Percy put the envelopes in the post and smiled at Reyna. "Isn't that a bit cringey?" She said, grimacing slightly. Percy just shrugged and shook his head.

"They're already stuck with us, Rey." Percy said and smiled. The two of them started their walk back. "We're turning thirteen. You do realize that?" Percy hummed and bumped his shoulder into hers, "I'm going to get a crazy growth spurt, I hope you know." He said with a victorious smile.

Reyna rolled her eyes, "The day you're taller than me would be the day I won't be around to put your head in the ground."

Percy rolled his eyes, just like Mario jumping on the goomba, the brown little frowny faces. She had become quite well versed in Mario, and she was learning to say some pop culture references. It suddenly became quiet and Reyna raised a question that sounded like she had thought about it, long and hard. "What are you running from?" She asked quietly. "You said something about New York not being a nice place to go back to."

"A monster." Her breath hitched and Percy looked at his beaten up converse. "Gabe, Smelly Gabe." He said quietly and Reyna faltered in her normal pace of walking. "He smelled like old garlic pizza and sweaty gym shorts. He never showered and smoked cigars constantly."

They sat down on a bench, looking over the too well organized suburban houses. "He used to slap around mom, punishing me." Reyna frowned, "I did something bad, Gabe was the one who had to 'pay', even though he didn't work and only played poker." Percy looked out in front of him, "At one point, he got attacked by someone and we had taken the chance to get away. He was in the hospital and we had to get away, he was getting out of hand." He said and fiddled with his hands. "So we took our stuff and left. We had enough money for my school tuition and a small house. Mom won a legal case over bad food dye," Percy laughed softly, "I got sick from it."

"Very sick?" Reyna asked.

Percy nodded. "Very." He said quietly and cleared his throat. "We should head back, we've already taken five different reroutes."

Reyna stood up and nodded, knowing that the conversation was over and wouldn't be continued. "Your mother is at a meeting with her publisher right?"

Percy smiled proudly and nodded, "She is," He said and glanced over at his best friend, "I'll get you a copy, you'll love it." The girl smiled at him and nodded. She was more quiet than usual.

"Do you think that thirteen is an age where everything changes?" She asked quietly. They started walking down their street. Percy waved at the familiar face with a small smile. The boy looked over at his friend and shrugged.

"If things change, let it be for the better." Percy hummed, "Mutatis mutandis." He said quietly, it was a phrase they learned from their final Latin chapter. Things being changed that have to be changed.

Percy was excited to start learning ancient Greek now. His latin was perfect, as if he was born with it but he would rather like to start learning ancient Greek, give him more of a challenge.

"Hey mom, we're home!" Percy called out and shared a glance with Reyna as they heard muffled chattering. Percy's eyebrows furrowed in worry and he put a hand on the door knob, glancing at Reyna before pushing it completely open.

Reyna walked in with her balled up fists up to her cheeks, her eyes widened and her hands went up to her mouth, "Hylla?" She asked, through her hands. Percy put it all together and looked at his best friends' sister. She looked like a flight attendant, wearing her blue business suit and perfect makeup.

He was sure if the older sister took out her ponytail that she'd have the exact curls as the younger one had. He tilted his head at her as the two siblings shared a hug, Hylla really was an older version of Reyna.

"Me extrañaste?" Hylla asked if Reyna had missed her. Reyna had a habit of trying to sneak everyone Spanish lessons, little did she know that her friends were preparing to learn Spanish for her birthday. They had the Spanish birthday song down with only a few mistakes.

"Si." Reyna said and subtly wiped a tear away, that made her sister crack a smile. "Where were you last vacation? I waited for you." She asked quietly, Percy shared a look with his mother and they walked into the kitchen, leaving the two sisters to catch up.

Percy glanced one last time at Hylla, she was crouching down to look at her sister eye to eye, explaining where she had been and why she couldn't come. He let out a breath and his mother wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Hylla is staying with us for two weeks." She said quietly. "I thought it would be nice to surprise you."

"You always rub your hands when you're planning a surprise." Percy said with a small smile on his face, "That's why I took a few detours with Reyna." his mother laughed softly and pressed a kiss against the top of his head.

"I'm happy you're home, who knows when you'll be home later." It sounded a bit like fear in her voice and Percy frowned.

"Why won't I be home?"

She faltered a bit, "Because you'll be at your girlfriends' house, out at parties and I'll be working." She said, Percy knew she was lying, she knew something he didn't but he didn't want to argue with his mother, not in the last week they'll be together before leaving for school.

They were quiet and Percy looked at the ingredients on the table, "Are we making our seven-layer dip?" He asked a bit excitedly and he pulled his sleeves back. "Teach me?" He asked.

"Of course, Percy."

– – – – – –

After their vacation, which felt shorter than it actually was. Percy and Reyna returned to school for the whole week. Reyna talked and talked about her sister, how Hylla had taken her and Percy to the beach.

Clarisse listened closely to her best friend and roommate, and half way through the week it looked like she was getting ticked off by the mention of Hylla. But she held herself in, she knew how much Reyna looks up to her sister.

Percy is just happy that Clarisse didn't tell Reyna to shut up about her sister, but he was a bit annoyed at how Clarisse had taken it out on him during their MMA club. He was sure that he was blue in many places except his face, at the beginning he was pushed to fight at defense, at the end of their sparring session, he was at the offense.

They were finally tied in their final tally of fights over the school year. Clarisse gave Percy a quick hug, "Thank you, I needed that."

"I know." Percy whispered.

– – – – – –

Clarisse wasn't angry with Reyna about talking so much about her sister anymore. The weekend they had another day off on January 15th, on Martin-Luther King day. They spent it at the Jackson's home.

His mother had gone out to buy two single air mattresses, Hylla and Reyna slept on the bed together and Clarisse slept on an air mattress. Percy slept on one too, giving the couch to Frank.

This was Frank's first time back at the house for a weekend and he had to admit, he missed Frank a lot. Everything was different than at school, the feeling of having him back at his house was far better than at school.

School was a strict environment. Home was home.

They had a nice weekend, his mother had to do some work that she had missed earlier in the week but Hylla had no problem with taking care of them, cooking with them, driving them to the store and buying everyone of them a matching pajama, just because she knew that Reyna always loved to have matching pajamas as a kid.

It was nice, they taught Hylla how to play video games. It was interesting to teach someone to game all over again, just as they had with Reyna. But they had to take turns, whoever died first had to pass over to the player without a controller.

Percy was sure that they sat in front of the gaming console for an entire day.

– – – – – –

18th January
Hey dear,

Mr. Ed from next door passed away unexpectedly. We'll be going to his funeral tomorrow. I will be there tomorrow morning to pick you up, then we'll get a nice suit and say goodbye to him, okay?

I'm sure that his grandchildren will appreciate how much joy you've brought him.

Your mother

It was the printed email which his mother had requested the administration to bring the printen letter to him. And there he stood, the next day, waiting for his mother to pick him up outside of the gates.

He silently stepped into the car and the music was off. The neighbor, Ed, was old. They both knew that, but he had been the first person to welcome them to California. The man had given them plucked apples from his garden, given the toys he bought for his grandchildren, but didn't use.

In return, whenever Percy would be at home for a weekend, he'd mow Ed's lawn. They'd debate a bit, Percy would always say that it is for free because the man was always kind. The man would then buy Percy another game for the game cube.

He couldn't believe that his neighbor Ed would be gone. They had bought Percy a suit, a black shirt, trousers and new leather shoes. Percy couldn't show up at a funeral with the combat boots from school, that'd just be disrespectful towards the man.

They show up at the church, but he and his mom don't make a cross. They aren't religious. They sit in silence, watch Ed's small family and walk with them to the burial site. He was going to be buried beside his first love, his first and only.

Ed told Percy so much about her, and Percy could only compare her to his mother. The way Ed talked about her like she was his life line, that she was something that Ed had to breathe in. Percy was told that she had radiated warmth like no other, Percy nodded, fully understanding what Ed meant. His mother radiated warmth to him too, the comfort was instant whenever she was around.

They watch the casket be lowered in the ground, and one by one the strangers walk away. At last they were left with the family, the children and grandchildren of Ed. They just gave Percy a watery smile as they shook hands, they muttered 'My condolences' to each other.

They stepped back in their car and drove back. Percy couldn't get the face of a man with only one eye out of his head. He doesn't voice his concern to his mother.

"Excuse me?" A man closed Ed's door and Percy looked at the man with a slightly haunted look. Why was someone in Ed's house, who would be in his house. "Sally and Percy Jackson?"

Percy's haunted face faltered, "That's us." His mother answered and looked at the man. "What can we do for you, Mr?" She asked.

"Mr. Ayers." The man said, "I'm sorry for the loss of Ed, he was a good friend. He actually left you some things." The man took a closer look at Percy. "Curious indeed."

Sally narrowed her eyes so subtly that Percy himself didn't notice it happen at all. "Come on inside, please." She said. Percy held out his hand for the man's jacket and hung it up. He had black hair, slicked back. When he sat his shoulders were tense and his posture was perfect.

"Ed left me a few items to give to you." He said as he nursed a cup of tea between his hands. Percy sat across the man, nursing his very own cup of tea. "It's a heavy box so you'll have to help me bring it over here, Perseus."

"Did Ed tell you Percy's full name?" Sally asked and Percy just blinked at the man.

"I told Ed my full name, mom." Percy said quietly. "He thought it was nice. Told me his full name was Edmund, after the-"

"Saint." Mr. Ayers smiled. "Ed left me the house in his name. We served together."

Percy frowned, "He didn't have any army at his funeral. There are supposed to be two there right?"

Mr. Ayers' smile faltered. "He didn't want to have a funeral like a veteran. But a funeral of a mor-" He quickly corrected himself, "Citizen." He said. His mother stiffened and shook her head at the man subtly.

"Ah." Percy said quietly, it felt like he was missing nearly everything in the conversation. "What did Ed leave us?" He asked.

"A box, full of weapons." Sally choked on her tea and coughed for about a minute. "He said that you and him talked about it all the time, after you had that presentation." Mr. Ayers continued after Sally stopped coughing. He then fished out a necklace out of his pocket and handed it over.

"You can't wear it." Sally said as her eyes zeroed in on the piece of jewelry. "It doesn't abide by your dress code, Percy." She said and Percy frowned at her tone but nodded. He held the necklace in his hand, it had a golden color. Percy doesn't think that someone would leave a golden necklace in his care. With a trident pendant around it, they had debates about the weapons used in ancient Rome, and what type of fighters.

Percy always thought of the retiarius, a gladiator who fought with equipment of a fisherman was the one fated to win their games, but the debate would always end up with, 'Yeah, a net is useless if the guy has a sharp weapon, and he should have a dagger instead, or even a sword.'

There wasn't a lot more as suddenly a timer went off on his mother's phone, the mother apologetically looked at the man. "I need to bring Percy back to school, I apologize for the abrupt end of visit, but we're going to be late if we leave any later." She said and Mr. Ayers looked taken aback.

She held his gaze and the man nodded, standing up. "I'm moving into Ed's house, so I'll always be around to help." The man said and held his hand out. Sally shook it and then Percy did. "Have a good evening."

"You too, sir." Percy said and stepped into the car. It was quiet, the uncomfortable kind that he never had before with his mother. The necklace was held tightly in his hand, it was as if he might let go in one second that'd it be gone.

Ed left it for him.

– – – – – –

January 26th
Hey mom,

I hope our new neighbor isn't being too loud or too noisy. I know that Ed had some of his loud moments. I remember him playing the piano very loudly at like, 4AM.

Reyna is being a bit weird lately, but I think that she's just missing her sister. You know how she is with emotions, she doesn't really know how to express them like we do. I think it has something to do with before school, at her old house in Puerto Rico.

She doesn't talk about it, at all. But I told her about Gabe, and she nodded. Almost as if she could relate.

Maybe her sister visiting brought up some memories.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

January 26th
Hey Sally,

Thank you, once again for taking in my sister while she visited the States. She really likes you. She also likes Percy, and says that you raised him well.

On some days I wish my dad was someone like you.

I talked with Hylla about the thing. And she was right, it might be getting too dangerous for me to be here. If there is a single sign of danger, I will leave to get to camp. Just like Hylla said I should.

Thank you for fighting for my childhood but I never had one, you know, having a father like I had.

Thank you, thank you for being sort of like a mother, or an aunt to me.

With love,
Reyna Ramírez-Arellano

– – – – – –

February 2nd
Hey mom,

The one extra long weekend is coming up and we realized that Frank had never been to the beach here, and Clarisse had never been to a California beach before, only New York, and you know how those are. (I love Montauk though).

Reyna's birthday is soon (the 12th) and she doesn't celebrate it so I thought it would be nice to celebrate it by the beach.

Could we pretty please go to the beach? If you can't bring us we'll take the bus or something.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

They were on a bus. Clarisse and Reyna never have taken the bus before and were stuck standing for the whole trip, Frank gave his seat to a senior woman and Percy had pushed towards the back of the bus to take an empty seat.

Percy sat down without asking anything and the dude next to him didn't seem to care a single bit. He looked about fifteen, with a bitch face. "You heading to the beach as well?" Percy asked as he noticed the bag on his lap.

"No."

"Ok." Percy hummed and looked around for a bit. "You here with your family?"

His whole body tensed and it looked like he was about to hit Percy in the face. The boy was glad that his bus stop was next, because as soon as it stopped Percy stood up and stepped out along with his friends.

Percy frowned as he watched the blonde guy through the window stay on the bus. His friends talked a lot and unfolded a map. He walked after his friends and bumped into Reyna, who was staring at some guy at the otherside of the bus station. He had been on the same bus as they had. "Should we ask him to come with us?" Percy asked.

Reyna snapped out of her gaze and shook her head, "I don't know him." She said and Percy nodded. "But he dropped something a few minutes ago, mind if I?" She motioned over to him and Percy shrugged.

"Go, I'll ask them to wait." Percy said and Reyna nearly sprinted across the bus station, they talked and for a pair of thirteen-year olds, or whatever age that guy might be, it looked serious.

As soon as Reyna returned from her conversation, Frank smiled and started walking with that huge map in his hands, nearly making him look like some Asian boy scout. He barked out orders of directions that ended them up at a relatively full beach.

People were all around and they found a spot near the water. Percy handed Frank a shovel and the poor Canadian boy looked so confused. "Here, take it." Percy said and Frank finally took it. "Start digging."

"To where?"

Percy shrugged, "Maybe a circle?" He suggested, "Just deep enough."

Frank followed Percy's example and started digging. Meanwhile, Clarisse and Reyna raised their eyebrows at them and rolled their eyes, "Boys." They muttered to each other and started giggling. They then abruptly stopped giggling and agreed to never mention it again.

His mother was coming later with the cake and Percy was looking forward to seeing Reyna's reaction to it, she said that Hylla had tried to give her a cupcake with a candle on top of it but then Reyna didn't want it at all.

She later explained that it was shortly after they had run away from home and that they should've been holding onto their money instead of buying it on useless things.

Soon the sun was starting to set and people started to clear out from the beach. Now they wore their hoodies again, not caring if they're filled with sand making them itchy. Percy was the only one sat facing the houses along the beach, and grinned at seeing his mother.

"Feliz, feliz en tu día." His mother began to sing in Spanish, Happy, happy in your day. Percy began singing too and Reyna frowned, she looked around and her eyes landed on Sally. Her frown wavered and a hand came up to her mouth.

"Amiguito qué Dios te bendiga!" Percy sang along with his mother and the others quickly sang with them, Frank still struggled with the vowels but it made Reyna smile. A purple cake was lowered onto the small table Percy had to take with, his mother held a hand in front of the candles and took it away when they finished with the song.

"Make a wish, dear." Sally said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Reyna looked at her friend and gave them a small smile before blowing out the candle in front of her. She had a watery smile on her face and glanced back at Sally.

– – – – – –

February 14th
Hey mom,

Happy valentines! I hope you got the flowers that I bought from the parent committee. Everyone sends their regards and I hope you have a nice day.

Reyna left abruptly today after she was pulled out of class for a phone call, which she never had before, and it's like, 7 months into the school year already. It was a bit concerning at first until Clarisse said that she'll be at dinner in the mess hall.

Thank you for the cookies.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

February 15th
Mom,

Reyna left the school. She didn't say anything. Did it have to do anything with Hylla? Did you know, Hylla stayed at ours right? Maybe she mentioned something off-handed. Counselor Sano said that Reyna had been pulled out of school by her guardian.

It was weird to hear, Clarisse isn't as happy as she thought she would be at the thought of having a room for herself. Did you know that our windows face each other? Clarisse had just been staring at Reyna's bed and holding a small figurine in her hand.

I wouldn't know what it is but I don't think that I'll ask.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

The car felt empty, especially with the two friends of his missing. It was fine that Frank was in Canada, because his mother was still in Canada. She had been able to be deployed a bit later, making sure that she had Frank's vacation in mind.

Emily Zhang had looked concerned when the three of them first walked out of the gate. A bright smile was on their face as soon as the students came into her line of sight. Percy waves and Frank's mother shakes her head. She leant down and gave them a short hug, they were familiar enough with one another and Frank didn't look fazed by it. "How about we get some lunch together, my treat?" She said and the kids nodded.

Clarisse stood more by his mother's side, Percy noticed, but he didn't say anything about it. It has been weird, he knows, he could feel it in the air. They were no longer with four and one of them always had to partner up with another classmate.

It wasn't that they didn't like their classmates, they were just more fond of each other instead of them. If they had the option, they'd choose each other, always.

Frank went home for the February week of vacation. Frank's concerned muttering about his grandma was much more common the days leading up to his trip back home.

– – – – – –

March 8th
Hey Mom,

School is back open and there was a silver shine of hope that Reyna would be back, but she wasn't. There is just this gap missing, you know? She was the one who could make Clarisse snort whenever she was in a bad mood. But now, without her, Clarisse is quieter, more focused on training and not as loose as she used to be. I want to talk about it with her, tell her that we miss Reyna too but it would only make things worse.

I'm going to be honest here, my grades are slipping only a little bit, not a lot. But it's enough for me to even notice. Reyna really helped, I realized that much since she disappeared to who knows where.

Reyna was the organized one, she kept us on track.

We're managing, but we're missing her.
Thanks for always being there for me mom.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

March 22nd
Hey Mom,

School is getting rough, so is Clarisse. She's having more outbursts during our sparring sessions. I wasn't about to get my ass beat for no reason (sorry for saying ass) so I called her out on it.

She was quiet for only a minute, but seriously mom, if you were there, it would feel like half an hour for you too.

But yeah, she just said that she was blowing off steam.

I'm excited to come back home with everyone though, home is less stressful than school and then everyone is at peace, or at least, more calm.

Love always,
Percy

– – – – – –

They acknowledge that the house is feeling much more empty than it used to be, but they don't talk about it. Sally notices, but Sally is a mother, she notices everything. "Why don't you three go for a run?" She suggested, "Frank you hadn't been with them on their runs, have you?"

"No Miss. Jackson." Frank shook his head and both Percy and Clarisse rolled their eyes at Frank. "Sally." He corrected himself with a blush.

"Canadians, always so polite." Percy snickered and Clarisse nodded with an amused smile on her face. The two boys stayed downstairs and changed while Clarisse went upstairs. Percy crossed his arms as Frank was tying his laces. "How was your family, Frank?"

Frank gave him a small smile. "Could be better." The boy said, "Her episodes are getting worse." Frank's grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers, that was the reason why Frank couldn't stay alone with her in Canada anymore, but had to go to the Military School. Why in California, Percy wouldn't know, but he's glad that his friend is near.

"You always have us, Frank." Percy said and turned to the sound of Clarisse running down the stairs.

They stepped outside and Percy waved at their new neighbor, Mr. Ayers as they walked down the street. They went their usual route and then took a breather outside of the forest where they had run so much that a path was made.

They were out of their rhythm, mostly because Frank never joined them before and as they ran in the forest, Percy looked around and didn't recognize anything. "Clarisse?" Percy came to a slow stop and the girl turned around.

"What?" She questioned. Frank stood next to her.

"Where are we?" He asked and looked around.

Clarisse shrugged, "I thought you knew the way, I was following you."

"I was following you though." Percy blinked and he got nervous. "Reyna had a system," He muttered, "We came into the forest and set up a system, system where?" He hummed.

"When?" Clarisse frowned.

"Christmas break." Percy answered, "You two were at home." He said and looked around for anything unusual. His eyes then zeroed in at the sight of a purple cloth wrapped around a bark.

He pointed at it Clarisse let out a breath that faintly sounded like a laugh. "Typical."

They were always lost without Reyna, the run was no exception. They were quiet when they arrived back home, the feeling of it all going downhill settled in Percy's gut. It was sickening, to be surrounded by his friends and still feel like it will all disappear one day, just like Reyna had.

He wants to be happy, he wants to smile but he wants to do it all with them. Clarisse who barely smiled when she was alone with the boys but would laugh and snort whenever Reyna joked around. Reyna barely joked around too.

He wants to find comfort in their presence but the way the light didn't shine in on their house reflected on his mind because all he could think of his friends at the moment was like a picture taken in black and white.