Chapter 8
30 minutes before the group date
Percy POV
I looked at myself in the mirror, ready to get this group date over with, so I can just relax and fall asleep. I was wearing a white tee, with a plaid shirt over it that fit my muscles snugly, ripped faded jeans, and a pair of converse. I sighed and grabbed my phone, wallet, and my denim jacket. Being me, I accidentally knocked down one of my school textbook, from one of my dressers, to the ground. I cursed under my breath, as I crouched down, picking it up. Something fell out of my book, landing on the floor.
I curiously picked it up, standing up and flipped it over. The book that was in my hands, fell, as my whole body froze at the picture. I thought I burned it, with the rest. It was a picture of Annabeth and me. I had her in my arms, carrying her bridal style, as I spun her around, mid pic. She has her arms around my neck, holding tightly, as she lean her head back, letting her blond curls bounce. We were both laughing. I was looking at the pic in anger. I guess I was looking at the picture longer than I thought, because Nico came in the room, looking both anxious and annoyed.
"C'mon, Percy! We have to go. Hey, you OK?" he said the last part in concern.
I snapped my head up and cleared my throat. "Yeah, let's go" I told him, as I crushed the picture in my hands, throwing it in the trash can.
I slipped on my jacket and grabbed the keys to Chris's car. After promising to go on the next 3 hunts with him he finally agreed to give us the car, and that I'm driving, since I'm the oldest, much to Allison's displeasure. Lydia texted me she is going to pick up my date. I don't even know how Lydia got my number, I never gave it to her.
"Kill me now" I groaned, as I drove to the bowling alley. Scott showed up at the same time we did.
When we got there, Jackson, Lydia, and my 'date' was already there, in our lane.
"Let's go get our bowling shoes" my 'date' Ashley told me, as she grabbed my hand and dragged me to get our shoes.
I sat between Nico and Ashley. "So, have you ever been bowling before?" I asked her, as I tied my shoes, trying to start a conversation.
"Never. I mean, who would like to bowl in these shoes" she remarked, holding her shoes in disgust, nose crinkled.
What did I do to deserve this?! I shouted in my mind.
"Well, you can't bowl with heels" I told her.
"I'm going to ignore that." Ashley pouted.
I rolled my eyes and got up to get a bowling ball, Ashley right behind me. This is going to be a long night. I picked up a cool blue bowling ball and weighed it my hands. I smiled, as I found the perfect bowling ball for me.
"You know, I was ecstatic when Lydia brought me into this group date" she told me in a flirty voice, placing a manicured hand on my chest. "When I found out you were coming, I agreed even more."
"How so?" I quietly gulped as she gave me this seductive look that I didn't like at all. Cyclops, I can handle. Hell-hounds, easy. Hydra, piece of cake. Girls seducing me, not so much.
She gave out a giggle and batted her eyelashes. "Who wouldn't want to go on a date with, The Percy Jackson? Great Lacrosse player. Good grades. Perfect looks. Amazing muscles. I wonder what else you're great in?" she whispered the last part in my ear, her hand sneakily slid under my shirt, touching my abs.
My eyes widen like saucers and a strange sound, like a strangled cat, escaped my mouth. I jumped away from her, dropping the bowling ball in the process. The bowling ball made a loud THUD on the ground, causing everyone to look at us. I blushed in embarrassment and rubbed the back of my neck. "Sorry, butterfingers" I told everyone, nervously laughing. Nico looked so angry at my discomfort I'm surprised he didn't burst into flames or start to shift.
"I wonder what else you're good with your fingers" Ashley seductively whispered in my ear, getting too close to my comfort.
I quickly went to Scott and Allison. "I'm leaving."
"What?! Why?!"
"Because, I think so far, I've been sexually assaulted and we haven't even started the date! Plus if something doesn't change soon, Nico will kill her. That much I am sure of." I exclaimed to them.
Alison gave Scott a nervous smile, before grabbing my arm and dragging me away. "We had a deal" Alison hissed at me.
"No. You blackmailed me into going into this date, which I think is not right to do to your dear cousin" I remarked at her.
Nico then showed up and placed a hand on my shoulder. "How about this? Just please stay, I'll let you be the top for the next 2 times we do it." I sighed, giving in. I closed my eyes, as I pinched the bridge of my nose, eyes closed. "Fine." I told him.
"Thank you," Alison thanked Nico.
Nico looked at them and smiled before adding "Plus you, Allison have to watch the next time we do it. The whole thing, just watching, no phones. Trust me if I have to sit through that bitch attempt to seduce my boyfriend, I'm getting something out of this." At this I bust out laughing at her expression of horror.
"And that is why I love you." I whispered to him, as we walked back to the group.
Scott sat next to Alison, while Nico and I sat next to Ashley. I saw Jackson go behind Lydia, giving her a peck on the lips and helped her bowl. She got a gutter. On the second roll, she knocked down two pins. "I'm so bad at this" Lydia mumbled.
Up next was Alison. She got in a perfect form and rolled her bowling ball. She got a strike.
"Someone brought their A game" Lydia complimented her.
"Not bad, Snow White." Her eyebrows raised up and she gave me a "really" look, before laughing. I shrugged my shoulders innocently.
"Oh look, it's my turn. C'mon and help me Percy" Ashley chirped, standing up. I didn't even had time to say anything, before she hauled me up on my feet and dragging me behind her. I reluctantly placed my hand under her hand that was holding the ball, and my other hand behind her back. Since I was taller than her, I can see over her head easily. We took a few steps forward, I helped her arch the ball behind her, and pushed it forward, as the ball flew out of her hand, rolling down the lane. She knocked down four pins. On the second try, she knocked down only two pins. I gladly took a step away from her and back to my seat, grabbing Nico's hand.
Jackson went up next and did this weird bowling position, but managed to make a strike. I rolled my eyes, as I saw his cocky, smug smirk on his face. He sat next to Lydia, throwing an arm over her shoulders. "You're up, McCall" he said to him, with a slight glare.
"You can do it Scott" Allison encouraged him.
I gave him thumbs up and an encouraging smile. Scott went up and you can feel the nervousness radiating off from his body. He grabbed his ball and stood there for a second, before he poorly rolled the ball. He got a gutter. I looked at Nico as Jackson busted out laughing. Lydia and Ashley pursed their lips, as they tried hard not to giggle.
"Jackson? Mind shutting up?" Allison retorted.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just flashing back to the words, I'm a great bowler."
"Just aim for the middle, Scotty" Allison told him, with encouragement.
"How about you aim for anything, except for the gutters?" Jackson mocked him.
Scott grabbed his ball again and made a silent prayer. I sat up a bit straighter and focused on Scott. I felt my eyes burn a bit, as I felt the familiar power of Hestia course through my body. I started giving Scott hope. His posture relaxed, and I blinked my eyes, the burning feeling going away. He rolled the ball, and it look like he was about get a gutter, but I used the water inside the ball to move it to where he got 4 pins.
"Don't worry. We only just started" Allison said to Scott, patting his leg, while I gave him a reassuring smile.
"Guess I'm up then" I sighed, as I pushed myself out of my seat, as I grabbed my bowling ball.
I raised my ball and took aim. I breathed out and took a few steps, rolling the ball. The ball rolled fast and hit the pins so hard, that it echoed in the alley. I got a strike. I sat back in my seat, shooting Jackson a smug look, "Make sure you got that down, Jackson" I smiled at him, pointing at the panel. He grudgingly put in my score.
During half way through the game, Nico and I managed to get all strikes, Jackson and Allison got both four strikes, Lydia and Ashley knocked down a few pins, and lastly Scott, got mostly gutters, knocking down 13 pins total during the whole time. I was sitting there annoyed, as Ashley forced my left arm to drape around her shoulders, her perfume burning my nose.
It was Scott's turn and he really looked like he didn't even want be here anymore. Join the club buddy, I thought to myself. I nudged my leg at Allison and pointed at Scott with my head.
"Go help him" I mouthed to her. She nodded, got up, and went to Scott's aid. Nico and I could hear their conversation, with our enhanced hearing.
"Scott. You're thinking too much" She told him.
"I know, I'm sorry. I'm ruining this." Scott complained.
"No, no, not at all, just clear your head and think about something else" she said with a smile.
"Like what?" he asked.
"Anything. Think about me... Naked" she whispered in his ear, before practically skipping back to her seat.
Nico and I stared at her wide eyed, because we heard what she said. She just gave us an innocent look, while a blush betrayed that look, as everybody looked at us confused. Scott rolled the ball and made a strike! I chuckled at everyone surprised faces. I guessed that worked.
"What did you say to him?" Lydia questioned Allison.
"Uh, I just gave him something to think about" Allison told her, with a sly smile.
I high-fived Scott when he sat down, a happy smile plaster on his face. Allison's confidence boost seem to work, as Scott was making strikes only. When he made his sixth strike in a row, Alison faced Jackson with a smug look. "That is seriously amazing. Oh, Jackson...uh…how many strikes is that?" she taunted him.
I didn't bother holding back my snicker, at Jackson irritated look. "It's six...in a row" Jackson grumbled, staring straight ahead.
Scott grins at Allison. "Something just clicked I guess."
Allison smiled back. "Maybe it's natural talent."
"Yeah, that's what it is" I joked with a smirk, as I bowled another strike.
Right when I sat down, Ashley slung my arm over her shoulders, snuggling to my side, and wrapping her arms around my torso. I sat stiff as a board, not moving an inch. Just then Lydia got up and gave Scott and me a flirtatious look, twirling a strand of hair in her finger. "I could use some natural talent. You mind helping me out this time, Scott? Percy…Nico?""
"No, you're good. Go for it" Scott told her.
Before I could even say anything, Ashley tightened her grip on my shirt and narrowed her eyes slightly at Lydia. "Yeah. You got this Lydia. Right Percy?" She shifted her gaze to me. "Right?" It came out more as a question.
"I'll help." Nico said as he got up.
"Hey, I'll help" Jackson quickly followed her.
"How about I just try this with emo boy?" Lydia said in a snobby voice. Anger flashed in my eyes as I gave Lydia a very harsh glare at what she said. The temperature seemed to rise around us, and Scott and Allison shifted uncomfortably at my glare directed towards Lydia.
Lydia rolled her ball with the help of Nico. She got a strike.
"I think I'm getting the hang of it" she said, twirling her hair and smiling. She stopped smiling when she saw my harsh glare. "What?" She asked.
"I don't give a fuck who you are! Don't you dare say something so inconsiderate and uncalled for like that to Nico again or I'll give something to look back on! No one talks to my boyfriend like that! You say one more thing and I will show that I'm serious." I ranted as I got up bringing Nico with me over to go turn our shoes in.
After we finished with bowling, we guys went to the arcade as we waited for the girls to get their shoes back. I grudgingly followed Scott, as he walked towards Jackson, who was playing pinball.
"Listen, I know we both didn't want to be here. But the thing is, we don't have to hate each other" Scott told Jackson.
"I don't hate you. I just don't believe you. You know, you both got everyone thinking everything's fine and normal about the two of you, but I know something's off. You cheated tonight" Jackson said in an angry tone.
"How do you cheat in bowling?" I asked confused.
"I don't know, but you did. And I don't know if it is steroids or something weirder. So don't think for a second I've given up on finding out what your little secret is" Jackson told Scott, with a glare.
"We don't have any secrets" Scott stated.
"Yeah, you do. And here's the other thing. I don't know why, but I think whatever it is you're hiding, you don't want her to find out about it either" Jackson said, looking over to Allison.
Then Jackson turned to me "listen Percy I'm sorry that Lydia said that, I understand why you reacted the way you did and I don't blame you. I would have done the exact same," holding out his hand as a truce.
I looked at him and gave him a nod of respect while shaking hands with him. I have a newfound respect for Jackson. I could feel Scott glaring at me with betrayal, but I don't really care. This is my chance to get in better with Jackson, and I will take it.
I drove Nico, Ashley and Alison back home, as Ashley insisted I take her home, because and I quote "That's what dates do, now shut up and drive." Jackson looked happy to drive Lydia home, without Ashley.
Lucky bastard!
I sighed in relief, as I parked in front of Ashley house. I put the car in park and got out from the car, walked to Ashley passenger door and opened it for her, like a gentlemen. Even if I don't like her, my mother has always taught me to be a gentlemen to other women. She flashed me a flirty smile, as I walked her to her front door.
"Um, I-" I was cut off, as Ashley grabbed a fistful of my shirt, pulled me forward, and smashed her lips on mine. My eyes widen in complete shock, as I was completely caught off guard. I stood stiff as a board. A few seconds later, she took a step back. She winked at me and gave me her seductive smile. "Night Percy" she said, running her hand on my chest, before going inside her house.
I just stood there, shocked, on what just happened moments ago. I wiped off Ashley's lipstick from my mouth, as I got inside the car. "Don't you dare say a word or I swear to the Gods-God, I will leave you both stranded and make you walk home" I growled at Allison and Nico, who just gave me amused looks.
In minutes, we were parked in front of our house and I let Allison out before going to Scott's house. Scott pulled up at the same time we did. We quietly went inside, until we heard Scott's mom screaming from Scott's room. We wasted no time, as we both sprinted upstairs, barging through Scott's room. I turned the lights on and prepared for the worst, hand going to Riptide. We stopped at the scene in front of us. Scott's mom was in her sleepwear, arms swinging a wooden baseball bat, at a half-scared to death Stiles.
"What is going on here?" I asked them.
Scott's mom sighed tiredly. "Can you please tell your friend to use the front door?"
"But we lock the front door. He wouldn't be able to get in" Scott explained.
"Yeah, exactly" she told us. "And by the way, do any of you care that there's a police-enforced curfew?"
"No" we all said at the same time.
"No" Scott's Mom repeated dumbfounded, then shook her head. "Well, alright then, that's enough parenting for me tonight. Goodnight" she said before back around facing Nico, "and who are you?"
"I am Nico di Angelo, Percy's boyfriend ma'am." Nico said as he kissed her hand.
Stupid 30's guys.
She nodded, as if she already knew.
"Goodnight" Scott and I said, as she left the room.
Right when she left, Stiles gave out a loud sigh.
"What?" Scott asked him, as he sat in his computer chair, while I tossed the baseball bat on Scott's bed, leaning on the side of the door across from Nico.
"My dad left for the hospital fifteen minutes ago" Stiles told us slowly. "The bus driver. They said he succumbed to his wounds."
After Stiles delivered the bad news to us, Scott called it a night. I knew he was up to something and I was right, as I heard noises coming from his room. Not even 5 minutes after Nico and I left, Scott bolted out of his house. My ears picked up the noise of a window opening and closing. Nico told me to go back home, saying he would take care of this.
Nico's POV (Crazy)
I burst into flames, travelling magically outside of the house, on the roof. I stretched out my legs, before I tucked them in. I front flipped off the roof, landed in a crouch and took off running. As I ran after Scott, I used my enhanced vision to locate the Hale house. When I soon got there, I heard loud crashes and growling coming from the inside the house. I summoned my armor and mask as well as my sword at my hip, preparing for a fight. I sneakily flame traveled inside the house and hid in the shadows, without the two werewolves sensing my presence.
I saw Derek in his werewolf mode for the first time. Like Scott, he has hair coming out from his cheeks, large canine teeth, pointed ears, and wolf like facial features. But instead of yellow golden eyes like Scott's, Derek's were a bright electric blue. They kind of reminded me of Thalia, I quickly ignored that thought as I was reminded of her betrayal. I watched Scott and Derek fight, in which Scott was losing. Scott was fighting on pure animalistic instinct and rage, while Derek was fighting calm and in control. I was waiting for the right moment to make my entrance. They fought for a while.
Scott grabbed a wooden plank, swinging it at Derek, but Derek just moved out of the way, swinging his right arm behind Scott's legs with so much force, that Scott back flipped and fell face down. Derek grabbed Scott from his throat, lifted him up and slammed him hard down to the floor. I took that as my cue to intervene. I stealthily moved out from the shadows and behind Derek. Derek was about to slam Scott again to the floor, right before he did so I grabbed the back of Derek's shirt and pulled him away from Scott, tossing him forward into a wall. I looked down at Scott, who was clutching his throat and look at me wide eye.
"We meet again, Scott McCall" I told him, my voice-changer masking my real voice. (I had run into Scott like this before, when Scott was still learning what he was)
"You" he breathed out.
"Me" I told him. "Hold on to that thought for a second."
Derek was soon up, in a fighting position as he roared at me. I calmly walked up to him. He wasted no time in trying to claw my head off. I ducked, turned a 90 degree around him, and I punch him in his right side. Derek hunched a bit and I took that as my chance. I connected both my hands together into a fist, slamming it against his back. He fell to the ground with a thud. But he didn't give up. While on the ground, he tried to claw at my ankle, but I jumped and landed on his arm, hearing a sickening crack. Derek howled in pain, as I got off from his arm. I turned my back on him and walked towards Scott to check for any injuries on him.
Quick as lightning, right before Derek could sink his claws on my legs, while he was still on the ground, I back flipped and landed gracefully to the left side of him. I hauled him up on his feet, by his front collar, and made him face me. He roared in my face, his electric blue eyes shining with anger. Before he could punch me, I roughly pushed him next to Scott on the ground.
"Enough!" I shouted at him, before he could get back up again.
He grudgingly flopped down to the ground, as they both changed back to human form. Derek was holding his right side, as he controlled his breathing. Scott just sat there, gaping at me.
"Who are you?" Derek rasped out, glaring at me.
"My identity is none of you concern" I told him, as I offered him a hand to pull him up.
He ignored it and got up on his feet by himself. I rolled my eyes and offered my hand to Scott. He accepted it and I hauled him up to his feet. Scott stumbled and flopped onto a dusty, old couch, while Derek just stood there, his hand clutching his right side.
"You. You saved me from killing those joggers when I was still learning what I was. Why?" Scott breathed out.
"Did you not want me to save your life and that of those others?" I asked him.
"N-no. I-I just want to know why you saved my life? I don't even know you" Scott stuttered.
I chuckled dryly, crossing my arms across my chest. "Are you sure about that?" I asked, cocking my head to the side mockingly.
"What?" he asked me confused.
"Let's just say that not everyone is as they seem." I told him.
"What?! That doesn't make any sense" said an agitated Scott.
"One man's nonsense, is another man's sense" I quoted.
I can tell that Scott was getting frustrated, by my lack of cooperation with him. "Enough riddles! What are you?!" Derek roared at me, flashing his blue eyes at me.
"You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you. And even if I told you, all it would bring is more trouble" I told them.
"Why are you here?" Derek growled at me.
"Whoa there, down boy. No need to growl. The reason why I'm here, well, that's simple. I'm here to help you."
"With what?" Scott asked me.
I faced Derek. "You haven't told him, haven't you?" I asked Derek. His silence confirmed my answer. You see, Percy told me about the bus incident, I've been doing my own research on the wolf beast that attacked in the bus. I then started to piece things together, as I did more research.
"Haven't told me what?!" Scott asked us in frustration.
There was a few seconds of silence before I sighed. "Derek didn't kill the bus driver" I told him.
Scott looked shocked and dumbfounded by this. "What?! But-" I cut him off.
"He also wasn't the one who bit you. Derek is a beta, and they can't turn anyone, only Alpha's 's another werewolf, the other Alpha. More powerful, stronger, animalistic, and deadlier than a Beta, like you and Derek. The Alpha was the one that bit you. It's the one who killed Laura Hale. It's the one who attacked the bus driver. It's the one that wants you."
There was a moment of silence, as Scott let the news sink in. "Why? Why me?" he asked us, in a defeated tone.
"Because he's stronger with a pack and he wants you in it. Help me find the Alpha and I'll help you control the shift" Derek answered him.
"I hate to cut this short boys, but I must leave for an emergency." I started walking to the front door.
"Wait!? How do we know you are telling the truth? How do we know that you are not lying to us and you are actually the enemy?" Derek questioned me.
In a blink of an eye, I whipped around, and threw three silver throwing knives towards him that were under my left sleeve, with un-human speed and uncanny aim. The blades landed very close to Derek's head, connecting to the wall behind him, creating a straight horizontal line. I angrily stalked towards him, until I was face to face with him. My eyes burst into flames, and that's the only thing you could see through my mask, the flaming black orbs that are my eyes. I was a bit satisfied that I saw fear flash in his eyes.
"If I was your enemy" I growled at him, plucking one of my knives off the wall, not breaking eye contact with him. "You would be already dead." I plucked out another throwing knife. "Don't make me change my mind in helping you, Derek Hale" I threatened him, plucking out my last blade from the wall.
I turned my back to them and flame traveled out of the house back to my room. Percy greeted me with a hug before whispering "don't freak, our patron is here." I nodded before letting go of Percy.
As I turned to our patron I willed the armor and mask to go away before smiling and embracing her in a bear hug, she hugged me back fiercely. "It's been a while since I've seen you Hestia," I told her as I let her go.
"Well you two have been quite busy and you seem happy to spend time with your new family that I didn't wish to intrude." Hestia replied back.
"You're not intruding on our time. You're always welcome to come visit us, the same goes for my father, Hermes, and Artemis. Not to be rude, but why are you here Hestia?" I asked her looking at Percy. He faced me sighing "Unfortunately the other Olympians are searching for us now."
I turned away from them as my eyes burst into flames. "Why? Why are they looking for us? They clearly didn't care about us when we were banished!" I seethed in rage, curling my hands into fists, so tight they lost circulation. Percy brought me into his arms and rubbed my back soothingly, as I started to calm down.
Hestia looked at me with tears in her eyes as she continued "Zeus is being paranoid again. He believes you two are a threat to him and the other Olympians. He has sent his best fighters and trackers to capture you two and sentence your death in front of the council."
Percy spoke next before I could ask who is looking for us, "He is sending the demigods, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Hermes, Hades, Athena and Poseidon. Artemis and Hermes would be distracting the others. Aphrodite would be distracting Apollo and Ares. While Hades would be distracting my father. As well, the Roman demigods are distracting the Greeks, because they stand by Jason and our friends, despite what Zeus has told them. Hestia will keep us informed on everyone's movements when she can."
Hestia nodded and responded, "I would put protection barriers around your family and friends. But unfortunately, I cannot protect you as that would interfere with the Ancient Laws because you two are demigods. So from now on, I would keep a low profile." Percy and I nodded in silence. Percy pulled me into a tight hug before releasing me and looking at Hestia with a nod. Hestia smiled at us before flashing out leaving both of us to prepare for a fight against those that betrayed us not so long ago.
Updated: 12/26/2017