Agents (Percabeth AU)

Surprises at Home

PERCY POV

1st Sept, 3:30 pm. 

Surprisingly, just because summer was over, doesn't mean the heat was any less bearable. 

Or maybe I was just exaggerating, but my mouth felt like a desert just dropped in and I was completely out of water. Just then I passed by a grocery store near by our apartment building. I prayed to the gods I had some cash in my backpack pockets, thankfully, I had a dollar. Just enough to buy a Gatorade, I thought.

I ran into the store and went to the drinks section, I looked through the shelves for blue Gatorade. Once I found a bottle, I picked it up and took it to the cash register. I paid for my drink and was out the store with the refreshment. 

The Gatorade immediately cooled the dryness in my throat and I had almost reached the apartment building. I climbed up the stairs, even though there was a lift, I felt like keeping myself engaged. When I got to the door, I realized it was already open, and my first thought was: 'What if we're being robbed?..' .

 Then I noticed the lights were off and it was dead silent. I slowly approached the door, I first knocked at it to see if anyone was at home, "Mom? You home?" I called out. No response. I was getting worried now. I steeled my nerves, pushed the door opened and stepped inside the apartment.

Suddenly a pair of hands clasped over my eyes, and whispered "Guess who?" I recognised the voice immediately and smiled. Then, the lights flashed on and my Mom came out from behind the kitchen counter smiling. I turned around saw my cousin, Thalia, grinning at me. She looked just the same as ever except a bit taller, with her black leather jacket, a black tank top and ripped jeans and combat boots, she had the same intimidating style she always went for; punk.

"What's up, Kelp Head? Having special fun without me already?" she raised an eyebrow. What she meant by 'special fun' was basically getting into trouble, my-- sorry, our speciality. See, Thalia and I are very similar to each other, so you can expect her to be pretty much of a troublemaker as I was. 

I grinned, "Yeah, y'know me, can't survive a day without getting into detention. Thalia what are you doing here?! Mom said you were coming over tomorrow." I asked, absolutely beamed to see her. It had been almost two years since we last met. 

"What, I can't surprise you with my little visit?" she said ruffling through my hair, like she always did. 

"Wait a sec, Mom, you knew about this?" I turned to her.

My mom rolled her eyes, "No, Percy I had no idea, Thalia just suddenly appeared on our doorstep with her very own cab money." she said, dropping the obvious sarcasm in her voice. 

"Hey, Sally, don't act like I asked you to pick me up from the airport, I was literally begging you not to." Thalia retorted, grinning.

My mom raised her hands up in surrender and said," Alright I may have offered to pick you up from the airport."

"That's an understatement ." Thalia muttered. 

My mom shoved her playfully and laughed, yep, classic Mom and Thalia. 

"Alright well, Percy why don't you go show Thalia where she'll be staying," Mom said, "Oh and Thalia, honey since you just arrived why don't you have something to eat? You must be starving from you're journey..?" .

"Oh, no thanks Sally, I'm actually good," Thalia reassured," I ate a whole burrito roll at the airport, so I'm stuffed." 

"No way, just a burrito roll?.. Are you on a diet or something, Pine Cone face?", I teased.