Point Place, New York

Saturday, 9:37 p.m.

Percy Jackson's Vista Cruiser

"The Point"

Annabeth and Percy were making out in the car; Percy was grappling under Annabeth's shirt trying to get her bra off and failing. The radio was playing "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf.

Pulling back, Annabeth asked, "What are you doing?"

Percy paused as he stared at her. Looking off to the side and back, he said, "Nothing."

They kissed again. Percy once again tried to unhook Annabeth's bra. He swears it's like trying to blindly undo a Master lock without knowing the combination. With a final tug, Annabeth pulled back again.

"How's it going back there?" she asked.

Percy leaned back in his seat. "Alright, Wise Girl, just for that, I'm not taking your bra off."

Annabeth laughed. "You weren't taking it off anyway."

(***)

At the Big House, Frank was using a phone to prank call someone while Nico supervised.

"Hello, House of Chicken? How big are your wings?" Frank asked.

Nico shook his head as he continued reading the newspaper in front of him. "Breasts."

Frank blushed. "Oh, how big are your breasts?" He paused as someone on the other end asked him a question. "This is Frank, who is this?"

With a quick motion of the hand, Nico gestured for Frank to hang up the phone. Frank hung up the phone and sighed as he sat down next to Nico.

"My first prank call," he said. "Every night with you is an adventure."

Nico turned the page of the newspaper. "Yeah, Frank, it's a real rollercoaster, ain't it?"

Frank rubbed his legs nervously as he asked, "Nico, why don't you have a boyfriend? Maybe if you did something with your hair?" He began trying to comb through the messy black hair in front of him much to Nico's annoyance.

Suddenly the door swung open and they heard a car honking outside as a tall guy in dark jeans and a leather jacket strolled in. His face reminded Nico of a baby cow and he had blond hair and Nico was immediately interested in whatever this guy had to say.

"Hey, you," the newcomer said, pointing at Nico. "Is there a motel in this pukehole?"

Nico watched him from under his sunglasses. "There's a Hypnos Lodge three pukeholes over," he said gesturing in the vague direction that it was.

"Thanks, I'm Clovis," the new guy said with a smirk.

"I'm Nico."

Clovis shrugged. "Who cares? You wanna, uh… hop on my Vespa and show me where it is?"

Nico glanced outside to see a shiny blue motorcycle. "Mother of the gods, I think I love you," he breathed.

"Love is an outdated concept used by industrialists to keep people subservient," Clovis said with a finger pointed at Nico.

Jaw dropping open as he realized there was finally another anarchist in this town, he whispered, "Mother of the gods, I do love you."

(***)

Leo and Percy were in the Jackson's basement playing Pong. While Percy was intently watching the screen, Leo was reading a magazine and not paying much attention to his pong paddle. Somehow, Leo was winning fourteen to nothing.

Percy wiggled his pong paddle furiously, only to watch in disbelief as, yet again, Leo scored without even looking at the screen. "Damn!" He gave up and threw the paddle down in frustration.

Leo kept reading his magazine as he asked what happened.

Looking at his friend in disbelief, Percy said, "What ha... you just beat me fifteen to nothing."

The magazine landed on the table when Leo tossed it away out of boredom. "So what? I mean, hitting a ball with two paddles is so boring. I need a new challenge, something totally different. I need to hit the ball with… with…" He looked at Percy with wide eyes as an idea came to him. "With smaller paddles!"

"Oh, no," Percy chuckled nervously. "Not Paul's Pong. I don't think you should be going up…"

"To the garage, of course!" Leo shouted as he began gathering up the game console.

Percy shook his head as he looked up at Leo. "You know, if you screw that up, he's gonna blame me."

"I know," Leo said and he was off.

(***)

Nico was riding on the back of Clovis' motorcycle as they flew past various stores and businesses. They slowed down as they reached the motel and Clovis turned to look at Nico. Before Nico could chicken out, he leaned up and kissed Clovis.

They made it inside the motel room and were kneeling on opposite sides of the bed, leaning on their elbows across the bed. Clovis put out a cigarette before saying, "Who would've thought I'd meet a radical number like you in a slag heap town like this?"

"I can't believe you're only passing through, man," Nico said. "You're dark, you're obnoxious, you're dangerously paranoid. Until tonight I didn't even know another guy like me existed."

Clovis smoothed down the comforter. "Has it occurred to you that we're on a bed?"

Nico smirked. "Yeah?"

"See, the establishment doesn't want us having sex because they know it makes us feel good, right?" Clovis said.

Nico nodded along.

Clovis continued, "So, if we can feel good on our own, what do we need the establishment for? So, every time we have sex, it's a huge protest."

"You know what?" Nico said suavely. "I think I feel a huge protest coming on."

They kissed again.

(***)

Will and Sally were in the Jackson's kitchen. Sally wore an apron while Will was in a nice sweater and designer jeans.

"Thanks again for helping me with my home ec project, Mrs. Jackson," Will said.

Sally waved off the thanks. "Oh, it's no problem, honey. Now, Will, have you ever made a pie before?"

A blank stare answered her before Will finally spoke up. "Mom doesn't really let me in the kitchen much. Says I should be able to get by on my looks."

"Okay, then," Sally said. She was just beginning to realize how much more difficult this little lesson in baking was going to be. As she went to the fridge, Leo came bounding out of the basement.

Leo and Will regarded each other for a moment. Will was a little concerned about the game console in Leo's hands. Usually if Leo had something electrical it meant something was about to catch on fire.

"Will, what're you doing here?" Leo asked as he bounced in place, too hyped up to stand still.

Will gestured to Sally. "I'm baking a pie."

Leo held up the console for Will to see more clearly. "I'm making smaller paddles."

With that bizarre explanation, he was out the door and headed to the garage. Will watched him go with a mixture of confusion, concern, and fondness.

(***)

Later in the day, in the Jackson's basement, Percy and Annabeth were cuddled up on the couch while Hazel and Frank were watching television. Hazel was perched on the other end of the couch while Frank was seated in the lawn chair.

"So, Wise Girl, what say you and I take a little drive tonight?" Percy asked smoothly.

Annabeth smirked as she looked at him. "I dunno… Do you think you can unlock the car?"

Hazel coughed loudly to cover up her giggling while Frank bit his lip to keep his laughter from bubbling out. Percy pouted as he blushed in embarrassment.

The door to the basement opened and Nico walked in looking extremely satisfied. "I just met the most amazing guy, Clovis. And he ditched his entire life to start over in California, man."

Hazel held up a hand to stop him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute, who the hell is Clovis and what about Will? I thought you two were going to work things out?"

Nico waved them off. "Will and I are polar opposites, it'll never work out. But this guy, he's going to start a punk band, man."

"What even is punk?" Hazel asked, arms crossed in annoyance. How dare Nico throw Will aside like he wasn't perfect for him.

"Punk is the nihilistic outcry against the corporate rock'n'roll take over. It's the soundtrack to the revolution, man," Nico answered.

Percy shook his head. "I thought you said Blue Oyster Cult was the soundtrack to the revolution?"

Annabeth nodded in agreement.

"Whatever, the point is, he asked me to go with him," Nico said.

Percy and Hazel's eyes flew open. "You can't," they cried in unison.

"We were just starting to be a family again," Hazel said with tears in her eyes.

"Yeah, man, and you can't leave us," Percy said. "We'd fall apart without you."

Nico sighed. "It's not set in stone, just something for me to consider," he muttered.

(***)

Leo was in the garage working on the pong console when Paul walked in. The way Leo was standing meant he didn't see Paul enter so he jumped when he heard Paul say, "Leo, you have ten seconds to tell me what you're doing."

Whirling around, Leo cried, "I can explain."

"Nine seconds."

"Um, see…"

Paul looked at his watch. "Eight seconds."

"Okay but this counting…"

"Three!"

"I just wanted to…" Leo gestured wildly towards the console.

"Two."

"Smaller paddles!"

"Time."

Leo flinched as Paul moved to stand beside him. "Don't hurt me," Leo squeaked.

Thoughtfully, Paul said, "Smaller paddles?" He looked at the disassembled pong game. "Is it broken?"

Sighing, Leo explained, "I'm too good at pong. It's a curse. So, I thought, and stay with me here, smaller paddles equals bigger fun!"

"You may have something there," Paul relented. Leo sighed with relief. "We'll give it a try. Seeing as you already opened it. And, hey! If we can't put it back together, you owe me a hundred and eighteen bucks!" He laughed as he clapped a nervous looking Leo on the back.

(***)

In the circle, Percy and some of the guys were listening to "Beat is on the Brat" by the Ramones while they got high. He hadn't had a chance to explain to Leo that Nico was considering leaving Point Place.

"I dunno, Neeks," Percy said. "I mean, here, you're the cool guy. But, you know how many cool guys live in California? A lot."

Frank shook his head. "Why would you want to leave Point Place? It's fun."

Eating peanut butter out of the jar, Nico replied, "Yeah, it's fun, man. And I'm gonna miss the hell outta you guys. But Clovis is cool. And it's California, man."

Leo was looking around from face to face trying to figure out what was going on. He got that Nico was leaving but where? And why? And who the hell was Clovis? "Where're you going, ese? Who's Clovis?"

Percy begged, "It's not so bad here, man. We got the TV, and peanut butter, and I got this thing." He held up a paddle ball that was missing the ball. "Well, the ball part rolled under the dryer."

ADHD kicking in, Leo shouted, "Wait a minute! Back up. Nobody tells me anything. What's the ball doing under the dryer?"

Ignoring the spastic Latino, Frank tried, "You cannot leave, Nico. You gave me my first beer, remember? And then I threw up on that cop?"

Nico laughed. "Oh, yeah, that was a good time, man."

(***)

At The Point, Percy and Annabeth were sitting in the parked Vista Cruiser discussing Nico leaving.

"So, Nico's really leaving," Annabeth whispered.

Percy nodded his head. He wasn't too sure Nico was really going to leave. Nico had been in his life since they were children, Percy knew him better than most and he was mostly certain that the anarchist was going to stick around.

"Time's just passing us by, you know?" Percy said as he casually dropped his arm behind Annabeth. "You've gotta seize the day."

"You are so right," Annabeth agreed.

They jumped towards each other and began making out until Annabeth started laughing.

Percy sighed as he pulled away from her. "What's so funny?"

Annabeth shook her head quickly and said it was nothing but Percy insisted. Finally, she answered, "I know you're going for my bra because your lips stop moving."

"So, you're not really having any fun, are you?" Percy asked dejectedly.

With another shake of her head, Annabeth chuckled. "No, I'm having a good time. I would just like a little attention while you're struggling with my bra." She cupped his cheek and made him meet her eyes. "I'm here, too. It doesn't always have to be about the twins."

Percy laughed. "You call them the twins. That's very hot."

She fixed him with a look and he quickly turned in his seat to start the car.

"Okay, I'll just take you home," he murmured.

"Thank you," she replied succinctly.

(***)

Sally was throwing away yet another burnt pie in the trash can while Will hovered nearby looking crestfallen. She turned to Will and handed him a couple dollars to buy a pie at the store.

"That would be cheating and I'd fail," Will said hastily.

"Well, trust me, if you bake it, you'll fail, too."

Reyna walked in and looked to Sally with a mix of concern and confusion. "What's this about Nico moving to California?"

Will paled. Nico was moving? Why hadn't he told him? When was he leaving?

Sally took her apron off and tossed it to the side. "No, no, he's only seventeen, his mother would never allow that."

"Actually, his mother's a drunk, she probably wouldn't even notice," Will muttered.

With a shake of her head, Sally returned to the task at hand: Will needed a pie. "Alright, let's make another pie. I'll make the filling and the crust. You will go sit in the living room and make me a drink."

Once Will had left the room, Reyna sat down at the table while Sally cleaned up the mess Will had made.

"He can't just drop out of high school and California is no place for a seventeen year old kid to be alone," Reyna said at length. "I'll have to have a talk with hm. His mom sure as hell won't do it and somebody's gotta beat some sense into that idiot."

(***)

Reyna found Nico hiding out in the Jackson's basement later in the day and confronted him. "What's this about you moving to California with some stranger on a bike?" she said tugging at one of her braids.

Sighing, Nico sat up in his seat and regarded the girl in front of him. "Clovis is a fellow anarchist, we're practically the same person and if I wanna go to California I will."

"Like hell you will," Reyna snapped. "You need your high school diploma, what will you put on your resume? Dumbass?"

Nico ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Reyna…"

"Shut up," Reyna ordered, and Nico's mouth shut with an audible snap. "What about Will? He was devastated when he found out you were leaving. And don't lie to me and say you don't have feelings for him, I'm not blind. But you wanna go running off with the first guy you see? I think you should figure out your feelings before you go making rash decisions that could destroy your future."

With that she turned and walked out, leaving Nico to his thoughts.

(***)

That night Nico was packing a duffel back while Percy waited on his front porch. His mother shouted from the living room that nothing in the house was his before Nico stepped out onto the porch with his duffel bag in tow. Percy looked up at him with a sad look in his eyes.

"So, your mom's taking it pretty hard, huh?" Percy asked.

Nico looked back towards the door before shrugging his jacket on. "Oh, I haven't told her, yet."

"You're, like, really going through with this," Percy muttered as Nico took a seat beside him.

"Yeah, man. I mean, you know, I know it's not gonna be all glitz and glamour or whatever, but this might be my only chance to escape, Jackson," Nico explained.

"Hey," Percy tried, "you can't leave now. Neeks, we're finally getting old enough to do some real damage to this town. Remember? We were gonna paint a pot leaf on the water tower?" He was hoping that the thrill of vandalism might keep his friend from leaving since nothing else had worked.

Nico shook his hair into his eyes. "Vandalism, while tempting, is not enough reason for me to stay. Plus, you can do that without me."

"But we won't do that without you," Percy cried. "Nico, you're the reason we do so many stupid, senseless things." He paused before continuing, "I've never told this to another human being but… I… I cannot get Annabeth's bra off."

Nico busted out laughing before trying to calm down so he could help his friend one last time. "Alright, here's what you do, okay? You buy a bra and practice on it at home. Then you give it to Annabeth as a gift."

Percy looked as though his mind as blown. "See? That's brilliant! You're, like, an evil genius, man."

(***)

The song "Alison" by Elvis Costello was playing when Nico walked into the motel room to find Clovis packing his things. Clovis looked him over as he entered and noted that something was missing.

"Where's your bag?" Clovis asked before realization struck him. "You're not going."

"No," Nico said.

Clovis walked over and put his hand on the back of Nico's neck to pull him in for one last kiss. When he pulled back he placed a small slip of paper into Nico's hand. "This is my friend's number in California." He shoved Nico away. "Don't call me."

Nico chuckled. "Yeah, I won't. Hey, do you mind if I steal the towels?"

He playfully punched Nico's shoulder. "Sorry, I already got 'em."

After Clovis had left something caught Nico's eye. He walked over to the table and dumped out the cigarette butts out of the ashtray and stuck it into his pocket.

(***)

Leo and Paul were sitting on the couch in the Jackson's living room with the pong console in front of them. They both appeared nervously excited as Leo reached over to turn the game on. When the game made a beeping noise to indicate it was on, they breathed a sigh of relief. Then as the screen showed off smaller paddles, Leo hopped up.

"It worked!" Paul exclaimed.

"Smaller paddles!" Leo shouted.

Paul clapped him on the shoulder. "Congratulations, son. You have seen the future."

"Yeah, yeah," Leo said excitedly. "You're so right, Paul. Home computers! That's the future."

Paul looked at him like he had just spoken in tongues. "What? No. Not computers. Soldering! The future is soldering." He shook his head with a scoff. "Computers."

(***)

"Oh, great, what do you know. We're parked again," Annabeth said as she stared out the window.

Percy took a deep breath before turning to look at his girlfriend. "Right, but this time I just wanna talk. Wise Girl, I am really sorry if I did anything to make you feel uncomfortable, that wasn't my intention."

Annabeth looked at him in surprise. She should have known her Seaweed Brain would be apologetic and understanding. "Thanks. I guess part of that's my fault. But I think I know something that'll make you feel better."

Looking up with interest, Percy said, "Oh yeah?"

Annabeth tossed her hair out of her eyes before starting. "You know I've been having a rough time lately because now we're boyfriend and girlfriend and now that you know I'm on the pill, it's like you're always pawing at me. And I wanna fool around but then I think if you get to second base, you'll have a pretty good view of home and if that happens, who knows what'll happen to you and me?" She paused to gauge his reaction, so far he seemed to be soaking up every word she said. '''Cause look what happened to Leo and Calypso, when sex changes everything, that really, really sucks."

Percy nodded his head before realizing nothing that she had just said was positive. 'So, what part of that was supposed to make me feel better?"

"Um," Annabeth said, "I'm not wearing a bra."

"You are the best girlfriend ever," Percy said with a smile as he leaned in to kiss her.

(***)

Percy was bounding down the stairs but he paused when he spotted Nico sitting on the couch. Hopping over the couch to sit next to his friend, he smiled knowingly at Nico.

"You surprised to see me?" Nico asked.

Percy shook his head. "No, I knew you'd stay."

"Yeah, we've been friends way too long."

"No," Percy said, "Clovis just drove by with some guy on the back of his bike."

Nico turned in surprise before he settled down. "Poor kid. He's grieving."