Zoey and I walked along the grounds together, just talking about the scene we had witnessed. My goal was to keep Zoey distracted from just how horrible her mom and step-dad were. So, I ended up discussing the dream I had the night of Samhain. The long story short is that we both couldn't figure out what was trying to be told. Zoey, however, thought maybe we should discuss it with the rest of our friends. I knew she was right; I just didn't see how the others would be able to figure out the abstract nightmare that was my dream. However, Zoey had this confidence in her suggestion that it made me feel better about talking with our friends.
Even after our conversation, we ended up walking around the garden, Mrs. O'leary and Nala ended up running after each other; well, more accurately Nala Chased Mrs. O'leary. We came up to the fountain and stopped. It was a moment of peace between Zoey and me that wasn't in the stables. Which was a rare moment for us. Admittedly we got so preoccupied that we didn't even notice there were others in the courtyard, well until Zoey and I, unfortunately, heard a familiar tone being yelled.
"You are just one disappointment after another, Aphrodite!" A man yelled causing both Zoey and me to freeze.
Zoey and I looked at each other; staying near the fountain. We did however zone into the conversation we ended up overhearing. What can I say, the Twins wore off on us.
"It was bad enough that you being Marked meant you could no longer go to Chatham Hall," A women's voice said. It was as shrill as it was cold.
"I know, I said I was sorry," Aphrodite responded; her own voice shaking and meek.
After that Zoey and I looked at each other, I felt a pit grow in my stomach. This was just wrong. This conversation should be happening in private if it should at all. Not to mention that I had assumed that Aphrodite was just a typical spoiled brat. A brat that made others feel lower than her to make herself feel better. But that wasn't the case.
"Zoey, we should—" I started to say but her hand immediately covered my mouth as she caused us both to duck down out of sight. She looked me directly in the eyes. I knew that look. Annabeth had it whenever we eased dropped on decisions being made at camp. So I followed Zoey's lead like I followed Annabeth's.
She led me onto this path that kept us hidden but gave us a view to what was happening. Aphrodite was sitting like a child as her parents stood in front of her. Boy did I get a horrible feeling looking at her parents. Sure, they were good looking. Aphrodite's mom looked like an older, meaner version of Aphrodite. She had her arms crossed and looked like she'd actually cause harm towards her own daughter. Her father reminded me too much of a business version of Ares. He wore this expression that sent shivers down my spine and made me afraid for Aphrodite.
"Have you forgotten who your father is?" Her mother sneered at her. Her voice cold and harsh. Completely unlike my mom's, even when she was angry at me. "Have you forgotten that your father is the Mayor of Tulsa?"
"No, of course not Mother." Aphrodite responded. She was powerless and alone.
"Spinning a Decent slant on the fact you're becoming one of them instead of on the East Coast preparing for Harvard was difficult enough," Her mother continued her voice growing harsher with each word. I started to see old Smelly Gabe. "Now we learn you have learned that you are no longer the Leader of the Dark Daughters and a High Priestess in training. No better then the rest of the monsters at this wretched school." Mrs. Lafont paused standing taller making Aphrodite feel small. This was who she learned it from. "Your behavior is unacceptable."
"As usual you disappoint us and fail to uphold what being a Lafont means." Her father simply said his expression unreadable.
"You've already said that, Dad," Aphrodite said and I couldn't help but smile. There was defenses there. That was good. She just needs good support.
Before I could mention that to Zoey I watched as Mrs. LaFont raised her ringed hand quickly and brough it across Aphrodite's face. Then I watched as Aphrodite bowed her head putting a hand to her strike cheek. I felt my heart starting to race. All the times Gabe hit me running through my head. I blinked feeling tears forming and saw that Zoey looked at me with deep concern on my face. But there was understanding there too. She knew what I was thinking. Convincing the Nerd Herd will be hard.
"What are you going to do to get your position back?" Her father asked ignoring Aphrodite's distress.
"I can't do anything," Aphrodite said starting to explain. "I messed up, I messed up badly. The Daughters have a knew leader. Neferet is considering transferring me to a different House of Night."
"We already know that!" Her mother shouted and I completely hid from the scene. I slunk down, my chest felt like it was caving in on itself. That tone of voice just took me back to when I was alone with Gabe. Just the hostility and physical abuse. I wasn't taking it well. It didn't get much better when I heard Aphrodite stand up to her mother and father.
"It's not about me being on some kind of school restriction," Aphrodite said keeping her tone level, trying to reason with people who won't be reasoned with. "I messed up, really messed up. Neferet took that opportunity to hand the leadership to a girl who has powers stronger then mine—and deserves the spot more then I ever did. I certainly don't deserve it now or in the future."
I heard Zoey gasp and I desperately wished I had a way to record the conversation. Then I got a reckless idea, a stupid reckless idea. Good thing that those ideas were my specialties. Percy, time to put on an act. I was the transfer kid from New York. The kid who had a mom who was an author. I looked around and saw that Mrs. O'leary was looking at me. I stood up, told her to heal and I walked towards the conversation. As I walked closer to them I heard Zoey suck in her breath. I couldn't help but agree. But maybe I could them to leave Aphrodite alone, reach out to her. She had two Gabes here. The only difference is they weren't physically repulsive.
"Discredit this girl, cause her to make mistakes, have someone else be the person to tell Neferet. Then be more forthcoming with your visions. That will get your position back." I heard her father say and I slowed my steps getting more about her Visions.
"But you were the one to tell me to keep the visions to myself, that they were the source of my power." Aphrodite said and I felt my blood boil. I quickened myself.
"Excuse me?" I asked tilting my head which caused all three to jump with surprise and I smiled. I felt this weird feeling course through my body as I kept up this act. "I'm sorry for interrupting this family discussion but I couldn't help but overhear that you're the Mayor of Tulsa, is that correct Sir? I'm new to Oklahoma entirely. I'm a transfer from the NYC House of Night. Would you mind if I ask you questions about the town you run?"
I watched as my pleasant town and the sudden shock of being barged in on wash over Mr. Lafont and Mrs. Lafont. I also saw the relief wash over Aphrodite and didn't leave as she stared at me. She looked like she wanted to cry.
"Oh not at all young man, might I ask your name?" Mr. Lafont asked and I smiled standing up straighter.
"Percy Blofis, and yours is Charles Lafont yes? I think I heard your name on the local news? My mom always taught me that information comes best from the source." I said letting this feeling take over. I wasn't really thinking as I spoke. I just acted the part of an ignorant new kid. An oblivious harmless person. "I will say I am having a hard time navigating Tulsa verses NYC, I mean I was born and raised in NYC."
"Oh, I can certainly help with that Percy," Mr. Lafont said and a smile grew on his face. He then took out a pamphlet out of his suit jacket pocket as he started to explain the layout—and future layouts of Tulsa.
I sware it felt like 2hrs before Mrs. Lafont whispered something into Mr. Lafonts ear and that caused him to look at the time before he hastily told me good bye and they both left forgetting about Aphrodite. I checked my phone and only 20mins had past. I looked over to see a surprised and confused Aphrodite staring at me. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and I guided her to the bench one more and just sat next to her. Calling Mrs. O'leary to sit in front of us.
"Before I get into my bull shit, I need to be honest." I said not looking at Aphrodite but looking words were Zoey was hiding. "Zoey and I heard all that shit. I'm so glad kissing your dad's ass worked to drive him away. Zoey is still here."
Zoey then walked out and sat next to me as I looked at Aphrodite who wore this look of utter confusion. "Why are you being nice to me?" She asked and my heart sank. "I have been nothing but awful to you and your friends."
"Yeah, you've been a real Hag from Hell." Zoey said simply and Aphrodite narrowed her eyes before she just shook her head feeling defeated.
"Yeah, you're right. It's cost me everyone I thought were my friends." Aphrodite admitted and she looked past me to Zoey. "You're going to be a great High Priestess, you have good people behind you. Unlike me."
There was a heavy silence that washed over as Zoey and I processed the words I don't believe we ever thought we'd hear Aphrodite say. Especially to either Zoey and I. Now I know this seems weird. I do hate Aphrodite, I do not trust her. But I hate abusive parents more, and I think if she has a genuine friend, or friends she can be so much better. She's not a Luke. She's a Nico and I regret how I treated Nico. Yet before I could say anything to Aphrodite Zoey spoke up again.
"Your parents are genuinely awful people, and yet you still want to earn their affection. To have their approval. They aren't people you want to like you. You shouldn't want their approval." Zoey explained and I smiled at her realizing what she was doing. "When you start to make efforts to being a better person, Percy and I will be here to talk."
Zoey then stood up looking at me which was my que to stand up. I did and looked at Aphrodite who was looking at the ground. I took in a deep breath and shook my head. "I grew up in a camp with kids whose parents were awful. Some of them lashed out in horrible ways and couldn't turn there shit around. You're not one of those kids. You just need to put in the work."
Then Zoey and I walked away back to the dorms, with a sinking feeling in our stomachs and a new light shined on Aphrodite. A new light we were going to have to figure out to give to the rest of our friends.