Chapter 2:
Dylan sat in the house reading about the history of the civil war.
"Dylan," Percy called.
Dylan put down his book. "What?" He said annoyed.
"Do you want to come play basketball with Jack and me?"
"Basketball is stupid, all you do is throw a ball into a hoop. No thank you."
"…..Alright." Percy replied. "Well if your gana stay in here…..again. Can you make sure when your aunt wakes up she takes her pill. She gets more….angry when doesn't take it."
"Whatever."
Percy and Jack go outside and play for hours. Jack was smiling the whole time and so was Percy. He loved spending time with Jack. He used to love spending time with Dylan too until he changed. It seemed like ever since Annabeth`s half-sister, Darla, (her step mother and her father`s youngest) moved in Dylan has been acting like her. So skeptical of people, the world, and thinking everyone and everything is below him. It makes sense he has been spending most of his time with her, she has been babysitting the two boys all summer while Percy and Annabeth worked. The only reason Percy was home today and yesterday was because it was the weekend. Darla takes after her aunt Laurie, Annabeth has said. Well I'm sure Percy is happy Aunt Laurie died a long time ago, because he is not too fond of Darla. Jack doesn't like Darla either he has been spending all summer avoiding her by asking his parents if he can set up play dates each day. Darla really is only nice to Dylan. Even Annabeth doesn't like her but Darla has nowhere else to go. Dylan was always shy and to himself around strangers but he used to have fun and be happy around his family, not anymore.
Percy dribbled the basketball between his legs.
"Percy Jackson goes for the rebound…." Percy said narrating the game.
Jack tried to block him. He lets Jack get the ball from him.
"Jack has the ball, he shoots and scores!"
"Yes! I beat you!"
"Give me high five."
Percy said put out his hand. Jack slapped his hand.
Suddenly the two hear a car horn. They both look toward the drive way and see Annabeth pulling in.
"Mommy!" Jack shouted excitedly.
Jack ran toward the car. Percy followed him to make sure he didn't get to close to the car or go in front of it.
Annabeth got out of the car.
"Mommy!" Jack cheered.
Jack hugged Annabeth`s legs.
Annabeth crouched down and hugged him.
"Mommy, I missed you." he said.
"I missed you too." She told jack. Then she turned to Percy. "Percy, Will you help me with the groceries."
"Yeah sure."
"Thanks." She then kissed Percy on the cheek.
The three walked into the house, Percy and Annabeth carrying groceries, immediately they saw Darla and Dylan taking and laughing.
Annabeth and Percy start to put the groceries away. As Jack goes to play in the living room.
"Percy Jackson, when are you going to get a good job?" Darla asked.
"I own a business!"
"Where you teach people how to fight."
"As self-defense, this is new York there are like hundreds of thugs around here."
"Exactly. There is a large amount of crime in New York and I'm sure you and your "business" isn't helping. What are you teaching these kids? To beat people up! That is not how I would raise my kids."
"Darla please!" Annabeth said. "Percy and I are doing fine the way we are."
"And how about you little miss big architect. Your barely home to spend time with your family. This is the first time in 8 weeks you've been home while the kids have been up. They are going to resent you as they get older. You`ll see."
"My family knows I love them." Annabeth told her.
Percy couldn't help but say to Darla. "Stop criticizing our lives, you have no friends, and no job."
"Percy!" Annabeth yelled.
This was not smart, at all. She hated Percy for no real reason before…..now she has a reason.
"I`m sorry. It just came out. I know you've been working hard to find a job."
"Don't even try to apologize to me, you swine!" Darla yelled. She turned to Dylan. "I told you most people are rude, mean, and uncaring creatures. "
Then she just walked away.