"If love is a labor I'll slave till the end, I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand,"

–Rise Against, Swing Life Away

He was used to the dark corner in the room. He was used to just reading his novels of love, and adventure, not desiring any himself, for the girls he was usually with were not the type. This was his norm, what he did nearly every day. But then something had changed. Annabeth had come.

Percy sat in the back of the class, reading his novel. It was filled with the exploits of a hero trying to reach his woman, to save her life and win her heart. He scoffed. Love never seems to be like this in the real world. He thought. Nor does there seem to be that, 'soul mate' for me, as some so eloquently put it. But life, much like God, works in mysterious ways. Which is why Percy knew, from the instant he saw her, that he would try to make her his.

He first saw his blonde beauty in his second class, when she walked in late on the second day back, her hair flying behind her as she dashed into the math room.

"Mr. D! I'm sorry for being late, I was sick the first day, and then my alarm didn't go off, and…"

Percy had stopped listening. He was looking at her in awe. She was beautiful, her blonde hair falling down in golden waterfalls on her back. The most captivating part of her were her eyes. Stormy gray, they looked as if they held the secrets of the world. He had to force his jaw closed. She was perfect. He surreptitiously watched her as she walked to her seat, and began chatting with another girl, Piper. Percy pretended to put on an air of indifference, but inside, he was happier than he had been in… he couldn't remember. When had his life been happy, and carefree? For as long as he could remember, his life had been made a hell at home, his stepfather always trying to beat him to death. School wasn't much better. He wasn't very good at learning, and sitting still was a problem for him. All the other kids laughed and made fun of him, calling him an idiot, and other creative names that teenagers can come up with. The only time he did well in school, was gym. He excelled in any physical challenge you could throw at him. But, when he gazed upon Annabeth that day, he felt that his life was going to change for the better. She could become the shining beacon that kept him slogging on through days of abuse, mental and physical. Which is why he had to try.

Second period ended, and third started. Percy walked to Biology, his heart lighter than it had been in years. His day was brightened even more, when he discovered Annabeth was in the same class as him, and sitting alone at a two person table. He walked up to her and smiled, setting his stuff down next to her.

"Mind if I have this seat?" He asked happily. She smiled back.

"Sure go right ahead. Nobody is sitting here. My name is Annabeth Chase." She said.

"Percy, Percy Jackson." He said in a James Bond-like imitation. She laughed.

"I haven't seen you here before, where did you move from?" Percy asked.

"San Francisco," She replied. "My mother got a great job offer down at some legal firm. So, we packed our things up, and flew across the country." Percy shook his head.

"Sucks that you had to leave California. I hear it's warm this time of year. And every time of year." She laughed again.

"I suppose so. Is Long Island always this rainy, or is that just me?" She said.

"It's not you. It sucks down here. Hence the comment about California," Percy said grimly. "Hope you brought an umbrella… Oh here comes Mr. Chiron. He's pretty cool, he likes his students, and he's a good teacher.

"Sounds good. Say, you want to hang out afterschool? This place is kind of unfamiliar, and I don't suppose you'd mind showing me around? Because, I can tell you like me." She said, very matter-of-factly. Percy turned red.

"Uhh… hahaha… what?" He said smartly.

"Geez Seaweed Brain, it was a simple enough question." She replied.

"Seaweed Brain?" He asked. She nodded.

"Your head is full of it." She laughed.

"Oh come off it!" He said.

"Well, does our little date sound good?" She said. Percy nodded.

"Sounds great. Do you want to meet up, or should I pick you up?" He asked.

"You can pick me up. Here's my address," She wrote it down on a scrap of paper.

"Cool. I'll see you after class then." He said.

School went by quickly after that. Percy got on the bus, and grimaced. School being over meant going home to Gabe, his stepfather. Percy hated Gabe, and the feelings were definitely mutual. Gabe had beat Percy ever since his mother had died. Gabe was usually drunk, but even when he was sober, noting got better. Percy had bruises everywhere. He got off the bus, and quietly walked through the front door. Gabe was sitting in the living room, a beer in one hand, TV remote in the other. He was asleep on the couch, his loud snoring echoing through the house. Percy quietly took the keys off their ring by the garage, and slipped out of the house. Closing the door with trepidation. Gabe kept on snoring. Percy sighed in relief, and got in the car. He input Annabeth's address into the GPS, and drove. When he arrived, Annabeth was waiting for him on her porch. She saw the car pull up, and got off the steps. She got into the passenger seat of the car.

"Heya! Hope you know this place better than I do." She said.

"I hope so too." He said jokingly.

Percy drove them around Long Island, showing her the beaches, and art museums. They were out well past nine, and soon Annabeth asked to be taken home. They walked to the car, and drove back to Annabeth's house. Percy pulled into the driveway.

"That was lots of fun! We should do it again sometime." She exclaimed. Percy went a little red.

"Yeah, for sure! We could go to the architectural museum you were so interested in." She nodded emphatically.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow Seaweed Brain?" She asked.

"Definitely." He replied. Then, much to his surprise, she leaned over and kissed him.

"Thanks." She whispered, and got out of the car.

Percy ran a finger over his lips, as he watched her disappear into her house. Did that really just happen? He thought. He regained control of his senses, and drove back home. He parked the car, and again walked quietly through the door. He crept over to the door leading to the garage, and put the keys back up. As he was about to creep upstairs, something made him stop. He felt a cold presence behind him, as if Death had taken to following him.

WHAM.

Pain exploded in Percy's skull. He fell to the ground, clutching his head and seeing red. Gabe was towering over him.

"AND JUST WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU TONIGHT?!" He bellowed. He emphasized his point by hitting and kicking Percy even more. "DID I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE DAMN HOUSE? NO! AND YOU EVEN HAD THE GOD DAMN NERVE TO TOUCH MY CAR, YOU LITTLE FUCKER!" Each word was followed with another blow. This went on for at least half an hour. Eventually, Gabe tired, and threw Percy onto the stairs. Percy quickly scurried up into the safety of his room. He hated his life.

So bam. New story, some new people. If any of you cared, I deleted New York Assassins because, let's face it, it was awful. It's not coming back, and I deleted every trace of it. Sorry if any of you liked it :( BUT! There is good news. Thanks to one of my friends, there could be a possible second chapter in Longing! If you haven't read it, please do. It was my favorite story to write. I think that's all for now, I'll see you people next time.

Reviews are love, and motivating. I love reading what you people have to say to me :)