Warning, this could be really bad...
The alarm on the bedside table bleeped as loud as it could for at least five minutes before Percy Jackson actually paid any attention to it. He crashed his hand on the 'snooze' button and rolled over in the warm duvet, praying he'd slept a year and it was the Summer holidays again. He opened one eye just a crack to see the date o his clock. Dang! Nope, it was September fifth. The first school day after Summer break. Yay. Well, at least he'd see his friends again.
"Perseus Jackson, get your butt out of that bed and get dressed before I make you!" yelled Sally Jackson from behind the bedroom door. Percy winced at his full name but groaned into his pillow, not wanting to move. Sally slammed her hand against the door, making her son jump a little, smiled at his laziness and walked away.
Percy swung his heavy legs from under the duvet into the cold morning air and yawned. Slowly, he opened his eyes and sat up, feeling a little dizzy from lack of decent sleep. He pulled the nearest and cleanest looking shirt he could find and went to get breakfast. Secretly, he hoped it would be blue waffles this morning as a treat. He could definitely smell something good cooking.
"What's cooking, mom?" Percy asked.
Then he saw the pan of thick, bubbly, and blue I might add, wallpaper paste that could only be,
"Porridge," Sally said.
You have got to be kidding me, Percy thought. I got up for this?
When Sally saw the scowl on her sons face, she smiled, at which point he scowled even harder, annoyed at her happiness of his displeasure. But then she brought a plate of perfectly cooked blue waffles from behind her back, smiling still.
"I love you, mom," Percy said, grinning and digging into his waffles, smothering them with golden syrup.
"Okay, just don't be late for school." She smiled again and left the kitchen to ready herself for work too.
Percy shovels the food into his mouth and goes back upstairs to get fully dressed for school.
*10 minutes later*
Percy's POV
"Have a good day today," my mom told me before driving off in her car, leaving me to walk the short distance to the school gates of Goode Highschool. I don't recognise anyone on the grounds at first, but then I see Thalia, with her spiked black hair, piercing blue eyes and grim expression, standing next to a laughing Nico, messing with his black hair and a grinning Leo. I smile, having missed my friends. I catch Leo's eye and wave. Then something or someone knocked me in the shoulder, causing me to stumble.
"Watch it, Jackson."
I hear the voice and don't have to look up to see who this arrogant kid is. Jason Grace. The most popular boy in school and the biggest idiot known to anyone from Earth to the end of the universe. Also Thalia's brother but he never manages to crop into our conversations. I really wonder why. Not. And whenever people do ask her questions like 'is Jason single', Thalia is ready to punch anyone in the face.
"Whatever," I mutter and dodge around him, eager to get to my friends.
"Hey, Percy, ready for a little Leo magic? I can fit this entire orange into my mouth!" Leo said, grinning still. "Watch."
Leo really was full of wonders.
I look around the school grounds, looking for any of my other friends like Grover, Juniper, Frank and Hazel. Loads of people are hanging about the wrought iron school gates, waiting on friends, eager to catch up after summer. Some popular kids hang by the trees in the shade from the burning sun and some just stand around aimlessly looking at the huge brick building, fearing the year ahead. I see not one of my other friends. And just so you know, I am none of the above. Or beside, whatever you call it.
"Did you guys have a good summer?" I asked my friends.
"It was alright, he was being an idiot the entire seven weeks though," muttered Thalia, nodding her head in Jason's direction. "Late parties, rowdy teenager, girls over every night for dinner. I don't even remember one of their names."
"Summer was amazing!" said Leo, enthusiastically. "We did all sorts! I built loads of new stuff and got a new tool kit for...well, I don't know. According to my Dad, I'll need it especially this year."
Seriously, Leo says that every year. But I sort of feel something is going to happen too. High school can't be boring forever.
We all turned to Nico who'd gone into a trance. I waved a hand in front of his face.
"It was boring. There was nothing to do except get too hot and have nothing to do." His tone was dull and flat.
"What did you do, Percy?" asked Thalia.
"Ate waffles, walked in the park, ate waffles, slept and ate waffles." Leo laughed and Nico shrugged his shoulders in a singular laugh. Thalia just smiled and Nico glared at me. I raised my hands in a surrender gesture.
"Oh, hey Grover," shouted Leo, turning a few heads in our groups direction as our friend, Grover, and his girlfriend, Juniper, walked over the tarmac to greet us, holding hands and wearing t-shirts saying 'trees are people too' with a picture of a smiling tree on the front. Just to be clear, they're environment crazy, so don't just think they're weird.
Grover smiled as he joined us, letting go of Juniper's hand so she could go and hug Thalia and catch up in some girl way that no man can ever understand. Gossip. Anyway, Grover told us all about his a Juniper's trials to get people to stop using cars and when they lead a march through central park, cops tried to arrest them but Juniper chained herself to a tree and Grover copied. So the cops just gave up. Apparently, anyway.
The morning bell rang and I was left wondering where Hazel and Frank were. They lived quite close so I have no idea where they could be. Frank sometimes has a lay in but it would be hard for both of them since they live in an orphanage and apparently the Mistress makes them get up at seven every day, which I think is just weird seeing as they live only two blocks from here.
"Percy, we have to go now. They'll get here," said Nico, tuning out from his every so often day-dreams to speak to me.
"Yeah," I mutter and walk toward the huge blue double doors of my school. Goode Highschool, here I come. Again.
Our form tutor, Mr Brunner, otherwise known as Chiron to anyone in school, takes the register and writes a couple of new things on the white-board at the front of the tiny room.
"Class Rules"
The entire room groans. Like this place needs anymore rules.
"Can anyone think of any good class rules?" asked Chiron.
Just then, there was a knock on the classroom door.
"Come in," shouted Chiron. The door stayed shut. A few people giggled. Great, we have a new person who is too shy to open a single door. I feel sorry for whoever they are. New kids always get picked on. By Jason and his cronies.
Chiron walked over to open the door, limping a little. For a little background information, Chiron has always walked like that. No one has ever seen him walk without a limp. Anyway, Chiron opened the door to the newcomer and gestured for her enter. He looked down at the register and said,
"So you must be Annabeth Chase?" The girl called Annabeth Chase nodded and looked down at her feet. "You can go and take your seat at the back on the far left."Annabeth smiled a little and hurried to the back of the room. I watched her go.
Let me just say this. I have never seen anyone like her. Ever.
She has long and elbow length curly blonde hair (not sure if its natural) and striking grey eyes that mimicked the storms we get in New York during winter. When she smiled, the room lit up with nervous energy and she lifted one corner of her lips.
I looked behind me to Thalia,
"Do you know her?" I ask.
"No, but I feel like I should. I recognize her from somewhere," she says, her electric blue eyes still on the blonde girl named Annabeth at the back of the room, still nervously clutching hold of her bag.
In my peripheral vision, I see Nico glaring at Thalia and I with his dark eyes as we discussed and smiled. I probably shouldn't say, but I've grown up with both of these crazy people and know Nico has always had this thing for black haired girls. Well feisty black-haired girls who have no interest in him. In other words, Thalia. And she doesn't even know.
"Alright, class, settle down." Chiron brought the class to attention. "Today is mainly going to be a free day from school."
Some members of the class cheered and we all laughed. I even saw Annabeth crack a grin.
"Yes, but still. It will be work." Chiron continued, smiling a little. "A day of ice-breakers and a couple of lessons in the afternoon."
"A good day to make new friends," I say to Thalia under my breath. She smiled at me.
For the first lesson of today, we introduced ourselves to Annabeth and tried to make each other laugh with funny new names. I was something like Seaweed Brain. I guess this is for my lame jokes and seaweed like brain. Also, I really like the sea, or any kind of water. And my eyes are green too. Annabeth doesn't have a nickname. Yet. I'm sure someone more popular will name her something stupid.
We then did more ice-breaker games, not that most of the class needed them. Chiron knew that too. We've been in this class for over a year. And I knew most of the people outside class too. Before you criticize me on criticizing my form-group, I need to say it's my mom's fault. Sometimes I go to work with her in her own Blue-Candy Store and my form-friends eat a lot of blue candy, unfortunately.
The lesson ended (FINALLY) with the shrill break bell. No one had unpacked their bags for our pencil cases so just took our rucksacks outside to 'rendezvous with our buddies'. I would never call any of my friends my 'buddies'. Just creepy.
Thalia, Nico and I meet with Leo, Grover and Juniper at break. They aren't in the same form as us so we tell each other the funny things that happened first period of today. Apparently, Jason got sent out of the room. I thanked their tutor for Piper arrived and some guys were smiling at her so Jason got really annoyed and beat someone up. The teacher didn't try to send him anywhere because he was so angry. Yeah, Jason has a few anger issues. Well, say a few. Oh and sorry for not mentioning Piper. She is the most popular girl at Goode High school. And Jason's girlfriend. Thalia thinks Piper could do so much better than her brother. Piper doesn't care. She loves Jason, although none of us know why. Leo eats a sandwich while Grover asks us questions on our first lesson. I explain about Annabeth, the new girl.
Just then, Thalia see's Annabeth. She shouts to her to join us.
"Hey, Annabeth!" she shouted. The blonde girl turned to where her name was called from and Thalia smiled encouragingly and waved her hand. Annabeth looks cautiously around her and realizing no one else is called Annabeth or in our group of friends. She walked over to us, surprised to be welcomed into a group of people on her first day.
"Welcome to the cool group," said Leo, grinning and shaking his curly black hair. I smiled at Annabeth. "Leo Valdez. At your service."
I snorted with laughter. NOT COOL!
Thalia smirked at me. That's why I am the seaweed brain.
I look at the floor, embarrassed. But why should I be embarrassed? I've known these people since Kindergarten so a newcomer shouldn't be bothered by her. But I felt like I know her. Or should, anyway.
"Annabeth," said Annabeth timidly. She smiled and my heart fluttered again.
"Okay, newcomer, this is Grover," said Thalia, gesturing to our group and taking over from a disappointed Leo. "Juniper, Nico, you've already met Leo, this is Percy and my name is Thalia," she finished. Thalia held out her hand and Annabeth shook it.
"Hi everyone," mumbled Annabeth.
We all smiled at her. The only thing I can think of that might put her off us all is our smiling. It must be creepy to be standing there while a group of complete strangers smile and stare at her. I would find it weird.
"Welcome to our group," I say.
"Aren't you in my home-room?" she asked. I nodded, feeling my cheeks redden and my friends all smirking at me. Nico was smiling though. Three guesses why. I wasn't looking at Thalia, I was embarrassed or because I had stopped grinning like a freak. Probably all of the above or beside or whatever.
"Seaweed brain, right?" she asked. I smiled sheepishly.
"Come on, Annabeth, time for a tour of school," said Thalia, grinning at me. Nico glared at me briefly. Juniper followed them and I breathed out, not realizing I was holding my breath.
"So you like her?" Nico asked, smirking. I glared at him this time.
Annabeth's POV
First things first. I made a new friend at break. Thalia. I don't know her second name, but she is so easy to talk to. She gave me a tour of the school and I have gotta say, I enjoy her company. Sometimes it's good to talk to people, but I still prefer the Library. When Thalia led me to the Library, I felt at home again. Stacks of books were piled high on oak shelves in so many orders and colors, it's amazing. A brand new terrain of books. Or not.
"You like the Library?" asks Thalia.
I nod and she smiles at me.
"Love to read," I say.
"Me too. Sometimes." I laugh and she laughs. Juniper catches up to us.
"Hi, juniper." She looked taken aback by my outburst of speech.
"Hey, Annabeth."
"Do you read much?" I ask her, interested.
"Um, often about environmental stuff, but yeah, I suppose." She smiles at me. I smile back.
"On with the tour?" I ask Thalia, staring out of the window at a blonde haired boy with his dark haired girl-friend. "Thalia?"
"Oh, um...yes," she says, pulling out of her thoughts. "To the ICT block."
*ten minutes later*
We walk out of the drama block, laughing at Thalia's tales of her brother. It was weird anyone could be so strange as a toddler. One time, he tried to eat a plug and accidentally gave himself an electric shock. Which he survived. Then he tried to fly. And did. Until flying into the play equipment. That must've hurt for a four year old. But not a bruise on him. Strange.
Thalia checked her silver watch and stated that break had about three minutes to go. I was a little thankful.
We arrived back in our group and two new people had joined. One girl with curly golden brown hair falling to just past her shoulders and strange bronze eyes and the other was a boy with short black hair and brown eyes.
"Frank! Hazel!" Thalia shouted to get her friends attention.
"Thalia!" shouted Hazel as she ran to hug her friends.
"Where have you guys been?" Juniper asked, jogging behind Thalia, grinning at Hazel. I hurried to catch up with them.
"Grove House gave us a little more than our morning chores. There was Graffiti again so we spent two hours clearing it up." Frank answered this question. Just from his accent, I can tell he is Canadian. "Sorry, but who are you?" he asked, looking at me, the groups new addition.
"Annabeth Chase. I'm new," I said, gulping down the fear at this boys height.
"Frank," said Frank.
"Hazel," said Hazel, smiling at me. "I've heard so much about you, already."
"Really?" I asked, glancing at the boys. "Hopefully all good?"
Hazel nodded and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. Her warmness reminded me of my mom before she left me all those years ago. I never forgave her, but I love her all the same.
While Hazel and Frank explained their Summer to the rest of the group, I overheard Thalia whisper something in this boys ear. Something like,
"She likes the Library so get reading." I saw him scowl. I can't remember his real name. Something like Peter or Perry, NO, it was Percy. I remember Seaweed brain though.
"Hey, I hear you like reading?" someone asks in my ear. I shiver away from them and turn. I honestly think I've never seen anyone like him before. Unruly hair, messed with sleep, and stunning sea-green eyes that sparkle and change when he smiles at me. Like a precious stone. I shake my head to clear my thoughts of Percy.
"Oh, um yeah. Do you?" I ask, stumbling over my words, lost in those perfect eyes, so different from any others I've seen.
"Sort of. I don't read much. I'd like to read though. Maybe you could pick out a few good books for me?" he asks. What am I? Google?
"Yeah, sure." Annabeth! He's a dumb guy. Like all those other guys who used to follow you everywhere!
But what if he isn't.
"When do you want to meet?" I ask.
"How about lunchtime in the Library around 12:30?" I nod.
"See you then, Seaweed brain." He smirks at me.
"Alright bookworm. On second thoughts, how about Wisegirl?"
I smile at him and nod just as the bell rings for class. I begin to wonder what I am letting myself into.
Thalia's POV
Well, Annabeth and Percy walked to class together, discussing something I couldn't hear. So I had to walk with Nico. Lucky me. He kept smirking at me then looking back at Percy and Annabeth. I have no idea what's going on inside that little head of his, but I don't particularly want to know.
"They seem to be hitting it off," says Nico, breaking the silence as we enter the crowded hallways, loud enough that no one could hear.
"Yep. I knew they would. You should've seen the look of Percy's face when she walked in. It was something like," O-O, I mimicked his face. "Gods, and they don't even realize there is chemistry."
"Percy does. He likes her."
"But he'd kill you for saying that."
Thank God we found our form room door. I opened it without hesitation and rushed to my seat where Annabeth and Percy were talking. Anything to get away from Nico.
Chiron closed the door behind him and told us all to sit in our usual seats. Annabeth went to the back of the room and I sat in my seat again.
"Time to get out your felt pens from Kindergarten again as we do some coloring the next lessons before lunch."
Chiron might have actually said, 'nap time' because the class of 11th graders looked at him in horror. This one guy, Will Solace, seemed very happy about coloring. He was one of the few. Though, from what I learned about him last year, he would happily do any sort of art.
Grudgingly, we all got out out pencil cases and felt pens. The room was split into groups with a mixture of girls and boys so we could begin our class noticeboard introducing who we are. We have to write our names in bubble writing and draw images on the board to back up our names. In the middle of the board, each person would write a letter to create the class name. It is strange, but this is Chiron has always done it. Every year, we would create a new name for the class, though our nicknames were always the same. Some things never change.
I would love to tell you that the drawing was amazing and our work just looked like Leonardo da vinci had been there to assist. But I simply cannot lie about what happened in that room today. Our Homeroom is usually a history room and doesn't have a lot of felt pens. A boy, James Culling, had to go to an art room to get more pens and came back with three. Then a girl, Rebecca Fortescue, went to a different art room and came back with three packs. This could either have been the student or the teachers fault. James had gone to Mrs Drocks, a cold hearted woman with no sense of humor and a real lacking in team spirit. Becky had gone to Mr Tumbler, an old man who will do anything for anyone and is always welcoming to new students with questions. He was the first teacher I met on my first year, last year. Both of the students are good people, just James can get a bit weird and Mrs Drocks has a special grudge against him. Not that she doesn't totally hate all of us.
I am put into a group with Percy, Nico and Annabeth.
"So should we have some kind of theme for our name titles?" I ask the group.
"I think we should divide the paper into four sections then split each section off for each name. Then with the names, have our name then write 'in' and add a film titled with our nicknames. and a cover," Annabeth said, looking to me and occasionally glancing over at Percy, opposite her. Wow, those guys really needed to spend some time alone so they can work things out. It's just weird they barely know each other. But there is this thing about Annabeth. I know her from somewhere. Maybe a summer camp one year? Who knows?
"So, like, 'Nico Di Angelo in Corpse Breath'?" Nico asks.
"Yeah," said Annabeth, smiling that her idea has stuck.
"Great idea," said Percy. And it was. So we did that.
Again, I would love to say our drawings were amazing. But, no. Given our nicknames, it was difficult to draw what they were. Mine, being Pine cone face, I drew a stick person with a pine cone as their face. I will explain this little joke of my nickname, for your sake. In my first day of school, we went on a tour of school together, that's all the 9th graders, and a pine cone branch fell on my head. someone pulled the branch off me, having not noticed, and there was the pine cone. There was a pine cone attached to my hair. Also one of the reasons I have it short. But anyway.
So my drawing was a stick man/woman with a pine cone as their face. I colored the cone in brown and everything else in a different shade of brown. It's kind of a shame my writing is so messy, I never really got taught how to write in a cool style.
Nico's was a little harder than everyone else. How do you even draw Corpse-breath? Then Annabeth had a good idea that I swear none of us would have come up with. A zombie with wind coming from it's mouth! Percy's name is very suitable for her. Wisegirl. It's all those books she reads. Yep, Percy needs someone like her. We all do. I'm glad we invited her into our group.
Nico drew a green zombie, breathing, with help from Annabeth. (A/N: Doesn't mean he needed help breathing, just to clarify) Then he wrote his name in bubble writing in black and green with a red lining and a couple of eyes. It looked a bit creepy. Just like Nico.
Annabeth drew a person with a light bulb over a stick mans head. Then for her bubble writing, she used a yellow felt pen and pressed hard and soft to create a light and dark side of her name, 'Annabeth Chase'. It looked pretty neat.
Percy drew everything in green and blue for the sea. In 'Seaweed', he drew seaweed surrounding the word and dragged the seaweed to a green brain, supposedly made of seaweed. Next to his, mine looked pretty lame, so I drew a tree in the background and drew a darker brown on my name, adding the texture of a tree trunk.
Chiron told us to pack up five minutes before the bell rang and when it did, I was so glad. I am so hungry and need to speak to my friends again. It will be good to be in our spot in the Cafeteria again.
The bell rang and the class stood up, eager to get out of this stuffy class room to be in the sun again after being cooped up for so long.
DUN DUN DUN! So that was Chapter one...I know it was a little boring, but it does get better. Probably.
PLEASE REVIEW!
Hopefully, chapter two will be up soon...but until then, Happy Reading :)
