I breathed in a huge lungful of not-so-fresh air, seeing that a car just passed me on the road. This, of course, made me cough and splutter, like a fish out of water. I still wasn't used to living in the city.

I heaved a deep sigh, not the first one since my family moved to New York City from the farm. I shouldered my backpack and set out for my new school.

Seeing that my family's apartment wasn't very far from campus I only had about a five minute walk. I was fine with that; if I left early enough, I figured that I could give Central Park a visit. Man I missed being surrounded by nature. But, I wouldn't complain. My grandma had gotten really sick the past few years, and just recently she had a pretty bad stroke, so my family thought it would be best if she was surrounded by family and people who could look after her.

I loved my grandma to bits. She would always have a good joke up her sleeve, and never failed to cheer me up. No matter the circumstance, granny could always bring a smile to my face.

I shook my head and set off. As it was my first day, and I haven't had the chance to scout the area around my apartment I decided to give the park a miss. Later, I thought wistfully.

I arrived at the school gates of Olympus High and was immediately greeted with a ball. Or rather, my face was greeted with a ball. Yes, those two got quite a close introduction. This, not surprisingly, made me fall to the ground, stumbling into a couple of people in the process.

"Whoa!" One of the people who I hit turned around. "What was that for?" They demanded, but as soon as they saw my extremely red cheek and a ball bouncing away, their expression softened and they extended their arm out to help me up. "Are you okay, looks like you went a few rounds with the ball." The rest of the people in the group laughed, which made my face burn red, well, the part that wasn't already the attractive shade of magenta.

I took their hand and got up off the ground and cracked a grin, "Never better. Give me a basket-ball any day, and I'll show it who's boss." This earned me some more laughs from the group. My eyes cleared from watering up and I got a look at who I was talking to.

She had slightly curly, honey blonde hair that was up in a pony-tail. Eyes that I first thought was blue, but looking closely were in fact grey. Tanned skin, and a look that immediately told you she was analysing your every movement. This made me uncomfortable and I shifted awkwardly.

"Don't worry about Travis and Conner, they're just showing off their skill." The girl who helped me up said while rolling her eyes. When she noticed how confused I was, a look of understanding crossed her face. "Newbie, are you?"

I nodded cautiously, you could never be too careful when you're at a new school.

She flashed me a smile as bright as day. "Well, my name is Annabeth. You need some help finding the reception? It is absolutely impossible to find without directions on the first day." I knew I would like her.

I extended my hand and said, "Katie," while Annabeth shook it.

"Yo! Conner, go get the ball, you worthless brother of mine." I turned around and saw a guy around my age and running towards Annabeth and I, then being joined by someone who looked exactly like the first, only he had a basket-ball under his arm.

My eyes widened considerably. When I say that these two looked alike is an understatement. Everything about the two was similar, from the mischievous glint in their blue eyes right down to the curls on their… ah… curly brown hair.

"That ball must have hit harder than I thought, 'cause I really do think I'm seeing double." I laughed.

"Oh, that's pretty bad if you're seeing two of me, wouldn't it be Conner?" The one of the left said.

"Definitely," the one on the right, Conner nodded seriously, "I mean, I would be concerned if I had to see double Travis. What a nightmare that would be. Hey, how do you even know she's seeing double of you, why not double of me?"

The one on the left, who must be Travis, grinned, "'Cause I am older and better looking than you my dear brother."

Conner snorted, "Dude, how many times must I say, you are older by like, twenty-five seconds and you can't be better looking than you, we're identical genius!"

Travis smirked, "And yet I'm still better looking than you."

Conner looked like he was going to respond, but Annabeth spoke up before anything happened. "Guys, after you've finished arguing, can you please just apologise to Katie for almost knocking her brains out, then run along."

The twins looked at her, then at me. It looked like I sparked the interest of one of them, Travis, I think it was? I couldn't tell. Anyways, his blue eyes started checking out my body, lingering around my chest, then snapped back up to my face when I crossed my arms.

He cracked me a grin. "Hey, uh,"

"Katie?" I suggested.

"Yeah, Katie," He checked his pockets, "It looks like I've lost my number, can I have yours?"

This made everyone around us laugh, and Conner gave an exasperated sigh, "Of all the pick-up lines you could have used in this situation, you used the lost number? Ugh, I don't even know how we are related; I'm disowning you as a brother."

Travis shrugged in his defence, "Never doubt a classic, bro, they have a certain… class, to them."

A girl behind me spoke up, "Go away you two. Despite what you think, not everyone thinks you are the answer to all their hopes and dreams." She had spikey black hair, electric blue eyes and an attitude that said you annoy me, you'll be begging for mercy.

The twins took this as their cue to run back to whatever they were doing before; obviously they knew that she wasn't a person to mess with. Before they turned around, Travis winked at me.

The girl turned around and introduced herself as Thalia. "Don't get yourself caught up with those two, all it does is get you a detention and that means you have to deal with Mr. D." This made the rest of the group groaned. My best guess was that this Mr. D was not a particularly liked figure in this school.

I got quickly introduced to Annabeth's group. There was: Thalia, the girl who warned me against the guys; then Juniper and Grover, who were dating; Beckendorf, who seemed like a nice guy, though he didn't say much; and lastly, a guy called Will Solace that was definitely a runner, or does something athletic.

Annabeth gave me directions to the office, and then decided that I would probably get lost any way, so she ended up walking me there. And I tell you what, I am glad she did; the school halls were like a labyrinth.

By the time we got there, the school bell rung and Annabeth cursed.

"Look, Annabeth," I said, "Why don't you just go to class, I'm sure I'll manage."

"Okay, but be careful with Mr D. He has a bit of a short temper." Annabeth warned.

I nodded in thanks. Before Annabeth left, she glanced into the waiting area and grimaced. I followed her view and saw a boy with astonishing black hair, and when he looked our way I found that he had bright green eyes. And he was sitting next to none other than the two… Travis and Conner?

I walked in and saw that the guy with green eyes was checking out Annabeth. I didn't comment, though I had to admit, that guy was hot! I got distracted from checking him out by Travis and Conner laughing together. I approached the receptionist.

"Um, excuse me? My name is Katie Gardener, and I'm new here, I was wondering what I need to do?" I asked the middle aged women in a floral skirt and a pink cardigan.

She looked bored, "Oh, yes. Here is your time table. Before you go to your first class you have to visit the principal so he can explain the rules and what you are expected at this school. Please take a seat." She said in a rather monotone voice. She must love her job.

Behind the door with a plaque engraved with Mr D on it, I heard angry muttering until the voice called out, "Next!" And the three guys walked through the door, the twins looking smug, the other looking bored.

I only had to wait a few seconds until I heard angry shouting coming from the principal's office. I didn't have to listen hard to hear what was being said. Something about a 'disgrace to the school' and 'waste of time' and that he 'could be playing pinochle right now'. Huh, go figure.

The three finally got out of the office, with the same looks on their faces as when they went in. I wasn't so keen to go in after what I just heard, but when I heard the "Next!" I reluctantly went inside.

I was met with the sight of an aging man shuffling a card deck and glaring at the ceiling mumbling stuff like "Why me?", "twenty years of this, twenty years!" and "Of all the punishments in the world." Whoa, hold up, punishments?

Before I could comment on this, or do anything at all, such as walk back through the door and tell the receptionist that "I accidently went to the wrong school, sorry", Mr D looked over and snapped at me to sit down.

I sat down.

"Look," Mr D started, "You're new here so I'll give you the rundown: don't break the rules, don't create chaos and DO NOT interrupt me while I am playing pinochle. If you do happen to do any of these things you will be severely punished, I have no time for you br- ah, kids and your problems so please don't come to me if you need anything. Now go away." All the time he had been talking, my eyebrows were rising slowly but steadily up my forehead and were threatening to escape.

As soon as he dismissed me I didn't bother lingering around. I snatched up my bag and rushed out into the reception/office/whatever you wanted to call it.