Author's Note: Naturally, this is a fanfiction. My first, actually. This is also a fanfiction of my friend's fanfiction. She is Foxtails0 on this site and I suggest that you check out her original fanfiction before reading mine. It would probably clear up any confusion you may have.

All of the characters here except for Gerbil belong to either Foxtails0 or Rick Riordan. PJO also belongs to Rick Riordan. If you notice any flaws or something wonky, don't hesitate to tell me!

EDIT: Added some more to this chapter. It was originally going to include the edits I just made, but I forgot to add those.


"Hey, dude, can I borrow a pencil?"

"Sorry, I only have one," the boy, small and mischievous, replied after flicking a pen into his sleeve.

"Come on man, you just put a pen in your sleeve," his neighbor complained, letting a lock of purple hair fall between his eyes.

"It's broken." The other boy bowed his head as if he were hiding something. Grumbling, the purple haired pest snatched a pen off the desk in front of him. The occupant was down at the office, leaving her belongings open for anyone to take.

Minutes passed, giving the pair time to chat. Nonchalantly, a rather fat and short woman waltzed into the room, rifling through the papers at the teacher's desk. A few children mumbled 'sub' with distaste, and the room didn't fall silent while she neatly scribed her name in pink on the board.

"Did you do the math homework?" Jack, the small boy, asked, startling his buddy in front of him. His attempts to discreetly hold a conversation were useless, as he isn't very good at it. Lucky for him, the old lady either didn't notice or didn't care, because she didn't turn and scold him.

"No, I forgot about it. Did you?" The purple haired menace, Gerbil, wasn't very adroit when it came to sneaking conversations as well.

"Do I ever?" The pair chuckled, and Gerbil let out a snort that got most of his classmates' attention.

"Mr. Redon. Mr. Redon! Pay attention and stop disturbing the class!" Masses of fat wiggled about as the woman, frowning, chided Gerbil, who hadn't notice attendance had begun.

"I'm here, madam," he replied with a confident smirk. The sub scoffed and made a note in her book. "Whatever." The muscular boy, flicking his borrowed pen, was a bit annoyed that she didn't retort; he had wanted to cause a ruckus. The woman's sharp accent rung out, mispronouncing names and scolding other troublemakers.

After the ritual was completed, worksheets were passed around. Most of the children began to work at them, gallantly chatting with their friends, but Gerbil didn't even bother to look at the paper he was given. Instead, he stood, readying himself for his daily walk around the school, not noticing the girl in front of him returned and noticed her pen was missing.

"GERBIL!" she screeched, bolting up and snapping her body to face the sly boy. Her gold bangles jingled, her hair glowed; it was as if she came straight from a movie. Everything about the gesture seemed so rehearsed, yet so real at the same time. Gerbil merely grinned and lifted a thick eyebrow, an expression he was known for.

"What, have you finally realized how amazing and gorgeous I am?" Her fists balled up and her brow knitted. She was like a fairy from a children's tale, just taller and without wings. A corner of Gerbil's mouth pulled up, revealing a large canine.

"No, craphead. Give. Me. MY. PEN!" She looked like she was about to slap the kid and explode with a pop.

"Excuse me, get back in your seat young la-" The angry girl, Gina, turned and glared at the sub, driving icy daggers into her plump body.

"Oi, do what she says, Gina. Y'don't wanna get a detention." Damn, I'd be such a great actor, Gerbil thought to himself. He was at least a foot taller than the fuming girl, and far more buff. With a grin plastered on his square face, he looked around the windowless room. All of the girls were staring the same mascara-coated knives into him, but the guys were laughing like hyenas. Gerbil, gaining confidence from the attention, tossed the pen into the air. Unlike what he had pictured, the pen clattered to the floor rather than sliding smoothly behind his ear.

"Whoops."

"Cocky bastard," Gina mumbled, clearly giving up, or so he thought. The girl stormed out of the room, leaving the sub dumbfounded and Gerbil gushing with pride.

Moments later, the boy found himself in the office receiving a lecture on why it's rude to interrupt class and give subs a hard time.

"I was just borrowing a pen!" he pleaded, but the man wouldn't hear him out. He's ridiculous, thought Gerbil. "It was her fault. She made it worse by screaming at me!"

"Detention today and tomorrow. And Max, I don't want to deal with this again. The school year is almost up and you've been here, what, at least three times a week?" Sighing wearily, he stood and held the door open. No one, and I mean no one calls me Max, Gerbil angrily mused. He was such a skillful liar. Half the kids in the school didn't know his real name, they simply called him Gerbil, a nickname he had chosen for himself.

"My name is Gerbil," he protested, not getting out of the comfortable seat provided. It was clear to the balding man that the troublemaker wouldn't leave while being called Max. He sighed once more, burying his face in his palm, and contemplated his next move. Gerbil only sunk deeper into the plush, green chair.

"Mr. Redon, get out of my office," he reluctantly and tiredly voiced after lifting and rubbing his head. A faint ding escaped the speakers in the hall and reached their ears.

"Bye then!" Gerbil cheerily exclaimed, giving the man a firm pat on the back before he exited.

POOPIES

Hallways slowly filled with a ring of the bell. Gerbil, the tallest kid in a twenty foot radius, could see everything in front of him, mostly the tops of his classmates' heads. School was almost over. Only a week remained. With an excited grin, Gerbil approached his locker. It was in a rather preposterous place, but the hall it was in was usually pretty empty. It was on the bottom floor, where the office and locker rooms were. Not many classes were held on there. The pale, muted metal cabinet was also right next to a stairwell.

"Hey, what block is next?"

"Not sure," Gerbil coolly stated. He paused for a moment and contemplated who the girl might be, for he did not recognize her. He checked his schedule, grabbed Lord of the Flies, and turned to answer her question. When he did so, the girl was already strutting down the hall, surrounded by look-alikes and chattering quickly.

An unnerving slam hit Gerbil's large ears. It took him a few seconds to realize that Gina had stormily slammed his locker shut.

"Hey!" He feigned a bitter pout after tilting his head down to meet her stubborn gaze. She merely pushed a delicate finger into his chest and scowled. Gerbil noticed her hip was shoved a bit to the left, giving her an annoyed, yet cute look. With a chuckle, he removed her finger from his torso and spun the locker open once more.

"No," the girl said, failing to close the door a second time. Gerbil's strong forearm kept it open. "You need to stop being such a terrible person."

"Where's Jack, your little toy? I think we've got Geometry next."

"Stop ignoring me!" Gina's so adorable when she's mad!