Meeting Mortals

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I don't own pjo or hoo

Jeremy's POV

BRIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGG!

I sighed, wishing I didn't have to leave class. After all, nobody can be mean to me in the classroom. Regardless, I gather up my books, simultaneously pushing back my long-ish sandy hair. Glancing around the hallway, I step out. Right on que, Matt walks up and pushes my books to the floor. I swear, those pit bull eyes were laughing at me, behind their mask of shaggy black hair. Matt grinned showing yellow teeth, one of the front ones chipped. I stared at his expensive t shirt and jeans, both of which were ripped and muddy. If I could afford those, they'd be in perfect condition, but Matt makes a big show of messing up any new clothes in front of the whole school. I don't know how he got away with it, but I really didn't care at that moment.

"Well, Germy?" He questioned, using the nickname for me he came up with, "aren't you gonna pick those up? You don't wanna be late to class, do you?" I just gritted my teeth and bent down to pick my books back up. No way I could stand up to Sloan. He was just too big. The moment I stood back up, he shoved me, making me drop my books again. He tutted, saying, "So clumsy, Germy. You need to learn how to not fall down." The warning bell rang just then, so he kicked me and walked away. I grabbed my books and scampered to class, arriving just as the bell signaling the beginning of class rang.

The teacher glares at me. "Mr. Fitzgerald*," he begins in a warning tone of voice, " is there a reason you are late?" I mumble an apology, telling him that I tripped in the halls (which I did...sort of) and promise not to be late again. Nothing else of significance happened for the rest of class, so I won't bore you with the details of Mr. Skeeter's** lecture. Instead, I'll just skip to the end of class, when things REALLY start to heat up.

"Hey Germy!" Matt started, acting almost friendly. Never a good sign. He keeps up the 'friends' charade, saying, "so, I forgot my lunch money today. Can I borrow yours?" It wasn't a question, not really. We both knew he was gonna take my lunch money no matter what I said. So, I shrugged and handed it over. I'd prefer to avoid the beating I'd get if I resisted. Matt grinned and said, "Germy, Germy! When you're giving someone a present you should give them ALL OF IT!" I whimpered and scampered back.

I heard myself saying, "p-please! I don't have any more! Please don't hurt me!"

Then, out of nowhere, someone yelled, "CUT!" I whipped around, wondering who was crazy enough to interfere with Sloan, I mean saying the guy was huge was like saying an elephant was tiny. "Jon Cryer, you're supposed to laugh with Mr. McLean, not scream at him! Like this!" With that, he turned to the girl next to him saying, "See? I told you we're surrounded by famous people! Just look at all those famous actors!" Simultaneously gesturing at all of the students in the hall.

The girl laughed, saying, "even I'm not fooled by that, Leo"

Matt was so mad, I swear he turned purple. He growled, "I don't know who you are, and I don't care. You're gonna pay for that little stunt, wimp!" I gasped. This 'Leo' was scrawny, and I didn't doubt that Sloan was gonna beat him up. To my, and everyone else's, surprise, Leo just grinned.

"I am?" He questioned, tilting his head to the side, as if he were confused by what Matt was saying. He turned to the girl next to him, asking, "I'm gonna pay for that, Calypso? But how? All of our money's with Festus."

The girl , now dubbed 'Calypso' raised an eyebrow, saying, "I don't think he meant with money, but I'd like to see him try to fight you." This only served to enrage Sloan even more, and without warning, he punched Leo in the face. I gasped, then heard Calypso asking, "Uh, Leo? When someone punches you, aren't you supposed to dodge it?"

Leo's eyes were cold as he replied, "normally, yeah, but in this case it wasn't worth the effort." Everyone gasped as Matt shook out his hand looking wounded. Leo continued, saying, "Actually, in this case I was better off not dodging it. He can't REALLY punch, and now his fist is sore."

Matt growled, "If you're such a good fighter, come over here and fight me like a man!"

At this, Leo calmly walked over and punched Matt in the stomach, saying, "don't talk to me about fighting like a man. You were fighting like a baby less than a minute ago. You're afraid to fight someone your own size, so you pick on those who can't defend themselves, and hide from anyone who might put up a fight." Matt flew backwards into a wall, and slumped to the ground, unconscious. Leo looked at him with disgust, and said, "Come on Calypso. This guy is making me sick to my stomach."

I started forward at this, saying, "wait!" Leo turned, and raised an eyebrow. I continued on, not thinking as I said, "I still need to thank you. You saved me."

Leo smiled at this, saying, "no thanks required." Then as an afterthought he added, "just, stick up for yourself, okay? I won't always be here to save the day." I nodded, knowing I would remember that moment for the rest of my life. And with that, Leo and Calypso walked away. I did see them again, many years later. But that's a story for another day.

*cookies for anyone who gets that reference!

**bad Snowdrop! Stop putting references to other fandoms! Cookies to those who get this one, too. (He's an english teacher, he he...)

A/N; sorry if the chapters are a bit short, I'm doing these primarily on my phone and have no idea how long they are until I upload them. Other than that stay awesome, and hope I remember Sally's phone number for the blue cookies ⬆️^! Peace out! -Snowdrop