The Forgotten Olympian |BOOK 1| PJO X HP | Alexandra Marine

Chapter 13 - Alex - Meet Mom

New York city was amazing. That's the one word I might use. But because I'm me and I love chaos, I can use that word. I wouldn't be sure anyone not so abnormal as me would use those same words to describe it.

Anyway, our first stop was Central Park, because apparently Percy loves it. And then we went on this huge circle thing- whatever it's called- wheel thing.

Then, after all that, I threw up, because going on the wheel after lunch was probably not a good idea because *cough* Zeus *cough*.

Percy ran to the washroom right after I did. I was glad to know I wasn't the only one with the allergy.

Both of us exited the washroom with faces as purple as Vernon Dursley's and clenching our hands' to the stomach as Nico Di Angelo, a Hades kid that I'd only met that morning rushed past us and into the washroom, his hand over his mouth.

"Ah, I guess lightning dude does hate his brothers," I told Percy as we drank a large glass of water with an antacid tablet dissolving in it. Percy nodded, trying his best not to speak. I think he was afraid that he might have to throw up again.

Finally, after throwing up at least two more times, Percy led me to his mom's apartment. It was a large apartment, and Percy told me that Paul Blofis, his stepdad was now contributing to the family income and so they could afford an actual apartment because the last one was no good.

Percy's mom was a strikingly beautiful woman, if I say so myself. She had a smile as warm as a quilt and sparkling blue eyes that changed color in the light. Her hair was long and brown with a few streaks of grey, but her warmth, her bright smile and her sparkling eyes made her seem no more than twenty.

"Oh, Percy!" she said as her son entered, and hugged him tight. I smirked as I watched Percy's face go purple again.

"Mom, as much-" he started. And then, he swallowed, and said. "Don't. I'm gonna throw up."

However, Mrs. Jackson did not leave him that easy. She hugged for a moment longer, and then let him go. Percy's face was still purple but it seemed like he was able to control it. I didn't even want to think about mine.

"Mom-" Percy said, struggling, "this is my sister, Alexandra-"

But he didn't have to finish that sentence because Mrs. Jackson had done that herself. "Marine!" she exclaimed, and smiled widely. And then, she did the unthinkable. She gave me a hug. A literal stranger. Probably because I was like her son's half- sister? I don't know.

But it felt good. It felt so good, like being wrapped around a thick shawl in winter, so that all you feel is the warmth, not too hot, not too cold. It felt like the cold side of my pillow, the momentary satisfaction you get when you dip your cookie into the milk and it doesn't break off, and it's the perfect width to fit into your glass. I wanted to cry tears of happiness. She smelled like chocolate, licorice, and everything else one would find in a candy shop, even though Percy had told me she'd stopped working there.

My eyes were welled up with tears when Mrs. Jackson pulled away. Percy was grinning behind us, and then he turned away, feeling blue (pun intended).

"Percy's told me all about you, dear," Mrs. Jackson said, smiling. "You poor thing. You must have been so strong to have overcome all of that and make your way to New York."

"Thanks, Mrs. Sally Jackson," I said.

"Now, no need to be so formal," Mrs. Jackson said, "you can call me Sally or Mom."

At this, even Percy's jaw dropped. I stared at the woman for twenty whole seconds before I realized my mouth was open as well and closed it. Mom? Seriously? I barely knew her. But my heart wanted this. I wanted a dam family and she knew it. She was a dam good detective. (Yeah, Percy told all about that incident.)

I looked towards Percy and shot him my super rare 'are-you-okay-with-this' look. He stared at me for two seconds before closing his mouth. Another two seconds later, his face broke into a grin. I smiled back at him, and looked to Mrs. Jackson.

"Alright," I said, "Mom."

"That's more like it," Mrs. Jackson- sorry, Mom, said. "Now come in before the cookies get cold."

This seemed to have gotten Percy's attention cause he was no longer purple, and he ran inside with his dirty socks still on to the kitchen as fast as a sailfish or a motorboat, except more at the speed of light. Mom chuckled and I smiled.

Thankfully, my socks were actually clean. I removed my sneakers, left them outside and walked alongside Mom into the house.

"By any chance, do you know how to talk in a British accent?" Mom asked.

I nodded. "Why?"

"I'm writing a book and I wanted to know how they talk- their style of vocabulary, and the sort-"

"Ouch!" Percy yelped from the kitchen and we left the topic to run to the kitchen to find him running his hand under water. He pouted. "It's still hot," he said, and looked at his mom with sad eyes.

Mom and I looked at each other and then back to Percy, who was staring at the cookies longingly. And then we burst into laughter at the same time. Percy stared at us, completely revolted by the fact that we were laughing at him and we were not able to relate with his urge to literally gobble down the cookies in one go.

"What's all that noise?" a honey smooth voice rang down the hall, and a man, around thirty-something, with long-ish salt and pepper hair, crazy green eyes and the whole figure of what could be an actor walked in, a pen stuck in his hair and his glasses askew.

"I fell asleep correcting those papers," he said, walking over to the cookie tray. He plucked one from it and began to much on it happily. "Oh, hello Percy- and you must be-"

"Alexandra Marine," I said, introducing myself.

"Paul Blofis, Sally's husband," he introduced himself, nodding at me, too immersed in his cookie to shake extend a hand to shake. "I'm the English Teacher at Goode High School."

"Now, Paul has pulled a few strings at Goode," Mom said, smiling. "You should get ready for your first day in the next few weeks."

I waited for her to shout, 'just kidding,' but it never came. And then I opened my mouth, "Woah, you're serious?"

"Of course I'm serious," said Mom, her eyebrow arched, "why would I lie about that?"

"I'm just-" I started, and realized I could find no words to say except, "Thank you."

Percy was grinning behind Mom and put up a thumbs up.