Author's Note: Hi everyone! Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors in my first chapter. I've only just started writing, so please leave me feedback on my work! I will update as regularly as I can. Thank you all! Enjoy reading :)

Chapter 1: Following the Footsteps

He had been working hard. Really hard. Ever since he started walking, he was put in a pool. Swimming was, is, and will always be a passion for him. The moment that his career and his future depended on was only three minutes away. From the stands, Percy could see his mom cheering for him. She knew how much getting into the Junior Olympics meant not only to him but also to his high school. Percy knew that if he won, his mom would make the largest batch of blue chocolate chip cookies once he got home. His goal was the gold medal. He had to beat everyone else to get it, and this was the final round to prove it.

"On your marks." One of the judges announced as soon as the pool bleachers were silent. The silence was haunting. Percy was aching to get into the pool. The water moved with him, and the feeling of gliding through the water was what he loved.

Percy got onto the diving board. This was it. The timing of when he dove into the pool after those two words and the buzzer determined where he stood in life.

"Get set."

"BEEP!"

Faster than anyone could imagine, Percy dove into the pool. He was always picked on in elementary and middle school because of his ADHD and dyslexia, but in swimming, his ADHD and inborn reflexes was what earned him a split second advantage over the other participants, the split second that could get you from first to fourth or vice versa.

He was the first one in the water and was already past the flags when the other participants dove into the water. Percy was the captain of the swim team at Goode High School, and for a good reason too. He moved with such agility in the water, and to him, it was like his second home. His intense practice sessions earned him sore muscles, but he loved it. Naturally, he was good at freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, but butterfly called to him. Percy was so inspired by Michael Phelps that he spent hours studying his techniques, the techniques that made him win the most gold medals in the Olympics. Since then, Percy decided that he wanted to make a name for himself through swimming.

Percy's dad, Poseidon Jackson, was a legendary swimmer. In his golden days, Poseidon could swim an astonishingly fast 400 meter freestyle. He set the record at the National USA Swimming Championships with a time of 3:43:18. Naturally, he taught Percy to swim. He was sure that he would follow his footsteps and earn glory in swimming. As Percy grew older, all he has to say is "My dad is Poseidon Jackson" to get entry into any pool or training facility. Most people recognize him because of their strikingly similar features. Both have captivating sea-green eyes, reflecting the mood and the thoughts running through their heads. Their black hair is always tousled by the wind, and never dry, except during school hours when Percy can't train.

Unfortunately, Poseidon could not make it to the final round of the Junior Olympics because of the annual meeting of his two brothers. Before the race started, Percy wished that his dad was there to see all their hard work pay off. Nevertheless, Percy wanted to surprise Poseidon with his (hopefully) win. The Junior Olympics has always been a dream for Percy, and this is the final step to make it come true.

Watching Percy swim was one of the great afterschool past-times at Goode. His crisp, clean strokes are mesmerizing to watch, and his muscles glistening in the water was always an oomph factor to the girls. He was popular, but he didn't understand how. Sure, he was a great swimmer, but he doesn't have the looks or the brains. At least that's what he thought. Of course, all the popular girls try to date him. He shrugs them off, much to their dismay. Swimming before girls, that's how it's always worked. The one thing that he doesn't understand is how girls think that they can walk in 3 inch high heels in high school. In high school! This is school, not a fashion runway. That's probably not what those girls thought about while getting ready for school.

The first lap was complete. Percy was well prepared and didn't feel any of his energy draining in the first 50 meters. He knew that he would have to save all his energy for the last 50, so he went at a good, but fast pace for the next 100 meters. Not even once did his mind wander during the race. He stayed at it, and before he knew it, he was at the last 50 meters. Percy kicked off the wall and let his body take over. Arms up, dolphin kick, breathe. Arms up, dolphin kick, breathe. So it went on until he reached the wall. He didn't dare to look at anything in his peripheral vision because he had heard horror stories from his dad of what happened when his swimmates lost focus. So, he kept his eyes on the goal and only the goal.

As soon as his fingertips touched the timeboard at the end of the pool, he took off his goggles to see his time show up on the board. 2:12:84. He did it. He did it. His name was next to the first slot. He won! He blew his competition out of the water. The second and third place slots were seconds off. "YES! WHOOAAHH!" All of the nervousness welled inside Percy popped like a balloon. He won the 200 meter butterfly! He let out a yell, one that was of the pride swelling in his chest. Like father, like son. He won! After congratulating the second and third place ranks, he leaped out of the pool and dried himself off with a towel. Reporters, cameras, and flashes was all he could see as soon as he could wrap his head around his win. He smiled for the cameras, answered as many questions as he could, and headed straight for the bleachers, where his mom, who everyone knew as Sally, ran down to hug him. Even though he was sopping wet and over six feet tall, he was still Mama's Little Boy. her tears of happiness was shown by her face.

"I promised you that big batch of cookies if you won. And make it I shall." Sally laughed and ruffled her son's hair, even though pool water was soaked into her clothes. Sally didn't care. For once, she did not tell Percy to shower before telling her anything. She could see the pride and happiness radiating off of him and his smile. Her tear stained face didn't hide her beauty however. She still retained her beauty of her younger days, a fact of which many women her age were jealous of. More cameras flashed, and everyone "aweeed" at the adorable familial love that was present within both Sally and Percy.

Soon after, Sally and Percy walked out of the facility with the happiest of smiles plastered on their faces. Once he showed and changed into dry clothes, Percy and Sally decided to walk around the Junior Olympics. After making their way away from the pool facility, they decided that they wanted to spectate the archery competition. Percy's win and his charming smile made news all around the Junior Olympics. All he had to do was say "I'm Percy Jackson" to get inside of the archery grounds. Everyone saw his smile, and he was glowing with pride. The women's archery competition was starting in a few moments and he thought nothing could dampen his spirits. After the competition started, Percy recognized the piercing gray eyes and the bushy blonde ponytail of a tall girl who hit bulls eye after bulls eye after bulls eye. As her eyes swept across the crowd, they settled on Percy. She narrowed her eyes a bit, recognizing Percy, and then turned around to see her results.

The girl's eyes settled on him. He had never felt so uncomfortable in his life, and his good mood and high spirits was dampened by seeing her. Since when was she competing in the Junior Olympics for archery?