GEMINI.
Welcome to another episode of all the crazy things that have happened to me since I met Percy. I mean it when I say it feels like I'm living in a bizarre reality show. Don't judge me for this, but I might seriously start a diary or a blog just to keep track of all this chaos for when I need to tell my grandma about my life in the big city. I can already hear her snickers when I read them back, but hey—this has been my life so far, and what a wild ride it's turning out to be.
In case you think I'm overreacting, let me recount my day. It began this morning when Percy showed up at my dorm, a chilling mix of excitement and dread washing over me. I could hardly believe it, my heart thumping loudly against my ribs. How did he find me? What did he want from me? I had so many thoughts racing my mind earlier this morning, I was almost drowning in anxiety.
But that was only the beginning. After a brief and bewildering encounter in my dorm room, then Ohio and I had that not-so-subtle mental freakout before attending lectures. Then, Percy sent me a text with instructions, asking, no! Demanding I go see him. I was like, "Okay, fine. I will go… because running away seems like a bad idea right at the time." to which Ohio agreed, but I barely knew what was in store for me.
"And then we end up eating lunch together!" I shared with Ohio, who was perched on my bed, her face mirroring the disbelief I felt.
"Wait, like a real lunch?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her curiosity seriously piqued. "In Percy's supposed torture chamber?"
"Yes! That supposed torture room—a very fancy office, apparently!" I exclaimed, my voice vibrating with nervous energy. "I was freaking out all day because of this wild rumor going on around campus about Percy finding a new target, only for it to lead me to lunch with him, can you believe it?"
Ohio's mouth dropped open. "I mean…isn't this better? Were you expecting him to have you tied up and actually torture you?"
"No!" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "But it was definitely a trap of sorts. I couldn't shake the thought that maybe he was fattening me up before skinning me alive. It's like...he was trying to give me the illusion that it was just a social gathering." I chuckled nervously, running my fingers through my hair.
Despite my thoughts, Percy didn't show any indication of wanting to harm me. Throughout our lunch, he looked genuinely content just enjoying my company. No malice or ill intent lingered in his icy-green eyes, which made me think…"That's right! Why would someone with obviously better things to do go through this trouble if he just wanted revenge? Why buy me fancy and expensive food?"
"Wait, he actually let you order food?" Ohio's eyes widened, practically shimmering with excitement when I told her that part. "And you did?"
"Yep!" I said, popping the 'p' and smiling despite myself. "He ordered double of everything I picked, and you know what? He made me eat it all! I still feel like a stuffed turkey, to be honest."
Ohio's disbelief was palpable. "I honestly don't know what to say. The supposed torture chamber wasn't even a torture chamber, but rather, an office. Is anything they said about him actually true?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore, honestly." I echoed my thought, "But the truth about the room is that, it was his grandfather's office that he and his twin sister inherited after he passed. I don't know why people think he tortures people in there." I leaned back on my bed, finally letting the reality of it all sink in.
It dawned on me how silly the rumors were, especially considering people had jumped to conclusions without ever seeing inside. I mean, who even started such a rumor anyway? Percy and Penelope just converted their late grandfather's office into their own workspace, and people made a horror story out of it?
"Seriously, this is so wild!" Ohio hummed, absorbing the information. "I can't believe people made such strange rumors just because they've never seen the inside of that place."
"Right?" I chimed in, feeling a sudden admiration for Percy.
It seems that up until today, aside from the Morre family, only the cleaning crew had access to the room, and now me too. My shoulders stiffened, the weight of it hitting me—my heart raced with an odd blend of excitement and anxiety.
"At least now we can say Percy doesn't want your blood," Ohio said what I'd been thinking, and I nodded thoughtfully.
"But by that logic, you're implying he wants something," I replied, furrowing my brow as I considered this new angle.
"Exactly! So let's brainstorm what he might want!" Ohio's eyes sparkled with mischievous intent as we dove into a whirlwind of ideas, our shared laughter bouncing off the walls of my dorm room, and probably echoing down the corridor.
"I got it!" Ohio exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Maybe he wants you to be his sugar baby!"
One look at her and we both erupted into fits of laughter. I doubled over, clutching my stomach, nearly wiping tears from my eyes.
"Oh my gosh! Be serious! I thought you were going to say his errand boy or something!"
"Oh… that's a good one too!" Ohio agreed, still laughing.
"I know right? It sounds a lot more logical!" I added, grinning as I pushed open the small fridge in my dorm room, just a few feet from my bed, and the absurdity of it all washed over me.
I handed Ohio a bottle of water before flopping back on my bed. I'm sure the early evening sun has begun dipping below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the campus already. What a strange day it has been—there's been nothing but unexpected incidents and mind-boggling developments. I can't seem to shake the feeling that this is the least of all the strange things that's going to happen between us.
Percy's intentions might not entirely be clear yet—but I don't think he's going to hurt me.
"What if he's collecting my secrets to use and blackmail so I can become his slave?" I joked, though a small part of me wondered if he would actually do something like that.
Ohio nudged me playfully, the laughter still echoing. "You mean you'd take that over being his sugar baby? Because that sounds more entertaining!"
"Nah, he wouldn't do something like that." I conceded, shaking my head, the remnants of doubt and fear quickly fading away as the peaceful air between us soothed my ruffled spirit. Whatever twisted turn my life will take, at least I know my best friend will help me navigate through the absurdity of it all.
And so, as absurd as it seemed, I can't help but feel the wave of curiosity wrapping around my mind, leading me down a path filled with delicious uncertainty about what would unfold next between Percy and I. One thing was for sure—this was going to be one heck of a ride.