Chapter Text
"What do you mean I won't be able to graduate?"
"Well, Perseus–" His guidance counselor began.
"Just Percy, please."
"Right." She cleared her throat, "Percy, you don't seem to have any community hours logged in our system, which is a known requirement to graduate from our school board."
Percy gaped, "I definitely did my volunteer hours. I handed them in, too! Can't you look again? They should be from my mother's bakery.."
The counselor sighed and then turned her chair back to her computer to check once more, "No, there still aren't any hours. Just like the last time I checked, and the time before that, and the time–"
"Okay, I got it." Percy groaned, "So what can be done about this?"
"Well, typically this could be excused for a student, but since your GPA is not the best you'll need to acquire them by senior year graduation, like the rest of your peers. I just wanted to remind you about these terms before it became a more," She trailed off, "pressing issue."
Percy blinked, almost at a loss for words, "Wha– My GPA is only failing because my IEP is never properly accommodated!! And then, when I try to call somebody out for it I always get dismissed!"
"You know to find other resources when a teacher is unwilling to accommodate you, Percy. Somebody else can handle that."
"Yeah, and isn't that your job?" Percy laughed when he was met with silence, "You haven't really been doing anything to 'help' me."
"Be careful with your words, Percy."
He continued, "On top of that, how do you just lose my volunteer hours? That does not seem to be assisting me in any way, shape, or form."
"That is enough, Mr. Jackson!" The guidance counselor sternly cut him off, "I will not take such criticisms from a Junior student! This is a large school, and we are already short-staffed. Despite your beliefs, I am not magical or in control of everything." She said, sighing afterward, "I apologize if we lost your hours, however, there is nothing that can be done about it. You will just have to redo them this summer."
"But-"
"You are excused. Please leave the door open when you exit, I've got another student coming in right after you." She waved him away dismissively.
Percy frowned, reluctantly getting up from the uncomfortable chair and turning away from the counselor. Hand on the doorknob, he thought about saying something to her, but he couldn't think of anything remotely kind, so he held his tongue. Instead, he quietly opened the door and walked out of the office.
He couldn't believe what had just gone down. How does a school lose seventy-five hours of community service? Better yet, how was he going to get these back? Percy groaned at his misfortune, his mind running rampant with worries. He was so caught up in overthinking that he didn't notice the girl in front of him until it was way too late.
When Percy snapped back to reality he realized that he was about to run directly into some girl walking in his direction, who also didn't seem to be paying attention. He froze slightly in alarm and then sidestepped her to try and go around.
While it was better than them colliding completely, they still ended up harshly bumping shoulders, knocking Percy off of balance. He gasped, tripping awkwardly over himself for a few seconds before correcting his balance.
"Are you alright?" A voice sounded from behind him. Percy whipped around to see the girl staring at him, gray eyes boring into his.
His face flushed in what will be written off as embarrassment, "Uh, yeah. Don't worry about it." They stood in silence for a moment, and then another. Percy was growing increasingly wary as she kept staring at him, now averting his eyes to lessen his unease.
"Okay," She said eventually, "I didn't mean to do... that, sorry." She turned on the ball of her foot afterward, a blonde ponytail swinging behind her as she walked away.
Percy watched, before realizing that he was being incredibly creepy in the moment. His face went even redder – though he wasn't sure why anymore – but he ignored it and continued on his journey back to class, the interaction never leaving his mind.
"I don't think it's the end of the world Percy," Grover whispered to him in their last-period class, "you'll be able to get those back easily."
"You don't get it," Percy mumbled back, "it's not about the hours, it's the principle of the situation. How did they even lose my volunteer hours??"
Their teacher, Ms. Dodds, shushed the class without looking up from her computer, "Stay on task, students," She said in her grainy, annoying voice.
The pair didn't bother listening to her. "It's not effective to worry about the why or the how, Percy. You know that. Plus, weren't you going to work at Ms. Jackson's bakery again this summer? Just spend the first few weeks doing your hours and then work regularly afterward," Grover proposed, keeping an eye on his paper to make it less obvious that they were speaking.
Percy sighed, "Mom told me that she doesn't need any extra staffing at the moment, and also mentioned something to me about 'branching out' and 'trying new things', so I'd have to figure something else out."
"That blows, dude." Grover yawned, "We'll figure something else out. In fact, I think there's an open spot at the sum–"
"Grover Underwood and Percy Jackson to the office, now!" Ms. Dodds interrupted them, slamming her hands onto her desk in anger, "Gods, can you ever respect the rules of this classroom?"
Percy and Grover looked at each other before silently gathering their things and leaving the classroom.
"Man, I swear she has it out for us," Grover said, "She is aware that the rest of the class was talking too, right? It wasn't just you and I."
"I think it's 'cause I put a whoopie cushion on her chair at the start of the year," Percy replied.
Grover shook his head, "No. Because you did that after she yelled at you in class for getting a question incorrect."
"I forgot about that." Percy absentmindedly cracked his knuckles, "Didn't she make that question harder just so I'd get it wrong?"
"Yup, it was so stupid. My gods do I hate her."
"I feel the same, and so do the rest of her students, I think," Percy said.
The pair walked in silence, both aware that there was no way they were going to the office. It was comforting to know that Grover was on his side because he seemed to be one of the only people at the school that was. Though they had been friends for years, it was practically an obligation at this point.
"Back to our conversation; what were you about to say earlier?"
"Huh?" Grover asked, before his eyes shined with recognition, "Oh! There's a lifeguard position open at the camp I'm working at this summer. You know, the one your sister goes to?"
"Camp Half Blood?" Percy asked. When Grover smiled and nodded, he continued, "I don't know, that name is kind of... Off-putting. Plus, it would be a long time away from home."
Grover laughed, "Oh come on now, Percy! It's because the cabin names have a Greek God theme if you squint, though nobody does. Also– weren't you just saying that your mother wanted you to branch out? This would be the perfect opportunity to do so!"
Percy shrugged, "Aren't there more qualified people? I've never worked with children before."
"Stop selling yourself short, it makes you seem self-deprecating," Grover said, "You're the best swimmer I've ever met, and I've seen you with Estelle. You would be perfect for the job, trust me."
"Well..." Percy trailed off.
"Pleaseeee," Grover pouted, "We could spend the whole summer together! Wouldn't that be fun?"
Percy considered his options for a moment. While he was not confident that he would suit the job, Grover did not seem like he was going to back down anytime soon. On top of that, this position is practically being served to him on a silver platter! He would be crazy if he didn't take it at this point.
"Okay, let me talk to my mom first. If she thinks it's a good idea, then I'll apply," He finally relented.
Grover cheered, fist-bumping Percy, "Awesome! This is going to be a great summer, trust me!"
Percy laughed, "Don't get your hopes up too high, Mom still might say no."
"I think that's a fantastic idea, sweetie!" Sally said, keeping her hands on the wheel of the car.
Grover smiled, "I told you so."
Percy wished that the two of them weren't on the same page at this moment. He shouldn't have even allowed Grover to come over tonight, that way he could have talked to his mother alone.
"Really? You do?" Percy asked, feigning enthusiasm.
"Of course!" Sally replied, "I used to work there when I was your age. You would've gone there as a camper too if I wasn't so anxious about you getting into trouble with your peers when you were younger."
"Oh," Percy said.
Sally grinned, "Plus! You can watch over Estelle! You know, make sure she doesn't cause any mischief."
"I think it will be the other way around, Ms. Jackson." Grover piped up, elbowing Percy playfully.
"How many times have I told you to just call me Sally, Grover?" She said, "May you send the application form to Percy? You two can fill it out tonight, that way he has a better chance of getting the job."
"Of course I can," Grover replied, "though there isn't much competition for the spot. At least.. None that Percy won't beat. Especially with my recommendation."
"You're really laying the flattery on thick right now," Percy said.
"I'm just being honest," Grover shot back, "Man, this is going to be so fun! Trust me, you will fit right in."