“Would you please refrain from calling me man?” Apollo/Lester asked, “It is a painful reminder that I am a man.”

“Okay… Apollo, I’m fine with driving you and Meg to camp, if that’s what you want, I never turn away a demigod who needs help—”

“Wonderful! Do you have something besides the Prius? A Maserati, perhaps? I’d settle for a Lamborghini.”

“But,” Percy continued, “I can’t get involved in another Big Prophecy or whatever. I’ve made promises.”

Apollo stared at him, obviously not quite comprehending the refusal. “Promises?”

Percy laced his fingers. They were long and nimble. He would’ve made an excellent musician. “I lost most of my junior year because of the war with Gaea. I’ve spent this entire fall playing catch-up with all my classes. If I want to go to college with (User) next fall, I have to stay out of trouble and get a diploma.”

“(User)?” Apollo tried to place the name. “She’s the mean, scary one?”

“Sounds about right. I promised her specifically that I wouldn’t get myself killed while she’s gone.”

“Gone?”

“She’s at Camp for a few weeks. Chiron needed some help. The point is—”

“You refuse to help me because of your girlfriend?”

I was outraged!

How dare Percy Jackson refuse me!?

And for a girl, no less?

Down right disgusting.

I eyed a photo of her on the mantle.

She had her arms around Percy, and both were laughing.

It looked as though it was taken at Time Square.

Sally seemed to like (User), not the best scenario for my persuasion ideas.