I Never Would Have Believed You

Chapter 1

Change, to be or not to be

I dove in. Cool water rushed passed my stretching shoulders and running along my tensed back. It felt good to be back in the water. I don't even know how long it's been. And I didn't want to even think about it.

I touched the wall and flipped. My arms were flying in motion. I was breathing hard and doing everything I was taught. I had to be in shape for championships.

Even though I was swimming as hard as I could when I drew my head above water I heard my coach start yelling.

"Son! You're going to have to swim faster than that! According to last years times you would officially be last! Come on! Again but faster! You better be in shape kid!" I groaned but pulled myself up and out of the pool anyways. I loved to swim but my coach was so harsh in practice I almost wanted to stop. He had good reason though. He knew I was the best and was trying to get me there. This is one reason I don't. The other…I love the water so much I'd live in it if I could. He was the best guy I had ever met OUTSIDE of practice.

"I didn't hear you!"

"Yes coach!" I yelled back and got in my diving position. He blew his whistle loudly and I started another lap of the butterfly.

My name is Percy Jackson. And this is a regular day for me. Going to practice. Staying after to get yelled at. As well as to get better.

I have Black hair and sea green eyes. I'm the swim legend around here; Goode High. Everyone calls me butterfly. I don't mind so much because that's what I swim the best. But all this fame has a downside. Everyone wants to be your friend. So you learn in the beginning who your friends are and aren't. I learned that the hard way. But one good lesson you get is to be humble.

I jumped out of the pool for the last time. I stood straight as I shivered. Coach looked me over with a sharp eye. He was an inch from my face.

"Are you going to win!?"

"Yes Coach!" He smiled then relaxed.

"Good, now hit the showers." I smiled back.

"Thanks coach." I turned to walk away.

"Hey, I forgot to ask you. My wife's sister is moving into town. She has a daughter about your age. Would you and your mom like to come over tonight and meet them over dinner?" I smiled.

"Sure, I'll call you when I get home."

"Sounds good kid." His smile widened as he headed for his office.

I loved Coach Chiron. He's the best coach I have ever had. Also one of the best adult friends I've ever had.

I showered and dressed quickly before heading for my car. It was an old Prius. Specifically my step dad's old Prius. I loved the little car.

"Hey mom I'm home!" I called throwing my backpack against the front door.

"Hey sweetie, I'm in the kitchen with your father!" Uh-oh. I knew she meant my real dad but they were home…alone? Hopefully they were both alive.

I walked into the kitchen to find them having a polite conversation.

"Wow, I figured one of you were dead in here." Dad laughed but mom didn't.

"So how was your day sweetie?" She asked as I raided the refrigerator.

"It was good. Practice was tiring but oh well. So why is Dad here?" I asked her.

"I'm here because…I wanted to see you." He looked hesitant. My mother hit his arm.

"Ok, Ok, I'm here because I found a new job…" He said as he rubbed his red arm.

"Why?"

"Because I found a new job, a better paying job."

"Where is it?" I sat down at the table while munching on an apple.

"California." I choked on the piece I was chewing on.

"Oh. So I won't be seeing you any more?" He sighed.

"Well actually you'll live with me in the summer and here during the regular year." His green eyes looked sad and his long black hair started to show signs of grey.

"That's fine. I'm going running." I said. I didn't want to be here much longer. The truth was I wasn't looking forward to the summer and now my occasional father son weekends would no longer exist.

"That's fine sweetie." I was walking down the hall when I remembered coach. I groaned and went back into the kitchen.

"Actually mom, coach asked us over for dinner. His wife's sister is moving into town so he wants us to meet them. Sorry about the late notice."

"No that's fine sweetie, Paul doesn't fly in until tomorrow so we have a free schedule all night." I smiled softly.

"Thanks mom."

I walked to my room and started to get ready for that night.

I walked up the front steps of my coach Morgans' house and knocked on the door. I was wearing regular denim jeans and a nice button up shirt.

"Percy! Sally! So good that you came. Of course we weren't sure whether you were coming or not." Mrs. Morgans let that sentence hang. I rubbed the back of my head and blushed.

"Sorry 'bout that." I apologized. She laughed.

"It's fine. I was joking with you. Come on in and meet m sister's family. I nodded and walked into the familiar home. Its warm lighting and white walls covered in family portraits.

"Well I hope you two are hungry because I made a feast. By the way, where's Paul?" She asked as we walked into the family room full of people.

"Oh he's still in Boston. He comes home tomorrow."

"Well that's good. Anyways, this is my sister Emma." I looked to see a young mother talking intently with coach.

"-but you have to know the physics to understand why." She explained.

"Emma?" She stopped explaining and looked at me.

"This is Percy Jackson. The school's very own butterfly." I blushed but shook her hand.

"Hi I'm Percy and this is my mom." My mom shook her hand next. Mrs. Morgans moved onto the two boys that looked like twins.

"And these are the boys, Thomas and Jake." They were on the floor wrestling over a Lego. I laughed at them.
"Hi guys." All I got was a gruff "Hi" in return.

"Now I'm not sure where Anna-."

"I'm back." A female voice called from the hall. I turned around and almost dropped my jaw. Before me was a girl that looked my age with stormy grey eyes and curly blond hair. She had an athletic figure and a certain grace about her that made her heartbreakingly beautiful.

She blushed as she saw I was looking at her. She tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. The room was suddenly quite and it was odd to hear two little boys in the background.

"Oooooo." I heard the twins taunt.

"Boys." Emma scolded.

"Sorry," they replied and went back to wrestling. I stuck out my hand.

"I'm Percy Jackson. You are?"

"Annabeth Chase." My hand lingered in hers longer then it should have.

That's when I knew though. As she pulled her hand away…that's when I knew. Things were about to change. Big time. I wasn't sure what would change or when. But I had a good feeling about it.

A/N: Well, did you like it? I hope so. Well any one want to beta? Also would you mind reviewing? Please? Thanks.

~Stars~