GEMINI.
I woke up this morning after the stunt those guys pulled last night, and let me tell you, it was one of those moments where your body just refuses to cooperate. I blinked a few times, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the bright morning light filtering through the window. I tried to move my arms, my legs, anything really—but nothing. My body felt like it was made of stone, stiff and unyielding. For a moment, I almost started to panic—what was wrong with me?
But then, I felt it. There's an unfamiliar, weight around me. Percy's arms. Strong, protective, and warm. His steady, rhythmic breathing told me he was still asleep. I could feel his chest rise and fall beneath me— I could feel the warmth radiating from his bare chest against my back. For a split second, I reveled in the sense of safety he provided, but then the crushing realization hit me—I was pressed against him, and that meant I was sharing a bed with the same guy who had sparked a flurry of emotions inside me since the moment we met.
"What in the world have I gotten myself into?" I murmured under my breath as I attempted to wriggle free. The moment I started moving, I felt him stir, his breath against my ear.
"Five more minutes, please." he'd whispered, sleep lacing his voice, and strangely enough, I found myself complying. Instead of trying to escape like I should, I sank back into his warmth, allowing his sleepiness to wash over me.
Did I just willingly lean into him? My mind raced with confusion. I found solace in his protective grip, even as my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was a little bit awkward, sure, but something strange and comforting tugged at me, urging me to stay just a moment longer. And surprisingly, I stayed like that—resting against him—for another hour.
Now, I know what you're thinking—yes, it was a little awkward. I was pressed against Percy's bare, warm torso, and I could feel his chest rising and falling with each breath. But to me, that wasn't the awkward part. The weird thing was me. I willing leaned into his touch, it was almost as if I craved the comfort it brought, even though I knew I shouldn't. I'm not proud of that, I swear.
Percy stirred after that extra hour, stretching lazily as he opened his eyes. To my surprise, he didn't seem surprised or embarrassed that we had slept like that. Instead, he looked at me with a calm, almost relieved smile.
"You had a fever last night," he said softly, sounding more like a statement of fact than a guess. "That's probably why you were so pale before going to bed. And…I slept well for the first time in a long time, thanks to you." Percy had causally told me.
I blinked, confused. Wait, what? Was he saying my fever had something to do with him sleeping well? I opened my mouth to ask, but before I could, he diverted my attention by telling me he needed to use the bathroom.
"I admit, this isn't my best creation," he said with a teasing grin, "but can you stop staring at the food like that? It's not going to bite. You can eat it, you know."
I glanced down, realizing he was right and I chuckled nervously, surprised by his unusual casual demeanor. I had been ignoring my breakfast. We were sitting at his enormous kitchen island, breakfast laid out before us. It looked delicious—toast, eggs, fresh fruit—It was truly a feast compared to my usual bowl of cereal but I couldn't help feeling a little distracted. Honestly, with everything that had happened lately, my mind was spinning like a rollercoaster.
"Knock, knock! Eat up! You need food to take your meds and we've got to start working on your project." Percy said, playfully tapping his finger on the countertop again.
See that? Him being playful or smiling, I can't get used to that. But instead of saying what I was really thinking, I managed a quiet "Thank you" before taking a bite of my breakfast.
The food was good—really good. But my appetite was still somewhat suppressed by the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head. How can it not? Ever since I met Percy, so many strange things have happened to me. Mostly good, but still strange. I have heard rumors about him—how he was usually very intimidating and even scary to be around. And last night, I finally saw a glimpse of that side. When those guys threw me into the pool, Percy's reaction was intense. I have no doubt he's capable of doing something dangerous, but to me, he has been surprisingly kind.
Why?
Why was he being so nice?
Until last week, he didn't even know my name or that I exist. And now, here he was—making me breakfast, talking about helping me with my project, and caring about my health. It was all confusing, but also… kind of nice in a weird, unexpected way.
Percy's voice broke into my thoughts again. "Like I said yesterday," he began, "I have everything we need for your project. But if there's anything we're missing, we'll go get it."
He dropped a box of supplies onto the kitchen island, and I almost dropped my fork in surprise. Everything I needed to build my Modular Housing project—just sitting right here, in front of me.
Freaking rich people!
It's not just this, though. It's the easy and casual way in which he does things.
For instance, my waterlogged textbooks from last night had miraculously been replaced by new ones this morning. Unfortunately, my old phone didn't make it. When Percy noticed I wasn't using the new phone he got me, he offered me his house phone for calls and his iPad for social media. I couldn't tell him the real reason, so he thinks I've just been too busy to make the switch. I used the house phone to call my grandma and Ohio to let them know I'm doing well. I won't be using social media, though—it's just not for me. I guess once I get back to the dorm, I'll have to start using that new phone after all.
Then I looked around the house—this huge house, and realized something, we were the only ones around. This house is for Percy and his sister. They don't even need a place like this if you ask me; there are well-furnished dorm rooms at St. Moore. So why do they need a house of their own?
It's the kind of question that makes you realize just how much money can change things—how it can make the ordinary seem extraordinary. But what really struck me was that despite all the wealth and the grandeur, Percy was somehow just… normal. Well, as normal as someone like him could be.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off my lingering doubts, and looked up at him.
"Thanks, Percy. Really. For everything."
He smiled, that rare but genuine smile that somehow made me feel like I was exactly where I needed to be—right here, in this moment, with him, despite the mystery surrounding him, I'm really grateful for his help.