When We Were 'Us'

This Time I'm Actually Asking for Opinions - Percy POV

After a long shower (they usually calm me down pretty well), I went back to my cabin and changed into fresh clothes. The letter sat on my bed, reminding me that I still had to give Chiron an answer.

Thinking about it, I decided to get some opinions. Grabbing a sweatshirt, I pulled the hood up and began to wander the camp.

"Percy?"

I looked up. "Hey, Piper."

She smiled a little. "How are you doin' with all that's been going down?"

I grunted, shrugging. "Haven't died yet, so I think I'll live."

"I'd hope so." She held her arms out. "Need a hug?"

I offered a wan smile. "Yeah, actually. I kind of do."

Piper wrapped her arms around me, which was kind of impressive given that she was several inches shorter than me.

"Hey, Pipes?" I asked when we finally pulled away from each other.

She tipped her head sideways.

"Can you help me out with something?"

"Totally! What do you need?"

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I got up when I heard someone knock on my door. After peeking out one of the curtained windows, I went over and opened it, letting in the group outside.

Hazel offered a hug, which I accepted. "We're here for you." She promised gently.

"Thanks, Hazel." I looked up at the others.

Nico chose to lean against one of the walls, but the rest of the group quickly took seats on various empty beds around the room. Piper and Jason immediately linked hands. Clarisse crossed her arms.

"So what did you want to talk to us about, Jackson?" 

I held up the letter. "I got this earlier today."

"What is it?"

I handed Nico the letter and he flicked it open, scanning it. His eyebrows shot up and he laid it in Piper's outstretched hand.

"Percy Jackson," she read out loud.

I crossed my arms, sitting on my bed and staring over at the fountain that was installed in the corner of the room.

"Have you decided yet?" Leo asked.

I shook my head after a moment. "I wanted to ask your opinions."

"I think you should do it."

I glanced over at Clarisse. "This isn't just because you want me out of the camp, is it?"

She snorted. "You're not that shallow, Percy, I know that. And neither am I. It's a good opportunity for you."

"Did you just call me Percy?" I had to grin at her.

"Don't get used to it."

Piper was still looking at the paper. "Would you take up their offer of schooling?"

I paused. "I didn't think about it as much. After all, what would I study?"

"You could take Marine Biology." Leo joked. "It'd be a breeze."

We laughed, but I noted that it could actually be a really good idea.

"Grover, what do you think?"

The satyr looked up. "I think you should do it... it'll give you sort of a fresh start. But we'll miss you."

The others nodded. I took the letter back from Piper and looked at it, sighing. "Thanks everybody. Your thoughts mean a lot to me... I'm going to think about it some more."

"C'mon, guys." Piper stood up. "Lets give Percy some time to think."

They left the room and I laid back on my bed, holding the letter up.

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There was a party that night, but I avoided most of it. Near the end, when I could tell it was winding down, I got up and went to the pavilion.

Piper waved wildly, grinning when she saw me. I smiled and waved back, then sighed when she turned away and began to look for Chiron.

He was in a corner, watching everyone. When he noticed me, he nodded and turned, walking out of the pavilion. I followed him.

"Have you given some thought to that letter, my boy?"

I nodded slowly. "I think so. I just have a couple of questions first."

"Go ahead, son."

"How soon would this be taking affect?" I asked him.

"Most likely in the next week. There's would be a delegation of Romans that would come to get you."

I nodded. "And... what do you think I should do?"

"I don't want to influence your decision one way or another."

"Chiron, please." I sighed. "You've been like a father to me in the time I was here. I want to know what you think."

He nodded slowly. "I think it would be a welcome change for you, that will take you very far in life."

"Thanks, Chiron. If you're alright with it, I'm going to do a loop of the party before telling you my answer."

"I have no issue with that." He smiled.