𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒛𝒆 - pjo x hp [₂]

xxxvi. friends from all over

"𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒? 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐒? 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐇? 𝐒𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃?" Raya asked Percy as he got into the back of Hedge's Jeep. She was borrowing it for the eight hour drive from New York to Maine, on her way to some boarding school. Hedge had not been happy about it, but he'd begrudgingly agreed after Raya told him she'd get him some tin cans during the trip. Also he liked Raya too much to actually say no to her.

Kayse's eyebrows raised slightly from the passenger seat as he heard Raya's list of priorities. "Well that escalated quickly," he muttered drily.

Percy grinned as he fist bumped Kayse. The two had never met each other before, but they'd been hoping to for a while now. Raya was glad they already liked each other. 

"Yes mother," the younger boy said in response to Raya's questioning. "I got all of it. As if I'd forget anything."

"Right. You're Percy Jackson, boy who's definitely never forgotten anything ever," Raya mumbled sarcastically, a grin on her face as she started the Jeep and began driving. She spoke to both boys as she turned the radio down so they could hear her. "We'll pick up Annabeth and Thalia from this cafe on the way. Annabeth sent me their location a few minutes ago. I hope they bring donuts."

"I could kill for some Dunkin' right now," Kayse muttered wistfully.

"Ugh, me too," Percy nodded, doing his seatbelt, and then kicking his feat up on the empty seats next to him. He and Raya had always had easy sense of conversation between them, and Kayse seemed to fit right in. The trio of them talked together, catching up on their time apart and (or getting to know each other in Kayse and Percy's case).

When Percy found out about the Christmas Day Knicks tickets, he began to practically vibrate in his seat. "Seriously dude? How the hell did you even manage to get those? They're insanely expensive. Ugh, the Knicks are gonna slap the Raps' asses."

"Language," Raya scolded halfheartedly.

"I pulled a few strings," Kayse shrugged. Despite his easygoing tone, the words came out suspiciously ominously, making Raya roll her eyes.

"What he means is that he's been stalking the resell prices, and found a sick deal," She clarified to Percy.

"Oh," Percy nodded. "I thought he was involved in something shady for a second there."

"Nah," Kayse waved a hand. "I'd be sharing too much insider info to Raya. Probably would be considered a liability for that reason alone."

Raya pulled up to the cafe that the girls were in, waiting a few moments until they got in the back seat. Annabeth held a box of donuts in her hand, which made Raya grin in excitement.

"Hey guys," Raya greeted them. She winked at Percy, motioning to the box of donuts. "Daughter of the prophecy God strikes again."

"Hi," Annabeth waved. She took out a sprinkled donut and held it out to Raya. "For you."

Raya grinned as she took it. "My favourite. Thanks, Annie. Gonna make your wedding invites prettier than Grover's."

Annabeth laughed at the reminder of the stupid inside joke they shared, winking playfully in response. Kayse and Percy took their pick of donuts as everyone got comfortable in the Jeep. Thalia was sipping on a hot drink, having already finished her donut inside the cafe.

"Alright, settle in," Raya told them. "It's still about a seven hour drive to Westover Hall and Grover didn't seem excited to wait that long for us. Which obviously means there's a monster involved."

"Yippee," Thalia muttered sarcastically. "Just what we need."

Raya grinned at Thalia's sarcasm before she pulled out of the parking lot and began the drive. The car was filled with bickering and banter and conversation and some crappy singing. Raya smiled to herself as she enjoyed the presence of the group.