August 4th
Hey mom,

My first day here just ended. We had dinner at the mess hall and I miss your food already even though I have two lunch boxes filled with cookies. By 'we' I mean Frank, Clarisse, Reyna and I. They're my new friends. We are going to cut our hair tomorrow, all together.

It's weird to have friends now when I didn't have any friends in New York. They're nice, even though they can be a bit angry. Mostly at themselves. Frank accidentally stubbed his toe and instead of shouting out in pain and cussing, he just whispered like, 'Clumsy Frank, always so clumsy.' Reyna too, she walked against the door with her shoulder because someone cut in front of her. Instead of screaming out to the person she just smiled and told us that she was to blame, she hadn't watched out if anyone would be faster than her. Clarisse is just angry.

She might be bitter about being here but I hope we help her with it.

We're going to join the MMA club, to find a way to get all my energy out, just like you said I should. They also have a swimming pool, but the teams are for high schoolers. Soon enough though.

I did my very best writing this to you, I hope that you can read my handwriting. I miss you already and love you.

Love always,
Percy

In the envelope, Percy made sure to add the pamphlets, already having a shared one with Frank. That way she can know what she's up to. He had to copy down the swimming pool hours though, just so he remembers to check in whenever he can. He put the envelope on the corner of his desk, neatly tucked into a stackable tray.

– – – – – –

August 11th
Dear mom,

Thank you for dropping off those cookies. Bribing the administration was smart, they loved the cookies as well and are asking when you're coming by again soon. They love you already and know me as 'cookie boy'. My friends say thank you for the cookies too.

The first week of school was tough, but your letter got me through it. I still stand by the fact that I miss your food, Clarisse tells me to stop whining but she has never tasted your seven-layer dip before so she doesn't get to have an opinion.

The first training for the MMA club happened, just now. I showered so don't worry, I'm not as smelly as my neighbor roommates. It's a bit concerning how much they smell. Anyways, MMA club, the others were all better than I, somehow they already knew the techniques. I had to work a little harder to really understand them.

Schoolwork is nice, our electives start next week, I did tell you about those right? Maybe, I'm not sure. Anyways, I actually chose one! Unlike other times where I just wanted free hours, I actually chose ancient languages.

I'm kind of excited. I have never been excited for a class mom, except maybe swimming. I wanted to say P.E. but at my old school P.E. wasn't nice at all. It was standing in groups and talking until the teacher gave up blowing the whistle at them.

Here everyone has to join in everything. The teachers are strict but they know how far they can go? Like a limit.

I Miss you dearly.

Love always,
Percy

He tucked away the letter in his pocket as he shouldered his bag. Looking over at Frank who was sitting at his desk, ready to up and go. It was time for their first trip outing as a class, they had chosen for the military museum. They had unanimously chosen for that option because the flier mentioned that it had a VR game to show how it was in the trenches.

At the sound of the whistle Percy straightened his back and he opened the door for Frank and followed after. Closing it and locking it with their code, they stood at attention in the hall as their supervisor, Sergeant Grant walked through the hall and corrected everyone's dress code.

He reached the end of the hall and glanced at both Frank and Percy. "Good." The man nodded and just walked to the front again. As soon as everyone was up to the standard they marched out onto the courtyard, meeting up with counselor Sano who supervised the girls out of their dorms.

They were then loaded onto the school bus and the girls had to sit on the left side while the boys sat on the right. Percy sat by the window, watching the rain droop down the glass pane. Percy leaned forward and waved over the girls' attention. "Can you call home?" He asked.

Reyna frowned and shrugged as she looked over to Clarisse. The bigger girl just nodded, "Why?" She asked, and frowned at him.

"My mom wants to throw a party." Percy said fondly, instead of blushing he was smiling. "For my birthday." He clarified, he was surprised with their surprised reaction, maybe he had forgotten to mention it.

"Yeah, I'll call home." Reyna said softly and looked over at Clarisse who just agreed with her, nodding. Frank just pursed his lips and Percy understood what he was thinking, it was either a choppy connection with his mother who could only call once a month while she was deployed or it was calling his grandma who he wasn't particularly fond of.

"I'll ask wai po for permission. I'm sure that she'll give it." He said quietly and Percy smiled. He was glad that his friend would put aside his comfortness of being far away from his grandma, it meant a lot to Percy. "When even is your birthday?" He asked and the girls nodded.

"The eighteenth" Percy answered with a coy smile on his face. He had really forgotten to mention it or to even ask for their birthdays, they are his friends, he must buy a calendar and write down all of his friend's birthdays on. "Of August."

"You really waited a whole week?" Reyna asked, slightly unimpressed. "You should've said something earlier."

"To be honest, I only know you guys for a week."

Clarisse crossed her arms, "Yet you know all of our dirty laundry." She grumbled. He had a bad habit of consoling them at the times they looked only just a bit sad. They had accused him of witchcraft when they called him out on it. But he just saw the little things, the darker shade under their eyes, the slight drag in their step and no usual greeting. Which meant he also learnt what mood they'd be in, just the general ones though.

The happy mood would be after they got a good grade, a slight pep in the step, the more excited they would talk and how loud they would talk. Percy enjoyed learning about his friends.

Reyna had yet to open up about anything though. Clarisse only revealed a little about her relationship with her mother. "Let's exit the bus row by row." Sergeant Grant motioned over to the first two pairs of boys and girls in the front, "Let's get it going." The man said and the two boys and two girls in uniform stood up and followed after Counselor Sano. "Next."

The students got off of the bus as soon as they were picked to go. Percy shared a smile with his friends as they stood up and followed the others in tow off of the bus. They stood outside and the students stretched subtly, not being used to sitting an hour in the bus. Most students were locals in the area of the military school.

"I want to play the game." Clarisse rubbed her hands together, looking evil in a good kind of way. It was giving the same look that a cat has when the cat attacked its owner while purring. Percy snorted and looked away.

Percy looked around and saw the different school buses, "Everyone is out on excursion today." He muttered and immediately felt like he had beef with the other schools. It was no secret that some of the students from the other school were flipping them off in their bus when the military school bus passed theirs.

Besides their little school arguments this was the biggest thing everyone was talking about in their year, it was so clear that they weren't with a lot of students that year. The four of them followed the rest of the students into the museum. Already at the entrance, planes were lifted to look like they're just floating there. The very tacky attraction didn't stop some tourists from stopping in awe and taking a picture of it.

Deriving from how loud they were and slightly obnoxious with shouting out 'honey', Percy understood that they were southern americans. He chuckled softly, "National tourists." He ignored the raised eyebrows Reyna and Frank gave him while Clarisse just nodded and laughed.

Reyna and Frank weren't exactly locals, coming out from other countries and have only been in California. While Clarisse had been raised somewhere in New York, just like Percy had been. It was natural of them to recognize the tourists straight away.

During the whole tour of the museum, Percy's attention had been taken away. He wasn't interested in the old military museum, so after being able to sit in an airplane he was getting bored already.

They were allowed to play the VR game at the end of the day, when all of the students had to leave to head back to their school. In a way it was disappointing and after he had taken off the headset, he noticed the empty room except for his friends. "Whose book is this?" He questioned as he held it up, it had a sticker of another school that was situated in the bay area of california. It was his mother's third option.

His friends shook his head and Percy managed to catch a glimpse of someone's blonde hair, leaving the room. "Hey!" He called out to her but she hadn't heard him. He tried to follow after her but realized he was still attached to the VR harness that had allowed him to walk on the multi-directional treadmill. "Damn." He muttered and just held the book in his hands.

After struggling with reading the title he realized it was a book about brutalist architecture in California. He supposes that the blonde girl had wanted to see if there were any of those buildings around the area of the museum.

He held the book in his hands and just pursed his lips. The watch around his wrist beeped and he looked over at his friends, "We should head back now, if we're going to catch the bus." He said.

Reyna nodded, "I was about to say, Sergeant Grant would leave us right here." She said and they all voiced their agreements. The man had a strict schedule and he wasn't about to let four students be a hindrance.

"Counselor Sano would pick us up." Frank tried to argue. "But I think that is because-"

"She doesn't want Sergeant Grant to get in trouble." Clarisse said and shared a look with Reyna. They put the VR kit down after helping Percy out of the harness. "Because Counselor Sano likes him." Reyna continued Clarisse's explanation and the two boys looked at each other, confused.

"How would you know that?" Percy asked as he held open the door for his friends. They walked through the door and Clarisse raised her eyebrows at him, looking at him as if she couldn't believe him. It was a guarantee that she didn't believe him, though.

"Percy, we saw them step into his truck together." Clarisse said. Reyna nodded, "We saw her hand on the back of his neck, she even kissed his cheek." Percy shrugged.

"So? That doesn't mean anything."

"It's literally everything." Reyna shook her head disappointed and they were back outside again, the museum visit was okay, Percy would give it three stars for keeping him entertained with loud noises and big flashing lights.

They stepped into the bus and Percy sat by the window, quickly, he opened the window. The boy who sat behind him had a smell that even deodorant couldn't fix. His eyes locked onto the words that were unreadable on the side of the bus that was parked next to them. "That's that one school, of the girl who the book belongs to." He said to Frank, repeatedly slapping his knee to get his attention. He put the book up against the window and he pointed towards it.

He saw the open window on their bus too but before he shouted out, Frank pulled him back down and shook his head, motioning over to Sergeant Grant who was rubbing his nose bridge, clearly showing his headache.

The bus began to move and a blonde turned to look at her, "You stole my book!" She shouted out of her window. She had blonde hair and curls like a princess. Percy's mouth dried up and he shook his head, he wasn't a thief. Before Percy could reply, they were out on the road and driving away.

He turned to look through the back of the bus' windows to see the girl her school bus drive the opposite way. "Why are you so bothered by it?" Clarisse asked, "It's just a book." Reyna and Frank nodded.

He didn't know why he was so bothered by it. "Right." Percy said and nodded. "I just didn't want to be a thief."

"We saw you pick up the book that she forgot." Reyna said, "You're not a thief."

– – – – – –

"Welcome." Sally said as she opened the door to their small home. Percy saw the small changes she had made while he had been at school for two weeks. It was very much like his mom to put up a rack just to decorate it with Percy's favorite toys as a toddler and put pictures of him up. "You can go ahead and drop all the bags here." She said kindly, "I brought down all the mattresses that we have."

The kids smiled and nodded, Percy was the only one without an awkward smile. It had seemed like they weren't used to that kind of warmth from their parents. Except for Frank who seemed to melt under the familiar feeling of a caring parent. They dropped their stuff and the two girls looked around. Reyna had looked a bit comfortable in the house decorated with pictures of their life, but she was flighty, as if she was waiting for the next pin to fall.

Clarisse looked like a foreigner in a country that she hadn't researched beforehand. The only time when Percy saw her comfortable was in between the chaos of the hallways, the loud screaming and the throwing around of papers. It was an environment where she really thrived. "Dibs on the blue bed." Percy said as he dropped his bag down onto the mattress on the ground. He had brought all of the stuff that he wasn't going to be able to wear due to the strict rules.

Clarisse threw her bag onto the mattress with the red-orange cover, Frank on the green one and Reyna threw hers on the purple one. "Did you tell our favorite colors to your mother?" Reyna asked as she pulled her hair loose from her tight bun. The bun followed the handbook to a tee.

"Maybe." Percy shrugged, he then tilted his head to the right as he thought about it. "I did." He then looked back at the kitchen with a smile. "She really reads them." He said quietly and Frank smiled at his roommate.

"Of course she does, she's your mother." When the Canadian-Chineseboy said that the two girls just looked at the ground, everywhere except for them. Seeing that, Percy changed the subject when his eyes fell onto the silver bulk under his tv.

"Mom!" Percy called out as he slowly stood up looking over at it, "I thought we didn't have a game cube." He stated as he glanced into the kitchen where she was walking over with a tray of snacks and drinks.

His mother stood by the door frame with the full tray, he held his hand out and took it over from his mother. She looked like she wanted to protest but started to explain instead. "The neighbor wanted to throw it out, he had actually bought it for his grandchildren but they're too old for it," Percy put the tray down on the little table between the mattresses, "They'd rather play the Playstation 2." She looked over at him with a teasing look. "You wouldn't rather play the Playstation 2, would you?"

Percy smiled at his mother, a huge smile. "No mom, I love it." He said and turned around to give her a hug. "Thank you." He whispered. His mother just combed his hair with her hand, the same way she did when he had started to go to school just two weeks ago.

"Go enjoy it with your friends. I think that I bought the correct games." She said and Percy beamed. He turned back around and smiled before digging into the little box of games next to the game cube. His three friends sat in front of the tv with controllers in their hands and an excited look on their faces.

Reyna had to look over to Clarisse to understand how to hold the controller like she is supposed to. A faint smile on Percy's face appeared as he looked at the box, his mother had bought nearly all the mario games with a four person limit that was available. Some sonic games, he likes the character purely because he's blue.

He put the game 'mario party' in and it started. He and his friends looked in awe, at first, Clarisse was the best, then Percy and then Reyna who had proven herself to be a quick study.

Soon after they were just engulfed into the game, his mother called out for them, it was time for dinner. She had prepared her seven-layer dip and he had watched Clarisse's face. She had told him to stop whining about not having his mother's food at school.

The moment her eyes slightly widened, Percy knew that his mother would hold Clarisse's adoration forever. To be adored by Clarisse is a feat Percy had never seen happen before. But he knew that his mother had done the impossible before, many times.

He watched as he slowly watched his friends warm up to his mother, how they interacted normally with her as they would their own aunt. They complimented her food and thanked her.

They gamed for a bit longer and they got a bit tired after Frank had been the first one to yawn. Percy then decided that it was time for a movie. He couldn't believe that Frank had decided to side with the girls for X-Men 2 instead of the Pirates of the Caribbean. He felt betrayed but as soon as the action was over from X-Men they watched the exciting parts of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Their ADHD was awful at times, it was such a coincidence that they all had it too.

– – – – – –

August 25th
Hey mom,

Thank you once again for my birthday, they enjoyed it and still couldn't stop talking about your food. They're surprised that you gave them your cookies with them, I wasn't going to complain. It just meant that I didn't have to share my batch of cookies (if they didn't have any I still would have).

I'm glad that school let me come home to you last week, and I was glad that I was able to bring friends with me. Thank you for being my mom. I will see you again in two weeks. I was going to ask you something but I forgot, maybe I'll tell you (in person) when I remember it

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

August 23rd
Hello Sally,

My mother said that I had to give her number to you. I don't know why. I just told Percy that she wanted it and he said he'll just put it in his envelope to you.

Sincerely
Clarisse La Rue

– – – – – –

Sally opened the car door and motioned over Clarisse. "Come on over dear, no need to wave us out for the weekend. Your mother gave permission to stay the weekends with me when she is out of town." Percy's mother said kindly with a warm smile on her face. Clarisse tried to hide her smile when she looked away.

Percy smiled brightly and then it faltered, he kicked at the ground. "Mom." He said quietly. "Frank asked me if he could come with me, and I said 'yeah, like why not?' and then I forgot to ask you in the next letter but Frank's grandmother had already sent an email to the administration to say that he'd come with us and I just totally forgot to tell you. I am so sorry." Percy rambled and his mother just laughed softly.

She put a hand on her son's shoulder and nodded, "I know, Percy." She said, "The school asked permission to give her my email. She asked me if Frank could stay with us for those days, since the drive doesn't give them a lot of time." She said and whispered quietly to him. "You're a good friend, Percy."

"You're a good mom." Percy just replied to her, and out of the corner of his eyes they saw Reyna, standing there. Just waiting until her friends drive away. His mother noticed too and gave him a small smile.

"I'll check with the administration if her guardian had sent them an email." She whispered to him. "Go stay with her until I come back."

"If she can't come with me." Percy said with a heavy heart. "I can't come home. She'll be alone and I'll have everyone." His mother just smiled at him and patted his cheeks.

"Go keep her company before I start crying about how you're such a good son."

Percy shook his head, "All you mom." He whispered.

When they arrived at his home, he had noticed all the days that he had off were highlighted and that the budget had changed for monthly spending. It was higher and he noticed the laptop sitting open on the table out in the sunroom, there was a whiteboard, words were written and Percy couldn't read them without standing there for half an hour. But he knew that it was a storyboard.

His stomach felt queasy because ever since he had been in military school. His mother had been starting to pursue her dream again. He closed the door and turned back to his friends, his smile slightly forced, but bright enough to now show a difference.

– – – – – –

September 15th
Hi mom,

I went to the swimming pool last wednesday. It was nice, they allowed me to train alongside the swimming team. They called me little nemo but it was funny because I was a lot faster than them, so much for comparing me to a little slow fish.

The MMA club is very nice. We're moving onto more advanced techniques and they all agreed to stay back longer if I wasn't able to do a move that we learned. Frank even lets me practice how to counter a judo flip.

Our tasks have been getting a bit harder, but what is the most intense is the military training. And to be honest, I'm kind of liking it. I'm sure that Frank is tired of my energy rush after that class.

P.S. I'm glad you're starting to write again mom, you deserved it after that guy. You deserve the best.

Love always,
Percy Jackson

– – – – – –

September 29th
Hey mom,

Thank you for the first chapter of your book. I think Frank might've been concerned with how long I took to read it, but that is fine. I'd do it all over again if I have to.

I know that you get a copy of my grades online but I'll send it over again. Reyna had been helping me a lot. I think that I nearly cried after she helped me with my math homework. She is so strict, you might have no idea.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

October 11th
Mother dearest,

We went to a bunch of auditoriums all over the area to listen to guest speakers. It was all kinds of interesting. Mostly the one about ancient warfare, about the Greek war and their weapons.

It kind of baffles (Reyna used that word) me that people actually existed in that time of year. It might just be weird because I am and that I have only learned of us, my friends and all the people around us.

I even got to hold a greek sword. In a simulator with chosen quirks and perks that only my group (Greeks) got, against Reyna (Romans) we ended up in a tie. But I'm sure that it was rigged. The Greeks would win 100% (I'm very biased).

It reminded me of the time when you read Greek myths to me, occasionally the Roman myths too. I'll give this letter to you in person instead of using the mail, since I'll be seeing you tomorrow.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

"Mom?" Frank gasped out loud as he saw his mother stand in front of the gate. Sally smiled at the reunion and Percy finally got a good look at Frank's mother. She had the same brown eyes as her son, a warm brown and had black hair, like her son.

She wasn't dressed like a military but was dressed rather casually, a shirt over her plaid pants. She grabbed her son's bag from the ground, "Come on then." Emily chastised Frank and the Canadian-Chinese boy followed after his mother, still in silent awe that she was there. "Don't forget your friends now."

Clarisse, Percy and Reyna looked over at Sally with a slightly confused look. "Well, let's go cadets." Sally lightly teased them. She gave Percy a small hug as he came closer to his mother, she gave Clarisse a short hug too and Reyna a pat on the cheek because Reyna didn't like hugs.

They piled up in the SUV that Emily Zhang had driven over to the school. Percy and Frank's mother were talking happily about the vacation that was coming up soon. He had forgotten all about the vacation that was coming up soon, in five more days of school they would finally have a week off to spend with their family. He then heard about Emily's plan for Frank and her to head up to the mansion in Vancouver and Percy is in awe that they even had a mansion.

He seemed to be the only one in awe when Reyna and Clarisse nodded knowingly, like they had a mansion up in Canada too. The car came to a halt and the kids stepped out and when they saw the valet they realized that they were underdressed.

They were all wearing variants of their uniform, dark green, gray or black cargo pants with a natural toned t-shirt and thick combat boots. The key was handed over to the valet and they walked inside. "Reservation for Zhang." She said and Percy looked around, the quiet chatter of the folks that were inside.

"My mom can't even get a reservation here." Clarisse said quietly to her friends in awe. Frank just shrugged, mentioning that they know the owner very well, the boy stopped in his step when he saw his grandma sat down at the table.

Percy halted at seeing that and slid down the booth to sit next to grandma Zhang, instead of Frank having to be the only one. "Hello." Percy greeted her, "I'm Percy Jackson." He said.

"Who are you?" His grandma asked, frowning at Percy and inspecting him from close up. Percy raised his eyebrows at the older woman and repeated his name, where the woman again, repeated. "Who?"

"Wai po," Frank said quietly, "This is Percy, I told you about him. I sent the picture of us to you." The woman didn't really listen all that well and just nodded, looking at Percy with a cautious look on her face.

"He just wants our powers, Emily, Frank." The woman whispered, looking flighty. "We can't let them take it from us." Percy frowned in confusion while Sally and Reyna's eyes widened at hearing it.

"Ma," Emily put a hand over her mother's, "Drink your tea, you're getting nervous again." She comforted her mother and with shaking hands, the older woman poured in her tea and drank it. There was a tense atmosphere at the table and it made the heart pound in Percy's head.

He glanced over to Frank but the boy was determined not to make eye contact with anyone. Instead he found eye contact with Frank's mother instead, who just kindly smiled at him. The dinner continued with only minor outbursts from Frank's grandmother.

They paid and stepped out of the restaurant. Frank's mother had paid for the dinner and Sally had paid for the drinks, insisting on it. It made Reyna and Clarisse laugh a little, whispering to one another saying 'So that is where Percy got it from.'.

As soon as the group stood outside to split up, Frank's grandmother sat in Emily's car while the mother stood outside talking with Percy's mother. The rest were waiting for their taxi to arrive.

"What do you think they are talking about?" Frank asked as he glanced at Percy. The New Yorker just shrugged, not knowing why or what their parents were talking about. Then their taxi arrived and Frank's mother motioned Percy and Frank over.

Percy glanced at his mother who just nodded, saying that they'll wait. Percy fell in step with Frank and stood in front of the military woman. "You two are good friends, close friends even." She said and crossed her arms. "Have each other's back. Nemo resideo."

Percy nodded and the whistle of his mother sounded, the taxi wasn't going to wait any longer. "Semper fidelis." He replied and clenched his jaw, the woman held up a salute and the two boys held up their hands to their head.

Percy stepped into the taxi and was bombarded with questions from Reyna and Clarisse, he just smiled and shook his head. He wondered why Frank's mother had told him to leave no man behind. In a way it was so unfathomable to him that he always replied with 'Always loyal'.

– – – – – –

October 12th

Hey Frank,

I'm still not allowed to use the phone so I sent a letter instead. It's weird to send it to someone who isn't my mom. But you're my best friend, so you're up my list of people who I would send letters to.

I wanted to ask how you're doing, especially being around your Grandma. We worry about you. I, really worry about you.

On another note, Clarisse and Reyna have taken over my bedroom, but I gave it to them. I'll sleep on the couch like always. The nice thing is that my mother got a two person bed for me (them).

I don't know when my letter will reach you all the way in Canada, but I hope that you'll write back to me, or just, let me know something when I see you back at school.

Love always,
Percy J.

– – – – – –

November 3rd
Hey mom,

How is your writing coming along? Frank is fine, by the way. He appreciates your cookies and says that it was clear how there was an empty space of people in his empty Vancouver house. It was our presence that he missed.

There is a letter about a bootcamp in the envelope, could you sign it and send it back? Take the money out of my monthly allowance to pay for it.

I miss you too (Clarisse, Frank and Reyna too).

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

November 10th
Hey mom

I'm writing to you to let you know that I am packed and ready to go for bootcamp. I heard from some older students that the first bootcamp is always rough but I think that we'll survive. After all I have Frank to have my back in activities. (Clarisse only partners up with me if we have activities with girls.)

I will get pictures to send to you, Counselor Sano is coming with and she has a soft spot. She likes to take pictures, even if Sergeant Grant doesn't want any taken. I might be able to convince her with cookies, she has a sweet tooth. (The candy in her office aren't for us, but for herself)

I will see you next week, when our break will begin.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

November 17th
Hey mom

I'm still sore from bootcamp. The older students exaggerated a fair bit. Finding our way back to camp was easy.

I went swimming more now, since the team keeps me as their mascot. Swimming helps with the pain, it's nearly gone, even.

I'm craving your seven-layer dip and am missing home.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

It was vacation, they had just said goodbye to Frank because his mother was still in Canada instead of being stationed over in the Middle-East. So he went home. Frank's mother, Miss Zhang, had waited outside of the gate, talking with his mother in hushed whispers. It was clear that it was a serious discussion.

Emily's smile faltered when she saw her son walk through the gate. She whispered a few more things to Sally before holding out a leather briefcase, it looked worn out. Sally gave Emily a quick hug and the two separated, their group of preteens were approaching quickly.

"Hey mom." Percy said with a smile on his face. He threw his hands around her and hugged her softly. "I've missed you."

"I've missed your letters." She said with a smile and looked over at the two girls. "How have you two been? I saw the lovely pictures." His mother said and the two girls just smiled back at her, brightly.

Frank smiled and hugged his friends goodbye before he hugged Percy, he gave the boy an appreciative pat on the back. "We'll talk soon, Percy. I'll write first this time, promise."

Percy smiled at his friend, "Promise." The black-haired boy nodded and waved as Frank turned around one more time before stepping into the taxi with his mother. It looked like they hadn't planned to stay around long, having the fastest flight back to Canada.

Reyna was looking around, keeping her head high but her shoulders slumped. She had been looking forward to their first vacation, talking about her sister for the very first time and wishing how they were back in the tropical place, building sandcastles and swimming in the sea together.

"This came for you, Reyna." Sally said softly and handed the girl a letter and a small box. "I'm sorry, I know you've been looking forward to seeing her again." Reyna's head dropped after she read the letter and she slowly dropped her bag in Sally's small car.

Percy kept quiet, his leg bounced and his fingers drummed the dashboard. It was quiet, they were mourning with her. He felt the same disappointed feeling of not seeing family too, legally, he was just glad to leave one 'family' member behind in New York.

The family member probably doesn't know what divorce papers are.

Percy stepped out of the car and picked out most of the bags from the trunk, the girls only had to grab one of their bags. They were the first to enter the house, leaving him with his mom. He looked at her and opened his mouth, "It's on the way, Percy. You go put on her favorite movie now." His mother said to him with her knowing smile.

Percy smiled at his mom and he nodded. His mother had everything figured out, and he dropped everything inside up in his room where the girls were sitting and talking softly. "Why are you two staring at me like that?" He asked.

"You know what would be super fun right about now?" Clarisse asked with the signature smile on her face, the smile that said, 'If you don't run now, you're dead'. Percy slowly picked up his bag and looked at them with wide eyes.

"A movie?" He tried and Clarisse's smile wavered, she glanced over at Reyna who nodded. "The Princess Diaries?" He suggested and motioned over to the box of old movies that they had inherited from their senior neighbor's grandchildren. "Mattress dive off of the stairs?"

The two of them now had a smile on their face. "And nail polish." Percy nodded and held his hand out for the bottle, like he usually did. They had taught him how to properly do someone's nails, mostly theirs. "No, Perce. Not this time." Reyna said, looking more happy than she did when they were picked up outside of their school gate.

"I borrowed this from Maude." Clarisse said as she held up a make-up bag. "Her mother doesn't like that her monthly allowance goes to make-up. So she asked me to hold onto it."

"Tell me, Clarisse, did she give you permission to use it?" Reyna asked, a devious smile on her face, matching Clarisse's.

Percy looked at his bag and back up at the girls in front of him. "Can I change into my pajamas first?" He asked quietly, he had gotten the clue of what they were planning and he then realized that Clarisse had planned it, to cheer up their best friend. After their nod, he had succumbed to the idea of make-up and his nails painted for the week.

– – – – – –

"It's so cool that your mom is a fighter." Percy said before cheering loudly for the MMA fighter on the screen. She had moved with the same fluidity that Clarisse showed in the club, they then did a similar move with taking down an enemy. "You did that to that junior, last week!" Percy said as his jaw dropped.

Reyna and Clarisse just shushed him, they were staring at the screen intensively. Clarisse's mother was overseas in Tokyo. Currently, she holds the belt for her weight class which was no feat due to the amount of women in her weight class, talented women.

"You pick up a few things every once in a while." Clarisse said with a small proud smile on her face. No more was she the angry girl Percy had seen at the beginning of the year. Sure, she was still angry, it was the teenage angst they were all going through.

But she looked content, almost happy to be on the couch of the Jackson household. Watching her mother fight, talking about her mother with a fond smile on her face and starting off every sentence, 'She is more a fighter than a mother but-'.

Percy wondered if that is what he looked like whenever he talked about his mom.

– – – – – –

November 30th
Hey mom,

Everyone says hi, first of all.
Second of all, Reyna looks a lot happier. I think it might be because Counselor Sano called out my nail polish and said that it was nicely done, but had to be gone before another class because of the handbook.

Frank sends his 'regards' (regards is such an old people saying) and is looking forward to the next holiday we have together. He will be going home for Christmas, I don't actually know if they do celebrate it.

He said that they do. I gave him my present early and told him to wait until Christmas to open it.

Exams are coming up and I am very nervous, mom. I don't want to do bad and I truly want to do good. But I am trying more, Reyna is helping, Frank is always helping and Clarisse is even offering.

They don't want me to leave school, and I am willing to work for it, to stay here. With them.

Love always,
Perseus (Clarisse saw my birth certificate and has been calling me Perseus)