Hey guys! Before you read this, here are a few things to note:

1. I obviously don't own PJO

2. Expect a few grammar/spelling errors in some of the chapters (oops)

3. Don't expect a lot of author's notes (I'll start doing them after chapter 8)

4. Sorry if it bothers anyone that I over-italicize

I'm writing this fanfiction because I got sick of reading high school ones (seriously why are there so many?). It's also my first, so it's not going to be perfect. I'll learn as I go along. Anyway, happy reading!

-SKYHOUSE

Middle school is a terrible place.

It's only my first day but I hate it already. I've always hated school in general, considering I have ADHD and dyslexia and the fact that every teacher seems to hate me the second they lay eyes upon me. I know you're probably thinking, well, maybe it will be different this year. Been there, done that; every year has been the same. I walk in the classroom, the teacher is a freak, I don't understand a single word he/she is saying, everyone thinks I'm stupid, and I try to get through the year with a D average. That's how I lived every single year in elementary school.

Now I bet you're thinking, but middle school is different. You would be right. It is different, it's worse.

I've heard the stories and the rumors, and honestly I don't have a hard time believing them. Now I would have to face bullies, the popular cliques; more teachers that will hate me, more people that will think I'm stupid, and the list goes on and on.

So this year I have a plan. After years of learning my lesson that school is ridiculous and you just have to get through it, I've decided to stop being someone I'm not, which is smart and popular. Nico and Grover (my two best friends from elementary school), and I will survive middle school together. We won't talk to anyone else, we won't participate in class, and we'll avoid the bullies and the cliques. We would probably become the wallflowers of the school, but at least we won't get our asses whipped and look like complete losers.

I had a great summer; I was really going to miss it. Why does it have to end so early? I wondered while riding the subway to Goode Middle School. I've learned that riding the school bus is just asking for trouble when you're me. I would end up with gum in my hair and at least one of my shoes missing; it brings bad memories. Anyway, all I did this summer was go to the beach every day, which I didn't mind at all. I love the water, and the one thing I want to do that would be technically breaking the rules of my plan, is to try out for the swim team. I competed in national tournaments in California and judging from my results I'm probably considered the best swimmer in the nation, although only Nico and Grover know that. No one else knows who I am here in New York, even though I lived here my whole life. I am also considered the best surfer in the nation as well. I almost accepted the offer to stay in Hawaii for a year round surfing academy. Why did I turn it down? Well I guess I can say that I would miss my mom too much. We're really close, and I didn't feel like moving across the country away from her just to surf.

I was fantasizing of how much I couldn't wait for next summer when my best friend Nico came and sat down next to me "Hey Percy!"

I also hung around with Nico and Grover a lot over break. Hanging out with friends, going to the beach, swimming, surfing, that's what I wanted to do today, not go to school.

"Hey Nico. What's up?" Nico slumped in his chair and I could tell he was tired and a little scared.

"I'm just really dreading today. I mean we won't get to hang out with each other as much as we used to, and I won't be able to watch anime and horror films every day. I'm just not looking forward to it." Nico loved that kind of stuff.

"Are you scared?" He didn't deny it, he just shrugged and replied

"I mean, I guess, yeah. I'm mostly not looking forward to meeting new people you know?" Nico was kind of a loner before we became best friends. He doesn't like talking to anyone else besides me and Grover.

"Well, don't be. Just stick to the plan, remember?" Nico finally smiled a bit and said

"Right, we'll get through this together." I nodded in agreement and we finally arrived. We got out of the subway station and met up with Grover, who was waiting by the steps of the school. He saw and hugged us both a little too forcefully. Nico didn't seem to enjoy it very much. Grover has a big heart; he was the first person I became friends with.

"I missed you guys so much!"

"Grover, we just went to the movies last weekend." I said and rolled my eyes.

"I know, I know. I'm just terrified to go in there!" He pointed to the entrance. I rolled my eyes again and said

"Just follow the plan. If you guys go in there looking afraid, then you'll be 6th grade bait for sure. Now come on lets go."

I lead them through the halls, which were packed with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The 6th graders looked scared of course. The 7th graders were minding their own business; they seemed pretty comfortable and bored. The 8th graders tried to look like the big shots, confident and superior. They were picking on some of the 6th graders, some of them I knew from Goode Elementary. I didn't like that at all, but I had to control myself. We tried to look like the 7th graders instead; calm, cool, and confident. I say we did a pretty good job of it. No one confronted us or anything, which was good. We had to go to the main office to pick up our schedules, and then we ran into our first problem.

"We have no classes together." Nico confirmed. "Only lunch."

Both of them gave me a worried look, I sighed and said

"We'll just have to deal with it. Just stick with the plan, and we'll be fine. See you guys at lunch." I tried to say with a smile, they nodded and we parted ways. I was disappointed that I had no classes with them, but lunch is good enough for me. The first class I had was English, with my dyslexia that was my worst subject. I sat in the back of the classroom, "listening" to the teacher speaking gibberish. I repeated the same cycle with my other classes until it was finally lunch time. Grover, Nico and I sat together. We were really pulling this thing off. We weren't getting bothered by anyone. They said that they did the same thing I had and were doing fine. I guess before I continue, I should introduce myself properly.

My real name is Perseus Jackson, anyone who calls me Perseus though is on my enemy list; I go by Percy. I love the water as I mentioned before. I'm neither tall nor short. I have sea green eyes and dark windswept hair, probably from going to the beach so much. I don't really have a muscular build, but my core is very strong from swimming and surfing so much. My mom's name is Sally Jackson, my dad died in the Navy before I was born. Then there's my stepfather, Smelly Gabe. I don't want to talk about him right now. He's a jerk, that's all I can say. That's pretty much it for now.

My last class of the day was science, it was my favorite subject. It's actually pretty interesting when I can understand it. I followed my usual routine that seemed to be working all day. I sat at the back of the classroom and took out my science textbook to look like I was actually doing something productive. Then this girl walked in.

One thing that I noticed was that she looked pretty confident, unlike every other 6th grader I've seen today. She was looking around the classroom trying to find a place to sit. I then realized that only seat available was next to me. She looked my way and we locked eyes. They were a startling gray, and she had tan skin with kind of curly hair. Normally I would think she was one of those pretty girls I would see in California or Hawaii. Except those eyes, they were intimidating. They intimidated me, she intimidated me.

She walked over my way almost a little reluctantly. Like she already knew I was some kind of delinquent. Regardless though she sat down next to me. I was even more surprised when she stuck out her hand to me and introduced herself.

"I'm Annabeth; Annabeth Chase." Gee, that's great. I've actually met someone today. I thought as I shook her hand.

"I'm Percy Jackson." I smiled to her. She returned it a little bit, but not much. Then she surprised me again by adding

"As in Perseus."

I couldn't believe it. I just met this girl and she already made my enemy list. No one called me that, not even my mom or best friends; they knew better. The only person who would call me that was Gabe, and he would do it just to annoy me. My father came up with the name before he died. Apparently he wanted me to be named after the Greek hero, Perseus, because he was really into Greek Mythology. When I didn't respond, she smirked at me. She had the nerve to smirk at me.

"Perseus; as in the one who cut off Medusa's head. The Greek hero, am I right?" She continued to smirk, I don't know why, probably because she enjoyed being right. This girl really got on my nerves, but I tried to respond as politely as I could.

"How did you know that?" She smiled proudly as reached down in my bag. Wait, what is she doing? She pulled out a Greek Mythology book, I'm sorry, my Greek Mythology book, one from my dad's collection. I forgot that I had that in there. I liked to read them sometimes. She must have been really observant or something and she put the pieces together. She still freaked me out though, she was probably really smart.

"I love Greek Mythology. I know everything about it. I know everything." Wow, okay, this girl is really full of herself. I tried to reply, but the teacher walked in. Annabeth immediately snapped her forward and took out a notepad and pen. The teacher introduced herself to the class

"I'm Mrs. Davidson. The person sitting next to you will be your lab partner for the rest of year." I groaned along with the rest of the class, Annabeth glared at my reaction, I immediately sat upright. Like I said, she intimidated me.

The rest of the time during class, my "lab partner" was actively participating and asking questions. What a nerd I thought to myself. She must have drawn some of that attention on me, because Mrs. Davidson called me out.

"Percy, please read the paragraph on page 5 of your textbook." At least she doesn't call me Perseus. I turned to page 5, and because of my dyslexia, the letters were literally jumping off the page, taunting me. I looked up and everyone was starting to stare at me, including Annabeth, wondering why I wasn't reciting the paragraph. When I still didn't say anything, Mrs. Davidson asked

"Percy, is there something wrong? Why aren't you reading?" She looked concerned. People were starting to whisper. Thanks a lot Annabeth. I tried to think of something, but the only thing I thought of was

"I don't want to." The class gasped, some giggled. Annabeth continued to stare.

"Excuse me?"

"I said I don't want to." The class giggled more. Mrs. Davidson looked a bit angry and I didn't blame her.

"Percy, read the paragraph. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior in my class." The class stared at me again. I tried to stare at the paragraph; letters were still jumping around. So, I decided to have some fun.

"Okay Mrs. Davidson. It says 'Please don't read me. I am a boring piece of information that none of you will remember when you grow up. Please have a nerd who actually cares about this kind of stuff to read it instead.'" I pointed to Annabeth and the class burst out laughing. I didn't even want to see Annabeth's reaction, but I can feel her eyes glaring at me. Mrs. Davidson said sternly

"Percy Jackson. You just earned detention on Friday. Congratulations. I hope that little joke was worth it." After she said that, the bell rang. I didn't care if I got detention or not. I'm just happy I got out of that situation. I started to pack up and leave, but Annabeth grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the classroom. Woah, she looks pissed. Good job Percy. I mentally patted myself on the back. I'm glad I was able to get on her nerves this time. When we were in the hallway, she said

"What was that for?! Why didn't you read the paragraph?" She glared at me.

"None of your business." It really wasn't. I glared back

"You just made a fool out of yourself and me! Are you that stupid?!" Now I started to get mad. She had no idea what I had to go through.

"I'm dyslexic!" Her face softened a bit, but not much.

"Well, so am I." She said back. I was a little shocked, Annabeth was so smart, but she could have been making it up.

"And I have ADHD." I tried to squeeze some kind of sympathy out of her towards me, but instead she said

"So do I." Okay, now she has to be lying.

"My dad died in the Navy." She continued to surprise me when she said

"My mom died of brain cancer." She has to be lying right, but she looked serious. She didn't look angry anymore at least.

"You're lying." Her expression didn't change. Instead she reached for something on the side of her backpack. She unfolded it and handed it to me, folding her arms. It was a doctor's note, stating that she indeed had ADHD and dyslexia.

"I had to show this to all of my teachers." She stated.

"But you're so-"

"Intelligent? I know I am."

"Not what I was going to say." (The truth is it was) "How do you handle it so well?"

"Because, I actually like to do my homework, and read, even though it's hard. You could've told Mrs. Davidson that you're dyslexic, or at least try to read paragraph."

I scoffed "And make a complete fool of myself? I don't think so." She rolled her eyes.

"Perseus, you shouldn't be ashamed of it. I've accepted it." There she goes, irritating me again.

"Don't call me that, that was my dad's name for me. But apparently, you understand that perfectly." I said while handing her back the note.

"Fine, I won't. Just don't do that again."

"Glad we understand each other Wise Girl." I had no idea where that came from. I guess if I called her a smartass I would be pinned to the lockers with her death grip. She laughed

"Was that supposed to be some kind of insult?" I shrugged

"Well you act like a know-it-all, and I assume that you are a girl, am I wrong? I wouldn't be surprised if I was." Just as I predicted, she pushed me against the lockers.

"Watch it Jackson. You don't want to get on my bad side." I calmly replied

"Whatever." Then she glared at me one more time and ran off to a group of 7th graders. Great, so she's a popular nerd. Then I saw someone who I haven't seen in a really long time.