Hey, guys! 16StarBoy here! I'm stoked to be writing this! This is my first time writing for fun so we'll see how this goes. I'm actually surprised I found any time to start writing and I'm not sure the rate at which I'll be uploading. Maybe if I start getting some reviews I'll upload more! Oh, and I'll be sure to reply to any reviews I get! That'd be nifty, right? Anyways, here's teh storay!

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson. All rights to Rick Riordan!

Riptide: The Chosen Hero

Percy didn't let out that he was scared.

He stood apprehensively on one side of the street facing the other side. A massive, castle-like school loomed before him. He shuddered slightly, trying to slow his beating heart.

"Bye honey!" A sweet voice came from the car next to him. His mother's reassuring voice snapped him back into reality. "Have a wonderful time!"

Yeah right, Percy thought to himself. How am I supposed to have a good time when I'm starting in a brand new school again? Not to mention this is the place where I'll be living.

"Thanks, mom," he said dejectedly.

"I'll be back in a few weeks! Call me every night! Make some friends!" His mother said. And with that she rolled up the car window and drove off. Now he really was alone.

The wind blew gently, stirring up some orange autumn leaves. They swirled past his feet, and the wind got caught in his unkempt black hair. He ran his fingers once through his hair, and adjusted his backpack a few times. After a few minutes of trying to gather some courage, he finally took his first step towards the building. It stood tall and intimidating.

As he walked towards the steps, he looked around the campus of his new boarding school to try to get his mind off the butterflies in his stomach. The trees here are really pretty. They provide nice shade, and cover the road like a canopy. The sidewalks are made of chiseled cobblestone, and twist around in interesting designs all over the school's main courtyard. Everything is so nice here.

Jeez, this isn't even high school, Percy thought, my mother enrolled me in a freaking university.

He finally made it to the steps. He took one last look at the courtyard around him before heading up towards the large oak doors.

~oOo~

The door creaked as Percy entered the classroom.

The teacher standing at the chalkboard turned to look at him. He was somewhat chubby, had thinning white hair, and peered at him through thin glasses.

"Ah!" He began, "You must be the new student!"

"Yes, sir. I'm Perc-"

"Patrick Jamestown! Nice to meet you. Say hello to Patrick, class!"

Percy cleared his throat. "Actually, sir, it's Percy Jackson."

The teacher waved the comment away. "Oh, same difference. Take a seat."

Percy looked around the class room before spotting the only empty desk way in the back of the room. He quickly made his way to the seat.

As he was setting his backpack next to the desk, he noticed what seemed like a cold presence next to him. He glanced up and saw a kid in the desk next to his. The boy was tall and wore mostly leather. He had black hair, even darker than his own. And his irises were black and deep like an abyss, but they weren't empty. They were full of emotion and made him look like he was deep in thought. He slouched in his seat and his overall body language made him look like he hated everything.

Percy made a mental note to steer clear of that guy.

"Now class, the hydra was a huge and horrible creature. It destroyed towns and wreaked havoc everywhere it went. That is, until it was defeated by the heroic Hercules." The teacher explained.

As Percy settled into his seat, his eyes began to wander the classroom. He saw the name "Mr. D" on the chalkboard. That must be his teacher's name. There was also a strange assortment of kids in the class, even if the class was relatively small.

The walls were adorned with posters and sketchings of ancient mythical monsters, heroes, and gods. Percy has always been greatly interested in mythology and he's glad he got the chance to take this class. It is, after all, the only class he can manage to pay attention in due to his ADHD.

The bell rang suddenly. Percy stood up with his backpack and waited for the room to clear out so he could make his way towards the door. His vision was blocked all of a sudden.

"Hey, man!" said a loud, cheery voice right in front of his face.

Percy was stunned for a second. He struggled to regain focus. He finally was able to focus on the boy in front of him. He had shaggy brown hair, a little goatee, and brown eyes.

"You're the new kid!" He exclaimed.

As if I didn't already know, Percy thought to himself.

"I'll be happy to show you around, if you want." The boy continued.

"Uh," Percy rubbed the back of his neck. This strange kid was really freaking him out. "Maybe-"

"Great!" He cheered, "Right this way!"

And just like that, this bizarre boy stole Percy's wrist and whisked him out of the classroom.

~oOo~

Percy breathed heavily. That was the fastest school tour in the history of fast school tours.

"Well, that's the campus! Did you like it?"

Percy slowed his breathing. "Uh, yeah! The swimming pool especially." He said with a laugh.

"Oh, you're into swimming? Swim tryouts are next week! You should try out!" His guide said enthusiastically. "Well, anyways, I'd better get going. Do you know where your dorm is?"

"Yeah. It's in Half-blood Hall. Floor 3."

"Hey, what do you know? That's exactly where my dorm is! I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other."

A wave of relief washed over Percy. Thank goodness I'll know somebody here, he thought. Percy waved goodbye and they parted ways.

Percy glanced at the campus map in his hand for the location of his dorm. Good grief, this place is huge. After locating it, he turned and started walking in the direction of his dorm.

Oh, wait! "Did I get your name?" Percy shouted to his guide who was walking in the other direction.

His figure was already receding in the distance. After a few seconds, he heard his guide's voice.

"It's Grover! Don't you forget it!"

Percy chuckled and waved once more to his new friend.

~oOo~

Alright, I'm completely lost. Percy stared at his map helplessly.

He could've sworn his dorm was just around the corner. Instead, he ended up in the middle of a busy shopping plaza. Many students (and at this school there are MANY) were milling around, shopping, or just relaxing with friends after classes.

Exasperated, Percy folded up his map and shoved it in his jeans pocket. There was still a lot of time left in the day, so he decided he could kill some time.

The Plaza, as this shopping center is called, is beautiful. It's all open-air, and has countless little shops. From clothes stores, to candy shops, to the extremely popular restaurant: The Pavilion. There were little picnic tables scattered around the courtyard, each with its own umbrella to provide shade from the sun. In the middle of it all, was an elegant fountain.

Percy decided to continue his hunt for the elusive dorm room. He began crossing the crowded courtyard. He was doing his best not to get in anyone's way, but he did end up bumping a few people. After a few minutes of light jostling, he could see the other side. Just a few more steps…

WHAM!

Percy felt something hit the back of his head and he went flying forwards. His arms flailed and he ran into somebody in front of him. He was able to keep himself from falling to the ground, but the girl he hit wasn't so lucky.

Percy turned around to see what hit him. A construction worker carrying a ladder looked back at him with a shocked look on his face.

"Sorry about that, buddy!" And he scampered off.

Percy rubbed the back of his head, and then he remembered the girl he knocked over. He whirled around and his eyes were met with a girl lying on the ground, her curly blonde hair all over the place.

Oh no, this isn't gonna be good, he thought.

Percy rushed to her side, unsure of what to do.

"OH MY GOD!" A loud girl's voice came from beside Percy, "What happened!?"

A girl with spiky black hair rushed to the girl, on the opposite side of Percy. This girl had shockingly blue eyes. Almost like electricity.

After a few seconds, the blue eyed girl's head shot up. Percy noticed she was looking at him.

"What. Did. You. DO?" She growled.

"I-it was an a-accident!" Percy stammered. Man, was she shooting daggers at him right now.

She sighed gruffly, "I'll deal with you later."

The girl's attention went back to the blonde haired girl. Just then the blonde haired girls eyes fluttered open.

Suddenly, Percy lost the ability to breathe.

She had the most startlingly grey eyes he had ever seen. But, they weren't just grey. The seemed to swirl like a storm as she took in her surroundings. They were beautiful. She sat up and her hair fell perfectly down her shoulders like a cascading waterfall.

"Are you alright, Annabeth?" the other girl asked.

"Thalia? What… happened?" Annabeth replied groggily.

And her voice. Oh, man! Her voice, it was like an angel's. Percy hadn't even noticed he was staring at her until her eyes met his.

Thalia spoke up, "This noodle-brain over hear completely knocked you out cold."

She helped Annabeth to her feet and Percy stood as well.

He found it strangely hard to keep his eyes off of her for some reason. She kept stealing glances at him as well.

"How are you feeling? Your head doesn't hurt too much does it?"

"No I… I think I'm fine." She said. She turned to Percy. "Who are you?"

"I'm Percy." He said trying to sound confident. "Sorry, I kind of knocked you over there." He laughed and rubbed the back the back of his neck nervously. Why are my hands so sweaty? Percy thought to himself.

Annabeth laughed a little too. "It's alright." She smiled and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Percy's stomach did back flips, but he just couldn't take his eyes off her.

A few awkward seconds passed of Percy and Annabeth just staring at each other. Percy felt his cheeks getting warm.

"Well," Thalia (thankfully) cut in, "We'd better be going, got stuff to do and what not."

She began pushing Annabeth away.

"It was nice meeting you," Percy said as she was departing.

"You too," She said somewhat quietly. Wait... No way was she blushing right now.

Before she got very far away, Percy called after her. "Wait, you wouldn't happen to know where Half-Blood Hall is would you."

Annabeth broke from Thalia's grasp and walked back over to Percy. Percy's felt his heart speed up as she got near.

"Yeah, it's right out that way," she said pointing down the road from which he came, "and on your left."

He looked back at Annabeth. "Thanks," he said, "Sorry again for knocking you unconscious, I promise I don't do that often."

She laughed, and Percy loved her laugh.

"I should get going," she said, "I'll see you later."

"See you around." He replied.

It was the strangest thing though. As much as he liked being on his own, he really didn't want to leave her.

She turned and walked back to Thalia. But Percy just stood there, watching them walk away. He didn't really know what to do next, and couldn't get his mind off the girl he just met.

Jeez, Percy thought, maybe I can get used to this school.

Thanks a bunch for reading! Be sure to leave a review! If you thought it was the best thing ever: REVIEW! If you hated it: REVIEW! Also, I'd love to hear if you have any thoughts or ideas for the story. Thanks a bunch!

16StarBoy