𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐀 𝐕𝐔 • Percy Jackson.

II-04

DID YOU HEAR…It was all the camp talked about: The Perseus Jackson, leader of the Quest last summer, had a cyclops as a brother. "What a joke." People would say and laugh, watching the cyclops look around in awe with ignorance. Amani didn't care. He didn't care about the shit people would say about Tyson nor the whines of Percy who cried, "he's not my actual brother!" To deaf ears.

What he cared about was Eloise Laurent. She had not been seen since that dinner and Mr D as well as the new activities director, "tarantula" he dubbed, didn't seem to care.  He was denied every time by Mr D when he'd bring it up to go looking for her.

"But she's missing! What if something happened to them–" Val shouted along with him, but Tantalus didn't seem to care. "Yes you know how unclaimed children are, always pissy–er sad about not having a godly parent. I'm sure Eloise Laurent is simply letting off some steam." He explained with a bored look in his eyes. He could hear Mr D struggling to hide his chuckle. "Now I believe you two have Chariots to build." Tantalus said or in other words "get out of here."

The two left the big house and the son of Aphrodite didn't spare a moment. "I fucking hate that damn director!" Val screamed, receiving strange stares, but his anger made him overlook it. "Me too." Amani muttered.

The two sat down by the volleyball court. "How did they just disappear?!" Val questioned despite knowing there would be no answer. "I don't know…Calm down." Amani said, but Val scoffed. "Only you could say that." He muttered, rolling his eyes. "We'll figure something out." Amani said, tensing a bit when Val laid his head on his shoulder, but soon relaxed. "I hope so." His voice was quiet.

"I don't think Eli would just leave like that." Val whispered in a daze. He chewed his inner cheek as he began to think while Amani only waited. Suddenly he sat up straight, "wait…" he muttered before a second later turning straight to Amani. He grabbed his shoulders, "Amani you remember the sleepovers…the stuff she said–"

"Val–"

"the first sleepover! After we gossiped…"

"Val–"

"and then that one truth or dare–the gods and things–

"Valen–"

"You get it don't you!"

"Valentino!"

That stopped him. He let go of Amani's shoulders and took a breath before laying on Amani's legs. "Sorry." He said. "It's okay." Amani said.

Not long later, he saw Percy jog up to them, Val pointed him out, "there's Mr. One eye's brother."  He said with a snort. Amani shook his head, "don't call him that." He muttered and Val shook his head. "Whatever, Percy's here."

Percy panted a little, out of breath. He looked at the two with furrowed eyebrows, but managed a small hi to Val before asking, "do you want to be on my team for the chariot race?" Amani looked out the hand held out for him. "Chariot race…?" He asked and Val laughed. "You forgot already?" Percy asked with a deadpan, Amani shrugged. "Tantalus is letting us do the chariot race again. Um you know, a race…with chariots…" Percy explained, dumbly.

Val laughed even harder while Amani shook his head, "I might forget things but I'm not stupid." Percy shrugged, "right." Amani shot him a look and Percy pretended not to see it. "But that's a lot of work." Amani said with a yawn, already exhausted.

Percy rolled his eyes, "I'm inviting Annabeth too. She'll do most of the designing." He persuaded and Amani hummed, but made no effort to get off the ground.

Percy sighed, a defeated look on his face, before saying "me and Annabeth will do the work you can just lay there or something!" He pleaded and Amani paused as if he was thinking. "Yeah sure why not." Amani agreed, pushing Val's head off his leg and grabbing Percy's outstretched hand. Percy pulled him up, "let's go toilet boy." Percy shook his head.