I'm No Cinderella

15. The Clouds I See Over My Head Are Fucking White

He gave me a boyish grin. "Cool."

"Nice drawing by the way. Is that a...rainbow pony?"

"You know Greek Myths?" His smile growing even bigger.

"'Course. Mind if I sit with you?" He nodded eagerly. I was about to take the seat opposite him when I was shoved over to the side.

"Hey Percy!" Drew, the barbie of the classroom/spoiled diva/brat/prettiest girl in school, shoved me away before I could sit. I stumbled.

"What's you're problem?" I snapped ready to deck the princess in the nose with the right hook my mom taught me in case of stranger danger.

She smirked cynically for a nine year old. "Oh nothing. You were just in my seat."

I glared at her, "You are about to be out of that seat when I punch you in the throat."

Drew looked a little scared yet she had a dangerous glint, but she hid the glint from Percy. She raised her hand and made her eyes water. "Mrs. Collins, Annabeth threatened to hurt me." She spoke in a whiny voice.

Mrs. Collins stalked over to me with a disappointed expression.

"That was very mean," Percy told Drew. Drew had the nerve to release a tear.

"What? She threatened me. Isn't that il-lego or something."

If I wasn't already in trouble I would have replied with a, No, dipwad, we're nine. And its illegal, not illego stupid!

I got scolded that day after being sent to the principals office. Then my mother winked at me and gave me a high five for dealing with a bully technically with words. Either way we laughed about it over ice cream in the Cold Stone.

I was always the one to fight back when little kids gave me crap. The nine year old crap. I wasn't a bully, but I wasn't as outcasted as I am now. I had a sufficient amount of friends before everything changed and I became more quiet and closed off and more open to take Drew's attacks. I became more sullen and I only talked to Percy once after that day and never tried to approach him again.

What happened?

Well, My mother died the next week. But that's a story for another time.

Reyna frowned a story flashing in her eyes. "That's a great question. But for someone as smart as you, I thought you'd figure it out by now."

I furrowed my eyebrows, giving her my full attention. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Reyna sighed and slid down on the floor next to me. I guess I wasn't the only one to not care about sanitation for the moment. She seemed out of place, talking about some measly drama that she could barely care for. Another reason I liked her.

"I guess I should tell you since no one would. Drew hates you because of Percy if that wasn't obvious," she shrugged nonchalantly.

I kind of figured that. Stay away from Jackson. I held in a snort at the memory. Too late.

Oops?

"But why exactly? Tell me everything."

"I've been friends with Percy since we were young so I saw this more just so you know." I remembered. They were friends who never separated even to this day which I admired. I wasn't jealous. Reyna is cool and independent which I like about her. Plus, they are the proof that boys can be best friends with girls without gaining romantic feelings.

"Drew hates you because she's had a huge crush on Percy since elementary school. So big that she got jealous even whenever I was around him. But even as a kid, Percy never liked the people with attention and popularity. Funny, he used to have a crush on Drew before he realized how mean she was, then you came into the picture. So one day, I remember him telling me he met you. Gods almighty, he would not stop talking about the-and I quote to this day, 'cute girl who was smart and liked to play with legos and liked his drawing and stood up to Drew and knew Greek and wasn't afraid to speak to him and did I mention she was insanely cute!' And I'm not lying when I say he wouldn't shut up. That was a real run on sentence! He had a massive crush on you."