The Ocean's Glare - The Lightning Thief

chapter 35

Chapter 35 - the dog days of summer

The title explains it all. We(me and Percy)(Percy got better by the way) stayed at camp until the dog days were up and then we went home for our birthday. Camp was really fun(they actually let me use a bow, even though it was only once). I decided to explore the woods so I found a tent in the camp store and "borrowed" it.

Of course, when I got back the entire camp had thought I was killed by a monster or something(I don't really know if Annabeth was happy about that or....) so when I walked into camp with a tent over my shoulder everyone kind looked at me in shock before going back to what they were doing.

Nice to know I wasn't missed, right?

After that me and Percy went swimming in the ocean and we found out that I have water based powers(so cool) while percy is more earthquake oriented(that is a more Roman trait but I don't comment, I am super secret...)

In the end we accidentally caused a tsunami and I had to stop it before it hit camp... yeah, we didn't do anything! We didn't (almost) drown the camp that was... uh... Connor and Travis!

Yeah, so... it may not have been the best idea to bring them to camp because they have started a war between them and the demeter cabin(chocolate bunnies? seriously?). Also, stop coming to me when they do something! I may be the only person that can control them but I don't care! Lock them in a cage if you have too(actually, that wouldn't work but you get my point)!

I'm very serious though, having to keep two boys in line is not my job! I am having to leave for military prison in like a week. It's too bad they are orphans because I would write to their mom about sending them to the same military school I go to.(I wouldn't really, I would never wish that place on anyone)

So, Alexandra, Travis, Connor, Annabeth and Grover came over to celebrate me and Percy's birthday. In the - maybe - 2 months, june... july... august yep about 2 months Mom had officially sold Gabe to the SOHO Art Gallery and used the money to buy a new apartment.

When me and Percy walked up to the front door with our orange t-shirts on and Percy's shorts and my pants covered in dirt. She opened it her face apprehensive but she sobbed in relief when she saw us.

I noticed a big box on what might have been a kitchen counter.

"The apartment has 4 rooms so I figured y'all could claim one or have your own rooms."

I didn't really care so I let Percy decide.

"I think we can share a room." Percy said.

I nodded.

"Well alright then." Mom said.

"Where is the shower?" I asked.

After she told us I shoved Percy into it. If we are gonna have to share a room, I'm picking which one!

The first one was a little cramped for two people, the next one was bigger so I went into that one. I pulled out my pictures I had taken. I had bought/stolen a polaroid at the camp store(when I saw it I thought it said dah-poll-rid) I had strung them on a piece of twine before we left camp. I set them on a bookshelf that was in the corner.

I started pulling everything out of my bag; ambrosia, nectar, my dagger, a book on ancient greek(for percy, I, for some reason, know everything.), clothes, an extra pair of shoes, and a water bottle that the stolls put a fish in somehow...

Joke's on them, fish talk!

When Percy walked into the room he said, "You know, this is gonna mainly be my room?"

"I know, but I'm kinda glad we will be sharing it." I told him.

"Why?"

"I'm used to listening to other people snore." I joked.

"Hey, did you put the koi in your water?"

"Yes," I said sarcastically, "I wanted to take a friend home with me."

I take offense to that!

"Shut up fish!"

The name's Joe. I told you that 5 times!

"If you keep this fish alive until we are 16 I will give you 100 bucks." I said.

"You want me... to take a fish... in a water bottle... and keep it alive for 4 years?" Percy asked.

"Do you want 100 dollars or not?" I asked.

My lord and lady, I would like to live longer than 4 years!

"Ok, Percy, keep him alive until you're 20." I said, gesturing to the fish.

"Why can't you take him to California with you?" Percy asked.

"You think my school is going to let me keep a fish? I couldn't even get a tank!"

"Peyton, don't kill your brother!" came Mom's voice through the closed door.

"I'm not!" I called back, then I turned to Percy, "keep the fish."

Then I walked out of the room before he could protest.

About 7 days later (the day of our 13th birthday) the fish was still alive somehow. I am also going to need more polaroid film if I keep taking pictures. But, I found out where Annabeth lives so she might enjoy some pictures(blackmail time!!!!).

I have one picture of Percy trying to do a handstand. I caught the exact moment he started falling. Another one he somehow dyed his face blue so I dyed mine blue and we freaked out Mom.

I found out that I have maybe 3 uniforms left that I didn't take with me to the beach.

The next day(the day after we got to the apartment) Mom and I went shopping("Percy if you are dead when I come back then I will get your room all to myself!"). So, first real clothes that aren't camp shirts or military clothing since I was 7! Woohoo, that isn't depressing... at all.

I ended up getting baggy pants and tank tops.

My dreams keep getting weirder and weirder. For instance, I had a dream about a boy that looked a lot like Luke but he was younger than me. He had a scar on his lip, sky blue eyes, and blonde shaggy hair.

Another night I had a dream about the visions Morpheus gave me. Ah crud, I was meaning to give him some kind of sacrifice before I left camp.

So, yeah. Bad dreams. Anyway, it's our birthday, Mom made a blue cookie cake and stuck candles in it.

I took a picture of all of us and caught the exact moment Percy was blowing out the candles. My wish: that we could do this every year.

Sadly, birthday wishes don't matter to the gods.

A day later I left for military school. I made sure Mom knew about the fish(Joe, whatever!), and grabbed everything I would need.

"I promise to write to you!" I told percy.

"I promise to IM you in response." Percy joked.

"Grab a pencil and paper." I flicked him in the ear.

"OW!"

I gave him a smile that definitely was not apologetic.

"No goodbyes." I told him before whistling for Guido.

"See you later then."