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“I’m gonna go to the skatepark, mom! Be back in a bit!”
“Okay, love you!” Sally called to her son. “Be safe, be back by dinner.”
“Will do!”
Percy grabbed his custom board and raced out the door with a whoop, excited to be going to the park. It was basically the only normal mortal pastime he had at this point, so he was determined to keep it whatever it took. He skated the few blocks to the park, and jumped for joy at seeing the essentially deserted place. The park he chose to go to was one of the most unfrequented ones he knew of. He preferred not to have many people around while skating.
He set up his board and began to go up and down the half-pipe, throwing in a few flips and ollies that always made him laugh. He was just so much better at skateboarding than being a demigod, he thought sadly. It made sense. He’d been skating for ten years, meanwhile he’d known he was a demigod for four.
He felt someone’s eyes on him, and kicked his board up to grab it when he got back to the platform. He jumped off the platform and approached the stranger cautiously.
“Hey, kid.” The stranger held out his hand to shake. “Name’s Marty. I usually come to this park when I’m in New York. I didn't know anyone else knew about it. You’re pretty good on that board.”
“Percy.” Percy took his hand. “You really think so? Thanks!”
Marty smiled. “Yeah, yeah I do. You’re really good. I was watching some of those tricks you were doing, I don’t even think I can do half of what you can on a board.”
Percy rubbed the back of his neck, growing sheepish. “I’m sure that’s not true, man. Why don’t you show me how you ride?”
“Alright,” Marty agreed. “Your board’s sick by the way, where’d you get it?”
“Uncle Funky’s Boards! It’s in Rockefeller Center!” (i googled skateboard shops in rockefeller center bc according to sally in som percy likes a shop that’s in rockefeller)
Marty’s eyes widened slightly. “Whoa, that’s sick, man! He does custom boards?”
“He does!” Percy tilted his board so Marty could get a better look at it. “This was a gift from my mom for my 15th birthday.”
Marty ran his fingers over the paint reverently. “That’s so cool, man. What a great birthday present.”
Percy nodded enthusiastically. The board was his prized possession, with the beautiful blue-green waves painted on it. There were also some pearls, seashells, and coral painted on it. It was a very ocean-themed board, which made sense.
“My mom got me one for my 17th,” Marty mentioned. “Nowhere near as cool as yours, and it’s not custom. Just a plain blue.”
Marty kicked his board up from where it had been resting on the floor and went over to the ramp, skating over the platform slowly at first but doing some spins and tricks as he picked up speed.
Percy whooped and cheered as he watched the older boy.
Marty stepped off the platform, walking back up to Percy with a smile. “Thanks for the encouragement, kid. Listen, if you ever go to California, you should visit me. Do you have a phone I can put my address in?”
Percy shook his head, pulling out Riptide and quickly turning it to its pen form. “You can write it on my hand. I’ll write it down when I get home.”
Marty grabbed the pen and scrawled his address, handing it back to Percy. “Seriously, if you’re ever out there, and you need somewhere to stay, you’re welcome to stay with me.”
Percy smiled. “Thanks, man. Nice meeting you.”
The boys shook hands and parted ways.