Testimonies are supposed to be easy to write, right?

Or... at least that's what Percy had believed. Until he had to actually sit down and put his feelings into words. It was easy to get his thoughts down, but the idea that people might actually read it off put a lot of his inner thoughts. It made him rethink... well, everything.

In proper preperance for their little project Percy and Nico had asked everyone (who was comfortable) to write down their feelings of some things that had happened. Of course it would take awhile to get that input because it was the end of their senior year, and colleges were a thing.

And it's not like their story arc was over.

Drama, fights, and unfortunate occurrences are just bound to happen in life. Free will was part of the deal. Yes peace would have been perfect, but it's not very realistic when it comes to life.

Things are always bound to be shaken up.

But with that reminder in mind, Percy and Nico had to really figure out just what they wanted to focus on.

They wanted to do something that would...

Help.

Influence.

Something that would, in the end, come out to mean something. They didn't want to do some piece about the latest drama that one might find in a school newspaper.

They wanted to do something real.

But not something... fake. Something that was overdone, that glorified the ideas of what had happened in life- of what can happen in life. They didn't want to say the wrong things in something that would do more harm then good.

The more Percy thought about it the more it hurt his head.

Writing wasn't exactly his forte. Honestly even though he did write occasionally he prefered to use art as an outlet. Doodling, sketching, things like that.

Maybe he was just overthinking it.

It seemed like the thought of writing a book over the next year or so (and not to mention an excerpt for the book before the end of the school year, which was quite soon), was getting to Nico too. He just seemed to be... more inquisitive. He was quieter, and a bit more antsy.

Well actually, so was everyone else. So maybe it was just the fact that the end of school was nearing, and everyone would have to go off and be adult soon.

Honestly none of the boys really knew what they wanted to do after school. Nico was looking at maybe becoming a journalist, and Leo was pondering whether or not he wanted to become an engineer or something. Jason had mentioned something about joining the military, but beyond that...

Oh well. Maybe life would take control and show them at the right time.

Or life was done being helpful and was gonna leave them all on their own again.

----

"Okay class remember: your senior seminar projects are due at the end of the week. I hope none of you procrastinated like all teenagers do even though I'm sure just about all of you did." Miss. Athena gave the whole class a look, which made a collective 98% of them all shrink down in their chairs.

The only one her stare didn't bother was that 2%, also known as Percy. He was actually good to go in terms of his project, he just had to wrap up a few finishing touches and he was done.

And if he was being honest he wasn't really listening. He was just doodling away, and had ended up tuning out most of the class.

He was wondering just... how everything would work out. He had all this projects, and on top of that the book and-

Oh that eye isn't even.

"Perseus Jackson!"

With a loud whap of her pointer on the board Miss. Athena was able to startle the whole class enough to make them jump ever so slightly out of their seats (even though she did that practically every other day).

Being just as surprised as the rest of the class Percy looked up at her, setting down his pencil and giving the most sheepish smile he's ever given ever.

"How about you see me after class?" Miss. Athena hummed. "You know, just to talk."

And with that she turned back around to start teaching again.

Percy blinked, slowly lowering his head down towards the desk. He glanced around the room and realized he was getting this... pitiful look from just about everyone.

It may be the end of the school year, and he may be a senior, but that certainly didn't make Miss. Athena any less intimidating. It was very clear that the rest of the class felt the exact same way.

The entire class Percy was quite restless- more so then usual, that is. He couldn't pay attention to the lesson anymore, and he felt his mind buzzing.

Did he take his pills this morning?

He did.

He definitely did.

Did he?

Yes.

Yes he did.

If he hadn't it would've been a lot worse.

Why is he worrying about this?

It's not like-

Hey there's a bird- no there's multiple birds.

It's a momma bird, look at the way it's watching the others. The others are smaller by comparison- squirrel.

Since when has there been so much nature outside of their school?

Nevermind.

Spring.

It's hot out- hey someone's sneaking out of class.

Maybe they're in study hall.

No, no definitely just ditching. They seem nervous.

Maybe juniors?

No that's definitely a couplet of sophomores.

Lovers.

Definitely lovers.

Why is someone moving behind me?

The two sophomores are heading for the tree.

Someone's moving their backpack, now scuffling, maybe they're uncomfortable? Maybe just restless.

Young love is gross.

Someone is tapping a pencil why are they tapping a pencil it's so much tapping it's a lot of tapping why is there so much- oh they stopped.

Nevermind young love is kind of cute.

Bell.

Percy immediately grabbed his stuff, shoving it into his bag and hoping that maybe, maybe Miss. Athena didn't rememb-

"Perseus, remember, stay behind." Miss Athena hummed. "I don't have a class next. Don't worry, I'll write you a note in case your late." she flashed the whole class that 'innocent' smile of hers.

Man Percy was so going to get it.

Percy slowly closed his bag, looking away from all of the apologetic and slightly curious looks.

Not in the mood.

"The end of the year." Percy looked up at Miss. Athena, who started speaking to him once everyone had left the room.

"End of the year, and you're still getting in trouble. Tell me, any plans for college?"

Percy blinked and shook his head.

"Well I'm sure you'll figure it out. It seems Nico has his heart set on New York University for journalism."

Percy just slowly nodded. Within the midst of all the chaos that had been going on Nico still had managed to fill out his college application. He didn't really mention it for awhile, course Percy didn't understand why, it was an amazing achievement.

Miss. Athena sighed, standing in front of Percy. "Look, I'll keep this short. Usually I don't pay attention to highschool drama and talk, most of the time it consists of a lot of... repetition."

Percy raised an eyebrow curiously.

A small sigh escaped her lips. "But recently... I overheard some of your friends discussing a... certain topic. One involving a little girl. Named... Annie."

Percy blinked, staring at her.

Why would she be interested in- wait.

--

"Wait seriously?" Leo's mouth dropped- unfortunately exposing all of the unchewed food in his mouth.

"Ugh, ew, you pig." Calypse grabbed his jaw and slammed it shut.

Percy just gave a small nod.

"Wow... who would've thought. Miss. Athena has a kid." Nico whispered.

"Man that must have stung... being torn apart from her child." Thalia muttered. "I mean if I ever had a kid-"

Jason let out a little scoff.

"I COULD BE A MOM YOU LITTLE PUNK!" Thalia grabbed Jason's hair and shoved his face down into his mashed potatoes.

Percy blinked, everyone silently exchanging looks.

"Anyway." Thalia cleared her throat as Jason lifted his head.

Piper let out a small chuckle, gently handing him a napkin.

"If I ever had a kid, I'd be super attached to it. I couldn't imagine... geez." Thalia puffed. "Guess that explains why she came up to you guys earlier. If she's as smart as her mom she must've found some stuff on her. And she had heard of you, probably found out you went to the same place she teaches at... wow that kid is smart."

"I get it." Nico murmured quietly. "She was just... looking for family. For her mom."

"Hey, think she's got an evil stepmom?" Thalia hummed.

"Maybe a stepmom she doesn't like." Nico shrugged. "Maybe that's why she sought out her mom."

"This is a whole lotta maybe's." Calypso said.

Percy shrugged. "That's life." he said softly.

"Well I sure hope we can find Annie again. She must feel so lost without her mom." Nico whispered.

Once again, everyone exchanged looks.

"Wow we're all broken." Thalia said randomly. "Like, seriously, we're all a mess!"

Calypso chuckled, "Maybe that's why we're such close friends."

"Maybe that's why we eventually got along." Leo grinned, wrapping his arm around Calypso. For a second, it looks like she's going to hit him, but after a second passes, she just lets it happen.

"How about we talk about something better?" Hazel piped in. "Like college! And how Nico might be getting into a fancy university." she smirked.

"Chances are slim, alright?" Nico chuckled. "Besides, I don't even know how I'd pay for it."

"We'll find ways."

"It's what you really wanna do, huh?" Calypso looked at him.

"...It really is." Nico nodded. "I'm not sure exactly what direction I want to go, but I want to do something in the writing field. It sounds fun."

"And I'm guessing Percy is doing something art involved?" Thalia hummed.

Percy just looked down at the table and shrugged.

"Percy is... thinking." he murmured.

"Which is 100% okay." Jason chimed in, all of the potatoes now... mostly off of his face. "I mean I don't know what I'm studying. I got an athletic scholarship to some schools and I'm just going from there."

"ENGINEERING!" Leo exclaimed, whooping.

"Okay literally no one is surprised by that choice." Calypso chuckled.

Thalia glanced around. "Oh! Would you look at the time, I gotta go." she smirked, standing up and grabbing her coat.

"Where you going?" Jason blinked, looking up at her.

"Getting a tattoo." Thalia hummed.

"Oooh what are you getting?" Leo asked.

"Not telling- but I can say this, it is going to be awesome."

"Hey... can I come with you?" Percy blinked, looking up at her.

"Oh. I mean sure. I don't really mind." Thalia shrugged.

Nico looked over at Percy curiously, but Percy just smiled at him before standing up.

"Come on let's go you slow poke I'm going to be late!" Thalia grabbed his arm, yanking Percy out to her car.

Once they arrived at the tattoo parlor Thalia... practically ditched him. She bolted in through the doors like a little kid getting icecream or something.

Percy decided to take his time, observing and taking in everything. The moment he walked into the tattoo place, it was like magic.

The air in there smelled of leather (with a hint of pot). It had a very... cool indie vibe to it. There was a waiting room, and he could hear the buzzing of a needle in the back.

When the door closed and opened there was a little bell that rang, notifying the tattoo artists that someone had come in. There were little plants stationed through multiple places in the shop, but it wasn't an overload. Some were hanging from the ceiling, others were in the window sill- was it just him or was there a slight cloud of mist in the air?

"Percy come here and sit." Thalia grinned. She had sat down on a leather couch in the 'waiting room.' Which was really just a couch and some chairs surrounded an apothecary table with some magazines on it.

Percy just sat down next to her, still looking around. There was so much... art. From the white bird outline on the window to the samples on the walls, it was so very... free.

It was a little overwhelming, but at the same time spacious, and very interesting.

"Thalia! My favorite client." a man came towards them. Actually, man isn't quite the right word. Boy? Teenager? No.

Nonetheless he couldn't have been more then 19 years old. He had the sort of... soccer player haircut mixed with punk mohawk kind of hairstyle going on. Buzzed on the sides, with it longer and skinnier on the top. Course it seemed today he just didn't use any gel, because the mohawk was just kind of flopped over to the side a little- but it still worked. And because of that, Percy could see the flecks of green he had enlaced throughout his hair a bit better.

To match his hair, he had these hazel eyes, course they leaned a bit more towards the blue side in certain lights. He was pale, and he had tattoos running down his arms. And it seemed on his collarbone as well.

All in all he had this sort of... rebellious... punk bad boy vibe to him, and he wasn't all that bad looking.

"Hello Jackson, it is me." Thalia hummed. "I brought a friend along who's curious about this whole thing, hope that won't be a problem."

"Not at all." Jackson smirked, glancing at Percy. "Looking to get a tattoo? I take walk ins. Sometimes. Depends on the day. And the person. Maybe I'm just too bias."

Percy blinked, glancing at Thalia.

"I mean I can cover you and you can pay me back if you're feeling super spontaneous." Thalia said.

Percy glanced back over at Jackson.

"How about you think about it while I do Thalia's tattoo. Sound good?" Jackson hummed, and Percy just nodded.

"Alright let's do it!" Thalia grinned.

Throughout the whole process Thalia was... super calm. Percy stayed back a ways, one because Thalia didn't want him to see the tattoo before it was done, and two because of some health code reasons Jackson didn't feel like going over.

She was getting her tattoo on her ribcage, which, to Percy, seemed like it would hurt a lot, just because you're repetitively going over bones, and there's not any flesh or muscle to give the bone a break.

But Thalia took it like a champ. She didn't squirm or squeal, she just let it be done.

"And... all done." Jackson hummed, looking up at the two. "And may I say wonderful work." a smirk crossed his face.

"Thanks again Jackson." Thalia slowly sat up.

"Go over to the mirror and check it out."

Thalia nodded, quickly heading over to a full length mirror Jackson had in the room. "Come on Percy!"

Percy chuckled, walking over to her to see the tattoo.

It was small. A little line of a heart monitor, that transitioned into a little heart.

Small, and minimalistic, which isn't what Percy expected from Thalia, but somehow it still fit, and matched her personality.

Thalia glanced up at Percy. "For every fallen hero." she murmured quietly. "Who cared enough to love."

"It's awesome." Percy looked at her, smiling.

"I know."

Percy raised an eyebrow, letting out a small laugh.

He glanced back over at Jackson. "I think... I'll get one."

"I'm down." Jackson nodded.

"Oh I forgot to say." Thalia hummed. "Jackson your first name is the same as Percy's last name, which I find wild."

"Well then I have to be the one to give him his first tattoo." Jackson smirked. "Hey can you name your kid Jackson? If you have a kid, that is."

"I'm sure I won't hate my kid that much." Percy smiled a little.

"My parents hated me enough to make my initials J.A.K." Jackson shrugged. "No wonder I was an emo."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "They did not do that to you."

"I promise you, they did."

"Poetic."

Jackson chuckled, "Alright smart mouth, what do you want?"

Percy glanced at Thalia, then back at Jackson. "Mind if I draw it out?"

"Not at all."

A needle and some pain later, Percy had his tattoo. He had decided to get it on his collarbone- er, a little above the collarbone. It had hurt more than he had initially expected, but it wasn't horrible.

"My oh my what's Nico gonna say?" Thalia clicked her tongue, shaking her head in joking disapprovement.

"Oh? Who's Nico?" Jackson hummed.

"Percy's boyfriend." Thalia sang.

"You done?" Percy raised an eyebrow and looked over at her.

"No not at all."

Percy shook his head and looked back at Jackson. "Thanks again for doing this."

"No problem. It helped because I technically didn't have to draw up anything." Jackson joked. "But seriously have you just been sitting on that drawing for awhile or..."

Once again, Percy shook his head. "Just... thought it up."

"Hmm... impressive. Say, I was picked up by the manager here when I was your age. Okay you're literally a year younger then me I basically have no right to say that."

"What are you saying Jackson get to it." Thalia snapped her fingers, grinning.

"My point is, do you have any interest in becoming a tattoo artist?"

Percy blinked, staring at him.

"I... never really gave it any thought." He murmured. "...What's required?"

"Creativity, art skills, patience- to name a few." Jackson shrugged.

"Oh well Percy is super patient." Thalia hummed. "I mean so patient that he didn't talk for about ten years of his life."

"Is that why your voice is so worn down?" Jackson teased.

"No I'm just stressed from hanging with this one." Percy pointed at Thalia.

"Mmm yeah she takes a lot of patience."

Thalia raised an eyebrow, "You care to repeat that Mr.?" she muttered.

"Nope nope nope. Remember I'm the one with the needle- hit Percy." Jackson grinned.

Percy gave him a look.

"Alright, alright." Jackson put his hands up in defense. "But seriously. Think about it? I'd love to have a name twin working with me."

"I'll think about it- really." Percy nodded.

"Well in that case..." Jackson leaned over the counter, quickly rustling through some things before pulling out a card and handing it to Percy. "Really, think about it."

Percy looked down at the card.

"Sure, I will."

"Well now that you girls are done with your conversation, you should show me your tattoo." Thalia said. She hit Percy's arm, "Come on, I let you see mine."

Percy chuckled, "Alright."

Careful not to disturb the wrapping, Percy gently took the sleeve of his shirt and pulled it to the side, revealing the tattoo to Thalia and Jackson.

"Wow." Thalia murmured, looking at him. "Percy it's amazing."

Jackson grinned. "I do a good job." he chuckled.

"I mean I can't disprove that sentence." Thalia shrugged.

"You really like it?" Percy asked, looking over at Thalia nervously.

This was definitely an ambitious thing for him to do. He had never really given thought to a tattoo before, only slightly in the past. And it was on his body forever.

But the design just... came to him.

And he felt very strongly about the concept, and truthfully, he really liked the way it came out.

It was cool, he felt like it was very him, and it just worked.

Besides, it helped clear up some thoughts for him regarding the book he was making with Nico.

In fact it made him pretty sure about what he wanted it to be.

Thalia slowly looked into his eyes, giving a small nod of her head.

"I really, really do."

"Now for the pricing!" Jackson smirked at the two.

"You messed up a moment you idiot." Thalia smacked his stomach.

"What? I gotta make money somehow. This mohawk is not cheap."

"Really?" Thalia inhaled sharply through her teeth. "Then you're paying way too much."

A snort escaped Percy's lips, which caused Jackson to give him a (joking) look of anger.

"Whatever. Like I'm going to take advice from a girl who wears fishnet leggings with shorts." Jackson hummed, heading over to the counter.

"You little- come here!"