Annabeth's POV

Rinnng! Rinnng! Rinnng! With the alarm sound burned into my mind, I shouldn't be surprised every morning when it blasts its ring, yet I am. I sigh and press the off button, almost knocking the clock of the table, and drag myself out of bed. I look into the clear, round mirror implanted on my wall, just above my dresser, which is right next to the faded door of my closet. My curly blond hair is tangled and sticking out at all different angles. My grey eyes look weary and tired, as they do every morning. My eyes wander to the photo of Luke Caslen, my boyfriend, taped on the dark oak frame of my mirror. His blue eyes bright and happy, his blond, rugged hair spiked up, and the long, rough scar on his cheek gleaming white in the blinding sunlight.

"Annabeth! Ten minutes till school starts!" My stepmom calls up. I groan inwardly. Me and my stepmom haven't been exactly on the same page since my dad married her. Sometimes she tries to get me in trouble with my father. I glance at my clock. It was 7:50 A.M.! It really was ten minutes till school started! I throw on a grey v neck with an owl on the front. I tug on some faded denim shorts. My grey tennis shoes are waiting by my door frame and my school backpack contents are scattered around my room. I grab my binder, pencils, notebooks, erasers, and, of course, my books. I stuff it all into my backpack and tug on my shoes. I grab a ponytail holder off my cluttered dresser and run out my door. I sprint downstairs and almost run into my brothers. Bobby and Matthew jump back. "Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry! Bobby? Matthew? Are you two okay?" I blurt out. "Yeah, Annie. We're fine." Matthew reassures me. "Good." I grab a banana and bolt out the door throwing my good-byes behind my shoulder. My shoes slap the pavement as I run the 3 blocks to Goode High School. I rake my curly hair into a messy ponytail as the brown bricks of the school come into view.

"My first day of school and I'm almost late. Great start." I mutter to myself. My best friends, Thalia and Piper, meet me outside. "Annabeth! Where have you been? School starts in 5!" Thalia shoots out. "I woke up late." I get out. "Thalia! Don't scold her. You sound like my mom." Piper scolds. Thalia rolls her eyes as I break out laughing. "Come on." I drag my arguing friends inside. "We need to get to the office to pick up our schedules." Piper reasons. "Good idea." I agree. We walk into the school as the first bell rings and the principal comes onto the intercom. "Hello students and welcome to Goode High School. Please pick up your class schedules and locker assignments in the office. In ten minutes orientation will begin in the auditorium. Everyone is required to attend. If you are not there, you will get 2 weeks of after school detention. Enjoy your year at Goode High School." "Wow. He gives you a head up on detention at least." Thalia noted. "That's something." Annabeth laughed. All three of us walked together to the office and grabbed our schedules. "Hey, we have most of our classes together. Awesome." Piper observed. As we walked down to the auditorium we passed our lockers. "Why don't we drop our stuff off at our lockers." I suggested. "Good suggestion." Thalia thanked.

I try the combination to my locker and it doesn't open. I start getting frustrated and annoyed. I try 2 more times and still nothing. "Are you okay?" Piper asks me. "I'm fine." I reply. "You two go ahead without me." "You sure?" Thalia asks. "Yeah I'm sure. Go." I urge. They walk away as I try 2 more times to open my locker. I was about to punch my locker before I felt a tap on my shoulder and a male voice asking, "Need help?" "Yes." I grumble, embarrassed that he saw me trying to get my locker open. A guy about 15 elbows his way in between me and my locker. A few clicks later, my locker door is standing wide open. "Thanks." I say as I move my eyes to his face. He had disheveled dark hair, I would guess black, and sea green eyes. He was dressed in a dark green v neck and faded jeans. "Your welcome." He said with a smile. As I start toward the auditorium, he grabs my arm. "Wait! I didn't catch your name." He breathes. I look back, amused and open my mouth before the 2 minute bell rings. "I'm sorry. I have to go." I yell across my shoulder as I yank my arm from his grasp. I reach the doors of the auditorium and look back. A look of disappointment was etched across his face. The guilt I had pushed down started rising up into my throat. I had not known him for 30 seconds before I had to run. I shake my head and throw open the doors to the auditorium.