Hey, guys! Well, this story is in the sense that Percy and the gang are humans, so I hope you don't get confused. I own nothing except the storyline! Hope you enjoy (:
Chapter 1
I punched Grove on the shoulder as he told a lame joke. He groaned, I think I hit him a little hard. I tapped my foot repeatedly as we waited for the train. I was nervous. No, I was not nervous because this was the first day of tenth grade. No, I was not nervous because this was a new school I was attending. I was nervous because my best friend since I was twelve left for two years, and came back to New York yesterday, and she will also be attending this school. I mean, yeah, she might be the same girl that left to California two years ago, but, you never know, things might change, as Grover repeatedly tells me.
I was more excited than nervous. I miss talking to Annabeth. "Calm down, Percy." Grover tried reassuring me that I was freaking out over nothing, but he has a tendency to be wrong sometimes.
Grover and I stepped on the train and quickly found seats. I shifted in my clothes, a dark blue shirt with some graphic on it and blue jeans, along with black sneakers. Grover looked awkward and uncomfortable, munching on his green apple.
At the school, we were quickly handed out schedules and pushed through the doors of our first class, which was English. Always English. Grover wasn't in this class, so I was alone for the time being. I sat by the window, not paying attention to the teacher, as always, when someone walked into the classroom.
Being late on your first day of school is kind of corny, so I turned slightly to see who it was, and my jaw nearly hit the floor. There she was, wearing a gray blouse and short shorts, her hair perfectly curled, and her skin deeply tanned.
Well, she certainly grew. She looked nervous as she glanced around and handed a few papers to the teacher, who looked them over and gestured her to take any seat. She spotted me, and her face nearly lit up. She bit her lip and hurried to the seat behind me.
The teacher continued his introduction. "Been a while, hasn't it, Seaweed Brain?" She whispered, I could hear the smile in her voice as she opened her notebook and scribbled down a few words.
I couldn't help it, I smiled at the nickname. I smiled at the fact that she was here. "About two boring years, Wise Girl." I replied, chuckling, trying to take the goofy smile off my face.
"A little too long for my taste." She laughed lightly. I glanced back at her intelligent gray eyes. She winked, and then went back to her notes.
"It's good to have you back, Annabeth." I muttered, still smiling, and shook my head.
After class, Annabeth took the opportunity to strangle me with a hug. "Jeez, Percy, You don't know how much I miss New York." She breathed as she let go looking around. "I can't believe I was late. I spent two hours memorizing the map, and I still got lost!"
I laughed, "You memorized the map? You're such a nerd!"
She pushed me lightly, rolling her eyes. God, I missed her. "I just like being prepared, that's all. Anyway, what's been going on with you? I haven't heard from you in a while!"
I shrugged, "Nothing much… Sally got married to Blowfish… Grover finally talked to that girl, Juniper. I guess I've just been hanging around."
Annabeth nodded, still keeping a bright smile on her face. I suddenly felt like I was boring her. "That's so great! I wish I was here for the wedding… Where is Grover anyway?" She went on her tip-toes; I couldn't help but check her out.
God, she's pretty, I thought stupidly. She glanced up at me, and then hid a smile. I felt myself get nervous again. "What?"
"You got so tall. Remember when I use to be taller than you?" She said, putting her books in her bag.
I laughed, that was true. I have to look down at her now, which, in fact, didn't give me such a bad view. "Way to bring up my awkward years, Annabeth. I feel embarrassed just thinking about it." I complained, running my hands through my dark hair.
"You didn't look all that bad." She replied, I tried hiding a blush that was creeping up my neck, men do not blush. She stepped back and studied me. "You grew out your hair." She grinned, "It looks good."
"You don't look too bad yourself." I teased.
"Oh stop, you're making me blush." She said sarcastically. "We're going to be late, see you at lunch." She practically ran to her next class.
I smiled to myself and went the opposite way, to History. Three hours later, I was sitting in the lunchroom with Grover, talking about Annabeth. "She looks gorgeous, man!" Grover exclaimed, constantly elbowing me.
I grinned, "What's your point?"
"You know you always had a crush on her!" He replied, trying to act serious as he ate his mashed potatoes.
I nearly spit out my apple juice. "No, I did not! That's like saying I like… my sister."
"You don't have a sister."
"Well, if I did-"
"Hey, Annabeth!" Grover interrupted, smiling widely, his shaggy red hair going over his eyes.
Annabeth hugged him, and went on about how much she missed him. I resisted sighing out loud, and played around with my food. Grover glanced at me shortly, "What's the matter, Percy? J-" He didn't finish that sentence. I accidently stuffed mashed potatoes in his mouth.
He glared at me behind Annabeth's back as Annabeth looked at me weirdly. "So, how was California?" I asked her.
She brightened up. "It was great! There were so many type of building designs, I spoke with an architecture, worked with her in a way, and… it's was just great. The weather was amazing."
I think the weather agreed with her, too; her tan gave her a summer glow. "Annabeth!" Someone yelled, we turned our heads to see, Annabeth's brightened up.
I frowned, and then groaned. "Hey, Rachel!" Annabeth gestured her to sit.
Rachel glanced at me, smiled, and then quickly looked away. "Grover, Percy, this is Rachel. Rachel-"
"Oh, I know who they are." Rachel interrupted, chuckling, her bright red hair bounced and she shook her head.
I could tell Annabeth felt the tension in the air; she glanced at me as if to say, don't tell me you messed up already. "That's great then!" Annabeth added to Rachel's comment.
Rachel didn't look so assured. For some reason, I took to laughing, the situation was too awkward. Grover started laughing along, too, and Annabeth mustered up a smile.
"I have to go, so, I'll see you guys later." Rachel said cheerfully and practically skipped away in her paint-covered shirt.
Annabeth immediately turned to me. "What'd you do?" She asked, well, demanded.
I put my hands up, "Nothing! She just had a little crush on me!" Seeing her face, I let out a laugh, "Honestly!"
"Alright…" She gave Grover a sideways look, which looked down at his food.
I rolled my eyes. Someone slid into the seat next to Annabeth. A boy with shaggy hair, pale skin, dark eyes, and a cocky attitude. "Hey, I'm Nico, you're Annabeth right?" Nico asked, munching on a churro. Annabeth smiled and nodded. "So, you're the famous girl Percy's always talking about."
I glared at Nico, who continued smiling sincerely at Annabeth. Annabeth hid a smile, though her cheeks were tinted a slight pink. I shook my head, "Don't mind him, he's an ass." I told her.
Nico ran his hand through his hair and resisted laughing. "Well, guys, how was your first day of sophomore year?" He asked, raising his voice.
"Oh, god, Nico, just stop talking." I groaned, he sounded way too cheerful.
"The day's not even over yet." Grover said.
"My day's going great." Annabeth shrugged, studying a paper.
"What is that? Honors English? Looks like we have another smartass here!" Nico high-fived her, showing off he, as well as Annabeth, had all honors classes.
"Too bad you're only book smart." I muttered.
Nico glared, I smirked. We talked for a bit, catching up with Annabeth, joking around, and just all-around enjoying ourselves. I wasn't nervous about Annabeth as much anymore. She didn't change, she just got prettier… and funnier… and older… and… probably even more amazing than she was before. I was deep in my thoughts when Nico waved his hand in front of my face.
"Dude, what?" I slapped his hand away, taking Annabeth's churro, with her shortly protesting.
"I said we should all go bowling Friday. We could invite Thalia, too." Nico suggested.
I smiled inwardly; Nico had a tiny crush on Thalia, though he never admitted. Annabeth perked up, Thalia was her best friend since she was seven, though Thalia's a year older. Grover agreed, he was obviously bringing Juniper along, Annabeth instantly agreed.
I glanced at Annabeth, "If you're going, I guess I'll go, too."
