~Percy~
Percy was sitting by himself in his personal library. There were shelves of books surrounding him and lots of different types of technology - computers, iPads, etc. Percy was reading a book about different kinds of music. He was sitting on his favourite purple armchair, 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, another iPad, plenty of toys, his own huge backyard and plenty of books.
There was only one thing he didn't have. His family.
Percy looked at a picture of his parents. His mom and dad were wearing labcoats. 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 archaeologists 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, 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 his cousins or young people his parents met. Most of them were pretty nice, but they never understood Percy and why he was so... 'odd'. This irritated him so much. But his parents annoyed him the most.
They sent him birthday presents, Christmas presents, other 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 felt alone. His parents could give him all the books in the world but he still wouldn't feel better.
"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.
"Wow!" Melody said, grinning at him. "That's awesome! I love music! But I bet you knew that already."
"I knew very well." Percy replied.
"Anyway, your mom and dad called..." Melody took a deep breath.
"What did they say?" Percy asked, sounding slightly hopeful.
"They said..." Melody sighed, looking down. "They said they're not coming back for a while, Percy..."
"Oh," Percy said. 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. His hands still felt sweaty.
"But...!" Melody exclaimed. "I've got something for you!" She handed Percy a purple notebook with a hard cover. It had an eye design on it. It was stuffed full of crisp, white pages.
Melody sounded regal and responsible. "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!"
Percy grinned at the purple notebook. His old notebook was terrible. This one, however, was fabulous, perfect, incredible, beautiful, magnificent, brilliant, and just plain good.
Percy still sounded emotionless as he responded. "Thanks."
"You're welcome!" Melody replied. She frowned. "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. Help me, won't you?"
"No one goes in my room." Percy said. He stood up, gripping the notebook. "I'll help you."
Moments with Melody were the best.
He never wanted anything to change.
Ever.
"Percy," Melody approached Percy before school. She sounded serious. "Can I trust you not to tell anyone a secret?"
"Depends on the secret," Percy replied curiously. He looked up.
"Oh... then nevermind." Melody said, shaking her head. "Let's go to class, huh?"
"Alright." mumbled a confused Percy.
Percy was sitting on the grass by himself, reading a book. He was sitting in front of his favourite oak tree. It was a small oak with a thick trunk. Perfect for leaning on. He was waiting for Melody. The book captured him in its adventures, so it was easier to be patient.
Melody came eventually. She was followed by some boy wearing a bandanna and a tank. He had messy brown hair and a big grin. 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, poking his tongue out.
He sounded like the type who was desperately trying to be 'tough' and 'manly'. Percy had never been interested in being 'manly'. To him, the concept was stupid. Or maybe it was because Percy couldn't be 'manly'.
"I do." Percy said with a poker face.
"You look like a nerd!" the boy scoffed.
Percy tapped the cover of his book. He wasn't liking this boy very much.
"That was mean, Brayden!" Melody scolded the boy.
Brayden shrugged. He looked at Percy's book.
"Whatcha' reading?" he asked.
He sat down next to Percy and leaned over his shoulder. Percy felt uncomfortable. He hated it so much when people did that.
"The heck is this?!" Brayden asked.
"None of your business..." Percy uttered.
"BOOKS ARE FOR NERDS!" Brayden yelled, throwing the book on the ground. "WHO NEEDS TO READ?!"
Percy looked away. He felt... bad. There was a reason he kept to himself. He didn't want to be judged. He thought people wouldn't judge him for reading, but he guessed he was wrong.
"That wasn't very nice, Brayden." Melody sighed, folding her arms.
"Well, they are!" Brayden insisted.
Percy looked away. He hated this feeling.
Brayden grinned, "You guys need to do cooler stuff! Let's play tag!"
"Tag?" Melody asked. She made a face. "Do we have to run around and be silly?"
"Don't be so boooriiiinggg, Mel!" Brayden said, folding his arms. "WATCH!" He tapped her shoulder. "TAG! YOU'RE IT!" He ran off. Melody stared at him, not moving. He looked back. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO CHASE AFTER ME! COME ON!"
Brayden looked at Percy. "WHY ARE YOU SITTING AROUND, NERD BOY?! SHE'LL TAG YOU! DO YOU GUYS EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAY THIS GAME?!"
"I do." Melody said. She sighed. "I'll play for your sake."
She chased Brayden around the schoolyard, even though she was wearing her ballet slippers. Percy sat and watched. He hated running around and playing games. The thought of all that 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 rolled around in the grass, still laughing. They looked like they were having a lot of fun. Melody wasn't complaining at all. She never acted like that with Percy.
She had never acted so happy.
"Oh," Percy commented. "I see how it is."
He got up and left, taking his notes with him.
"Percy!" Melody called out. He looked back. "Where are you going?"
"Library." Percy answered. He sounded more emotionless than ever.
"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 replied. He frowned ever-so-slightly.
"I..." Melody began.
For once, she looked lost for words. She sounded... sad. Percy walked off, his grip tightening on his book. Now he felt ticked off. 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 kid 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 was still hurt by his 'insult', so she wasn't talking to him very much. But right now, he didn't care. He felt she deserved it in the end.
"Y'know," Brayden approached Percy at one point. "You're kinda mean."
"Am I now," Percy responded with no emotion.
"Yeah," Brayden said, eyeing him. "Melody's sad. And 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.
"You don't have to hide stuff!" Brayden grumbled. "We're friends, right?! I wanna help!"
"I don't need your help," Percy said. He almost sounded aggressive. That's when he knew he could use his plan. He bit his lip. "I know about what happened to the girl that died!
Brayden looked uncomfortable. "Yeah, what about it?!" He suddenly sounded spiteful.
"What if I told you," Percy almost smirked. "That I have a news report proving that it was your idea to manipulate her into taking her own life." He held up a slip of paper. Brayden stared at it. "My parents have quite a vast amount of money. We can post it everywhere. Everyone will know. And they will all HATE you."
"WHAT?!" Brayden yelled. He slapped the paper out of Percy's hands. "Why the HECK would you do that?!"
"I did not say I'd do it," 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 yelled. He clenched his fists. "YOU WON'T BE DOING CRAP!"
He tried to punch Percy. Percy stepped back, narrowly missing the punch.
"Think about it." Percy told Brayden. "You have one day."
Percy walked off. He ignored Brayden yelling insults.
The next day, Melody approached Percy. She looked upset.
"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. He stayed still.
"Brayden was very upset by the whole... death thing," Melody told Percy. "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 she told me to be friends with Brayden. I didn't like him at first. I didn't think you would either. But, goodness... I kind of like him now!" She folded her arms. "But I don't like the way you're treating him. He's not a bad kid, Percy."
"He's getting too involved." Percy said, frowning.
"It's not forever!" Melody exclaimed. "And how can I say no to a parent? You understand, don't you, Percy?"
"Stop being friends with him." Percy said dryly.
Melody scowled. "You're stubborn!" She sighed. "Look, Percy, I know you don't like being friends with a lot of people, but I need to do this. And I can't let you get in the way."
Percy didn't want it to change. His lip trembled. "No."
"Percy!" Melody exclaimed. "You're just as bad as Brayden! 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 Brayden was being a jerk. Or if Melody was being the mean one.
... or if it was Percy himself.
Percy sat by himself, underneath his favourite 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 friends from her dancing group. Percy ignored them. He burrowed his face in his book. Books were better friends than humans. Unlike homo sapiens they were loyal to the end.
"Hey, dweeb!" a voice mocked.
Percy looked up. It was those bullies.
"What do you want?" Percy asked.
"Where's your girlfriend?" the biggest boy asked.
"My best friend is not here right now." Percy replied.
He picked up his books.
"Where do you think you're going?" the bullies asked.
Their voices sounded dangerous. 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 said, taking a deep breath.
"It's his diary!" the bullies laughed.
The biggest boy held the diary high in the air. "You want it back, don'tcha', dweeb?"
The bullies laughed.
Percy flinched. He hated it when people touched his book. It was strange, but... he had an emotional attachment to it. It was hard to let it go.
"Hey," a voice interrupted them.
It belonged to a girl with long, brown hair and intense, yellow eyes. She was wearing a cowboy hat, and had a mock-cowboy accent.
"Leave him alone, ya vermin," she growled.
"Oh dude, it's her." a boy whispered, shivering. The biggest boy glared at her.
"You win this round, Clover," he growled. He eyed his group. "Come on."
The others followed him. Percy sat against the tree, taking a deep breath. He eyed the girl.
"You okay, pardner?" the girl asked, raising her brow.
She held out a hand. Percy felt his cheeks burning. She was so...
"I darn hate those guys," she spat. "Hope they weren't being too mean to ya."
"I'm fine," Percy replied, fanning his face. "Your name's Clover, right?"
"Spot on," Clover replied, grinning. "And you're Percy, Melody Trust's friend?"
"... I guess," Percy replied. He adjusted his glasses. "She's friends with this boy named Brayden Valiance now."
"That's the orange kid, right?" Clover asked. Percy nodded. "Dang, that must suck for him. Hey, isn't that Melody?"
Percy turned around. Melody was running towards him.
"Percy, oh my goodness!" she exclaimed, sweat-beading. "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..."
She 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, frowning. "But it's also a stupid one. We're friends again I think."
"I think too." Percy said, eyeing her. She smiled.
"HEY!" Brayden ran over. "NERD BOY! Those losers were picking on you! I HATE THOSE GUYS!" He eyed Clover. "Your name's Corn or something like that, right?"
"Clover." Clover told him. "Howdy. And you're Brayden Valiance."
"YEAH!" Brayden yelled. He punched the air. "THAT WAS AWESOME, CLOVER! YOU OWNED THOSE LOSERS!"
"Thanks, pardner." Clover replied, folding her arms.
"Did you make some new friends, sis?" another boy came over.
He had the same skin and hair colour as Clover. He also had green eyes and short, spiky 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 replied, smiling. "I can show you... Brayden...?"
Brayden nodded.
"Nice, bro," Clover grinned.
The two 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 said.
He wasn't a group fan but he kind of liked these new people. Especially Clover. Things went a bit awkward for a moment.
"I like your hair," Clover told him, tipping her hat.
Percy blushed. Why did his heart beat so fast around her?
"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 finally asked.
"What the heck is anime?" Clover asked, making a face.
Percy almost grinned. "We have much to discuss."
Percy felt so angry. Only now did he miss his and Clover's friendship. She was right. What if Chara did do something to him? He didn't want to lose more friendships. Friendship was much more important than he thought.
Why did I have to be so selfish?! he screamed at himself.
He paused. He could see it now. It was so obvious.
I'm absolutely clueless, he thought. I don't know anything at all.
Percy had a strange dream. It was in Waterfall. Sans was hanging around the Garbage Dump, nearby the entrance of Undyne's house. He was sighing, observing his bony palms.
"Howdy," a squeaky voice popped up nearby him. It belonged to Flowey. The flower appeared in front of Sans, smiling. "Smiley trash bag."
"you," Sans growled. "are you looking for another bad time?"
"As much as I would like that..." Flowey chuckled. "I have a deal for you, smiley trash bag."
Sans raised his brow. "why would i make a deal with you?"
"Because it's very important," Flowey replied, smirking. "It'll save everyone."
"how so?" Sans asked, scowling.
"Hee hee hee," Flowey giggled. "Well, you see... it's about those stupid humans."
The dream changed. Two children who looked like each other were standing around. One of them seemed to be the eighth human and the other... Percy presumed that was Chara.
Chara was scowling. "How much are you going to hide, fool?" They took a step towards the eighth human. "You will not be able to hide me forever. I will intervene. I will return no matter what you do."
The eighth human turned around, holding out a knife. They approached Chara.
"Violence is your response?" Chara asked. "You are a fool. You will loose control of yourself."
The eighth human brought down the sword. Chara disappeared. The dream began to melt away like chocolate, disappearing from existence. Percy stepped back. He was quivering...
Percy woke up. He placed a hand over his forehead. He removed his glasses, just for a moment. He didn't even realize they were fixed. His brow was covered in sweat. He took a deep breath. His friends were eyeing him.
"Guys," Percy said. "I think we're in a for a bad time..."