Chapter One

Hey, guys! I decided to write a story about university since everyone is always making stories about Goode High. So, why not Olympus University? PS, I don't really know what university is like (well, I'm only in middle school) so viewer discretion is advised. LOL, happy reading!

Annabeth

"Annabeth," my stepmom called. "Can you check the mail?"

I smirked. "I don't know, can I?" I reply. I thought I heard some laughing. "Fine," she says. "May you check the mail for me, please?"

"I will be happy to, ma'am," I say. "Aren't you glad you have a smart-alecky stepdaughter like me?"

"To me, you're a real birth-related daughter. And it's nice to have a smart person around this household—other than your father."

When I was walking toward the mailbox, I felt the same nervousness again. I had applied for Olympus University two months ago, and I'm still waiting for a response. They probably get millions of resumes every term, since they are the best university in the world. I mean, they have the leading rank in all their majors! Teaching, engineering, business, law…and don't forget architecture.

I opened the lid of the box and as it opened, the same creak moaned, making me cringe. We really need to oil the hinges.

There were like seven envelopes in the mailbox. I scooped out the bundle and began to look through them as I walked back inside. Electricity bills, water bills, credit card bills, phone bills, bills, bills, bills. But the last envelope read: Olympus University, 350 5th Ave, New York, NY 10118. (A/N: since Mt. Olympus is in the Empire State building, I decided to use the address for the Empire State Building. Clever, eh?)

My heart was pounding so loudly, I can even feel it in my forehead. Weird, I know. But the whole time I was thinking, Oh, my gods…Oh, my gods…This is it!

My stepmom was reading a magazine in the living room. "Finally," she joked. "So, what do we have here?" I bit my lip and put the envelopes down on the coffee table, except the one that was from Olympus University. I held it tight to my chest. She raised an eyebrow at me. "What do you have there, Annabeth? Hiding a report card from me?"

I laughed. "Of course," I add sarcastically which made her laugh. Unlike most stepmoms (or even moms) she was the best parent anyone could ask for.

"Aside from my joke, what do you have there?" she asks as she put down her magazine. I started to jump (I know, weird, but this was too exciting!) and squealed a little. My stepmom smiles. "Did you drink extra coffee this morning, Annabeth?"

I shake my head with a huge grin on my face. "I got a letter from Olympus! Oh, my gods, I can't breathe! I'm so excited!"

She stands up. "Congrats, Annie! You were accepted?"

I stop smiling. "Um, well…I didn't open it…Oh, gods, what if it was a declination letter?" I groan and slump onto the couch.

She sits beside me and puts an arm around my shoulder. "I doubt they won't accept you. You are the smartest and most brilliant girl I know. What major did you apply for, anyway?" I reply quickly, "Architecture…duh." She laughs at me. "With that sass you have, they might send you back! Anyway, open the envelope, Annie, the suspense is killing me!"

I gave a smile. My hands shook a little as I gently tear open the envelope. I unfold the letter and carefully read aloud, "Dear Miss Chase, congratulations! You have been accepted to the grandest school of the world!" I stop reading because I am screaming in joy right now as my stepmom hugs me and says, "Congrats, Annie! This is wonderful!"

"Bobby, Matthew! We're going out to dinner tonight!" she yells at my stepbrothers. She turns back at me and smiles. "I'm going to go call your father! This is so great!"

Speaking of calling, I take out my phone. I was surprised that my best friend, Thalia sent me twenty-six text messages. But before she was texting me, she left seven missed calls and three new voicemails. I quickly dialed her number and she answers right away. "Jeez, Annabeth! I thought you died or something! Anyway, I have great, like the best news ever!" she said as soon as she picked up.

"Really? I have the best news, too!" I say. "But you can tell me first, since you called and texted me all this time."

"Okay," Thalia said. "I'm going to Olympus University!" She began to squeal, which was really unusual for her.

"Really?!" I said. "Oh my gods! I'm also going to Olympus!"

Ah, things were going way too well.

Percy

"No, mom," I groan.

She shakes her head at me. "Percy, please. We applied you for physical education and you were accepted! Just go, please! Once you get your degree, you can become a sports teacher or something! Just please, if you qualify, you apply!"

"But I didn't apply! You sent my application!" I complained.

She gave me a playful smile. "But you qualified."

I groan again and opened the fridge for a blue coke. After I graduated high school, I wanted to live my own life. You know, freedom and stuff. I mean, twelve years of school is enough for me! But four more years, just to get a degree? No way, am I going to college.

"Mom, I don't want to go," I say and took a sip. She snatches the can out of my hands. "Hey!" I protest. She shakes her head and drains the can in the sink. "Don't eat any more junk food in this house! Once you go to Olympus, it'll be all microwave meals! Trust me, you'll thank me later when you go to college."

I sigh. "How many times am I supposed to tell you, mom? I'm not going to Olympus." She put the empty coke can in the recycling bin. "But you have to. You can't just cancel! Everything's been sent and approved, so you have to." I groan again. "And enough with the groaning, Percy. Don't you think I'm stressed, too? I'm going to miss you all those years you'll be gone." But then her eyes lightened. "Wait, there's summer vacation! And winter break and spring break!"

"There'll be no break because I'm not going!" I say.

Mom sighs and pursues her lips together. Then she looks at me, straight in the eye. "Okay, then," she says strictly. Even though she was angry with me, her eyes were still kind. "The only other option you have is to move out. Here's the catch—you have to support yourself. Everything—the bills, the trouble to find a job, the trouble to find a place to live. Would you rather do that or go to college?"

I thought for minute. But even after thinking, I didn't have a good answer (then again, I'm ADHD, so I can never stay on topic and concentrate).

"Fine," I surrender. "I'll go. But what's the fee?"

"You're only taking physical education and you have received a partial scholarship. So, a lot cheaper than usual. Don't worry about the bills, worry about how you're going to pass and actually get a degree."

"I'll pass and get a degree," I say. "But if I die of stress or have to go to a mental hospital during the progress, it's all on you."

Mom just laughs at that. "Sure, sure. But if you don't get a degree, no drinking coke for a month! Deal?" I shrug. Oh, well, Olympus University, off we go.

So, um, interesting enough? Please review! Thanks for reading!