***Percy's POV***
"I want a girlfriend like her," Eliot suddenly stated, cutting through the silence. "Or boyfriend."
Everyone stared at him. I smirked.
'There's only one person like her. That is her.'
"Shame...Maybe I should look on Amazon, or Ebay..."
'And what? Find a life for sale for yourself?' I teased.
"Savage!" Grant called.
"Why you gotta be so savage?" Eliot sung, smiling like he was insane.
I stared at him, then briskly walked out of the room to my room. I locked the door, sitting on the floor by the window.
I laid on my back, looking out the window.
I slid under my bed, grabbing my guitar and notebook. I sat on the floor, flipping through the notebook.
Gold was the first song title.
I stood up, guitar in one hand, book in the other. I walked quickly out of my room, then threw the book at Grant, who caught it much to my expectancy.
"What's this?" Eliot asked, looking at it with Grant.
"A note book full of songs. What do you think it is?" Grant asked sarcastically.
'Are you sure that it isn't your time of the month?' I asked him, narrowing my eyes.
"Asshole," he muttered under his breath.
I bent over, laughing while clutching my stomach. It was beginning to hurt from laughing.
'At least I actually accept my title. I've got a list of them. Bastard, asshole, f*cker, mother f*cker, bitch, and even princess! DO I LOOK LIKE A PRINCESS TO YOU?' I demanded.
Everyone stared at me, shocked at my outburst.
"Where'd you learn to sign cuss words?" Steve asked quietly.
'Where'd you learn to breathe? I'm not questioning you on everything you do.'
"Percy," Bruce started.
I rested my hand under my chin, pretending to think about it.
'Tony.'
Everyone looked at Tony.
"I taught you everything but the mother f*cker," he corrected.
'Oh yeah...'
"Where'd you learn that word?" Natasha asked me.
'Do you even have to ask? A POKER PARTY, WITH DRUNKS!'
Yeah, I learned it from Gabe.
"Oh..."
'Gold. Now!' I signed to Grant and Eliot.
"Demanding," Eliot groaned.
'You think this is demanding, I can drive you as if I was a slave driver.' (I don't support slavery.)
He stepped closer to Grant. "I'm good."
'Good. Not that I actually would do anything like that...It was a bad reference, now that I think about it. I don't support slavery. Just to be clear.'
"Yeah, I think they get it, Perce," Clint cut me off.
I nodded, then turned into a circle.
"What are you doing?" Natasha asked me.
I spun on her. A bemused look was on my face as I stared at her.
'I'm observing this beautiful world. What the hell do you think I'm doing?'
"You sure it isn't your time of the month?" Grant asked me, narrowing his eyes.
I frowned, thinking about it.
"Oh my God, you actually had to think about it?" Eliot cried out.
'The body works in mysterious ways, Eliot. Like whatever possessed Matt and Casey...well, she's gonna be birthing something in nine months.'
Grant and Eliot were choking on air.
"You'd better not ever become a parent," Eliot managed.
'I wasn't planning on it, really.'
"OH MY GOD! You impregnated someone!?" Eliot shouted.
"Eli, I think he means he's not planning on becoming a parent in his future..." Grant exclaimed slowly.
"But-"
"He didn't impregnate someone..." He looked over at me, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I don't think he did."
'Why would I do that?'
"You were drunk!" Tony chirped.
'No.'
"High?" Grant asked.
'NO!'
"Frisky!?" Eliot exclaimed.
'Gods, I'm scarred for life now. AND NO!!!'
"I really thought it was frisky..." Eliot sighed, dejected.
"Only you would think that, Eli," Grant patted him on the back.
"No. Tony was thinking it," Eliot corrected. Tony nodded.
'I'M DONE!' I signed, grabbing my guitar that I had set on the floor and walked out of the room. I hit the button then walked to the band studio.
I opened the door, then sat on the floor, flipping through the lyrics to 'Gold'.
I set up the mic. I tuned my guitar. Just as I was about to start, Eliot, Grant and Luke walked in the room. They quickly set up.
Luke and Grant started the beat.
"First comes the blessing of all that you've dreamed,
But then comes the curses of diamonds and rings.
Only at first did it have its appeal,
But now you can't tell the false from the real.
Who can you trust?
Who can you trust?
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold, gold.
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold.
Ooh, gold, woah [X4]
Statues and empires are all at your hands,
Water to wine and the finest of sands.
When all that you have's turnin stale and its cold,
Oh you'll no longer fear when your heart's turned to gold.
Who can you trust?
Who can you trust?
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold, gold.
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold.
Ooh, gold, woah [X4]
I'm dying to feel again,
Oh anything at all,
But oh I feel nothin', nothin', nothin', nothin'
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold, gold.
When everything, everything, everything you touch turns to gold, gold.
Ooh, gold, woah [X4]
***Instrumental***
And then the song ended.
I backed a step away from the mic, feeling energized.
"Speechless Eliot?" Grant asked him.
"There are no words that can describe this song. It's better than anything!"
I stared at them, then closed my case with the guitar in it.
I picked it up, then briskly walked out of the building.
The cars zoomed by as I walked to the tattoo parlor across from the gym. I was positive that Casey, Dom or Matt had seen me. Maybe Colin.
I opened the door, walking inside.
"Sorry, no kids here allowed," the man stated gruffly.
"Were you the one here a while ago?" I asked quietly. He looked up from the magazine of knives and guns.
"Yeah...Why?"
"I wanted to apologize. I had no reason to act that way, even with someone with a broken nose...I should not have been so rude. I do hope you can forgive me."
He blinked, tilting his head.
"Sure. You've got spunk to talk to a grown man like that, kid," he noted.
"I've been told that a lot," I agreed.
"Pretty tough kid, huh? Going to that gym and all..."
"I like to think of it as something to clear the mind of mine...A past time, if you will."
"You must be very busy. You do any sports?"
"No. I'm actually in a band with my friends and my cousin."
"Cool. What do you play?"
"Anything, really. Rock and alternative mostly. I never did catch your name, what is it?"
"Johnny. And yours?"
"Percy. Nice to meet you, Johnny."
"You too. I'm impressed. You have very good manners for being a kid...Most don't."
"My parents are strict about that stuff."
Let's all just take a minute to thank the one called Steve.
"Oh, your mom or dad? Or...your moms or dads?"
"My dad. I was adopted."
"I see. And you're happy with them?" he asked, leaning on the counter.
"Yeah...They're all I have. And it means the world to me."
"The world could use a little more happiness like that."
Yeah, so could I.
"Yeah. It's odd. Usually, I'm the pessimistic one out of my friends."
"Really? Doesn't seem like it to me."
"I guess they've really rubbed off on me."
"I'll take a wild guess and agree with you."
"So why do you work here?" I asked, looking around in the tattoo parlor.
"I'm hopelessly lost in the fascination of tattoo art," he sighed.
"Really? Me too."
"You're like what, fifteen? How would you have any experience with tattoos?"
"I'm thirteen. And my uncle let me get a tattoo."
"He must be laid back, then."
"Some times. If I get in a fight, not so much. But if I dye my hair, pierce myself or give myself a tattoo, he's usually pretty calm about it..."
"Wait. You give yourself the tattoos?"
"Sometimes. I've been working on the designs. I had my friend do my tattoo."
"What is it?"
"A star with my favorite quote in it. You have a tattoo?"
"Yeah. A few. A quote and then a rose."
"Cool. I knew flowers could be manly if they wanted," I stated.
He laughed.
"Only the select few can notice that."
My phone started ringing. "I've got to take this real quick. Sorry." He nodded, going back to his magazine.
I answered my phone.
"Where are you?" James asked me.
"Why do you want to know, James?"
"Because your friends are mad that you ripped them off like that."
"Tell them what. I promise to go to school without getting a detention or suspension this time."
He talked to them.
"Eliot said that you should do that anyways."
"Well tell Eliot that if he doesn't accept my offer, I will go to school, start a fight and be suspended."
"Threats? Fine. I told him."
"And he said?"
"That you are a cheater and to get your ass back here."
"Yeah, that's not happening. Hand the phone to Eliot, James."
"UGH! FINE!"
"You left me with Grant and Luke," Eliot hissed.
"And?"
"YOU LEFT ME WITH THEM!"
"And they're your friends...right, Eli?"
"I...I guess."
"Then go back to Grant and Luke and tell them that I'm sorry."
"Are you, are you really?"
"That's for you to decide."
"I don't believe you."
"Good. Otherwise, you would've been played too easy."
"You're the master at this, though."
"I was taking it easy on you. I could have gone so much harder on you, you do realize that, yes?"
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks."
"Whatever. Just...make sure the family knows I'm fine."
"Yeah, where are you?"
"At a strip club. Where do think I am?" I asked sarcastically.
"The library picking up books for your pregnant woman!?"
"Eliot, I am not a father! Get it through your head."
"Sure. That's what they all say. Don't deny it, Percy. You loved it."
"This conversation is ended." I hung up on him.
Johnny looked up at me.
"A strip club for an excuse?" he asked.
"I've got a weird brain."
"I gathered."
"Sorry you had to listen to that."
"It was pretty entertaining, actually. You always that sarcastic?"
"No-...Yeah. I am."
"Honest."
"Pardon?" I blinked.
"You're honest. That's a good trait."
"I'm not that honest, really. I have a tendency to lie...quite often, actually."
"Hmm. You should try and fix that."
"I try. I am trying."
"Good. I'd like to see you work on that."
"Me too."
"So who do you lie to? Your family?"
"Yeah...and friends."
"Well, I'd start by telling them the truth about it all. Might help."
"You sound like you've lied before...to someone you love."
"Yeah...I lied to my parents and my girlfriend..."
"About your sexuality?" I guessed. He looked shocked I had guessed it.
"Y-yeah...How'd you know?"
"What's something you hide from your parents and friends?"
"You're smart for your age, you know that?"
"Not really. But thanks."
"It was merely a fact."
"I see..."
"It's getting late. You should probably get home soon. Traffic and all. I'd offer you a ride home, but I don't want to make you think I'd kidnap you or something."
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll get a ride from my friend."
"The one across the street?"
"Yeah...How'd you know?"
"We don't get that many customers during the day or during the week."
"Ah. Well, it was nice talking to you, but I think I'd better go...Bye, Johnny."
"Bye, Percy. Be careful!"
"I will." I walked out of the store, guitar case in my grasp. I looked both ways before walking across the street.
I stood outside the gym, waiting for Dom to come scold me.
The door swung open, revealing all three of them.
"Who's manning the register?" I asked, looking at the ground.
"Colin," Casey replied.
"You've got some explaining to do, mister!" Dom snarled.
"Seems I've neglected to tell you that I don't give a shit," I retorted.
"You are so grounded for that!" Matt declared.
"You aren't my dad!" I pointed out.
"No, but I am a dad!"
"Not yet, you aren't," I reminded him.
"Same thing!"
"Not really."
"I'm calling Bruce," Dom interrupted.
"What? Why?" I demanded, resting my guitar case on the building.
"You were in a damned tattoo parlor!"he hissed.
"So?"
"So!? You're underage!"
"That didn't stop me from getting my own tattoo and piercing my ear and my lip, now did it?"
"WHAT!?" they shouted in unison.
"I'm done!" I spun, grabbing my guitar case, and walking away.
"Percy, get back here!" Matt called, walking after me. He grabbed my shoulder, making me stop dead in my tracks.
"Leave me alone."
"No. You can't just walk off like that!"
"Dammit, I wasn't, Matt. Leave me the f*ck alone!" I pushed his hand off me and walked further down the street.
I heard him shouting at me, but I continued walking. I hit a button on my phone.
"I'm gonna need a ride. Like now."
A car pulled up, then the door opened. It was Jeff driving.
"You called."
I nodded, getting in.
"Tower?" he asked me.
"Nah...Actually, yeah."
"Alright."
He drove me to the tower.
"Thanks."
"Sure. Call if you need me!" He opened the door. I climbed out, nodding to him.
I carried my guitar with me into the tower. I walked inside, stopping in my tracks in the center of the room. I stiffened slightly.
"I don't know if it was smart for you to come here or extremely stupid. I'm pegging for the stupid, as of now," I stated.
"So you're back to talking, huh?" a raspy voice called out.
"Whenever had I quit?" I retorted, spinning to see Mason.
He pulled out a gun, pressing the barrel to my forehead.
"As I said, stupid."
"Shut up, brat!" he snarled.
Two can play at this game. I released my anger into my eyes, letting them turn. I let out a soft growl. The shadows darkens slightly. Clarisse lunged out of a shadow, along with Beck, knocking Mason to the ground, pinning him in the process.
He still had his gun in his hand. I took a step closer, then stepped on his hand, then broke his fingers. He whimpered. I kicked the gun away from him.
"Mercy is not something I usually have. Ever. You're lucky to be alive at the moment. That being said, the police were alerted by a ghost call and are on the way. I'm letting you off the hook. But if you ever raise a gun to someone again, I will kill you slowly and painfully. Or better yet, leave you alive. Death would be the least of your worries," I whispered to him.
Glaring, I pulled away, my eyes never leaving his.
"They're gonna take you down," he hissed.
"Let them try." My arms were outstretched now. "Because if there's one thing I know, it's that there's nothing worth living for to them. Nothing. So if that's true, why would they go after me? Why would simple minded gangsters tied into a gang's code rebel against me further, knowing damn well that I'm not the nicest, or understanding one here?" I tapped my chin.
"Because there was an alliance."
A grin broke out on my face. I laughed.
"Of course there was! Do you honestly think I'm unaware of ever single sneeze, every single whisper involved? Mason, I know everything I need to know. Including the fact that there was supposed to be the rebellion ever since I took over. I always knew."
"That's not possible," he croaked.
"Then why did I take in a gang of convicts?" I asked, leaning closer to him, in a whisper.
Realization dawned on his face.
I straightened. "If you're going to point fingers, I suggest you get your information right, first."
"How did you recruit them?"
"Easy. They wanted a way out, I provided it," I replied.
"How? Did you use your parents ranks in this?" he demanded.
"No, They don't even know about this. Well, my uncle does, but that's not the point. And he did help."
"Uncle?"
"Joker," I whispered to him.
He paled.
"He's my uncle," I finished.
A police car pulled up on the curb. Cops rushed in, then cuffed him up immediately.
"Are you okay, son?" a man asked me.
"Y-yeah. A little shaken is all," I muttered, as if I was dazed.
"Okay. Well, we got him. Why don't you go rest? This could really scare someone."
"Alright. T-thanks."
"You're welcome. Be safe!" he called as I walked to the elevator door.
I hit the right floor button. I closed my eyes, leaning on the wall. The door opened. I stumbled out, my legs turning into jelly as I walked. Eventually, I gave up trying to walk and slid to the floor by the wall.
I buried my face in my knees, hugging them to my chest.
Someone walked out into the hall. I looked up. It was Natasha.
She took in my looks; Red, puffy eyes, tear stained face, weak.
"Wanna talk about it?" she asked, sitting next to me.
I was quiet for a moment.
She started to get up.
"I didn't kill him," I stated aloud.
She sat back down.
"Who?"
"Mason."
"The guy that shot you?"
"Yeah."
"You let him live?"
"Surprising, I know."
"What made you stop?"
"Johnny."
"Johnny?"
"The guy at the tattoo parlor. We were talking for a while. He doesn't know that you all are my parents. He thinks I should try to be more honest though...So I'm going to try my best."
"Alright...Well, all I can say is to take it step by step at being honest. Don't leap too far, otherwise you'll be lost."
"Thanks, Nat."
"You're welcome, kiddo."
She walked into the living room. I followed, a slower pace because of my jellied legs.
"There he is," Eliot pointed at me.
I shifted under his finger that was directed at me.
"Where were you?" Eliot began. He cut me off before I could say anything. "And I know you weren't at a strip club!"
I blinked. "Tattoo parlor."
He blinked. "WHAT? You might as well have gone to the strip club!"
"Well, I'll keep that in mind then," I said sarcastically.
"You were at a tattoo parlor?" Bruce repeated.
"Mm-hmm."
"Did you get a tattoo?"
"No. Why would I do that when I could apply my own skills to it?"
"Maybe you were lazy for the day," Tony suggested.
"No...I was talking to the guy there. I kinda yelled at him the other day...I came in and apologized."
"That sounds like a Steve thing to do," Tony remarked.
"I took a moment to thank the one they call Steve," I stated calmly. Steve's eyes widened as everyone laughed.
"You really did that?" Grant asked.
"Yeah."
"So who was this guy?" Clint questioned.
"A man named Johnny. He's cool."
"What else do you know about him?"
"He is in either early twenties or late twenties. He's very big about the honesty thing. He loves tattoo art, that's why he works there. He lied to his family and friends, causing him to go against lying."
"Do you know what he lied about?"
"Yep."
"Care to explain?"
"I don't know...It's kinda something personal...He's like Jeff."
They were quiet for a moment.
"Ah..." Tony stated. "He's gay, yes?"
"I don't really know. He just lied about his sexuality to his parents, girlfriend and friends."
"And you just...guessed?"
"Observing is key. But basically, I did guess," I admitted.
"You normally guess one's sexuality?" Clint echoed.
"Well, not usually. But on occasions. Never been wrong so far."
"Gaydar! He has a gaydar!" Eliot declared.
Well then.
I shrugged. Probably true.
"Wouldn't that mean he's gay though?" Grant asked.
Eliot looked to be thinking.
"I don't really know! Maybe! Maybe not! I'm not a genius, leave me alone."
Sighing, I walked out of the room.
Well, that's one thing that didn't change.
Songs of the chapter:
Gold by Imagine Dragons
Vote.
Comment.
AND ENJOY!