Chapter 1

Annabeth's POV:

"Hey Annabeth, psst, ANNABETH!"

I snap my head to the right, where my best friend Thalia Grace sat in her chair, impatiently tapping her foot for the class to be over.

"What?" I answer in a whisper.

"What's the answer to question seven?"

I sigh and return back to my own test sheet without any other word. I check my answers once again, and set it neatly down on my desk.

"Annabeth! ANNABETH!" Thalia says louder, and our teacher, Mr. Redmond, hears.

"Hey there! No talking during tests!" he yells, looking straight at Thalia. She shrinks back to her seat, cursing at him quietly.

Just then the bell rings, and everyone rushes to turn their quiz sheets into the teacher. Thalia is at the end of the line like usual, trying to finish more questions. I throw all my stuff into my bag and turn my paper in after Thalia.

"Hey Annabeth, you wanna come hang out at my house after school?" asks Luke as he makes his way over towards us. "Thalia and Grover are coming over to study for their History mid-final. We kinda need someone that actually can help studying…"

I laugh. "Sorry, but I can't. I mean I guess I can, but I need to study also and it's a fact that you can't study with Thalia in the room."

Thalia snorts. "Can too."

"Can't."

"Hey! Can too!"

"I'm sorry to break the truth to you Thalia, you can't," Grover interrupts.

"Are you guys teaming up on me or something?" Thalia scoffs and stomps out of the room, forgetting her book bag.

"Uh, Thalia, you can't really leave without your book bag…" I state, holding it up. Thalia rolls her eyes and walk back to retrieve her bag.

"So much for a dramatic exit," Grover chuckles.

Thalia rolls her eyes at him and this time, with her book bag, exits the room with us at her tail.

§ • ~ • § • ~ • §

"I'm home!" I call when I get home. I could smell my mother's cooking wafting from the kitchen and the sound of my little twin brothers playing with cars upstairs. I go up to my room, toss my backpack onto my bed, grab my sketchbook and pencil, slip on my converses, and head out the door to the park.

When I reach the park, I settle myself at my favourite spot below the tree in the shade. It had the best view of the park– you could see the lake, the fountain, the field. It made a perfect picture to snap a shot of or sketch. The sun was reflecting off the water of the fountain, and the sound of the water of the lake rushing was calming. Today's weather was perfect; the sun was shining but not too bright, the slight breeze rustling the leaves of the trees.

I start sketching from the pavement to the clear blue sky of the park to the buildings in the background. I was so focused on my drawing that I didn't notice someone coming up behind me, staring as I dragged my pencil against the page carefully.

"That's a pretty good drawing," someone says from behind, and I literally jump out of my skin in surprise. My head snaps in their direction, and I find myself looking at a boy about my age.

This boy had tousled black hair, bright sea-green eyes and dirty looking clothing. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder like he was just on his way home from school. The weird thing was that his bag was full and seemed to be carrying a bunch of stuff. There's a bunch of cuts, scars and bruises on his arms and legs.

"Uh…thanks?" I answer as I continue sketching. I glance at the boy and he's still there. "Um…why are you still here?"

He shrugs. "I like watching people draw. So what's your name?"

I hesitate before I reply. Can I trust this stranger? "Um, Annabeth."

"Nice name. What school do you go to?"
"Well that's a stalker-ish question,"

He laughs. His laugh actually sounds real, like he really means it. "Hey, I don't mean to stalk you. I'm just trying to know you better."

I raise an eyebrow.
"If it makes you feel better, my name's Peter Janson, and I go to Goode High."

"Annabeth Chase. I go to Half Blood High."

"Huh. Interesting name."

"Yeah, I've always wondered about the name. Maybe it's named after demigods or something. You know, they're halfblooded."

"Well someone's smart."

"I like Greek mythology okay!" I shout in defence.

"Never said that was bad."

Our conversation advances, and we find out similarities and differences. Peter was funny and sarcastic, maybe a little brainless– but he was really friendly. He liked swimming and loved the colour blue.

"I better go. It's already 5:43."

"Okay, see you."

"Bye," I say and wave, hurrying away back to my house.

§ • ~ • § • ~ • §

After I ate dinner and was finishing homework, I noticed something missing from my desk. I stared blankly at the spot, and then suddenly realised. My notebook. I hastily get up from my chair, throw a jacket on, and race down the stairs.

"Mom, I forgot something at the park, I'll be back soon!" I shriek at the direction of the kitchen where I suppose my mom is washing the dishes as I rush out the front door. I sprint down the neighbourhood and towards the park in a fast pace.

When I reach the park, I go straight to the bench but there's nothing there. I search around the bench if the wind had blown it away, but I can't find it anywhere. I haven't realised I was looking for it for almost an hour that it was already 9 PM. I sigh and head back home, sprinting half the distance. I let the front door slam behind me as I take off my sneakers. How could I possibly forget my sketchbook?

I fling myself onto my bed, and lay there thinking of ways I could get my sketchbook back. I'm almost asleep when I hear a tapping on the window.

I slowly get up, and cautiously make my way towards the window, where the curtains were closed. I grab the curtain and brace myself to open it. 3…2…1…

I slide open the curtains.