Percy Tells Paul

Chapter 3

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Paul's POV:
I sat in silence, my brain straining to process the insane information I had just learned. Greek myths were real? What? And they had kids with mortals? WHAT???? And my girlfriend's son is a demigod? WHAT???????????? I stared at Percy, who shifted in his chair anxiously. I was aware that my mouth hung open and I was probably drooling, but I really did not care. "H-howwww?" I managed to choke out.

Percy sighed in relief. "Thank the gods. I thought you were dead for a sec!" He chuckled hoarsely, clapping me on the shoulder. "So, any questions?" Percy fiddled with his hands, watching me intently for any signs of emotion.

No. This was impossible. The Greek myths were legends and nothing more. I turned to Sally. "Okay, very funny. You can drop the act." Percy and Sally suddenly wore identical masks of confusion.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Sally said, anger quickly overtaking her features.

"Come on, Sally. Drop the joke. I know this is all some prank. There is no way on heaven or earth that what Percy just told us makes sense. Very funny, Percy; you got me. Hand me a sandwich, would ya?" I shook my head, chortling quietly. "Percy?" I looked over and beheld the most terrible glare of my life.

"You stupid mortal," Percy growled. His iridescent eyes were dark, churning like the sea in a hurricane. His voice had dropped low, a threatening tone quite apparent. "Do you think I would joke about this? Of course you do. Because I'm Percy Jackson, the dumb class clown. I knew you wouldn't believe me." The apartment began to shake.

"Percy, calm d-" Sally began, glancing nervously at the quivering walls.

"No!" Percy shouted, shooting from his seat. The faucet started spraying water, and I heard the pipes rattling. "I won't calm down! Why don't you believe me? What kid would joke about leading a war? What kid would joke about one of his best friends being blasted to ashes in order to save his life? What kid would joke about DYING before he turned SIXTEEN?!" The water exploding from the sink was swirling around Percy, forming whirlpools up  his tensed muscles. "I'm expected to lead an army, and I can barely legally drive." Percy's voice had softened, but bitterness and rage laced his words.

"The only reason I'm in charge is because some god realized my mom was beautiful. And then he left her, and she was forced to marry a disgusting jerk to protect us. The jerk dies, and finally, finally a decent guy comes around, someone who makes her happy, and he doesn't believe the most important secret we have. He thinks her son is crazy. Maybe I am crazy. But who wouldn't be. I'm taking a walk. Bye." Percy stormed out, flipping up his hood and shoving his hands deep in his pockets. Sally and I watched him slam the door, and the apartment ceased shaking.

I stared at the door, the echoes of Percy's words reverberating in my ears. Oh, my god. He was telling the truth.

------ Percy POV----------------------
Fury surged through me as I stomped down the hallway. Of course he thought I was pranking him. Typical mortals-- oblivious to everything until it killed them.

The loud rush of traffic and the cool air helped clear my thoughts. I sprinted for Central Park, my thoughts thundering through my head. Styx, I thought. I screwed up Mom's one successful relationship. Great job, Jackson. I slid to a stop, sitting down heavily on a park bench and kicking a rock. "I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!" I screamed to the clear blue sky above. Angry tears prickled at my eyes. No, I will not cry. Apparently, my brain had zero control over my tear ducts, and I felt a single salty drop run down my cheek. I lowered eyes from the sky, dropped my pounding head in my hands, and sobbed.