"Nous aurons besoin d'emballer mes livres." Scarlett said in perfect French, adjusting her light blue tank top. She reached up the leg of her oversized men's basketball shorts to scratch a bug bite on her calf. She was eighteen years old, packing for college with both parents.
"Oui, ceux qui ne vous planifiez d'apporter?" Annabeth asked.
"Guys." Percy interrupted, lifting his head from a cardboard box. At forty four, his hair still showed no signs of gray, and his eyes were still clear. His face was free of wrinkles, other than the small lines next to his eyes, which told of his love of laughter.
"Eh bien, les classiques, sans aucun doute. Peut-être que certains modernistes ceux ainsi?" Scarlett replied, ignoring Percy.
"Guys!" Percy cried. "Come on, you know I hate not being able to understand you! I took Spanish in school! How am I expected to understand any of this?"
"Sí, lo siento, Papa" Scarlett switched to Spanish. "Nosotras estamos hablando sobre mis libros."
"Percy, ¿Que comida quieres?" Annabeth joined in, tightening her long, blonde ponytail, her gray eyes illuminated.
"Hey, I said I took Spanish in school. I didn't say anything about being good at it!" Percy grumbled, leaning back down into the box.
"Sorry, Dad. Mom and I were just talking about my books. Oh, and then she asked you what you wanted for lunch." Scarlett explained with a giggle. Brushing a strand of wavy blonde hair from her tan face.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Percy muttered, packing a stack of shirts. "You know, I don't remember going through half this much trouble when we packed up Casper."
"That's because Casper was so ready to move out, he had everything packed up in an hour!" Annabeth said with a laugh. "Couldn't wait to start at Harvard."
"Yeah, well, unlike my evil counterpart, I love and cherish my parents." Scarlett said sarcastically with a snort.
"Oh, really, Scar?" A voice came from the doorway just then. The three of them all turned their heads, only to see Casper standing there, a smirk on his face. His blond curls had been shaved into a neat buzz cut, and his eyes were, for once, visible, green and lively.
"Wow, dweeb, you made it!" Scarlett exclaimed, jumping up to give him a hug.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I? My little monster is going off to college! Well, even if it isn't Ivy League."
"Shut up! And I'll have you know, Mr. Harvard, that GW is a perfectly respectable school!"
"Whatever you say, dear." Casper mocked, hugging his sister. "How about I treat you to some coffee, and we can catch up?"
"I don't know, what do you say, Mom?" Scarlett asked, turning towards her mother.
"Hey, what about me?" Percy cried out indignantly, once more lifting his head from the box he was packing.
"Sure, but I'm making brisket for dinner, so don't fill up." Annabeth answered. "And you," she said, turning to Percy and socking him on the arm, "Shouldn't be complaining, because we're gonna have the house all to ourselves." With that, Percy grinned, resuming his packing.
"Gross, Mom, I did not want to hear that!" Scarlett cried, miming a gag. Her parents only grinned.
"Hey, I had to be around when you came about. I wouldn't complain, if I were you." Casper shrugged, steering her away towards the door. The siblings walked out the front door of the small house, which had been purchased shortly after Scarlett's birth. They got into Casper's blue Toyota, driving off down the street and to the coffee shop in the town center.
The joint was small, with the smell of roasting coffee beans radiating from it for a block in either direction. Palm trees stood in either corner, and, in one of them, lay a stuffed toy monkey. Scarlett had always been fascinated by that monkey.
"So, what do you want?" Casper asked, his eyes intently scanning the blackboard with the different drinks written on it.
"Hmm, let's see, extra large iced coffee, with peppermint syrup, three spoonfuls of sugar, and a healthy dose of cream, please." She politely told the barista.
"How are you not morbidly obese right now?" Casper asked, turning to her, his nose crinkling up in mock disgust.
"Well, as you know, I've got quite the belly here, and the pounds just keep stacking up." She retorted sarcastically, patting her flat stomach.
"And for you, sir?" The barista asked, interrupting them.
"Iced green tea, with a little honey, please. Medium." Casper said politely, taking out his wallet to pay. "Oh, don't get your panties in a hitch trying to pay." He said, a smirk on his face as he turned his face to Scarlett.
"Hey, you said you were gonna treat me." She reminded him, a smug look crossing her face.
"How could I ever have forgotten?" Casper replied, shaking his head a little.
They retrieved their drinks, retiring to a small, wrought iron table on the outside patio. Casper took small, polite sips of his drink, whereas Scarlett set right in, taking large gulps and slouching in her chair.
"Quite the lady, aren't we?" Casper mused, smirking.
"Oh, indubitably." Scarlett shot back in a fake British accent.
"Just…take care of yourself, alright?" Casper sobered up, concerned for his little sister.
"I will, I will, Mom."
"No, really, Scar. I mean it. Don't do anything stupid. Don't get too full of hubris."
"I know, Casp…I won't. I promise." She replied, softening up.
"Promise?" He asked again. A nod came in return. "Okay, then. It's just, you know, you…you're just so, I don't know, unpredictable."
"Unpredictable? Well, isn't that a good thing? Life, in its very nature is unpredictable!"
"Yeah, I know, I know, but I worry about you. You know?"
"Yeah," She sighed "I know."
"Alright." Casper said, taking a swig of his drink.
"Alright." Scarlett concluded.
"I'm gonna miss you, kid." He smiled, clapping her on the shoulder proudly.
…..
Scarlett stood in a room full of strangers, a small, cramped room. Everyone looked at one another, some wheezing with the uncertainty of one's orientation, some looking nauseous, as if they hadn't eaten all day. Others stood outside the room, pacing nervously. A clean, chemical smell filled the air, though it could not be determined whether it was fresh paint or cleaning supplies. Either way, the smell was making Scarlett nauseous, and she decided to step out of the room to linger just outside the door.
Fanning her face to rid herself of her red cheeks, Scarlett inhaled deeply, closing her eyes for a moment to collect her thoughts. When she opened her green eyes again, she was met by clear, bright blue ones.
"Hey." The eyes smiled, speaking in a calm, handsome tone.
"Hey." Scarlett answered, suddenly shy. The flush returned to her cheeks, and she brushed a blonde curl from her face.
"You here for orientation?" He asked, running a hand through his golden colored hair.
"Yup. Too many people, though, and it smells like cleaning supplies. Too hot in there."
"I can see that." He chuckled, noticing her red face.
"Oh, what's that supposed to mean?" Scarlett prickled, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing." The eyes answered with a smile. "You just look a little heated."
"Yeah, well, like I said—it's hot in there."
"Indeed you did say that." He smiled. "So, what do you say? Can I cool you down with a drink after this is over? My treat."
"Hmm, you know, I might just take you up on that offer."
"Cool." He said, smiling.
"Cool." She replied, smiling back.
"Well, we better be heading in." He said after a moment, pointing into the room.
"Oh, right." She muttered, ripped from her thoughts. She began to follow him in, her gaze fixed on the ugly red carpeting.
"Oh, hey," He spun around suddenly, an inquisitive look in his eyes, "I forgot to get your name!"
"Oh, right, duh!" She said, tapping herself on the forehead. "Scarlett." She replied, sticking her hand out.
"Nice to meet you, Scarlett." He answered, shaking her hand. "I'm Luke."