Percy was a troublemaker. Actually, troublemaker is too light of a word. He was a delinquent. Last year, he got in a fight with one of the members of the football team. Jacob was sent home with a blackened eye and a bloody nose. He vandalized his math teacher's car, stole several items from a department store, and almost set his school on fire. Needless to say, he spent some time in juvie.
And those were only his crimes from last year.
Now, he sat in the principal's office, his mother seated on the chair next to him, and a very angry looking principal in front of them both.
"Mrs. Jackson, I have called you here yet again to inform you of your son's latest misdemeanor." The principal spoke in a clipped voice, barely holding back her annoyance. "Your son was caught with a can of beer, sitting behind the building. I'm sorry-" Sorry my ass, thought Percy, "-but the only thing that I can do now is to expel him." Sally Jackson sighed. Her exhaustion was evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Principal Jones," she replied. "Let's go, Percy." She stood up and walked out the door, politely nodding at the principal before leaving.
The walk from the building to the car was silent. Sally got into the driver's seat and Percy hopped in, next to his mother. Percy's tough act melted as soon as he was alone with his mother. He could feel the disappointment she was feeling even she didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, mom," he blurted out. Mrs. Jackson focused on her driving, staring straight ahead. "Percy, I know it's hard. You're ADHD and dyslexic and don't feel like you fit in, but I just wish you would try a little harder. You're 17, in the middle of your junior year, and it's about time you get your life together. I'm trying to help you, I really am, but I don't know what to do, and when he offered, I just had to take him up on it!" Sally was rambling now. Percy adopted an expression of confusion. "Wait a minute, him? What offer? Who are you talking about?" Sally turned onto their street. Taking a deep breath, she then began to answer Percy's questions. "I've been talking to your dad, and we've decided that you're going to move to New York to live with him for one and a half years." She waited for her son's reaction, knowing that it wouldn't be good.
Percy took a deep breath. He didn't want to yell at his mother, but the emotions swirling within him were too strong. "My dad? You mean the guy who abandoned you, no us, when I was born?!" Their car pulled up on their driveway. "Are you serious?! He doesn't care about us, or me. He has never called, visited, or even sent a letter. What makes you think he'll take me?" Sally's expression changed to one of determination. "I know that he hasn't always been there for you-" Percy snorted. "- but we are going through with this whether you like it, or not. So you need to pull your ass together and start packing your things. You're leaving in a week." Percy got out of the car, making sure to slam it shut. He stormed up to their apartment, and into his room. The raven-haired boy flopped down onto his bed, groaning into his pillow. "Argghh goddammit why is this happening?!"
The week passed far too quickly for Percy. The day he had to leave came much too soon, and before he knew it, he was standing at the airport, a suitcase in tow and a backpack on his back. "Oh Percy, I'm going to miss you so much." Sally's eyes shimmered with tears. "Be good, okay? Don't cause any trouble for your father. Do all your homework. don't stay up too late. Remember to call, if you need me I will be there. You're father will pick you up at the airport. Oh, and remem-" She was cut off when Percy embraced her. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine." he mumbled, lovingly. He turned around and began walking towards his terminal, sending one last wave towards his mother, before continuing onwards. Percy was still pissed off about the whole thing, but he couldn't manage to stay mad at his mom for too long.
As the time came to board the plane, Percy thought about running off, but he couldn't. He wanted to do something right. He didn't want to be a disappointment to his mom who worried too much because of him. Percy found his seat on the plane and settled down, sighing. As the plane took off, he took one final look at San Francisco before settling back in his seat and drifting off into sleep.
Percy grabbed his suitcase and backpack from baggage claim, yawning. His sleepiness hadn't worn off. He searched the small crowds of people who were waiting for someone to get off the plane and his eyes landed on a tall man. The man had black hair with hints of gray, a mustache and a beard. He wore a Hawaiian print shirt with jeans. The man's eyes swiveled and met Percy's. Percy gulped. They were sea green, just like his. The man strode towards Percy, and spoke in a low, booming voice. "Hello Perseus. I am your father, Poseidon Jackson." "It's Percy," snapped Percy. He hated when people called him by his first name. And he hated his father, too. Poseidon raised an eyebrow. "Alright then, Percy. Let's go hop in the car and I'll take you to the house."
"House" wasn't exactly the word. It was more like a mansion. Percy gaped as they pulled into the driveway. He saw his father looking and immediately scowled. "Well, this is where you'll be living for the next year and a half." said his father. They went inside. The interior was as grand as the exterior. Marble floor led to an open space. There was a kitchen to the right with marble counters, and a fancy looking sink. The living room was huge, and a chandelier hung from the ceiling. The staircase was made of polished wood. Poseidon led Percy up the stairs and towards a closed door. "This will be your room." Percy looked at the door with an expression of nonchalance. "Well then... I'll leave you to get settled. School starts tomorrow at nine," Poseidon descended the stairs. Percy pushed open the door. His room was spacious, and the walls were painted blue. There was a desk in the corner by the doors that led to a balcony. His bed was on the opposite side of the room, and a lamp stood beside it. No posters adorned the walls, but there was a computer. Percy dumped his bags on the floor and collapsed on his bed. Slowly, he drifted into unconsciousness..."
"Percy! Come down for dinner!" Percy woke up with a start. Grumbling, he made his way downstairs, slowly. Poseidon sat at the head of the table. "Finally. I was waiting for you to arrive. I'm so hungry, I could eat an octopus" he joked. Percy merely sat down silently and began to eat. His father's easy going smile dropped when he realized that Percy wasn't going to reply. They ate in silence.
When Percy finished eating, he rose to put his dish in the sink. "Hey, you want dessert?" his father asked. His question was ignored and Percy retreated to his room upstairs. Poseidon sighed. "This is not going to be easy." he said to himself.