_Percy Jackson_
_7:21 pm. Headquarters, Manhattan, New York_
I went into the little pizza shop around the corner, breathing in the fresh scent of warm pizza. Honestly, unless you have a legit excuse for not being able to eat pizza, you're a terrible person for not liking pizza. Pizza is life, in a circle. You get to pick and choose who or what gets to be in your life (like toppings) and some things are there that you can't control (crust, cheese, sauce). I could make my own movie. We'd call it Percy Jackson. And my mom could be in it, and the pizza thing could be her little catch phrase.
Did anyone else pick up what I was getting at? It's like Forest Gump. His mom said 'Life's like a box of chocolates; you never know what your gonna get.' Ah, I'm hilarious.
So, back to pizza.
This particular pizza shop was owned and operated by one of my old friends, Grover Underwood. The thing is, Grover was a senior when I was a freshman. He in college, and technically he owns the pizza shop, although it's mostly managed by Juniper (his girlfriend who isn't in college). Today, Grover was bound to be working. When I got to pizza shop, Grover was indeed inside, waiting behind a counter. I went over, greeting him with a smile.
"Hey Grover," I said. He looked me, confusion on his face.
"Um, welcome to Cloven Elves Pizzeria—"
"Grover, it's me. Percy Jackson."
Okay, so after he graduated, I went to his pizza shop all the time. Not necessarily went, more like ordered online (because he freaking awesome pizza place delivered!). And Grover doesn't do deliveries, so I only saw him when I came in person, which was like never because who goes to a pizza shop hen you can order online!
Grover looked at me with wide eyes, his smile beaming. "Pe-e-ercy!" Grover bleated, jumping skillfully over the counter, knocking me over in a hug. "I haven't seen you in forever!"
"I know, man," I said.
"Percy, your so tall! Your so grown up!" Grover exclaimed as he stood up. He reached behind the counter, grabbing his crutches. "I haven't seen you since you were, like, 14! Dude! How even old are you!"
"It's good to see you too, Grov," I said. "It's only been, like, two years though."
"Yeah, your so, so old now. Gosh, Percy, your like, what? At least eighteen."
"Dude, I'm sixteen, I'm only sixteen." I reassured him.
"You've been working out I see. So much stronger. C'mon, we should talk in a more…private setting." Grover said, nodding his head towards and 'Employee's Only' door.
Yes, before you start wondering, Grover does know about me being Hurricane. But this is different then how Rachel knows. Grover had known about my powers since as long as I had them, since before we'd met. When we did meet, he, along with Mom, taught me Greco-Roman wrestling, Judo, western boxing, kickboxing and gymnastics, along with how to use my powers during a fight and fight with them, and controlling them.
We went into the back room, where Grover secured the door shut. He pulled his crutches off, leaning them against the door before kicking off his shoes. "Feels so good to be rid of those stupid fake-feet." Grover said, trotting over to the couch. "Pop?"
I laughed, flopping into a smaller couch across. "Grover, Iowa changed you." I said. "Here in New York, we can it 'soda.'"
"It's the same damn thing," Grover said, tossing me a soda can. "Now, I have been keeping up with the news around this general area. How are things with Grey Shadow going?"
I shrugged. "Fine," I muttered.
"So, your gonna tell me why it's 'just fine'? Or do I have to pry it from you?"
"I don't really wanna elaborate."
"Fine, it's whatever." Grover said. "What about Annabeth? How's she doing?"
I shrugged, then chugged down nearly half of my soda. "Pretty sure she's with Marco again." I said with a shrug.
"Honestly, I'm surprised she's not with you."
"And why is that?"
"Dude, you've been like, crushing on her, for like, ever."
I shrugged, taking a sip of the soda. "So? She likes Marco," I said. "Finished."
"Pass me the can," Grover said, holding out his hand. I leaned forward, putting it in his hand.
"Thought you didn't like soda cans?"
"A can's a can," he said with a shrug, then promptly bit off a piece, chopping on the aluminum.
Oh, did I not explain Grover's goat-ness? Well, Grover is part goat. When I'd met Grover, he was my trainer and all that. Mom said that the stuff that gave me superpowers mutated Grover into a goat-man thing. Grover prefers the term satyr, but I like goat-man.
"If it makes this ay better, I'm pretty sure Grey Shadow's into me."
"And how to you presume that?" Grover asked.
"I may, or may not, have kissed her." I said with a shrug. "And she may, or may not, have kissed back."
"Oh my god! Percy, this is amazing!" Grover exclaimed. "Wait, no it's not! Grey Shadow fording know your Percy, she'll probably kick your ass once you get back."
"She's always trying to kick my ass." I said with a snort. "Speaking of, I need a pepperoni and olive pizza."
"Don't act like this conversation is over," Grover said, getting up. "I'll have it out in a few, and you'd better come back tomorrow with the tea*."
"Naturally," I said, watching as he went towards the kitchen.
He came back about ten, twenty minutes later, passing me a large box of pizza. I reached for my wallet, before he let me know that it was paid for (on my tab). I shrugged, taking the pizza and head back to base. I used the mean entrance of the building, heading to the stairs. While I was going down, I made sure to change into Hurricane, opening the basement door.
Grey Shadow was facing a desk, but turned when she heard me come in. She bit her lower lip nervously, holding something behind her back. She stammered out, "Hey…P-Percy."
A/N: YES! Another cliff hanger! Plus, I never answered the other cliff hanger in the previous chapter. This was super short, sorry! But it'll be fine, next chapter I'll try to have longer. You know, if we get to 10+ reviews, I might post two chapters on Tuesday. That means I'll do it, so give me more reviews!
*give me the tea: that's what me and my sisters say when there juicy gossip.
See you Tuesday!
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxo