson valley, just a few miles away from me!" The blonde man in his suite turned and pointed to a massive, dark, twister swirling dangerously on the ground.

The camera zoomed on to it and I shuddered. There was something massively wrong in Olympus and I had to know.

What made everything worse is that I could feel Percy's feelings more frequently. They were frustrated and building up anger. It would flow through me and I would occasionally snap at Mandy or at Grover when we secretly talked. The annoyance at not knowing what was going on would dig at the pit of my stomach. Then, at random times, I would feel overwhelmed with the urge to cry because of missing something. It was strange, as if I was on some major PMS and Chiron would ask me if I was ok. I put it off on the weather, but I knew he thought it was something else.

My father told me that Percy was doing terribly. His grades had slipped to F's. I saw repeatedly that he got kicked out of class and into the hallway. And of course, he would get into fights with Nancy, Mandy, and I.

"You're such a freak!" Nancy shouted at him in the hall when she spotted him mumbling to himself.

Suddenly, I could feel his anger welling up inside my chest.

"Shut up, Bobofit!" He yelled back at her, his eyes flashing.

"Make me!" She taunted and he pushed her.

The anger was pilling and I had to let it out. I had to get it out of my system.

"Stop being such a jerk, Percy!" I screamed and pushed him back.

"How about you stop being such a brat!" He taunted back and shoved me.

"Now, now children, get to class," It was Chiron and he was looking at me worriedly.

The anger faded and I felt extremely light headed. I shook my head and blinked.

I turned and walked with Nancy's group and glanced over at Percy to see he was glaring at me.

It was unbelievable how strong his emotions were. Maybe, because they were mixed with mine, they were even stronger. I couldn't imagine a single boy holding such frustration. That's not even the worst thing that happened.

I was in English class and Percy's anger was just starting to burn in my body when Mr. Nicoll asked him why was Percy was too lazy to study for his spelling tests for the hundredth time. I could feel something in Percy snap and he suddenly stood up, his eyes smoldering.

"You're just an old sot!" He shouted and Mr. Nicoll glared dangerously at him.

"Out into the hall, Mr. Jackson. I shall talk to the headmaster about this." The teacher said and Percy trudged out.

I knew that that was the last straw that Yancy academy had for Percy Jackson. He would not be coming back next year and I knew that he knew that too, although he acted like he didn't care. But at nights, when I laid wide awake, afraid of facing those nightmares again, I would feel pure sadness and disappointment well into my gut. Percy was sorry about getting kicked out and was disappointed that he hadn't tried harder. I remember wishing I understood Percy better. At that point, I wished that I could stop. It was so hard, feeling the emotions of someone else, and it also felt so intrusive. I was so tired and worn out every day, feeling weaker and weaker every time Percy's emotions flared up. I couldn't control it and it was sucking the life of me.

Still, I stayed up late, studying for my exams, knowing that Chiron would want me to do my best on them anyways. But, after being so tired and having emotions flow through me, the words just blurred on the page and the letters mixed themselves. Sometimes, I would get so frustrated that I would throw my book onto the floor and cry into my pillow. Why was everything so miserable?

Chiron was so worried that he called a meeting with Grover and me the night before the exams.

I waited for Mandy's breathing to become deep and even before I tip-toed out of my bed, setting my math book down on my nightstand. I padded across the floor, but froze when I heard Mandy speak.

"Oh, Jerry…" she mumbled and then smiled, hugging her pillow.

I rolled my eyes and continued my way towards the door. I pulled it open and prayed to the gods for it not to squeak. When there was a space big enough for me to slip through, I took my chance and stepped into the hallway. I gave a breath of relief when I saw that there was no one patrolling the hallways. I started to run, envisioning the route to my father's office in my head. In no time at all, I had made it to the staffroom hall. I saw the plaque on the door and tried my hardest to read it in the moonlight.

Once the letters stopped shifting, I made out, 'Professor Brunner'

I reached for the handle when I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

"Callista!" It was Grover and he was trying to run, still in his human clothes.

"Shhh! Grover, you ready?" I asked as he came closer.

"Ya, let's go," Grover said and we opened the door, shutting it behind us.

"Hello, Grover, Callista, take a seat." My father looked up from his desk. He was in his centaur form, "Now, Callista, please tell me what has been going on with you. Fighting with Percy? That doesn't seem like you."

"Father, I'm sorry. I've been lying to you," I told him, shame coating my voice, "I have found a new power I have. I can feel other people's emotions, but right now I can only feel Percy's."

"I was afraid of this," He shook his head and trotted over to me.

"Afriad of what?" I asked.

"Your powers coming through. We don't know who your god parents still is, Callista. What if your powers are dangerous?" He explained and I bowed my head.

"It just tires me so much. To feel his frustration, his disappointment, his anger." My voice was weary as I thought back to it, "It drains me and I can't control it. And when he did that thing at the fountain, it was…agony," My voice wobbled as I recalled the feeling, "How do I make it stop?"

I looked up at him with hopeful eyes, but he just stared at me with worried ones.

"I haven't heard of this power coming through this potent. All I can tell you is try to block it out when it comes, Callista. Somehow, you can only feel Percy's feelings. I don't know why that is, but I'm sure there is a reason." He told me and my head perked up.

"You've heard of it before?" I asked.

"Yes," Was all he told me and I knew he wouldn't tell me where. Instead, I asked him another question.

"What's happening in Olympus?"

Chiron heaved a sigh, "You will find out in time," He then turned to Grover before I could protest, "What do you think about Percy, Grover? You are his best friend."

I felt wonder jab at the bottom of my stomach and I hurriedly tried to push it back. This was no time to start feeling Percy's emotions!

"I'm worried about Percy, sir." Grover told him with sad eyes.

"I am too, everything that he's feeling is not right for a boy his age," I said and the wonder increased.

Stop it! I screamed in my head and there was a sudden tugging in my stomach and the emotion washed away. Although I was happy I wasn't feeling Percy's emotions, I felt even worse than what happened after Percy's emotions faded away from me. I slightly slumped in the seat, but my father was watching Grover.

"He's learning who he is! What happens if something finds him? It's crazy to have him alone this summer," Grover explained, "I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too-"

"We would only make matters worse by rushing him," My father said wearily, "We need the boy to mature more."

"Father! Percy needs to know that he is-" I started to protest, but he cut me off.

"Callista! No, he must not know." Chiron looked directly into my eyes, warning me that he knew when I used my persuasion.

I slumped in my seat, pouting. Percy had to know. He was old enough! He was my age! I lived my whole life knowing I was a demigod. Why couldn't he know? You wish that you lived a more simple life. Chiron just wants him to have much of that as he can until Percy has to find out. My mind was irritating.

"But he may not have the time. The summer solstice deadline-" Grover was saying and I wondered. What summer solstice deadline?

"Will have to be resolved without him, Grover. Let him enjoy his ignorance while he still can." My father gave Grover a look and I suspiciously glanced at my father.

The summer solstice deadline probably had to do with what was happening in Olympus.

"Chiron, he knows though. He saw me and you there and her. He's just getting more frustrated over it every day! This is not helping him!" I cried, but my father was still calm, as always.

"He will learn over time that it was his imagination," Chiron said, "The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince him of that."

"Sir, I… I can't fail my duties again," Grover's eyes were watery and I felt sorry for him, a pang of sorrow running through my chest. He never did forgive himself with what happened with Thalia. I bowed my head. "You know what that would mean."

"You haven't failed, Grover," My father's voice was soft and his eyes kind as he put a hand on Grover's shoulder, "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's worry about keeping Percy alive until next fall-"

I suddenly heard a thud come from outside the door. I stiffened at the thought of what I may be. A monster? A staff member? Maybe…Percy?

My father slowly walked over to the door of his office, his hoofs thudding on the floor. He brought out his bow and signaled for us to be quiet and stay here. I was holding my breath as he opened the door and slid out.

I glanced over at Grover, completely freaked out. A few seconds later, he returned in the room, a troubled look on his face.

"Nothing," he mumbled to us, but I knew that he smelled someone. I kept my mouth shut, "My nerves haven't been right since the winter solstice."

"What happened at the winter sol-" I was about to ask when Grover nudged me and spoke.

"Mine either. But I could have sworn…" Grover trailed off, probably thinking the same thing I was. Percy was probably listening.

"Go back to your dorms," My father told us, "You've got a long day of exams tomorrow."

"Uhg," I groaned, along with Grover.

"Good night, Dad." I went up and hugged him and he smiled against my cheek, his beard scratchy. I heard Grover leave.

"Good night, Callista." He said, love in his voice and my heart tugged.

I felt so protected in his arms. They were warm and I missed the feeling after having two miserable, angry months. I wondered how bad it must have been for Percy and immediately felt bad. I pulled back from my dad and he looked down at me.

"I'll tell you everything in time," He told me, his way of saying sorry.

"Are you trying to protect me too?" I asked and he gave me a small, sad smile.

"Of course. Now, get to bed." He said and I turned, quietly opening the door.

I immediately felt confusion bubble in my gut and I turned to the door that was ajar at the end of the hall. Somehow, I knew it was Percy.

"I'm sorry, Percy." I stared at the door, pity eating at me.

I then lightly walked down the hall and up the stairs, going to my dorm. I was going to have a long day tomorrow.

My dream that night was strange.

A dove was circling above a horse. They were both playful, happy with each other. The sea lightly rolled up to the sand, the waves splashing the background. The sun was bright and it seemed like a perfect moment, despite them being two unlikely animals that would be together.

Suddenly, the sky grey dark and the waves started to roar, becoming angry. There was a large bang in the air and the horse fell, crying out in pain as he hit the dirt. The dove landed beside it and I could just feel that it was sad.

At that moment, I felt like this was important, but I didn't know why.

I woke up with a small gasp and Mandy was still sleeping. My head was spinning and I was wondering why my dream was of something so strange. I tried to push it aside and closed my eyes again.

It was a hot, smoldering day and we were taking exams. Right now, I was sitting in my seat in Latin class, bubbling in letters and writing answers as best as I could, sweating profoundly in the stuffy room. It was the afternoon and the sun was beating down on me from the window.

Suddenly, I heard a scarping of a chair on the tile and I looked up to see Percy walking over to my father's desk, exam in hand. He set each paper in its rightful pile and turned to leave, his eyes reaching mine. I gave him a blank stare and I suddenly heard my father's voice.

"Percy, can you come over here for a second?"

I started to worry. What was my father going to tell Percy?

Percy looked over at Chiron with confused eyes and then turned, walking up to his desk.

"Yes, Mr. Brunner?" Percy asked.

"Percy," My father said slowly, "Don't be discouraged about leaving Yancy. It's… it's for the best."

Chiron was speaking quietly, but I knew that everyone could hear. I saw Percy blush and I was a little angry at my father. Couldn't he do this somewhere else? At a different time? At least he could have used better words.

I could see Nancy out of the corner of my eye smiling deviously at Percy and then making a kissy face, as if to say 'bye Percy'. I was getting angrier with my dad. I knew it was just my anger and not Percy's. I was feeling protective and I didn't want anyone embarrassing Percy, not when he was going through so much.

"Okay, sir," Percy murmured and I stared at him sadly.

"I mean…" My father was struggling to find the right words, "This isn't the right place for you. It was only a matter of time."

Percy dropped his head lower. My father was choosing all the wrong words and I shook my head. He was making everything worse.

"Right," Percy said and I heard his voice crack.

"No, no," Chiron was getting frustrated at himself, "Oh, confound it all. What I'm trying to say… you're not normal, Percy. That's nothing to be-"

"Thanks," Percy exclaimed, "Thanks a lot, sir, for reminding me."

"Percy-" My father looked up at him with sad eyes, but Percy was already running form the room.

I hurriedly shoved my chair back and brought my test up to the front, glaring at my father. I leaned into his ear.

"Nice job, dad. Not telling him is really the way," I hissed sarcastically and hurried out the door, looking down the halls for Percy.

I spotted his hunched over form fast walking around a corner.

"Percy!" I cried, sprinting up to him.

I put an arm on his shoulder and he roughly shook it off.

"Percy…" I said again and he span around at me, furious.

"What do you want Callista? Here to taunt me about me leaving?" He snarled and I saw that his eyes were red.

I heaved a sigh, "No."

"Then what are you here for?" He asked, fuming.

"I'm here to tell you that what my- Mr. Brunner said was true. You're special, Percy, you just don't know it you just don't know it yet." I reached out for him again, but he flinched back.

"Did Nancy put you up to this?" He spat, looking at me skeptically.

"No! Percy!" I grabbed both of his shoulders, "I know you were there that night. You're not going crazy."

I stared into his sea green eyes and they were freaked out, "W-what?"

"That's all I can tell you, I'm sorry," I then ran away from him, but I could hear his sneakers pound on the ground after me.

"Callista! Wait!"

But I was already gone.

It was now the last day of the term and I was happy to finally get out of this dreaded place. I wouldn't ever have to see it again. I had been avoiding Percy for the past few days, walking away whenever he tried to talk to me and I joined in whenever Nancy teased him. He would always give me a knowing glance though and I would look away, feeling sorry.

I would sometimes catch up with Grover and ask him some things.

"How is Percy holding up?" I asked him on the last day, dragging my luggage with me.

"He's doing alright, better than he was before. You still feeling his emotions?" He was lugging his own bag, a little nervous.

I sighed, "Ya, just a little bit. I try to push it back, but it still drains me," I told him, knowing that my eyes had bags under them.

"Do you know what he's feeling right now?" He asked and I shook my head.

"I still can't really control it. Do you know of any gods or goddesses with this power?" I asked him and he looked away.

"N-no," He stuttered, "Psh, why would I?"

"Grover, you suck at lying," I stared at him.

"Chiron has forbidden me from telling you," Grover hung his head in shame, knowing at his shirt collar and anger flamed up in my stomach.

"He's always hiding things from me! 'For my own good'!" I threw my hands up in the air, halting in the middle of the hallway.

"Calli, he really is thinking about you. He's not sure if your parent really is that god, but he's investigating. He's not going to tell you till he's positive," He laid a hand on my shoulder.

"You're right," I took a deep breath, "I just wish I wasn't left in the dark so much. I don't even know why Chiron specifically came here for Percy."

Grover looked at me with sad eyes, "He'll tell you soon, but right now we have to get to the Greyhound bus."

"See ya on the bus, Grover," I said and pulled away from him when I saw Nancy and Mandy.

"Oh, I'm going to miss you, Calli!"Mandy screamed and tackled me with a hug.

"I'll miss you too," I lied and reluctantly wrapped my arms around her.

"Calli, what are you doing this summer?" Nancy asked, a hello kitty bag holding all of her things.

"I'm going to summer camp," I simply told them.

"Really? Don't your parents want you home for the summer?" Nancy asked and the comment jabbed at my chest.

"They're busy," I sharply said and Nancy raised her hands.

"No need to get so defensive, Calli. Sheesh. Well, Mandy and I are going on a private jet to my house in Hawii. Bye!" She called out to me and grabbed Mandy hands, running down the steps.

I sighed and got onto the bus.

I was sitting in the very back of the bus, but my enchanted demigod hearing could hear everything that Grover and Percy said. They were in the front of the bus, heading into the heart of Manhattan. Every so often, Grover would look over at me, basically asking if there were any monsters on the bus. I would shake my head no and he would go back staring through the windshield. Grover was completely blowing his cover, fidgeting and chewing on his shirt.

Finally, Percy spoke.

"Looking for Kindly Ones?" I almost jumped out of my seat.

He was listening that night.

"Wha- what do you mean?" Grover lied, his eyes flickering everywhere.

"I was there that night you, Calli, and Mr. Brunner were talking in his office. What's going on?" Percy demanded.

He wasn't the only one who wanted to know.

"How much did you hear?" Grover asked, twitching.

"Oh… not much. What's the summer solstice deadline?" Percy asked and I gave a sigh of relief.

Percy didn't hear about me knowing his emotions. That was good.

"Look, Percy… I was just worried for you, see?" Grover lamely came up with an excuse, "I mean, hallucinating about demon math teachers..."

"Gover-"

"And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe you were overstressed or something because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and…"

Percy then just spoke what I was exactly thinking.

"Grover, you're a really, really bad liar."

Grover then started to blush and reached into his breast pocket, "Just take this, okay?" I saw that it was a tattered piece of paper, a business card, "In case you need me this summer."

I slowly got up and hopped seat from seat until I was right behind Percy and Grover.

"What's Half-" Percy began to ask when Grover interrupted him.

"Don't say it aloud!" Grover cried, "That's my, um… summer address."

"Okay," I heard sadness in Percy's voice, "So, like, if I want to come visit your mansion."

Grover shook his head and then spotted me eavesdropping on them, "Or… or if you need me."

"Why would I need you?" Percy snapped.

I saw Grover's face turn red and he gulped, "Look, Percy, truth is, I- I kind of have to protect you."

"You're not the only one." I said aloud and both boys turned to look at me.

"Callista? What are you doing here?" Percy asked, completely confused, "Protect me?"

"Well, I'm here to go home. Grover, be careful about what you say, my father won't be too happy with you." I warned him and Percy looked puzzled as ever.

"Wait, say what? What are you two protecting me from?" Percy asked used and suddenly, there was a crunching noise from the front of the bus.

I watched as dark smoke curled above the dashboard and a revolting, sewer smell filled the whole bus, making me gag. I watch the bus driver mumble profanities and turn his steering wheel so we could stop at the edge of the road. The driver clambered outside, lifting up the hood and smoke wafted out into his face. He started to have a coughing fit and called us outside.

I followed Grover, feeling worried. This was not normal. I noticed we were in the middle of nowhere, fields of clover, daisies, and teff tiffany surrounding. Large maple trees were scattered everywhere and I felt a chill go up my spine. It seemed the perfect place for monsters to attack us. Just a few mere mortals were with us and Percy's and I's demigod smell would sure enough attract something. It was like suicide stopping at a place like this.

There was a mirage rising off the hot asphalt highway, but I could see what was across perfectly. My blood turned to ice.

There looked to be an old, plain fruit stand. Boxes filled to the brim with bright scarlet cherries, golden plump apples, and assortment of nuts and in a large old fashioned tub were gallon jugs of sparkling apple cider, nestled in pounds of ice. Behind the large table were three old ladies. They looked harmless, knitting like grandmas.

Surely Percy noticed that they weren't normal. It was obvious by the fact that they were knitting these frikin' humungous socks. Socks that could fit giants. I would know. One on each side were knitting them and the one in the middle was holding a huge basket of baby blue yarn. This couldn't be happening! No, why were we here?

The worse thing of all is that they were staring right at Percy.

"Percy, they're not staring at you, right?" I pleaded to him and he looked at me funny.

"Relax. What's the problem? Do you think those sock would fit me?" Percy joked, but I continued to look at him grimly.

Grover's shirt collar was practically gone by this point.

"Not funny, Percy. Not funny at all." Grover told him solemnly, face pale. Probably just as pale as mine.

My glance flicker back to the old ladies and I could feel my hands trembling. Their eyes were completely locked onto Percy's and I couldn't stand it. That's when I saw the middle one take out a rather large pair of golden scissors. I clutched Percy's arm.

"We're getting on the bus," Grover ordered Percy, "Come on."

I started to tug on his arm when he said, "What? It's like a thousand degrees in there."

"Percy, let's go. Please," I pleaded him, leaking some of my persuasion into my voice.

He was stubborn though and stayed there.

What's wrong with you Calli?" He looked at me funny and I willed myself to persuade him more.

"Percy, let's go back on the bus. Your legs are tired and you need to sit down," I used my oiliest voice and I saw him blink and shake his head.

I suddenly felt as if someone had stolen all my sleep from the night before and it seemed so hard to stand up. I leaned on Percy a little.

"Callista, what are you talking-" He then looked at me, "Are you ok?"

"Ya, I'm ok." I whispered and looked at the old ladies.

Suddenly, I saw the shriveled old woman in the middle grin and open her golden scissors. She brought them down on the string and I swear I could have fainted. Percy's days were already numbered. The other two gathered up the two socks and began on another set.

There was a large banging from where the driver was and he was clutching a big ball of smoldering metal. I watched the bus roar to life and everyone around me cheered, not noticing what had just happened.

"Darn right," The driver hooted and brought his hat down on the bus, "Everyone back on board."

Percy dragged me back on board and I slumped in between the two guys. I started to break into a cool sweat and Percy looked like he was going to be sick. I could heard Grover's teeth chatter together and I felt so tired…so so tired.

"Grover," Percy said with a slightly frightened tone.

"Yeah?" Grover replied, looking over at Percy.

"What are you not telling me?"

Instead of answering, Grover wiped his head with his sleeve, "Percy, what did you see back at the fruit stand?"

"You mean the old ladies?" Percy asked, confused, "What is it about them, man? They're not like… Mrs. Dodds, are they?"

I knew that Percy knew something was going on and that there was something we weren't telling him. I couldn't bring myself to betray my father and explain it to him and it didn't seem like Grover was going to either.

Grover pursed his lips, "Just tell me what you saw."

"The middle one took out her scissors, and she cut the yarn."

I felt a whole new wave of despair. It was the end, they had marked his ending. Grover closed his eyes and prayed.

"You saw her snip the cord." Grover stated, struggling to keep control.

"Yeah. So?" Percy asked as if it wasn't a big deal. It certainly was.

"This is not happening," Grover murmured and I saw him knaw on his thumb nail, "I don't want this to be like last time."

"What last time?" Percy asked, but I knew, for once, exactly what Grover was talking about.

My chest felt like someone threw a huge boulder on it at the thought.

"Always sixth grade. They never get past sixth." Grover mumbled and I could feel my eye lids getting heavy.

"Grover," Percy asked in a somewhat panicked voice, "What are you talking about?"

"Let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me." Grover pleaded and I tried to say something.

"Promise him," I used the last of my persuasion that I could.

Percy nodded.

I could barely keep my eyes open.

"Is this like a superstition or something?" Percy asked and no one answered, "Grover- that snipping of the yarn. Does that mean somebody is going to die?"

I suddenly plunged into darkness, my exhaustion taking over, but I had one last thought.

Yes, someone is going to die. That someone is you, Percy.