Chapter Text
I didn’t ask to become this universe’s equivalent of Percy Jackson. I could go back through my past life before this reincarnation and point out many places in which I had suffered enough. When I died, I thought I was going to finally have a sweet relief from the pain of my past. Instead, I woke up in the twelve year old body of a young girl with godly blood coursing through her veins.
I could say it was a shock, and I guess it was, but I mostly thought: Fuck. This. Shit. I’m too tired for this.
So, with that in mind, I should tell you my name. Completely original. Just kidding. I’m Rhea Jackson. There isn’t a Percy here. As far as I can tell, I am him. I woke up with sea green eyes, long black hair and a heart-shaped face. I hate it.
I currently stood in front of the mirror scowling at my reflection, wanting desperately to do something with my hair. At the very least dye the tips purple, right? Maybe I’d make a good redhead? I jerked on a piece of the hair with an unhappy expression.
“Come on, Rhea!” A knock pounded on my dorm room and I swiveled to look at the closed door forlornly. “It’s finals day! You can’t be late!” Grover bleated from the other side of the door.
With a heavy sigh, I walked over to the door and joined Grover walking to class. We had Chiron – I mean, Mr. Brunner’s exam today and then we were off. I woke up in this body during the infamous museum tour from the beginning of the Lightning Thief book. Hopefully Chiron and Grover attributed whatever behavior changes to the traumatizing event they kept trying to make me think didn’t happen.
Not only that, but as much as I should be acing every test, it was maddening that I now had ADHD and dyslexia and I wasn’t getting any accommodations for them. So no, while I most likely knew the answers to most things these children were learning about, I severely struggled to articulate it in writing. I could verbally explain it, but no teacher had been willing to accommodate me. I even reached out to the school counselor and principal. Still nothing.
I also suspected that Poseidon and Zeus’s little tantrums were causing my bad moods recently, as I was more irritable and in worse moods than usual.
I did learn a trick, however, and snuck a cup of coffee before classes each day. Strangely enough, it helped me focus and calmed me down enough for classes. I drank an extra big cup today in preparation for the long three hour exam in Mr. Brunner’s class.
We got to class and I got to work on the exam after a lingering and quizzical look from Mr. Brunner. I spent most of the time trying to decipher the words with my dyslexia, but managed what I could and felt good enough about the test.
I was technically still kicked from the school due to bad grades, so I was not surprised when Mr. Brunner tried to give me a “pep talk,” which, was anything but. Out of the corner of my eye as Mr. Brunner gave me the little talk, I could see Nancy making faces at me. It was distracting me from Mr. Brunner’s words, and honestly, I hadn’t really been paying attention in the first place. Cutting Mr. Brunner off in the middle of his sentence, I turned to the girl and gave her my most concerned face.
“Mr. Brunner? Nancy seems to be having some kind of seizure or something. She’s having, like, muscle spasms in her face. She might need to see the nurse, sir.” My words were said with as much innocence and concern as I could muster and I saw Nancy’s face burn red at my words as the class started snickering at her.
I turned back to Mr. Brunner whose lips were twitching, whether into a smile or a frown, I wasn’t sure, but I spoke up before he could start again.
“Listen, Mr. Brunner, I’m fine. I know there’s more out there for me. Besides, not my fault the school didn’t accommodate disabilities they knew I had when they accepted me.” I shrugged and turned away, grabbing the rest of my supplies and leaving without another word.
I wandered the hallways, lamenting the start of a journey I had no interest in being a part of. Maybe I could weasel my way out of it? That was a thought. The Hunters of Artemis was always a choice. Maybe I could get Zeus angry enough to smite me and save me the trouble. With that encouraging thought, I listened to classmates talk about their summer plans as I passed them in the hallway. Eventually Grover caught up, explaining he was going the same way as me and we would not be parting ways too soon.
It was when we were boarding the bus, that I broached the topic with Grover. I had my chin in my hand, leaning my head on it in boredom. My eyes were half-lidded with exhaustion and fatigue as I regarded him quietly. He was acting very paranoid and suspicious. I had half a thought of letting canon play out how it was meant to, but decided I’d rather avoid a frazzled trip to camp – an inevitable trip with Uncle Hades knowing I was alive – and avoid a trip to save Sally Jackson.
I opened my mouth to speak, when a horrible smell started up and the driver pulled to the side. Grover and I got off the bus as the bus driver tried to fix it and heard a gasp next to me. I looked to Grover, who was staring at a fruit stall. Oh, right. I looked at the three ladies knitting a large sock. I let out a loud sigh as Grover turned to me immediately and said, “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
“You mean the three old ladies knitting a giant sock that would fit even Polyphemus?” Grover did a double take when he looked at me, his jaw dropping further. “Yeah,” I said sardonically. “You guys haven’t been great at hiding all of this.” I waved over at the old ladies snipping the cord, the sound echoing across the distance. Grover jerked at the noise, glancing over at the ladies in panic, then broke into a cold sweat. “You can make me feel like I’ve lost it, but it won’t work. We just witnessed the Fates cut someone’s line, Grover. I think we’re past pretending here.”
“No,” He croaked, watching in despair as the Fates cleaned up. I rolled my shoulders and nearly prayed for patience. No, I wouldn’t resort to looking to the gods for help. I was on my own, just as all demigods were. Even if I prayed, how often did they respond to their children? Essentially never, until they proved themselves.
With that thought, I turned back to Grover who looked like his life had imploded before his very eyes. Then he reached out and grabbed my hand, trying to haul me back on the bus with a shaky and terrified hand. His grip, while trembling, was strong as he hefted me back on the bus despite my complaints.
“Listen, Rhea,” He said as he dragged me back to our bench. “I’m…supposed to protect you. We need to go to a place – a safe place – for people like you.” He pulled out a card with fancy script. I glanced once at it before deadpanning at him.
“I’m not even going to attempt to read that, Grover, it’s killer on the eyes.” His face twisted in panic and I held my hands up to stop his worry and avoid the “it’s always sixth grade” ramble. “Fine, we’ll go. But we need to tell my mother first, Grover. It’s the least she deserves. Also, you’re going to have to tell me just what I am, as well.”
He nodded quickly, almost like he’d agree to anything if I would just follow him back to camp immediately. The bus started back up then, Grover jumping in surprise, and the rest of the riders climbing back on happily.
I eyed him as the bus began to move.
He squirmed a bit, and I knew his bladder was acting up. “Please promise me you’ll let me come back with you to your apartment, Rhea.” I nodded back at him and leaned my head on the window while closing my eyes. I would have to trust Grover to keep an eye out as I rested my head and eyes. I couldn’t help it; I just didn’t have the energy for any of this.
Grover murmured my new name not too long after and gave me a gentle shake. I had to stop myself from doing something I shouldn’t as I felt him shake me – old habits die hard, I guess – as he then sprinted off for the bathrooms. I was still lacking a lot of energy as I plopped to my butt on the sidewalk and sat with my head in my hands again. I had one eye open as I kept an eye out for danger.
Grover hurried back out, like he was afraid I’d take off without him. His shoulders slumped in relief at seeing me waiting for him. “Got money for a taxi?” he asked.
I nodded and stood up then, hailing one and climbing in with my suitcase as Grover climbed in after me. I turned to him in the taxi and tried not to fidget as I had to approach this conversation with Grover. The other conversation wasn’t as difficult to broach, but this one concerned me.
“Grover, you know my mother married – uh, Gabe – right?”
“Right?” He asked, still on edge, especially with my change in mood.
“Well, he’s not the greatest.” I muttered. “Please, uh, don’t antagonize him and no judgement please.”
I didn’t have previous memories of what Rhea’s life was like before all of this, just what I knew from letters that had been mailed between my new mother and I, as well as conversations I’d had with Grover and teachers. I didn’t know how differently Gabe acted in front of a female than a male child – especially when I knew that Gabe had beaten Sally – mom, I need to get used to that endearment – and perhaps Percy at one point.
“I know that, Rhea, you don’t need to worry. While I was in the bathroom, there was a phone just out back and I made a quick call to your mother. I, uh, have her number. We’ve spoken before. She knew I was watching you. She said she was on her way from work. She’ll meet us at the apartment.”
I let out a breath of relief at his words. Good, I didn’t have to be in the same vicinity as Gabe Ugliano for long, although I felt bad for mom.
We eventually pulled up to the apartment complex and Grover and I waited outside, shifting uncomfortably as we were both hesitant to go inside, but worried about trouble we may attract out on the sidewalk.
I glanced over as I saw my new mom nearly running towards us in her haste to get to us. She pulled me in quickly for a hug as she approached, running a soothing hand down my hair and minute trembling in her frame. As someone with a previous aversion to touch, I was ready to be out of my comfort zone, but when my new mother pulled me in, it was all I could do not to melt into her arms. It was like she was sucking away all the dark and unhappy feelings I had felt the last few months.
I curled my arms around her middle after a few seconds and leaded more into her arms as she cooed to me in a comforting tone.
I felt a flash of guilt at taking this Rhea’s mother from her. Where was she? Those thoughts fell away as mom pulled away first and cupped my cheeks in her hands tenderly. “Are you okay, Rhea? We have a lot to talk about, but first we need to start the trip to camp.”
I pursed my lips, but nodded at her solemnly. She looked a bit perturbed by my reaction, but shook it off immediately afterwards and told Grover and I to stay here as she got the car from Gabe. I didn’t know how she would pull that off, but I eased myself over to the steps and sat down carefully. Grover sat next to me and I almost felt the urge to lay my head on his shoulder, fighting the tiredness.
Grover looked at me strangely, but didn’t say a word. Soon enough, mom was hurrying her way out with car keys in her hand and hurrying us towards Gabe’s camaro.