Mortals Meet Demigods

Josh Andersen

Hi, I'm Josh. Today I'm flying to New York on vacation from my boarding school. I'm meeting up with my mom's  friend Percy Jackson, but I don't know how they know each other. I never asked. Maybe it would be a good idea to ask him. Apparently he's bringing his wife and two children, and one of his kids is my age. 

And mom says he's an Olympic swimmer. That's so cool! His friends are also coming because they lead very busy lives and rarely see each other during vacations. At least that's what my mom told me.

She said to meet him at the Empire State Building at 12:00. Percy Jackson has a tour arranged, so that will be cool.

I'm leaving the airport, and manage to hail a cab to take me. All my stuff fits in one suitcase. I'm a light packer. And I'm only staying for a week.

He driver parks, I tip him, I grab my stuff, get out, and he drives away without saying a word. New York sure is friendly.

Going into the building, I see a man with messy black hair. He also sees me. 

"Josh Anderson?" Asks the man.

"Percy Jackson...?"

"That's me. Here, I'll take your bags. Annabeth is in the car with the kids waiting for our friends."

I don't give him my suitcase, because I'm kind of not trusting, but I do shake his hand. He seems friendly. I follow him out to the car.

A blond woman exits the car. "Hi Josh, I'm Annabeth, Percy's wife. Let's put your things in the car, and you can meet the kids." I'm not very trusting, but Annabeth seems very kind. So does Percy, so I'll trust them.

I place my suitcase in the very fancy car, and then turn around. 

"Hi, I'm Luke Jackson." The boy looks about 13, and he had messy black hair and gray eyes. He's wearing an orange shirt that said Camp Half-Blood.

"Josh Andersen. Nice to meet you."

Luke moves out of the way, and I saw a girl my age, about 16. And I'm understating this, but she was literally the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She had long curly blond hair, and a mixture of sea green and gray eyes. She wore a gray shirt and jean shorts, and had a pen tucked behind her ear. 

"Hi, I'm Silena Jackson, nice to meet you." She held out her hand. Her nails had glittery blue polish that complimented her eye color.

"Josh. Josh Anderson. Likewise."

"Smart. That's good. Hey mom when Jas getting here?" That last part was towards Annabeth.

"Piper, Jason, Tristan, and Jasper should be here right about... now."

And true to her word, another fancy looking car pulled up in the parking space next to us. Another kind looking lady stuck her head out of the window. "Are we late Annabeth?"

"No Piper, this is Percy's friend's son Josh. Josh this is Piper Grace. She also has two children. A boy and girl."

A girl with bobbed brown hair and blue eyes vaulted out of the car. "Sil!" She cried, lunging at Silena. "I have been stuck in a car with Tristan for an hour! Help me!"

Silena gave the girl a hug. "Tristan's not bad Jasper. He's sweet." Her cheeks turned a slight pale pink. "Anyway, go meet Josh." She pushed the girl, "Jasper" towards me. "He'll be staying with us for a week."

Silena hugged Jasper's mother, Piper I think, then stood outside the car and waited for someone.

"I'm Jasper. You must be Josh. My brother Tristan is your age."