RECLUSE ?Leo Valdez?

Parker isn't completely useless

"See that's her right there!" Leo called out. Pointing to the recluse who sat at the table.

Piper wasn't shocked that Leo liked her. She was very pretty. But she was shocked that she actually tolerated Leo. She seemed to be the person who would beat you up if you annoyed her.

A young girl who sat next to Piper turned to look at who they were pointing at.

"Oh her? Yeah that's Maisie Elliot. She normally tries to keep to herself. Most of us have never heard her speak."

All three of them turned to her confused. As if asking why she was talking to them. The curly haired girl just smiled.

"I'm Darla by the way." She spoke as her dark chocolate eyes sparkled.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jason, this is Leo, and that's Piper." Jason introduced them.

Piper was a little salty. Sure Jason wasn't her boyfriend, but she was a little uncomfortable with this girls eagerness to speak to them. What made Piper the most uncomfortable; however, was the boy with brown curly hair that kept glancing in their direction from farther down the table.

Leo began to stand saying "I'm going to talk to her. I'll be right back."

Piper tried to pull him down. Preventing him from embarrassing himself and leaving her alone with Jason. He was able to wiggle out of her grip and strut over to her table.

MAISIE WAS ENJOYING HER ALONE TIME

She liked the silence that surrounded her. She welcomed it as a friend. Her apple was long gone, and she relaxed into her table. Blissfully unaware of the train wreck named Leo Valdez walking to her table.

Somebody cleared their throat above her. She took out her headphones that were blasting 'R U Mine by Arctic Monkeys' and looked up to meet the mischievous eyes of Leo Valdez. She felt her mood dampen looking at him.

"What's up Mai? May I call you Mai."

"No you may not."

"Anyways Cariño." He said as she sat across from her. "You looked so lonely over here by yourself. So I have come to gift you with my presence."

"Does the gift come with a receipt?"

Leo laughed. "Oh you're too funny hermosa. You crack me up."

Leo began to drone on and on, but she wasn't listening. The was waiting for him to look away so she could secretly put her headphones back in the block him out. Surprisingly, her savior came in the form of Parker Murphy. A sentence she never believed would actually exist. He walked over from the Hermes table, and put his hands on Leo's shoulders.

Leo jumped and turned to meet the giant that is Parker Murphy. Parker was 6'4, which Maisie had decided was far too tall for any human being.

"Hey, I'm Parker. Nice to meet you." He spoke through gritted teeth. Pushing down Leo's shoulders with a little force that caused Leo to almost crumble. "But I am going to have to steal Maisie from you. Have a great day."

He, not so nicely, grabbed Maisie's forearm and yanked her away from Leo. Almost dropping her headphones in the process. Dragging her out of the dining pavilion, Cora had left her table to catch up with them.

Yanking her arm out of his hand she spat at him, "What is wrong with you. What the Hell do you think you're doing."

"Saving you." He shrugged.

"I didn't need your help." Maisie stated.

"Yeah well you weren't exactly going to do anything about that kid bothering you right?" He replied smirking.

Maisie was silent. She knew he was right. Had he not stepped in, Valdez would have talked her ear off until she exploded. Figuratively or literally, she wasn't sure yet.

"I think what you're looking to say is thank you." He said.

"Yeah, Yeah. Thanks I guess" Maisie muttered.

Parker grinned to himself as they walked aimlessly. Cora catching up from behind them, picking flowers on her way.

They got to a clearing and Cora immediately pushed her way in front of them. Throwing herself onto the grass as flowers bloomed all around her.

Parker stopped to laugh at her and sit down beside her. Maisie hesitated, standing awkwardly behind them, debating booking it back to her cabin while she still could. Cora turned and patted the grass on her other side, beckoning her over. Why not? She had thought.

Plopping down next to Cora, who made flower crowns out of the nearby daffodils, daisies, and baby's breath, Maisie finally allowed herself to relax. Letting out a shaky breath, her shoulders slouched, her eyes closed as she breathed in the faint smell of strawberries.

She felt somebody looked at her and she turned to face Parker.

"Is that kid bothering you? Do you need me to go beat him up?" He asked. Laughing slightly.

Maisie actually snorted, softly giggling after. The idea of 6'4 Parker Murphy beating the crap out of a 5'6 Leo Valdez seemed comical to her. Cora had joined in the laughter. Clearly she saw how funny that could be.

"No he's good. Thanks Parker. I'll let you know if my mind changes though." Maisie stated through small giggles.

Parker and Cora had heard Maisie laugh only a few times. They were happy to see her so carefree and relaxed for once, and they secretly fist bumped away from Maisie's line of sight.

Maisie forgot what it was like to laugh. To spend time with friends. To actually enjoy life for what it was, and as Cora placed a purple, red, and black flower crown onto her head, Maisie thought friends may not actually be a bad idea.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was so horrible. I'm trying to fill in the space between meeting Leo and campfire but it was so boring. I'll try better to keep the story interesting in the future!

Unedited
7/6/24
1531 words