Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Chapter 3
I am on my way to the airport to pick up Kelsi and Nico. Nico is my cousin. He is 21. He is the youngest son of Hades. He has two sisters named Bianca and Hazel. He is currently working at his Dad's agency. Hades is my father's sibling. He is the oldest. Their family is also one of the top three. Nico and I are close just like brothers. We both went to the same school. I haven't seen him after he graduated. We keep in touch though but not that very often since he is now busy handling one of their agencies.
I arrived at the waiting area. After 20 minutes, I finally saw Nico. I called him. He then saw me and headed towards me. He smiled at me and we hugged each other. "Well well look at you" He then said. I smiled at him. "So how are you cuz?" I asked. "Huh you have no idea!" He exclaimed. I laugh at him. "So how's Los Angeles?" I asked. "Same old same old." He replied. I scrunched my eyebrows. "I'll tell you later." He then said. "Can we go? I am so exhausted." Nico said. "Oh, we need to wait for a while. We need to wait for Kelsi." I said. "The little brat is coming home huh." He smirked. "Yup, so you better get ready because she is far worse than before." I teased. "Oh my Gods!" he exclaimed.
After half an hour, we saw Kelsi. I waved at her and she started running towards us. She hugs me and then she notice Nico. "Death Breath?" she called. "Not with that nickname again." He grumbled. Kelsi and I started to laugh while he pouted. "I warned you, right?" I teased. "Ha ha very funny!" Nico said. "Why? Are you afraid Nico?" Kelsi teased. "Are you sure your sister is 12 years old?" he then asked me. I raise my two hands in surrender. "I am smart enough not to get in between your fights." I stated smiling. Nico shook his head. "I have a crazy family." He snorted. We then laugh and head towards the car park.
We arrived at the house 20 minutes later. Kelsi run towards the living room looking for mom. "Mommy! I am home!" She then yelled. As if on cue, mom came out of the kitchen. When Kelsi saw her, she then run towards mom and gave her a tackling hug. My mom is so happy to finally see her little girl again. "I miss you so much mommy." Kelsi said. "I miss you too baby."
Sally then walk towards us while holding Kelsi's hand. She gave Nico a hug. Nico blushed from the affection that my mom gave him. He and his siblings are not quite affectionate. Well I can't blame them, if you got Hades as a father and Persephone for a step mother, I am definitely sure you will be like them. "How are you dear?" Mom asked. "I am good Sally. Thank you for asking." Nico replied. Mom smiled at him. "Percy show Nico his room. I am sure he is exhausted from the flight." I nodded. "You too my dear, go to your room now. We will talk later." She said to Kelsi. Kelsi nodded. I picked up Kelsi's luggage and we head upstairs.
I opened one of the guest rooms and gestured Nico to go in and then I headed towards Kelsi's room and gave her luggage. She said her thanks. I headed back to Nico's room and knock. He opened the door. "What do you want?" He asked. "Ouch you are one mean person." I joked. He rolled his eyes and gestured for me to come in.
"So what brings you to New York?" I asked. "Work." He snorted. "Dad is giving me headache. He's so difficult to work with." He complained. "The music industry is down right now. Dad is not very happy with it. He keeps bugging me about it." I listened as he tells his story. "So I can't go back to Los Angeles unless I find a new talent." He then concluded. "That sucks!" I said. "Yeah right? But the good side of it is that I can't see him for God knows how long and I have to spend time with you. I nodded and smiled. "Yeah you are one lucky bastard." I teased.
For the past few days, Nico had been busy with his works so we barely got to hang out, so I am stuck with Kelsi. We are playing in the pool when Mom approaches us. "Enjoying yourselves?" she asked. "Definitely! You should join us, the water is great." Kelsi said. "Some other time my dear, I have to finish the book that I am writing." She said. She then wave goodbye and head back to the house. We both love to swim, we lost track of time and then we realize it was already dark. "Come on we need to change. Dad will be home any minute now." I said. We got out of the pool and head towards our own room.
After we have changed, Nico arrived looking exhausted. "Good Evening everybody." He greeted. "Did somebody beat you?" Kelsi teased. Mom gave Kelsi a warning look. She then apologizes to Nico. "Is everything ok?" Mom then asked. "Just work. It is stressing me out." He complained. Mom gave her a sympathy look and I patted his back.
Your father is arriving late." Mom informed us. "So we should eat now."We head towards the dining table and eat. After dinner, Nico and Kelsi head towards their room. I stayed behind wanting to talk to mom. We are in the porch drinking coffee. "Mom, do you still remember what I have told you before?" I started. She then look at me and put down her coffee. She nodded. "So what do you think?" I asked. She stayed quiet for a while. Then, "Honestly Percy, I don't really know what to say. Knowing your father he will definitely disagree with you." She said. "As for me, whatever you like as long as it is for your own good is okay with me, you know that." I nodded. "Is that what you really want?" she asked me. "I am sure." I replied.
"Can you help me explain it to Dad?" I asked. "Sure honey. But don't expect too much okay?" she then said. "Thank You Mom." I said. "When will we tell him?" I asked. "Tell me what?"Dad inquired. Mom and I were startled. Mom who first snaps out of it said, "Poseidon, you are home already. I thought you were arriving later?" "The meeting was cancelled." He said. He then looks at me. I felt so nervous. I know this is my chance to tell him, but heck I am not prepared. "So what are you two talking about?" He asked. My mom looks at me, asking for permission. I deep sigh and nodded. "Your son has something to tell you." She said.
"What is it Perseus?" he asked. "Dad I want to go to college." I stated. He scrunched his eyebrows. "Hear him out first." Mom then said. "Give me one good reason why I should let you?" he then asked. I thought it was a good start. "I am not ready yet Dad. Give me four years and I will willingly take my responsibility." I explained. He looks at mom. Mom smiled at him. A conversation passed between them just by merely looking at each other's eyes. "Alright." He then said. I was amazed by how easy it went through but, "What course are you taking in? Business Administration?" he asked. I panicked. I didn't know how to respond.
"What?" he asked again. Mom looks at me worried. I gulped and said, "Dad don't be mad but I am taking up music." I avoided his gaze afraid of his reaction. For a second he didn't say anything and then, "What in Hades name are you thinking Perseus?!" he snarled at me. "I can't believe it, are you gone mad?" he exclaimed. "Since when did music become your interest?!" "Poseidon, don't yell at him." Mom butted in. "I can't believe it you're supporting your son into this?" he asked my mom with disbelief in his voice. "You should hear him out." She said. "He is good by the way." She added. "Good with what?" he yelled. "Singing and composing." I cut him. "What?!" he shouted. "God Percy keep your act together, music hasn't nothing to do with our business. That's your Uncle's specialty."
I stayed quiet. "Percy has a talent. It is such a waste if he will not use it." Mom said trying to save my butt. "I don't care!" Dad said. "Dad just give me four years." I pleaded. "You are not going to waste four years of your life. My answer is no! This conversation is over." He said then walked back inside the house. My mom looks at me worriedly and she followed my dad. I was mad at my dad for not hearing me out. I got up and knock on Nico's room.
"What the hell happened to you? And what was Uncle P shouting about?" he asked. "Let's go out." I demanded. He looks at me for a moment and nodded. "I'll go change meet you at the driveway." I instructed. Kelsi went out her room, "Percy." She called. I looked back at her. "Is everything ok? I heard dad shouting." She then asked. I softened as I look at my sister. "Nothing is wrong. Go back to your room." I said. She hesitated for a while but then she entered her room again. "Meet you downstairs." I said to Nico before entering my room.
We decided to go to a bar near our place. The whole ride to the bar is awfully quite. Nobody wants to talk. When we finally arrived, we got out and entered the bar. We found a table. Nico can't take it anymore. "So what's going on man?" he asked. I looked at him. "I had a fight with Dad." He urges me to continue. "I am not yet ready of the responsibility. There are things I wanted to do, I am still young. I ask him if I can go to college and he said no. He doesn't want to understand me." I leave the part where I wanted to take up music. He is quite for a moment, thinking of how to respond. "He's not fair." I complained.
He looks at me. "What course are you planning to take?" he asked instead. I wasn't expecting his question. I tried to change the topic, not wanting to answer his question. "That's what you are asking?" I asked. "What? There sure is a reason why Uncle P is not approving?" I looked at him not believing. I guess my cousin is intelligent in some ways. "Well?" he insisted. "Music" I whispered. "What?" "Music!" I said louder this time. His mouth fell wide open. "Did I hear it right?" He questioned. "Yes!" I said feeling irritated. He started to laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" I snarled at him. "Are you serious?" He asked. "Damn I am!" I yelled in his face. He stops laughing and became serious. He was about to say something but someone called my name. "Percy?" I turn around and I saw Eric. Eric is a friend of mine. "Eric! Good to see you Bro." I hug him. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "I work here." He replied. "Oh by the way, this is Nico, my cousin." I introduced them to each other. "Eric" he said and shook Nico's hand.
"So how long have you been here?" he asked. "A couple of days ago." I replied. He nodded. "You still sing?" he asked. I nodded. I saw Nico, with a surprise look on his face. "Why?" I asked. "Well tonight we have this activity where in the customers can sing or perform on the stage." He stated. "You can give it a try to encourage other customers." He suggested. "What is in for me?" I teased. "Free one round drinks for both of you." He bribed. Nico and I laugh at him. "Yeah I know, you can afford it, but that is all I can offer." He smiled. "Just joking man." I said. "So my dear cousin, why don't you show us your hidden talent." Nico then said. Eric gave me a puzzled look. "Fine." I said and make my way to the stage. Eric helped me set up.
As soon as I am ready, Eric got everybody's attention. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, as you all know tonight is the first time we will do this so called performance thing. Everyone is invited to perform here on this stage, anybody who has the guts and as long as your voice doesn't break any glass here." Laughter filled the bar. He smiled. "So ladies and gentleman, the first one to ever perform is a good friend of mine. Let's welcome Percy!" I waved at the audience and smiled at them.