CHAPTER II
don't scare off the newbie

   "THIS IS STUPID," Scarlett whispered to Annabeth. "and creepy. I cannot believe you are making me do this."

   The two girls were currently in the infirmary, their arms crossed while watching Percy Jackson while he was unconscious. Yes, it was as weird as it sounded. Annabeth practically begged Chiron to let her see him, dragging Scarlett along with her.

  Grover Underwood told them what happened. How he and Sally Jackson were bringing Percy to camp. The Minotaur got them, and Sally sacrificed her life for him to be safe. Then, Percy defeated the Minotaur. Scarlett felt like Grover was leaving something out, but didn't press.

   "Oh relax, we're fine," Annabeth waved her off.

   "What exactly are you trying to do?"

    "There's something about him," Annabeth explained. "Something important. And I'm going to find out who he is."

   "This is stalking."

   "We could call it observing, if it makes you more comfortable."

   Percy then started moving slightly.

  Scarlett leaned in to take a closer look. "Ew, is that drool?"

Annabeth made a disgusted face.

  Percy started to open his eyes. "Where... where am I?" He asked tiredly, first looking at Annabeth, then his gaze lingered longer towards Scarlett.

   Before Scarlett could respond, Annabeth asked, "You drool when you sleep."

    "Huh?"

"That was helpful," Scarlett remarked.

   "Come on," Annabeth whispered to Scarlett, grabbing her arm. "Let's go,"

   Scarlett nodded, sparing one last glance at the boy, then going back to her cabin.

   "I HAVE AN IDEA." Annabeth announced. After breakfast the next morning, Annabeth and Scarlett decided to sneak back the infirmary and check on their favorite patient.

   "Since Percy is gonna be staying at Cabin Eleven—"

   "I don't like where this is going."

Annabeth ignored her. "I need you to talk to him, and find out as much as you can. Be his friend or whatever."

   Scarlett crossed her arms. "Why am I a part of this? You never asked me to spy on the other people you thought were the one."

   "I told you, there's something about him!" Annabeth replied. "He defeated the Minotaur, Scar! I told you he's different."

   "Maybe it's beginner's luck."

  "I saw the way you looked at him yesterday."

  "What look?" Scarlett asked incredulously.

  "Like you knew him." Annabeth raised her eyebrow curiously. "you recognized him."

  Damn Annabeth Chase and her astute observation skills.

  "Okay, so maybe he did appear in my dreams." she confessed, cringing at how it sounded. "more than once."

  "You've been dreaming of a guy and didn't tell me?"

  "I didn't think it was that important!"

  "Oh come on, Scar." Annabeth exclaimed. "Even your subconscious knows he's special!"

  "It could just be a coincidence!"

  "Even you don't believe that," she rolled her eyes. "You know you could have gone on your merry way, and do what every grumpy thing you do—"

  "I am not grumpy."

"But you decided to come with me let me drag you everywhere. So that's gotta mean something."

   Scarlett crossed her arms. "Why can't you just be his friend?"

   "I have to go to archery soon. When the time comes, I'll introduce myself," Annabeth answered. They made their way to the infirmary, immediately ducking behind a bush as they watched Percy wander to Mr. D's office.

"What is he doing?" Annabeth wondered out loud. Both girls quickly and quietly went up the steps.

"Annabeth? Scarlett?" They turned around, startled by Grover's voice. "What are you two doing here?"

"We were just checking on the newest camper," Annabeth replied casually.

"Totally not stalking," Scarlett quipped, making Annabeth glare at her.

Grover looked between the two girls and sighed defeatedly. "Do you know where he went? I lost him."

"Seems like he's about to have fun conversation with Mr. D," Scarlett pointed to the direction Percy went to in Mr. D's office.

"Oh gods," Grover paled. "Wait, wait, wait!" He exclaimed as he jogged over to them. Scarlett stifled a laugh.

Annabeth took her invisibility cap. Scarlett gave her a look.

"Are you serious?"

"Seeing Percy talk to Mr. D for the first time? I'm not missing that," Annabeth laughed. "You should go back to your cabin, so you won't get caught. Chiron is gonna show him around, and then you'll meet him there."

Scarlett nodded. "Tell me what happens."

Even though she was totally against this whole idea, it was amusing to picture how their conversation would be. To this day, Mr. D still called her Sarah.

Annabeth grinned and put on her cap. "Don't scare him away."

  "No promises," Scarlett said with a sarcastic smile. After a few seconds, she realized Annabeth already left, snd she was just talking to air.

   Scarlett let out an annoyed sigh, and walked back to her cabin.

  It was loud and lively, everyone chattering amongst themselves. She made her way to her shared bunk bed with Oliver. She sat down, and noticed Luke setting up a sleeping bag, a blanket, pillow, and a backpack right next to hers. Percy was given a small section on the floor.

"Is that for the new kid?" Scarlett asked curiously.

"Yeah, he's going to be arriving soon," Luke nodded as he rolled the blanket. "Annabeth thinks he's the one, doesn't she?"

Scarlett nodded exasperatedly, and flopped on her bed. "she's been talking non-stop about him."

"And what do you think?"

"I dunno," Scarlett shrugged casually.

Luke chuckled, and stood up. "Scar, it's okay to admit you're curious. You want to know more about him. Maybe you guys can be friends."

"That's what Annabeth wants me to do," Scarlett told him. "she wants me to get information on him."

"Typical, Annabeth," Luke rolled his eyes fondly. "But honestly? I think you should. It's not like you have many friends."

"You say it like it's a bad thing."

"Scar, while I do respect your independence, having more people in your corner wouldn't hurt." Luke told her gently. "Just at least be nice to the kid, okay? Try not to scare him off, he could be really fragile right now."

"I'll be on my best behavior," Scarlett gave him a sweet smile, and an exaggerated salute. Luke shot her a look, and then went over to talk to Chris Rodriguez. Scarlet continued to lay down in her bed, staring at the wooden bottom of the top bunk.

   Sometimes when Scarlett was bored, she'd carve things out, or write things with sharpie. She drew things like the scales, swords or daggers. Maybe stick people. She would write names of those who wronged her, then scratch it all out so no one knew.

   "Everyone, everyone!" Chiron called out, clapping his hands. "Your attention, please?"

   Everyone turned to look at him. Scarlett sat up to see what was going on. Chiron was by the entrance, a young blonde by his side.

   Chiron gestured to him with a proud smile. "This is Percy Jackson."

   Percy gave a small wave, and looked down at the floor like he wanted it swallow him. Everyone stared at him for a moment, silently judging, then stopped paying attention. Scarlett stayed sitting up, fidgeting with the silver ring on her middle finger, pretending to be very interested in it. She had found it under her pillow on her first day of camp years ago. It seemed plain and simple on the outside, but there was a word engraved on the inside: κάρμα. Karma in Greek.

However, she was also somewhat paying attention to what this Percy boy was doing.

   In the corner of her eye, she watched as he made his way to his things. More people also began taking notice of him. He glanced around, but didn't pay any attention to her. His small area on the ground was right beside her bed.

He crouched down, his back towards her, opening his backpack. Scarlett couldn't see his facial expression, but saw him with a bag of blue candy. Must've held some significance, because he was staring at it for a while.

   One of the reasons Scarlett didn't want to do Annabeth's task was simple: she didn't know how to make friends. Scarlett is also fairly certain that Annabeth is making her befriend him first because she doesn't know how to approach him either.

   When your friend is sad you comfort them, right? The thing was, Scarlett didn't know how to comfort people. Growing up with no mother and an emotionally unavailable father did that to you. It's not like her presence was very welcoming or approachable either.

When Luke approached him. Percy immediately stood up, ready to defend himself.

  "Look, if you want to give me a hard time, just do it tomorrow," He said tiredly. "I can't do anymore today."

   "I heard what happened to you on the hill," Luke spoke with sympathy. "And I just wanted to say I'm really sorry,"

   He continued. "I know what you're going through, believe me," Luke stuck out his hand and offered him a friendly smile. "I'm Luke,"

  Percy hesitantly shook his hand. "I'm Percy,"

   For some reason, Luke always knew the right thing to say. The right ways to comfort someone, and make them feel like they belong. 

   Luke patted his shoulder. "Well, Percy. welcome to Cabin Eleven. I'm here if you need anything,"

  Percy nodded, and smiled. Then he went back to his things. As he walked back, he finally noticed Scarlett. His eyes widened for a moment. To Scarlett's surprise, he approached her.

  "Uh, hey," He greeted her shyly.

  "Hi?"

Okay, so maybe her tone could use some work.

He has nice eyes, though, Scarlett thought to herself. Then quickly shook it out her head.

  "Do I know you? You look really familiar."

  What was she supposed to say? Yeah, I was stalking you with my friend because we think you're special. Oh, and I also had dreams about you!

"No, you don't."

  "No I know you." Percy shook his head, studying her. "You were in the infirmary, with that other girl..." His voice trailed off in realization.

  "You're the girl of my dreams!" He blurted out, suddenly. "In my dreams, I mean." he quickly added, his cheeks pink.

  Now Scarlett was actually confused. He was dreaming of her too?

"It's because you were um—" Percy sighed, getting embarrassed. "You know what? Forget I said anything," He went back to his spot, and continued looking through his things.

  Scarlett sat on her bed, still dumbfounded about what just happened. Before her brain could fully process what she was doing, she stood up, and walked over to hin, "Hey—uh, Percy?"

  He looked up at her, surprised.

  "I'm sorry about your mom," She told him honestly, in what she hoped was a comforting way. "I heard how she brought you here and stuff. She seemed pretty heroic,"

  Percy his face brightened for a moment. "Yeah, she really is—was," And just like that his smile, faded. "But, thank you..."

"Scarlett."

"Thanks, Scarlett." He gave her a small smile.

Scarlett just nodded and went back to her bunk. She totally was not thinking about how nice his smile was. Luke was grinning at her proudly, as if saying, Wow, you actually did something nice! and gave her a thumbs up. She stuck a certain finger in the air.

   Sure Scarlett has done some questionable and slightly cruel things, but she wasn't completely heartless. The boy was clearly having a rough time right now, and she wasn't going to make it worse for him.

  At least not now.

  Scarlett glanced at Percy, who was minding his own business. Then she closed her eyes, thinking about light, and positive energy. Then she envisioned Percy, and him being bathed in it. She thought about potential happy things that could happen for him: getting used to camp, getting claimed, and finding friends.

  Granting good luck didn't always mean it came true right away. It doesn't automatically mean that bad things still won't happen. But whether it comes true quick or not, Scarlett hoped that Percy Jackson got better luck. Especially if he's that guy Annabeth's been waiting for.

   Because gods, he would need all the luck he could get.

aww scarlett and percy my beloveds <33

it feels weird writing luke as a nice older brother figure like nooooo

charlie is so charming if i hadn't read the books i would've been fooled too

UPDATED LEXI NOTE ♡
baby jackhart ❤️❤️❤️
i felt so nostalgic reading this over like aww