Chapter Two: Big Socks Made Grover Nervous.
{{Heather's P.O.V.}}
The crazy weather continued, though. One night, a thunderstorm blew out the windows in someone's dorm and it was like a tornado came in my room. You hear me? Once I woke up, my dorm was so messy. The only thing not messed up was me and my bed. All my school supplies that were on my study table was tattered, I found my bag outside the window, hanging loosely on one of the branches, the door of my cabinet was broken and thankfully, all my clothes were in tip-top shape – meaning, all of my clothes were okay. The only weird thing is, the messed up part of my and Anna's dorm was only my side.
A few days later, the biggest tornado ever spotted in the Hudson Valley touched down only 50 miles away from Yancy Academy. One of the current events we studied in social studies class was the unusual number of small planes that had gone down in sudden squalls in the Atlantic that year.
Nothing much has changed, Nancy Bobofit and her posies were still irritating, my grades are still average or high, and those 'hatred' that the teachers had for me suddenly vanished ever since the incident; but for Mr. Nicoll, our English teacher, hasn't.
Well... Let me tell you an awesome story here. Mr. Nicoll asked Percy why he was lazy, so Percy called him an old sot. I don't think it was a good enough insult, mostly because it meant 'habitual drunkard.' Mr. Nicoll was fuming, so technically, I defended Percy. I called Mr. Nicoll an 'abominable twat' and got sent to the headmaster's office because of using 'inappropriate words.'
Hey, don't go all lovey dovey there, because I defended him because of a good reason. He was the only one who remembers Mrs. Dodds, who witnessed what happened alongside me. Plus, it's my way of saying 'sorry' because, after the incident, I blew him off; ignored him even if he tried to make conversation with me. Afterwards, I felt guilty, of course.
I only ignored him because I wanted to forget that Mrs. Dodds existed. I wanted to live a normal life. I didn't want to remember how we almost got killed by our pre-algebra teacher. But things with the word 'normal' don't really work out for me.
And of course, you wouldn't believe what happened next. The headmaster sent my dad a letter saying I would not be invited next year to Yancy Academy. Not like I'm going to attend here next year, anyway, headmaster and Mr. Nicoll, I hope you rot in Underworld. If it existed though, I'm sure those two incisive things that rhymes with witches will fit in perfectly.
Well, I'm mean. Mess with me; I'll mess with you, in a not-so violent way. I'm more of an exchange of foul invective words or comebacks kind of girl. But sometimes, violence works too.
However, I don't want to go back home. Sure, I'll be with my dad, in a big mansion, all alone... Actually, my step-sister and Marylin (you'll know more about Marylin later) are there so, I'm not technically alone. It was a proven fact that I hated going home, mainly because I'm always alone with nothing to do – well except... yeah, nothing at all, but that's besides the point.
I'll miss Anna so much. She was the only one who was there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. And she believed everything I told her. But I think she thinks I'm crazy now, but that's not really relevant for me. And surprisingly, I'm going to miss Mr. Brunner too.
Exams are near. I tried to study Algebra for the first time, but the equations are always flying out like they're drunk. English is a big no-no. So far, the only subject I studied for was Latin. I needed to show Mr. Brunner that I did try my best. But sometimes, I still think my best isn't good enough. Oh well, I still try.
After hours of ranting, deciding who I'll miss most of all and complaining how dyslexia is a noob while staring at the ceiling, my eyelids started to feel heavy and then, with a snap of my fingers, I fell asleep.
{{Percy's P.O.V.}}
As exam week got closer, Latin was the only test I studied for. I hadn't forgotten what Mr. Brunner had told me about this subject being life-and-death for me. I wasn't sure why, but I started to believe him.
I threw the book: Cambridge Guide to Greek Mythology across my dorm room. There was no way I was going to remember the difference between Charon and Chiron or Polydictes and Polydeuces. And conjugating those Latin verbs? Forget it. It's so hard to read, nonetheless memorize, because I'm dyslexic. It might even take me weeks to memorize this, even a month. I'd rather procrastinate than do this, because I know I'm hopeless when it comes to these things.
Sighing, I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Then I thought of something. I kind of imagined a light bulb will pop up above my head like in those cartoons, somethimes I really do wish I wasn't living in real life. Back to the idea; can ask Heather about it. I mean, she is the top of the class; in Latin anyway. She might be asleep right now, considering it's late though. I frowned at that thought as I heaved a sigh.
Why has she been trying to avoid me though? Ever since the incident, she's been acting like Mrs. Dodds never existed. Like everything we witnessed never happened. Like I never existed.
I tried to talk to her the day after the incident – you know, the one with Mrs. Dodds turning into a bat monster thing – but she just turned away; her curly brunette hair, waving as she did so.
You would think of her as a Latina girl, but her pale skin ruined it. Her beautiful chocolate brown eyes – wait, what am I thinking? I sighed as I shook my head. Maybe it was because of that gold dust. Yeah! Maybe it messed with my head. Yeah, that works. And maybe that happened to her too, kinda. I don't really know what I'm talking about. I mostly procrastinate because of my ADHD. But then, what Mr. Brunner said about Heather and I echoed inside my head.
Mr. Brunner's words. The words that made me think that I wasn't trying my best. That I was stupid. 'I will accept only the best from the both of you, Percy Jackson, Heather McCarter.' It disappointed me that he's disappointed in me. I'm not really sure if that made sense, but it'll work.
I understand why he wanted Heather to try her best. She's the top of the class, why wouldn't he expect so much from her? But I don't understand why he wanted me to try my best. Well, I am one of his best students. And– Ugh, Percy, what are you thinking? What I'm doing right now is seriously making me have a headache. I think my mind will explode any minute from now, but that didn't matter at the moment.
Sighing, I stood up and picked up my mythology book. I have never, ever, asked a teacher for help before. Maybe Mr. Brunner can at least give me some pointers. And at least apologize for the big, fat F I was about to score in his test. I don't want to leave this school with him thinking I didn't try hard enough; that I didn't do my best. I want him to remember that I'm the boy who did his best.
I walked downstairs to the faculty offices. Most All of them were closed; dark and empty, but Mr. Brunner's door was ajar, light from his window stretching across the dark hallway floor.
I was three steps away, three steps, I tell you. But I heard voices inside the office. Mr. Brunner asked a question - a question that I couldn't quite hear. Then I heard Grover's voice, causing me to come into an abrupt stop. Grover's voice?
"... worried about Heather, sir; especially Percy."
Not really a fan of eavesdropping here, but I dare you to try not listening if you hear your own best friend talking about you and another student to a teacher. Hm? Yeah, I didn't think so either.
"... alone this summer," I heard Grover say. "I mean, a Kindly One in the school! Now that we know for sure, and they know too –"
"We would only make matters worse by rushing them," I heard Mr. Brunner reply. "We need them to mature."
"But they may not have time. The summer solstice deadline –" Grover argued but got cut off by Mr. Brunner.
"Will have to be resolved without them, Grover. Let them enjoy their ignorance while they still can."
"Sir, he saw her, she saw her, they –"
"I get it, Grover. They'll think it's just their imagination," Mr. Brunner insisted. "The Mist over the students and staff will be enough to convince them that."
"Sir, I... I can't fail my duties again." Grover choked, like he was going to cry. "You know what that would mean."
"You haven't failed, Grover," Mr. Brunner comforted. "I should have seen her for what she was. Now let's just worry about keeping Percy and Heather alive until next fall –"
My eyes widen. I was shocked. So shocked, I dropped my mythology book and hit the floor with a thud, and the worst thing is, it echoed. Mr. Brunner went silent. Think, Percy, think! I picked up the book carefully; my heart pounding like a guy who's being chased by a dog as I backed down the hall.
A shadow slid across the lightened glass of Brunner's office door, the shadow was tall; taller than Grover and much taller than my wheelchair-bound teacher, holding something that looked like suspiciously like an archer's bow. I opened the nearest door and slipped inside.
A few seconds later, I heard a slow clop-clop-clop, like muffled... wood blocks? And then a sound of an animal snuffling right outside my door. I squeezed my eyes shut as a bead of sweat trickled down my neck.
"Nothing," Mr. Brunner murmured. "My nerves haven't been right since the winter solstice."
"Mine neither... But I could have sworn..."
"Go back to the dorm," Mr. Brunner told him. "You've got a long day of exams tomorrow."
"Don't remind me." Grover groaned. The lights went out in Mr. Brunner's office. I waited in the dark for what seemed like forever.
Finally seeing the lights in Mr. Brunner's office flicker off, I slipped into the hallway and made my way back up to the dorm. Grover was lying on his bed, studying like he's been here all night.
"Hey," he greeted, bleary-eyed. "Are you going to be ready for this test?" I just stayed quiet, not sure what to say after hearing what Mr. Brunner said about keeping me and Heather alive until next fall. "You look awful." he stated, frowning as he observed me. "Is everything okay?"
"Just... tired." I lied as I turned away from him and started getting ready for bed. I didn't understand what I had heard downstairs. But one thing was clear: Grover and Mr. Brunner were talking about Heather and me behind our backs.
They thought Heather, especially me, were in danger.
{{Heather's P.O.V.}}
Number 30: What is a centaur? But to me it spelled like: Rebnum 03: Tahw si a rautnec? Huh. This is an easy question. A centaur is a member of a composite race of creatures, part human and part horse. I smiled at my finished work. I know I misspelled a few things – okay a lot, it's not really my fault I have dyslexia – but I do know I did my best.
I stood up, Percy standing up at the same time as me. I could hear Nancy Stupidfit, yes, I said Stupidfit (Not really a good insult, so please keep reading.) say, "Oh look, the love birds. Oh, the coincidence."
Half of the class snickered as I rolled my eyes. The only positive thing about me leaving Yancy Academy – possibly forever – is that I won't see her stupid, spray-painted, face, ever again. I placed my test paper on Mr. Brunner's hardwood desk, and just as I was about to exit the classroom, Mr. Brunner called Percy and I back.
"Percy, Heather," he called, making me turn around but he hesitated to continue. "Don't be discouraged to leave Yancy. It's... it's for the best."
His tone was kind and sincere, but it irked me – embarrassed me too. If it was from another teacher, I wouldn't care, but coming from Mr. Brunner – who's like a second father to me, who I thought I would surely miss, who was my favorite teacher – it hurt me. And, even if he was speaking quietly, the other kids finishing the test could hear it. Every word he just said. Heck, Nancy smirked and even made sarcastic little kissing motions with her lips.
"Okay, sir." Percy mumbled. I could hear the sadness in his voice. Of course, why wouldn't you feel that way, if that was you? I mean, his favorite teacher is telling him it's for the best to leave Yancy. My favorite. The one who told me I was one of his favorites too.
"I mean..." Mr. Brunner wheeled his chair back and forth, as if he wasn't sure what to say next. "This isn't the right place for the both of you. It was only a matter of time."
My chest ached. It's like he's telling me I'm not trying my best. Like I was destined to get kicked out. He said he 'believed' in me. He said I was 'one of his favorite students.' Well, if he did and if I was, why was he saying this?
"O-oh..." I choked - the tears ready to perform waterworks.
"No, no," he comforted. Well, tried, at least. "Oh confound it all. What I'm trying to say is... you're not normal –"
I've been called a freak, useless, troublesome and even that 'not normal' bit. I've been used to it... a little bit, but coming from Mr. Brunner, it stung... a lot. He was my favorite, like I said for the billionth time. He was like a second father, better than my own father, to be quite honest.
With that, I ran out of the classroom, the steps I took echoing on the deserted hallway. I'm actually glad I'm leaving. If I don't, I'm sure kids would mock me, 'Oh look, it's the girl who's not normal.' No, I don't want that. I've been suffering from that since 1st grade.
"HEATHER!" Someone yelled as they ran. I stopped my tracks, quickly wiping the tears that were trickling down my face and turned around.
"Wh– oh, it's you." It came out harsher than I was going for. I quickly wiped some of my tears that were still trickling on my cheeks with my hands and quickly regained my posture, remembering that I was rude to him. "Oh, I mean– hey, Percy!" I greeted as I forced a smile. He smiled.
"You okay?" Oh yes, I'm okay. You have no idea how okay I am.
"Yeah. Just peachy. You?"
"Not really." he replied as we began walking. Let us cue the awkward silence here. I'm sure you all know how socially awkward I could be. But one of the main reasons why I'm acting this way is because I can't get what Mr. Brunner said out of my head.
"Um, I'm so sorry for blowing you off. I just needed time to think about the 'incident.'" I started, using air quotes as I looked on the floor. I could almost feel him smiling.
"It's okay, I understand." he insisted and I smiled. "Oh, hey, I gotta go pack."
"Wait," I stopped him just as he was about to run. I hugged him and surprisingly, he hugged back. "I'm so sorry, again." I slowly pulled back and smiled at him, scratching the back of my head. "And I'm sorry about the hug. What can I say? I'm a hugger."
"Oh, uh, it's okay." He stammered, walking backwards. "See you around." Just as he turned around, he slammed into one of the lockers, causing him to tumble down. I laughed slightly as I walked towards him and held my hand out. He gladly took it and stood up.
"Sorry about that…"
"It's okay." I insisted, laughing slightly. "Well, bye." And with that, I walked away. Leaving Percy, who was rubbing his forehead, mumbling, "Ow" every once and awhile.
Oh Percy.
"I saw what Mr. Brunner did there." Anna announces, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, while I was shoved my clothes and other stuff in my suitcase.
"Yeah, but the thing is; I don't really care." I replied as I shoved a shirt into my suitcase.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. What I'm trying to say is; I'll miss you so much, H. Where will I ever find another best friend like you?" she muttered as she came over to me and hugged me – almost squeezing me to death, if you ask me. I chuckled slightly and hugged her back. "Why did the headmaster expel you, anyway? I mean, you just defended your future husband – I mean Percy." she asked, but she just had to tease me. I could feel her grin teasingly. I just rolled my eyes and smacked the back of her head, causing her to wince.
"Promise me you'll send me a letter?" I asked her, pulling away from her hug. I know there are various of social networks out there, but in my house, I can't actually use gadgets, much less touch them. I live in a big house, but you can't really change the fact that my dad is strict when it comes to gadgets. The only gadget I can use are the ones used to play video games, not the one where you can actually communicate. I mostly read (even if it takes me weeks or months). I don't really go outside because I'm anti-social. That's it.
"I promise."
"Well, I have to go. Don't want to miss the bus, you know." I smiled at her.
"I can walk you to the terminal, you know." she mocked and walked to my side.
"As much as I would love for you to do that, no thank you. It would be harder for me to say goodbye. Seriously, I might miss my bus because I won't be able to let you go if you give me another goodbye hug," I joked. "Plus, you've got to pack." I added, gesturing her messy bed full of clothes and accessories. Sure, she's a bookworm and smart too, but that doesn't mean she's not into fashion. She's not much of an organizer though.
I gave her one last hug. What a short goodbye... But it was one of the saddest goodbyes I have ever had in my entire existence.
I started walking out my dorm. I glanced back at her and waved. She smiled and waved back. I sighed and continued to walk to Greyhound bus terminal.
I entered the bus. The bus was full. Seriously, it's full. There were like, 3 seats left. One next to a snoring guy, um- and he fell on the vacant chair. There's another one next to an old lad- she put her cat down on the chair and fell asleep. Seriously? Wow, what a great day this has been.
"Hey, kid! I'm about to drive, please sit down, immediately." the driver said, rather harshly, if I may say so myself. I groaned.
"Not really my fault most of your passengers are selfish and have no manners whatsoever," I defended, rolling my eyes as I mumbled, "Including you."
"What did you say?"
"Oh nothing, nothing." I lied as I shook my head. The good side is, there's another seat available. Next to a guy with jet black hair that looks a lot like Percy's hair. Wait, Percy?
"Whatever," he said with his raspy voice. "Kid, just sit down already."
Rolling my eyes, I started walking down the aisle, coming to an abrupt stop as I saw Percy. Boy, was I right.
"Mind if I sit down?" I asked politely, cocking an eyebrow.
"Not at all." Percy replied, not looking up. He was procrastinating and focusing his attention to the seat in front of him. Almost like he was thinking of something deeply.
"Okay then..." I muttered as I awkwardly sat down. "Thanks."
Minutes have passed and the awkward silence developed in the atmosphere. I looked at my purple watch. And heck, not even a minute has passed. This awkward atmosphere is... awkward. So awkward, I'm getting uncomfortable. Awkward. Even more awkward, he hasn't noticed me, yet. Awkward. I'm a socially awkward person, and being the awkward person I am, I was getting uncomfortable with the awkward silence. Well, this is awkward.
"Looking for Kindly Ones?" Percy suddenly blurted out of the blue, but he wasn't talking to me, he was talking to Grover. Well, asking, but that's beside the point. I looked at the both of them, quirking an eyebrow. Kindly Ones?
Grover nearly jumped out of his seat, the blood draining out of his face. "Wha– what do you mean?"
Percy confessed about eavesdropping on his conversation with Mr. Brunner the night before the exam. I pursed my lips. Huh, that's weird. Why would a student have a conversation with a teacher in the middle of the night?
I observed Grover's expression. His right eye twitched. Eye twitching; if a person's eye twitched or the person cringed, etc., you'll figure out whether the person is lying or not. I'm so glad my friend when I was in 4th grade taught me this. Unfortunately, she was in the roller coaster accident – but this information is irrelevant at the moment
"How much did you hear?" Grover asked Percy, still shocked.
"Oh... not much," Percy trailed off then asked a question. "What's the summer solstice deadline?"
Grover winced. "Look, Percy... I was just worried about you and Heather, see? Hallucinating about demon math teachers..."
"Excuse me?" I suddenly interrupted. Grover looked at me and jumped, the blood draining out of his face once more. Percy looked at me in surprise, but the corners of his mouth formed into a small smile; like he was greeting me.
"Oh, H–hey, Heather." Grover stuttered, fidgeting with his fingers.
"Now where were we?" Percy reminded him, focusing his attention back to Grover, who just heaved a sigh and looked at his hands.
"And I was telling Mr. Brunner that maybe you were over-stressed or something, because there was no such person as Mrs. Dodds, and..."
"Grover, you're a really, really bad liar." Percy stated. I hummed in agreement as his ears turned pink. He grabbed something from his pocket. It was a grubby business card.
"Just take this okay? In case you need me this summer," he said, handing Percy a grubby business card. "You too, Heather." He handed me one. It was written in a fancy font. It took me about 2 minutes to decipher it. It's pretty weird that he's giving me a business card.
Grover Underwood
Keeper
Half-Blood Hill
Long Island New York
(800) 009-0009
"Hey, what's Half-Blood –?"
"Don't say it aloud, Heather!" he yelped, flinging his arms in the air; which, by the way, almost hit Percy's face. "That's my, um... summer address." Percy's expression immediately dropped.
"Okay," Percy replied glumly, although I could sense a hint of jealousy in his voice. "So, like, if I want to come visit your mansion."
He nodded. "Or... or if you need me."
"Why would I need you?" Percy asked, but it came out the wrong way, causing Grover to blush and look down.
"Excuse me." I stood up and started to make my way through the aisle.
"Where are you going?" Percy questioned, his attention flickering on me.
"Restroom." And with that said – I left. Their argument was audible, in my opinion. But I guess that didn't matter.
Just as I was about to hold the doorknob of the restroom, there was a huge grinding noise under our feet. Black smoke poured from the dashboard and the whole bus filled with a smell like rotten eggs. I gagged as I quickly fished out a handkerchief from my pocket and covered my nose with it.
After a few minutes, the driver announced that we'd all have to get off. No duh, Sherlock. Seriously, that driver's rude. I still can't get over the fact that he was rude to me a while ago.
I exited the bus. Once I got off the bus, I went to where Percy and Grover were, since standing with people I don't really know makes me feel... well... uncomfortable. Like I said, I am a very socially awkward person.
On our side of the highway, there was nothing but maple trees and lots of litters. On the other side, across four lanes of asphalt shimmering and shining with afternoon heat, was an old-fashioned fruit stand. Let me re-phrase that, an old-fashioned fruit stand with creepy ladies, knitting big socks. Call me names and all, but I think old ladies knitting really, really big socks are creepy if you ask me. The lady on the right knitted one of them. The lady on the left knitted the other. The lady in the middle held a big an enormous basket of electric-blue yarn.
They looked so pale wrinkled like fruit leather, silver hair tied back in white bandannas, bony arms sticking out of bleached cotton dresses. Call me crazy, but it's like their looking at our direction. I looked at Percy and met eyes with him. I shot him a questioning look but he just shrugged. The usual. He looked at Grover, which made me look at him too. He was pale and his nose was twitching. I didn't know if he was sniffing or not. Or is he just had a cold.
"Grover?" Percy called. "Hey, man –"
"Tell me they aren't looking at you. They are, aren't they?"
"Yeah. Weird, huh? You think those big socks would fit me?" Percy joked, causing me to chuckle.
"Not funny, Percy. Not funny at all." Grover said sternly with a serious look on his face. The old lady in the middle took out a huge scissors– gold and silver, long-bladed. It was pretty creepy. And I'm pretty sure it's a custom one because I've never seen that kind of scissors before. The only big scissors I've ever encountered was the one you use for gardening. "We're getting on the bus," Grover commanded, turning his attention back to us. "Come on."
"What? It's a thousand degrees in there." Percy interjected, cocking an eyebrow.
"Come on!" Percy and I stayed back. What was he worried about? I looked at Percy but he was looking at the old ladies, who were still acting as creepy as ever. They were looking at Percy, then at me, and then at Percy. The middle one cut the yarn, and I swear I could hear that snip across four lanes of traffic. I told you old ladies were creepy. Judge me, but I never liked old ladies who knit big socks – and considering this is my first time seeing those kind of old people, call me a girl who doesn't believe in love at first sight, but believes in hate at first sight.
I just stared at them for another moment, until the bus's engine roared back to life. Everyone cheered and hollered. But I couldn't really care less.
"Darn right!" the driver yelled as he slapped the bus with his hat. "Everybody back on board!" Everyone went in the bus, including Percy and I. The weird thing is, I felt like I was going to have a fever. I sat down on my original seat, and leaned on the chair. I needed to relax.
"Grover?" Percy called, looking at Grover. Although, Percy looked pale like me. Grover was just biting his fingernails nervously.
"Yeah?"
"What are you not telling us?"
"Percy, Heather, what did you see back at the fruit stand?" I looked at him and shot him a confused look.
"You mean the old ladies? What is it about them, man? They're not like... Mrs. Dodds are they?" I asked, my brown orbs burning on his forehead.
"Just tell me what you saw." he urged nervously, rubbing his temples.
"The middle one took out her scissors, and cut the yarn."
He closed his eyes and made a gesture with his fingers that might have been crossing himself, but it wasn't. It was something... older. Something he made himself, maybe?
"You guys saw her snip the cord?" He asked but it was more of a statement.
"Yeah. The weird thing is I heard it." I replied as Percy just nodded and hummed in agreement.
"This is not happening," Grover mumbled. He started chewing his thumb. "I don't want this to happen like the last time."
"What last time?" Percy asked before I opened my mouth.
"Always sixth grade, they never get past sixth."
"You're scaring me, Grover." I admitted, furrowing my eyebrows.
"Percy, Heather, let me walk you home from the bus station. Promise me."
"No thanks. My step-sister's picking me up." I told him. My step-sister, Belle. She's 18. She may look like a snobby person but she's pretty nice once you get to know her. Even though I have a step-sister, she only visits us three times a week, because she's busy with her career. But ever since dad told me he would 'spend time' with me, my sister said that too. It was sweet and fishy at the same time. Swishy.
Belle's mom divorced my dad when she [Belle] was 10 months, if you already forgot, because they had one simple disagreement. Dad and our loyal helper, Marylin – who was from Italy (she bakes marvelous pizza and makes amazing pasta) had been taking of her ever since. Even me, when I was born.
"Is this like a superstition or something?" Percy asked but Grover ignored him. "Grover– that snipping of the yarn. Does that mean somebody is going to die?" Grover, once again, didn't answer.
He looked at the both of us mournfully, like he was already picking the kind of flowers I'd like best on my coffin. I didn't like the way he looked at us. Not at all.