Free Kendall

Chapter 17

Chapter 17
Ari likes me?

Kendall's POV

We all explore the science centre until around lunchtime.
That place is so cool. I'll have to take Rainne with me sometime.

I keep my distance from Ari, like they asked. But I understand why, it's not a problem.
Our fighting gear was put in the car, or we wouldn't have gotten inside.

I am very pleased  with my Son of Apollo outfit, and we all get many looks as we reach Rody's Tavern.
Rody's is one of the local places that everyone loves.

Rayssa puts us on the waiting list with a table of ten, and we all sit at the lobby.
"This is so much better than school," Ari says.
Nik nods.
"No work, no idiots, no stress."

"Well, a little bit of stress," Rayssa says.
She points to Jonas and Tate.
"Are they still obviously pining over each other?" I ask.

Everyone but them nods.

A person in a bright green Rody's Tavern shirt comes over and leads us to a table. 
I sit across from Quinn, and we all order our drinks and Hazel orders a big plate of nachos.

They nod and walk off.

This little child walks over to our table.
They have big green eyes and brown curls.
"Won't you guys create a big hotspot for monsters if the ten of you stay together?" They ask.

All of us make an 'awwww' expression.

"Well," I say. "My good friends Hazel and Tate are einherjar, so we only have eight living demigods at our table."
The little kid nods.
"So, you have an orange shirt on, are you Greek?"

Quinn nods.
"This is Kendall, son of Apollo. My father is Hermes."

"Whoaa," The kid says. "That is so cool!"
Ari and Nik smile.
"And the purple shirts must be Roman. Do you guys have the tattoos?"

Rayssa lifts her forearm and so does Ari.
A heart is on the top, with 5 lines under.

The kid smiles so big.
"And the others must be Egyptian! This is the best day of my life!"

I pull the retractable shield from my bag.
It's a replica of Thalia's bracelet.

"Want us to sign it?" Nik asks.
The kid nods.
"What's your name?" 
"Percy."

All of us freeze.

"Okay, Percy!" Tate says. She hops up and takes the shield, signing it.

I reach into my bag as everyone else signs it, pulling a generic CHB shirt out.
As Percy comes over to me, I sign it.

"Here's your shield," I say. "And, now you're a part of the team, buddy."
They squeal, making some people at the bar turn to watch us.

Percy slips the orange shirt on over their striped shirt, putting the bracelet on their wrist.
"Thank you, son of Apollo."
They run off, and we all burst out laughing and grinning.

"We made that kids day," Quinn says, smiling.
"We did," Hazel replies.

Our nachos come, and we all dig into it like ravenous wolves.

"Spicyyy," Ari says, covering their hand over their mouth.
"You're just a coward," Nik replies, and Ari tosses a jalapeno at him.
I smile.

The rest of the meal goes by fairly quickly, and Percy and their family pass by.
"See Dad, those are the demigods that I told you about!"
We all wave.

Tate pays for the food once Rayssa finishes her salad.

"Where to?" Nik asks.
"My house!" Ari says, smiling.
"Woooo!" Tate cheers.

"Let's gooo," Quinn says.

I sit up, putting my backpack on, and go to help Ari up.

"Are you having fun?" I whisper.
They nod.
"Are you?"

I nod, smiling.
"This has been a fantastic day."