I don't own any of the PJatO characters, or the HoO. I also don't own the songs.

Annabeth's POV

I sat on my seat in the airplane. I was curled in a ball of grey hoodie and leggings, absorbed in my novel, The Hunger Games. It's an excellent book. I've read it hundreds of times. Suddenly a voice rang out over the speakers: Fasten your seatbelt, we are about to land.

I sighed. I was starting a new life in Seatown, a small island. I was glad to see the back of San Francisco as I'd never made any friends, but I was nervous about meeting the locals.

To clarify: yes, I'm a nerd. I'd rather sit indoors with a book then outdoors with friends. Whilst other seventeen year-olds fantasise about romances, I think about architecture. Whilst other people think of their love lives, I think of my dead mother.

I stepped off the plane, shortly followed by my dad, Fredrick Chase. He gathered his books and bustled me out. He whistled to a nearby taxi and we began the endless 70 mile drive to Seatown.

When we finally arrived, it was noon. I breathed the fresh air; it was scented with sea salt and cookies. It was so much nicer than the smog back at home. I wheeled my suitcase out behind me and looked around.

There was a little sign pointing left, saying Seatown Beach. I scanned the little shops. It seemed like a little holiday village, someone remote and unreal – except for the fact that there was barely any people around. The shops were stuffed with merchandise, like little gifts, rubber rings, surfboards and the like. Dad nudged me and we headed into the candy store, where a hand-made sign was fixed: Speak to Sally for assistance. As I opened the little door, a bell above jangled. The woman at the counter looked up.

She had light brown wavy hair tied up in a pony. Her lined face was streaked with flour. She smiled warmly, and it was as if she'd made the sun brighter. She had a kind aura.

"Hello! I'm Mrs Jackson. New, are we? What's your name?"

Dad elbowed me discreetly. I took the hint.

"Hello Mrs Ja – Sally," I corrected myself. "I'm Annabeth."

She smiled wider. "That's a lovely name! I take it you're Fredrick, the man who called?"

Dad nodded.

"Your lodgings are the sixth house. Next to mine, actually." She gave us directions.

I could hear laughter, coming from the direction of the beach.

"I'm gonna check out the beach. Unpack for me?" I told my dad. He nodded.

I stripped off my hoodie so I was just in my grey tee and jeans. Then I headed off.

When I got to the beach someone ran over to me. She had black hair and a crazy smile. Her eyes were outlined in black. Her clothes were black too; a camisole and shorts. She grinned at me.

"Hi I'm Thalia! You must be Annabeth! No time for intros. There's a party on later, at seven. See you there!" she bounded away. I blinked. If all the locals were like that, I wouldn't be able to keep up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Warp, the Beach Party~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was wearing my white bikini with my flowery sarong, and I thought I looked okay-ish. I scanned the beach in interest. After all, I should get to know my new home.

It was nothing special; just your typical golden sand, clear ocean resort. But there was something different about it. It seemed well trodden, like generations of people had spent summers here. They probably hadn't, but it seemed that way. I looked over at the people. There was a small stall constructed of wooden sticks and ropes. It was painted with dolphins eating blue cupcakes, and was clearly selling drinks to refresh everyone. As an aspiring architect I could appreciate the work on the frame. Next to that, a small barbeque was set up. Both the barbeque and the stall, I noticed, were manned by the same person – a scrawny boy with curly hair. He looked like an imp, devilish and jokey. He seemed to be flirting with the gathering ladies, but they were having none of it. He didn't seem to mind either. Over by a palm tree sat Thalia and a friend. Her friend was pretty; even from the distance I could see that her naturally deep tan and dark hair clashed beautifully. Thalia lifted her hand and waved me over. I joined them gladly.

"This is Annabeth, Y'know, the girl I told ya about?" Thalia prompted. Her friend rolled her eyes, which was a kaleidoscope of blue, brown and green.

"Yes Thalia, you mentioned her once or twice...a minute...for an hour."

I laughed nervously. "I guess I'm the source of gossip at the moment, huh?"

"It's just that we don't get new people very often. I'm Piper, by the way. Piper McLean."

We soon got chatting. I was in utter delight that I'd hardly been here a day and already had two amazing friends! But there was a downside – the topic soon switched to boys.

"I'm dating Jason. See the smaller blonde one? He's amazing."

Thalia scowled at this statement. "Shut up Piper. I can't stand it when people say my brother's hot."

I stared. "Brother?!"

Thalia smiled again. "Yup. We look nothing alike. Anyway, I'm dating Luke. The taller blonde one. He's gut-busting hot! He oozes hot. He-"

"We get the message, Pinecone face. Who'd you like?" Piper interrupted, focusing on me. Thalia broke out of her trance, grinning evilly.

"Take a look around, Annie. There's plenty to choose from. Leo?"

She gestured at the impish boy.

"Hell naw!"

"Frank?"

"Nuh uh."

"Nico?"

"NO."

"Hmmm...Grover?"

"No!"

"Yeah. Everyone else sucks."

We sat and chatted and fetched drinks. I was starting to feel like I had friends. I can't say how much I enjoyed that. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Friends. Friends. Friends. Friends. Friends. Pals. Buddies. Mates. Amis. Amigos. Freunde. Φίλη.

I've finally found friends.

So, what do you think? You likey? You no likey? Please review! As much as I love my favourite-ers and my followers it's my reviews that really make me smile! Also, judging by my style of writing, how old do you think I am? Guess.

(::) (::) (::) # # # Cookies and waffles for everyone!

You have probably noticed that I edited it. That's because I didn't like the ending.