I anxiously lay in bed, waiting for the email from Mr Brunner to come through. He had told us that he had assigned us our Italian exchange partners and that he would email us the details tonight. Staring at the screen was hurting my eyes, but I couldn't help it. I had been looking forward to this trip for almost a year, so being prepared was vital to me. However, I was extremely tired, so I made myself a cup of steaming hot coffee and watched the frost on the window form.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, there was a PING! and a new email on my laptop screen. I opened the document attached with great anticipation and quickly scanned the document for my name. Next to Annabeth Chase was the name 'Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano'. I clicked on her name and looked at the pairing form she filled out. She described herself as independent and kind, and had said that she enjoyed martial arts and horse riding. She seemed like a good exchange partner, so all was well. I was just about to shut my laptop and go to sleep when I saw that she said she would like to host two people. Did that mean she was hosting someone else too? I scanned through the original document for her name again until I spotted it further up. Next to Reyna's name was the last name on Earth that I wanted to see there: Percy Jackson.

My heart sank, and I pulled a Luke Skywalker-style: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", but silently so I didn't wake my parents up. I then flopped down onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Percy Jackson. The most arrogant, conceited and disrespectful boy I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. He was the typical popular pretty boy; captain of the basketball and swimming team, girls hanging off his arms. Turns up late to every lesson (except Mythology) and strides down the halls like he owns the place. And unfortunately, we've known each other for a long time.

I met him in my first year of middle school and I immediately disliked him.

I'm pretty sure it was because he drew a dick on my math book, threw a paper aeroplane at the teacher's head and said it was me.

To be fair, in return, I tossed his bag out the window and told the teacher that he made 'inappropriate comments about you'.

That's how it all started. We ended up hating each other. Every moment we saw each other, we would both do our best to get on each other's nerves. I'll never say it to his face, but we were a pretty even match. Both headstrong and creative in ways to prank each other.

That was back when we were in middle school.

"You're going to share with who?!" Piper spat out her fry and began to cackle at me.

"Shut up." I groaned, burying my face in my hands. It really wasn't fair, out of all the uneven matches you could make, Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson. Like we would ever be even cordial to each other.

"You know Annie," began a grinning Thalia, as she slid into the seat next to me with her pasta, "I do find the situation quite amusing."

"Yeah...well...I find your face amusing." I said, unable to come up with anything wittier.

"I mean, think about it though." continued Thalia. "You can really fix things with Jackson."

"Yeah." Piper joined in. "You can put your petty rivalry aside and become the ultimate couple."

Thalia gave her a weird look. "Actually, I was thinking more the wreak-havoc-upon-his-soul type thing. You know, show him who's boss."

I ignored both of them. "You know, I'm just going to speak to Mr Brunner. It must have been a mistake, because he's seen firsthand how we are around each other." The last time he paired us up in lesson was when Mr Brunner got a brand new hole in his ceiling.

"What's your problem sharing an exchange partner with him anyway?" asked Piper. "It's only for two weeks, and the whole point of this trip is to make friends."

I sighed heavily. "No Pipes, the point is to go and see Rome, not to spend all my time looking over my shoulder. I'll have to live in the same house as him!"

Taking a fork, I speared a piece of Thalia's pasta because it looked fantastic. I was so right. "I'm going to go speak to Mr Brunner now." I turned to Piper. "I have physics homework to do after as well, so I'll catch you in Math?"

Both Piper and Thalia gave me disgusted looks.

"Physics homework, Annabeth? Really?"

"And yeah, I'll see you in Math."

Leaning forward in his wheelchair, Mr Brunner looked up at me, frowning slightly. "I'm sorry Miss Chase, but the decision was not mine alone. There was only one Italian student who opted to have two exchange students, and you and Mr Jackson were the only two people left."

I gritted my teeth. "Can't you just swap one of us with someone else...sir?" I added quickly, so that I didn't seem rude.

"I thought that you and Mr Jackson have improved your rocky relationship, Miss Chase. In fact, he personally assured me that you two are friends."

I let out a nervous laugh. "Sorry?"

"He even said that he would like to be with you."

My world crashed at that moment.

Oh great. Fan-tastic. This had to be a joke. "Ha ha ha ha ha, that's a good one, Mr Brunner." I laughed weakly, hoping he was kidding.

"Miss Chase, I assure you I am serious." he said, smiling slightly.

No way. No freaking way. No way did Percy Jackson willingly share anything with me. "Maybe this is part of his revenge on me for what I did last week. To be fair, he had it coming, although maybe filling his entire locker with shaving cream was a bit harsh." I thought, my mind working furiously to justify why Jackson would do this.

"Well thank you Mr Brunner." I said, and rapidly turned on my heels with the intent to find Percy Jackson.

So, this is the new and not really improved version of the first chapter. I know parts are similar, but a good writer told me to try to avoid rewriting the whole thing, so I listened and rewrote the bits that were making me vomit. Please review and give feedback.