The name Percy Jackson changed my life forever.

At the time, I was the new kid. And being the new kid sucked because, well, you're the new kid. And nobody knows the new kid and the new kid doesn't know anyone. The only possible way I thought I was gonna get noticed was by being hot, but my skinny body, pale complexion, dark brown curly hair and about a million freckles on my face made it almost impossible for anybody to find me attractive.

So, there I was, running down the hall of Goode High School in New York because the guidance counselor just had to make me late by telling me the story of her granddaughter's dog. 112, 112, I kept repeating the room number in my head. When I finally found it, I opened the door and the teacher had just called out, "Fleming?"

"Here," I panted. Great, I thought. That's a good way to start off your senior year at a new school: show up late and panting like a dog.

"I'm sorry," I told the teacher. "Guidance was just printing my schedule."

"Ah," the teacher said. "New student, Ms. Fleming?"

I nodded.

"Well, I'm Mrs. Chouhan. Welcome to Marine Bio. Please try to be on time next class, Ms. Fleming. Take any empty seat."

"Okay."

I shouldered my backpack and scanned the room for a seat. Everyone was in groups of two due to the lab tables. Only one seat was available at the back of the room. A boy was sitting on the right side of the table. He had a hoodie on his head, so I couldn't get a good look at his face. I sat down in the chair next to him.

"Hi," I said. "I'm Jane." The boy didn't say anything. He didn't even move. Not until Mrs. Chouhan said, "Jackson?"

The boy next to me raised his hand. "Hood off, Mr. Jackson," was all Mrs. Chouhan said in return. The boy reluctantly removed the hood from his head. His hair was jet black and shaggy, like he had just rolled out of bed. His fingernails were dirty and his hands were muscular and veiny. His face looked pale and skinny and his eyes were red and puffy, like he had been crying. Like he had been crying his whole life.

The only thing that looked happy about this boy was his sea green eyes. But even then the color was clouded by tears and puffiness. I had no idea what was wrong with this kid, maybe he was a drug addict or something, but I felt extremely bad for him. He reminded me of a lost puppy: the thing might have rabies, but you just have to pick it up and make it feel better.

"Excuse me, Mr. Jackson," I said, still unsure of his first name. He didn't move. "Um, I know I don't know you, and I know this isn't my place, but I just wanted to know if you're okay." I waited for him to respond. I waited. Then he finally looked at me, puffy red eyes and all, and just nodded.

I was unsure of what to do next. I know he isn't okay. I mean, I was pretty sure I would be able to do something to help the poor guy, but he seemed so distant and alone. I didn't want to bother him, but I couldn't stay away. "Well, can I at least know your name?"

He looked down at his desk and again stayed stagnant. "Percy."

"Nice to meet you. I'm—"

"Jane. Jane Fleming. Yeah, I heard."

I didn't say anything. I just remained as I was and directed my attention to Mrs. Chouhan, who was now delivering the "First Day of School," information speech. I didn't say anything else to Percy Jackson for the rest of the class. Not until the bell rang and all the other kids were in a rush, but Percy heaved a sigh, as if walking to another class was painful for him. Only then did I say, "Nice to meet you, Percy Jackson. Same time tomorrow, I guess."

He looked at me and nodded. He put his hoodie back on his head and nodded to me one last time and exited the room.

Because Marine Bio was my home room period, I saw Percy Jackson every day.

Mrs. Chouhan announced the next day that the seat we had sat on the first day shall remain our seat until the end of the year, unless given a reason to change. So, due to Percy and me not talking, our seats remained the same.

Percy Jackson dressed similarly during the whole week: a gray or black hoodie on his head along with faded jeans and black pair of worn out high tops. Every morning, Mrs. Chouhan would take attendance and when have reached Percy's name would politely ask Percy to remove his hood, and Percy would do so without question. Knowing Mrs. Chouhan is going to ask him to take off his hood every day, though, I'm left to wonder why he chooses to wear it still.

This week was quiet. We did our work separately, and he proved to be a very smart person. I don't know if he was shy or just didn't like me, but I decided it best to leave him alone. The next week was quiet as well. It wasn't until the third week of school that I was fed up of not talking to my lab partner. Everyone else in class seemed to have made friends with their lab partners, except for me.

So, that day, after Mrs. Chouhan took attendance and asked Percy to take off his hood, I spoke up to Percy. "Hey," I said. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. It was weird to see any sign of acknowledgment in his sad face. "Percy Jackson," I continued. "I don't know if you're shy, or you just don't like me, but if there's a problem, I wanna know it, because I want to be your friend."

At first, Percy just stared at me, his sea green eyes penetrating my soul, desperately trying to solve the hilariously difficult puzzle that is me. Then he did something as rare as winning the lottery. He laughed.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"You are, Jane Fleming. I just haven't heard anyone wanting to be my friend in a long time."

I looked at him, unsure of what to do. "I'll tell you what," I decided. "Let's exchange stories. I'll tell you about myself and you can tell me about yourself." It seemed like a fast way to get to know each other better.

Percy gained back his distant look. "If I told you about myself, you wouldn't believe me."

I didn't know what that was supposed to mean, but I was desperate to know the hilariously difficult puzzle that is Percy Jackson.

"Of course I would believe you. That's what friends are for."

"Even if it's completely outrageous?" He asked.

"Even if it's completely outrageous."

"Even if it goes against all laws of logic?"

"Even then," I said.

He turned to me.

"Even if I sound crazy? And my life sounds crazy? And it seems as if my whole perception of the world sounds ridiculous?"

I smiled. "I'll still believe you, Percy Jackson. And if it reaches the point where I think I'll have to put you in a mental hospital, I just won't tell anybody." I was trying to make a joke, but he nodded as if he understood.

"You first," he said.

"Okay. Well, my dad's in the Navy, so I usually move from school to school. I've already been to two other high schools before this one."

Percy smirked. The first time I've seen him smile in weeks. "I know the feeling."

"You have someone in the military?" I asked.

He shook his head and tapped his foot. "Just get kicked out a lot."

"Oh." I didn't know what this kid did in order to get kicked out of school so many times. I got a little nervous, but it passed when Percy Jackson nudged my leg with his foot.

"Hey, I'm not some sort of criminal, Jane. Just too many cases of the being at the wrong place at the wrong time." He looked down. "Story of my life."

I smiled trying to take his mind off whatever he was thinking about. "Listen, I know what it's like to have a hard time in your life." I hesitate from what I'm about to say, but I say it anyway, because Percy Jackson looks sadder than anyone I've ever met. "My mom passed away when I was six. It was really hard. And because we moved all the time, I never really had a real friend to talk to."

Percy looked at me with sympathy. "I'm sorry," he said.

"I don't know why I'm telling you all this," I announce. "I guess you're just easy to talk to."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," he said.

I pursed my lips. "Percy Jackson."

He tilted his head. "Why do you do that? Say both my first and last name?" He asked.

I frowned. I really didn't know. To me, Percy Jackson's name, his essence, just seemed like he was a celebrity. You know, like when you say a celebrity's first and last name, like, Tom Hanks? You wouldn't just call him Tom. It felt the same way, talking about Percy. I shook my head. "I don't know, Percy Jackson. You're just..."

"What?" He asked.

"I don't know. You're . . . fascinating."

Percy shook his head. "I've never been described as fascinating before." I raised my eyebrows at him. "Jane Fleming," He said.

"Yes?"

"I like having a friend again," he smiled, and took my hand which rested on my leg. I squeezed his hand back.

"Me, too," I agreed. I was friends with a celebrity.