Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

A/N: if anyone has ever read 'Unimaginable Pain' the character of Drew's father is different.

Chapter 8: Drew Tanaka

The little girl stared up ahead in mock fascination and frustration. She watched as letters turned to distorted lines- weird squiggly shapes that other people claimed to be something called 'words.'

They were obviously lying. Her lips curled down in a frown as she stared at the other kids shouting out the answer as they played Hangman. The letters of the alphabet were belted out by egoistical kids who thought they were all that.

However the teacher ignored the shouting- as if the ruckus didn't get on her nerves- and sent a genuine smile to her.

"Drew?" the teacher called out with her simpering voice.

All the other conversations stopped as if a taboo was spoken. They were curious to hear about the student who never spoke.

"Would you like to have a go?" the teacher asked.

Peer pressure. Drew could feel it close in on her as she spotted other students whispering to each other. Words like 'bastard' and 'stupid' were passed around as if a twisted game of Telephone.

"Of course," the teacher backtracked rather evilly. "You don't have to."

But she did have to, because the others were jeering at her silently, and she hated it. She wanted it to stop.

So she did.

In somewhat broken English, her whisper carried across the room, as if an echo. "Stop."

The teacher started to smile, because finally they were making progress with speaking. "What was that Drew? I didn't hear you-"

"Stop," she spoke again, finally taking on a forceful, yet enchanting tone.

The nasty whispers stopped abruptly. Everyone was staring at her, as if awaiting more commands. She didn't know what to say. Even the teacher was looking at her- head tilted in such a way it made her look like a dog awaiting orders.

A sudden screech of the bell startled them all. Students packed up their bags and rushed out the door as if nothing had happened. The teacher shook her head slightly, looking dazed before making a shooing gesture to Drew.

"Well go on then, Drew," the teacher spoke. "Time for you to go home now."

Her own movements were rather robotic as she packed up her bag, crumpling all excess paper to the bottom as she rushed out the door, her shiny black hair glistening as she ran.

Her father met her by the front gate, car keys jingling in a Christmas-y tune. He stared at her as she pretty much charged at him; unintentionally head butting him in the gut.

Taking the pain like a real man, he straightened up. "Anything wrong?"

Drew nodded her head, some tears leaking out of her eyes. She could feel herself being pulled in a comforting hug, for the familiar scent of her father's perfume wafted up in her nose. As if a drug, she calmed down slightly.

Mr. Tanaka lifted her up as if she was his bride and plopped her down on the booster seat, buckling her seatbelt. "Let's get you home."

She nodded again (Bobblehead Drew) and rested her head on the window.

"Were the kids being mean again?" Mr. Tanaka asked, his gaze inquiring as he stared at his daughter.

She didn't stare back, instead choosing to stare at the ground. Hesitantly, she nodded.

"What did they do this time?"

For a while, she didn't answer.

"Drew?" He prompted.

"They called me a bastard." Her hands intertwined nervously as she spoke. "What is a bastard...?"

The awkwardness settled in the car rudely, barging in without hesitation. Mr. Tanaka looked uneasy. "It's uh..."

She stared at him expectantly, the only sound in the car being the engines chortling.

"It's when a child is born to two people who haven't married," he explained as nicely as possible.

"But you always said okaasan will be coming back."

"I thought that too."

"What happened?"

"She's gone. Off to do her duties. Off to another man."

The conversation was uncomfortable and short. Drew shrunk back in her chair, her eyes narrowing. True love does not exist, she thought firmly to herself, a nonexistent cold chain wrapping itself around her heart. They are all lies.

The rest of the ride home was silent.

A/N: Even though I was on a hiatus, I'm sorry for the almost-a-year-gone update (and any probable OOCness.) I actually kind of forgot about the story... But hopefully, now since I remember it again, I'll update more. (Also, Happy Early New Year!) Thanks for all the continuous support!

haley giggles (Guest): That would be a great idea if I actually had read the Heroes of Olympus series... The only reason I did Drew was because I saw her around several of the stories, so I sort of acquired her character.