Child of lightning-Percy Jackson X reader-Book two

I actually learned something important in math class, who would have thought?

As I sat and looked at the sunset I couldn't help but be still. Percy and I hadn't spoken a word all night, of course after Percy fell asleep Clarisse had a lot to say about that.

Despite literally everyone's protest she just kept bugging me, asking me what was up. Of course she didn't really care. She could just tell that she was getting on my nerves. It also didn't help that she was beyond bored and in need of entertainment.

Eventually I lost it and shouted at her. "Will you just leave me alone!"

After that no one really talked.

I guess in retrospect I should have just answered her. I think the reason I didn't though was because I didn't know what to say. Why was I so upset? Nothing had changed. Still, I was kinda a wreck. Only on the inside of course. After a while I just put on a natural face and stared ahead. No one else should have had to be bothered by me.

Then on top of my heavy heart I started to feel sick. I could tell that we were back to the regular ocean.

Percy and my hippocampus eventually fell behind the group. Maybe it could feel the tension in the air. Or maybe the creature just wanted to annoy me, I wouldn't be all too surprised.

At some point I fell asleep too. Before I did though I wiggled my way around and took the seat in the front. I would rather learn up against the horse-mermaid then Percy.

Then I was woken up to a gentle tap.

"Joey?" I heard an almost hesitant voice.

My eyes peeled open. In front of me was a beautiful sight. The sun was setting over a city skyline. It was almost like New York, except for all the tiny details. There were bright palm trees and glowing neon storefronts. Closest to us though was a harbor full of ships.

Then I suddenly sat up straight when I realized who must have awoken me. "Oh, urm Percy. I'm up."

I should have turned around to face him but I didn't want to. What was wrong with me?

"We're almost at land." He said. "Annabeth thinks we're in Miami."

"Wait, Miami? How long was I asleep?" I asked

I could feel him shake his head. "I don't think that long. The hippocampi just move fast...they're acting weird though. This is as far as they say they'll take us. Too many humans. Too much pollution. We'll have to swim to shore on our own."

Believe me when I say I wasn't the only one not pumped for that. On top of the obvious my clothes had just gotten semi dry.

Nonetheless everyone followed Percy's plan. We thanked Rainbow and his friends for the ride. Well, it was more like Percy thanked them through his weird sea creature telepathy and the rest of us just nodded along, but still. Tyson collected up his makeshift saddle, which contained his tool kit and a couple of other things he'd salvaged from the Birmingham wreck. He hugged Rainbow around the neck and cried. Finally, after giving the creature a soggy old mango Tyson was ready to go.

Once the hippocampi's white manes disappeared into the sea, we swam for shore. It was a slight struggle but in the end we all got back to the coast line in one piece. It was slightly odd to be back in the mortal world after what we had just gone through. I mean, to one side there was a group of teenage girls gossiping about some guy named "Brandon" and to the other side there was us. All drenched in old tattered clothes with scratches and bloodstains. I swear, we must have looked like a bunch of lost puppies. Weirdly enough though, no one really seemed to find us that out of the ordinary. Or at least if they did they didn't show any signs.