Frank
Frank barely focused on the movie they were watching. They decided to have a Disney movie marathon. Besides, the only person who seems like he enjoyed the movie 'Frozen' is Leo - considering that he sings along with every song in the movie.
Frank's mind is filled with many things: Canada, Mr. Brunner's request, Hazel, Percy's predicent, and, especially, his mom.
Frank missed Canada - their family mansion, his select friends, Lynn Canyon Park, and Canada, generally. There were lots of good elements in Canada that Frank don't even know what he misses. The only reason why they had to move here was because of his grandmother. Lately, her health was slowly getting worse and the doctor advised to stay away from stressful situation so they decided to moved to this island, which has cleaner and fresher air, and less stressful atmosphere, surprisingly.
'Well, if grandmother's health was slowly getting worse because of stress, shouldn't she stay away from me instead?' Frank thought before shaking his head. 'Bad thought, Frank'
Frank was also worried about Mr. Brunner's request. Mr. Brunner personally asked him about this request, which shocked him knowing that most of the islanders are aware of his clumsiness and awkwardness. Out of courtesy, he immediately said yes, which he later regretted. Like what Leo pointed out earlier, he never had great experience with kids. When he was young, he was bullied due to his race and physical appearance - chubby asian kid with a baby face - which resulted to his select few friends and insecurities. Maybe it was a good thing his grandmother hired a personal trainer few years back. Piper or Annabeth could have been a better candidate for this request but after knowing the other two requests, he begrudgingly accepted his fate. He doesn't personally know this Rachel person, which could result to some awkward situation. More importantly, he don't even know how to set up a date for Nico - well, he don't know how to set up a date, period - which points to another thing in his mind, Hazel.
Frank admits that he has a slight romantic attraction for Hazel - the way she fans her face when she gets embarrased, her cute laugh which makes him smile, her rich cocoa skin that completely complements her mysterious almost-golden eyes that always put him on a trance whenever their eyes meet, and her sweetness. Gosh, he swears that Hazel was Aphrodite in disguise. However, he didn't know where to get his courage to ask her out - his insecuties were always in the way.
'What if Hazel doesn't like me back?'
'What if Hazel thinks that I am a pathetic person?'
'What if Hazel only wants us to be friends?'
More importanly, 'What if Hazel likes another person, instead of me?'
Frank shook his head, reminding himself that Hazel is a sweet and honest person - that no matter what her answers would be, he would accept them, even though he knew he would feel pain and sadness if he would be rejected. Besides, he thinks that they were even too young to date. Should they be really dating at 15?*
Frank also can't help about what he and Jason saw earlier at Percy's room. Albeit faint, he saw bruises on his left side and his right arm. Well, he knew what bruises look all too well - he also received them from some of his bullies back in Canada, though not as big as Percy's. Based on his experience, he can only think of three things. First, Percy could also be a klutz. These bruises might be caused by one of his klutzy episodes - maybe he tripped and fell of a flight of stairs, or something. Second, Percy might also have bullies back at his old school. Bullies aren't that uncommon. However, Frank highly doubts this theory. Percy looks like someone who can fight for himself. But what can he say, as what the saying goes, 'Never judge a book by its cover'. Last but not the least, Percy might have abusive parents. Frank noticed the lackness of a father-figure to the Jackson family when they first arrived, which means that the Jackson family is also a broken family - just like almost every family on this island. Frank never wanted to ask Percy nor Sally about this matter. He can't ask if Mr. Jackson was either dead, missing, or if he left them for good. He's not in the position to ask knowing that even he don't know about his father's whereabouts which leads to one thing that occupies his mind the most, his mom and her situation in Afghanistan.
It has been a week since Frank last received a message from his mom. He couldn't help but think for worst case scenarios why his mom can't contact him, and he felt sick just by the mere thought of it. He never wanted her mom to go back to service but she told him her reasons why she wanted to go - she wanted to help her former colleagues - American and Canadian soldeirs - fight this war, and she also wanted to see if his father is still in service. His father was an American soldier, afterall.
Frank was pulled from his thoughts when he heard a shrill scream from Piper.
"I told you not to touch anything! Now look at what you've done!" Piper grabbed Leo's covered-in-sunburn-ointment arms.
"I didn't do anything! I'm just singing along with Olaf!" Leo tried to pull away from Piper's grip.
"Who's Olaf?" Hazel asked.
"Olaf's the living snowman" Annabeth answered.
"I thought Olaf's the reindeer" Percy frowned.
"The reindeer's Sven, and if you'll ask, the blonde guy is Kristoff" Annabeth yawned.
"I thought the blonde guy's name is Anna" Leo frowned.
"Now, that's stupid. I'm pretty sure 'Anna' is a feminine name" Piper huffed.
"Well, I think that 'Anna' is a neutral name. I'll name my son 'Anna' just to prove my point" Leo exclaimed.
"Oh gods. Bless the woman who'll bear your child" Jason sighed.
"Well, from the looks of it, I think this movie viewing is a bust. Anyone hungry?" Sally asked.
'Yes' echoed throughout the room.
"But you've already ate every snack I've prepared beforehand" Sally frowned.
Various sounds of protest rang in the room.
"Unless Piper lets me use their kitchen" Sally's voice perked up.
"Yes! You're free to use their kitchen, right, Piper?" Leo answered.
"You're in no position to answer for me, goblin! But yes, Sally, you may use our kitchen. It's the room to the left at the end of the hall" Piper smiled.
"Thank you, sweetie. Frank, Jason, can you accompany me? I might need some help, afterall" Sally called.
Frank's ears perked up. He's pretty sure that preparing snacks is not a tedious task. He understands if Sally asked for one person - but for two, that was suspicious.
"No problem, Sally. Come on, Frank, helping Sally is much more fun than hearing Piper and Leo bicker" Jason grinned.
"I heard that, Grace!" Leo and Piper chorused.
Frank threw his suspicion at the back of his mind. Besides, Jason's offer is difficult to turn down.
-X-
Frank shouted an apology as he added more sugar to what Sally instructed, which Sally simply brushed off, telling him that a few adjustments would fix the problem.
They were currently preparing a batch of blue cookies as snacks for their group. Apparently, Sally found blue food coloring at one of the shelves. Frank had no idea why the McLean's have blue coloring at their shelves.
"You once mentioned that the reason why you make these cookies blue was because of an inside joke. May I ask the specific reason why?" Jason asked out of the blue.[1]
Frank raised an eyebrow. He had to admit, he was also curious about that matter.
"Actually, that was the reason why I asked both of you to come with me" Sally sighed, as she set the first batch of cookies in the oven.
"I don't understand" Frank admitted.
"Annabeth told me that she knew you two saw something back in Percy's room" Sally kept her gaze on the oven.
Frank froze. He watched enough drama series - well, his grandmother watched intently while he was never really cared - to know where this is going.
"You mean Percy's bruises?" Jason wondered.
Sally nodded. "The reason why Percy and I decided to dye these cookies blue was because of his school bully [2]. Back at his former school, he was beaten by his bullies. I just found out about two weeks ago. He did a pretty good job of concealing his bruises. Anyways, one of his bullies told him that blue food never exists, so we decided to prove him wrong" Sally chuckled.
"So the reason why these cookies are blue were because of some bullies?" Jason iterated.
"But wouldn't he be reminded of his bruises since they're blue? You know, how bruises look kind of black and blue" Frank asked innocently.
"Frank, they're different shades of blue. These cookies are on the lighter shade than those of bruises" Jason argued.
"You sound like Annabeth" Frank shrugged.
"We're getting off topic, boys" Sally called their attention. "Now, that you know why these cookies are blue and why Percy has bruises, I want you to swear on the River Styx not to tell anyone without either Percy's or my permission"
"I swear on the River Styx that I won't tell Percy's and Sally's secret without their permission" Frank and Jason chorused.
"Good. Now, let's wait for these cookies to cook" Sally removed the apron she borrowed from Piper.
"The agony of waiting commences" Jason groaned.
The only thing Frank could do was to nod in agreement.
-X-
Few agonizing minutes later and the cookies were finally done.
"Jason, would you grab a plate for me? Thanks, sweetie" Sally smiled.
"What can I do for you, Sally?" Frank asked.
"Could you wash the utensils we used? Thank you" Sally smiled once again as she set the cookies on the plate that Jason grabbed.
Frank gulped. Washing dishes meant slippery soap and glass bowls, and when added with his clumsiness could result to a disaster.
But he doesn't want to disappoint Sally so he agreed, albeit reluctantly. So he did what he thought was the safest way - to take it slow.
Frank started with the used non-fragile utensils like the spatula and whisk. Slowly but surely, he succeeded on the first half.
Which meant proceeding to the next half - the painstaking washing of fragile utensils, specifically, the mixing bowl.
Frank started with the smaller bowls, which he almost completed in perfection - if his almost slip up doesn't count.
Frank watched what's left of the utensils - the largest mixing bowl made up of glass. He grabbed the mixing bowl and started to soap it with a sponge when the expected happened.
"I'm sorry!" Frank shouted as he watched, in slow motion, the glass mixing bowl slip from his hands before it shattered into thousand pieces.
Frank was sure his shout echoed throughout the entire house even before the mixing bowl shattered on the floor.
-X-
"I'm really sorry, Piper" Frank apologized.
"For the nth time, Frank, I said it was fine. No need to fret over things that minor" Piper sighed as she picked up the tiny glass shards together with Frank, Jason, and Sally.
"Piper's right, Frankie. Your apologies won't mend those broken glass shards. The best way to apologize is to replace what you've broken" Leo said as he watched their group clean up the mess.
"You're not helping, Leo. Besides, I'm quite sure he never intended to break the bowl, right, Frank?" Hazel slightly frowned at Leo's comment. Frank's face flushed knowing that Hazel is defending him.
"Uh, of course" Frank sheepishly replied, his eyes set on the tiny pieces of glass he was currently picking.
"Just forget about it. The more you dwell in your problems, the more stress you get" Annabeth commented.
"I think the more people cleaning up this mess, the faster we can start eating these cookies" Percy grins as he ran to his mom's side, helping her pick up the broken shards.
"I'll get the vacuum. Wanna join, Annabeth?" Hazel asked as she jumped from her seat.
"Sure. No problem. Hey, Leo! I just want to inform you that I know how many cookies there are on that table" Annabeth jested.
"The vacuum's at the storage room down at the basement, I think" Piper said without looking at either Annabeth or Hazel.
Frank opened his mouth but before he could say a word, Piper glared at him.
"If I hear a 'Thank you' or another apology from you, I swear I'm gonna push you off a cliff whenever I get the chance" Piper scowled.
So Frank did the best thing to do in this situation - shut up and nod.
"Well, to help relieve your stress, I'm going to entertain you. Don't worry, people. It's free of charge but only just for today" Leo grinned before he started to sing one of those songs from 'Frozen' about love and doors. Leo's notes, in Frank's opinion, is off-key.
"SHUT UP!" Piper screamed. Her scream is not befitting at lady, at all.
-X-
After tidying up the kitchen, their group started to feast up on Sally's blue cookies.
"Where have you been these past 15 years?" Leo looked adoringly at the cookie he was currently holding, before dunking it into a glass of milk.
"I'll have to agree with Leo. Even though we had them already for quite a few times, I still can't get enough" Jason licked his fingers off of any crumbs.
"I think you could make a living with these, Sally. Imagine, 'Sally Jackson's Azure Confections'. A confectionery with only blue confections" Piper grinned as she grab a cookie. Annabeth nodded eagerly.
"That would be a great idea but it has been years since I last baked anything other than these cookies" Sally frowned slightly.
"Don't worry, mom! I'm sure whatever you bake would turn out perfect" Percy grinned. "Besides, I'm sure Jason and Leo would be your first loyal customers"
"Count me in!" Hazel clapped her hands in delight.
"Count me in, as well" Annabeth, Frank, and Piper chorused.
"Such supportive guys, you are. I've decided. I'll start a home-based business, for now. But before we start, I need some taste testers. Who would like to volunteer?" Sally asked.
Immediately, All hands went in the air.
"Perfect! We'll begin by Wednesday, if that's all right. We'll be meeting at our house, 4 PM sharp, am I clear?[3]" Sally asked.
Everyone nodded their head.
"Good and thanks in advance, you children. I really appreciate your help"
"Pleasure to help you. Sally!" Their group chorused.
-X-
Author's Note: Some might ask me to write chapter in Leo's, Hazel's, and Jason's point of view. I would like to apologize in advance but if I would do so, I might not give them justice. But if you insist, I'll try to write at least one chapter from their POV then you'll tell me if I gave them justice or not.
[1] You saw the pun? LOL!
[2] Reread previous chapter if you're confused.
[3] Current timeline is about the last week of June, in which according to good ol' Google, is when Summer hits New York. I'm not from the USA so bear with me. Also, the Academic Calendar of the USA is from August to early June. Correct me if I'm wrong guys.