The Mock-Up

Percy POV

My knee wouldn't stop shaking up and down. I was anxiously waiting for Dr. Apollo to come into his medical office. Tyson was sleeping on the seat next to me. His large head was leaning against my shoulder, but I didn't mind.

Dr. Apollo said that we would discuss Tyson's progress today. It's been several months of chemotherapy. Hestia and I were in dire need of some good news.

Finally, Dr. Apollo walked into the room.

He was holding a folder full of documents. Apollo greeted me with a sunny smile before placing the papers on his desk.

"I know that you're probably nervous, Percy."

"That would be the understatement of the century, doctor. Can you please cut the fake conversation and come to the point?" I asked urgently.

"Is Hestia not joining us today?"

"Aunt Hestia is taking care of Estelle, who woke up with a slight cold today. She's all right, but we figured that someone should stay with her," I paused. "Um, do you need Hestia here to share the news about Tyson?"

I was starting to get even more nervous. If Apollo wanted a real adult in the room, then it probably meant that the news wasn't great. Right?

Dr. Apollo sighed and opened Tyson's folder. A few scans were waiting for him to analyze. I couldn't quite read his emotions. Ugh, why do doctors have to have such good poker faces when talking to patients and families?

"Well, I usually like having the whole family present when I have good news."

I blinked once and then twice. He said it so casually, but the brilliant smile on his face demonstrated the reality of his news.

"WAIT, ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I exclaimed in joy.

Tyson jolted out of his slumber thanks to via excited shout. He looked around in a panic, but I easily wrapped my arms around my little brother. "What's happening?" he asked quietly.

"Tyson, you're getting better," Apollo expressed. "The scans and bloodwork show that compared to a few months ago, you're much less cancerous. There is a much lower count of leukemia cells in your blood."

"I don't know what that means," Tyson murmured. He was just a kid. Of course, he doesn't know what that means. I barely know what it means.

However, one thing was clear: Tyson's getting better.

It showed in his symptoms too. His chemotherapy makes him sick, but the other symptoms such as fever and body pains have lessened over the past few weeks.

Dr. Apollo smiled and crouched in front of Tyson. "It means that you're going to be okay, Tyson. However, we'll continue chemotherapy until you get fully better."

I nodded in agreement.

Tyson isn't out of the woods yet. But, kids are resilient.

Furthermore, this is fantastic news for our family. Considering all the hardships recently (especially with Poseidon), I needed Tyson to be making progress. Thank goodness that my prayers were being heard by someone.

A huge smile graced Tyson's face.

"Percy, I'm getting better," he shrieked excitedly. His arms wrapped around me and he squeezed. I hugged him back just as tight.

Tyson is a big kid for his age. He was plushy, which means that he gives the best hugs. I love my little brother so much, and I was so excited that he was getting cured. This also proved that we don't need Poseidon or his help. We don't need charity from the man who abandoned us years ago. We are fine on our own.

I couldn't deny Tyson's requests for ice cream on our way home.

I ended up buying Tyson ice cream and a new bike. After seeing the happiness on his face, I couldn't help myself from overindulging.

Hey, if Tyson's getting better, then he can have whatever he wants.

***

"It took you long enough to finally bring me to a jewelry store. G-man, what took you so long to buy me a ring?" I asked sassily.

"Shut up, Percy. This isn't for you," Grover said.

Grover's eyes washed over the rows and rows of rings inside the display. We were at a private jewelry shop in Midtown. I came along with Grover for moral support. He was nervous about picking out a ring. He wanted it to be perfect.

I told him that the ring doesn't matter much. Juniper is gonna say YES, regardless. Even so, buying a diamond ring is a big deal.

"Hey, Percy. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever," the shopkeeper addressed.

"I know right," I exclaimed.

I laughed while turning my attention to the poofy-haired African American girl. her golden eyes matched the jewelry that she was selling. Hazel has been my friend since college. Even after I dropped out, we remained friends.

I gratefully accepted her embrace. Hazel always gives off a nurturer vibe.

"The shop looks great, Hazel. I'm so proud of you."

"Aww. Thanks, Percy. I'm so happy with how the shop turned out. This is the third business for the Levesque Jewelry brand."

I looked around the one-story shop. It was a private jewelry shop, so the features were a lot more unique and custom-made. The walls were painted like rustic wood. Light chandeliers lit the room. Of course, white lights were illuminating the jewelry stands.

"Anyway, what are you guys here for?" she asked.

Her gaze wandered to the jewelry that we were looking at. A bright smile entered her face as she squealed.

"OH MY GOD, IT'S ABOUT TIME."

"THAT'S WHAT I SAID," I shouted with her.

"Grover is finally growing up. Gods, I'm feeling emotional just thinking about it," I expressed dramatically. I wiped fake tears from my face.

Hazel laughed while the other customers and employees turned towards the commotion. Grover blushed heavily while I rubbed his shoulder. He gets embarrassed so easily. And, when Grover is embarrassed, he looks like a goat. As such, G-man actually stands for Goat-man.

"Maybe I can help with the ring selection," Hazel suggested. "I know the types of jewelry that my friends like."

She pulled out a tray of rings from a nearby display. I stared at the rings that she brought out. After seeing these, I realized that Grover and I were wasting time looking at the other rings. These diamonds were beautiful, but the main feature was that they have a certain earthiness.

For example, one of the rings had an oval-shaped diamond with a gold band. It looked like a leaf, and the cuts of the diamond further emphasized that shape.

Grover pointed to the same ring that I was looking at.

Hazel used gloves to remove that ring and place it in a ring box. Then, she carefully handed it to Grover. We examined it more closely.

It was a medium-sized diamond, but Grover could afford it. The more attractive quality was its resemblance to nature. Juniper loves nature.

"She will like this ring. I know it," Grover whispered with a small smile.

I nodded while patting my best friend's back. He was making the right choice with this ring and his future bride. Juniper and Grover were perfect for each other, and they were going to make an amazing married couple and become phenomenal parents.

I know that I was joking before, but I could cry right now.

The ring was pure just like their relationship.

I thought about when I'll be buying a ring for my future wife. I only intend to do it once with the right person. I want to be with someone who I love most and who loves me most. Life may throw troubles at us, but we would always find each other again.

The most important thing is simply being with each other. That's all that matters. I want to marry someone like that.

Suddenly, Annabeth flashed into my mind, and I smiled. For the first time, I didn't shake my thoughts away. Instead, I held onto her image for as long as possible.

***

When I got to work on Friday, a package was waiting for me. It was a simple, 12-by-12 cardboard box, but a small gray bow was pasted on the top.

I stared at the present in confusion.

For a second, my mind reeled with things that I've seen in the movies. Some employee receives a box on their desk, and it turns out to be a bomb. The whole building explodes after the person opens the 'gift.'

Gosh, what's wrong with me? I'm not some fictional character. No bomb or weapons will ever be targeted at me.

The downside to being a writer is having a vivid imagination.

I sighed before sitting on my desk and staring at the present. I wondered if I should even open the gift. There was no indication of the recipient on the outside of the box. Meh, whatever, I'm not going to deny a present. That would be truly foolish.

I gently lifted the cover of the box and looked inside. No explosion. So, that's good news for me.

Instead, a novel was waiting inside the box.

Say Hello to the Stars.

I simply gazed at the novel and its title before taking it out of the box. As I scrolled through the pages, I realized that it was my book. It was my writing. The chapters were formatted and separated. Copyright and author information, acknowledgments, and summaries were in their appropriate places.

The front cover was nice. It reminded me of Half-Blood Hill. A boy was standing next to the tree. He was wearing an astronaut helmet and pointing to the stars above him. The image was at night, so the sky was filled with glittering stars.

What the freaking-? What? How?

I looked in the box to find a letter inside. The envelope was addressed to Annabeth's apartment. However, the contents of the letter were for me.

Hello Percy,

This is a mock-up of your novel. We will expect you to read through the novel and provide revisions and edits by the end of next week. If all goes well, the publication process will start next week. We can discuss more details over the phone after you receive the package. Congratulations on your novel.

Sincerely,

Zoe Nightshade, Artemis (The Hunters Publishing Group)

I immediately grabbed my novel and stared at my name on the bottom of the front cover. Since the book is for the youth, the font on the front and back covers was an easily legible cursive (as per my request). My eyes watered as my fingers trailed the cover.

My dream was coming true. My book was getting published, and this is the first mock-up copy of my work.

And, I have one person to thank.

I went towards Annabeth's office and knocked loudly. The door clicked within a second, and I rushed into the room.

Annabeth was waiting for me. She was standing in front of her desk and gazing at my face. A light smile graced her features once she saw me. Her right hand brushed some hair behind her neck.

"How did you do this?" I asked in awe. I started walking towards her.

"It just took a little bit of persuasion. I figured that since you're helping so much, this is the least that I could do," Annabeth paused. "I do care about your success, and I wanted to-"

She couldn't finish her sentence because I launched myself at her. My hands wrapped around her body as I held her with all my might.

"Thank you so much," I whispered. "I literally have no words. Thank you."

I practically lifted her off the ground as I whirled her around in happiness. Annabeth laughed while hugging me back.

Before we knew it, we were both laughing in each other's arms.

And, we created a perfect balance.