GEMINI.
I'm not even going to pretend I have control over my life right now because I really don't. I'm just going with the flow here, trying to keep my head above water.
Just for context, on a day when I was freaking out about possibly becoming Percy's new torture target, he unexpectedly invited me to lunch in what I thought was his torture chamber, but it ended up being just his workspace. And then, as if that weren't enough make me doubt everything I've heard about him, he got me a new phone later that evening. To top it off, Ohio texted him on my behalf, saying I wanted to have dinner with him.
All very weird things, right? I know, but then Percy replied. Instead of accepting the dinner invite, my treat like a normal person, he told me he had 'things to take care of' and wouldn't be around in the days following, but assured me he'd see me on the weekend. I'd told him I would be busy, needing to work on my project, right? Then get this—Percy asked me to come over so he could tutor me on how to proceed with my Modular Housing project!
Can my life get anymore crazy?
So now what am I doing? I'm clutching my textbooks to my chest as I stare at the large gate of the house address Percy sent me like some lunatic.
"Maybe it was a mistake to have accepted his help." I thought as my nerves build up. At the time, it was Penelope's voice on the phone, suggesting her brother invite me over after I mentioned my potential busyness with the project over the weekend and I'd accepted. But now? Now I'm not so sure I made the right choice.
As I reluctantly pulled the large gate open, I was instantly greeted by the thumping bass of music and a sea of people lounging around with drinks in their hands. Laughter and flirtation filled the air, tangled with the unmistakable energy of a party atmosphere.
Did I enter the wrong building by chance? I double-checked the address on my phone, but nope, it was definitely the right house.
Were all these people from our school?
Was this the Morre twin's legendary party I've been hearing about?
I had come straight here from my part-time job, and it was just after 8 PM. I hope I didn't keep him waiting too long?
Just as I started to feel a pang of relief mingled with the exhilaration of being around so many people, my evening suddenly took a different turn.
"Watch where you're going!" A loud voice yelled out as someone shoved me aside, their body brushing past mine with no regard for my space. I stumbled slightly before regaining my balance, my heart racing.
"Oi! Are you lost? This is not a place for nerds!"
Another partygoer yelled and the laughter that followed pierced me like a knife, and my cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
How rude!
As if sensing my distress, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I quickly extracted it and saw Percy's name lighting up the screen.
He asked me to let him know when I arrived.
Right! That's what I should have done the moment I got here instead of spacing out.
I hastily typed a message informing him I was here and hit send. As I mulled over my situation, a rough hand suddenly yanked my arm.
"Oi, newbie! Come have some fun!" a guy shouted, tugging me forward. Shock coursed through me as I struggled instinctively to pull free.
"Let me go!" I demanded, trying to wriggle my arm out of his grasp, but he was far stronger than I expected.
"Don't be a spoil sport!" he laughed, pulling me deeper into the midst of partygoers.
"He looks like a freshman. What is he doing here?" someone asked mischievously, and my heart tightened.
"Yeah! Who invited a nerd to our party?" another voice chimed in as the stranger tried reaching for my textbooks. I clutched them tighter, fighting to maintain my grip as laughter erupted around me.
What is happening? Why is this happening to me? Before I could process the chaos unfolding before, I heard someone yell, "Cannonball!" and suddenly I found myself lifted off my feet.
"Put me down!" I screamed as panic immediately set in and I was unceremoniously tossed into the swimming pool, my textbooks and phone in tow. The shock of the cold water enveloped me instantly, and as I began sinking, my heart raced. "I can't swim!"
Flailing, I thrashed around, my body panic-filled as I gasped for air, desperate to keep my head above water. Years of learning to swim had been washed away with a singular traumatic memory. The laughter from the crowd echoed in my ears like a haunting melody, spinning my thoughts into wild chaos.
"What's wrong with these people?" I thought helplessly, flailing harder now, my limbs burning as I fought to stay afloat. They were just watching, laughing while I was clearly panicking. But just when I thought I couldn't keep myself up any longer, a hand shot through the water like a lifeline, and I was pulled up into a strong, firm grip.
Percy? I squinted to see him clearly as he lifted me, fully clothed, his expression a mixture of anger and concern. Relief washed over me like the water around us.
Without thinking, I gripped onto him tightly, burying my face in the crook of his neck. The warmth of his body was comforting, and I allowed the tears I'd been holding back to spill over. I could feel his arms tighten around me, enclosing me in a protective embrace.
"It's okay, I've got you." he whispered close to my ear, and despite my panic, his calmness seeped into me, grounding my spiraling thoughts.
The laughter of the partygoers turned into murmurs as he reached the edge of the pool, cradling me against him. I lifted my head, hoping my panic-stricken eyes would communicate my gratitude as he walked determinedly away from the laughing crowd.
But then, suddenly, he stopped. His voice, steady yet laced with authority, cut through the chatter.
"This party is over!"
I blinked in surprise, shocked at how his presence commanded attention. As he continued carrying me away from the pool, I looked around to catch sight of Penelope. She stood with an apologetic expression, shaking her head as if to say it was all a terrible mistake.
"You heard the man! Get out! His party is fucking over!" Penelope's voice rang out, resounding like a bell, cutting through the shocked silence as she directed her anger towards the crowd.
As they began to disperse, I tucked my head back against Percy's shoulder, heart still racing but feeling a strange surge of safety within his hold.
What had begun as a simple offer for tutoring had spiraled into a chaotic disaster, but right now, none of it mattered. I was safe, cradled in the arms of someone who wouldn't hurt me like they did. The echoes of the party faded behind us, replaced by Percy's breathing as he carried me into the house.