Ch. 7

The summer after defeating Gaea

It's been a couple of days since we defeated Gaea and found out what Leo did. I'm proud of what he did, but I feel like it should have been. I should have been the one to take on Gaea and sacrifice my life. I just feel like I could have done more so Leo wouldn't have to make that decision. Camp Half-Blood has been a combination of chaos and awkwardness. With the Romans at camp, it has been extremely chaotic and loads with more people here at camp. However, it has also been a bit awkward since we were just battling each other. I mean, props to Reyna, Annabeth, and Piper because they have been really pushing unity and friendship. But you can't just force people to get along, especially when they were just enemies. The allegiance will just take time to develop. No one understands that better than me and Jason.

I looked out the window and it was a typical sunny, summer day. Perfect day to do some sword training. I went to get some clothes to change into and noticed my basketball shorts in the drawer. I haven't played in a while. Playing basketball wouldn't be such a bad idea. I need to get some shots up anyway to get my shooting form back. Or at least get comfortable with a ball again. Maybe I can play Horse with Connor Stoll, he's always fun to play with.

I changed into some basketball shorts and a Camp Half-Blood tank top. I put on my white converse and walked over to the basketball courts. Hopefully, there is a ball out there, otherwise, I might have to convince Connor to steal one from the Camp store.

As I was walking towards the court, I heard the ball bouncing from a distance. Maybe Connor beat me to it. That would definitely be first since he sleeps in more than me. I looked at who was bouncing the ball and I was surprised to see Jason out there. He was already breaking a sweat and breathing heavily. He was at the left-wing in a triple threat position. He had the ball on his right hip and looked like he was in a game situation. He jabbed to his left once, twice. Suddenly, he ripped through an imaginary defender and drove to the left. He took two dribbles and jumped up into the air. The way he jumped into the air was like he was Clyde Drexler, gliding through the air as if gravity had no effect on him. Being the son of Jupiter gives you those perks. Still, watching Jason fly was still amazing. He pumped fake and did a reverse dunk on the right side. I had no clue he could ball, but I should have known since he could fly.

I walked over to join him on the court. He noticed me walking towards him and waved at me. He picked up the ball and we met at the top of the key.

I asked him, "Bro, I didn't know you could ball?"

He smiled and answered, "Well, you never asked."

I waved him off and continued, "We could use you at my high school. With your hops, we could just toss you lobs every time."

He laughed and replied, "That would be nice. But I'm actually going back to California. Piper wants to go back and see her dad. So, she thought it would be a good idea if I went to school near hers since she would be going to an all-girls school."

I stared at him in disbelief. I questioned, "Bruh, I thought you were gonna stay at Camp Half-Blood for awhile."

He shrugged and responded, "Change of plans. Besides, I already got started on the shrines. I just need someone to build them. When I head back to Cali, I'm gonna design some more and ask Frank or Reyna to have someone build it. I want to go to school, I want to know what it is like to be a regular teenager."

I nodded and understood what he meant. Traveling the world is awesome and battling monsters is exhilarating, but I need a break from this. I need stability in my life. I miss the regular grind of school. It's tedious and draining, but it is nice to know that there is something "normal" I can go to and get a break from this life. Plus, I miss mom so much.

I answered, "I totally get what you mean. However, you may be surprised how stressful high school can be."

"Bruh, you can't be serious. Homework and studying will be a cakewalk compared to living life on the run and trying to defeat Gaea," Jason said.

I countered, "Haha, maybe. But it is almost like that. Rushing to finish projects and everything has a deadline. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. We are just that lucky in life."

He rolled his eyes and dismissed my point. He remarked, "Whatever man. I just need to try something new. I'm still trying to find myself."

I nodded and replied, "I feel you. Take the time you need."

"Thanks, Perce. I appreciate it, man," he responded.

"So, how long have you been out here?" I asked. "The way you have been sweating, I'd say you have been here for a while."

He laughed and answered, "Uh, not entirely too sure. I couldn't really sleep, so I got up around….maybe…. 5:30? I went to walk in the woods for a bit. I tried to clear my head by fighting some monsters, but that didn't work. So, I came out and it's been helping."

"Dang bro, you been up for like 5 hours?" I asked. "You been having nightmares or you thinking about Leo?"

He hesitated and answered, "Honestly, both."

It was silent for a bit until I asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

He looked at me for a second and said, "Not right now. Maybe some other time."

"I understand. If you ever want to talk, just let me know. 'Kay bro?" I said.

He smiled and dapped me up. He stated, "Sounds good bruh."

He dribbled under the hoop and motioned me to the right elbow. I dropped my stuff to the sidelines and jogged over to the free-throw line. Once I put my hands up, he fired the pass hard to me. I caught the ball and shot it in one smooth motion.

Clank

Bricked front rim. He motioned me to the baseline. I ran to the position like I was coming off a screen and clapped my hands for the ball. He delivered a bounce pass into the palm of my right hand. I rose up to shoot a fadeaway.

Clank

Another brick off the back of the rim. I am so rusty.

"Hey, Perce. I may just have to transfer to your school after all. If you are their best player, well you guys must suck."

"Haha, so funny Jason. You channeling your inner Leo."

I got the rebound and dribbled to the top of the key. I drove to the right and then pulled up shoot a bank shot from midrange. Finally, the ball went in.

Jason got the rebound and motioned me to the left corner for a three. I sprinted over and tossed the ball towards my head. I pumped fake and drove into the paint. I exploded off the ground and slammed it down. I threw it down so hard and I just let go of everything. All the anger against Gaea for trying to wake up and the gods not pulling their weight in the until it was too late. At the fates for making me go through another prophecy. For Leo sacrificing and him no longer being with us right now. Just everything.

Jason whistled and commented, "And you thought something was wrong with me? Seems like you are going through something too."

I ignored his comment and demanded the ball at the top. He passed it to me and I jabbed to my right. I jabbed again and then drove to the left. I stopped as if I got cut off by another defender. I pivoted to my right and did an over the shoulder fade away.

Swish

I love that sound.

"Alright, you got midrange game and you can throw down. But can you shoot from deep?" asked Jason.

I took a step back and demanded the ball. Bring it.

He fired right into my chest. I rose up and shot it. Banked it in.

He motioned to the right-wing. I ran like Connor was setting me a screen and the ball was thrown perfectly. It was as if it was waiting for me. I caught and shot it in one motion. The ball rolled around for a bit before it finally went in. I ran to the corner and Jason bounce passed it to me. I shot the ball as if I was Kobe Bryant fading away. Airball.

I heard snickering and saw Jason was failing to hold his laughter.

"So, it is true," stated Jason. "The twins did curse you."

I challenged him, "Hey, I was 2 for 3. I'd like to see you do better."

He stopped trying to hold his laughter and let it loose. He said, "Bruh, the twins are my siblings. You really want to take that challenge?"

I thought about it and shook my head. I suggested, "How about 1v1?"

He looked at me and asked, "You sure about this? Once we start, we gotta finish. You sure your pride can it?"

I smiled and took a step closer to him. I countered, "Can yours?"

He smirked at that and said, "Alright Perce. You're on. Let's do this."

He bounced the ball to me and said, "Shoot for it."

I took a deep breath. I make this, I start with the ball. I breathed out and shot it.

Rolled out.

Dam, these twins just can't give me a break.

He smiled and said, "Too late now. My ball."

I got the rebound and passed it to him.

I said, "Check up."