A Different Reality (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chp 134 - Piper's POV

Piper's Flashback

Claire stuck her head around her notebook to look at Piper.

"What are we doing for New Year's Eve? Are you coming with me to the party of my dad's friend again?"

"No, I'm spending it with my father."

"Really!? That is awesome, I had no idea he was coming home!"

"He's not. I'm going to meet him where he is."

"And where is it?"

"Rio."

"Rio?"

"Brazil."

"Oh! I'm coming with you."

"You are?"

"Of course, I'm coming with you! Do you think I would leave my old best friend and my new best friend travel to another continent ALONE?"

"Well, in theory, Trish and I are not going alone... and it's the same continent, Claire, just south."

"Right, I forgot! Still, another country! You need me, I'm coming with you."

"I need you?"

"You don't?"

"You're right, I do. And your father is ok with this?"

"He will be. As soon as you talk to him."

Flashback over, back to present

MONDAY, 26th December

Piper woke up from her nap, her neck stiff for the weird position of sleeping in a plane seat. She was able to catch the remaining of the pilot letting them know lunch would be served by the flight attendants in ten minutes.

Must be this that woke us up.

Probably.

She looked to the side to see Claire engrossed in an animation.

"What are you watching? Disney?"

Claire didn't take her eyes off the small tv to correct.

"I'm doing research about the location I'm going to."

"... By watching Disney?"

This made her look annoyed at Piper.

"Rio is Dreamworks, not Disney."

"Still, you're watching an animation as a research?"

"I want to be aware of what I'm facing."

Piper groaned.

"Claire, you probably watched Rio a ton of times..."

"Hush, I need to rewatch it."

Piper rolled her eyes but wisely didn't say anything.

***

The landing was smooth, but Claire freaked out in the baggage claim area when her bag had to be the last one to come. The air-conditioner of the airport kept them fresh, but Piper could see the bright sun through the windows, still strong at 5 pm, so she searched her purse for her sunglasses and left them within reach. Leaving the arrivals area, Piper searched for her dad, only to find a random guy holding a paper with Trish's name on it.

And of course, dad wouldn't pick us up.

What a surprise.

She went straight to the guy, followed closely by Claire. After introductions, thankfully in English, he led them to the outside, where the car was waiting. As soon as the door opened, Piper felt the heat wave full force, sweating almost immediately. It was even a little hard to breathe, from such a temperature shock, the warm air refusing to enter her lungs.