I would like to thank Takara Phoenix, who helped me through this. I owe you so much!
Prologue
Grover left my - technically ours now - apartment as soon as he placed his suitcase down to go get some more boxes. And I'm left all alone with nothing to do since he insisted he didn't need any help. I sighed and stared at the empty wall facing me, hoping to pass some time. When I checked my watch again, it had only been 10 seconds. 10 seconds that seemed like eternity. I sighed hopelessly but then, an idea came to my mind. Stepping out of the doorway, I checked no one was coming before shutting the door. Removing my pillow from my bed, my fingers curled around the small, metallic device made to cause suffering and pain... A recording tape. It didn't feel right to sit on my bed while I did this - if I was going to do it - so I escaped to the safety and privacy of my bathroom. With a deep breath I pressed the red button, knowing there was no going back
Recording 1
Um... Hey there. I'm Perseus Jackson... and talking to a tape is really making me feel stupid. Anyway, as long as no one finds out about this, I'll be fine... I guess. Well, my dad gave me this for my birthday. He is a captain and I rarely see him. My brother went with him but I didn't want to leave my life here. It's not that I do not miss him, I do. And I love the sea, it's like a second mother to me. But my real one, Sally Jackson, needs me. She never liked being alone and I'd be mean to just leave her. Plus, she is practically my only family. The first time I met my father, I was four. He tried, but we never got that close, not enough to avoid the awkwardness when we were alone in the same room. That's why he gave me this. He thought I'd feel better if I had someone to talk to, someone that'd listen. I bet he believed it'd be good enough to make me forgive him for all the times I ran home in tears from the bullies and he wasn't there. As you can guess, I never felt as I had a protector, so I did what I had to survive.
At first, I found it stupid but my mom begged me. She really loves this man and does everything in her power to keep our family together. She has sacrificed her life for us, she gave her last money for dad's boat, she sold our old, family house to raise Tyson and I; she never did anything for herself. The only thing my dad paid for was the house and my school, even though I think he just did that to satisfy his guilt. My mom looked exited, so I couldn't turn the offer down. That led me to this boarding school in England while my mom stayed home, back in America. She was all alone, except for our friendly neighbor, Paul Blofis, who happens to be my second grade teacher
I've beem in this high school for three years now, and I've finally reached my senior year. Here, I am a completely different person. The only people that truly know me are my best friends, Annabeth Chase, who got here on an offered scholarship, and Grover Underwood, who, because he is the gardener's son, lives at the school. To everyone else though I'm 'Percy Jackson, good-looking captain of a constantly-winning swim team'. I haven't really tried building that reputation, but declining every girl that threw herself at me resulted in the spreading of their rumors. And, you know how it goes from that point. Each time I walk through the hallways, eyes turn my way; male with respect, admiration and jealousy; female with want and amazement.
And the worst thing is that I can do nothing to change it. I tried, but nothing works. Sometimes I just wish someone else would take my place. I just want to be 'Percy Jackson, a student like any other, a no one, just a regular teen'. I don't want to be constantly in the spotlight; I just need a break from everything. But how?
Anyway, I must go prepare for tomorrow. School starts. This year, Grover and I are sharing a room since he can't stand his parents and younger siblings anymore. My dad, along with the education fees, rented me a small house at the campus and sometimes I get lonely. So I offered Grover a place as soon as I found out he was looking for one. He is yelling at me to get out of the bathroom now; he needs to get ready for his date with his girlfriend, Juniper. Got to go; bye for now, I guess.