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It had been a week since the school year had started, which meant the house was empty for the biggest part of the day, and everyone was pretty busy. It was just Percy, Zoe and Charlie in the house.
“How was school today?” Percy asked Zoe and Charlie who were both sitting quietly.
“I got in the football team.” Charlie replied. He had been talking about trying out all summer, and he was pretty excited for actually making it.
“That’s great! What position?”
“Centre for now, but Coach will also put me to play as quarterback for a game. I might join the Varsity next year if I’m good enough.” His son announced proudly.
Percy high-fived him. “What about you, Zoe?”
“Nothing interesting really.” She said and took a cookie from the jar. “The most interesting part of the day was the head cheerleader asking Charlie out on a date tonight.” She smirked.
“Why did you have to talk about it?” Charlie pointed out clearly annoyed with his sister.
“Dad asked what the best part of my day was. I was just being honest.” Zoe raised her hands with a smug expression on her face.
“I really hate you sometimes.” Charlie told her. “I am going out tonight.” He told Percy.
“With the cheerleader?”
“Yes, and her name is Luna. We’ll go to watch a movie.”
“Have fun. Anything planned for tonight, Zo?”
“Bike ride with Bianca. Might also check on Mrs O’ Leary at Camp.” Zoe told him. “I’ll probably be in time back for the game.”
A few hours go by. Percy was watching the Giants play with Zoe, Lana, Theo and Annabeth who was working on her iPad. He started getting a bit worried about Charlie as he still hadn’t returned from his date. “I’m going to get something from the fridge. Does anyone want something?” After a chorus of no, he went to the second fridge in the garage. Before heading back to the living room, he got out of the house and walked to the front porch. Charlie was sitting there, looking at his phone. He didn’t look like he had a good time. Percy sat next to him. “I guess the date didn’t go as planned.”
“It didn’t, it was horrible. She just wanted to go out with me to get back at her boyfriend.” Charlie replied. “It was terrible.”
“I am sorry. Was it at least fun until you knew why she wanted to go out with you?”
“No, it was bad. We don’t have anything in common. If she hadn’t told me about her boyfriend I would have told her to not go out again. I wished I had talked sooner. I am so humiliated.” He admitted. “She also knew about… you know… last year.”
That last bit hit Percy harder than he believed. Charlie had a really tough time last year and he hoped that the rumours would stay in his previous school, but it seemed like the opposite had happened. “Oh. It will get better, I promise.”
“I know. But I thought it was over. I don’t want to worry about that as well. I have changed since then and stuff have weight in high school. If the whole school finds out, I’m screwed.” He sighed.
“I’ll make sure that nobody else finds out. How does that sound?”
“Good, I guess. But at least Luna got what she wanted at the end.” He chuckled. “After I left she was making out with her boyfriend. And she told me that she owes me one.”
“Everyone gets what they want at the end. I’m you’ll find someone you like better than Luna or any Luna in fact. You are still young.”
“You have known mum since you were twelve. I don’t think you’re the right person to talk me about this.” Charlie half-smiled.
Percy felt a bit relieved that his son wasn’t that upset with the whole situation. “Want to come in? We are watching the game. We don’t have to tell them what happened if you don’t want to.” Percy reassured him.
“That sounds great.”
Charlie was about to get up when Percy continued talking. “You’re a great kid. I don’t want you to doubt that because some things happened to you.”
“Thanks.”