Percy POV:

Three months ago, I faded Kronos. Three months ago, I became a god. Two months ago, I became an older brother. Her name is Estelle Blofis.

This summer has been a quiet one. But I'm not complaining. I even got a job, working at the gift shop at the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn(AN: I don't live in New York, so please excuse any errors on locations at the Aquarium).

My mom was ecstatic when I told her that I was a god. Paul was confused, wondering why I turned down being an Olympian. Truthfully, I wasn't ready for all the responsibilities that it came with.

Today, I woke up at around 6:30. I took a quick shower and put on my work uniform. By 7:15, I was in the kitchen. Using my blessing from Hestia, I summoned some blueberry pancakes for myself.

My mom walked into the kitchen a few minutes after me. She scolded, "What did I tell you about using your godly abilities in the apartment?"

"It's not one of my godly abilities. It's my blessing from Hestia." I retorted.

My mom sighed, "Just because you are eighteen doesn't mean you don't have to go to school. You're going to finish your senior year."

I nodded.

After I finished my breakfast, I looked at the time on my watch, 7:55.

I said goodbye to my mom before vapor traveling to the back alley, next to the aquarium.

Why didn't I flash there? I don't know how to. Whenever I try, I end up somewhere else.

I exited the alley and entered the aquarium through the Employee Entrance.

As I passed the fish tanks, I was greeted by all the fish.

Good morning, my Lord.

Please visit us sometime.

Have a good day, Lord.

I made my way to the gift shop, which happens to be above the shark tank. There's even a bridge with glass barriers on the top of the tank, so people can look at the whole tank.

Once I had clocked-in, I went to the register.

A few minutes later, I had my first customers of the day. It was a couple with a young boy.

I greeted, "Hi, how can I help you?"

"My son would like the toy shark," the man said, gesturing to the young boy.

I nodded, grabbing it from behind the counter. I stated, "That'll be $10."

The man took a deep breath before turning to his son he said, "Sorry, buddy. But that's too much."

I looked at the family for a second time. They looked like they were struggling financially. I would know. That's how my mom and I were with Gabe. Looking back, that felt like a lifetime ago.

"Wait!"

I handed the shark to the boy, "It's on me."

The boy happily took the toy. The man eyes widened, "Why?"

I explained, "When I was younger, my mom and I didn't have a lot of money either."

The couple nodded. The woman said, "Thank you."

I smiled at them as they walked away.

I helped a few more customers when a familiar face came in.

Her name was Hope Mikaelson. She had been coming in a lot this summer, while visiting her aunt, because she liked the views. Hope was a good artist and she loved to paint. About twice a week, she would come to draw. But last week, she didn't come at all.

I said, "Hey, you didn't come last week."

She fixed her auburn hair, "I was busy packing. I'm going back to my boarding school tomorrow."

"In Virginia, right?"

"Yeah," she replied. "I came to say bye."

I nodded.

Hope turned around walking onto the bridge above the shark tank.

There was something on the ground because she slipped. The glass barriers broke, and Hope plunged into the shark tank.

Flashback

My shift was about to end, and this girl has been sitting at the window for two hours with a notepad. Me being my curious self, I went up to her and asked, "No offense, but what's so interesting about the skyline?"

She turned around. She said, "Just drawing. My dad taught me before he died."

Great job, Percy. You probably just brought up painful memories for someone you don't even know.

I apologized, "Sorry, I didn't know."

She quickly reassured, "Oh, don't be. He lived a long life."

I said, "I'm not gonna say the typical 'I'm sorry for your loss'. It doesn't really mean anything."

Her eyes focused on me. Like she was seeing me in a new way. She asked, "You lost someone?"

I nodded my head. "Some friends of mine. I considered them family. And my girlfriend, about a year ago."

Realizing how dark the mood had gotten, I tried to lighten it back up. "But, I've accepted it. We all die sooner or later."

Including full immortals, except we fade, like Kronos.

Hope asked, "You act like you aren't scared of it."

I shrugged, "In the wise words of Tony Stark, 'part of the journey is the end.'"

Hope laughed.

I looked at the time. I said, "Oh crap! I'm late for dinner. My mom's gonna take away my blue cookies!"

Hope raised an eyebrow, "Blue cookies?"

I explained, "My first step-dad said there was no such thing as blue food. So my mom started making everything blue."

"Oh."

I said, "Gotta go!"

Flashback Over

As she fell into the tank, I shouted, "Hope!"

I ran to the edge of the bridge to see if she was drowning. I saw her swim up to the surface. Thank the gods. On the other side of the tank, was Jim, our diver.

I ordered, "Jim, get down their and save her!"

No matter how hard I wanted to, I couldn't try to save her. Stupid Ancient Laws. Unless no one else tries to help her, I couldn't interfere.

He said, "Do you not see the shark?"

I looked down. The large Great White was making his way towards Hope.

He continued, "I'm not risking my life for hers."

My face turned red in anger. I pulled off my shirt, and dove into the tank.

Once I made contact with the water, I willed myself to get wet.

In my head, I messaged the shark, Stay away from us.

Yes, my lord.

Hope exclaimed, "What the hell? Why'd you come in after me?"

"No one else would."

I grabbed Hope's hand and guided her to the edge of the tank.

I pulled myself out of the water before helping her out.

My boss, Dave, rushed out of his office. He said, "Jackson, in my office, now.

I gave her a towel and put my shirt back on while entering Dave's office.

He said, "Close the door."

Once I did that, he shouted, "You're fired! This is a kid friendly place, and you took off your shirt. If it was just that, I would have just given you a warning. But, you dove into the shark tank! You aren't certified to be in there."

I couldn't believe it.

I explained, "Hope fell in. She slipped on something, and the glass broke. Jim wasn't gonna do anything to help her, so I did."

He shook his head, "Get out! Before I sue you and your friend for the damage you made."

"Whatever."

Once I was out of his office, Hope asked, "What happened?"

I said, "I got fired for saving you."

She apologized, "I'm sorry."

I shook my head, "It wasn't your fault. Have a good trip."

With that, I left the aquarium and vapor traveled home.