A Different Reality (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chp 88 - Jason's POV

Jason's Flashback

MONDAY

P: Hi.

P: I'm bored.

P: Answer me, I want someone to talk to.

J: Pipes? Aren't you in class right now?

P: Yes, that's why I'm bored.

J: So you decided to text me in class?

P: Well, I would text Annabeth, but you know how she is. Admit it, you're bored too.

J: Yes, I am.

P: It's hard to listen to a boring teacher talking about something even more boring after spending so much time at camp. I imagine it's even harder for you.

J: It's... different.

P: A glimpse of the mortal world?

J: Almost like that, yes.

J: Wait, you don't have a class with Percy on Mondays?

P: Yes, this one.

J: Why don't you talk to him then?

P: Because like always, he pays attention like a hawk for 8 minutes, no more, no less. Then he fall asleep, drooling at his desk.

***

THURSDAY

P: I saw you during practice.

P: You're really good. I could never guess you didn't spend half of your life playing it.

P: I can't believe I'm saying this. Your butt looks nice.

P: Hey, why aren't you answering me? Hello?

P: Are we still on for today?

P: I'm calling you.

P: Why aren't answering your phone? Did you lose it?

Flashback over, back to present

"No, Kyle, Ja... John didn't cheat on me, and I can explain. The truth is: I'M Piper."

"What?"

WHAT? Is she crazy? Please tell me she's not telling him the truth!

Jason could see Piper's eyes darting around, trying to come up with an excuse. He prayed to all the gods that she knew what she was doing.

"Well, you see, we... met online."

What?/What?

He was able to see when she was filled with confidence, after finding a tale to trick Kyle.

"In a... chat. Since it would be irresponsible to use our real name, we chose a different one. I chose Piper, and he chose... Jason. We started talking, without having any idea that we have met in real life. So, after some weeks, we started sharing more information, like age, hobbies, etc. It was only when I mentioned about a... pizzeria around here that I like to go with my father that we realized we lived in the same city. Imagine our surprise when we discovered we went to the same school! It was even a bigger shock to find out our identities. We were just friends, but decided to go on a date, to see if we would hit it off just like over the internet. And we did!"

She just came up with this? How?

There are two ways to get out of trouble in the demigod world: fighting or stalling. She and Annabeth are quite good at the second one.

Kyle didn't look convinced, but he was paying attention.

"Why does he have your number as Piper?"

Piper laughed it off, like it was stupid.

"Well, because he forgot to change. Or got lazy. We exchanged numbers to make it easier to text, but before revealing our names. After that, I changed his name to Jason-John. I guess he forgot to do the same. Sometimes I still call him Jason. Force of habit, I think. I really met him as Jason, and despite knowing it's just a nickname for a chat, I still think of him as Jason, sometimes. And that's also the reason to why you're going to hear him calling me Piper."

She's good.

Yes, she's amazing.

"Wait, that Captain America costume..."

Right, the note.

How is she going to explain it?

Piper's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What about it?"

Right, I told him Piper was a friend!

What now?

My turn to stall, I guess.

"I lied"

Jason ignored Piper's questioning look, and focused on Kyle.

"Why?"

"It was too complicated to explain to you at the time, so I said the first thing that came to my mind. I did say they were so alike they could be the same person."

Piper cleared her throat to attract Kyle's attention again.

"There's a simple way to prove it. I'll show you my phone, the last texts I sent to him, and you'll check with John's phone, sounds good?"

***

SATURDAY

"Now, easy, just keep going."

"Percy? Shouldn't you be, you know, paying attention to Jason driving?"

"Relax, Frank. I am."

Jason snorted.

"You're playing on your phone."

"If you're seeing that, you should put your eyes back on the road."

"So you're really playing?"

"See, that's how much I trust you."

"Percy..."

"I said to relax, Frank. Jason is doing fine. And remember, John knows how to drive. If Jason mess up, John will be the first one to notice."

Don't you dare scratch my car! I swear I'm going to make your life a living hell if I see the tiniest scratch on it!

So helpful...