TUESDAY

"I require your particular talents in an endeavor."

Percy stopped middle step to see the guy in front of him. Nico was behind him, standing awkwardly, while trying to tell Percy something with his eyes. Percy narrowed his eyes at the guy, suspicious.

"What kind of endeavor??"

"Pirate shenanigans if you must know. High class hijinks, tip top tomfoolery, wholesome hooliganary, only the worst from the very best."

What is wrong with these people by not being direct?

"If you want my help, just cut the chase; I already have to deal with my Wise Girl using big words, I don't need it from you too."

"I'm assuming Wise Girl is the fine lady who has been accompanying you in the most various events."

Percy crossed his arms, his patience not being the most long.

"Yes, my GIRLFRIEND. And the reason I endure her big words is because I actually want to kiss her. And no offense, but you're not really my type, so just keep it simple."

The guy nodded, conceding.

"Simply put, I owe a debt of vengeance. Will you help me?"

He wants to avenge someone? So why came to us?

I have no idea.

Have I told you I hate being curious?

"This will likely get me into trouble, but okay, I'm listening."

"Do you know Vanessa?"

Percy's eyebrows shot up.

The skýla? Well, now we know why he came to us.

It only made me more curious.

"This will definitely get me into trouble, but I'm still listening."

The guy Percy still didn't know the name checked with Nico before speaking.

"Vanessa was... well, herself, to our... friend? No, acquaintance."

"Who?"

"Lucy. Short, Asian, long black hair, bright clothes."

"Yeah, I think I know who she is. And you want ME to make Vanessa pay?"

The guy shook his head.

"No, I was thinking more in a..."

"Careful with the big words."

"Partnership in crime."

Sounds interesting enough.

Are we really buying a fight that doesn't have anything to do with us?

"Maybe you could bring your old associates."

Percy raised one eyebrow, questioning.

"The red head, the girl..."

"Oh, the 3J!"

So?

They would love an excuse to prank Vanessa.

Fair enough.

Percy looked over to Nico. He wanted to know if the son of Hades was there by his own will. Nico nodded to him, agreeing.

"Yeah, ok, I can ask them."

***

He closed the door and went to his bedroom, where he threw his backpack and skate inside, before going back to the living room.

"Mom, I'm home."

Sarah appeared in the kitchen doorway, holding a piece of paper and her lips in a thin line.

"Peter... your father wrote."

Percy froze. His father writing him anything beyond 'Brace yourself' would be weird enough, but most of his shock was from Peter's turmoil of emotions.

"Wrote? Wrote what?"

"A letter to you."

"What!?"

I thought you said you didn't have contact with him.

I DON'T.

"He wants you to go visit him for winter's break. So you can... meet. Maybe connect."

No thanks.

Percy took a deep breath and tried to detach himself from Peter's anger and hurt, and keep the focus on their mother.

"Where is he?"

"Greece."

Percy's jaw fell.

"He drank way too much salt water if he thinks I'm going back to that place."

"Going back? But you never went to Greece."

He hesitated for a couple of seconds, trying to come up with an excuse on his own, since Peter was still wrapped in his own thoughts.

"Uh... I meant his side. I never going back to his side."

"He left before I even knew I was pregnant."

She's not making this easier.

"You got the idea."

"Anyway, Peter, please consider it. He is willing to try, why can't you do the same?"

Because he made me wait seventeen years until he was willing to try.

Peter's voice almost scared Percy, he could have sworn he wasn't paying attention. Still, he repeated Peter's line to their mother.

"I tried to warn him when I found out I was pregnant. I just had no idea how to do it. For many years, I forgot about it, but two years ago, I decided to try again. I found him, and tried to talk to him. He answered, I let him know about you, but the thing is, when we met, he already was married. He even has an elder son. He asked for some time to let his wife and son know about you. That is why he wrote. They are... okay with you going to visit them."

History of my life. I doubt they are 'okay' with me visiting. Amphitrite hates me and Triton thinks I want his place.

"Peter, please."

"I'll think about it. Now, if you excuse me, I'll be in my room."

He needed time to think, but more important, he needed to help Peter let out his steam.

***

WEDNESDAY

"Peter, can we talk?"

Percy looked to Jodi, who was by his side. He checked around, and saw that Jordan and Jay were still arguing, trying to decide the best way to prank Vanessa. Frank was glancing at Percy, a little worried. Percy nodded at Jodi.

"Okay."

She led him away from the others, until they were in an area free of any other student.

"So, are gonna tell me what has been worrying you?"

"Nothing."

Jodi sighed, before slapping his head.

"Ouch, careful with that hand, woman."

"Peter, I know you changed a great deal after dating Sirena, and mostly, after breaking up with her; but you didn't change that much. I still know you."

What is she talking about?

Well, you're a different person, it would be natural if you acted different.

I know that.

"Hum... changed how?"

Jodi snorted and put her hands over her hips.

"Tell me what has been bugging you and I'll tell you."

"Why?"

"Because I asked first."

"Really? Jodi, that is so chil..."

Her glare shut him up.

Jodi is stubborn. When she grabs hold of something, she won't let go. I suspect that is why she's so smart. She won't give up until she learns.

Amazing quality most of the days, but that means she won't let us off the hook.

Nope.

"There is nothing bugging me."

She punched his shoulder.

"Ow! Can you stop that? Should I keep a five feet distance from you?"

"Peter. You know I'm your friend, right? You can tell me anything. Just spit it out."

Tell her.

You're sure?

She's right; she's my friend.

"Fine. My father wants me visit him and his family in winter's break."

She blinked, not saying nothing for half of a minute.

"Wait, your father? The same one you never talk about because you never even saw each other?"

"That's the one."

"Shit. That is big. Come on, open up."

"What?"

"You don't think I would be satisfied with only that, right? Like I said, you never talk about your father. So come on, details."

Percy sighed, slumping his shoulders.

Do you want to share?

Not really, but I think I owe her that.

Percy repeated after Peter, and watched different sets of emotions play on her face. A soft look at hearing about the brief meeting of his parents, indignation for his father leaving without any number for contact, admiration for his mother raising him alone, anger about they living with his horrid step father, she whooped when he got to the part where his mother kicked him out, yelling something like 'girl power' before shushing herself, which made Percy roll his eyes in amusement. She nodded in awe when he got to the part of his mother searching for his father, and finally, indecision when he said about his father letter.

"Are you going?"

"We haven't decided it yet."

"I think this is more your decision than your mom."

Well, when I said 'we' I wasn't talking about mom, but okay.

"Well, if you need advice, or another set of eyes at your options, or even just someone to listen, you can count on me."

"Thanks, Jodi. Now, your turn to answer me. Changed how?"

She pursed her lips, thinking.

"You're more serious. Not really serious, you're still stupid, dork and goofy, but you... I don't know, sometimes the smile is wiped from your face, your shoulders tense up and you get alert to anything around you. Sometimes it happens out of the blue, just walking down to the cafeteria or something, and it vanishes right after; sometimes it's triggered, like that time I was gonna talk to Annie. It's like you're expecting to defend yourself or her from something, even if almost all the time, I can't see what threat would be. Another thing you changed, you started dating Annie all of sudden. I'm happy for you guys, and I'm happy to have her and Barbara as my friends, but it WAS unexpected. Jay and Jordan noticed it too, sometimes you will sober up and say something smart or deep, and your eyes get old, like you lived more than you actually did."

Percy had no idea what to say to it, and she didn't expect him to, since she punched in the gut before he even had time to answer.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"For trying to hide from me something as big as your father wanting you over in winter's break. I'm your friend, and just because now you have a nice girl as a girlfriend it doesn't mean you should forget us. We were always your friends and always will be, for whatever you need; even if you need is to be punched for being an idiot."

She started to walk away, back to their friends, before stopping and saying over her shoulder.

"By the way, that is another thing you changed. I punched you and you barely even blinked. And I watched you fight, alive and in videos later. Someday you'll tell me where you learned to fight like that. Now come. Niel should be here any moment to help Jordan and Jay with the plan, and they need someone with a brain in there. No way I'm letting them have all the fun."