Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

I have detention again today. But I’ve got it with Albert, Jack, and Crutchie too, so it shouldn’t be too bad. We actually all have detention for the same reason: Vine. I decided that there should be an official RIP Vine Day, so I figured today would be the perfect day. The four of us started a competition on who would get detention first for screaming Vine references, and naturally, all four of us got detention from trying to win. It’s worth detention with Snyder however, because I won by shouting, “Hurricane Katrina? More like hurricane tortilla!” and throwing bags of tortilla chips into the air in the middle of English class. Wiesel was pissed, because I literally got tortilla chip dust in everyone’s hair and the carpet, but it was so worth it.

I walk to the detention room, wondering what it’s gonna be today. Depending on Snyder’s mood, we might just have to clean the classroom or organize files or something like that. I take a blue tootsie-roll pop out of my pocket, take off the wrapper, and shove it eagerly in my mouth. I used to vape, but Albert said he wouldn’t go out with me if I didn’t quit. So I quit, and now I have a boyfriend.

And an impossible sugar fix.

So I’m basically always sucking on a lollipop or chewing on a pen. 

I walk into the detention room and discover that Jack and Albert are already here. I walk over to them, where they’re talking to two other boys, one with slightly shaggy blond hair and one with jet black hair.

“Hey fellas!” I say, plopping down in a chair next to Albert.

“Racer! ‘Bout time you showed up!” Jack says happily, leaning over Albert to sock me in the arm.

“The Spider ain’t here yet, so technically I’m not late. Plus, Crutchie ain’t even here yet!” I say.

“The Spider?” Blond haired boy asks.

“Snyder. Vice principal, head of school discipline.” I explain.

“Ah.” Is all blond haired boy says.

“The name’s Racetrack Higgins.” I say, extending a hand to blond haired boy. “But you can call me Race or Racer.” Blond haired boy takes my hand and pumps it twice, and I then offer it to black haired boy, who does the same.

“I’m Will Solace. Pleased to meet you.” Blond haired boy-no- Will says, smiling. The only rivals to his smile that I’ve seen are Crutchie and JoJo.

“Nico di Angelo.” Black haired boy says, a bit sharply. “And what kind of a name is Racetrack?”

“Mine.”

“What are you in for?” Albert asks.

“This idiot,” Nico says, nudging Will, “Got himself into a fight.”

“Defending your honor!” Will exclaims.

“I can deal with slurs.” Nico grumbles.

“Well, I can’t. Those boys deserved it anyways. No one talks to my boyfriend like that.” Will says, planting a kiss on Nico’s cheek. I notice Nico’s pale skin blush red.

“Was it the Delancey brothers?” Jack asks.

“Maybe? They looked like brothers.” Will says.

“Yeah, they’re dicks.” Crutchie confirms, walking into the classroom and promptly sitting down on Jack’s lap. “Hey wait! You’re the ones who were fighting them earlier!” He suddenly exclaims, excited at the revelation.

“Waffle guy?” Will asks.

“Why is Crutchie ‘Waffle Guy’?” I ask Will.

“I never told you how I got my detention!” Crutchie says, smirking somewhat evilly. “So, I was was walking to math class when I heard yelling. So naturally, I went to the source of the yelling, which happened to be the outside basketball courts, and I saw these two,” He gestures to Will and Nico, “Trying to fight the Delancey brothers. Because it is the ever so noble ‘RIP Vine Day,’ I saw this as the perfect opportunity to walk up and shout ‘Can I please get a waffle!?!?!’ So I did, and then I figured I should probably help them instead of just referencing vines, so I tried to grab Morris, who was trying to get Emo Boy, and then Weasel showed up, and next thing I know I have detention!”

“Wow.” Is all Jack can say.

“I’m Will, by the way.” Will says, extending his hand to Crutchie. “Emo Boy here is Nico.”

“You can call me Crutchie.” Crutchie says, shaking Will’s hand and then Nico’s.

“You’re fine with being called that?” Nico asks.

“Yeah. We all have weird nicknames in our group. Mine’s Crutchie. Obvious, but I like it.” Crutchie explains.

“What did happen to your leg?” Will asks. “If you don’t mind me asking, I mean.”

“Untreated polio.” Crutchie says nonchalantly, as if he’s said this a thousand times.

Which he has, I guess.

“How did-” Will begins to ask, but Nico stops him.

“Will.” Hey says plainly.

“Right. Sorry. Sorry, Crutchie. I’m training to be a doctor, this stuff just sort of… I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have- ” Will stammers.

“It’s alright. You weren’t trying to be rude. Most people just avoid me like I have the plague, don’t even bother asking.” Crutchie says. There is an awkward silence for a few minutes.

Me, being my usual talkative self, decide to break it with small talk.

“So, you’re training to be a doctor? In high school?” I ask Will.

“Uh, yeah. I’ve been doing a, uh, training program at a summer camp I go to.” Will says, sneaking a glance at Nico.

“That’s really cool.” Albert comments.

“Yeah.” Will agrees. “It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but I enjoy it a lot. My father was a doctor, and it just sort of feels like what I’m meant to do.” Our conversation is suddenly interrupted by the door opening again. Another boy comes in, one with stunning sea green eyes and windswept black hair. I bite my bottom lip a little when he sashays over to where we are all sitting. God, he is super hot. I see Jack staring at him too, and I can tell that he is thinking the same thing. He sits down in a chair next to Nico.

“Am I late?” The new boy asks.

“No.” Crutchie replies a bit breathlessly. I look at Albert and notice that he too is staring at the newcomer.

We’re all so hopelessly gay.

“He’s straight.” Nico says, rolling his eyes.

“What?” Hot boy asks, blushing a bit.

“Ah well.” I say. “My boyfriend is better anyways.” I sling my arm around Albert’s shoulders.

“Um…” Straight boy stutters.

“I’m Race.” I extend my hand for him to shake.

“Percy.” He replies, taking my hand a bit tentatively.

“The other useless lesbians here are Jack, Crutchie, and Albert.” I tell Percy, pointing to each of my friends in turn. They all wave, still staring at the different wonderful qualities of Percy. His muscles, his eyes, his hair… He’s seemingly perfect.

“Trust me, he’s actually an idiot.” Nico tells us.

“Hey!” Percy complains.

“Ask literally anyone, and they’ll agree with me.” Nico says.

“Just because-” Whatever Percy is going to say to defend himself will always be a mystery, because the door opens yet again, and none other than Snyder the Spider enters.

“Alright you ungrateful rats, I’m having you run laps today. Get down to the track.” He growls, and we all stand up and file out of the room, Snyder following behind us. I hate detention, but it should be interesting with not only my friends, but also Nico, Will, and Percy. Detention might not be too bad today after all.

We make it to the track and wait for Snyder to give us more instructions.

“Alright. I want you to run 12 laps. Charlie, since I am technically not legally allowed to make you run, you will write a personal apology letter to the two boys you attacked. I have a meeting to go to now, so my student services will make sure you are doing what you are supposed to.” Snyder says in his low, gruff voice. At that point, Oscar and Morris Delancey walk up and I realize we’re screwed. Detention with the Spider is torture, but he’s not legally allowed to make us do anything too bad. The Delanceys on the other hand, they’re students, and connected students, so even if we tell any of the teachers that they're abusing their power, the Delanceys won’t get punished. Snyder leaves the track so he can go to his meeting, and the Delanceys are grinning, obviously excited to have power over us.

“Start running! You’ve has got 3 whole miles to run!” Oscar shouts at us. I clench my fists and take off, letting my anger fuel me. Beating the shit out of the Delancey brothers will only earn me more detention. When I finish my first lap (I’m a fast runner), Nico and Will are still standing at where we started. Will is arguing with Oscar and Morris, and Nico is trying to pull him away. I stop, figuring I should probably intervene.

“You have absolutely no right to be so rude and blatantly homophobic you losers!” Will practically shouts at the brothers.

“Will. Calm down. You don’t want more detention than we already have.” Nico says, pulling on Will’s arm.

“But they-” Will starts to protest.

“Will.” I say, stepping up to the blond. “Believe me when I tell you that getting mad doesn’t help. It’s a mistake I’ve made before, and the results are not pleasant. You’ve already beaten up the two of them today, and I think they both still need to recover from that anyway.” I smirk at the brothers. Nico pulls Will along as they start to run their laps, and I start my second. I find myself at the front of the group with Percy, who is also on his lap 2.

“Is this what detention always is?” Percy asks between breaths.

“Usually. Sometimes the Spider makes us clean up classrooms or move desks or something, but it’s usually some sort of physical activity.” I tell him.

“And that’s allowed? I haven’t been to a public high school before, but my stepdad is a teacher and from what I know that isn’t what standard detention is.” Percy says.

“Yeah, but he’s a dickhead. He’s pals with the entire school board, so he can do what he wants.”

“You keep calling him ‘The Spider’.” Percy comments. “What’s that about?”

“Just a nickname from a while back.” I say, chuckling a bit. “You have a fear of spiders or something?”

“Something like that.” Percy says. We run a few laps together in silence, with just the sounds of our heavy breathing filling the air. After several laps however, I get bored.

“Wanna race?” I ask Percy.

“Sure?” He says a bit hesitantly. I run ahead to where Albert is running next to Nico.

“I’m racing Percy.” I explain to Albert. “How much are you gonna bet?”

“10 on you.” Albert says without skipping a beat.

“What about you, Nico?” I ask, turning to the dark haired boy.

“You’re betting?” He asks.

“We bet vending machine credits. You win, you get spotted a snack from the vending machine redeemable whenever.” Albert explains.

“5, then?” Nice says.

“Great! We’re gonna go at the start of next lap. I’m gonna go ask Crutchie how much he’s putting, you ask Jack and Will if they want to.” I tell Albert, running off the track towards the bleachers.

“Ey! Crutchie! I’m gonna be racin’ Percy! How much you betting on me?” I ask Crutchie.

“15.” Crutchie replies, promptly dropping his notebook to follow me to the track. Everyone else has already gathered at the row of numbers starting the first straightaway on the track, and I decide to start on number 3. Percy goes to number 4.

“Alright!” Albert announces. “On your marks, get set, go!” Percy and I both take off, and I suddenly realize I don’t know how far we're racing.

“How far do you wanna go?” I ask him. We’re keeping about the same starting pace.

“2 laps?” He suggests.

“See you at the finish line!” I take on a burst of speed and leave Percy behind. This is a race after all. And then I realize this won’t be as easy as I thought. Percy catches up to me pretty fast, and starts to pull ahead. My trick for running is using all of the hate, all of the anger, all of the shit that’s built up in my life, and making it useful.

I let it fuel me.

If Percy has the same strategy, he must’ve gone through a lot of shit in his life. I push myself even harder, and I manage to keep pace with Percy.

He’s athletic, strong.

Not just legs, arms too.

He probably has a six pack.

We’re reaching the end of the second lap, and I’m worried he’s gonna win. I can feel my leg muscles straining, but I keep running. I’m sprinting now. 

I want those vending machine credits.

I look ahead to where everyone is waiting for us to finish. I see Albert, with his usual relaxed smile on his face, and he winks at me.

God, I have the best fucking boyfriend.

I manage to up my pace even higher. I’m ahead of Percy now, and I skid to a stop at the finish line, where everyone is cheering. Percy shows up a few seconds later.

“That was so hot babe.” Albert tells me, grabbing my face and pulling me into a deep kiss. I kiss back with everything I have. And then we are suddenly being pulled away from each other. I think for a moment it might just be Jack, but the hand holding my shoulder is firm, and I’m suddenly painfully reminded that the Delancey brothers were left to watch our detention.

“Sorry Oscar,” I tell the brother holding me, “We’re not available for a threesome.” Oscar lets go of my shoulder immediately.

“Does he always do this?” Nico whispers to Crutchie.
“Yep.” Crutchie whispers back. I wink at them, because my motto is “why the fuck not”. But focusing on the current problem: we’re screwed.

“Listen,” Morris says, who is still holding Albert’s shoulder after pulling him away from me, “I think that we can come to a little arrangement.”
“So blackmail.” Jack says.

“Not blackmail exactly, but I think We’re both in a situation where we can help each other out.” Oscar drawls. And that’s when Crutchie snaps. I’ve seen Crutchie get angry before, and it’s never pretty. He lunges at Morris and pulls his hand away from Albert. He then punches him in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. He then turns on Oscar, and I can tell he’s prepared to do the same to him as he did to Morris. Jack must see this too, because he grabs Crutchie’s arm, preventing him from striking Oscar.

“Crutchie!” Jack says.

“What?” Crutchie is breathing heavily and glaring daggers at Oscar.

“You’re losing it again.” Albert notes.

“Am I?” Crutchie asks sarcastically.

“Yeah.” I say.

“Well gee, I wonder why?” I swear, Crutchie has infinite sarcasm.

“Y-you can’t do that!” Oscar says, his voice shaking slightly.

“Why not?” Crutchie asks. “You know I could beat you in a fight any day, even with two crutches! So why don’t you and your brother just fuck off?” Crutchie is shouting now, and his face is turning red like it always does when he gets mad.

“Losers.” Oscar mutters as he helps Morris off of the ground and they leave the field.

“So, since we don’t have any supervision, does this mean detention is over?” Albert asks.

“We can go make out in the shed if you want.” I suggest to Albert, and I notice Percy’s face go white. “I thought you said he was straight?” I ask Will.

“He is.” Will says. “Probably just misses his girlfriend.”

“Too bad.” Jack yawns. Crutchie punches him lightly, but I can tell that Crutchie too is starstruck.

“How come no one acts all hopelessly gay around me? I’m obviously the most attractive person at this school.” Albert complains, crossing his arms.

“I can change that.” I say with a shit-eating grin, grabbing Albert’s hand and pulling him away to the equipment shed.

Chapter Text

Nico

"What just happened?" Percy asks.

"They do this all the time." Crutchie sighs.

"All the time?" Will coughs uncomfortably.

"Pretty much." Jack confirms.

"I'm glad you and Annabeth don't make out that much." Will comments, nudging Percy. Percy blushes.

"Since we no longer have to be here, I think I'm gonna go home. You need a ride, Crutch?" Jack says.

"Unless you want me to endure the bus again." Crutchie smiles.

"Hey, do you guys have phone numbers?" Jack asks. I look over at Percy.

"We do." Will confirms, pulling out his special demigod brand cell phone. I glare at my idiot boyfriend. The Hephaestus and Hecate cabins did manage to make cell phones that are safe for demigods to use, but I still think giving our numbers to random people at school is a bad idea. "We actually have this insane groupchat of a bunch of people from our summer camp." Will laughs.

"Can't be much crazier than our groupchat." Crutchie notes.

"You wanna bet?" I ask sarcastically.

"Racer would be so proud." Jack says, putting a hand over his heart in mock tribute. I roll my eyes as Will takes Jack's phone and puts his number in.

"10 vending machine credits says our groupchat is crazier than yours." Percy says quickly. I groan.

Everyone I know is an idiot.

"Deal." Jack says, spitting in his hand and holding it out to Percy to shake.

"That's disgusting." Percy says, aghast.

"That's just business." Jack proclaims, and Crutchie stifles a laugh. Percy takes Jack's hand, albeit a bit disgusted.

"If you want you can sit with us at lunch tomorrow." Crutchie offers. "I know you guys only just started coming here this year, and I know Katherine and Specs would be delighted to perform their presentation on the social hierarchy of this school."

"That would be nice. Thank you." Will smiles, handing Jack's phone back to him. Jack and Crutchie go to the parking lot hand in hand, and they board a motorcycle and speed off. Percy offers to drive Will and I back to camp, but I zone out the whole ride. We were invited to sit at their table at lunch tomorrow. Will and I just go to the library every day, so I suppose sitting in the cafeteria might be nice... They seemed friendly... And gay... I just have social anxiety and suck at meeting new people. My phone dings and I discover that a new groupchat has been created. Yay.

Chapter Text

Santa Feeeeeee created a new chat

Santa Feeeeeee: will add your people

Sunny D: you got it

Sunny D added people to the chat

Sunny D: there ya go

gaygaygay: awesome sauce

blindboi: PEOPLE I NEED NAMES, PRONOUNS, AND WHAT KITCHEN UTENSIL YOU ARE

blindboi: I AM SPECS I USE THEY THEM PRONOUNS AND I AM A GARLIC PRESS

gaygaygaygay: THEY CALL ME CRUTCHIE HE HIM PRONOUNS PLEASE I AM A FULL SET OF COLLAPSIBLE MEASURING CUPS

yer erster: RACETRACK FUCKING HIGGINS HE HIM RAINBOW WHISK

seaweedbrain: what is happening...

albo: ALBERT DASILVA. HE HIM. HAND MIXER.

Sunny D: Hi everyone! I'm Will, I use he/him pronouns, and I am a spatula.

fuck you: KATHERINE SHE HER A FUCKING BLENDER

wisegirl: I like her

fuck you: Thank you

wisegirl: I'm Annabeth, she her, mixing bowl

seaweedbrain: I'm Percy, he/him, and I guess I am a colander? I don't understand what is happening

button_me_up: I'm Buttons!!! I have no fucking clue what my gender is, don't bother asking, use whatever pronouns you want for me! I am a spoon!

Santa Feeeeeee: JACK KELLY HE HIM TEA KETTLE

title text here: I am Nico. He/him pronouns please. I am a salt shaker.

S P O T: Spot Conlon. He him. Microwave.

myanxietyhasanxiety: this is too many people...

myanxietyhasanxiety: also im grover he him one of those salad tossers with the hand cranks

hermione granger: I'm Lou Ellen! I use she her pronouns, and I am a red solo cup.

seesaw: im cecil markowitz and im leaving

seesaw left that chat

hermione granger: awww cmon cecil

whereforeartthou: ROMEO HE HIM HARD BOILED EGG SLICER

fightme: SARAH. SHE HER. FORK.

#done: DAVEY HE RAINBOW POTHOLDER

gaygaygaygay: i think thats everyone

title text here: this is too many people why are we doing this

Santa Feeeeeee: so i can win 10 vending machine credits

seaweedbrain: in your dreams

Chapter Text

Usually About To Die

seaweedbrain: we need to talk

wisegirl: about what

seaweedbrain: the jumbo group chat people

Sunny D: they seem cool!

seaweedbrain: and suspicous

title text here:  suspicious?

seaweedbrain: yeah why were they so friendly

myanxietyhasanxiety: because they are decent human beings?

wisegirl: srsly percy if you say what i think your about to say

seaweedbrain: what if theyre monsters?

wisegirl: kill me

Sunny D: no one that incredibly flamboyant is a monster

title text here: yeah race is definitely a mortal

seaweedbrain: i dunno they just seemed kinda weird

title text here: i'm sure we seemed weird to them

Sunny D: I think they like us

Sunny D: i mean, they invited us to eat lunch with them tomorrow

seaweedbrain: eat lunch with them???

wisegirl: percy you need to stop

wisegirl: they are just normal school people

wisegirl: you're just crazy

seaweedbrain: alright but if were all dead at this time tomorrow you guys will owe me

Specs

I practically jump out of my seat when the bell to start lunch rings. The people from "The Jumbo Groupchat" are going to sit with us at lunch today, and I'm excited to meet them in person. I'm pretty sure it's only Will, Nico, Percy, and Annabeth that come to school here, but that's still four new people. I walk hand in hand with Romeo to the lunch table and we take our usual spot. The new kids aren't here yet. More of our group shows up, Race sits on top of Albert like normal, Katherine and Sarah have their faces practically pushed up against each other, and Davey and Spot are already in a heated debate about something or other.

And then they walk up.

A blonde boy with a gorgeous smile, a black haired boy wearing a Panic! At The Disco t-shirt, a very pretty girl with long blond hair, and a black haired boy with stunning sea green eyes.

I am incredibly queer.

Race walks up to the four and bows, because he is a little shit.

"Enchantée." He says, taking the girl's hand and kissing it. He always says "enchantée."

"I have a boyfriend." The girl, Annabeth I assume, says.

"And I'm the gayest person you will ever meet." Race replies, smiling.

"Annabeth." Annabeth says.

"Racetrack Higgins, at your service, but you can also call me Race or Racer." Race twirls a tootsie roll pop around his fingers. "Lemme introduce you four to everyone."

"I'm Specs, pangenderfluid, they them pronouns, very queer, very into musical theatre." I say, standing up from the bench and waving to the four.

"I like your skirt." Blond haired boy says. "I'm Will, by the way."

"Thank you, Will! My best friend's girlfriend sewed it for me." I say, pointing to where Sarah is sitting. Sarah waves.

"Sarah Jacobs!" She calls from her seat. "Specs's best friend's girlfriend, twin sister to this idiot," she nudges Davey, "I'm older by a minute and 42 seconds, hardcore lesbian, badass queen."

"Katherine, girlfriend of this beautiful woman," Katherine says, planting a kiss on Sarah's cheek, "also hardcore lesbian and badass queen." Everyone goes around continuing to introduce themselves (we're a large group) and eventually we come back around to the new four.

"Annabeth Chase. I will fight you, I am probably smarter than you, and stronger than you, and I am a flaming bisexual." Annabeth says

"I'm a flamin' bisexual too!" Jack shouts. Annabeth smiles back.

"I'm Will Solace!" Blond haired boy says nervously. "Gay, gay, training to be a doctor, gay, boyfriend of the wonderful Nico, gay."

"I'm Nico. I'm very gay, I like listening to punk rock and Broadway, Will is my amazing boyfriend, and I like McDonalds. Don't judge." Black haired boy states.

"I like Chic Fil A! Especially the lemonade!" Henry exclaims.

"Henry, Chic Fil A is very homophobic and you are very gay." Crutchie explains, patting Henry's shoulder.

"Don't hate!" Henry crosses his arms over his chest.

"Okay sweetie." Crutchie sighs.

"I guess I still need to introduce myself." Sea green eyes says. "I'm Percy, I'm pansexual, and I like blue food."

"Great! Come sit down guys, we need to officially invite you to GSA." Jack says, waving over Will, Nico, Percy, and Annabeth. They all sit down.

"There's a GSA here?" Will asks eagerly.

"Yep!" Crutchie says happily. "I'm vice president, Jack is president, Davey's secretary of state, Race is Race, and Katherine is 'supreme overlord of the world'."

"We do games and things, we do a talent show, and we make sure the Delanceys get shit for being the worst. When they come by- here they are now!" Race exclaims.

"I wanna go today!" I shout. "Race always gets to, and I want a turn."

"Go on ahead, Specs." Romeo pats me on the back and I bound forward to the brothers as the walk through the outside cafeteria.

"Hey boys!" I say seductively. "See anything you like?" I stretch my leg up all the way to my head so my legs are spread directly in their faces, giving not only Oscar and Morris a good view of my crotch (and I'm wearing a miniskirt today) but also our entire table.

"Disgusting." Morris mutters as they shove past me. I stride back to the table.

"And that's how it's done." I bow dramatically, grinning at my cheering audience.

Usually About To Die

seaweedbrain: you guys were right

Chapter Text

Percy

I have no idea what's happening anymore. We meet the weirdest people in detention, get invited into a group chat, get invited to eat lunch with said weirdest people, and I had to fight a snake monster in a public restroom. So yeah, a lot has happened.

the jumbo groupchat

gaygaygaygay: sup bros jackie boy racer albo smalls spotty spot spot and me are all going to the mall rn who's coming

Sunny D: me and Nico

title text here: thats right i gotta stock up on candy

title text here: don't ask why

wisegirl: ill come

wisegirl: and percy will too

seaweedbrain: i will?

wisegirl: you will.

#done: haha when your friends forget you're coming

gaygaygaygay: oh yeah sorry daveydaveydavebro is coming too

button_me_up: finch and i are going to the movies sorry

fuck you: sarah and i are coming

whereforeartthou: binging the office with specs

blindboi: HES NEVER SEEN IT

Santa Feeeeeee: see y'all at the mall

Santa Feeeeeee: haha that rhymed

yer erster: jack you are a literal child

yer erster: update: jack punched me

So I guess I'm going to the mall now. That'll be... interesting. Annabeth picks me up in her truck, and we drive to the mall.

Everyone is congregated around Hot Dog On A Stick, laughing and talking loudly.

"Annabeth!" Sarah exclaims as Annabeth and I walk up. The two girls hug. Since when is Annabeth the "girly group" person? And it's almost like Annabeth can read my mind.

"Percy, just because I'm more popular than you it doesn't mean you have to be jealous." Annabeth teases.

"Percy!" Race strolls up to me. "Lookin' nice today! Love that plain blue t-shirt!" He comments. I blush. "Don't worry, I have a boyfriend."

"Right." I say awkwardly. I hostly don't know what else to say. Race... confuses me.

"Who's coming to the carousel with me and Sarah?" Crutchie asks.

"Meeeee!" A girl with short brown hair announces, spinning around on one of the spinny counter seats. Her name was... Smalls? I think Smalls.

"Race and I are going to Spencer's." Albert says with a grin.

"Albert..." Davey sas in a warning tone.

"Just to get pride shirts!" Albert raises his hand in surrender.

"Kath. Chaperone." Davey commands.

"Fine." Katherine rolls her eyes. "Not that I'll be much of a chaperone." She whispers to Albert, thinking Davey can't hear her.

"Alright everyone, SCATTER!" Race shouts, and we all go in different directions. Annabeth goes with the carousel group, but I get really dizzy on those so I choose to follow Will and Nico to the candy store.

Chapter Text

Davey

I really hope at least one of the boys I'm with is a theatre nerd. Because if not I'm about to look really stupid.

"Are we gonna have a problem?" I ask as we step into Sweet Factory. "You got a bone to pick?"

"What?" Percy asks.

"We've come so far, why now are you pulling on my dick?" I continue when I see Will's eyes light up with recognition. "I'd normally slap your face off, and everyone here could watch. But I'm feeling nice, here's some advice. Listen up, BIOTCH!" Nico starts to smile a bit.

"I like!" Nico and Will sing in unison.

"Lookin' hot, buying stuff they cannot." I sing.

"I like!"

"Drinking hard, maxin' Dad's credit card!"

"I like!"

"Skippin' gym, scaring her, screwing him!" At screwing him I thrust my hips towards Percy, winking at him.

"I like!"

"Killer clothes!" I silently pray Will and Nico can do high kicks as we sing together "Kickin' nerds in the nose!" I kick all the way up to my face, Will's pathetic kick barely lifts off the ground, and Nico's isn't much better. I laugh a bit.

"What was that?" Percy asks.

"Candy Store! From Heathers!" Will says, as if it should be obvious to anyone.

"Is that a band?" Percy asks. I face palm.

"It's a musical." Nico explains.

"Right. Can we get candy now?" I nod and grab a candy bag from a nearby shelf. Not even paying attention to what the others are getting, I fill my bag with candy Lego pieces, cotton candy jellybeans, chocolate rocks, mini jawbreakers, and gummy bears. The bag barely closes when I set it down at the register.

"That is way too much candy." Percy comments as he comes up to stand next to me. I notice his bag only has blue candy in it.

"There is never way too much candy." I argue, passing my ten dollar bill over the counter.

"I guess that's one way to live life." Percy shrugs. I stare at him for a moment. Percy is bothered by something, and I'm not sure if it's me or not.

"Can we go talk?" I ask. "Just the two of us?"

"Sure?" Percy replies a bit skeptically. "Will, Nico, we'll be right outside." Percy calls back to the bickering couple as we exit the store.

"Let's sit here." I gesture to a bench outside of Macy's.

"What did you want to talk about?" Percy asks, and I notice his voice waver a bit. Is he nervous?

"I think you're hiding something."

Chapter Text

Davey

"Is this going where I think it's going?" Percy asks, and I notice him pull a ballpoint pen out of his pocket and start fidgeting with it.

"Do you think this is going to be me asking if all of this makes you uncomfortable?" I ask. Percy stops playing with the pen.

"What?"

"Us. Our whole big group. We're very... well we make a lot of jokes that aren't exactly PG. And I want to include you so if you want us to stop-" I feel a bit self-conscious asking, but Percy has been acting weird and I need to know if this is why.

"Gods no!" Percy chuckles a bit, putting his pen away again.

"Gods?" I ask. "I'm not offended, just curious."

"Oh uh, it's kind of an inside joke with me and my dad. Force of habit now." He explains hurriedly.

"Okay. Just- let me know if anything bothers you in the future, okay? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or anything."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Davey."

"No problem, Perce. I just want to make sure you're doing fine is all."

"Do you want to go check out the arcade?" Percy asks, biting his lip nervously.

"Of course!" I stand up, grinning, knowing Percy and I will become good friends.

We walk to the arcade, eating our respective bags of candy, and when we reach the store of flashing lights and loud buzzers, we find Race and Albert already leaning over the prize counter, Katherine only a few feet away, shooting zombies with a violent fever.

"Wanna start with air hockey?" I ask, walking over to the table and pulling out my arcade card.

"Sure." Percy takes his position at the other end of the table.

I swipe my card, and the game begins.

Several rounds of air hockey later, Percy and I are both extremely sweaty.

"How can you get that sweaty from air hockey?" Albert asks.

"It's an extreme sport." I defend, swatting at him with the puck.

"Whatever." Albert rolls is eyes. "Race is still trying to win that wheel spinning game so he can earn enough tickets for the disco ball."

"He's been playing that for half an hour!" Percy exclaims in shock.

"We've been playing this for half an hour." I point out.

"And Katherine has been playing that for who knows how long." Albert points over at Katherine, who is still blasting electronic zombies.

"Hold up." I say, feeling my pocket vibrate. I pull out my phone to check my new text.

gaygaygaygay: come to the tiny train place were all gonna ride it

#done: okay

"We're all going to go ride the kiddie train!" I announce loudly. "Katherine, stop shooting zombies! The apocalypse is imminent! Race! Stop spinning that fucking wheel!"

After much complaining about tickets and zombie apocalypses, we all start our trek to the kiddie train station, Race hanging off of Albert's arm, Katherine insisting on carrying me on her shoulders, and Percy staring at us like we're space aliens or something.