Summary: He didn't want it to happen, it just did. Everything that meant something to him just left. Vanished. Disappeared. He threw everything meaningful aside. He ignored society, the community and his 'so-called-friends'. He ruined his own life, built up a mask to protect himself, to protect others. But he wasn't happy. Not at all.

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT OWN THE PERCY JACKSON AND/OR THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS CHARACTERS. I REPEAT! DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON OR THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS CHARACTERS! ALL THE CREDIT GOES TO RICK RIORDAN.

Harsh Words

He Who Was Tired

Percy wasn't having it. It was definitely not his day today: being picked to corner and beat up, partnering up with Annabeth, grouping with Annabeth again! Was it ruin-Percy's-life-yet-again day? He was sure that he already experienced the misery of that day already.

His last class didn't go swell either. Though swimming activities in gym lessons were considered his best, the people he was put with didn't brighten his day. Of course only the students with the best physical abilities attended the gym sessions – Paul thanked god for Percy's strength – and apparently Luke was considered to be one of the best.

Coach Gleeson Hedge, preferably called "Coach" or "Sir" (or "Gleeson" by Percy whenever he wanted to be in detention), was marching along the side of the pool in his white loafers and swimming trunks. Coach had a lot of chest hair, and by a lot, he had a lot. For a stocky man, he held himself well in his cap and whistle. People feared him and wouldn't want to get hit by the bat he mentioned in every lesson.

Luke, with one of his cronies, was discussing not very discretely about the size of the girls' chests again. Percy found it strange that the girls didn't shout at him or tell the teacher because surely if Percy voiced what he thought of their chests, they'd report it directly to the principal. It surprised Percy that not many of the girls feared him, mostly because they all hung and talked with Annabeth.

"Castellan!" Coach shouted above the voices of the students.

With a slight shake, Luke turned his head in the direction of Coach Hedge. An irritated expression displayed on his face. "What up, Coach?"

"I'd like you to come down and do thirty breaststrokes non-stop, for me." Coach replied.

"Pfft! Thirty? I can do fifty in my sleep." Luke bragged, though Percy doubted his statement.

When Luke took off his jacket, most of the girls gasped at his body. It wasn't new. They always did that and quite frankly, Percy believed that Luke paid them to do it. Luke wasn't all that great but neither was Percy. Sure, Luke had a bulging six pack and Percy's was faint, but Luke's don't fit him. It was like he was on steroids!

So, after all the ruckus cleared up, Coach instructed everyone to swim laps. He wasn't really a good teacher since the minute Percy slid into the deep end, Luke began to "playfully" drown him. His cronies were snickering and by the time Percy was losing oxygen, Luke had already pulled him up. Coach didn't even witness a thing, and if he did he didn't care. It wasn't all that bad, though. The waters were Percy's domain, not Luke's. And since Percy was a better swimmer, he got out of Luke's grasp and swam around trying not to get caught.

~O.O~

By the time swimming was over, Percy had rushed out of the school building and hit the streets. He was not going to stop and let Luke drive him into another one of his stupid fights.

As he walked down his neighbourhood, Percy subconsciously gazed at Calypso's house opposite his. He prayed that she would come over to spend some time with him. Percy needed someone who'd listen to what he had to say about his day. It was so exhausting.

When he finally reached his house, he walked straight up the stairs and to his room, collapsing on the bed. For countless minutes, Percy stared up at the ceiling thinking about Bianca and Nico, the two siblings whose been in his life before the tragedy of his parents. He thought about what happened between him and Bianca, which was immediately diverted to Calypso and her smile. These feelings. These unnecessary feelings that he gained from just encountering two amazing people. Why did his heart have to ache for two people? Why did it even have to ache?

At that moment, the bell rang, bringing Percy to his feet. His face was red as he looked in the mirror, which he despised. Then he walked down the stairs, taking a peep in the peephole at the door.

On the other side was no other than the lady he was thinking of just a second ago. Opening the door, the side of Percy's lips turned up, embracing the gentle vibe and beauty of his friend.

"Calypso. Surprised to see you here." He said.

Calypso in a white t-shirt and blue jeans, smiled warmly at him. Her hands were behind her back, like she was hiding something, and her hair was tucked in a bun. Percy would have never admitted it in that moment to her but she was stunning, even if the style was simple and casual.

In response to his comment, Calypso giggled lightly and leaned on one foot. "I bet not. Can I come in?"

"Sure." Percy said, taking a step to the side to allow her in.

Calypso had already chosen to sit on the couch by the time Percy had closed the door and walked into the living room. She had a small box in her hand, no sign of it being opened, which made Percy curious.

"What you got there?" He said as he took a seat beside her.

Judging by the look on her face, Calypso didn't know either but she opened it anyway. Inside was a blue and worn out rubber…band? Percy was puzzled. Utterly puzzled that he didn't have the voice to speak.

However, Calypso started laughing and held the rubber band in her hand. She showed it to him too and seemed to admire the hidden message within. Percy felt that he shouldn't have asked but he did anyway.

"Why?"

Calypso stared up at him with her brilliant brown eyes and smiled. "It's an inside joke passed around in my family. But, the colour blue represents courage and determination in my family. I'm supposed to wear this for a month and I wanted to open it with my only friend here."

"I'm touched." Percy sarcastically said.

Though, he did feel glad. Blue was his favourite colour and if it meant courage and determination, he'd try to be that someday. Maybe, if Calypso stayed by his side a little longer, he'd finally move on from what he was trying to run away from.

Calypso scoffed and shoved him lightly on the shoulder. "Shut your mouth."

Percy smiled a little and leaned back, closing his eyes for a second to relax and enjoy his time with Calypso. It seemed so secret and so dangerous that he didn't think he could tell Bianca about her. It felt like if he did, she'd disappear and wouldn't even leave a trace of herself.

"How was school?" Calypso asked, bringing Percy back from his daydream.

Percy bit his lip, not sure how to respond to the question. Would he lie or tell the truth? She didn't go to his school so maybe he could lie and sound somewhat like a prince? But what if his father told her all about his reputation and detentions?

"Same as always." That was definitely a lie.

Of course it was a lie because Calypso saw right through it when she raised a brow. He looked horrible from the fight and, unless he's angry, anyone can point out what a liar he was. Hopefully she'd let it slide and not ask questions. He didn't want to be angry at Calypso. She was the last person he wanted to snap at and push away. She was the only one he didn't want to push away.

"Really? Because my father was asking me what school I wanted to go to and I suggested yours." Calypso let out a small laugh.

And it doomed Percy.

If she applied at the school, she'd definitely get in. Goode High School accepts everyone and she was part of that "everyone". What would he do? Pretend he didn't know her? Act like they've been best friends for years? The kids at school wouldn't be around her if they knew she hung out with him.

Calypso probably understood that he didn't want to talk about school anymore since she changed the topic. He didn't like himself for being like this. Calypso made him want to change but he went so far through with it that he never could.

Then the doorbell rang.

It threw Percy off and when Calypso went to get the door, he had to leap up and stop her. Paul didn't come home until late in the night and it was only the afternoon. Who would be at the door?

Telling Calypso to stay put, Percy slowly and carefully walked to the door. He looked into the peep hole of the door to find nothing but a hair full of blonde. He cursed the fact that the peep hole hadn't been fixed. It was too blurry. However, the locks of blonde seemed to only remind him of the one person he didn't want to ever see in his neighbourhood.

When he opened the door, standing at his doormat was exactly that one person.

Annabeth Chase.

Ahhhhh! Annabeth is here!

What's Percy going to do? Calypso's right there in the living room?

But hold up, hold up! What is this that Percy's feeling? About Calypso? What about Bianca?

Sorry that this chapter was cut shorter than the others but I hope you all still like the story so far!

ThinkStupid (~.~)