The days leading up to Saturday were a bit out of the ordinary. Everything seemed hazy and confused, like the shock hadn't quite settled in. I was indecisive about my feelings on everything, too. Part of me didn't want my old dad to leave. I've spent the entire first chunk of my life with him, and I didn't want that to end. However, I was curious to find out exactly who I was and get to know my birth father.

Layla spent her days sulking around the house, seeming to find every little thing to moan about.

My mom spent her days at work, and came home very late to avoid contact as much as possible with my dad. However, she never forgot to come into my room at least once and day and talk to me about what was going on. I figured she was doing this to make sure I was adjusting to everything that was going on smoothly, seeing as she's never done this before in my life.

My dad spent his days working from home, looking at two bedroom apartments (for when Layla and I visited. He never ceased to tell me that despite the fact I wasn't actually his, he wanted me to visit often and I could always call him dad), and sleeping on the couch. Each day I woke up, more boxes containing my old father's possessions were spread out across the house.

I found myself counting down the minutes till Saturday. I'd get to spend the day with Izzy, and then go and have dinner with my dad – and most importantly, I'd get to escape the house of depression.

I met Izzy at her house at 10 AM on Saturday, and we set out into the city. We spent the morning shopping, and then went to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.

I did my best to try and explain everything to her without giving away anything about the gods. My mom had given me a thirty-minute lecture before I left about how I wasn't allowed to tell her anything about the gods.

"Hold up a second," she said, taking a large gulp of her drink, "You're telling me that your true dad is Percy Jackson?"

"Yup," I said, "But I wouldn't scream it. You don't know who is eating here."

"Right, like paparazzi or something," she said, looking around the restaurant, "My best friend is going to be famous!"

"No, I just have a famous dad. I'm going to be one of the famous kids," I answered, "But you do realize what this means you can't have a crush on him anymore. How odd would it be if my best friend has a crush on my dad?"

"Well, in my defense, I can't help who I like…"

"Izzy!"

"Sorry," she apologized, "But still. He's hot."

I smacked my hand to my forehead, "Could you please stop?"

"Fine," she snapped, "But let me remind you that before you found all this out, you had no problem saying he was hot."

"You can be so irritating sometimes, you know that?" I asked, trying to rid my brain of the mental image of Izzy and my dad.

"Yeah, I do," she said, taking a bite of her food, "But that's what I'm here for."

"Eh, true enough."

"So, can I come with you tonight to meet him?" she asked, "I won't stay to eat with you guys or anything, I just want to meet him and introduce myself to him as your best friend."

"No!" I answered.

"But-"

"Nope."

"Please, Ally," she begged, "Why not?"

"Because you'll be all over him like the crazed fan-girl that you are." I said.

"How about I promise that I won't be. I'll just ask for a photo and a quick autograph and-" she began, before I cut her off.

"Izzy, no."

"Fine, forget that stuff. Can I just meet him?" she asked, "I'm begging you!"

"I guess," I said, finally giving into her request, "But only a quick hello and then a quick goodbye."

"I know," she said, "Plus, now that he's your dad and all, I'll get to see him more than today."

"God," I said, making sure that I didn't make it plural, "I hope not."

To that, she merely chuckled.

***

Izzy and I arrived at the restaurant about fifteen minutes early (she and I both agreed that early is best to be early when dining with a celebrity) and waited for my dad to show up.

He ended up arriving five minutes late and he looked a bit frazzled when he walked through the door. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a black polo shirt.

"Hi Ally," he said, once he noticed me sitting down.

"Hey, uh, Dad," I said, awkwardly, "This is my best friend, Izzy. We were spending the day together and she wanted to meet you."

"Good evening, Mr. Jackson!" Izzy said, cheerfully.

"It's nice to meet you, Izzy," he said, shaking her hand.

"You too, Mr. Jackson," she said, "Well, I'll get going now, my mom will want me back for dinner."

"I'm sure as Ally's best friend that I'll be meeting you again some other time," my dad said, wearing an awkward smile.

Izzy merely nodded, and then turned around to head out the door. However, she didn't forget to give me a face of victory before her exit.

"We should sit down now, shouldn't we?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said, "Let's go eat."

"Good," he said, grinning, "I'm starving."

So, I realize that I haven't updated in a little while and that this chapter isn't all that long. I just thought that I'd end it here and not have there be a cliffhanger instead of going a little farther, and then giving you a cliffhanger.

Also, the review replying system has been down, so I can't reply until it is working again. I'm so sorry.

I just would also like to give a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! I got more reviews than I ever have before for that chapter, which is greatly appreciated! Please keep them coming!

~ShadowPalace