Lost

29

Piper and Jason broke off from us as at the airport in New York as they had to get back to Piper's dad house.

Although Piper and I hadn't really spoken since the first day in Rome, she gave me a hug and tearful goodbye, making me promise not to do anything stupid.

We caught a cab back to camp. When we arrived Hazel, Frank, and Leo headed to their respective cabins, Calypso following Leo.

Grover sat waiting for me on the porch of the Poseidon cabin. He perked up when he saw me.

"We didn't find anything important," I told him, not in the mood to have a long discussion. "I'm super tired, I'll tell you more tomorrow."

"Chiron wants to see you," he said, blocking me from entering my cabin. "He told me to tell you to go to the Big House."

I shook my head. "No, tell him tomorrow. I'm really tired—"

"T-tell him yourself," he stuttered. "I'm j-just the messenger."

I sighed as I placed my bags on the porch and reluctantly jogged to Big House, where Chiron was already waiting for me in his wheelchair.

"I'm not up for a big lecture right now," I said as I sat across from him. "I'm super tired, so can we make this quick?"

Chiron nodded as he peered at me. I avoided his gaze. "I know you're angry about not finding anything in Rome, but you've missed too much school. You're going to flunk out."

I shrugged as I tapped my fingers against the table. "So? School isn't exactly my number one priority right now, and if I flunk out I just get more time to look for Annabeth."

"I somehow managed to convince your mortal teachers with the help of the Hecate cabin that you were in some sort of an exchange student program, along with Hazel and Frank," he said.

"Cool," I responded.

He took a deep breathe. He was clearly disappointed. "I know you're angry at me, but this is all for the best, Percy. You'll see that someday, really. And that's why you must go to school if you want to search for Annabeth."

"Time is running out! I can go to school anytime down the road, but Annabeth is in danger!" I cried.

"I know that, Percy. That's why we have so many people searching for her," he replied calmly. "You must finish your senior year."

I shook my head as I straightened up in my seat. "Just let me search on weekends, then! Or over Thanksgiving Break—!"

Chiron took a shaky breath. "You don't understand. I'll allow you to search over Christmas break, but until then you will study."

"I can't wait until then!" I yelled. "I need to search until the Winter Solstice, then I'm going back to Olympus, and then—"

"Olympus has just informed me we're not allowed to host our annual field trip," Chiron interrupted. "And unless you're suggesting we break into Olympus, there's no way we can make it there. Now, you will return to New York City and go to school. You hear me?"

I wanted to protest, but the fight had left me, so I just nodded, simply feeling numb inside.