Author's Notes:

Hello there, I hope you really enjoy this first chapter of my story. I'll love to read your comments about it so please rate and review. This is an AU, they are just regular teenagers, some characters that died in the books might appear, as well as some characters from HOO, sorry if they seem a little OOC, if so please tell me and I'll try fixing it.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of the Percy Jackson series, just the idea of the story.

More notes at the end of the chapter, And now to the story….

CHAPTER 1

"Mom, the letter is here!" Percy shouted ripping the envelope as his mother Sally came running from the kitchen, looking both nervous and excited. Percy took out the letter and started reading, suddenly screaming "I did it! I got in!"

He kept reading while Sally screamed excitingly while jumping up and down along with Percy.

"And I got a scholarship!" he said shocked, causing only more happy screaming and laughter from Sally, while Percy was over the moon.

He had been trying to get into Greek Hill High School since his previous school had suggested rather harshly that it was best for him to leave after some minor accident. Which he didn't thought was fair, since it wasn't his fault the tiny explosion had caused so much commotion, and even the explosion hadn't been entirely his fault, I mean who gives teenagers dangerous chemicals and expects everything to go well?

Anyway, after being "let go" by the school, as they were calling it, he had tried applying to Greek Hill because of their amazing swimming program, but since classes had already started he wasn't so sure he'll actually get in on this semester. He and his mom had been insisting to the school for almost 2 weeks when the principal finally agreed to meet with them in person, and after listening to Percy's situation and his resolve in getting to GH, he had arranged for him to demonstrate his swimming abilities in front of the coach; if they liked him and saw potential in him, they would give him an opportunity to enter the school, if not, he would have to wait until the next year to apply.

Sally had agreed quickly, without pausing for Percy to think, it seemed to him like the principal just wanted to get rid of him, but since his mom had looked at him with such confidence and pride in her eyes he hadn't been able to refuse.

So he met with both the principal and the coach the next day in the pool, and after some exercises and some laps to the pool, he had been told to present the entrance exam the following day and to wait for a response in the next couple of days. This had been almost a week ago, and now he had found out that not only he had miraculously gotten in, but he had also scored a swimming scholarship. How amazing was that!

In celebration, Sally made blue cookies (Percy's favorites) and they ordered pizza, talking over the arrangements for him to go to school the next Monday in Greek Hill High School. The only downside of this was that since it was also a boarding school, one of the conditions of the scholarship was that he had to live on campus, so he wouldn't be able to stay with his mom. It may seem strange how a teenage guy didn't want to part sides with his mom, but come on, if you had such an amazing mom as Sally, you wouldn't want to either.

Sunday afternoon Percy made his way through the new campus trying to find his dorm in the building "S", he had been walking for some time, but it turned out he was completely lost, and since it was a weekend there weren't many students around to ask for directions. He kept walking carrying his suitcase behind him with one hand and holding a map on the other one. Since he was so distracted trying to read the map he didn't notice in time the fast approaching figure in a skateboard until he heard someone scream "Watch out!" making him look up and causing him to collide directly with the girl.

Since Percy had quick reflexes he managed to get a hold on the falling girl before she hit the ground, dropping his stuff on the process and ending with his face only inches from hers. He was taken aback by her eyes, which where a beautiful stormy gray that looked somewhat cold and calculating, and her long blonde princess curls that flowed in her back.

"Sorry" he said realizing he was staring and helped her stand up, "I was a bit distracted trying to find the dorm and didn't see you coming"

"No worries, I wasn't paying much attention myself" replied the girl, looking somewhat annoyed at him, which was understandable given the circumstances, and picking up her skateboard.

He rubbed the back of his head looking embarrassed and started picking his stuff from the ground. "I should get going if I want to get unpacked before tomorrow" Percy started walking away and suddenly turned around realizing he was still lost "Do you know where the building S is?"

The girl looked at him with a glint of amusement in her eyes as she responded "just keep walking straight until you see the cafeteria, then turn right and the last building would be it."

"Thanks!" he replied "I'm Percy by the way"

"Annabeth, nice meeting you" she said.

"Ditto" Percy said turning around, walking to the building which would be his home for the next year…if he lasted that long.

Following Annabeth's instructions he managed to find the building and although it looked average on the outside, it was pretty amazing on the inside. The first floor had a small reception in the lobby (which made it look like a little hotel) and a small playroom area with foosball, air hockey and ping pong tables. All the walls were painted in different shades of blue, with the school logo on white printed on them. There were various signs on the far wall with arrows pointing in different directions; two announcing the kitchen and TV room were to the right, other two announcing the showers and restrooms were to the left, and finally one stating the dorms were upstairs (which seemed kind of obvious to Percy).

He made his way to the receptionist who was a teenage boy around his age with blond hair and blue eyes. The guy looked up as soon as he heard Percy approaching.

"Hello, can I help you?" he said with a smile on his face.

"Hi, yes, I'm new here; I just got transferred and was told to come to this building."

"Sure, what's your name and grade?"

"Percy Jackson and I'm a junior"

"Jackson" he murmured while searching for his name on the system. "Found you! You are in room 312, which is on the third floor at the end of the hallway to your right. When you are all set up please come back here so we can go over the rules and any questions you may have" he said cheerily handing him a key with an orange keychain with the number 312 printed in white. He stood up and walked to the elevator, swiping a card on the big button outside, which put the elevator in motion, and gestured Percy to get in, while he walked back to the desk.

Percy went through the elevator to the third floor and walked through the orange hall past the rooms until he found his. He opened the door and stepped in, surprised by the appearance of the room. It was simple, two twin beds on either side, two desks and two chairs in the far wall, and simple closets on each side of the door. What surprised Percy was the messy state the room was in; the right side of the room was decorated with National Geographic and recycling posters, but the bed was covered in clothes and an old Rasta cap. The floor had scattered shoes and a couple of pants, and the right desk had different books and papers all over it, the left desk however had a pizza box and some plates, and lastly on the left bed was what seemed like clean laundry waiting to be put away.

He was setting his stuff on the floor when he heard the door open and a surprised gasp behind him. Percy turned around to see a boy with tan skin, brown curly hair and wide open brown eyes.

"Who are you?" He asked warily.

"My name is Percy Jackson, it looks like I'll be your new roommate" he responded with a smile.

"Oh right… Damn, sorry man! Will told me Friday, but I completely forgot! And since I had thought I would be alone this semester I took all your space" he said frantically picking up his stuff from the floor "I'm Grover, Grover Underwood" he extended his hand, which Percy shook, and then proceeded to help him clean up.

"Nice to meet you, and don't worry, it's been 3 weeks since school started, I would have thought the same" he responded, carrying the empty pizza box and used plates to the garbage can at the entrance of the room. Working together they were able to get Grover's stuff in order and Percy's unpacked in no time at all.

"So, I'm assuming you are a junior? Since they usually pair people form the same grade in the dorms" Grover said, and then asked curiously "Why are you coming just now? Three weeks late"

"Yes, I'm a junior, and well that's a complicated story…" Percy started telling him about his previous school and the reasons why he had to find a new school. When he was finished, Grover just stared astonished at him.

"You are on the swim team? And with a SCHOLARSHIP?" He whisper screamed.

"Um… yeah?" Percy said uncertainly "Why? Is it a bad thing?"

"No! It is a great thing! I mean, just getting to one of the sport teams in Greek Hill is hard enough, but getting a scholarship for them is nearly impossible since there are so few of them per team. And usually the swimming team only gets one or two." Grover explained "And since the school year had already started, it must mean you are really good!"

Percy was speechless, he had known getting a place in the school and in the team was difficult, but to this level? Was he really that good? He just loved the water and the feeling of freedom it gave him, especially since it had helped him forget of the hard times his stepfather Gabe gave him at home when he was a kid. That's why he had sought refuge in the water, gaining speed over the years. Thankfully his mother had divorced him a while ago and they were now living happily away from him and his abusive treatments, but his love for swimming remained.

He knew he was good, he had won several awards on previous competitions, but he never imagined he was as good as Grover was making it sound.

"I guess so… I haven't spoken with the coach yet, I have my first practice tomorrow afternoon" he said still a little shocked.

"If you have a scholarship you should be" Grover said confidently with a huge smile on his face. "Anyway, do you have your schedule already?" he asked.

"Yes, somewhere in here I think" Percy responded opening and closing notebooks looking for it, finally finding it inside his chemistry book (he had no idea why) and handed it to Grover.

He looked it over and nodded approvingly. "You have good teachers; some are a little strict but nothing too bad. I have first period with you, so I can show you the way tomorrow."

"Thanks! That would be great, I got lost today just trying to find this building….and I had a map" Percy said the last part gloomily, but recovered quickly.

"Damn, I forgot! The guy on the reception told me to go back after unpacking" Percy suddenly remembered getting up and running outside, leaving an amused Grover behind.

He ran for the lobby not waiting for the elevator and taking the stairs instead. He arrived at the desk almost out of breath making the guy on the reception and some other kids who were hanging around the playroom snicker.

"Sorry, it took longer than expected, and then I spaced out" he said while catching his breath.

"It's okay, it's still early, and this won't take that long" He handed Percy a sheet of paper which listed the rules. "My name is Will Solace and I'm the head dorm of this building, this are the rules you'll have to follow while being here, they are pretty standard, please read them and if you have any questions you can ask me, if not please, sign at the end of the page and hand it over to me" he said with a big smile.

Percy read the guidelines, which included things like taking care of the facilities, help with the cleaning once a month, curfew hours, no girls allowed after 8:00PM, no smoking, no drinking, no drugs, etc. As Will said they were pretty standard rules. He signed the paper and returned to the desk.

"Alright now all that's left is to register you in the system so you can access, the elevators, stairs and showers" He typed something in the computer and asked for Percy's student card. He entered some more data in the system and swiped it through a black sensor attached to the computer. "Alright all set up, from now on you can access all the facilities, remember to follow the rules, and any question or complain you have please come to me"

"Thanks man" Percy took his card, nodded at him and headed for the elevators once more.

It was almost 8:00PM now, so no time for a tour of the school; he'll just have to find his way through school tomorrow. Grover was finishing some homework on his desk, and looked really busy, so he left him alone.

He changed into his pajamas and went early to bed, it had been quite a day, and tomorrow he would finally start classes, but what was more important, he'll be able to go to swim practice being a step closer to achieving his goal.

"Yes, tomorrow will be a great day" Percy said to himself as he fell asleep.

Author Notes:

Well here it is! It's just the beginning so not much happened, that'll come in the following chapters. Just a tiny bit of interaction of Percabeth, but don't worry, there will be much more when she is introduced next chapter so stay tuned!

Please Rate and Review, all comments are welcome just please be nice.

And if you see a grammatical error, please point it out to me.

Goodbye, and until next chapter!