I have returned! Did you miss me?
So this chapter is being posted because my birthday was earlier this week and I wanted to give you guys a present for being awesome. It's a two part chapter. I would have continued it but I like where it stopped. You guys get to meet some new people! Exciting, isn't it? And there are pictures! The previous chapters had pictures on my wordpress I just haven't gotten around to fixing it soo they do on here as well. Any ideas on who you want as the people you're introduced to? i have some ideas but I'm not sure yet.
This chapter was inspired by Demons by Imagine Dragons and the next part as well. It's shorter than the last one but I hope that you like it anyway.
Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
-Demons, Imagine Dragons
Percy knocked on the classroom door as he walked in. Paul's head lifted and he caught sight of Percy.
"Hi, Percy. Take a seat," Paul said as he joined Percy in the student desks. "What brings you to this neck of the woods?"
Percy shrugged. "Just wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm doing well." He looked at Percy carefully. "Do what to tell me what you really wanted to ask me?"
Percy looked at him in surprise. "Don't look so shocked. I work with teenagers all day and I live with you. I like to think I know you somewhat by now. Now tell me," Paul requested.
"You're not going to leave my mom are you?" he blurted out.
"Percy," Paul began slowly. "Why would you think I would leave you and your mom?"
"Are you?" Percy pushed.
"Of course not, Percy. I care about you guys. Why would you think I would leave?"
"Because," Percy mumbled.
"Because why?" Percy didn't answer. "Is it because of what you told me last night?" Percy nodded reluctantly. "Percy, you being a demigod doesn't change who you are. It doesn't make you a different person. You're father's a god. So what? It just means you inherited some pretty awesome powers."
"And dyslexia and the inability to sit still and be impulsive. I have to defeat Kronos and-," Percy added.
"Okay yeah,you have responsibilities shoved on you that you really shouldn't have because of a prophecy. But that's not because of you. And you have dyslexia and ADHD. You have a learning disability and other kids do as well. But Perce, you gotta look at the good. Your dyslexia and ADHD are manageable. You're in all honors. And not ninth grade honors like you would be normally. You're in tenth grade honors and some eleventh grade. And you have copies of your textbooks in Greek. Percy, you speak Greek. How many can say they can speak and read Greek fluently. Like they're from Greece. You have some pretty awesome friends as well. They would literally give their lives for you. Annabeth, Grover, Thalia, and I hear your becoming friends with the DeLucas. You're an amazing brother and you'd do anything for the people you care about, Percy. All of these things Percy, make you who you are. In the wise words of Albus Dumbledore, 'it's not our abilities that define us, but our choices.'
"The pros outweigh the cons and to be frank, I see no reason to leave you because of who your father is. Be who you are. The ones that mind don't matter, and the ones who do matter won't mind. Do you understand?"
Percy nodded and blinked rapidly. There was something in his eye, he wasn't crying what are talking about?
"Now," Paul started. Percy looked at him and saw a mischievous glint in his eye. He watched Paul warily, that glint did not mean well for him. "Tell me more about this Annabeth/Kori situation." Percy groaned. He knew it. He fucking knew it.
PJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJO
"Do you ever feel like you're being fucked over?" Percy asked randomly. He was walking through Central Park with Nico, Kori, and the triplets. It looked beautiful this time of year and he wanted them to see it. There was still snow on the ground and the light was beginning to fade and it looked like it was going to snow again even though it was the end of March. At the moment only Percy, Kori, and Nico were walking; the triplets were running up and down the paths racing the wood nymphs, nature spirits, and what looked suspiciously like pixies. Kori turned to Percy after checking that Nico was keeping an eye on them for the most part and waited for him to continue, she knew he wasn't finished.
"Like you're being compared to the people before you? Like you're being judged based on their achievements? Their mistakes? Failures? Like you'll never be good enough?" Percy ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
Kori nodded. Being one of twelve children, not including Apollo's other kids, eight of which, including her, are demigods, and four are older than her, Kori knew the feeling well. But she was a child of Apollo she didn't have as much to live up too as Percy did. They sped up their walking a bit to catch up with Nico. Percy let out a loud whistle to get the triplets' attention. They ran up to him.
Percy looked at them and Nico. "Do you guys want to go ice skating?"
"Yeah!" The triplets yelled in unison. Kori smiled and nodded in agreement. Nico just shrugged, wanting it to look nonchalant but Percy knew that he was excited. This would be his first trip to the zoo after all.
"Okay," Percy chuckled and led the way to the east side of the park, near the zoo.
"Two adult and four child," Percy said to the girl selling the tickets. "Including skates."
"That'll be 92 dollars," the employee said as she printed out the tickets. Percy pulled out his wallet and gave the girl five twenties.
"What sizes?" Percy whirled around to the others so they could answer.
"I'm a 7," Nico said.
"I'm an 8 ½ and the triplets are all ones."
"And yo..u," the employee trailed off on the 'u' as she placed the others skates on the counter.
"I'm an-"
"Eleven," she finished for him then blushed. They all looked at her weirdly. "Sorry, it's just everyone in the kingdom knows what shoe size you are, my lord."
"Do I know you?" Percy aked worried about not recognizing her.
"Oh no, you don't," she blushed again. "But I know you. I-I've heard all about you."
"Crystal, stop gossiping and start working!"
Crystal turned to the person who yelled and glared. "I was working."
"Didn't look like it from where I'm standing." The manager told her employee. She looked to be around thirty with dark brown hair and eyes that were the color of fountain water. She looked at who her employee was gossiping with and did a double take. "Percy?"
Percy in turn too ka closer look at the manager. "Pierene? Is that you? How have you been? How's your fountain doing? I haven't seen you in forever," Percy stressed.
"I've been good. Got a new trainee," she nodded towards Crystal who was blushing beet red. "And who's this?" she scrutinized the others.
"Oh! This is my cousin Nico," he grabbed Nico into a side hug. Nico scowled slightly at the term cousin. No one noticed. "And this is my-" Percy hesitated, he wasn't sure what to call her. "-Friend," he settled for. "Kori and her younger siblings Chelle, Ry, and Ash. Guys, this is Pierene, she's a fountain naiad. Used to babysit me all the time too."
Pierene gave Percy a knowing grin, she had caught his hesitation. She knew him better than most, after all. Percy stuck his tongue out at her.
"It's nice to meet you," Kori said nicely since no one else was going too.
"You as well. Interesting names, are they short for anything?" Nico shook his head no as Kori and the triplets nodded.
Percy grinned, "You already know what my name is."
"That I do, and you?"
"Korinne-Isabelle."
"My name is Michelle Anne Nicollson and these are my triplets Ryan Andrew Nicollson and Asher Noyce Nicollson."
"It's nice to meet you Miss Michelle. And you as well Mister Ryan and Mister Asher." The triplets grinned up at her. "Go have fun!" The triplets ran toward the stands and the others followed after at a more sedated pace.
PJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJOPJO
"Kori, is that you?" A male voice called out from the kitchen.
"Yea! I brought some people with me!" There was a crash followed by an explicative and laughter. Percy tensed and looked at Nico in alarm but Kori just brushed it off. She turned them and explained. "One of the boys is trying to cook and the others are probably laughing watching it. Let's join them." Sure enough when they walked into the kitchen, a boy about twenty was at the sink trying to wash out a pot while Roman, Xavier and someone else was laughing at the table. Percy chuckled. All four whirled around to see who walked in.
A pregnant pause. "Is Percy Jackson actually in my kitchen? Whatever shall I do?" The one at the table pretended to swoon. Percy laughed along with the others and appreciated him breaking the tension.
"What exactly are you trying to cook, Jay?" Kori laughed as Xavier grabbed Percy's arm to introduce him.
"The one that is swooning over your breathtaking green tourmaline gems you call eyes is Kaleb." Kaleb rolled his eyes and stepped forward to shake Percy's hand.
"It's nice to meet you outside of camp."
Percy smiled slightly. "You as well."
Xavier tugged on Percy's arm to get his attention again. "The one Kori is intimidating with her fierceness is Jayden. He's adorable and all but he can't cook at all. I don't know why he even tries," Xavier shrugged.
"Hey!" Xavier just smiled at his brother.
"What did you guys do today?" Roman smiled slyly.
Kori, knowing exactly what he was getting at, shot him a sharp look. "We went ice skating with the twerps and Nico."
"Speaking the human-sized wrecking balls, where are the trips?"
"Mom wanted me to drop them off with Lys."
Kaleb cut off his older brother before he could start on a rant. "So what brings you to our stomping ground, Percy?" When Percy mumbled, Kaleb pushed. "What was that? I'm sorry I didn't hear you."
"I'm avoiding people in my apartment," Percy said louder.
"Damn bitch, no need to shout," Jayden said. Percy smiled and rolled his eyes, He recognized the quote from Pitch Perfect: he had watched it with Thalia.
"Who you avoiding?" Roman leaned forward ready for gossip to share with his newfound friend, Rachel.
"Annabeth."
"Annabeth? As in my sister Annabeth?" Xavier asked with eyebrows disappearing into his hairline. "I thought you two were joined at the hip or something."
"We're not," Percy said shortly.
"Ah," Kaleb and Jayden nodded in understanding. "Girl trouble," they said in unison.
"I believe this is the part where we leave," Kori said as she grabbed the dynamic duo by their arms and dragged them into the living room.
"Why do I have to leave?!" Roman whined.
"Because. You have never ever had a girl interested in you. You have no experience with girls whatsoever so what you contribute to the conversation with? You have nothing to say? That's what I thought."
"What about X?"
"What about me?" Xavier snorted as he grabbed Roman's other arm. "I want absolutely no part of that conversation. I have Kori, Lys, and Char for that."
"Just because you bat for the other team-" Roman protested. Xavier facepalmed and shot a look at Percy to see how he reacted. He just shrugged at him, he didn't care who X batted for. And what was with the metaphors? "-doesn't mean you can't give advice."
"I didn't say I couldn't-"
"Good!"
"-I just don't want too," Xavier completely ignored his brother's interruption then completely dragged him out of the room. Once they were out of hearing range the two older men whirled onto the teen.
"So Perseus," Jayden began seriously. Percy winced at the use of his full name. Usually only monsters and his mother used his full name. It meant what was ahead wasn't good for his health.
"What are you intentions towards my little sister." Kaleb reached over and smacked him upside the head. "OW! Kaleb! What was that for?"
"He's in denial! You don't ask him that! He's obviously confused about his relationship with Annabeth!"
"But he asked her to a wedding. How could he be in denial?"
"He is right in front of you!" Percy called over them. They stopped their argument and turned back to him.
"Well?" They asked in unison.
Percy shrugged and looked sheepish. "I-I'm really confused," he admitted. Jayden unfolded his arms and moved his hand in a signal to go on. "I've known Annabeth for almost five years now and she's fought by my side and nearly died for me so many times."
"I sense a but," Kaleb said softly. This was his forte. He was afterall a son of Aphrodite. He knew relationships better than most.
"I feel like I've known Kori for my whole entire life even though I've just truly met her Wednesday. I don't know what to do," he said quietly.
Jayden stepped back and let Kaleb handle this. "I think," he said slowly. "That as a child of the goddess of love I have to look at this objectively. I think that as a demigod, a powerful one at that, monsters scent like a starving man that smells dinner. You also have a prophecy and a fate hanging over your head and have to deal with things that us, for lack of a better word, normal demigods don't."
"I don't even know if I'm going to live through this war," Percy said softly.
"Exactly," Kaleb nodded. "Your life is most likely going to be shorter than most and you have to live it to the fullest. So think about this, if Annabeth hadn't already been invited to the wedding, would you still invite Kori, the girl you just met but feel like you've known your whole life and have a connection to? Or would you invite Annabeth, the girl you've known since you found out you were a demigod and trust? The one that incites feelings that you haven't really felt before or the one that's safe? The devil you know or the one you don't? "Why kind of love do you want? Don't answer it now," he rushed to say. "Just think about it."
Kaleb smiled at him. "As love's advocate, I have to tell you to follow your heart and do what's best for you, not the others. As one of your…interest's brothers, I have to tell you-" Kaleb leaned forward to stare Percy in the eye. "-That if you hurt a single hair on my little sister's head, I will hunt you down. I will find you, I will make you wish you had never been born and then? I will kill you." Percy knew that the teen in front of him wasn't kidding. Jayden nodded in agreement from his place against the wall. Percy would deny it to his dying breath but he had never been more scared in his short life.
"Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," Percy said quickly.
"Good man," Kaleb said as he slapped his back and Roman slapped into the doorway of the kitchen.
"Did you threaten him yet?" he panted as heard his sister's voice yelling out behind him.
"You're too late, Ro," Kaleb said to his brother amused.
Roman snapped his fingers in regret, "Damn." Kori walked into the kitchen, knowing where her brother had gone.
"Roman Orion DeLuca! I am going to murder you!" Xavier could be heard shrieking.
"What did you do to him?" Jayden asked in alarm. X never really got like that.
"I may have threw all my stuff onto his side of the room."
"You're a dead man," Percy said bluntly. Xavier was well known at camp for his obsession with neatness.
"If you know that, I really am a dead man," Roman moaned.
"Run," Kori advised.
As Roman ran through the abnormally large apartment trying to avoid his adopted brother, the others continued their conversation.
"Where's Quinny and Ray Ray?" Kori asked her brothers.
"Quinn is at his orthodontist appointment and you know that Ray wouldn't want him to go by himself. Lisa is with them and Dad is supposed to meet Lys for their day. I suspect that Lisa is picking up the troublesome trio, we all know where the dastardly duo is," Jayden said as they heard Roman shriek in pain. "And Char is with her newest boy toy."
"Why are you avoiding your apartment?" Xavier asked brushing his hands off as he walked into the kitchen, a mellow Roman following closely behind.
"Annabeth showed up last night, Thalia should be showing up sometime tonight, I just told my soon-to-be-stepdad that my father is a god, and my cousin is most likely passed out in my bed from pain and exhaustion."
"Good reason," Kaleb said brightly. "You wanna stay here tonight? I'm sure we can find a place for you. Most likely Char and Kor's room if you keep the door open," he said thoughtfully. He just needed his parents to agree to that. He gave Percy his advise and is letting him choose but he never agreed to not influence it. He smiled devilishly.
"I need-"
"Good! It's been agreed. I'll call Lisa to let her know. Make sure you call your 'rents too Jackson." Kaleb rushed off to find his cell phone.
"You can use my phone if you don't want to go upstairs," Kori said suddenly shy. At least she wasn't stuttering she realized to her relief.
"Thanks, Kor," he smiled back. He was confused as all fuck but he knew one thing. He liked Korinne-Isabelle DeLuca.