A/N- Hey guys, so this is my first fanfiction and I'm really excited about it and a little nervous. I got this idea from a book I read and a TV show so I thought that I'd make a story about it because it just kept nagging me in the back of my head. I really hope you guys like it and I am open to constructive criticism so thank-you if you're reading this and please, please, please review! But if you seriously don't like it tell me if you're not interested or what I could do to improve the story.
All characters belong to Rick Riordan.
^.^.^.^.^
When she was just a girl, she expected the world, but it flew away from her reach so she ran away in her sleep. Dreamed of para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise, para-para-paradise. Every time she closed her eyes.
^.^.^.^.^
I stepped into the cozy office of my new school at Goode Prep. The office was actually a pretty good size but the ceilings were so low that I could touch them with my hands which gave the room a small illusion. The receptionist was at the desk and her expression showed that she was beyond annoyed. With the way she was holding her pen, I was afraid she might want to stab me the moment I reached the counter. Oh well, let's hope not.
I stood in front of her for a few seconds, waiting for her to notice me but that didn't happen until I cleared my throat for the fourth time. The receptionist glared at me and snapped a response "Name?"
Hello to you too. "Perceus Jackson." I replied secretly hoping that she'd offer a box of my Mom's blue chocolate chips cookies and a smile. Oh jeez, it hasn't even been a day and I already miss my Mom.
Mom had me go to Goode Prep because I got kicked out of every other school. I hate putting all that stuff on my Mom so I docilely transferred schools again in an attempt to make her life easier, but I felt better about Paul being there to take care of her while I'm at Goode.
I tried to convince her to let me go to a school near home but she insisted on Goode Prep for some reason. She said something about how Goode had wanted me to go and how they were offering such great things just for me to attend; I didn't believe her until she showed me the letter she received in the mail. Mom also happened to mention how my Dad attended Goode too. Although she never talked about him, I knew she once mentioned that they met at their old high school. I didn't object when she brought the idea up in order to make her happy.
There was a slam on the counter which brought me back to the current situation. I stared at the tabletop and saw a large orange envelope where people put official documents in. I waited for instructions but by the time I knew she wasn't going to explain anything without me asking, there was already a line of people waiting behind me, but they'd have to wait a little longer.
"What's in here?" I held up the envelope to show her what I was referring to.
The lady rolled her eyes and sighed as if I was a little first grader who needed help tying their shoes for the umpteenth time. "Your schedule, dorm room key, map, rules, and other stuff." I was tempted to pry for more answers but I kept hearing the office door open and close. I figured that the place must be pretty packed so I decided to leave instead.
The moment I left the office, I felt a crowd of people burst past me in various directions and some people actually shoved me out of the way to get into the office. Well you're not going to find any help in there.
I worked my way out of the first building and ended up outside. According to the map the second building is where all the dorms were and it was supposed to be right across from the school.
Across from where I was standing was a large brick building with five floors. Even though it was made of brick the builders managed to not give it a prison feel, but the opposite. The perimeter was wrapped with various colored flowers and behind the building was a very large pool that looked like it could fit about fifty people. From what I was used to, it looked very luxurious.
My Mom never had tons of money but she supported us as best as she could and I was grateful for that. But I've only heard about the iPads and Wii's, my luxury was McDonalds on a Friday.
When I stepped into the building, there were only a few people hanging around, everyone was probably already in their rooms. It didn't take me long to find my room since I knew which floor it was on (okay, so maybe I peeked in the orange envelope) so I just went to the fourth floor and searched for room #437.
When I opened the door, the first thing I noticed was the two black colored wood desks with HP laptops on top. My jaw dropped, they gave us computers? It was hard to believe but I doubt I was hallucinating. They were placed right beside each other against the wall right across from… one bunk bed.
Considering they could afford the computers, I didn't know why they wouldn't have separate beds but I guess it could've been worse. I didn't exactly mind, as long as I was the top bunk. The beds were placed on the farthest back wall sideways, giving the room a spacious feel. Both comforters were green and blue but the walls were plain white. There was only one big closet (with suitcases next to them, I didn't recognize one set so I assume it was from my roommate) with two black dressers inside instead of the usual racks.
Although everything was very nice, my favorite piece was the small (in height but wide in length) brown couch set in front of a huge plasma screen TV accompanied with speakers, a DVD player, and an Xbox. In the right corner, opposite of the bed was a massive bookshelf with nothing on it. Next to it was a very large window that gave bright light to the room. From the view of the window, I was able to see the pool which was sparkling blue and very large. No one was out but I suddenly felt an urge to go swimming. I immediately fell in love with the view. The room was like something I had only ever dreamed of owning.
"Knock, knock." Someone said from behind me. I turned to see a guy with curly brown hair, wide brown eyes, and acne covered skin.
He was grinning while he entered, appreciating our room "Hey, man." I said as his eyes were finished roaming.
"Hi, I'm Grover." He offered me a fist bump, which I took.
"Percy. Pretty cool space right?" It was much more than cool but he knew what I meant.
Grover shrugged "It's nice but last year they had a mini-fridge instead of a shelf, I guess we could get that installed, though."
Apparently I forgot to add something "Oh, this is my first year here so I have no idea what you're talking about but mini-fridge or not, this room is awesome."
That caught Grover's attention and he spun around "Wait, so today's your first day here?" After I nodded he continued "So you don't know why you're here?"
What? Why else would I be here? "Dude, this is school, I'm here to learn." Of course my dyslexia made learning a little difficult, but I tried.
Grover had this weird look on his face, a sort of mixture of shock, understanding, and concern "Oh yeah, right."
"So why are you here?" I questioned. Who knew, maybe he was a part of some secret society.
Grover shook his head and smiled "Same."
"Okay, in that case I assume that you're in eleventh grade right?" I hoped so otherwise the roommate idea would be a bit of a waste.
"Yep, each floor is organized by grade so we get the fourth floor but everyone has to share a bathroom." Grover was unpacking his suitcase and I followed his lead.
I caught something in his last sentence and asked for clarification "Wait, so boys and girl use the same bathroom?" Apparently taking showers were going to be an awkward event in my life.
Grover laughed "No! I wish. I think. But no. Girls share a bathroom and guys share one. They're both at the end of the hall though and sometimes the girls come out with towels."
I couldn't help but join his laughter and his teasing "Just towels?"
He nodded and gave a mischievous smile "Percy, eight a.m. is when we let our imagination take flight." I laughed and then we exchanged a little banter on that subject before moving on to something more normal.
While we unpacked, we chatted. Grover explained a few things about the school but didn't elaborate on much. He said that curfew changed by thirty minutes every time you pass a grade which made our curfew 11 p.m. He also told me that you were allowed to leave campus before curfew but only if you received permission. He talked about himself and asked me questions too. He was a pretty cool guy and supported the conversation when I didn't want to talk but listened when I did.
After we unpacked everything Grover got up and ran to the bunk-bed.
"Dibs on the bottom bunk." Grover said and bounced into bed.
"Deal." I said and got comfortable on the couch.
This room was paradise.
This room was mine. Oh and Grover's.
^.^.^.^.^
Afterwards Grover and I headed to where orientation was being held. Grover had promised that it was in the café, like every year and since I didn't have a clue, I just followed him.
We were in front of the café doors when some kid stepped next to Grover and began talking like they were old friends, course it was my first year here so for all I know, they were old friends.
"Hey Grover! What did you do for the summer? Have you been practicing-"
Grover suddenly had a coughing fit and held on the guys elbow for what looked like his dear life. He coughed for a few more seconds and then gasped for air. "Oh wow, where did that come from?" Grover still had one of his hands on his chest and the other on the boy I didn't know. Then he straightened up and introduced us. "Sorry Nico, this is Percy, it's his first year here so we're just heading to orientation." I don't know if I was just being paranoid or something, but I could swear that I saw some secret exchange in that sentence.
"So he-"
I guess I'll never know what Nico was going to ask because Grover decided to but in "Since it's Percy's first year here and doesn't know anything about the school I was just leading the way, you can come too."
My theory was supported by the look of confusion quickly snap to acknowledgement on Nico's face but he swiftly recovered and smiled friendly at me "Hey Percy, I'm Nico."
Don't you hate that moment when two people you know are whispering to each other right in front of you and are obviously talking about you? Yeah, I do too and that's exactly how I felt. I didn't know if I should let them be or tell it to them straight up but I was interrupted when another male figure approached us.
"Grover! Nico! How's it been guys? Who's your friend?" I also didn't know this guy but he was taller than me and very muscular, which gave him an intimidating impression but his warm expression made me doubt any malice in him.
"I'm Percy, nice to meet you Nico and you too, umm?" He didn't tell me his name and as hard as I was trying to not look retarded, my 'um' went on for too long before he took the hint.
"Oh! Right, I'm Tyson. It's good to meet you too." He smiled again and offered his hand for me to shake.
Grover fist bumped both Nico and Tyson and re-announced how it was my first year at Goode, how oh so nice of him to cast me as the new kid. But I saw the exact same thing on Tyson's face that Nico did. And that just annoyed me even more.
"Something wrong?" I challenged as we headed to the café.
Good thing they didn't take it offensively, they just looked nervous. But at least Tyson answered "No, nothing it's just that you're so old to be transferring," As he said that I felt like there was a double meaning to his words. I knew that they're not telling me something. I know we just met but it was still rude.
Grover finished for him "Yeah, because you know it would suck to have to switch schools before your senior year."
I decided to just let it go for now and continue with introductions "So how long have you guys been here?"
"We've both been here since ninth grade but sometimes they have some really long field trips that make us miss, like a month of school so we have to make it up. It's not so bad but I guess you get used to it since some of the field trips become mandatory." Tyson explained.
In response I nodded and asked what's really been on my mind since I saw my room "Does the school have any sports?" To my surprise they all went silent and stiff. All I asked was sports! How complicated could that answer really be?
Tyson, once again, answered "What type of sports?"
I stared at him like he was crazy before realizing that maybe his question was a bit reasonable "Like football, soccer, or maybe swimming?" I added the first two to show variety but what I really wanted was to know if there was a swimming team. I've always liked the water but never lasted long enough in a school to actually stay very long in a swim team and I wanted to be captain.
Nico nodded and grinned immensely "Oh yeah, we definitely have a swim team but not soccer or football. There are other sports too, though."
Now that I already knew that there was a possibility of me finally making a team, I made it my goal to try to stay in this school for at least a year, maybe more.
The conversation was brought to a halt as we entered the café. Everyone was sitting scattered around circular tables of the cafeteria, eating. The mouth-watering aroma came from the buffet in the back where several types of food were being offered. And when I say several, I'm talking a wall just covered with food all the way from lobster to lasagna. The drinks were just as delicious with rows of Icee's and smoothies or even sparkling sider. But what caught my attention was at the end of the line, the dessert bar that had cupcakes, brownies, funnel cakes, a chocolate fountain, and I wouldn't be surprised to find the Easter bunny there too. This school was like a five star hotel!
"Let's eat!" Nico exclaimed and led us to the food, I was more than happy to follow.
Once I actually began to pile food on my plate, I realized how really hungry I was. The last thing I ate was my Mom's blue iced tea and specialty sandwich but that was before I got on the plane to Florida from New York. So to quench my hunger I took a bacon burger, potato fries, extra-large milkshake, and a slice of brownie drizzled with chocolate syrup. With my food piled high, I took my seat in between Grover and an empty chair.
"So what exactly is supposed to be at an orientation dinner?" I asked as I took a bite out of my burger. And wow that burger was good! I took two more bites and began to chew with my mouth absolutely full, it was so full that my checks were bulging out and I probably looked like a blowfish. Oh well.
The seat next to me shifted and I heard a screech as it was slid back. "Mind if I sit here?" A voice I didn't recognize but was obviously a girl's spoke.
I looked over to see a girl with long blond curly hair tied up in a pony-tail and grey wise eyes that I found intriguing looking at me expectantly. She was really, really pretty and I was excited about the fact that she wanted to sit next to me.
"Vbeur!" I answered while nodding.
The girl gave me a confused look and I was instantly embarrassed. I tried to chew my food quickly so I could make out an understandable sentence but just managed to make my mouth blow up even more.
"Annabeth, just sit down. We were lucky to even find a table that still had four chairs." A girl that was standing behind her ordered.
I took a gulp of my milkshake and turned to Annabeth "Sorry, umm, I –uh." I what? Idiot. What was I apologizing for; eating?
Annabeth was biting her lip to hold back a laugh but her friend was not nearly as subtle she and was giggling hysterically. "Umm, you have a milk-shake mustache." She then handed me a napkin and I took it gratefully, wiping the spot above my lip.
She probably thought I was retarded now, super. "Thanks." I muttered.
"Sure." Annabeth replied and took a bite out of her hotdog.
Nico, Grover, and Tyson were staring at the four girls in awe, like they were celebrities or something. I wondered for a second just who these girls were. I thought that maybe I should introduce myself but then thought against it because after the guys found out it was my first year, I was suddenly a 'Act Weird Zone' or a "Act Secretive Zone' or a –well you get the idea .
Annabeth took the thought right out of my head and made the decision I for me. She took a sip of her Sprite and smiled friendly "Hi, I'm Annabeth and these are my friends Piper, Thalia, and Hazel. I don't think I remember having any classes with you last year, what grade are you in?" Everyone else was caught up in their own conversations but I still felt eyes boring into the back of my head and ears hanging on my every word.
"I'm Percy and I'm in eleventh but yeah I don't recognize you either." Technically I wasn't lying; I just didn't tell her I was a new student.
For a second Annabeth seemed surprised but then a look of curiosity crossed her face. "Oh. Maybe we didn't have any classes because of our levels. I'll tell you mine if you tell me what your-" Annabeth didn't get to finish because Grover, once again, decided to hack out a lung.
Nico and Tyson seemed a little tense as well "Umm, Annabeth hey! I haven't seen you since last year. We didn't talk much, though, why was that?" Nico tried to make conversation with Annabeth from across the table, smooth.
"Because we don't hang out with dorks like you, you're lucky we're even sitting here." Her other friend answered instead. She had vibrant blue eyes and a sort of goth/rocker chick look going on. Annabeth had named her Thalia and I instantly disliked her.
"Thalia!" Annabeth hissed and then apologized. "Sorry, no that's not true. We did that group project for Mrs. Dodds, remember?"
"Just because we don't run the school doesn't make us dorks." Nico mumbled.
I felt bad for Nico because now Thalia was giving him a smirk while he just glared so I decided to help him out "Really, Thalia? Because last I heard, you said you were the lucky ones for finding us." From the corner of my eye, I saw Nico smile at me.
Thalia didn't seem quite as fazed as I thought she would be but I saw a hint of anger and humor in her eyes "Really? I'm surprised you heard that through all the food in your mouth."
Suddenly everyone at the table was quiet and was watching our little throw down but I was annoyed with the giggles she got out of her friends.
"Just because my mouth is working doesn't mean my ears aren't." I explained.
Thalia raised an eyebrow "Well I think-"
"I think that this food is really good." Tyson randomly commented.
"Yeah, why don't you stuff your face like Percy did?" Thalia offered with mock enthusiasm.
This chick was getting on my nerves. "Why don't y-"
"Why don't you guys just shut up?" Annabeth exclaimed mostly to Thalia.
Thalia looked a bit insulted and surprised "Please, Annabeth. We're talking about Lover Boy here, it's not like things are going to get out of hand."
Annabeth just shook her head "Well you're not supposed to use your-"
A spring role ended up hitting Annabeth square in the face making Annabeth shoot mental daggers at Grover.
"What the hell, Grover?!" Annabeth exclaimed as she wiped her face and threw the spring roll back.
Grover looked really worried and I was concerned he'd hack up his heart this time "I, uh, I'm sorry Annabeth. But um, this is Percy's first year here because he's new."
Now everyone was quiet. What is that supposed to mean and why is that so important?
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't know." Annabeth looked a little embarrassed although I didn't see a reason for her to be.
Now everyone was mute. The silence was irritating me and my blood was pumping with anger. "So what? Am I intruding on your little clique or something?" Usually people would be excited about fresh meat but here they were just so cautious and secretive, it was actually rude. Besides, I didn't see much of a friendship happening with Thalia and Nico.
No one answered straight away; they just looked around the table for answers for a few seconds. When I felt that I was never going to get an answer, I realized that the answer was yes. I almost stood up but Grover stopped me.
"Wait Percy, you're not intruding. It's just that…" Grover was looking around helplessly into the eyes of everyone at the table, pleading for some assistance. Now I felt overwhelmed by the guarded atmosphere. I just hated that.
Grover got lucky just this once because some man walked up to the stage and began speaking into the microphone "Welcome students to another year at Goode High School. We are all very pleased to have you. Since tomorrow will be the beginning of the school year, we thought that we'd start to explain how things are run here."
After he was done explaining protocol I was afraid he was about to say another long speech but my fears were diminished when the first words came out of his mouth "Now, students of upper grades are allowed to leave but I would like for all ninth graders and the following students to stay behind after dinner."
I was hardly listening but I certainly recognized my name as it came out of his mouth "Perseus Jackson." Oh joy, what did I do now? It wasn't even the first day of school, I hope that they weren't about to kick me out. Good-bye swim team.
"Bye Percy. I'll see you later." Grover said as he got up to leave. Of course I was one of only three people who got called and had to stay behind, I'd have to get Grover to explain why he and everyone else was being so weird later.
They gathered all of ninth grade and the three of us to sit in front of the stage. I was sent to the back because I was taller than everyone else but I could still hear just fine.
"Hello, my name is Chiron and I am going to explain why you are all here, why you had to come here instead of your home town school. Most of you were probably invited here and received some letters, right? Okay so I want everyone to be quiet because I have no time for foolishness. I also need you to listen closely without interruption and please just hear me out."
There are people in this world beyond what we are used to and what we were taught growing up. Every single one of you is gifted in your own special way. You are not a super-hero so don't get excited, you're a demi-warrior. You have an ability inside of you that you don't know and haven't received yet. It's something that has to come out on its own and it can't be forced. It is a top priority that it be controlled once you receive it. If one morning you wake up and you've grown an extra hand, don't freak out because that's normal. I'm not saying that that will happen but just try to not do anything dangerous or get on anyone's temper because these abilities are hard to control and accidents happen quickly and they can get out of hand just as quick. The students of the upper grades have them, except for a couple, but don't take any of their foolishness because you will get your abilities someday too. Some abilities are greater than others but every single one is important so please be careful. Don't try to do anything stupid because I have guards so don't try to leave. Please just rest on it. To let the more anxious ones know when exactly you'll get your abilities; it usually happens when you're fifteen or around the age most of you are now. You do have to attend school tomorrow but if you still have any concerns, I am always available as well as your fellow peers. Rest tonight, I'll see you tomorrow for school. Yes, you still have to attend school, with a slightly different curriculum. And if any of you wake up in the middle of the night with your ability, come see administration or one of the ladies or gentlemen in bright orange shirts. Everything will be explained better once you receive your ability and I promise it will make more sense, this was just a warning beforehand so you don't go around thinking you're going crazy. You are now dismissed."
Everyone shuffled out of the room and I was lost in the sea of several confused, excited, and unaffected teens. I hardly felt my legs move as I ended up outside but I felt the change in temperature and knew that we were outside due to the warmer night air instead of the usual AC.
I followed everyone to the dorm building in my confused and lost state. I didn't know whether I should believe everything or call my Mom and tell her she sent me to a school of whack-jobs. It didn't necessarily make sense because I'm seventeen and you're supposed to get your abilities in ninth grade, assuming that they even exist. So the question is, why don't I have my ability? Has there been some mistake? Is this why Grover was acting strange? Is my ability non-existent? Am I dreaming? Is this some joke? Are these people high or something?
This is not paradise.
