・CORA JACKSON・
I slowly opened my eyes to find myself staring at the ceiling of my familiar room. I tried to recall why I was here when everything came rushing back. The party. Drew's surprise appearance. The engagement.
Despite the lingering dizziness, I sat up and took in my surroundings.
Luke, Grover, and Percy were perched around my bed, quietly arguing about something. Hearing me shift, all three pairs of eyes turned to me. Percy was the first to react.
"Cora!" His eyes were wide as he got up and hugged me, really tight. "Oh my gods, are you all right?"
"Yeah," I managed to gasp. He let me go quickly and allowed Luke and Grover to greet me.
The two smiled, though it seemed a little forced as they immediately averted their eyes. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion.
"What is it?"
Percy's eyes drifted to Luke and Grover for a moment, then locked back onto me. "Cora, I know that you're not too fond of Drew-"
I cut him off. "That's an understatement."
"-but I want you to know that she is a true angel once you get to know her well."
I scowled at him. Percy's gaze softened.
"Look, I know marriage is probably really hard to take in at the moment, but she's the perfect girl. I know she is. And it would mean the absolute world to me if you could be supportive of our relationship, Cora. Gods, Drew gives me the happiness that every man could ever dream of. I know it's a lot to ask for, but please."
Percy was practically begging at this point, and I could see Luke cringing in the background. Groved looked like he swallowed a fly. That made me smile a bit.
I really wanted to say no to Percy about approving of him and Drew, but I couldn't. All I truly care about is my brother's happiness since he was always there to make me happy. After Mom and Dad died, I cried for days, becoming depressed, and feeling like all of the beautiful things in my life had been swallowed up. But Percy was there for me then, so now I had to be there for him. I guess I could give Drew another shot…
I took in a deep breath and exhaled. Closing my eyes and struggling a bit, I let out through my ground teeth, "Okay."
Grover quirked an eyebrow, and Luke's mouth dropped open.
Percy's face lit up like he had just heard that Christmas was going to continue for the rest of the year. "Really?"
I hesitantly nodded. Percy whooped and picked me up to give me a bear hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, sis," he mumbled into my hair. He gingerly set me down and rushed out of the door. "Drew!" The door shut with a loud bang!
Even I couldn't stop a smile from growing on my face.
"Uh, what just happened?"
After getting some well-deserved rest for the rest of the day, I walked into the kitchen to find Drew fussing over the multiple pots sizzling on the stoves. Her glossy black hair was swishing around as she rushed across the small space, tossing in vegetables and stirring the sauce.
I kind of felt bad just standing there and doing nothing.
"Do you want some help?" I spoke up.
Drew looked up, surprised, then suspicious, then confused. I just walked over to her, lightly took the wooden spoon from her hand, and mixed the red sauce. Drew looked like she was about to say something but was cut off by bubbling water overflowing out of the pot next to me.
After handling the situation, Drew spoke up. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
I shrugged. "I may or may not care about my brother's happiness. Don't get me wrong, I still don't trust you, but if you're able to make my brother happy, that makes me happy. Break his heart and you have me to deal with." I pointed the wooden spoon I was holding threateningly toward Drew.
A small smile blossomed on Drew's face. "Don't worry, I won't break his heart. I love him."
I wrinkled my nose. "I'll only approve of you if you keep your 'lovey-dovey stuff' away from me."
Drew let out a small giggle. "Deal."
Dinner was no longer full of glares and stares of hatred. It was peaceful, calm, and… quiet. Grover and Luke sat on either side of me, and Drew and Percy were sitting across from us.
After taking a bite of his food, Luke exclaimed, "Drew, this pasta is absolutely delicious!"
Drew smiled at him. "Thank you, but I couldn't have been able to make it this good without Cora's help." She sounded strangely genuine.
Percy looked at me appraisingly, and I felt my ego double in size.
Beside me, Grover muttered, "I'd rather have enchiladas."
I kicked Grover's shin under the table and he let out a yelp that sounded like a goat's bleat. I smirked in satisfaction while the others snickered.
The following day was a Monday, though I didn't have school because it was summer break. It was currently 6 pm, and I waited for my brother to come home. The minute I heard the familiar jingling of keys at the front door, I heard Drew's light footsteps rush down the stairs. When the door opened, I heard excited squeals and laughter and then silence. I wanted to go downstairs to hug my brother to welcome him home, but I didn't dare go down knowing that the couple was doing something I probably didn't want to see.
Bored out of my mind, I continued weaving the strings I was using to make a bracelet for Percy. The bracelet was turning out pretty well if I say so myself. The assorted variety of blues blended quite nicely together and the intricate pattern was beautiful.
Suddenly, I heard a yell from downstairs. "Cora! Can you come downstairs for a 'sec? I have something to tell you!"
I left my unfinished bracelet on my desk and went downstairs. Percy and Drew were awaiting me with their fingers interlocked.
I raised an eyebrow in question. "So, what were you going to tell me?"
Percy started explaining. "I'm going on a business trip for a few days starting Thursday so I won't be home, and Drew was invited to stay at her family's house for a quick get-together for a few days on Thursday as well. I can't leave you at home alone, so I asked Luke if he can take care of you while we're away. I'll drop you off at his apartment Wednesday night and you'll stay there for a few days, okay?"
I grinned. "Yeah, awesome!"
I rushed back to my room to continue making my bracelet, excited for Wednesday to come.
A/N: Hey reader, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter! I apologize that updates are not often, but I'm very busy and I tend to procrastinate… a lot. But stay tuned for the next chapter which could come out in a week, a month, a year, … or maybe never.