~Percy~

Percy was sitting by himself in his personal library. There were shelves of books surrounding him, and lots of different types of technology. Percy was reading a book about different kinds of music. He was sitting on his favourite purple chair, right beside the window. Outside, he could see his lavish garden.

There was tons more Percy could do in this mansion, of course. He had his bedroom, which was also full of books, comics and other things. His kitchen had plenty of food. And he didn't have to worry about danger, as there were security cameras that would detect anything suspicious. He had a computer, an iPad, unlimited wifi, a phone, another computer, plenty of toys, his own huge backyard and even some science-related things.

There was one thing he didn't have, though. His family.

Percy looked at a picture of his parents. His mom and dad were wearing lab coats. They were smiling at the camera, their hands on Percy's shoulders.

Percy looked out of the window. He hadn't seen his parents for ages. They were archeologists and biologists. They were always travelling, going to different places. They couldn't bring Percy with them. It was too much hassle. So they left him home, at their mansion they bought together.

Over time, Percy had had many different babysitters. Some of them were Melody and her family. Other times they were cousins or young people his parents met. Most of them were pretty nice, but they never understood Percy, aside from Melody.

His parents sent him expensive birthday presents, Christmas presents and various other things - things they'd found on their travels. Occasionally, they'd come home to spend time with him. But most of the time, they were never there. And they didn't care.

Percy was alone. His parents could give him all the books in the world but he still wouldn't feel better. The one thing he wanted was the thing they couldn't pay away.

"What're you looking at, Percy?" Melody asked, entering the library. She and her family were staying over. Percy looked up from his book.

"A book about music." he answered emotionlessly. He had to keep his voice steady. He didn't want to panic.

"Music, huh?" Melody asked. "I thought you weren't into that."

"I'm into research about it," Percy clarified.

"Well, um, your mom and dad called…" Melody took a deep breath.

"What did they say?" Percy asked, sounding slightly hopeful.

"They said…" Melody sighed. "They said they're not coming back for a while, Percy…"

"Oh," Percy said. He felt like his heart shattered. He forced himself to hold onto his armchair. "I see."

"Are you okay, Percy?" Melody asked, eyeing him.

"I'm fine." Percy said, adjusting his glasses. He pushed his longish hair behind his shoulders.

"But…!" Melody exclaimed. "I've got something for you!"

She handed him a purple notebook. It had an eye design on it. "As your best friend, it's my job to make sure you get only the best presents that I am completely confident you will adore!"

"It is perfectly fine," Percy grinned at the notebook. His old notebook was in shambles, so it was a suitable replacement.

"Thanks, Melody," he got out.

"You're welcome!" Melody replied. She walked up to him. "I think my brother's being a goof-ball in your room. He won't listen to me. But he'll listen to you, Percy."

"No one goes in my room." Percy stood up with his best friend.

Moments with Melody were important. He didn't want anything to change.

"Percy," Melody approached Percy before school. She sounded serious. "Can I trust you not to tell anyone about a secret?"

"Depends on the secret," Percy replied.

"Oh… then nevermind." Melody said, shaking her head. "Let's go to class."

"Alright." mumbled a confused Percy, watching his friend walk away.

Percy was sitting on the grass by himself, reading a book. He was waiting for Melody. She came eventually, followed by some boy wearing a bandanna and a striped tank. He instantly repelled Percy.

"This is Percy." Melody told the boy.

Percy looked up from his book. He eyed the boy.

"You have really long hair!" the boy told Percy. "Do you spend four hours in the shower like my sisters do?!"

Percy just stared at him.

"That was mean, Brayden!" Melody scolded the boy.

Brayden waved it off. He looked at Percy's book.

"Whatcha reading?" he asked. He sat down next to Percy and leaned over his shoulder. Percy's body tensed up.

"Quantum physics…?" Brayden raised his brow.

"It… it's hard to explain," Percy replied. "Um…"

"Eh, whatever, books are for nerds," Brayden stood up. "Let's play tag instead!"

"Tag?" Melody asked. She made a face. "Do we have to run around and be silly?"

"Don't be so boooriiiinggg, Mel!" Brayden whined. He tapped her shoulder. "TAG! YOU'RE IT!" He ran off. Melody stared at him.

He looked back. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CHASE AFTER ME! COME ON!" He looked at Percy. "WHY ARE YOU SITTING AROUND, NERD BOY?! SHE'LL TAG YOU!" He frowned. "Do you guys know how to play?"

"I do..." Melody sighed. "Fine. One round only."

She chased Brayden around the schoolyard. Percy sat and watched. He hated running around and playing games. The thought of all that running made him anxious. And when his anxiety got bad…

"Got you!" Melody said, tapping Brayden's back. "Now you're it!"

"I'M GONNA GET YOU!" Brayden yelled. He chased her around. He managed to grab her and do a fake-tackle, bringing her to the ground. For some reason, this made the duo laugh. They looked like they were having fun.

Melody was laughing for once. She never acted like that with Percy.

Percy clutched his book to his chest and left.

"Percy!" Melody called out. He looked back. "Where are you going?"

"Library." Percy answered, his tone flat.

"Why?" Melody asked. "I mean, I know you like the library and all, but…"

"I believe it is a place where I feel I belong," Percy answered.

"What do you mean?" Melody asked. Brayden was looking up now too.

"It means it's not with you." Percy got out.

"Percy…" Melody began.

Percy walked off, his grip tightening on his book. His best friend was choosing someone else over him. Percy couldn't believe Melody would ever do that to him. She of all people. His only friend.

Percy felt determined. He wasn't going to lose Melody that easily. She wouldn't stay friends with that… Brayden forever. Percy arrived at the library. His breathing was picking up. He pulled out his notebook. He searched the shelves for books on friendship. He also googled various ways to blackmail someone. Then he sat down and wrote out a plan.

The next day, Percy kept an eye on Brayden and Melody. Melody seemed to be hurt by his 'insult', so she wasn't talking to Percy very much. But right now, he didn't care.

Percy gazed over his books, all alone in the library. Then a shadow covered him.

"Y'know," Brayden had his arms crossed. "You're kinda mean."

Percy said nothing.

"Melody's sad, y'know," Brayden told him. "You don't want her to be sad… you're her best friend, right?"

"I know she is upset," Percy replied. "And yes, I am her best friend. But right now I have other things to worry about." He turned away. Brayden grabbed his shoulder.

"Like what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It does not concern you, Valiance." Percy said, brushing Brayden's gloved hand off. He muttered, "Like you'd understand, anyway."

"You don't have to hide stuff!" Brayden grumbled. "We're friends, right?! I wanna help!"

"Your help is unneeded," Percy told him. He paused. "I know you used to bully people."

Brayden looked uncomfortable. "Yeah, what about it?!"

"That's not something you want people to know, is it?" Percy asked, monotonous. "Well… what if they did know. What if the entire world got a hold of that story."

He held up a picture of Brayden with the group he used to bully people with.

"WHAT?!" Brayden yelled. He slapped the paper out of Percy's hands. "Where'd you get that from?!"

"You have a chance," Percy pointed out. "I won't do it if you leave Melody and myself alone. But if you stay, I will."

"You're a jerk!" Brayden snapped. He clenched his fists. "YOU WON'T BE DOING CRAP!"

He held up his fists. Percy stepped back, his chest heaving. He backed against the wall. Brayden trembled, staring at his fists. He took a step back.

Brayden grimaced. "No… n-not again… I'm not a bully…"

"T… Think about it," Percy told Brayden, getting up. "You have one day."

He ran off, feeling like his heart was going to explode. He never wanted to experience that again.

The next day, Melody approached Percy. Her eyes were watering.

"Percy, I can't believe your behaviour!" she scolded him. "I should've told you the secret after all! Then maybe you would've been less of a jerk!"

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, folding his arms.

"Brayden was very upset by the whole bullying thing," Melody told Brayden. "His mom asked me to become friends with him to make him feel better. That's the secret… his mom didn't want me to tell anyone about our friendship. I didn't like him at first. I didn't think you would either. But… honestly, he's not so bad! You get used to him after a while." She crossed her arms. "But I don't like the way you're treating him. He's not a bad kid, Percy."

"But it's always been just us two," Percy replied, tone not changing.

"Things change, Percy!" Melody exclaimed. "And how can I say no to a parent?!"

"Stop being friends with him." Percy said dryly.

"You're so stubborn!" Melody spat. She sighed. "Look, Percy… you have to learn to accept this. You can't be my only friend. You'll always be my best friend, but I want to spend time with others as well."

Percy didn't want it to change. "No."

"Percy!" Melody exclaimed. "Ugh! You're being such a baby!" She turned away. "You know what? If you hate this all so much, then you can play by yourself!"

She stormed off, wiping her eyes. Percy stood there for a few moments, biting his lip. He walked off, hugging his books. He felt mixed inside. He wondered if he was being mean to Brayden after all. Or if Melody was being the mean one.

… or if Percy himself was being the mean one.

Percy sat by himself, underneath a tree. He was reading another book. He was pretending he didn't feel lonely. He tried to tell himself being lonely was okay. He could get used to it. He ignored the groups of other kids. He was fine. He wasn't jealous.

He could see Melody and Brayden, somewhere in the distance. They were speaking to some of Melody's dancing friends. Percy ignored them. He burrowed his face in his book. Books were better friends than humans. They were undyingly loyal.

"Hey, you!" a voice mocked.

Percy looked up. It was those bullies. He shivered.

"W-What do you want?" Percy asked, biting his lip.

"Where's your girlfriend?" the biggest boy asked.

"Not here right now." Percy replied. He picked up his books.

"Where do you think you're going?" the bullies asked.

They were smiling. One of them grabbed his long hair. He yelped.

"Whatcha got there?" some girl asked. She pointed at his notebook.

"… Don't touch that." Percy stammered.

"It's his diary!" the bullies laughed.

One of them held up his notebook. "You want it back, don'tcha? All your little, precious, meaningless notes."

The bullies laughed. Percy's vision blurred. He suddenly wished he had apologised to Melody.

"Hey," a voice interrupted them.

It belonged to a striking girl with long, brown hair tied into a low ponytail and intense, yellow eyes. She was wearing a cowboy hat.

She had a mock-cowboy accent. "Leave him alone."

"Oh dude, it's her." a boy whispered, shivering.

The biggest boy glared at her. "You win this round, Clover." He eyed his group, who dropped Percy. "Come on."

The others followed him. Percy sat against the tree, chest heaving. He eyed the girl. His heart started racing. He'd never seen anyone so… amazing before. He couldn't even believe she was standing in his presence. She was too dashing for that.

"You okay, pardner?" the girl asked, raising her brow. She helped him stand up. "I darn hate those guys. Hope they weren't being too mean to ya."

"I… I…" Percy didn't even know how to speak anymore.

"Clover Luckgreen at your service," the girl replied, grinning. "And you're Percy Verance, Melody Trust's friend?"

"... I… I guess," Percy stammered. "She's friends with this boy named Brayden Valiance now."

"That's the kid with the bandana, right?" Clover asked.

Percy nodded.

"Alrighty," Clover nodded. "Hey, ain't that her now?"

Percy turned around. Melody was running towards him.

"Percy, oh my goodness!" she exclaimed. "I saw you getting picked on and I wanted to do something but then I remembered we're not being friends and stuff so I couldn't but then I remembered it's not right to ignore bullying so I decided to come over but you're okay now…"

Melody eyed Clover.

"Howdy." Clover waved.

"Clover Luckgreen," Melody said, raising her brow. "Thank you for helping out my best friend."

"No problem, pardner," Clover responded. "Though I gotta ask. Why were you trying to not be friends or whatever?"

"It's a long story." Melody answered.

"HEY!" Brayden ran over. "NERD BOY! Those losers were picking on you! You okay?!" He eyed Clover. "Your name is Corn or something like that, right?"

"Clover." Clover told him. "Howdy. And you're Brayden Valiance."

"That's me!" Brayden cheered. "What you did there was so cool!"

"Thanks, pardner." Clover replied, folding her arms.

"Did you make some new friends, sis?" Another boy came over. He looked very similar to Clover, aside from green eyes and short, messy hair. He was wearing an apron.

"Cody Luckgreen," Melody eyed the boy. "Hello."

"Hi!" Cody waved.

"Are you wearing an apron?" Brayden asked, raising his brow. "That means you have food, right?! I want food!"

"Yeah, I have food!" Cody beamed. "I can show you… Brayden…?"

Brayden nodded. The boys ran off to find some food. Melody came with them to keep them out of trouble (mainly Brayden).

Clover eyed Percy. "Just us now, huh?"

"Yeah," Percy got out, her yellow eyes piercing his. He adjusted his glasses. He wanted her to keep saying nice things to him.

"I like your hair," Clover told him. She was the first person to say that. Ever.

"Thanks," Percy said. "I do want to get it cut, though." He paused. He wondered how to continue the conversation.

"Do you… like… anime?" he asked, tentatively.

"What the heck is anime?" Clover asked.

Percy almost grinned. "We have much to discuss."

Percy's heart hurt. He had been a bad friend…

Percy was thrown into a strange dream. It was in Waterfall. He was watching a weird scene. It was a long, creepy bridge. There was an evil-looking human child there. They were wearing Melody's tutu and ballet shoes. They looked a lot like Frisk.

Suddenly, Percy was right beside the child. They turned around and faced him. Their face was covered in shadows. Dust was all over their clothes.

"Undyne said you… hurt a lot of people…" Monster Kid's voice. "But yo, that's not true, right?"

The human child didn't respond. Percy was so confused.

"Why won't you answer me?" Monster Kid asked. "And… what's with that creepy expression?"

The child, with a haunting smile, took a step towards Percy.

The child kicked Percy's viewpoint. It went blurry for a moment, then Percy saw a battle with… Undyne? But she looked different. It looked a lot harder than the battle the kids had with Undyne.

The human child slaughtered Undyne mercilessly. The creepy smile on their face remained. Dust was everywhere.

"Do you really think you can win?" a voice hissed. Suddenly the Fallen Angel appeared, their eyes glowing red. "They will destroy you. You have no hope. You will die."

The whole dream melted like goop. Percy got trapped in it. He felt himself being pulled downwards into darkness.

A twisted voice boomed above him. "YOU WILL FALL DOWN."

Percy woke up. He placed a hand over his forehead. He removed his glasses, just for a moment. His brow was covered in sweat. He took a deep breath. His friends were eyeing him.

"Guys," Percy said. He shivered. "Ge… genocide…"