Emmy looked at Percy as they walked. They were at one of the local outdoor malls doing some last minute Christmas shopping. Emmy had everything for her own family, but needed something for Percy's. She couldn't just show up at their house on Christmas without anything in hand, her mother raised her better than that. "What should I get for your mom?" Percy looked down at her shocked by her sudden question. "I already told you you don't need to get her anything." Emmy shook her head, her brows came together in a stubborn look. "She already doesn't like me as it is, I don't want to make it worse." Percy laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I have no idea. What do girls usually want?" Emmy shrugged, "I usually go for Xbox games or Converse, but I don't think your mom and I share the same tastes." Percy nodded, that helped with what he was going to get her. "Well, we kind of have this inside joke with blue foods. You could get her a whole bunch of blue candy." Emmy gave him her signature scarred eyebrow up look, "Blue food? Please explain." Percy laughed, "Well it was once told to us that there was no such thing as blue food. Now every chance we get we eat blue food." Emmy laughed with him. "Then it sounds like a sweet idea." They walked to the closest candy store and got every blue piece of candy they had.
Twenty minutes later they walked out Percy holding most of the bags, though Emmy made him let her carry one. Each of them had some candy in their hands. Emmy was going to town on a jaw breaker while Percy bit off a piece of dark chocolate every once in a while. "So, where to now?" Emmy looked up at him, pulling the large jaw breaker away from her mouth. "Well, I already bought your present, and Paul is covered." While she was there for dinner he had expressed how much of a 49ers fan he was. So she had gotten him a Colin Kaepernick jersey that Percy verified Paul didn't have. "And I now have your mom's. So I'm done. Anything you need to get?" Percy nodded, "Yeah I still haven't gotten you anything." Emmy shook her head and gave out a laugh. "So do you want me to go wait for you at Starbucks while you get it?" Percy thought about it, "actually that is a good idea." He handed her all of the candy bags, a crooked grin on his face. "If I'm not back in an hour, I was probably kidnapped." With that he jogged off leaving Emmy behind. She sighed her breath fogging up the air in front of her. She didn't even know where Starbucks was, it had been more of a joke. Looking around helplessly for a few minutes she walked up to a group of girls about her age asking for directions. "Do you know where Starbucks is?" One of the girls nodded, "Yeah, go straight then take a left. You should see it on the right." Emmy gave a grateful smile and nodded, "Great thanks." She turned to leave before being stopped by a voice. "Hey, is that guy that was with you your brother?" Emmy turned around slowly to see one of the girls standing away from the rest who were giggling. "U?"m, no."
"Related in any way?"
"Nope."
"Shame, he's cute." With that the girls walked past leaving a very surprised Emmy behind.
Percy walked into a music supply store having no idea what to do. Luckily a one of the employees walked up to him. "Need help finding anything?" Percy nodded at the guy, "Yeah, what do you suggest as a gift for a saxophone player?"
"Do you know what type of saxophone it is?"
Percy's eyes widened, he had no idea. "Um, no." The guy laughed and led him to a display case. It was full of saxophones all different sizes. "Which one is hers?" Percy never said it was for a girl, but being as clueless as he was it was probably pretty obvious. Looking over the different types he pointed to the smallest one, "That one." The guy nodded, "That's an alto sax. Follow me." Percy walked behind the guy until they came to a corner of the store. His demigod instincts were kicking in, his hand went to his pocket. He was reassured to feel the familiar shape of Riptide. The guy motion to a shelf, "This is were we keep all out alto sax accessories." Percy looked over it.
He walked out of the store a bag in hand. In the bag was two flavored reeds, which he thought was one of the best ideas ever, and a decorated neck strap. "Is that enough?" He bit his lower lip looking around. His eyes lit up seeing a Converse store right across the way. A smile crossed his face as he walked in. Emmy was always wearing colorful laces in her worn in black high tops. Percy picked out a pair of bright neon plaid and a pair of purple polka-dots. Now, to find Starbucks. He walked up to a group of girls and gave a crooked smile. "Do you guys know where Starbucks is." A blonde came forward and smiled, "Yeah head back that way and take a left. Should be right in front of you." Percy nodded, "Alright thanks."
"That girl should be waiting for you." His eyes widened, what if these weren't teenage girls. He waved goodbye walking until he was out of sight. Percy started sprinting towards the Starbucks. What if those 'girls' had done to something to her. Bursting through the door breathing heavily he scanned the room. Emmy looked up from her hot chocolate surprised by Percy's sudden appearance, so did everyone in the small shop. His eyes landed on Emmy, safe and sound. A sigh escaped his smiling lips. He made her way over to her, sitting across from Emmy. "You alright there?" She asked before taking another sip of he drink. He nodded reaching a hand out taking the cup from her, drinking some. "Oh, go right ahead. I didn't want that anyway." Emmy said her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well if you don't want it." He brought it to his lips again and Emmy reached across the table taking it from him, "Buy your own."
"Why would I when I can just have some of yours." Emmy scowled but smiled after a minute of Percy looking at her. "So, are we done here?" Emmy asked. Percy nodded, "I got a bag full of stuff you aren't allowed to see." They both smiled before standing. Walking side by side they went to Paul's car. After climbing in they drove off.
Christmas was only two days away, and they couldn't wait. Emmy just hoped this Christmas would be better than her last one. Her mother had only been dead for a month, so it had been miserable. The next year was already looking better.