The Adventures of the Parker Boys (And How They Became Avengers)

II

June 2006

Percy woke up from his strange dream shivering. "Come on Percy, it's the last day of school, you don't want to be late!" Aunt May calls from the kitchen.

Percy got up, he was going to finish this year without getting expelled or blowing the school up. He pulls Riptide out from under his pillow and gets ready for school. Percy smiles, one more day until Camp Half-Blood.

In the kitchen, Aunt May is helping Peter eat breakfast, "Hi Percy, I made you some eggs and blue waffles."

"Thanks Aunt May," Percy replies looking at the food, but he couldn't stop thinking about Grover.

"What's up Percy, you usually love blue waffles?" Aunt May asks.

"Nothing, I just had a bad dream," Percy replies. He hated keeping his life a secret from Aunt May, but he didn't want her to worry too much about him.

"Remember, it's just a dream," Aunt May says, "How about after school I take you and Tyson to the skateboard shop you like in Rockefeller Center."

Percy smiles, they never went to the shop due to money being tight. Aunt May and Uncle Ben never expected to have two kids on their hands so suddenly. "Wait a minute," Percy says frowning, "I thought we were packing me up for camp tonight."

Aunt May sighs, "I'm sorry Percy...Mr. Chiron called last night. They're having some technical issues at camp and it's not safe for campers, so no camp this summer." Percy sighs, obviously Chiron didn't want him to go, but why. Camp Half-Blood was the safest place for demigods.

Aunt May looks at the clock, "Oh Percy, it's seven-thirty. You should go, Tyson will be waiting." When Percy goes to protest, she sighs, "I'll see what I can do, we'll talk after school."

"Ok," Percy says reluctantly knowing that he had to go and meet Tyson. He grabs his bag, "Bye Aunt May, bye Peter!" Percy waves walking out the door.

"Bye Percy, see you after school!" Aunt May replies picking up Peter who is also waving.

December 2006

Thalia peered out the car window, "Oh, yeah. This'll be fun." She says spotting the castle looming above them.

"Are you sure, you don't want me to wait?" Aunt May asks looking around wearily.

"Yeah, it's just a school dance, and Annabeth's dad will bring us home tomorrow," Percy replies repeating the lie.

"Are you sure, I can just wait here, no problem," Aunt May asks again.

"It's okay Mrs. Parker, we'll have him home before you know it. Plus, you've got to get Peter home, it looks like he's falling asleep," Annabeth says pointing to the snoozing preschooler.

"Ok, do you guys have everything you need?" Aunt May asks.

"Yes, Mrs. Parker," Thalia says, "Thanks for the ride."

"Extra jackets? Do you have my cell phone number?"

"Aunt May, we'll be fine," Percy says exiting the car. Annabeth and Thalia follow him and Aunt May slowly pulls away.

"Your aunt is so cool, Percy, but why don't you tell her about demigods?" Thalia asks.

"She would worry too much, and both she and Ben are overwhelmed already, I don't want to put that on their shoulders as well," Percy replies, "What about you? You ever get in touch with your mom?" Percy asks instantly regretting it when he sees Thalia's face.