Octavian's P.O.V.
It was lunch time and I've been calling Rachel for the past thirty minutes, without any luck.
After what I witness this morning, I know my girlfriend would never wear those kind of clothes or even to think about make up, because make up is tested in animals and she is against that.
That wasn't my girlfriend. Or, at least, in mind.
I called again, again sending me to voice mail. She even changed the message of the voice mail. When I met her, the message was 'You know you I am, and, if I don't pick up, means I'm saving the planet! Leave a message and I'll maybe answer you back!'
When we started dating, she changed it to a 'Hey, I'm busy either saving the world or with Teddy touring the city! I'll call you back!'
Now, it was 'Hey, gorgeous. I'm single and ready to mingle and I'm definitely calling you back'.
Something was fishy.
And, that doesn't have anything to do with my lunch.
I decided to threw one last change and I called the last person you'd expect me to call.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up" I chanted.
"Hello?" Answered prayer! Thanks, Mercury!
"Jackson? It's Octavian" I told him, relief that someone picked up their phones.
"Octavian? What are you doing calling me?" I could hear the doubt and curiosity in his voice.
"Hi, Uncwe Ian!" I heard from afar Ariel's voice. She was probably at ear rage and decided to say hello.
"Um, Ariel says 'hi'" Jackson repeated. I nodded to myself.
"I know... Listen..." I paused, not knowing how to ask him this, but I decided to be straightforward "Does Rachel has her cellphone turned off?"
"Let me ask her" he mumbled a few words away from the phone "His phone is on, why you ask?" OK, now something smells really fishy...
"What is she wearing?"
"Didn't you see her this morning when you picked her up?" Uh? When I picked her up?
"Jackson, I never picked her up. I had a test at 7" I explained to him.
"Hold on" he made me wait for a few seconds before I heard a female voice.
"Ian?" Great Gods, that voice was gonna melt me with two simple words.
"Rachel, Why did Jackson said I picked you up?" I was growing worried. Did someone passed for me?! The same way I think someone passed for Rachel this morning?
"Because, you... Oh, gods!" My girl is smart, I always said that "That explains..."
"Explains what?" I let her explain to me.
"I- I felt weird this morning... when I was around you- well, not you per se, but the guy that looked like you... When he kissed me-"
"He did wHAT?!" I cut her, not caring if everyone in the cafeteria had their eyes on me.
"I didn't kiss him back, I swear! I knew something was off and I lied saying I had a bad breath and he gave me a mint!"
"A mint? You hate mints, Rach" I pointed out.
"Exactly! That's when I knew something was off... Gods, I thought you were gonna dump me..."
"Me? Dumping you? Rachel, are you hearing yourself?" I questioned her, chuckling a little "If anything, you'll be dumping me... Like I thought you did this morning..."
"I didn't dump you this morning" she denied. I know that now...
"I know now... But, someone passed by you, all dressed up as if she was part of the popular posse with skirt and make up-"
"Ian, I don't own skirts!" she interrupted me, her time to chuckle. I knew something was odd!
"I've been calling you for the past half hour and I got no answer from you..."
"That's weird... My phone is on and I didn't get messages..."
"We need to see... Built-A-Bear? At five?" I set up a place that was somehow crowded and we were easily spotted.
"I'm bringing Ariel" she stated "So, you know it's me"
"Perfect..." I heard the lunch bell going off and I knew I have to return to class "I have to go, but I'll see you later"
"Wait!" she stopped me "You forgot to tell me something- well, the fake you forgot to tell me something..."
"Well, I'll never forget to say I love you" I could practically see her blushing and looking down at the floor.
"I love you too" After that, I hung up, more relieved that before.
She still loves me... and that was real...
You better watch out, fake Rachel... Because if I find you, you'll get a ticket straight to Tartarus.
Leo's P.O.V.
School was five minutes to finish and I wasn't holding the excitement anymore. All I wanted to do was to go home and spend some time with my beautiful Sunshine, who seems I'm pushing apart for this whole charade of the fake Calypso. I mean, the whole idea has a point hidden behind it.
Calypso and I knew, from the very beginning, that that idiot of 'Enano' (which, in a way seems to fit to him because he's short) will plan on kidnap her, so I had to come out with a decoy when we were in public places. I created the Callie 2.0 to be up front and Sunshine stays at the house.
"Someone looks very eager to leave..." Jason pointed out. He's been acting a little weird, but nothing out of the ordinary.
"Like you aren't either" I pointed at his bag, that was already in his arm. He shrugged.
"I won't give Jackson the satisfaction of getting back first"
"Valdez, Grace!" the teacher scolded us. I never could learn her name and, at this time if year, I'll never do it "Quiet or you'll get detention"
"Yes, ma'am" we chorused, Jason with more sarcasm than me. Once the bell rang (two minutes later), I bolted off the classroom and to my locker, to pick up my tools.
"Hey, Leo..." Callie 2.0 was coming into action "You know, I was thinking on going with the girls to the mall today..." she pointed at a group of fake mortal blondes, in which included Ashley, the same girl that tried to steal Percy all through the first semester.
"Go ahead and have fun with your friends" I replied, with a genuine smile. She clapped and kissed my cheek before sprinting away. Gods, I programmed a great actress...
You know, the whole point of Callie 2.0 was that she started to act less and less like the original Sunshine. That way, when we finally get our big 'break up fight', 'Enano' will come and kidnap her, while the real Sunshine is at home, cozy and safe. Once this whole thing is over, I'd simply turn off Callie 2.0 and that's it.
I climbed on Festus (turned into my beautiful Hummer, that's it) and drove all the way back to the Empire State. I was whistling during the elevator and, when I opened the door, I was greeted with something I never suspected but I always have the pleasure to see.
An angry (almost pissed off) Thalia Grace.
"Thalia?!" I stared at her, as if she was an alien "You- you were home all day?!"
"No, I just came back from scrubbing a unicorn's behind!" she replies, sarcastic "Of course I was home all day, you idiot!" I gulped hard. What if she find out Calypso? Our plan would be ruined.
"You- you didn't walk into my room, did you?" I asked her, trying not to show how nervous I was. She smirked at me.
"Nervous, are we, Valdez?" she took a step closer to me. I took a step back.
"You know how I don't like people getting into my room..." I lied. I didn't like people going into my room while knowing that Calypso was hiding in there!
"Well, I didn't plan on getting inside..." she pulled out a fake thinking pose "But, when I heard some metal colliding, I had to investigate... And you won't believe what I found..."
"What- what did you find?" I tried to act casual, but I was sweating big time.
"Metal scraps on the floor" I sighed in relief. Good... "Oh, and your window was opened, I guess that was why they fell..."
"That- that's probably it" I continued her lie "I, um... I'll go get everything in place" Thalia nodded and headed to the kitchen.
"Reyna and I are on kitchen duty tonight! Is Calypso coming?!" she screamed at me.
"No idea!" I decided to reply back. I quickly got into my room but I didn't noticed metal scraps on the floor. Probably Calypso picked them up when Thalia was gone from my room "Sunshine?" I called her, trying to be subtle.
"Leo!" she came from behind a column and launched at my arms, hugging me tight. I hugged her back the same way "Leo, Thalia was here the whole day..."
"I know..." I recognized.
"No, Leo... You don't know" she pulled back, serious "I heard her talking about how everyone is acting weird and picking up fights... She walked into the rooms to investigate!" I raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Did she find anything? I don't feel different..."
"She was saying something that I was being bitchy or going after Percy... I didn't understand" she explained "But, she opened the window and threw something from it..." I looked around my desk and stuff and nothing was missing.
"Not from here..."
"Leo, is something wrong with the automaton?" Calypso looked nervous and, after what she told me, I couldn't reassure her.
"I didn't see anything wrong with it, but I'll check it tonight, I promise" I promised to her. She relaxed, but not much.
Looks like I'll be up all night...
Nico's P.O.V.
As soon as school was over, I had decided to avoid Will Solace with all of my might.
Which was a lot, if you ask me.
Normally, on the ride home, we share. But Leo was gone, Calypso ditched with some girls, Thalia was missing, Percy went to see Thesi, Annabeth took Rachel, Piper, Hazel and Ariel back home. Which meant that the only ride back was with Jason and Frank.
And, with they recent behavior, no one wanted to sit with them.
So, I sucked it up and shadow-traveled back to the apartment.
I successfully arrived into my room without any repercussions, though I was stumbling against the walls a little when I tried to reach the kitchen. Luckily for me, Thalia was the only one there, which meant the guys could walk in any second.
"Death Breath, you look paler than ever..." Nice greeting, cousin...
"Yeah, well... I just shadow-traveled back from school-"
"You what?!" she cut me, her scream screeching my ears. She has one good set of lungs... "Wait until Will finds about this! You won't have a way out, mister!"
"Will will never find out, you hear me?" I used a more authority voice on her, but I didn't think it was gonna work. She did looked surprise, though.
"And, why is that?" she smirked, resting a hand over the counter and the other one in her hip.
"Because you won't open your mouth" I said, bluntly. She threw her head back, laughing.
"You won't stop me"
"You really don't want your precious Green Day concert T-shirts teared open, do you?" I threaten her, with a smirk. She narrowed her eyes at me.
"You wouldn't" I shrugged as reply.
"Are you really gonna risk it?" After saying that, I walked back to my room "Ah! And if someone asks, I'm not home!" I yelled on my way back. I locked myself into the room and laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what happened today.
I was the one who wasn't sure about his, um, orientation.
I was the one who felt weird about having Will around all the time.
I was the one who pushed him away.
I was the one who initiated the kiss...
I couldn't take that moment off my head. It was engraved it, carved in stone. I kept going back and back and back. And, the more I thought about it, I felt less regret and more guilty.
It was obvious that Will didn't like me more than a friend. Someone he could confide and help him. He would never put up with my antics more than necessary.
The mere thought of Will not liking me was heartbreaking, but I refused to cry over him. Maybe, I could find some other friend, I mean I have other friends, but, Will... It was like we were constantly supporting each other, balancing. I would bother him and he would get angry. I get sulky and he'd cheer me up.
Knock, knock!
I kept still over my bed. I turned to see the clock and noticed it was already 6pm. Gods, I missed dinner, Thalia was gonna kill me!
"Open the door, Nico" That wasn't Thalia's voice... "Nico, I know you're in there! Open the damn door!" I shook my head. I refuse to see him ever again. It was gonna be hurtful, but we'll get over it, I'm sure we will "Nico, I know you're in there... please, open the door" I heard him plead for me "Nico, I'm not gonna lash out at you, I just wanna talk..." he tried one more time. I sucked a breath and got up to unlock the door. Once I did that, I pushed myself behind the door, so he wouldn't see me when he walked in "Ni-" he stopped in mid talking, turning around in his heels until he saw me "What are you doing back there?" he asked me. I took one good look at his face before looking away. He wasn't upset or angry, just... concern.
"I don't wanna talk" I finally recognized, still looking down.
"Then, we won't" Before I had time to even realized what he said, he pinned me against the wall, closed the door and kissed me.
He was kissing me.
My eyes opened wide in surprise. I was shocked. What the Hades was he doing?! I pulled him away, panting.
"Wha- why?" I managed to stutter out, staring him dead in the eyes.
"Why what? I thought when people liked each other, they'd kiss..." he smirked, cheekily at me. I blushed red hard, but I didn't know if it was for embarrassment or because anger.
"People do it for dares too. And against other people's consent" I blurted out. That wasn't real, that didn't happen...
"It's true that I didn't without consent, but I was returning a favor" A favor...? Even before I had time to think about it, he kissed me again "This is favor free" he whispered at the end.
"If you think I'll play your sick game, you're clearly wrong" I spatted at him. It was the only logical solution: he was playing me to make me look like a fool and freak in the end.
"The only sick game I wanna play would be with you and the bed" he wriggled his eyebrows at me, clearly doing it on purpose to make me uncomfortable.
"I- you- Will, this can't happen" I finally explained. Remember when I said I wouldn't cry over him? It's a hard promise to keep.
"I'm not giving up, Nico... When you told me you weren't my friend anymore, you know how hard was for me to put my heart back together again? I didn't know it was broken to begin with!" he told me. I looked at him and saw the same broken image I saw everyday in the mirror. Sighing, I made my decision.
"If I can't handle it, I pull the plug off"
"You got yourself a deal, Ghost King... My Ghost King..."
Poseidon's P.O.V.
I've been busy during most of the day with work. You know, the kind of work you're obligated to do when you're the King and Lord of every swimming creature.
I was in need for a break.
So, I decided to pay a visit to my 'other' family, as my wife so lovely call them.
Flashing out, I decided to start my search (I know exactly where they are, but since I want a distraction, I prefer to do it the mortal way: guessing) on Sally and Paul's apartment. Though the human part of me (even if it's really tiny) is kind of jealous, I'm happy that Sally had found Paul. I mean, yeah, I make fun of his name (the first time wasn't on purpose, but it were the following ones), but that doesn't mean I don't like the man. He's exactly what Sally needs.
Knocking on the door, I heard the voices shut down until someone come open the door for me.
"Gwandpa!" Ariel beamed when she saw me on the door. I picked her up twirled her around "Mommy, Gwandpa Poseidon is hewe!" she announced, loudly. I closed the door behind me and took her to the kitchen, where Annabeth was gathered around the table with other girls, all demigods.
"Lord Nep- Poseidon" one of them, Hazel stopped in her tracks before correcting herself. I wasn't gonna say anything, but I did appreciate her to stop the headache that comes with mentioning my other name.
"Uncle P" Who, but Thalia could be so bold to receive me with a smirk and a casual greeting? I smirked at her.
"Poseidon" Finally, Annabeth greeted me. When I saw her, I saw confusion, worry and fear. But those emotions were directed to me. It were directed to something else.
"Hello, girls" I told them, smirking "Looks like I've been interrupting girls' day..."
"This?" Rachel, the red-headed Oracle, gestured around the table full of biscuits and drinks "We were just... chatting"
"Just chatting" Aphrodite's daughter, Piper agreed, though all of them sounded a little insecure, if you ask me.
"Yeah, chatting about how everyone's behavior turned into bul-"
"Thalia!" Annabeth scolded her, with a glare and her head slightly tipped to my side. I was gonna tell them that for me, they could swore all they wanted, but when I saw Ariel's confused face, I know it was for her.
"-into bad people" Thalia finished, after thinking it better.
"Well, I won't distract you any longer... I just passed by to see how my granddaughter was doing..." I began to tickle Ariel's neck a little to make her giggle "I'm off to find Percy and Thesi..."
"Last I talked to Percy, he told me they were going downtown..." Annabeth informed me "They wanted some 'sibling time'" she quoted to me. I nodded, give Ariel a loud kiss in the cheek and walked out of the apartment.
"Ah! Girls..." I called them, getting their attention "Do not worry... I'm sure that everything will work out" After those words, I stepped out and flashed out. I walked through the streets until I found what I was looking for: a little store called 'Exquisite Eye'. Smirking, I walked in.
"-what about grey and green?" Thesi's voice floated to my ears. She was behind the counter, standing next to Percy and looking down at the options. Behind the counter, I saw Tyson, who I winked and placed a finger in my lips, mentioning to him to keep silence "Has the best of both of you..."
"Sister is right, brother" Tyson agreed. I couldn't see what they were talking about, but I had a pretty good idea of what they were choosing.
"I know, Ty... But, it has to be simple and delicate and unique at the same time..." Percy groaned, frustrated "I can't give her something that she's afraid to wear because she'll lose a part!"
"Keep it traditional" I butted in, making everyone turn to see me "How about a silver band, simple as that?"
"Dad... What-" I raised a hand to stop Percy, the smile on my lips never leaving.
"I came here to visit my kids... Good thing I caught up with you all in the same store" I joked at them. Thesi chuckled and rushed to hug me.
"I missed you, Dad..." she whispered. I hugged her back and nodded. Over her shoulder, I could see Percy white as a paper.
"Percy, you sick?" Tyson looked worried when he noticed Percy paled.
"Um, Dad, I, um..." he stuttered. I shook my head.
"You don't have to apologize to me, Percy..." I acknowledged to him "If you're happy, then why shouldn't I?"
"You're not mad?" Percy frowned in confusion.
"You're kidding me? I love Annabeth!" I admitted, smiling "She keeps you grounded, which I believe is great.
"But, it's not something so sudden-"
"Percy, take your time... You can promise her now, but you can wait till you guys finish college!" Percy perked up at that idea, but frowned and looked sick a second later "What?"
"I'm imagining the talk with Athena..." I bursted in chuckles.
"A word of advice?" He nodded "Don't talk to her. Either way, you're in her black list"
"Dad!" Thesi shook her head at me.
"What? Either she'll warm up or not..." I defended myself "Now, which options you have, son?" I asked Tyson, who smiled and walked to the back part.
Nothing like family time to spend a break...