First Day (01)

Kastor texts back a laughing emoji and replies:
I'm sure you have some cantrip for fixing your pretty hair. See you in a few minutes.

Your dad packs up the trash and his tools and heads inside - leaving you to text in peace.

I smirk at the quip and it feels like...flirting? Maybe? Annika will hate me for all of this, but I don't really care.

I send Kastor a quick stuck-out-tongue emoji in response, then head inside to wash my hands and grab my purse before he arrives. I should tell Soph my plans too so she knows we won't be carpooling.

In Soph's room (with JS "kicked out" and sulking in the bathroom), you tell her you aren't carpooling and you're going with Kastor. "Kastor? Are you serious? I thought he hated you."

"I know, I did too," I tell Soph as I go sit on the edge of her bed. "But then Annika cheated on him this summer and it feels like...maybe he's finally ready to forgive me, you know?" I press my lips together, hesitant to ask, but then I can't help myself. "If he wants to hook up again, do you think I should go for it?"

"If you want to ride that pogo stick again, go for it, chica!" Soph answers with a broad grin. "But! You have to tell me all about it, Jay. Let me live vicariously through your illicit affairs now that I'm a taken woman."

I laugh at her description, shaking my head like she's ridiculous - which she is, but in the best way. I try not to let my smile slip when she mentions needing to live vicariously through me when I know Booker hasn't had the same limitations. I mean, I don't know that he's always chosen his...extra partners, and I don't know how often those excursions arise, but I know enough. Too much, really.

"Then I guess I should tell you Knox and I were literally mid-thrust before dinner when JS knocked on the door and wanted to have a whole conversation."

Her eyes widen comically before she bursts out with barks of laughter. "Are you cereal, Jay? He was... and you were... and she just - did she see anything?!?"

I nod in answer to her half-asked questions until she gets to the last one. "No, no, I'm pretty sure she didn't actually see anything. I had the door locked, thank gods. I had a robe on when I answered it and Knox was getting dressed heading for the closet. I'm pretty sure she doesn't actually know what she interrupted." I lean back on my hand a bit. "I talked to her about Skylar though. I think it sobered her up enough that it won't be an issue. But she wants to be...grown up, Soph. Like, she wants to be included."

Her eyes widen, "You did? She won't be going after that slimeball? Good. Thanks, Jay." She reaches a hand over to place it on yours, "I know she wants to act the way she looks. But she's still my baby, Jay."

You hear a motorcycle rumble down your street, then your phone buzzes with a text:
I'm outside.

I resist the urge to remind Soph that Skylar's not a slimeball when my own tattooed dark-haired guy pulls up. Thinking of Kastor as "mine" comes so naturally I almost don't notice. And when I do, I feel almost guilty. I shouldn't still feel that way about him. He's his own person - his own demigod - just like me. I shouldn't claim him...if he doesn't want me to.

I get up and give Soph a quick hug. "Of course she is," I tell her. "She always will be." I take a step back. "See you at the party!"

I head down the stairs, a lightness in my step and moving fast so I don't get nervous and do something stupid.

You pass by your father and JS sitting in front of the TV watching some sitcom and head outside to see him. He's still so gorgeous. Even hotter sitting on that motorcycle in his leather jacket. He gives you a nod and the tiniest of smiles, enough to make your tummy flip. Sitting behind him is the helmet he got you way back - it's been years now. "Hey. You look cute," he says casually. He's wearing jeans and a dark shirt under his jacket.

I head up to the bike and pick up the helmet - my helmet. "Thanks, you too," I reply, sticking my tongue out at him quickly and winking. I pull the helmet on before he can change his mind about all of this.

Getting on his bike behind him is nothing like the first time. Then, I was all awkward about it. Awkward touching him, awkward with the bike, unsure. Now it’s like…well, it’s like riding a bike. I slip on behind him, my hands on his waist, scooted close where it’s more secure, the hem of my dress pushing up my thighs as I settle.

"Let’s party."

Kastor pulls away from the curb and you feel the wind blow and play at your clothes as he drives away from your home. He uses the small headset mic to talk to you in your helmet, "I assume the party will have food? Persy wasn't big on details."

"So much food," I answer. "And booze, of course. Knox said it's a whole thing. Any idea where Dionysus got the inspiration?"

"Persy said it's the summer solstice on Protigi and your mother agreed to come to the party, so Dionysus has thrown all of this together," Kastor answers as he takes a turn, leaning into it so that you need to hug him tighter. "Are you going to get messed up tonight?"

Summer solstice? I never thought about Protigi being at a different point in the year than here. The thought gives me a moment’s pause as I, once again, feel guilty for not going.

"Dionysus kind of has a…thing for my mom. It’s weird, but I can’t really hold it against them." I squeeze a little closer to Kastor as we take the corner, our bodies tight together, keeping balanced.

"It’s a school night," I answer him. "And my mom’s going to be there, so probably not as much as I would otherwise. But I do want to have some fun. School was so frelling stressful. It’s only been one day and I’m already in need of an escape. You?"

"I'm more worried about how this might erupt into trouble," Kastor answers evenly. "The titans left for Protigi just a few months ago. This is the first time back on Earth for them. Are they here to party?"

I hesitate for just a moment, his doubt creating doubt in me, then I answer, "Of course they are. They built a whole world, all for themselves, to avoid a war. Why would they come back just to start one? If they cause problems, it would just bring trouble to their brand new planet."