Jason

A picture. Teen. Pale skin, black hair and eyes, and a trace of Italian descent. Memories flashbacked to years of them at many summer and winter solstices. Easy.

"Nico di Angelo, 17, heir to the richest man in Olympus."

A girl, this time. With wavy blonde hair and steely grey eyes. Jason knew this one in a heartbeat, only because his older sister, Thalia had pictures of her everywhere in her room.

"Annabeth Chase. 18. Next in line as CEO of The Chase Athenaeum of Intelligence, also known as the CAI."

Lupa, his teacher flipped to the next picture with a stern look. He quickly scanned the picture and pinpointed the fastest way to determine who she was. Of course, the eyes. No one had those eyes.

"Hazel Jackson. 16. Adopted and future unknown." Jason looked to Lupa for some type of encouragement, but she just turned to the next picture and pointed at the next teen he had to memorize.

A young adult. Green eyed, like the sea and hair jet black against the lighting in the photo. He didn't know this guy. He looked about the same age as Jason, give or take a year; but the look he was giving the camera vaguely reminded him of his sister. The kind of rebel look that said: I don't take shit from anybody.

Not knowing the boy, under the gaze of Lupa's watchful and judging eyes made him feel stupid. He was the praetor's son; it was his job to know everybody. He backtracked and looked at his eyes. Where has he seen that face?

Lupa, interrupting his thoughts, frowned. "Percy Jackson. 18. Soon-to-be CEO of Jackson Seas Incorporation." She eyed him with disappointment. "You didn't know. Go over this again and come back to me. You need to know every teen who will be boarding the Argo."

Jason groaned inwardly. He had already gone over all the pictures for a week straight. There were so many; he even went to Reyna's villa and spent the whole night studying with her. But all he said in return was, "Yes, Lupa."

His thoughts wandered to Reyna and where she was. Probably, studying as usual or looking over paperwork. Nowadays, it seemed that Reyna and he were constantly stacked sky high with paperwork and duties that had to be done. It was his father and Praetor Bellona's way of saying; we don't feel like doing the dirty work, but we'll just say it's preparing you for Praetorship! Have Fun!
He wasn't fond of it by any means, but someone had to do it.

She stood up and walked over to the window that overlooked the capital of Olympus. She put her hands behind her and faced the window. "Jason, the Summer Solstice is coming soon. Very soon. How prepared do you think you are?"

Jason never had a problem with being put on the spot. Did he like it? Not particularly. Was he used to it? All his life, yes. But with Lupa, it was a completely different story. When he had first met his mentor Lupa at the age of 10, he assumed she was just a strict teacher that Reyna and he would have to put up with. But at the same time, he would be no where without her.

There were only 2 well known mentors that all Olympians sent their kids to whether they liked it or not. Chosen randomly, an olympian would either become a pupil of the kind but successful Chiron or the strict and militaristic student of Lupa. The simple fact is: they shaped your life, sometimes without you even noticing. They influenced your personality to a great deal; who your friends were and even to the point of what your descent would become, as in Roman or Greek. Most people only saw Chiron or Lupa once every month and they checked on how things were going. But Jason and Reyna saw Lupa every day, because of who their parents were. And that was a whole new level of parental hovering.

"I feel very prepared, Lupa." Jason said, back straight, voice clear and eyes looking her straight in the head.

She turned around, facing him and frowned saying, "Not good enough. You, Jason, are the Praetor's son. I expect perfect excellence from you and Reyna. The world is watching the two of you, and you cannot afford to have a slip up like your sister, Thalia has in the past."

Lupa, from the start never liked Thalia. And the fact that she was chosen to follow the leader of the Greeks, Chiron, increased Lupa's dislike for her even more. Jason, on the other hand, loved his sister and her kick-ass attitude. He sometimes envied how free and rebellious she was. He was so serious compared to her, and he wasn't much of a rule breaker either.

"Lupa, I thought Thalia was going to be praetor. Its tradition, one Roman, being Reyna of the Ramírez-Arellano family and one Greek, my sister of the Grace family."

"I predict there will be a change of plans in who the leaders of Olympus will be."

Jason scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean? I can't be praetor, I'm Roman. Are you saying another family will replace the Graces?"

"Of course not. The Grace and Ramírez-Arellano families were the founders of Olympus. I believe that Thalia is not fit or focused enough for Praetorship. You, Jason, on the other hand, are the better candidate. I'm afraid you will become a-"

Jason, already thinking ahead of her, interrupted, "No! You can't make. I'm Roman, I've always been Roman. I'm not going Gree-"

Lupa, with a sad voice, said, "Interrupting an elder? You're already going Greek, boy. From now on, you are to report to Chiron. Not me."

"I don't want to. Lupa, I can't become a-"

Lupa, in a burst of anger, slammed her fist on the table. Jason, being so shocked, shut up in a heartbeat. He'd never seen her like this before.

"Jason, don't you get it? If you don't become a Greek, for the first time in Olympus history, a new family will take over. And do you have any idea who that will be? The Augustus family. And who do you think would absolutely love to rule this country? Octavian. You know Octavian, I know him and let's be honest: he's power hungry, overly ambitious and blackmails the poor and innocent. So that is why you must go Greek, Jason. Or he'll go greek, which will probably be a disaster and Olympus would rebel in return. People don't like change. They've known your family for generations. The odds are safer in your hands."

Everything Jason ever believed in: the Roman in him, his morals, his values, his honor, crumbled down to dust.

"You must not discuss this with anyone, including Reyna or Thalia. We are not sure if Thalia does not want to become praetor, but in the meantime, you will learn the Greek ways and how to interact with Greeks better."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, interrupting the lecture Lupa was about to give him. "Come in."

Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano stepped into Lupa's office with an air of confidence and gracefulness, back straight and her best friend, a cup of coffee in her hand. She gave a small nod that greeted Jason and turned to Lupa with her chin up. "Good morning, Lupa."

Lupa smiled at her student with such a proud look, as if she was looking at a 1st place trophy she'd won. He couldn't help but feel a little irritated how quickly she forgot about him and his feelings.

"Reyna! What a pleasant surprise. Here to take Jason, correct?"

"Yes, our car is ready."

"Well, I suppose you both shall be off, don't want to be late. Today is a big day, isn't it? Have you memorized your speech?"

Reyna gave a small nod and answered respectfully, "Yes, Lupa. We've already practiced."

"Good, I expect outstanding reports as usual! And, give my regards to Praetors Zeus and Bellona."

"As always." Reyna and Jason both saluted Lupa and exited her office in silence. Jason glanced back at Lupa, hoping she might say her final goodbyes to him, but instead she just gave him a firm look and tilted her chin up, as if to say: Keep your eye on the prize.

Like a true soldier.

It was then he realized that the Roman he thought he had, the Roman he treasured, prized, and loved had slightly softened. He didn't want to admit the tiny dent in his always perfect armor was not as perfect as he thought it was. And in the end, for the first time, as he walked through those doors, he felt unsure of himself.

He unconsciously scrunched his eyebrows in frustration.

Jason had the sudden urge to tell Reyna, since her older sister, Hylla had given her Praetorship to Reyna. But then, his mind flashed back to Lupa and her warning and decided against it.
He couldn't believe it. He was angry and sad and frustrated. Even though it wasn't official, would Thalia really make Jason become a Greek because she didn't want to be praetor? Is that why his parents constantly made him do all the praetor work and papers with Reyna, because they knew all along she would never be praetor? He felt betrayed, but at the same time a little happy. He loved being a Roman, but Jason had secretly expected himself to be a Praetor too. People always said he would be the better praetor compared to his sister, but he never let that get to his head because their could only be one roman, Reyna and one greek, Thalia….or Jason, now.

Once the door was closed and they started walking down the hallway, Jason mustered up a forced smile at Reyna. As soon as she looked up, his anger slowly simmered to nothing and in fondness , he bumped his body into hers lightly, joking. His attention solely on her. There were better things to focus on. "Why is it, whenever you come into to Lupa's office when I'm there, she's always so happy to see you? Huh?"

She looked at him in annoyance, but he could see a small, very tiny smile creeping up her lips. Instead of smiling though, Reyna took a sip of her coffee. It seemed to be the only thing that ever calmed her nerves, no matter how many times Jason had told her it was unhealthy for her.

He looked at Reyna (strangely enough, something he did more and more, nowadays…) in her black skirt, white blouse, gold tie and purple suit jacket: the Jupiter Academy uniform for all girls. Her long raven hair was neatly braided to the side and even though, when she walked into Lupa's office with a look of confidence, now she just looked tired and stressed.

Jason smiled, concerned. "Alright, Ramírez-Arellano, what's up?"

She gave an irritated sigh and said, "What are you talking about, Grace?"

She exited the building, fast-paced, walking on the sidewalk toward the limousine and their driver.

As frustrated as Jason was, he was used to Reyna's closed off personality. Ever since she met him when they were ten and his father and her mother became Praetors of Olympus, she had always been rather inexpressive and stone-faced towards him. Towards everyone. Jason, on the other hand, was the exact opposite to balance her out. When she was feeling down or stressed, he tried his best to act funny (which he completely sucked at) and to cheer her up or to see her crack a smile. She only ever let her guard down to him, and he liked that. He felt special that Reyna only seemed to open up to him, and vice versa.

But in reality, Jason was pretty similar to Reyna. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, Why don't I act like myself in front of her? It's exhausting...

"Reyna! Reyna, wait up!" he called as he jogged to catch up to her. He grabbed Reyna by the shoulders and steadied himself and her, looking her in the eyes.

He traced the pretty curves of her eyes and the eyelashes that surrounded her deep black eyes with his. Did she put on makeup?

Wait… Stop! Focus Jason!, he thought, trying to direct his thoughts to the main issue.

"It's the graduation speech, isn't it? You're nervous, right?"

The minute she rolled her eyes, he knew he hit the subject right on target. In all honestly, he was a bit surprised of himself. He normally was really bad at the hidden messages girls were always trying to convey.

"Please, Jason, I have important things to worry about." She pushed past him and kept walking with another fake, soon-to-be praetor confident walk of hers.

This time, it was Jason's turn to roll his eyes, as he grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Oh, come on, Reyna. We're seniors and we're graduating today. We have to do a speech and our parents, Lupa and the rest of the seniors and their parents will be watching! I don't know about you but I'm nervous as hell right now. So stop the attitude and that praetor walk of yours, Ramírez-Arellano. We're in this together." He softened with the last sentence and watched as Reyna huffed, letting all her walls down, unmasking the constant poker face she carried everywhere she went. She tucked a loose strand of long silky black hair behind her ear and bit her pink lips with scrunched worried eyebrows.

"Okay, so maybe I'm slightly nervous." She only admitted partially, but Jason was okay with that.

He touched her braid that reached to her mid-waist. And gave her a warm smile, letting his hand slide down from her arm to her hand and squeezed it. "Rey, you're going to do an amazing job, like you always do. Quit worrying about how everyone will react, and besides you'll have me every step of the way. Because, let's face it, we all know you need me."

Reyna rolled her eyes, and then laughed at the last comment. It was always refreshing to hear her laugh. She did it so rarely. When she looked up at him, she gave him a full smile, and gods, did she look beautiful. Her sarcasm dripped in a sweet sigh. "Yes, because everyone needs a Jason, I assume."

"No, I'm pretty sure it's just you."

She gave a look of joking disbelief. "Well, when that happens, you can say: 'I told you so'."

He felt a blush coming up his face, but he just smiled while nervously scratching the back of his neck, trying to play it cool.

Then all of a sudden, two girls about the age of 14 to 15 walked to them and flirtatiously waved while giggling. "Good morning, Jason!" they said in synchronized voices.

Jason never understood what people found to be so interesting about him. He always considered himself quiet, and introverted. He wasn't that cool, or talkative. Although, he could be when he was in front of the cameras. Something his mother taught him a great deal from a very early age.

Always be charismatic in the cameras, Jason! People will like you more.

For some reason, every time his mother said that with her ever perfect beauty pageant smile, he felt sick in his stomach.

But apparently, that's what the ladies loved, or so he read in the article about himself in Olympus Weekly. Jason usually ignored all the publicity he got, but his sister laughed at how ridiculous the articles were becoming of Jason, so he decided to read a page of it.

Two Words: Complete Trash.

Although, he wasn't going to say that to the magazine either. The only things they got right about Jason is that he loved heights and he had blue eyes, or as the magazine put it: "dreamy orbs of the sky".
The girls gave a brief closed smile at Reyna, but it was obvious it wasn't very genuine or kind. Maybe his eyes were playing with him, but he could've sworn there was a hint of jealousy when they coolly said, "Reyna."

He separated himself from Reyna and gave a slight bow in respect, turning his attention to the girls. He politely looked at them and gave a smile. "Good morning, ladies. Is there anything I can help you with?"

They giggled, tangling their arms and hands together and looking at each other with flushed cheeks. Jason couldn't help but think how ridiculous it would be if he ever saw Reyna and Thalia doing this. That, of course, will probably never happen.

Finally the girl with the brown hair had the courage to answer. "Oh not at all, Mr. Grace. We just wanted to wish you good luck with your graduation speech! We're sure you'll do great!"
The other girl with braces piped up in a high pitched voice and said, "We read it was going to be today in the Olympus Weekly. I just happened to come across it, not that I was looking through the magazine to see your face or anything! Because that would be totally weird…"

Jason, so used to this from random girls and boys, that he just gave her another practiced politician smile and said, "Thanks for the luck. And call me Jason, Mr. Grace sounds so formal. It's what people call my father."

They both giggled again. Jason hadn't meant that to be funny. Apparently, giggling seemed to be one of their main ways of communicating.

The driver called from the limousine, "Sir? Graduation will be starting in 40 minutes."

"Right! Of Course. Well, if you could excuse me, I will be off. Have a wonderful day." He waved them goodbye and watched them both giggle again for the fourth time as they ran down the sidewalk into a nearby store. Jason turned around to Reyna, only to find that she had already left him on the sidewalk and was now sitting in the limousine waiting for him.

As he walked to the car, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that Reyna and his moment was interrupted by a couple of fans. Not that he had any feelings for her or… well, he wasn't quite sure about Reyna in general. One minute, she ignored him and the next, they were having some kind of connection as if it was only them in the world. As cheesy, as that seemed, that's how it felt.
Whoa, Jason, you've got a graduation speech to worry about. Focus!

He opened the door and got into the car.

Jupiter Academy was the most well-known Roman school in Olympus. It was, by far, the most prestigious and exclusive boarding school in the country. In order to get into the school, one must have Roman descent, take an Academics test, have some kind of talent, and most importantly, have a letter of recommendation. Jason, of course, after being chosen to become a Roman and follow in Lupa's teachings, was ecstatic as he would become the first roman in his family to go to the Jupiter Academy. It also helped that he was the praetor's son, as he did not have any Roman descent other than himself, so Lupa ignored that part of the requirement.

Today, as he looked ahead, beautiful chaos was everywhere. The outside courtyard that was usually an area for seniors to eat and hang out during break, was filled with rows of seats and a big platform with a stand that imprinted the logo of Jupiter Academy: SPQR, meaning Senatus Populusque Romanus. In other words: the Senate and People of Rome. A bit of a mouthful for Jason, but he was proud to wear his purple suit and gold tie, showing school spirit for the last time, since today was his graduation and there was a possibility of going Greek.
Everyone was dressed to impress in the perspective of someone who has probably never been to Jupiter, or a random onlooker; but for someone like Jason, who spent a lifetime surrounded by upper class Romans, this was casual attire.

Flowers in purple, yellow and white filled the courtyard and gave off a cheery atmosphere. Even the water fountains that had statute nymphs and fauns were spewing out purple and gold dyed water. Younger kids who had come to see their older siblings graduate were tossing aureus into the fountain with glee and laughter, chasing and weaving through crowds of people in a game of Catch the Venti.
As he looked at the children, hair flying, smiles wide open; he felt a flair of jealousy escape him. How could they be so… so carefree, so stress free, delighted, and so focused on a silly game of Catch the Venti? He had only played Catch the Venti once with Thalia and some of her friends when he was younger, but was stopped by Lupa half way through the game to finish his studies of Latin III with Reyna.
He shoved his hands in his pant pockets and found a piece of paper-he sighed with nervousness-his graduation speech. Just as he was about to take it out and review it, he heard a loud yell from across the courtyard.

"Yo, Jason!" Bobby called out, his hands cupped around his mouth from across the courtyard. Jason turned around, seeing him, and started making his way over to him with a grin, completely forgetting about his speech or the game of catch the venti. "Hey man, what's up?"

He was within 5 feet of Bobby when he saw a flash of long sliver blonde straight hair, leaf-green eyes, pale skin, and a crazy smile jump him in a hug. Jason let out a laugh as he held the light-weight body in an embrace for a second before putting her down.

"Gwen! You made it!" Bobby said as he gave Jason a hug and faced her.

She stopped looking at Jason with a look of excitement and rolled her eyes at Bobby. "Of course I made it! Who would want to miss their graduation?" She paused what she was about to say and took a glass of wine from a waiter, as did Bobby.

When offered wine, Jason declined and took water instead. He definitely wanted to be sober during his speech.

After clinking their drinks in celebration, Bobby and Jason took a sip, while Gwen, in shocking surprise to him, gulped down half her glass. Worried, Bobby cautiously took the glass away from Gwen before she could have the rest. Not caring, she exclaimed excitingly, with arms flying up, "Guys, can you believe we're graduating! We're finally living our lives! Gods, I'm so sick of this prison." She laughed and swayed to the music that filled the courtyard.

Amusement filled Jason's face as he watched Gwen. "A bit drunk, don't you think?"

Cautiously, Bobby held onto Gwen's hand and stopped her from swaying. Curiosity filled his voice, "Yeah, how many drinks have you had?"

She snorted, which was very strange of her, considering she was very lady-like on a regular basis. "Oh, Jason, Bobby, don't be a Graceus! We're young! Live a little. Besides, it was only a couple of drinks!" Then she sweetly kissed Bobby on the cheek and he flustered, losing himself, completely dumbstruck. Quickly, but gracefully, as if she was never drunk, Gwen swapped the glass out of Bobby's other hand, with laughter escaping her mouth. She did a quick dance around the two boys before wrapping her arm sloppily around Jason's waist, taking a sip of the wine.

Bobby, looking disgruntled and annoyed with himself, sighed deeply. "Every time, man. Every time. And yet, she still gets me."

Jason smiled sadly at Bobby. "When will you learn that Gwen is unstoppable when she's drunk?"

Before Bobby could answer, Gwen let out a squeal and waved her hands, calling out to someone. She said her quick goodbyes to the both of the them, before dashing across the courtyard to hug another one of her friends.

"Quite the social butterfly, huh?" Bobby said, distractedly, watching Gwen from a distance.

Jason cracked a smile at his friend and said, "That, my friend, is an understatement."

They both laughed as they surveyed the crowds of people in the courtyard until Bobby spoke up, nodding his head at a certain skinny, blonde haired, blue eyed boy with pale skin. Both boys watched as Octavian and Reyna were getting into a heated discussion. Reyna seemed calm, but her body language showed something else. She looked impatient and annoyed, with her eyes twitching, foot tapping, and arms crossed tightly in front of her chest. She looked fearless. Something he did not want to stumble upon. But apparently, Octavian had the nerve. He was pink in the face and his arms waved dramatically as if trying to make a point.

"Heard anything about Octavian, lately?" Bobby said, as he took another sip of his wine. Jason turned his head back to Bobby and suspiciously looked at him.

The only rumor he had heard recently about Octavian was that he was supposedly found cutting plush animal toys in his dorm, hanging them around as if he was making an alter. Other than that, Jason assumed he knew just about as much as everyone else knew about Octavian. You know, the usual: that he was bratty, annoying, power-hungry, a bit too ambitious for his own good, and vice president of the Jupiter Academy student body (that he blackmailed most of the student body to vote for him); a rank below Jason and Reyna, who were co-presidents.

He looked a little curious and responded, "No, why?"

"Well, people are saying he's going more insane and crazy than usual. And I'm not talking about his usual 'tearing apart stuffed animals' crazy. People say he's leaving his dorm 1, 2 or 3 in the morning, dressed in strange clothing and when he comes back to his dorm in the mornings, his eyes get a bit crazed and wild looking, like he just saw the unexplainable."

A million things began racing through his head. Jason exclaimed, "Wait a second, those are just rumors! How do you know this? And besides, Octavian can't just leave the school grounds, it's heavily guarded."

"I know what you mean! I didn't believe it at first, but then Dakota asked me if I wanted to spy on Octavian with him, and he's right. It's like he's planning something big or he's a part of something big, and it doesn't seem like a good thing."

"Well, what do you think it is? What's so big, that he has to leave the school grounds in the middle of the night?"

"I don't know, man, but you should-" Before Bobby could finish his sentence, Reyna stormed over to Jason, her eyebrows screwed in anger.

Jason changed the subject, lightly joking, "Had a nice, fun chat with Octavian?"

Reyna took a deep breath, rubbing her forehead, and grabbed Bobby's glass of wine. She was about to take a sip, when Jason grabbed it from her. "Not so fast, Ramírez-Arellano. What happened?"

"He's trying to blackmail me into helping him become 1st senator after I become praetor."

Bobby outburst angrily, " That little conniving piece of-"

Jason, not even speaking, narrowed his eyes at Octavian and began to advance towards him. While he wasn't one for fighting unless necessary, he sure had a couple of words of advice that would scare the wits out of him, and some suggestions as to where Octavian could shove his teddy bear up.

But Reyna foresaw his actions, and lightly pushed her hands on his chest. He looked down at her calm, black eyes, framed with dark lashes, and relaxed.

Almost.

"No, Jason. We are not going to make a scene, especially at Graduation."

As she said the last sentence, she nodded her head in the general direction of parents, who were looking curiously to see what caused their angry outburst. Jason, understanding what she meant, mouthed "later."

Bobby spoke up, making himself known, as apparently he thought Jason and Reyna were having a little moment. "Reyna, he's been blackmailing students for years. He's even blackmailing Hazel Jackson, and she's been an outcast since that incident. Enough is enough."

Worry flooded his mind.

Hazel was someone who everyone once talked to and now who everyone avoids. She had came to Jupiter Academy as a freshman, when Jason was a sophomore, and he had noticed her instantly. Her personality just shined through: her friendliness, her bravery and athleticness, her creativity. She was popular with the guys and girls from what Jason could see. But then, somewhere along the summer of sophomore year, the incident occurred and everything for her just went downhill. Junior year came, and the endless amount of friends that had always been at her side dropped like the plague. Except for that new boyfriend of hers, which Jason didn't like. Rumors had gone around that he was a terrible boyfriend in his past relationships.

Jason had reached out to her, trying to be the only friend she had. But she blocked him out quickly enough, afraid the rumors everyone had said might be true and didn't want Jason to get hurt.
He hoped she was doing okay...

Jason looked at Bobby, sternly. "Hazel's not an outcast." He turned his face to Reyna. "But he's right. Either report him or I tell Lupa."

She narrowed her eyes in a way only a predator would do before capturing its prey. "Don't," All the calmness gone from her face in an instance. She looked at both boys and a low, strong, scary voice came out of her mouth. "If you two utter one word to Lupa about this, I swear to Hades I will -"

"Children! It's time!" Jason's mother, Hera Grace, came towards the three, arms wide open as she hugged each one warmly, as if they were all her kids. When she got to Jason in her long, blonde hair, chocolate-brown eyes, and rose pink sundress, she lightly kissed him on the cheek and exclaimed to all of them, "The ceremony, it's starting!"

Jason couldn't help but wonder, if his mother knew or planned out the whole idea of him becoming Greek. If his instincts were true, how could she do that to him? Oh wait, it's for the good of the country, he thought dutifully and a bit sarcastically.

Jason looked up to see that everyone was making their way to the seats in the courtyards and Lupa was now taking her place behind the stand on the platform with other teachers and officials of Jupiter Academy.

Bobby whispered in Jason's ear, with a sigh of relief, "Thank gods, your mother came in time. I thought Reyna was going to bite our heads off."

Jason gave him a knowing glance, nodding quickly to agree and whispered, "Please, she's got two dogs to do that for her. You should see her when she's really mad. You'd pee in your pants."

Bobby laughed silently before following Reyna and Hera, "And don't you forget it."

Hera, guided all three of them to their seats and wished Reyna and him good luck on their speeches. Reyna took a deep sigh beside him and began to study her notecards, but as time flew by, Jason wasn't focused on either his speech or anyone else's speech.

He looked down 6 seats to the left of him, a row back and found Octavian staring eagerly at Lupa giving her speech, as if she was about to give him a Nobel Prize. Jason had a clearer view of him than he did before and noticed that his hair was spiked crazily, which was very unlike and unprofessional of him. And, his eyes did seem to give off a sense of a wild look. His thoughts directed at Octavian, What's so important that you even start blackmailing Reyna, nobody does that… What are you doing at night?

Answers filled his head, but known of them made sense. He heard something move beside him, and before he knew it, Reyna had finished her speech and he was now walking up to the platform.
He gave the crowd a perfect politician smile and began his speech with a sense of understanding at how everyone was feeling: nervous, excited, happy, overwhelmed, accomplished, ready to start their lives…

-
"So Original, Jason! I'm so proud of you."

"Congratulations, my boy!" Jason felt a sharp pat on his back and turned around to see his happy father in a navy pinstriped suit with a red tie and his black hair and beard with striking blue eyes. Joined with him was his mother, who was looking at him proudly, hands clasped together, chin resting on top of them and a closed smile on her face.
Unsure of what to say, since Jason wasn't very fond of his parents 'too proud' look as if he was perfect, he spotted Thalia, his older sister walking awkwardly in her high heels and a dress.
He said a quick thank you to his parents, before calling her. "Thalia, over here!"

She looked at him with a smile on her face, before she almost tripped on her heels. When she regained herself, she gave him an annoyed look, "A little help here, bro."
Thalia, giving up praetorship… he couldn't imagine it at first, with her bossy and confident personality. Her love for taking control of almost anything... But now, seeing her trying to walk to him in heels, when he and her both knew she would be better off in boots. Something his mother never bought her for the very reason of keeping Thalia-the girly, sensible, perfect daughter-in tact. When he really thought about it…. why was he ever surprised?

It all made sense.

The life she was forced to live, the life she couldn't live, the life she would never live, were like those heels. Something that masked her completely, each step close to slipping through the cracks so quickly, her ankles ready to break. To break from her identity? Her freedom? He guessed it was only a matter of time before she bursted.

But that didn't stop him from feeling a little mad for dumping her problems on him.

Unfortunately, Jason had a natural knack for that, taking people's problems and carrying them on his back, along with his own.

After helping her towards their parents, he looked up to see his once loving mother give Thalia a look of annoyance and pity."Fix your posture, Thalia. You're embarrassing us."

She gave a lazy laugh at Hera, before dramatically mimicking her in the posture his mother had and said, "Of course, your highness."

Jason's mother's eyes glazed over with power and directed her face at Thalia with a low voice, as if she didn't want onlookers to notice, "Don't you dare use that tone with me, young lady."

Not backing down at all, his fearless sister looked his mother straight in the eye with a closed smile and breathed sweetly but dangerously, "Me? Why, I would never use such a tone with you, Mother."

Thalia had hit Hera right in the heart, and she knew that perfectly well. Jason backed slowly away from them as he saw the two women in front of him were about to combust. He definitely did not want to be in the middle of that.

But, before they caused a scene, his father, Zeus, slipped his hand around his mother's waist and moved her forward towards the limousine that was parked at the entrance of the school. "Honey, look! I think the reporters have come to interview us again. We should be off."

As his parents walked ahead of them, Thalia slipped her hand around Jason's arm and said with a proud smile, "Aw, my little baby brother is growing up! You can finally hang out with the big kids!"

Jason feeling a little guilty, defended his mother. "You should be a little nicer to Mother, you know."

Thalia detached her hand from his arm and huffed, crossing her arms around her chest, stubbornly. "News flash, Jace. That woman is not my mother. She's my step-mom. Need I remind you again, ours died in a car crash." She looked at him coldly, as if waiting for him to defend Hera again. "And gods look at me! That step-mother of mine, forced me into a dress!" She looked down at her yellow flowing dress with her long straight black hair framing her pale freckled face, that was at the moment screwed in a disgusted/repulsed look. "What the hell did she think I was? A stupid fairy!"
Jason sighed, "Alright, I know, I get it. Let's just go." They walked past all the reporters who were taking pictures and calling their names for a quick interview and sat in the limousine, waiting for their father and his mother to be finished with their interview about foreign affairs.

As they sat in the car, Thalia placed a hand on his and squeezed it. He looked up and saw her electric blue eyes, the same eyes that had been passed down through the Grace Family for generations, scrunch up with worry. She only did that for one person: him. As far as he knew, anyway."I'm sorry, Jason. That was uncalled for." But then her face wrinkled and she exasperated annoyingly. "But, gods, that woman! She's just so… so infuriating!"

Jason laughed at her outburst, "Yeah, you're not exactly her favorite, are you?"

Before she could say anything, his parents came into the limousine, with his father checking his phone before greeting them. His mother, Hera waved to some of the reporters with her award winning beauty pageant smile before turning around and giving Thalia a disgruntled look. Thalia gladly returned it and turned her face towards dad, starting a conversation.

Jason wondered how everyone always managed to never get a glimpse of their 'perfect family' becoming the worst family. Maybe it was because; he seemed to be the perfect child in the public's eye. Or maybe it was because his father, Zeus had hired his own camera crew to take pictures and videos of what Zeus thought would be best to show to the public for his job as Praetor. Or maybe it was just his mother, Hera, who was outstandingly talented in the art of being fake and presenting the public with the perfect lifestyle and the perfect family and the perfect house.
Jason was sick of it, but he was born into it and he had to deal with it.

He took a quick glance to see his father still on his phone answering emails to his senators and his mother and sister glaring at opposite seats from each other in the car. Jason couldn't help but sarcastically think, Yup, what a perfect family.

Up Next: Hazel