Chapter twenty three

Yep I was grounded. For two weeks, without friends, a phone or Percy which I was not happy about but I could understand. As long as we had school together that was fine,I could kiss him there. The maths sessions however became torture for us, because either my dad or his step dad were standing over us watching, making sure all we were doing was calculus. And all because dad had to come pick us up from the station.

If mum had done it I would have gotten a pat on the back and a well done for defending my friends. OK so maybe no phone for a couple of days just to "teach me a lesson" but not this pure hell.

Because Percy was right there, and I couldn't touch him. Well I could, during any free time at school we were inseparable. In the morning he had taken to pushing me up against the lockers and giving me a fiery kiss – something I did not object too – but still, I missed the morning texts. I missed falling asleep in his arms Friday night, and waking up with him Saturday mornings. And as luck turned out, these next two weeks dad wouldn't be going anywhere for anything so I was stuck in the house.

But I understood. I had knocked two guys unconscious whilst fighting, then got dragged down to the police station and got a warning from Frank for under age drinking, there must be some punishment for that. Also Hazel is doing great, but they're taking it slow and enjoying each others company apparently.

Go Frank.

At least I had time to get back to the quest of finding the perfect chirstmas present for my boyfriend. Which I was still stuck on. Mum took me shopping, sneaking me out of the house when dad was working on his book. And it was fun because we hadn't had a lot of mother daughter bonding time recently.

"Ugh, it's so good to get out of the house" she said, taking her hair out of it's usual work bun. It was a friday afternoon, we had about an hour till the mall closed so there were no crowds, just the last few people still wondering through. "and away from work. I think i've been working way to hard recently"

"That is a habbit of yours mum" I smiled, looking through the store windows at stuff. He woudln't want make up or jewllery, chocolate wasn't really his thing, I couldn't buy alcohol just yet, and a DVD didn't really say what I wanted it to say. I wanted it to be special.

"And your's too, just make sure you don't end up running your own company. Even though you may get treated like a goddes sometimes, it's not worth it"

"I'll keep that in mind" I laughed, knowing full well that I would be going to University to study architechure, joining her company and moving up the ranks to the highest slot when the time was right. That was the plan anyway.

Walking passed the old book store I wondered. Would a book do? It would have to be something special. Percy didn't really read much, but maybe? No probably not. I was getting ready to move on when mum stopped me "Twenty thousand leagues under the sea" she whispered, mor to herself then me as she pointed out the book in the window. A first addition as well. "I used to love that book"

"Yeah you used to read it to me as a kid"

"To give you a break form all the Greek stuff your father forced on you" she added, nodding her head in agreement. It was a pretty book, in good condition. And it seamed to be calling to me through the glass "You know, Sally has one just like that" Mum said out of the blue "Sally?"

"Percy's mum, come on" she laughed, "Yeah I noticed it when we first met them. Apparently it belonged to Percy's dad, but it's a bit worn out now because of the many times it's been read. You know, if you were looking for a Christmas present for someone..."

"you really don't do subtle do you?" I commented, my eyes still fixed on the book in front of me "Not really my thing" mum joked, adjusting her bag on her shoulder as she stood next to me, staring at the book. It wasn't too overpriced, and if it meant something to him then yeah why not.

"Thanks mum" I said as I walked into the shop, purse at the ready and relief flowing through my body as I finally found my boyfriend a present.

The two weeks were finally up, bringing with it the end of school, my phone and some much needed time with Percy. We had had some alone time last night, but that wasn't going to be enough. We would have to wait because tonight we were going to have a movie night at Pipers tonight, which was great because I had missed my friends. But being that close to Percy in a more or less public environment would stir things in me.

I was becoming more confident when it came to the whole sexual thing, instead of saying away from the touches, I leaned into Percy more, letting my hands wonder a little too. We were taking longer to stop, my tops were being slid higher and higher, the hands becoming masters at what they were doing. All we needed to do was have the conversation – yeah we were still putting that off – and we were all ready to go.

I arrived at Pipers to see most of my friends had all ready arrived. Nico had his arms wrapped around Thalia – thankfully he had been fine after the fight, nothing more then some deep tissue bruising – and she looked as happy as can be as Nico talked to my boyfriend. My heart skipped it usual beat when I saw him. He broke away from his conversation to give me a smile, got up from the bean bag he had acquired, taking me by the waist and kissing me like he hadn't seen me in months instead of hours.

Grover was here as well, bringing his girlfriend along, Juniper who was super nice. She was in one of Thalia's classes – English I think – and they got along. She was kind of quiet, but I think Grover was working on that, his arm placed around her as they sat on the couch.

Leo, Pipers younger brother also had decided to join us, her dad having to go out for the night leaving her in charge – the real reason this was happening at her place – and it looked like all we needed was Jason and everything would be ready to go.

I sat in Percy's lap once he had re seated himself on the bean bag, curling around him and making sure I was comfortable and at the right angle to see the TV.

It was times like these I loved, when we all just hung out. No pressure from school or work to do or tests to study for. No alcohol needed. We just had fun.

The second Jason arrived – new dog in tow – the movie began, all of us cuddled up with our partners as Leo cuddled up with Festus. Leo had named him, which was good because Jason had been having trouble thinking of a name, and I doubt Festus even crossed his mind.