So before you read this, I want to clear something up. Tyler has a stepfather, but he is NOT a demigod. He knows his father, but his parents are divorced.
When I got home, I went up to my room and opened my laptop. Then, I typed Percy Jackson into the search bar. The first thing that came up was Boy and Mother Still Missing After Freak Car Accident, I clicked on it.
Sally Jackson and son Percy are still missing one week after their mysterious disappearance, The family's badly burned '78 Camaro was discovered last Saturday on a North Long Island road with the roof ripped off and the front axle broken. It went on to describe the car accident and included photos of a younger Percy and his mother. The article was dated in the summer 6 years ago. I read through a couple more articles, and it became obvious that this guy was bad news. When he was 12 there was a nationwide manhunt for him and two other kids, then he was seen in a gunfight with a scary looking man. In the end it turned out that they were holding his mother hostage or something. He had also disappeared many times, and had been kicked out of 7 or 8 schools.
I think about what to tell Annabeth. She has the right to know, but I'm going to give this Percy guy a chance. He's a little shady, but overall pretty nice. A couple hours later, I hear the doorbell ring, and I go and get it. Behind the door is Percy and Annabeth.
"We're going to go to dinner, and I thought you might want to get away from your stepfather." Annabeth said. See, I don't have the best family situation. When I was 5, my parents got divorced, and I got stuck with my mom. She's not the worst mom, but she is distant and always busy. My dad is better, but he doesn't make enough money to support me. Then, there is my stepfather. He doesn't hit me or anything, thank god, but he makes snide comments and makes me clean up after him. And when he's drunk it's especially bad. He also takes my money sometimes.
"Sure, where are we going?" I asked
"The pizza place three blocks away" She answered.
"Percy, I never asked. Where are you staying?" Annabeth asked.
"Oh. Right. Your dad said I could stay with you guys. If it's okay with you at least." He said. This surprised me, Mr. Chase didn't strike me as the type of person
"Great. How is Sally? Paul? Estelle?"
"Mom is awesome, she just started on a new book. Paul is good. He's been trying to teach Estelle how to talk. So far she has said 'mom', 'dad', 'blue', and 'hellhound'" He looked a little sheepish at the last word. "It's been a bit of a problem at her preschool, they think she is swearing."
"Isn't she?" I asked
"No, she is simply referring to the mythological creature. My sister is on track to be a genius." He said proudly
"That's a big age gap you have. Assuming your sister doesn't have a speech impediment"
"Yeah. 17 years. My mom was pretty young when she had me." Percy said "She wasn't like a teenager or something, but pretty young."
We hung out and ate pizza for a while. It was pretty fun, and I have to admit Percy wasn't a bad guy. Then, my phone rang. It was my stepfather, and he was drunk. He was babbling about something, then he yelled that I should get home.
"Any chance I can stay with you Annabeth? My stepfather is drunk." I said
"Sure, if Percy's okay with it."
"Absolutely. If I can provide sanctuary from drunk stepfathers then I will." He said seriously. Annabeth gave him a sympathetic look.
"Thanks. Sorry if I'll be intruding or something." I said gratefully.
"Nah. It's cool."
When we got to Annabeth's house, Percy dropped off his stuff in her room. I raised an eyebrow.
"You guys are sharing a room?" I ask, and they go red.
"We don't do anything!" Annabeth said
"Yeah. Plus, we have PTSD from a... shared bad experience. It helps the nightmares." Percy added, and I felt bad for bringing it up. It hurt hearing my crush was sharing a bed with this dude, but they seemed to really be in love. Then, it clicked. Annabeth's rings, getting her last name wrong, them having the same last name.
"You guys are married?" I blurted
"Yes." Annabeth said evenly "Since this summer. You figured out that fast."
"Isn't 18 a bit young?" I asked, trying not to sound judgemental.
"Well, we don't have the longest life expectancy anyway, because we attract bad guys. Plus we are super in love" Percy said
"Yeah. I would appreciate if you wouldn't tell anyone at school. People can be really judgemental. Plus, they will probably think I'm knocked up or something." Annabeth said, and I nodded.
"What should we do?" I asked
"Wanna play cards?" Annabeth asked
"Go fish!" Percy said, with childlike happiness.
"Not go fish. You just like it because it's about fish." Annabeth rolled her eyes
"How about Poker? Not for real money of course." I suggested.
"Not Poker" Percy said firmly, his eyes darkening.
"Why not?" I asked, and he softened.
"Sorry, it's not your fault. I had an abusive stepfather who used to take my money for poker." He apologized
"Oh. Sorry." We ended up playing a game called president. It was pretty fun, but Annabeth won every time. I got stuck as bum most of the games.