The gym is of average size, but stuffy, with only a few doors leading to the hallway of the middle school. The bleachers fold up against the wall are the school's colors: red and black. By third period it already smelt like teenager sweat. I blew my whistle and the shrill squeaks of Nikes on the hardwood floor came to an end. 20 pairs of eyes turned to face me, awaiting the next activity.

"Alrighty then. That was nice warm up jog. Now time for the fun stuff," I said, pulling out my clipboard for attendance. "Okay, you guys know the drill. If you aren't here, speak now or forever hold you peace...Whose turn is it...okay, Allison-Not Christina-Burk. You're turn. Who is not here?" I asked. I made it a game; I would call on a student who would tell me who wasn't here. In a town like this, these kids have been together for at least a few years. They know each other by middle school.

"Only Dan" Allison said. Allison was a short girl, with blonde hair she always wore in a French braid and bright blue eyes. She was a lacrosse player, and on the first day of school I read her name for attendance and recognized the name. I had her older sister, Christina for a student 4 years earlier. I knew that kids hated being compared to their siblings-7 years of experience will do you in-so I called her Allison-not-Christina Burk. I give nicknames to some of the kids, it helps them connect with me, I guess.

"Thank you ma'am," I said, putting an X next to Daniel McFarlin.

"Now today we are going to do basketball," I said, pausing for the kids to high five, any start eyeing each other for teams. I knew the who game, I was a kid once too. The jocks all glance at each other, while the girls elbow each other. Happens every time.

"Okay, guys, really?" I said. They all looked back at me, blankly. I sighed.

"The kindergarteners in my son's class mingle more than you. You two," I waved my clipboard at Jason Miller and Aiden Peters, "You guys are always on the same team. How about this-if you guys can shake it up today, I'll give the winning team candy,"

Everyone then started talking all at once, asking me who should be with who and what type of candy they could win.

"You guys have two minutes while I go check on something, okay?" I called, jogging over to my office, which is attached to the gym.

It was a small office, but then again I was a middle school gym teacher; I didn't need a big office. It had a desk in front of the glass window that faced the gymnasium, and I could see everyone splitting up.

"MILLER! PETERS! SPLIT UP!" I yelled out, seeing them trying to weasel themselves onto the same team. At least the girls were splitting up pretty evenly.

I sat on the swivel chair, putting my clipboard in one of my desk drawers. On my desk I had my laptop, a few paper, an empty coffee mug, and a picture of me and my 5 year old son, Sam. The wall opposite of my desk had 2 filing cabinets. I was pretty organized, because the first year I was a teacher I wasn't organized and that was like walking through Hades.

I took off my sweatshirt, and tossed it one my chair. One of the great things about being a gym teacher was that I didn't have to wear a monkey suit. I was paid the same and I could wear shorts, a tee shirt, and a pair of Nikes while running around all day. That's why I was 30 years old and still had a six pack and a lean body; I work out all day while hanging out with a great bunch of kids.

I walk back out to the gym, where I see 4 teams with 5 kids in each group. With McFarlin absent I had exactly 20 kids in the class.

"Sporting your tat, huh?" asked Jordan, who was dribbling a basketball in front of him. I held my hands out, and he passed it to me. Catching it, I replied.

"This 'tat' is so old. I suggest you guys never get ones, got it?" I asked, passing the ball to Allison, who raised her hand. "This is not English. What is my rule?"

"To always wear deodorant," called out Shelby.

"That's not necessarily my rule, but common knowledge. Ask around," I noted.

"To bring a change of clothes," said Jason.

"Again, common knowledge. Mr. Washer was mad I was sending sweaty kids to history," I said, causing some people to laugh.

"Don't leave the gym without letting you know?" called another voice. I didn't catch who said it, but I rubbed my forehead.

"Man, I didn't realize I had so many rules. I gotta cut back..." I said. This was where the kids should be able to feel free, and let out steam. They shouldn't have to feel confined by layers of rules. That was my belief.

"Does that mean we can leave without letting you know?" Jason asked.

"Miller! No!" I said, as people laughed, "It's the school board's rule, not mine, actually. I can't have you sweaty little teenagers running around the halls,"

"To not raise your hand," said Oliver.

"Oliver! Olly! O-liv-er! Yes! Let's get a round of applause! This isn't a classroom. No need to raise your hand, Allison not Christina," I said, as she smiled and passed the ball back to me.

"Why did you get a tattoo of a fork with a stripe?" she asked. A round of "yeah"'s and "Why"'s followed that question and I ran a hand through my black hair (which has yet to start thinning or receding. That's right, a full head of black hair. I hadn't seen a grey in my hair since I held up the sky…long story).

"I joined a cult. We collected forks," I joked. When I heard a few gasps within the laughter, I realized that not everyone realized I was joking. "No, guys I was just joking! No cult! Those are bad. And this isn't a fork, Allison. It's a trident. It symbolizes the sea," I noted. A few 'ah's were shared and then I cleared my throat, "Let's play some basketball!" I said, instructing the kids what to do. Words were coming out of my mouth, telling them the rules and how to win the candy, but I was thinking of my memories, mostly of my tattoo.

I was 17, I think, and Hera had stolen my memories and sent me to a camp for Roman demigods. That's where I met Frank and Hazel. The Romans tattooed me so I could go on a quest to save Thanatos so monsters would stay dead.

Confused? Right, I forgot to mention something. I'm a half blood, or a demigod. Half human, half god. Greek god, to be exact. My father is Poseidon, god of the seas. Most demigods don't reach my age, and don't get to live my normal life. Who knew that the scent that attracts monsters gets weaker at 30? Not me, until I was told at 29 by my father. Monsters popped up every now and then, but they weren't a threat. I can even use a cell phone now, which is very helpful.

"Mr. Jackson! When can we start?" called Aiden, who was ready to face off Jason.

"As soon as possible, Peters!" I called back.

Oh, yeah, I'm Percy Jackson.

XXXXX~~~~~XXXXX~~~~~XXXXX

I turned the engine off, and hopped out of my jeep. I was at my neighbor's house, to pick up my son. A classic, suburban house which was similar to mine stood before me. It was blue and had a big yard in the front. If it wasn't so cold, the kids would probably be running around outside. I put my hands in the pockets of my jacket, and thought that it was too damn cold to only be late November. I should really be used to this type of weather by now.

I went up to the big wooden door, and knocked. Their doorbell broke a few weeks ago, and Liz still hasn't gotten around to fixing it. The brown mat at my feet had their last name printed on with fancy script; The Collins.

The door opened, and Liz stood at the door. She was 5'6" with curly brown hair that reached her shoulders. She had freckles dancing on the bridge of her nose, and had warm, kind brown eyes. She was wearing sweatpants and a loose fitted white long sleeve shirt. She smiled, causing dimples to appear, "Perce! Come on in, it's freezing!" she said, pulling me in.

Liz Collins was my best friend. She had 2 twins that were in Sam's class. They had been best friends since they were born. Liz's husband died right before the kids were born from a car crash. It was horrible; Dean was one of my close friends too.

"Thanks for having Sam over," I said, stepping inside the house.

She waved her hand, "Please! I love Sam! And he, Josh and Lily get along great!"

Then I heard the pitter patter of little feet on the hardwood kitchen floor. Then the kids all came running up, with big grins on their face. Sam looked exactly like me, but had his mother's nose and his hair was strait like his mother. He had black hair that fell into his green eyes. Liz's twins, Josh and Lucy, were the cutest kids. I loved them like they were my own. Josh played soccer with Sam, and had short brown hair that matched his hazel eyes. Lucy looked similar, having matching hair and eye color, however her eyes had gold rings in them and her hair was curly more than wavy. She always wore it in a ponytail and sometimes would put a bow in.

"Hi Daddy!" Sam said, running up to me, wrapping his arms around my in a hug.

"Hey Sam!" I said, ruffling his hair.

"Daddy, stop that!" he whined, straining out his hair.

"Right, you gotta look nice for your hot date later," I joked. Lily giggled at that, and I turned to her, "What are you laughing at, Princess?"

"Nothing, Mr. Jackson," she said, smiling up at me.

"C'mon, Sam, we gotta go. I'm having some old friends over," I said. I ran across a few familiar faces when I had to call Chiron to let him know that there was a half-blood at my school and there was no satyr. That was the first time anyone from Camp had heard from me in hears, and some of my old friends had to see me to believe me. I invited them over for dinner, which I had realized during fifth period was today...

"I'm hurt I'm not invited," Liz said mockingly, putting a hand up in mock shock.

"It's sort of a reunion. We can have a party tomorrow," I promised, and she laughed.

"Count me in,"

"Me too, Mr. Jackson!" said Josh, jumping up an down.

"Yeah! Let's make pasta!" said Lucy.

"With red sauce! And bread!" continued Sam.

"Sounds like a plan, guys," I said, giving everyone high fives. "Okay, Sam, let's go. What do you say?"

"Thank you, Ms. Collins. See ya tomorrow guys," he said.

"Bye Sam!" they both said, running off.

"I'll call you tomorrow," I said to Liz, as she handed me Sam's coat and backpack from the closet. I gave Sam his jacket and I shouldered Sam's green backpack

"Have fun at your reunion," she replied. I opened the door, and Sam walked out with me in his trail. I closed the door behind me.

When we got in the car, Sam took his spot in the middle seat in the back. I could see the top of his head in my rearview mirror.

"Whose coming over tonight?" Sam asked, curiously. I put his backpack in the passenger seat, and turned the car on.

"Some of my old friends from when I was in middle school and high school," I replied.

"Do I know them?" Sam asked.

"No, I don't think so," I said.

"What are their names?"

"Jason and Piper, Grover, Nico, and Thalia," I replied. I haven't seen them in 8 years...ever since me and Annabeth broke up.

I was majorly screwed.