This is a very long chapter, but I thought it was important, so... yeah. Review!
Evanna
Rose had no idea about her father's past. He had never told her and he didn't plan to do it. At least not until she was old enough to her the story.
Percy couldn't believe that this thing had happened to him. Of course, he had experienced crazy and dangerous things, some had even been suicidal, but he had expected that after living through so much, he would deserve a little... break. At least for the next 100 years. Then he was sure, that he could face dangerous and suicidal experiences.
But of course, the fates had other things in mind.
It hadn't started with his father's letter; it started with a person he knew well. Though Percy hesitated to use the expression person.
This person was called Lucy Bordales.
(FLASHBACK)
It was nearly eight o'clock in the evening and Percy had just returned from work. Rose and her Nanny June were sitting at the kitchen table. Rose was finishing with her homework while June helped her with it. Rose had dyslexia. Just like her father. Percy didn't know if he should worry about it.
Rose wasn't ADHD. She was a sport-freak (she loved artistic gymnastic, riding and athletics) but nothing more... right?
"I'm home!" Percy yelled as he entered the kitchen.
Rose looked up from her homework and her face lit up as she saw who it was. She exclaimed `Daddy! ´ , jumped from her chair and hugged her father.
"Heeey!" Rose squealed.
Percy looked to her Nanny, who was watching them. She stood up and went to the stove – probably to check on the food.
"So, you're back" she said.
"Yeah.. Don't pretend you didn't miss me" he joked.
June huffed and raised an eyebrow to him.
"Rose, darling. Don't you have something to tell your father?" she asked innocently.
Rose, who had just returned to her unfinished homework, blushed.
Percy sat on a chair and watched his daughter carefully.
"What do you have to tell me, Rose?" he asked calmly.
Rose murmured something about a ball and hat. Percy frowned.
"Sorry, but I didn't understand. What happened?" he asked, this time sternly.
"I might have broken a window at school" she murmured.
"Oh, okay. That's not so -" Percy blinked as if he had just understand what she'd said. "You did WHAT?" he exclaimed.
"I said I might have broken a window at school. But I swear, dad, it wasn't my fault!" Rose tried to explain.
"How is it possible to brake a window?"
"Well you see this guy Jake said I couldn't throw the basket ball through the bushes that separate the playground from... the school. So... yeah. I said I could and I did it. "she stated but became quickly quiet as she noticed the look Percy and June were giving her.
It was silent in the kitchen. June decided to break the ice.
"She will have to pay for the damage -"
"I know and that's what makes me so angry" Percy said angrily. He turned to Rose, who seemed to become smaller by her father's glare.
"Rose Jackson. I – I don't know what to say. I would have never expected this from you. You have disappointed me."
"I won, though" she added.
In normal circumstances, her father would have grinned, but now he was really angry.
"Congratulations, Rose" he answered sarcastically. "Seriously. At your age, it would have never occurred to me to throw a ball against a window" he shook his head in disapproval. June chuckled.
Percy turned to her, frowning.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Nothing." She answered but kept talking. "I just don't believe you behaved so well at school. You just don't look like it"
He snorted. "Jeez.. Thank you. I didn't say I was a good student, I'm just saying that I would have never thrown a ball -"
"Yes, I know. But I think it's better to break a window, instead of setting the school on fire (Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters)" she commented.
Percy looked surprised.
"I- I didn't..."
June shook her head. "Leave it. Dinner's ready" she said. "Rose, put your homework aside and help your father to set up the table. Percy, go to the bathroom and wash your hands. You are not going to eat if you don't." she added sternly.
Aside from Rose's confession, nothing unusual happened. The family was enjoying a rather peaceful dinner. Meanwhile Percy's anger had cooled down and was now teasing his daughter.
You see, nothing unusual.
But then someone knocked on the door. Immediately the family fell silent. June looked at the clock.
"Who could it be?" she asked frowning. Then she stood up and went to open the door. Meanwhile Rose and Percy continued eating. Rose was a little intimidated, while her father remained carefree. It was quiet for a short moment when they heard June's voice.
"– sorry, we don't buy anything" she said annoyed. Since June wasn't talking, it meant that the person outside was speaking. And then -
"HE SAID WHAT?" June shouted angrily.
Rose looked at her father, whose face had just turned pale, as if he had just realized something.
"Oh, my God!" he said. "Shit, I totally forgot." As he managed to eat the last piece of meat, he stood up and motioned to go to June, but she was faster.
June's glare was... glowing. She was very, very angry.
"Perseus Jackson, would you mind explain this?" she cried and pointed at a young woman, who had just appeared at her side. The woman had brown hair and a kind face. Her eyes were green, but not like Percy's. She waved at Percy, smiling.
"Hey, mate!" she said.
Percy looked very uncomfortable. He refused to meet June's and the woman's eyes.
"Hey..." he muttered.
"I don't think you know me, ma'am. I'm Evanna Bordales, I'm a friend" she said to June, who was looking at her with a mixture of anger, resentment and distaste.
"Friends with benefits or -"
"June!" Percy cried indignantly.
"What, Jackson?" she asked as she rolled her eyes.
Instead of answering, Percy shot a glance at Rose, who was watching them curiously. June understood.
"Oh. I apologize - I had no idea this could be embarrassing for you"
Percy face palmed. "No!"
Evanna decided to step up for her friend. "Look, June. It's not what it seems. I was looking for a place to stay and Percy offered me his house"
"What? Don't you have an own home? "June asked.
"Em... no. I broke up with my boyfriend so... "
"Oh. I'm sorry. "
Evanna shook her head.
"Nah, no problem. He was way too old for me"
June blinked.
"You like older men, don't you?" she said with distaste. "Well, then I'd suggest you stay away from my husband, unless you want to end up pregnant" She shot Percy a meaningful glance.
Evanna frowned.
"I don't -"
June laughed. "Kid, my husband is powerful and handsome. You'd totally fall for him."
"So, if your husband cheats on you and has kids with other woman – why don't you get divorced?" Percy asked.
June stared at him.
"You mean you haven't found out yet?" she cried in disbelief.
Percy seemed confused.
"What – found out?"
June groaned. "Never mind." , she took a deep breath and asked him, why he hadn't told her, that Evanna was going to stay with them.
"Em... I forgot?" he answered/asked.
"Don't play with me, Jackson!" she hissed. "You were drunk, admit it!"
"You know, that I don't drink much – "
"Yes, well – then – Ugh! You know what the real problem is? You don't even know her!"
"I do, June. She's a friend" Percy said.
"Maybe, but what do you know about her past, hm? She could be – I don't know- a prostitute! "
"I'm right here" Evanna objected. But Percy and June continued as if she wasn't there.
"She's not that! And don't use that word in front of Rose!" Percy objected.
"That so typical! I sacrificed my best years for Rose and you and now you replace me with a younger one!" June shouted.
They fell silent. Neither Rose nor Evanna dared to say anything.
"You think I'd replace you?" Percy repeated softly.
June shrugged. "Maybe..."
Percy chuckled.
"No one could ever take your place in this house, June." His eyes were soft. "You are the best Nanny ever and –"
"Don't worry, June. You'll see. It will be – You will not even notice me. "Evanna comforted her.
(End of Flashback)
It wasn't entirely right what Evanna had said about no one noticing her. In f
(End of Flashback)
It wasn't entirely right what Evanna had said about no one noticing her. In fact only two days later, June complained about Evannas habit to talk very loud on the phone. A week later, Evanna complained about June's habit to criticise everything what she did.
It turned out that Evanna was a good person. She was hot-tempered and she had principles that sometimes contradicted each other and Juno and she often came into conflicts, but nothing what couldn't be solved.
But what was most important to Percy, was how Evanna and his daughter got along. Rose was really fond of her, and this made him happy. They discussed Disney movies and played with Rose Barbies.
The peace however didn't last long. His father still waited every day on the bench. It drove Percy crazy. Why didn't he just leave?
Meanwhile it had begun to rain and Percy's mood had reached a new low point. He wanted to break something.
Maybe this glass, he thought as he drunk coke from it.
He kept staring at his father, lost in his thoughts until Evanna spoke up.
"I wonder what he's waiting for" she said and stood beside him.
Percy shrugged. Evanna looked at him curiously. Then she chuckled.
"You know, he's actually quite attractive. Would you mind if I asked him out? "
He stared at her in shock.
"That's my father, Evanna! He's married!"
"Really?" She looked at the old man and then at Percy. She sighed. "He reminded me of some one. Now I know."
They stood there in the kitchen, watching him from the window.
"Why don't you invite him into the house?" she asked.
Percy shrugged again.
"That's not an answer"
He shrugged again. Evanna sighed.
"Look at him. I don't know about you, but I feel sorry for him" she said, sounding a little sad. The old man had opened an umbrella and kept waiting.
Percy grumbled, which caused Evanna to sigh one more time.
"You know, Percy. I can't imagine what you have gone through, but I can imagine that it was hard. Whatever happened between you two, it is in the past." She looked at her friend knowing before she continued. " I think, that it is wiser to forgive than to hold on grudges. Because I can tell you - if you forgive, you'll feel better. Believe me, I know." She smiled at him and went to the living room to watch TV.
Percy sighed. He didn't want to admit this, but he started to feel sorry for his father. While he stared at his father, who was sitting lonely on the bench with a black umbrella on his left hand, he felt how his pride vanished. Percy sighed again. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the house.
Okay, I'm done for today. School is starting tomorrow, so I don't know if I'll have time to update. Please review!
