A Different Reality (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chp 144 - Leo's POV

MONDAY, 16th January

"Mrs. Purr, I was starting to wo..rry... you're not Mrs. Purr."

Harshad's sister, Nora, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow in mockery.

"Oh, really? What made you think that?"

The scowl, for one.

The murderous aura, for another.

"Where's maan?"

Both teens turned their eyes to Harshad, who was trying to hide behind Leo. His sister sighed, clearly uncomfortable.

"She's stuck in traffic and asked me to come pick you up. Now, let's go."

"I want to stay with Leo, I can wait for maan here, right?"

He turned his hopeful eyes to Leo, who started stammering, knowing Ryan was never thrilled about having a child on the shop on a regular basis, and extending his permanence might bring trouble to both boys.

"Well... I mean, I would... uh... I would love to? I really think that... hm... ICE CREAM!"

Harshad and his sister jumped in surprise. Leo tried to play it cool.

"I mean, it's still early, why don't we all go get ice cream?"

"Uh... no?"

Leo sighed in exasperation before turning to stare at Nora.

"Why not?"

She crossed her arms, glaring at him.

"Because it's winter?"

He mimicked her posture and could see Harshad's eyes bouncing from one teen to another.

"So? Is there a law forbidding ice cream on winter?"

"I'm just trying to understand how are you going to explain to Purnima that you took her son to get ice cream on winter."

Oh, right. That.

"... Okay, you might have a point. Cappuccino then."

"Coffee to a child?"

He opened his arms in an exaggerated manner.

"Then he gets hot chocolate, okay!? So, let's all go, spend time as good ol' siblings."

"We're the furthest from siblings as possible."

Leo winked at her, grinning like he knew a secret.

"Oh, that's just because you haven't met me yet."

She turned her head, murmuring under her breath.

"I wasn't talking about you."

Leo heard but decided not to comment, putting on a show for Harshad, promising hot chocolate with sprinkles on it.

Now, what was that about?

Maybe she took a hammer to the head as a child?

***

Try as he might, it seemed impossible to break the ice wall Nora put up, that even Harshad, as young as he was, could almost feel it physically, shivering and scooting closer to Leo.

What is wrong with her!?

"Hey, mini-me, are you a boy or a baby?"

Harshad's answer was unsure, and he kept sneaking glances at his sister like he was afraid of her.

"Hm... boy?"

"Good! Then if I give you a mission, can you do it?"

"Yes!"