Well, I was almost on time. Enjoy this spectacular fail of writing that is basically dialog, dialog and more dialog. Luckily I figured out how to make this story work and everything should move faster now. Anyway, read on.

Piper POV

"What did he say?" I ask as Annabeth enters.

She throws her coat on the rack and collapses onto my bed, "He say," she answers, "and I quote, Zeus Grace is an asshole who doesn't even care about his own kids."

"That's exactly what he said?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm a few words off but the gist is the same," Annabeth says miserably.

"Hey, it's okay. They're just a bunch of street kids, anyway," I say even though I don't believe it anymore. I can't believe they're less than me now that I've kissed one of them, now that I stayed with them.

"Don't say that," Annabeth snaps, then deflates, "it just makes me feel worse."

"Well, too bad," I say, the steal in my voice surprises me, "because this isn't about you or me, this about them and that was a very stupid plan."

"It really was," Annabeth says, sitting up, "What were we thinking?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter because I have a plan B," I grin, expecting Annabeth to join in but she just shakes her head.

"Percy also said that we should stop trying to help them, plus they're waiting until Hazel is better before trying anything," Annabeth explains with a sigh.

"Well, I don't care, we're helping them. Hazel might not get better and if they get adopted then the only one who will have contact with her will be Nico." I am not letting the first boy I have ever loved get away that easily, sure I'm only almost fourteen and I'm probably going to date a million other guys before I settle down but he's not going anywhere.

"Okay, so what's the plan?" Annabeth asks, "Smuggle them out at a party?"

"No, don't be ridiculous," I say, "Of course we're not going to throw them back out on to the streets."

"Then what are we going to do?" she asks.

I grin, "We're going to use the influence our parents are always telling us we have and we are going to talk to Social Services."

"That's it, no silly fan fair or adoption plans or smuggling?" Annabeth raises her eyebrows.

"Nope," I say.

"Just rich people influence?"

"Yup."

Jason POV

"You're going to school," Ms Lupa says, "Both of you. We've assessed you and you know enough to go into fifth grade."

"But I'm thirteen almost fourteen, I'm supposed to be in eighth grade. That's three years behind, Leo's only one," I protest, even though I'm surprise I'm even in fifth grade considering I was only in second grade when we left.

"Well, your level is closer to fourth grade so be happy you're not four years behind. Now go get dressed, both of you. You start in half an hour," she clapped her hands and we both scrambled to their feet.

"We're going to school," I grin while pulling on a shirt.

"Why are you excited about this?" Leo asks, "I'd much rather stay at home and watch TV and laze around and do nothing that requires maths."

"But we get to learn," I say, "And be around kids our age."

"They're three years younger than you, Jason," Leo says, beating Jason to the bathroom.

"Okay, point," I sigh, "but still, it's brilliant. I haven't been to school for five years."

"Yeah, I haven't been for three," Leo says, finally done in the bathroom. How long does it take him to brush his teeth?

"Hurry up!" Ms Lupa calls, "Or you'll be late!"

"We're coming." I call back, "Come on, Leo, it'll be fun!"

"Yeah," he mutters, "Fun."

Okay, so school wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be. The kids hate me because I'm older than them and the teachers find it frustrating that I know so little. Leo seems even more miserable than I am, though he won't tell me why. I have one nice teacher, though, his name is Mr Blofis. He doesn't expect me to know more than anyone else and he doesn't mind when I ask questions that may seem stupid.

Sadly he's my English teacher, the subject I wasn't good at even when I hadn't missed years of school. The words jump around on the page and it's so frustrating. Yeah, I can't really read at all.

"Jason!" Leo shouts, "Thalia and Percy are on the phone for us!"

"What?" I shout back, racing down the stairs.

"Yeah, they're finally letting us talk to them," Leo said, "I'm putting it on speaker phone."

"Hi, Thalia. Hey, Percy," I say and their voices explode out of the phone.

"Jason!" Percy yells, "Leo!"

"Jay! Leo!" Thalia shouts at the same time.

They both start laughing, I roll my eyes and Leo grins.

"Hi, Percy. Hello Thalia," Leo says, still grinning.

"Hey!" a little voice protests, "I'm here too."

"Hey Nico," I say.

"How are you guys?" Thalia asks, "Is your home nice? Are they being nice to you?"

"Yeah, it's nice enough and we're fine," I answer, trying to suppress a grin at how motherly Thalia is being.

"We went to school today and Jason's in my class," Leo tells them.

"Yeah? What grade are they starting you guys in?" Percy asks.

"Fifth grade," I say, twisting my hands into knots.

"That's great, Jay!" Thalia exclaims, and I can hear her smile through the phone.

"No it's not, I'm three years behind and everyone thinks I'm stupid," I mutter.

"Yes, it is Jase," Percy says, "You left in third grade and the only education you've had since then is me and Thalia reading you books and Luke talking to you about stuff. What grade do you think I'll be in? Or Thalia? Truthfully, we'll probably be in the same grade as you guys."

"Yeah, and as for the kids who think you're stupid they're the stupid ones," Thalia snarls, "I'll beat them up for you."

Percy laughs, "Violence is never the answer, Thalia. What are you teaching the children?"

"The way of the world," Thalia jokes.

"Never listen to your mother," Percy says in mock seriousness, "She needs a few lessons in human conduct."

"I want to go to school," Nico says suddenly, "I don't remember much about school, but it sounds fun."

"Yeah? It's not as cool as it seems," Leo mutters.

"Leo, don't discourage him," Thalia scolds, though we all know she hates school and school work. "Nico, school is fun. Until fourth grade."

"Who's discouraging him now, huh, Thalia?" Percy says, laughing.

Thalia scoffs, "He's not in fourth grade, yet. School with be fun for a few years before it's ruined by the future."

"Sure, whatever Thals," Percy says. I can practically hear him rolling his eyes. There is some murmuring on the other side of the phone and then Percy says, "Sorry guys, we have to go but we'll call you again as soon as we can."

"Bye, Leo, Jay," Thalia says, "Love you guys."

"Love you," Nico says.

"Love you too, Nicks," Leo says, "And you to Thalia."

I hum in agreement. Percy gasps dramatically, "After all I've done for you?"

"Love you Percy," Leo grins and I laugh.

"Bye," Thalia says

"Love you guys, hopefully we can see you soon. Bye," Percy says, love clear in his voice. In both of their voices.

I grin at Leo and we both laugh. Speaking to Percy and Thalia makes everything feel okay again even though Hazel's in hospital, we're in foster care and Leo might well be dying. For the first time I'm happy because they'll get us out and they'll keep us safe. They love us and so everything is okay again.