LEO'S POV

I closed the door from Piper's room after she kicked me out - and after I did her the oh so polite favor of waking her up! Now the only person still asleep was Peri. I thought she deserved the extra hour or so after everything that had happened yesterday.

I crossed the hall and rapped my knuckles on her door lightly. I heard no response, but entered anyway, chalking this up to the fact that she was probably asleep.

And if she wasn't asleep, then I might even walk in on her changing! I thought with a sly smirk.

I shook my head. Gods, I'm such a perv.

I stepped into the room gingerly.

Peri had only been in there for one night, but her scent already hung in the air.

Fruits and flowers.

Light filtered through the window on the far side of the room, momentarily blinding me. My eyes slowly trailed from the floor towards her bed. The covers were strewn to one side, but I didn't see her laying on the bed. Confused, I slowly made my way around the mattress.

And that's when I saw her.

Peri's sleeping form was lying upside down on the edge of the bed. She must let her hair loose when she sleeps, because it cascaded off the bed, spilling onto the hardwood floor like a golden waterfall. The light coming in from the window shined down on her, and her skin appeared to glow. Being upside down, her tank top had risen up slightly, exposing her belly button. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically, matching her soft snores.

I couldn't help but smile watching her. She looked so peaceful, and it made me want to. . . mess with her.

I grinned and silently dropped down to the floor.

To my surprise, she was talking in her sleep, and I quickly moved closer to hear what she was saying. Sadly, it wasn't any juicy gossip - I mean I don't think it was. Now that I was in earshot, I realized that she was dreaming in Japanese.

I moved to her ear. "English, please."

Her face scrunched up in her sleep. "Huh. . . ? Who dat?"

I smirked. "Santa Clause, who else?"

She furrowed her brow in sleep-confusion. "Santa. . . ? You're. . . early."

I shrugged. "Well you've been a good girl so far this year. And plus - fuck the rules, I'm Santa!"

She smiled dreamily. "Santa. . . you badass. . ."

"I try." I responded. "So what do you want for Half-Christmas?"

She pondered this for such a long time I thought she'd gone back to sleep - deep sleep. Then she spoke.

"I want. . . revenge."

I was thoroughly shocked by her response. "W-what?"

"Revenge," She repeated firmly. ". . . for Gram. . . "

I stared at her upside down features, speechless.

This girl. . . She had a story to tell. And I highly doubted that it had a very happy start. She never really spoke about her past. And when she did, she gave short, matter-of-fact responses. She never smiled when she spoke of her past. Peri was all about smiles. Smiles and laughter and everything happy. But I had a feeling deep inside me that something happened to her that wasn't all smiles and laughter.

She snored loudly all of a sudden, rattling me from my thoughts.

"Peri," I started, my tone now serious.

Her eyes shot open, and she gasped when she saw me. In surprise, she slipped from the bed and fell right on her head.

She collapsed in front of me, and her eyes met mine.

"L-Leo," she sputtered, grasping her head. I swear it looked like her cheeks were tinted the slightest shade of pink.

I glanced up at her head - Zeus knows this girl didn't need anymore brain damage than she already had. Before I could ask her if she was okay, she went off the deep end. No, she did an athletic freaking somersault off the deep end and won herself a medal.

"What are you - how did - why - get out!" She started slapping me all over my arm.

I put my hands up in defense. "Ow! Stop! I just came to wake you up! Chill out! Ouch, girl!"

"Get out!" she cried.

"Alright, fine!" I exclaimed, standing up. "Gods, just quit hitting me!"

I started making my way to the door, but apparently I wasn't moving fast enough for Your Highness, because a shoe was quite forcefully launched at the back of my head.

"Ow!" I yelped, grabbing onto the door handle. "Jesus!"

"Leave!"

I smirked. "Gods, you're such a bitch in the morning."

"Shut up!"

I shut the door quickly before anymore footwear could be sent my way.

Damn. . . Kicked out of two chicks' rooms, and it's not even 9AM yet.

PERI'S POV

I sunk to the floor and put my head in my hands. "Oh gods," I murmured.

Crap! I said the stupidest shit when I was sleeping! What if I told him I was checking him out when he got out the shower last night?! Not to mention the fact that I was probably drooling while I slept, too! How embarrassing!

The way he was looking at me. . . He probably thought I was a weirdo.

There was no way I could face him. I sighed. The only person on this whole giant warship who I could connect with the most, and he thought I was a creep.

I continued to grumble dejectedly as I brushed my hair.

The shopping bags Piper had given me were still lying forgotten by the door where I'd dropped them yesterday. I rifled through them hurriedly until I found something suitable to wear. I settled on a comfortable enough tan shirt with black shorts. Rummaging around I found some shiny Vans that matched well enough. And honestly, I didn't even know the shoes came in that color. It was ridiculous how much stuff this girl had.

I only thanked the gods we wore the same size or else I'd be in some real deep trouble.

I sighed and determined it was time for me to face the inevitable. I had to go upstairs with everyone. Everyone including Leo. My growling stomach egged me on, and I finally turned to leave the little room.

I figured I wouldn't be back in its warm clutches for a long while.

I was right.