This story is based on my past experiences. I hope no one else has to go through what I had.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except this story, of course.

Annebeth looked at the sky through her window. Please. Help me, Gods! Just one wish. Just one wish. Annebeth's head drooped and she looked back at her bed. She collapsed on it and looked at the ceiling, still repeating the words. Just one wish. Just one wish.

Annebeth's grey eyes sparkled with tears. "I wish I can find my friends, who aren't traitors like Luke or Silena. I wish my family won't treat me like shit. I-" Her voice trembled. "I wish I will have a normal life." Her head slumped and she fell into a scary sleep, dreaming of crazy parents, "friends", and her dead Thalia. My life sucks.

6:30 AM

"Annebeth Chase!" A shrilling voice pierced the quiet air. "Get up now!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Annebeth called groggily. Her step mother Helen should get the award of worst stepmom ever. She deserved it. "I'm getting ready!"

"I said, now!" Helen screeched back. "You're going to miss your ride!"

Annebeth didn't have a ride. She walked to school and back everyday. However, if you'd ask, her father would say that she does have a ride, him. It's just that he leaves at 6:45 sharp to go to work, thus Annebeth's classes start at 7:45. And she doesn't really want to hang out at the school for one hour.

After her quick shower, Annebeth brushed her golden tresses until it was slightly wavy and pulled it into a messy ponytail, brushed her teeth, and went downstairs. She prepared for the worst. When she got downstairs, Helen turned around and towered over her, eyes glittering angrily.

"YOU MISSED YOUR RIDE, AGAIN! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOUR FATHER IS VERY HARDWORKING AND HAS TO GET TO WORK ON TIME WHILE YOU LITTLE BRAT IS BLISSFULLY IGNORANT! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Helen hollered at the top of her lungs. Annebeth flinched, but she was very used to this.

"Sorry, Helen. I'll get my breakfast and be on my way, okay?" Annebeth asked politely. Though anyone can see the hatred glittering in her eyes.

Annebeth reached out a hand to grab a granola bar and a banana, but Helen stepped in front of her. "What do you think you are doing?"

"I have to get my breakfast, Helen." Annebeth struggled to hold back her temper.

"WELL WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO GET YOUR STUPID BREAKFAST AND GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" Helen screeched. Annebeth just had to let out one of her remarks.

"Well, I'm sorry, but somebody has been screaming at me the past five minutes, and standing in front of me. Why can't you leave me alone?!" She snapped. Helen's posture stiffened.

"What. Did. You. Say?" She asked in a low tone. Annebeth's posture stiffened too. She knew what was coming.

"I said, WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Helen screamed. Her body trembled in rage. Annebeth flinched. She saw the hand too late. SLAP!

She brushed past Helen, eyes brimming with tears, hand over her throbbing left cheek, and grabbed a banana and a granola bar. Then she grabbed her keys, backpack, and cell phone and raced out the door before Helen could scream at her again.

She ran all the way to school, trying not to cry. After all, it was almost Christmas! This was supposed to be a good time, right?

Wrong. On so many levels.

When she got to the snow covered school, students stared at her, whispering and murmuring to each other. Annebeth didn't care. She just wished that she was just a normal teenager with kind parents. Is that too much to ask? I mean, half of the kids here are super rich, get everything they want, and are spoiled. Rachel Elizabeth Dare is one of these people, but at least she's not spoiled. Her parents are just rich.

Rachel is Annebeth's only friend at this school. Except she is part of the popular crowd. At least she still say hi to her.

And there she is! Super pretty-with her flaming red, curly, and conditioned hair and perfect sparkly green eyes. She wore no makeup, so she could show off her cute freckles to the world. Rachel is like the sun comparing to Annebeth's dull, curly, and dry blonde hair and boring grey eyes. She often complained to Annebeth about how her dad never spent any time with her, but Annebeth thinks she just lucky. I mean, come on. At least her parents doesn't slap her every time she wakes up or gets home!

Tears threatened to spill again, but Annebeth reminded herself that she must be strong and build a strong reputation at this school. So far, her rep was loser. Not fair, if you ask me.

You see, Annebeth is taking AP courses in 10th grade. She also skipped a grade. In all her classes, she has an A+. Tell me, how is that a loser?

Annebeth walked towards Rachel, waving and saying hi. Except, Rachel didn't do anything back.

In other words, she completely ignored her.

Annebeth tried not to feel hurt as she was ushered off by one of Rachel's friends. After all, Rachel was popular, and Annebeth was not. Of course she wouldn't talk to her. But still.

As Annebeth trudged over to her locker, she overheard someone's conversation next to her. It was between a brunette and a curly haired girl.

"Piper, did you hear about that blonde girl who got raped?" The curly haired one asked. Huh?

"Nope. But I don't think it's true. Just rumors doing its job of making her life miserable." The brunette Piper answered.

"Poor girl. Wait!" The girl suddenly caught Annebeth's eye and began to whisper guiltily to Piper. They both turned around and squinted at her. Are they talking about me?

Suddenly, the brunette girl began to walk over to her locker, where she was standing. Her friend widened her eyes, and Annebeth caught something like "Oh shit!" coming from her.

"Hey, are you Annebeth Chase?" The Piper girl asked. Annebeth nodded, confused.

"So, there was this rumor passing around school that you were raped, and the guy slapped you. Is that true?" Annebeth widened her eyes. So she was the blonde they were talking about!

"That's not true!" She protested. But at this rate I didn't even care. She thought. I was already annoyed, mad, and thinking about suicide.

"Whoa, there! Girl!" Piper yelped. "Don't ever think about committing suicide!" Oops. Annebeth must've said it out loud.

"Yep, you did." Piper replied. Annebeth sighed.

"Sorry, it's just that... my life sucks." Annebeth told her, trying to push away the tears threatening to spill.

"Hey, Annebeth. Nobody has a perfect life. For example, I sort of stole stuff when I was younger." She sad. Annebeth was shocked.

"Why? You don't seem like a thief."

Piper laughed humorlessly. "It's a long story." She paused here to motion towards the curly haired girl. "Hazel here, has a bad luck curse surrounding her. I don't know what, or what it's about, but I saw stuff happen around her." Her rainbow eyes glistened with memories.

"Whatever is making us imperfect, well, who cares? We can grow stronger this way. We were borne to live, Annie!" Piper grinned. If this was anyone else, Annebeth wouldn't have believed them. But something about this girl just. I don't know. Clicked.

"C'mon, Hazel's waiting for us. Then we can go to class." Piper said.

A/N: So what do you think? Please review! I will update soon, so don't give up on this chapter! :)