Disclaimer: Really, could Rick Riordan be this silly? I really doubt it!


I could feel the words, lodged in my throat. They were urging me to say them, to fulfill my wish. But my duty to my family was there too. I knew this decision could very well cost me my life. And so the choice was happiness, or loyalty?


"Sploosh!"

As I opened my locker, once again, tons of flowers poured out. I sighed, but still secretly smiled inside. At my new school, even with my ADHD and Dyslexia, I was a goddess to the boys, and an absolute nightmare to the girls. Even I thought I was the prettiest one at the school, but I didn't let any others know that. So, I gathered up the flowers, still getting envious and jealous looks.

I could feel the looks I was getting from the boys who somehow got the flowers in my locker, but I didn't turn around, I knew who they were. Two I had gone out with that weekend, one I wouldn't be dating again, because when I kissed him he slobbered all over me. The other was a decent kisser, but I knew from the gossip he would only date a girl who he thought he could get far with. And the other boys were a mix of nerds, jocks, and those guys that you never really notice unless they talk to you or do something to you. So no, I didn't really have any current plans to date these guys.

"Collie!" I heard my best friend, Ana cry. "Collie, wait up!" I stopped and waited as she hobbled her way over. While waiting, I analyzed her wardrobe and makeup. Ever since the day when she showed up at school with sweats and some random orange t-shirt on, not a stitch of makeup, and her hair in tangles, I have been closely monitoring her appearance. I would not be seen with her if she didn't wear the best. Hollister, AE, Gucci, stores like that.

Today she looked like this: Black hair straightened, with bangs pinned back; Black eyeliner rimming her strange, brown/gold eyes; Pale foundation covering her acne; A cute peace tank top with an organic jacket set over it, with eco- friendly ripped jeans on it; and a stylish hat perched on her head. Ana was always wearing hats for some reason, and I told her that it could dry out her scalp and leave her with disgusting dandruff, but she just gave me a sorta-nervous laugh and changed the subject. Also, she always wore organic stuff, and preached to me about why vegan was the way to go.

Don't ever tell Ana this, but I think I'm prettier than her. I know; horrible right? But this is me: Dark brown hair with just enough red in it to make it shimmer in the sun; my hair is naturally curly, but I straighten it sometimes to make it pin-straight; light brown eyes with a touch of green around the edges, and flecks of dark brown in them; I have a perfect figure, I know, and it's always dressed in the latest styles. I carry a confidence with me, that some people mistake for cockiness, but if you've got it, flaunt it. And, if you ask, I always will have my mirror with me, just incase I have to make any touch ups. Lip gloss coats my full lips, eyeliner rims my big eyes, mascara making them even bigger, foundation adds just that touch of creaminess, and I have cheekbones that are to die for. To top it all off, I have skin that is naturally blemish free, and has always been the perfect shade of tan. Doesn't that sound pretty perfect to you?

Anyway, Ana limped her way over to me in the hallway (I really only hang out with her because she's the only girl that doesn't hate me. But again, I need to take what I get, it just so happens I get a lot.)

"Sorry about yesterday," Ana started, "I really didn't mean to freak out like that."

She's referring to when she saw a large man taking the same route as us on the way home, she made me start running and get MUD ALL OVER MY SKIRT. I didn't mention how utterly freaky it was when she started cursing in some other language that I somehow understood. Creepy, I know.

"It was fine, Nancy got the mud all out," I heard myself say. Nancy is the maid at our house. My parents didn't want me to have to grow up 'under forced labor', whatever that meant.

"Anyway, have you met the new guy yet?" Ana continued, and I saw an unnatural flash of fear in her eyes, but as soon as it was there, it was gone.

"No, why?" I asked.

"He's pretty hot, but I hear he's a total jerk. Would you stay away from him, Nicole? Please, for me?" She started pleading with me.

"Umm, okay? I guess.' As I said that, I knew I had to check this new guy out.

That's when I saw him, walking down the hallway. His blonde hair was shaggy, he had a great body, a nice tan, and his gold-ish eyes glowed as if too smile at me. But then he turned and I saw a scar, etched onto his handsome face, glaring at me.

A/N: Song to this Chapter- Put You On by Four Year Strong.