(Grady High School, Manhattan)
The three Stones got off the bus, as well as the fifty other teens. They walked up to the newly colored shool, the school looking brand new, even though the school was made in 1999. This was because the school was burned down over the summer by a drakon. It had rampaged into the school to destroy it, and it nearly did if the demigods in the school hadn't waited patiently for the mortals to exit the building, which didn't take long. Among the demigods to attack it were Danny, Gerald, June, Harmonia, Clarisse and Chris's daughter, Bianca, daughter of Nico di Angelo, and Seth Jackson.
Seth Jackson was the spitting image of his father, but he let his hair grow out till it was shoulder length, and it was messy in a hot way. He had his dad's sea-green eyes with grey around the edges and was very smart too, inheriting that from his mom.
At the entrance the three Stones went their separate ways to their classes, Danny going down the hall into the cafeteria to wait.
(Danny)
"Hey Danny," said a very beautiful African-American girl named Alicia.
Alicia was Danny's best friend since the fourth grade. They were absolute besties, being seen everywhere together. They told each other secrets and talked about everything from popular stuff to random things. She was a darker skin tone than Danny, wore the type of glasses that made you look intelligent and pretty instead of like a nerd, and had a body many girls would kill for. She was an inch shorter than Danny, who stood at 5'6. She was skinny, her flat abdomen region in the front and curves in a kind of hourglass shape on her sides. Her hair was always tied up in a ponytail, although she did wear it down from time to time. Her breasts were slightly above average, but only at a size that completed her figure and not looked like two airbags. Despite her looks she's only dated one guy, and that was in the ninth grade. The relationship didn't last because the guy cheated on her. Today she was wearing Apple Bottoms, an Aeropostale shirt, and peach flavored lip gloss.
"Hey Ali," said Danny. Ali (pronounced like alley or Alli) was his nickname for her to shorten it, and she had accepted the name on the spot ever since they were young. She was also a regular visitor to the Stone household, so much in fact that they considered her part of the family. Gerald often made fun that the two were love birds, but were too shy to admit it, but all he got was no comment and blushes from the two.
"How was your summer camp?" said Ali. She didn't know that Danny, Katie, and June went to Camp Half-Blood, and that they were demigods, but she did know they had dyslexia. It was the one secret he never told her, and he didn't know how she would take it when the time came.
"It was nice. How was yours?" he said.
"It was nice, but it would have been better if my best friend was there," she said.
"Come on, it couldn't have been that lonely. We do have Anton. Speaking of which where is he?" said Danny.
"You really need to get a cell phone. He moved away two weeks ago to California. Why don't you have one anyway?" said Alicia.
"I don't want to have to pay half my allowance for those fees," said Danny, even though in truth he knew that with the Age of the Cell Phone in rapid movement it was getting easier and easier for all kinds of dangerous monsters to find demigods. It got so bad that the gods had to ban them for a few years before putting them back in use.
"Whatever," she said rolling her eyes, "you're such a dork sometimes."
"But you love me for it anyway," said Danny. With that she blushed a bit, but he didn't seem to notice. The bell for first period rang and they headed off to their first class, which they shared.
"So what classes you signed up for?" said Danny.
"One AP class and three honors classes. Everything else is normal," she said. "Still in music and Latin?"
"You bet," he said. "Also have an AP class and two honors classes."
"Nice, you actually might keep up with me for a change," she said.
"Ah shut up, everybody knows you're the smartest," he said. It was true. She was very exceptionally bright, and she was athletic as well. She wasn't on school teams, but that didn't mean she couldn't play to have fun.
"And I plan to keep it that way," she said. Their first class was a Web Design class. Their teacher was a Mr. Applebee. He was a thirty year old man, and he was a favorite among the girls for his age and good looks, and with chocolate brown hair, ocean-blue eyes, and looking like an eighteen year old who wouldn't?
Today they could just go online and do whatever they wanted to do since it was the first day. Danny and Alicia were talking nonstop about their summer, though Danny had to smudge some parts to keep his identity secret.
As he was talking to her Danny began to notice somethings about her that were nearly dormant before. He saw the way her lip gloss made her lips shine, the way her brown eyes shown, and the way she smiled. He hadn't felt it before, except maybe a few times, but now he felt there was more to like about her than he thought. Just as quick as he thought it, it ended it and he went back to seeing her the way he usually did, as his best friend.
(June)
June was talking to some of her many girlfriends. She was a quite popular girl next to her older brother. Danny usually kept close to himself and wasn't out like the his two older brother and sister.
As she was talking all the girls hushed when someone walked up behind her. She turned around to see Seth Jackson behind her.
"So whatcha doing beautiful?" said Seth.
"Wonderin' what took you so long to get here," said June. Her friends left to go do whatever they needed to do as June found herself in Seth's arms, kissing him. They had hooked up near the end of the summer, but they hadn't told Danny or Gerald because as brothers they were very protective of her. Last time she had a boyfriend he had hit her, and Gerald and Danny repayed it in kindest, with two black eyes and a chair across his skull. Thankfully they weren't too fatal.
They ended their kiss slowly.
"You know Gerald and Danny know I'm going out with someone, but I didn't tell them it was you," said June.
"Thanks. I know Danny will be shocked at first, but Gerald will probably kill me," said Seth. Gerald was more muscular than Seth, and about two inches taller. If they got in a fight, Gerald could beat him.
"Don't worry, I won't let him hurt you," said June, play hugging him. He smiled and hugged her back.
"Why did we avoid each other being alone so much when we were younger?" said Seth.
"Because I was too shy and you were such a good friend to me that you didn't realize it," said June. At that moment they saw Gerald come down the hall and they automatically broke apart and acted casual like nothing happened.
"Seth, my man," said Gerald, high-fiving his best friend. The two were very exceptionally close ever sonce they were little.
"Hey man, how's it goin'?" said Seth.
"Pretty good. I got Biology first period. You?" said Gerald.
"Government," said Seth.
"Aight then man. Be easy," said Gerald. He gave his siter and hug and left them, going down the hall.
"That was close," said June.
"Too close, but it felt good though to be hiding this," he said, pulling her closer to him. She smiled and blushed, kissing his neck once before retreating coyly from him, daring him to follow her.
"You know me and you have the same first period," she said, having him trap her against a locker.
"I know. It gives me a little more time to do this," he said, kissing her passionately, losing himself into her lips. Her arms wrapped around him, bringing him in closer. The bell rang at that exact moment.
"Damn," they whispered to each other before sprinting down the hall to their class, now considered late.
(Gerald)
Gerald entered his Biology class, which was near packed. He immediately went to the back of the class, where all his friends were at. They consisted of one black guy, a Puerto Rican, a white guy, and an Asian. All were dressed in the hip-hop style, which had really taken a foothold in the year 2036, being now the most popular music internationally. It was so good that all the new artists were either rappers or hip-hop singers. The other genres were listened to as well, but as much as this.
"Sup dawg. How it been?" said Hector, his Puerto Rican friend.
"Been hanging in there," said Gerald. At that moment, before he even settled down into his desk, he saw probably the most beautiful girl he ever laid eyes on.
Her long black hair fell down to the middle of her back. Her Latin features were stunning, with the shiniest, tannest skin ever. Her body looked like something on a girl from Victoria's Secret. Her hips swayed with every step she took, and she had the nicest, juiciest lips ever. Gerald hungered to taste them. She was a head shorter than him, but he didn't care in the slightest.
She sat down three rows in front of him.
"Dude, I think I'm in love," said Gerald.
"Quit that bullshit man, you said that when you met Angelica, Susanne, Kim, and all the other girls," said John Li, the Asian.
"This time I'm serious," said Gerald.
"No offense man, but you said that too," said JJ, one of his black friends.
"Fo' real this time. I never seen someone like her," said Gerald.
"Well you got a shot man. Go and take it after class," said Hector.
"Yeah man, you right. I'll do it," said Gerald.
"I don't know dawg. After going through these girls like cards I'd be surprised if she went with you," said Todd, a.k.a T-nomial.
"We'll see about that dawg," said Gerald. After fifty-four minutes of morning "first day of school" stuff, the class let out. Gerald made sure he kept the Latino in his sight at all times. He was desperately trying to find an opportunity to make sure she was alone and by herself. He got it when she went to the water fountain.
"Hey girl, you new?" said Gerald. She looked at him for a mintue before speaking.
"Yeah, my names Maria," she said.
"What country you from?" said Gerald.
"I'm from Guatemala. Why you thought I was Mexican or something?" she said.
"No, well yes, but I thought it better to ask," said Gerald. She smiled a little.
"So anyway, my name's Gerald," said Gerald.
"I know who you are. My cousin goes here. She said use to date you," said Maria.
"What's her name?" said Gerald.
"Her name's Juanda," said Maria. Gerald remembered her now. They broke up five months ago in a two week and a half relationship. She still talked to him, but he could tell it still hurt her.
"Oh, sorry about that," said Gerald.
"It's okay," she said.
"So do you want to.."
"No," she said.
"You didn't even let me finish," said Gerald.
"I know what you were going to say. You were going to say "Let's go get out today" so that you can get me alone and then you'll try and make out with me once you get me in the mood. And then after two weeks or so you'll tell me "It's been great, but we need to see other people," she said. Gerald had no idea what to say. Clearly her cousin, and other girls, had informed her too well.
"If you're really serious, come and ask me next time," she said, turning around and leaving before he had a chance to say what was on his mind.
John Li had seen the whole thing from the corner.
"Man, she got you on lockdown man," he said.
"Shut up," said Gerald.
The rest of the day went pretty normal for the Stones, well as normal as you can get for a demigod. Thankfully there was no monsters to attack them. It was weird how they were all dyslexic but were taking advanced classes. That's because they knew how to decipher the English faster than most demigods. At least with numbers they didn't have to worry.
(End of the school day. Alicia POV)
As me and Danny headed out of the school when the bell rang, I couldn't help but notice that I was very attracted to him. I guess it started around the eighth grade for awhile, but then died out, and then came back after my breakup.
Alicia was crying on the corner of a street near the school, finding out that her boyfriend of eight months had been caught by her making out with another girl. It was the most painful thing she had ever experienced. She cried her eyes out, not knowing someone was walking up to her.
"Ali, what's wrong?" said Danny.
"Mike was cheating on me with Linda Hardy," said Alicia, showing him how red her eyes were.
"Ali, it's not your fault," he said, sitting down next to her, "If Mike can't see he has a good thing in front of him then maybe he doesn't deserve you."
"Thanks Danny," she said. He offered her a tissue and she accepted it, wiping her face of the tears. Danny always made sure she was alright no matter what.
"Danny, do you think I'll ever find the right guy?" she said.
"Yes. Someday you will. And he'll be a very lucky man," he said. Doing something surprising he picked off a flower from the ground, giving it to her, and kissed her on the cheek and went off to do who knows what. He and his family were a mystery, despite the fact that she practically lived at their house. She loved her home too, but something about the Stones seemed livelier and more homey. She gazed at the flower, something in her heart seeming to grow more and more until she thought of nothing but the boy that helped her through this with a few words, a gift, and hope. She held it to her heart, smelling it's rich fragrance.
"Ali, are you even paying attention?" said Danny. Alicia snapped back into reality. She wouldn't admit it but she was daydreaming about him, though he wouldn't probably never know it. When it came to girls Danny was clueless.
"Yes, so what were you saying?" she said.
"I was talking about if you wanted to do any school sport," said Danny.
"Danny, you know I hate playing for the school," she said.
"But it'll be fun, trust me," he said. She sighed.
"I'll think about it," she said. He smiled and they went off towards his house on the school bus. They boarded the bus and Danny saw that Gerald was in a kind of mental shock. He was staring at the back of his seat like nothing around him was happening.
"Gerald, you okay?" said Danny. Gerald didn't speak. Instead he continued looking at the seat.
"What's wrong with him?" said Alicia.
"Must be something big if he's like this," said Danny. Him and Alicia sat down behind him. Usually when him and her were in the same area together he would always say something about the "lovebirds" or "when are you two going to date?" This time he was very slient. June came on the bus next, looking happier than Danny had ever seen her.
"What got into you two?" said Danny.
"Oh nothing, just a good day," said June. She sat next to one of her friends and immediately started chatting away, leaving Danny and Alicia very puzzled.
"Is there a new nerve virus going around?" said Danny. Alicia just shrugged and they waited for the bus to start to take them home. As always, she was going to his house for a couple hours.
(Home)
Danny Sr. had just gotten back from work. As a geologist he had to basically find rocks and report findings, which wasn't hard to do being the son of Gaia, goddess of the Earth. The job paid well and he got home at whatever time he wanted, as long as it was in the afternoon. The only downside was that he had to start driving to work, which was a pain in the neck. Ever since the battle with the Gigantes the gods had placed heavy restrictions on dealings with the mortal world. A demigod could only show himself in the heat of trouble. Anything else was not to be used, meaning no earth traveling, whoch would make getting to and from work easier. At least at work he could wear whatever he wanted to wear.
He went inside the house and plopped down on the couch. Having the house to himself put him in a peace of mind state. He would have liked it if Katie was there too, but you can't get everything.
Thankfully he didn't have to wait too long because the door opened and in came his wife. She had one shopping bag, and that was all. She looked stunning with the sun shining on her.
"Hey babe," said Danny.
"Hey," she said. She put the bag on the floor and walked over to the couch onto his lap. They pulled each other into a deep, seering kiss. Relishing each others lips on the other, they had to pull back.
"You know for a 35 year old woman, you still get to me," he said.
"Not half bad yourself you 36 year old man," she said. They both laughed together before she settled her head onto his chest.
"So how's Michelle and Lily?" said Danny.
"She's fine, and Lily had grown so much since she turned seven," said Katie. Danny smiled and his hands traveled to the small of her back.
"So whatcha get at the store?" he said.
"First I got us a new computer for our room, and then I got something else I think you'll like later," she said.
"Adn what would that be?" said Danny. She leaned into his ear and whispered it. His eyes lit up and he made a Cheshire cat smile.
"Mrs. Stone you are a naughty girl," he said. "When can we?"
"I think tonight when everyone's asleep," she whispered to him before getting off him, her hands traveling down to his crotch and lightly squeezing, making him gasp in pleasure. He followed her into their room to have a little private time.
The kids got back from school about ten minutes after they had started. Katie and Danny were unsurprised when they saw Alicia with them. Danny also noticed that his son Gerald was lost for words.
"Gerald, what got into you?" said Danny.
"That's what we're having a problem with. He's acting like he just saw a murder," said June.
"Earth to Gerald, family wants to speak to you," said Danny Jr., waving his hand in front of his brother's eyes.
"I got rejected," he said finally, his eyes still staring off into space.
"Rejected? By what?" said Katie.
"I got rejected by a girl," said Gerald. After he said that all the tension went out of everybody.
"That's it? A girl rejects you for the first time and you looked like you were ready to commit suicide?" said June. Gerald walked to his room and closed the door.
"That was weird," said Alicia.
"So Ali, how was your summer?" said Danny Sr.
"It was nice. I wish I could got to that camp Danny, June, and Gerald go to," said Alicia.
"We know, but you know you can't," he said.
"I know. It's a camp for dyslexia right, even though it's not too bad?" she said.
"You could say that," said Danny Sr. Danny and Alicia went into the living room to hang out and June headed to her room, but not before her parents stopped her.
"You seem to be in a happy mood young lady," said Katie.
"I am mom," said June, smiling.
"So you and Seth had a little rendezvous today," said Danny. June's face immediately went to that of a shocked spectator at a fan finding his favorite football team winning by one point and is about to win and the other teams scores a touchdown in a fluke Hail Mary pass.
"How did you know?" said June.
"I accidentally read one one of your text messages. Apparently it got on my phone and it took me a minute to figure out it was you who said "I'm always yours Seth." June blushed deeply from that.
"Don't worry, you're not in trouble. We actually kind of like the idea," said Katie.
"Just don't tell my brothers, escpecially Gerald," she said.
"Don't worry baby girl. The least thing we want is the house to get demolished by and earthquake and a tidal wave," said Danny.
"Thanks mom and dad," she said, giving her parents a quick hug before returning back to her room.
"You took that better than I thought you would," she said to him. "How come you weren't like that with her other boyfriends?"
"I realize that she's growing up and is free to do whatever she wants to do," he said.
"No really, why?" said Katie.
"Me and Jr. had a bet to see if I could let not harass her next boyfriend. At least now I know I won that five dollars," he said. She bumped his arm with her elbow.
"You are so wrong," she said. She laced her hand with his as they went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
(Gerald's room)
"How could this have happened? This has never happened before. I blame the economy," he thought. How could he have been rejected? Especially by the new girl in school? Question after question swam in his head, and yet he could think of no legitimate answer.
He heard a knock on the door and in came his sister.
"So let me get this straight. You went all doom and gloom just because some girl went and rejected you?" she asked him. He nodded.
"Well it serves you right for being a player," she said.
"I wasn't being a player, I just didn't find a girl that I found interesting. It was the same old, same old," he said.
"Well, seems to me that you want her," said June.
"Yeah, more than ever," said Gerald.
"Well instead of beng Mr. Arrogant Pimp of Grady, try being nice and casual," she said.
"How did you know what she wanted me to do?" he asked.
"Me and her talked at lunch," she said. She left his room with his mouth hanging open down to the floor.
In the living room Alicia and Danny were just talking and hanging out as their sister started a text conversation with her 'mystery' boyfriend. Danny and Alicia were chatting on and on about miscellaneous things while she sat on the adjacent couch working her thumbs to the max.
Danny and Katie were in the kitchen preparing dinner. They were going to have linguini alfredo, mini pizza pcokets, and breadsticks. Danny had shown Katie through the years how to cook, and it only took a burnt lasagna and a kitchen meltdown to get her in the right track. She was now almost as good as he was.
"Make sure the tomato sauce has just the right amount of basil," said Danny.
"Okay Chef Boyardee," she giggled. He smiled and continued to grate the cheese together.
"So how was work?" she asked.
"Same old, same old. Findings minerals is my specialty. Today we found a quartz deposit, which means that gold can't be too far behind," he said.
"Is there any there?" she asked.
"I believe so. I can feel it," he said. "It won't be too long."
"I'm glad you're liking to find these things," she said, coming up behind him and hugging him. He put down his things and turned around to hug her too.
"I'm so glad I have you," he said.
"Me too. It seems like only yesterday when we were teenagers," she said. "You remember that day when my mom was away for a weekend?"
"How could I not? That was one of the best weekends of my life," he said.
"One of the best?" she asked, her right eyebrow arching up in a questioning look.
"Ok, the best weekend of my life," he said.
"You're so adorable sometimes," she said.
"Sometimes?" he said, doing the same thing with her.
"No. You're sexy all the time," she said. He kissed her softly, the couple relishing in it before they pulled apart and went back to what they were doing.
(After dinner)
Alicia had left after hanging out with Danny for what felt like the longest. She said she had to get home before she fell asleep there from the Itis. Everyone said goodbye to her as she left.
"Danny, you seriously need to get with her," said Gerald.
"Come on man, you know we're just friends," said Danny.
"You know you and her like each other," he said. Danny slightly blushed.
"Gerald, does it matter who he dates? Let him rule his life," said June.
"Speaking of life, who is this mystery guy?" said Gerald.
"How many times do I have to say, "Not telling?" she said.
"Sis, you know that ain't fair. I tell you who I always date. Why can't you ever tell me?" he said.
"Because whenever I have a boyfriend you and Danny switch into protective mode and it's driving me nuts," she said.
"I don't go overboard like he does. Remember the security surveillance system?" said Danny. Gerald glared at him.
"Fine, don't tell me, but I'm gonna find out one way or another June," said Gerald.
"I'd love to see that," she said. "So mom and dad, how was your day?"
"Very good, and I think it's time for you all to go to bed," said Katie.
"It's 10," said Gerald.
"Listen to your mom kids," said Danny Sr. Though they groaned, they nonetheless went to bed. Once they had brushed their teeth, gotten their pajamas on and went to bed, Danny eyed Katie with his familiar stare.
"The room in ten minutes," she said.
"You get the gift, I'll get the Cristal," he said.
"Didn't Jay-Z say that drink was racist?"
"That negro is in his sixties. I can drink whatever I want," Danny proclaimed. She smiled devilishly and went up to their room.
"And Danny, hurry up. I'm not wearing any panties," she said. Danny hurried to find the drink as she glided to their room. Thank the gods she was still good at seducing him.