Children of The Big Three, Book 3: Titans Curse

Chapter Seventeen: A Fork In The Road

"Hey, mom? You mind getting the cheese-it's out of the cupboard? I would but-" Percy was rudely interrupted by the door bell. His mother yelled back from the living room,

"Sorry honey! You can't open doors, so I gotta take that."

Percy sighed, why did she bother opening the door? It was always some salesman who would try to convince Sally that she needed a new vacuum, or some weird product he'd never heard of. After a moment of hesitation, because Percy was in a real vegging mood; the boy stood to his feet, ready to chase anyone who sold water or something stupid like that. However, before he could even begin to advance toward the front door, he heard his mother call to him, and she said a sentence he never would have thought would escape her lips: "Percy, your girlfriend is here!" That caused the boys eyebrows to raise in confusion and shock. The Son of Poseidon could only assume that his mother was talking about Thalia, but.. They never used the G word. In fact, the duo hadn't even talked since the event two weeks ago. The Daughter of Zeus dropped him off at home, told him she'd write, and; that was it. No letters, no words, no randomly getting struck by lightning on an afternoon walk. So naturally, Percy had spent the last two weeks thinking about how horribly he had fucked up. Perhaps it wasn't that bad, since she was visiting. The boy did his best to smooth out his hair; which was quite difficult with two casts; then headed downstairs to the front door.

He started as he came down the stairs, "Hey, what-" Percy stopped mid sentence when he saw who stood next to his mom. The Son of Poseidon knew the face, how could he have forgotten it? Yet, he had never thought he'd hear the word girlfriend and that be the face that went with it. "Zöe?" The young man stuttered out. The Nightshade had a look he'd never expected to see on her, embarrassment. In response to Percy, Zöe gave a shy smile and a wave, then turned her attention back to Sally.

"Um, yes. Would it be a bother to thou if I were to speak to the young gentlemen in private?" The Hunter asked Sally in a polite tone that Percy was sure that she rarely used.

"Oh no, not in the slightest! Just make sure that you don't have too much fun!" Sally answered with a giggle.

"Mom!"

His mom was about to give a sassy remark in rebuttal, but Zöe quickly gestured for Percy to go out to front porch with her, and he didn't have to be asked twice, more then eager for a way out. Once the door was closed, and the woman was confident that Sally couldn't hear them, she stated quickly: "I panicked."

Percy took a sharp breath; in and out. "So, you panic and the first thing you think is: 'Ah yes! I'll say I'm his girlfriend! That's sure to smooth out the situation!' " The Son of Poseidon said ima jokingly mocking tone.

There was a long pause before Zöe answered. "..Yes."

Percy chuckled. "Welp, it's gonna take about ten years to get this out of her system. So-"

"Doth Thou remember what thou said to me when thou fought my Father?" Zöe asked, a sudden serious tone had come to her voice.

"I.. Don't like to think about that day."

"I understand. But.."

"Uh.. Yeah. Somethin bout you being unappreciative?"

"After that."

"Huh? Oh, yeah! I said that I'd let you kick me in the-"

Zöe then kicked him where the sun doesn't shine.

It took a moment for the pain to settle in, but once it did, Percy let out a ear shredding scream, and fell to his knees. "You came all this way just to do that?!?" Percy yelled, his voice an octave higher then it usually was. Zöe Nightshade couldn't help but break out in a riotous laughter, so hard she had to dry her eyes of tears. The boy fell to his side, and after he laughter died down, Zöe did feel the smallest tinge of guilt. She knelt down beside Percy, and after a moment of awkward silence, she began to pet his hair. She didn't quite know  what else to do in the situation. After a solid five minutes, Percy managed to sit back up; and the two sat next to each other. There was another silence, this time a tension in the air.. Until Percy began to speak. "Hey uh.."

"Yes?"

"While I was imprisoned with team traitor.." The boy found it hard to continued.

"Yes?" Zöe once again prompted.

"I had these dreams.. About you."

"Oh?"

"Uh, yeah.. It was about; Heracles." In response, Zöe sighed.

"I see.. I understand if thou thinks me pathetic but-"

"What? What kinda idiot would get that message from seeing what happened to you?"

"Well-"

"The only thing I learned was that you shouldn't believe everything you see."

"What?"

"I used to think he was a real stand up guy, ya know? I got all my information from the Disney movie; so of course I looked up to the guy." Zöe raised an eyebrow in response. "But.. He wasn't, and.. Uh, I know this won't mean much, given the fact that you're a hunter and all; but.. Uh.. You deserve someone better then that." Percy finished with a slight nod. It was quiet for a moment, before Zöe snorted out a laugh.

"Thou art so weird, Perseus Jackson!"

"W-What do you mean?" Percy stuttered, a bit embarrassed.

"Thou really doth not know what it is to be a Greek Hero."

"And.. That's a bad thing?" Percy asked, and in response, Zöe put her head on Percy's shoulder, and closed her eyes.

"I never said that."

Percy had no idea what was going on. It felt.. Oddly comfortable to have the Hunter on his shoulder. Subconsciously, Percy began to wrap his arm around Zöe, who didn't show any hostility to the action. They sat there for what felt like hours, but in reality was merely a few minutes, until Zöe brought her head back up. Percy looked to her, and odd sparkle in her eyes.

"Hey.. Zöe. I should probably-"

"Thank you." Zöe said, this being the first time he had heard her use the word: 'You.'

"For what? Is my shoulder real comfy or somethin-" Zöe leaned forward, and placed a kiss upon Percy's lips. Then promptly stood up and dusted herself off.

"I believe I shall be going now. My Lady will begin to wonder why I have stayed to gloat so long."

"Wait-What? What does-Did that mean-hold up-"

"I hope destiny brings us together once more, Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon."

And just like that, she was gone.

A/N: So that's it! Another book down! Sorry this part took so long, but school has started up so I've been real busy. Next book may not be for a while! Hope it'll be worth the wait!