A/N this is my first non-interactive story so bear with me. It's a percabeth going to high school and like everyone says it'll be different, but I PROMISE it'll be different.
I don't have a Beta and am writing this on a plane and will send it the second I land, so ignore grammar and such. This is just a trial run for me. If it gets good ratings then I'll write another chapter. Cheers!
"Perseus Jackson!" I heard bellow from downstairs. "You will miss your flight, if you don't get up now!"
I shut my eyes as tight as I could trying to find my way back into my dream. My old mattress had absorbed my entire body. I opened them very slowly and looked around my room. My closet that usually was cluttered with clothes and shoes was close to empty. The posters that usually hung proudly on my walls were packed into one of the many suitcases that sat at the bottom of my stairs. Today was the day.
I used all my effort to push myself into a seating position in my bed. My mom had clothes laid out for me. I ran my fingers repeatedly through my slightly greasy hair as my eyes adjusted to the light, before deciding to saunter over to the bathroom and take a shower in New York for the last time. I showered, shaved the few whiskers on my top lip and fingered some gel into my hair.
I put on my button up white shirt, freshly ironed, blue tie and khakis. The coach expected to pick me up dressed formally and as a student athlete I was expected to dress up whenever I travel anyway.
I walked down and a blue waffle with milk (white milk- blue milk would be kind of weird) was sitting on the counter. My mom, Sally looked at m remorsefully trying to hold back tears, I always felt awkward when she cried so I gave a weak smile and made my way towards the food.
"Come here Percy," she said giving me a hug as I sat on the counter. "This is a great opportunity for you and I'm so proud that you even got it. You look great. Let me try and brush that hair."
"Mom," I moaned smiling as she scurried around the kitchen looking for a comb, "mom… mom!" I exclaimed and finally got her attention; she turned with a surprised expression. "Thank you."
And with that she cried. I hugged her and not going to lie shed a few tears myself.
I got to JFK airport and hugged my mom again, for the last time until Thanksgiving. My 3 suitcases were checked in and after waving the final goodbye I slung my backpack over my shoulder and made my way to this new home.
Orange County. This private boarding school. Going here pretty much gave any kid a guaranteed college education most of the time Ivy. I was one of the best swimmers in New York, but with my grades being where they are, my many many detentions and money being scarce, I had little chance of getting anywhere past community college. So when a scout asked my mom how I felt about CHB (Catholic High school for the Bright) well we couldn't resist. I was on a full scholarship if I kept my grades at a 2.0 and won at least one sectional race.
So I took two connecting flights and a short bus ride before I found myself in front of one of the most Elite Boarding schools on the West Coast.
"Mr. Jackson?" I heard a gruff voice behind me. A man with thinning brown hair, bushy eyebrows, intense brown eyes and a scruffy beard wheeled his way over to me. I immediately recognized my new coach that had taken me aside at a meet after Goode's swim team won the state championship. After several meetings with my mom and principal the transfer was finalized.
"Coach Chiron," I smiled happily walking over to him and putting out my hand.
"Welcome to your new home!" he said opening his arms widely at the campus. Chiron gave me a tour and started to show me where I'd be living the next 2 years of my life. The wood paneled halls, the familiar brick building and the top notch athletic facilities reminded me of those you'd see in the New York prep schools where children of Fortune 500 CEO's would go. But now I went here. "If you walk down there you can join some classmates tonight who are having the annual bonfire the Friday before classes."
I looked down. Some kids were stacking firewood, with a post card scenic background behind. There were killer waves, perfect white sand and beautiful clear sky. In the distance I could see boats with the crest of the school on the sails, tons of kayaks and people surfing.
"Whoa. You guys have sailing boats?" I said out loud, forgetting my goal of playing it cool. The ocean breeze kept pushing my floppy hair into my eyes. The air smelled like ocean salt, and I felt my nerves tingling with excitement. I wanted nothing more than to jump into the water.
"Yes we do, you will have many opportunities to use them. Oh here he comes!" Chiron exclaimed as a guy came running up from a path from the beach. The butterflies in my belly disappeared as I felt stomach tighten. Everything about me was inferior to this guy. He was taller than me and definitely more buff. His blonde hair, still wet from the Pacific, looked intentionally tousled in the wind as my dark hair looked like a hot mess. His eyes were sky blue and clear and he had this easy smile that made every worry just wash away. As he got closer I noticed a pale star run from the bottom of his eye to his chin. It seemed to only add to his look, and gave him a bit of character that'd set him aside from your typical Hollister model. He ran up with his surfboard under one arm and his wet suit zipped down reveling his chiseled photo shopped chest. "Percy this is Luke Castellan. The senior captain."
Luke ran up and put out his hand eagerly. I took it and smiled back at him, "Hey Percy! Glad to finally meet you! I watched your sectional win at least 3 times. The way during the rally your team had you in 7th and you got them to 2nd getting you guys the silver! Amazing stuff bro! Here we won't leave you hanging though! Promise! How was your flight?!"
I felt awkward at his peppiness and so intimidated I could hardly look at him in the eyes, "it was quick- I slept the whole way." I answered quickly.
Chiron chuckled, "Well I'm going to leave you two. Luke can you show him his room and introduce him to his roommate. Maybe grab food after? You can show him the O'Donnell dining hall."
"Sure thing Chiron!" Luke smiled. Once Chiron left he picked up my backpack for me and started walking towards my new dorm. I followed him as he babbled about how good their team was and classes and girls. "You're roommate is named Grover Underwood. He's in your grade and leads hiking trips a lot- is a pretty chill dude I think. I don't know him personally, because he's younger and all but my girlfriend is in your grade so I asked her about him. Speaking of her, I don't think I can have dinner with you- it's our 6 month, but Grover probably can and I'll meet you at the bonfire ok?"
"6 month?" I asked suddenly realizing what he meant the second it escaped my lips.
Luke chuckled and through a muscular arm over my shoulder, "6 month anniversary. We've been together forever but official for 6 months. You don't mind not hanging with me though, I mean it's a great way to meet people your age."
I nodded feeling less and less like the celebrity that I thought I'd be treated like, and more like a kid who needed babysitting.
We were right outside my dorm and Luke was about to knock before he stopped. "Hey Percy, once thing. Umm… the people here are really cool and all. But they are a little, um…" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously looking around to make sure he wasn't being overheard, "they are a little superficial. My mom's a WASP, like most people's parents here. And I mean, they're not bad people, but you're from New York…" Luke droned looking at me like I should be catching his drift.
"So they're not going to like me because I'm from New York?" I asked very confused and pretty loud. No one was going to bash my city. "New York is the best-"
Luke started waving his hand cutting me off, "It's not New York dude. It's the whole scholarship thing."
He started talking again but I couldn't listen. I wasn't going to be a celebrity here, I was a charity case.
Luke gripped my shoulders and leaned down so our eyes were level, "Percy, just don't tell anyone. Only the admission staff, coach and I know. It can be our secret, I don't want your misfortune to hurt your chances of making friends and getting the full experience of CHB."
I know he meant well, but the way he said misfortune and looked at me just furthered my feeling intimidated. I had never been ashamed of my mom or my life, but if I had to hide that part of me I would. My small Upper East Side apartment would have to be replaced with an Upper East Side penthouse. I could be whomever I want.
A/N Once again I'm just trying this out, I have another story going so I'd have no trouble dropping this if it isn't well liked. Thanks! (And if anyone wants to Beta for me please PM)
If I continue I promise the other chapters won't be this short
