Chapter: The Return of Percy
(Aries' POV)
Life in Keif's house had somehow become louder, messier, and ten times more chaotic since Jay moved in.
And honestly?
I wasn't even surprised anymore.
At this point, if the ceiling fell down or someone set the kitchen on fire, I'd probably just grab popcorn and watch.
That morning Jay, Ci n, Ella, and I were sitting in the living room. Jay was half lying on the couch scrolling through her phone while Ella braided her hair.
Ci n was eating cereal like he hadn't seen food in three days.
And me?
I was enjoying the rare moment of peace.
Then the doorbell rang.
Ci n looked up.
"Who's that?"
Jay didn't even look up from her phone.
"Probably another victim of this house."
I walked to the door and opened it.
And froze.
Standing there with a backpack slung over one shoulder and the same annoying smirk I remembered was—
Percy Jackson.
For two seconds my brain stopped working.
Then I grabbed him by the shoulders.
"YOU'RE ALIVE?!"
Percy laughed.
"Nice to see you too, Aries."
Behind me Jay suddenly sat up straight.
"…Wait."
Ci n looked toward the door.
"Who is it?"
Percy stepped inside casually.
"Miss me?"
Jay's eyes widened.
"PERCY?!"
She jumped off the couch so fast the pillow fell to the floor.
Ella gasped.
Ci n nearly dropped his cereal bowl.
Jay ran forward and hugged Percy tightly.
"You idiot! Everyone thought you were dead!"
Percy hugged her back, laughing.
"Relax, I'm harder to kill than that."
From the stairs a familiar voice spoke.
"Did someone say Percy?"
Keif appeared.
The moment Percy saw him, his grin widened.
"Still alive too?"
Keif smirked and pulled him into a quick hug.
"Unfortunately for you."
I leaned against the wall watching them.
And just like that…
The three idiots reunited.
Percy looked around the house.
"So this is where all the chaos happens."
Ci n pointed at Jay.
"Blame her."
Jay immediately threw a pillow at him.
"Shut up."
Percy dropped his bag on the couch.
"So you guys are all living here now?"
Ella nodded.
"Basically."
Percy rubbed his hands together.
"Perfect."
Jay narrowed her eyes.
"That 'perfect' sounded suspicious."
Keif slung an arm around Percy's shoulder.
"Oh nothing."
I stepped closer and crossed my arms.
"We were just thinking…"
Jay looked between the three of us slowly.
"No."
Percy grinned.
"…that Jay has become too comfortable here."
Keif nodded seriously.
"Very comfortable."
I added,
"Which means…"
All three of us looked at her.
"…it's time to annoy her."
Jay stared at us for a moment.
Then she slowly stood up.
Ci n whispered excitedly.
"Oh this is going to be good."
Percy smirked.
"Alright Jay, first question."
Jay crossed her arms.
"Go ahead."
Percy leaned against the table.
"When did you start stealing Keif's hoodies?"
Jay blinked.
Then answered calmly.
"Same day Keif started stealing my snacks."
Ci n gasped dramatically.
"EXPOSED."
Keif pointed at Percy.
"Your turn."
Percy grinned.
"Jay, how many times a day do you fight with Keif?"
Jay tilted her head.
"How many times do you breathe?"
Ella started laughing.
I smirked.
"Alright my turn."
Jay looked at me.
"Yes, brother?"
"When are you planning to stop bullying everyone in this house?"
Jay walked toward me slowly.
Then stopped right in front of me.
"You mean the same way you bullied your way into this house and ate all Keif's food yesterday?"
Ci n clapped loudly.
"DAMN."
Percy laughed.
Keif shook his head.
"Okay okay, new one."
He leaned closer to Jay.
"Why are you always in my room?"
Jay didn't even hesitate.
"Because your room has better taste than you."
Percy nearly fell over laughing.
Ci n shouted,
"ROASTED!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"You're enjoying this too much."
Jay smirked proudly.
"You three thought you could tease me?"
She pointed at Percy.
"You disappeared for weeks and came back like nothing happened."
Then she pointed at Keif.
"You broke your own bed and blamed it on a pillow fight."
Ci n burst into laughter again.
Jay turned to me.
"And you…"
I sighed.
"…here it comes."
"You complain about this family every day but never leave."
Ella laughed.
"She got you there."
Percy held his stomach laughing.
"Aries, she destroyed you."
Keif raised his hands.
"Alright, truce."
Jay crossed her arms smugly.
"That's what I thought."
Percy shook his head.
"I forgot how scary you are."
Jay dropped back onto the couch like a queen.
"You didn't forget."
She grabbed the remote.
"You just needed a reminder."
Keif sat beside her.
Percy leaned against the couch.
And for the first time since Percy arrived…
The house felt strangely complete again.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Annoying.
But complete.
And somehow…
Jay still managed to roast every single one of us.