Hi guys. As you can see below, I couldn't stay away from writing for long. What this story is about? Well, it's something I haven't found written right, so thought I'd try it. A "prequel", if you will, to PJO: the story of how Sally Jackson met Poseidon and everything. I found it a challenge and it intrigued me. For the outcome? You'll be the judges of that. Before I give you this chapter, there's one more thing I need to say. You can skip and not think about it at all, but I need to say it.

This story is dedicated to one of my best friends who lost her life a week ago. She was the one to push me to publish things here, so for the ones that like my stories about Percabeth and Meliam, you own reading them to her. R.I.P Pikachu (my nickname for her)

Chapter 1: First sight

Sally's POV

*ring ring*

"Good morning New Yorkers! It's seven already, so up, up, up. You all have your jobs to attend to, just like us here at the radio station. We all..." I slammed the alarm clock as hard as I could and turned on the other side, even though I knew I had to get up for work. Groaning, I unwillingly slipped from the safety of the covers and continued with my morning routine. When I was done feeding my cat, I was on my way to work.

Walking through the streets of Manhattan and using its public transportation to get to the shop had always been a nightmare. Traffic at this time of the day was immense since everyone had the same goal as me: get to work. Standing like zombies and very close to one another, people looked as willing to reach their destinations as I was. I observed them from my position at the back of the bus. Some were yawning, other rubbing their eyes trying to push the sleep away, some had caved in their eyes' wish and fell asleep against the window and lastly there was a slight minority talking on their cell phones, a new fashion I had noticed spreading nowadays. The best of choices was to sleep against the window if you ask me though.

When it was time to get off the bus to continue on foot, I had to push my way out. People kept coming in, while I was trying to squeeze myself out. Eventually, though, I did it and was on my way to the shop. "Sweet on America" was a candy shop a block away from the Central Park. Working there wasn't the best of jobs, but it provided a steady income to a drop-out like me. Until I proceeded to make my plans true, it was a good way to make a living.

The moment I walked in through the back door as always, I was hit by the euphoric scent of all the sweets in the front and the smiling face of my boss, Mrs Ruby. I went to greet her but she stopped me putting her index finger up. On the other hand she was holding on the shop's phone and kept ordering stuff we'd need in the near future. Once she was done, she turned to me.

"Good morning, Sally." You came in early again, I see." She said checking her watch and kept smiling. Mrs Ruby was the sweetest person I'd ever met so owning a candy shop couldn't be more suitable for her.

"Good morning to you too, Mrs Ruby. The bus ride was quick I guess." I replied and moved on to deposit my bad on the counter. I hadn't realized I hadn't moved an inch from when I entered till that moment.

"Of course..." She trailed off and by the tone in her voice I could tell she didn't actually believe it. In all truth, I just didn't like being late in any possible appointment or work I had to attend, so showing up late at the shop wasn't an option. In order to do that, though, I had to take one early bus, so it made me arrive a few minutes early.

"Is there anything specific you want, before I start on the usual?" I asked putting on my apron.

"Oh yes. Could you take charge of the cashier for me till I get back? I have some bills to pay." She requested all too kindly even thought she was the boss.

"Of course. Not many will come at this hour anyway." I said and went to sit behind the counter smiling at her.

"Thank you, my girl. I'll be back soon." She said and slowly made her way out of the shop. With the pace she was going I really doubted that she'd be back soon as she said. I just grabbed a book from my bag before returning to my seat behind the counter. A chapter or two later...

"Excuse me...?" I didn't realize that man's presence till he made it know by speaking to me. I hadn't heard him enter or walk over to the counter behind of which I was sitting. I quickly got up startled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you enter." I explained trying to justify myself.

"I should be the one apologizing for startling you." He said and it was the first time I looked up at his face. But when I did, I couldn't avert my eyes from his. An amazing green. A mixture of blue and green leaning towards green though. Just like the sea close to the shore.

"Um...I.." I cleared my throat trying to regain my composure. "How can I help you? Candy for the kids?" I asked desperately trying to avoid looking in his eyes again.

"Actually no. They're for me." He said looking down embarrassed. His black hair was the only thing I could see because his head was bent down like that.

"A grown man, but a child within, huh?" I asked giggling and he was even more embarrassed. Was I really flirting with a customer? "Which would you like?"

"I have no preference. Pick whatever you want." He said and lifted his head again.

"How about some of these?" I asked showing him my favourite. "Chocolate always makes things better." I also commented.

"Sure. Anything you want." He replied and I got to work trying to put some of that candy in a box. All the while I could feel his eyes on me, but didn't dare lift my head to meet his gaze. Otherwise, I would get lost in those eyes again.

"Is this enough?" I asked having put a good amount of sweets in there.

"Yes, thank you." He said smiling. I nodded and closed up the box before weighing it and giving it to him. After he paid, he once again grinned at me and headed for the door. But once there, he stopped. "Thank you Sally." He beamed before walking out.

How did he know my name? I wasn't wearing my name tag after all. But despite the fact I couldn't understand how he could possibly now my name, hearing it come out of his lips made a smile drape along my face. I took my seat again and sometime later the other employee arrived. My best friend, Haley. Behind her, Mrs Ruby was coming in too with a guy on her two bringing in some four.

"Oh Haley dear, good morning. Sally, why are you grinning like that?" She asked me an I hadn't realized I was till she pointed it out.

"Hello, Mrs Ruby. I was about to ask her the same thing." Haley said raising her eyebrows at me. I was saved momentarily by the groan of the guy carrying the flour.

"Excuse me ladies, but where do you need this?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"In the back honey. Haley, could you show him?" Mrs Ruby asked nicely. Haley just nodded and led the guy at the back. "Now why don't you tell me what happened while I was away?" Did she really have to go back to that?

"A customer came." I answered as bluntly as I could.

"And...?" She trailed off expectantly. She may be sweet and old, but she observed a lot. Too much for my liking in that moment.

"And I serviced him. That's my job after all." I answered sneaking a peak at the door where a few minutes ago that man had exited from.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you blushing and looking at the door if that's all that happened?" Haley questioned coming to stand next to me as Mrs Ruby paid the man and he smiled waving at Haley before he walked out. "You can answer now."

"And you can avoid making out with the delivery boy at the back." Our boss said giggling and I joined while Haley blushed. I hadn't noticed the flour on her shirt till she tried to dust it off.

"Yeah... Anyway, what happened with the customer?" She tried to dodge the subject.

"Nothing happened. He was just..." I trailed off trying to find the words.

"Just what?" Haley insisted.

"Amazing I guess. Kind, handsome, he even somehow knew my name even though I wasn't wearing my name tag." I answered letting all my excitement flow through my voice. Haley squealed and hugged me, while Mrs Ruby rolled her eyes smiling.

"What's his name?" She asked and in that moment I realized I hadn't asked his name. I could fully describe him, but his name I didn't know.

"I... I don't know." I confessed and my face fell.

…. And the first chapter is over. Now, if you were careful in the books (unlike me), you'd know Sally met Poseidon in Montauk during some summer vacation. That's how it'll happen. This is just a "first sight" as the title says. Hope you liked it.

Catherine & Tony P.