"Ugh, how much longer?" Groaned Leo. Everyone was dragging their feet, except for Percy, who was walking with a small spring in his step, and Annabeth, who just wasn't tired. "How are you two walking this far? It's been miles and we aren't even in the city!" Piper exclaimed. The seven were walking in the bike lane, as the cars sped by them on the highway. "Aww, Pipes, we're almost there! Get your butt into gear, we should be walking for a little more!" Little did the seven know, that Annabeth and Percy were just used to walking so far since Tartarus.

"Okay, now that we're here, where do you guys want to go first?" Percy asked, clapping his hands. Everyone scratched their necks or looked at the ground. Percy sighed. "Guys, really? You don't know anything in this place?" Jason raised his hand, looking timid.

"I know Central Park?" his voice shook a little. Percy looked at them all. "So, you're telling me, you don't know anywhere? Not the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockfellah Centah, Yankee Stadium, Times Squah, Chryslah Buildin, Little Italy and I'm just gettin' started hea!" Percy's voice got louder with each place, and some of his usually concealed accent started to peak through. Annabeth put a hand on her boyfriend's chest, trying to console him, whilst trying not to smile. The seven started to snicker. Percy recomposed himself. He knew his accent was odd. He spent his whole life in New York, walking around the busy streets. But then there was Gabe, who had a thick Italian-New Jersey accent. To say the least Percy knew he talked weird. He was bullied for it. That's why he hid it.

"Okay, guys, let's go."

"Now, to blend in in New York, you have to look like you're from New York. That means, walk fast. Come on," They were on a sidewalk in the middle of the city, halfway from New York City and Manhattan, going to Grand Central Station. Percy was walking ahead of the others, the others almost running to catch up. It was quite the sight, six teenagers trying to move quickly and one teenager moving faster than all of them with ease. "Geez, he must be from New York if he walks like that," grumbled Jason, upset that he couldn't lead the group like he planned. Percy was such a scatter brain, and if he wasn't from the city, Jason was going to lead. Unfortunately, New York was Percy's home turf. Just like the ocean, and Camp Half-Blood. Jason internally rolled his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't like Percy, it was just annoying that Percy seemed more comfortable and able pretty much in every aspect of life. Jason held no grudge, he just wanted some free reins and be able to let everyone look up to him for once. But Jason couldn't hold a grudge, as they needed Percy in the city more than anything. He quickened his pace slightly, trying to catch up to a smug Percy.

Upon entering the subway train, there were three seats, so the boys vacated them for the girls. Percy was explaining the layout of the city to the others, who just couldn't understand it. "Look, guys, it's the easiest city to navigate in the world. Most of Manhattan is laid out in a grid pattern, meaning that it's easy to find your way around. Avenues run north-south and streets are east-west. Fifth Avenue separates the East and West sides, with street numbers increasing as you head away from Fifth." Everyone had a blank look on their face, clearly showing that they didn't understand. Percy shook his head in light-hearted annoyance. It felt good to know stuff that the others didn't, sure, but explaining over and over and them still not understanding was infuriating. Huh, maybe this is how Annabeth feels with me, Percy thought with a snort. They were heading to midtown New York. "Another rule for you guys is to not look like a tourist. This isn't your first time in New York." Leo raised his hand confusedly.

"But it is our first time in New York," he muttered. Percy rolled his eyes.

"No, Leo, it's not. You need to act like you live there. Always know where you are going. One more thing before we walk. If you bump into someone, say sorry. Don't go chase them, just shout. If they bump into you and they say sorry, don't reply. They are saying it put of common curtesy. They don't expect a reply, they'll be out of earshot. Those are my rules. Walk fast, know where you're going and common curtesy." Piper snorted.

"Jeez Perce, we'll be fine. We are teenagers, not kids. We know how to walk around a city. We know how to get places," and everyone agreed. Percy looked like he was going to say something, but held back.

The friends made small talk with each other, until Percy said, "Guys, this is us!" The train came to a sudden stop, knocking three of the four boys onto the ground. Percy laughed and stepped over them, girls in tow. "Come on guys, the train doesn't wait for you!" The boys scrambled out, Jason coming out in the nick of time. Looking around embarrassed, Jason waited for all the insults and laughter in his direction, but it never came. Jason felt relieved but surprised. "Dude, it's okay. We New Yorkers have seen a lot funnier, weirder and worse. You're fine."

The crew walked up the stairs of the subway, surprised at how fast Percy was walking. Man, he was like a leopard! Everyone remembered Percy's first rule; walk fast. It was when they reached the street did they realize what Percy meant. Everyone was heading every which way, and quickly. There were shouts of apologies and profanities. Cars beeped angrily at pedestrians, and pedestrians ignored or retaliated. Bright lights and billboards were everywhere. Everyone knew what they were doing and where they were walking. Percy was right. The seven wouldn't stand a chance if Percy wasn't there. He came up to them.

"Okay guys, first place we are going is lunch. Like Piper said, you're not kids. You know how to navigate a city. So meet me at the 405 Broadway Starbucks for lunch." Percy stated smugly. Everyone was confused.

"Percy, what do you mean?" Frank confusedly asked.

"Well, you're all big kids. Meet me at the Starbucks on 405 Broadway for lunch. I'm hungry," and Percy turned and left them, plunging into the crowd.

"Quick, after him!" Leo said. They somehow managed to follow Percy's mop of black hair until he turned around and laughed at their antics. He was still way ahead of them. With his signature troublemaker smirk, he flung his hood over his head, turned and jogged off, just making a crowded pedestrian crossing. One second later he was gone, lost in the crowd.

Annabeth growled. "Ugh! He left, the insufferable idiot. Nice one Piper!" and she stomped her foot. People were pushing them and knocking them, with shouts of, "Sawrry!" and "Don't just stand there! Move!" and "Stupid kids," thrown at them. Annabeth said quickly,

"Percy went down that crossing, so we go there. We need to find a map to find the Broadway Starbucks, which I have a feeling is nowhere near here. We need to walk and talk. Come on," and the gang crossed the road, almost being hit by a taxi. Hazel was scared. It was bad enough being from the '40s, but being surrounded in a hot city? No. About fifteen minutes later, Annabeth's phone buzzed. She ripped it out and read the message.

I'm here. Do you want me to order you anything? How about a cup of defeat?

Annabeth was mad. "He's there. We need a map. Come on!"

Piper ran to a newspaper stand. Pouring charmspeak into her voice, she asked, "Do you know where Starbucks is?"

After another hour, they made it to Starbucks. Annabeth texted Percy,

Here. Where are you?

He replied almost instantly.

I'm sitting down and you're not here. Where are you?

Starbucks, you idiot.

Which one?

Annabeth stared at her screen. Which one? Those two words swam in her mind, and she slowly looked up. It never crossed her mind there were multiple Starbucks'. She marched up to the counter and said, "What street is this?" The cashier looked at her weirdly and said, "80 Delancey street."

The six turned to Piper. "I'm sorry!"

Annabeth turned back to the cashier. "Sorry, we're supposed to meet a friend at the 450 Broadway Starbucks. Can you tell us how to get there?"

After another hour, the six made it to the Starbucks. They pushed the door open and found Percy, with coffee cups surrounding him.

"Not good you guys. Two and a half hours, plus the wrong Starbucks? Well, if only you had listened to your friend instead of taking his word, after all, he had lived in the city for eighteen years."

He raised his eyebrows at everyone. They looked at their feet and mumbled an apology. Percy grinned. "Aww, come on guys. Next time just listen to me okay? Now, I only have money for entry tickets to stuff and a subway ride, so as punishment, you all have to buy me lunch."

Percy bought six coffees and six different types of food so they all could pay equally.

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Thanks for reading guys, gals and non-binary pals! :3