When I didn't hesitate to respond yes to the question of whether I wanted to continue my learning… this is definitely not what I had in mind.

"High school?" It's a last ditch effort, classes start today.

"Sorry! Nothing I can do! You're signed up! Here, I printed out your schedule, and it looks like you have world history first," my dad says cheerfully. He has become too busy with his new job to teach me anything himself and ever since Percy… disappeared, he doesn't like to leave me alone.

I go to refill my cup of coffee and he tries to stop me, "I don't like you drinking so much coffee sweetheart," he says, "the health effects-"

"Was that a question? Need me to rattle off a few?" I start just to bother him and then see this face. "Fine But, I can't leave until I finish my letter to Percy." With my words, his face drops just a little. He doesn't think that I notice.

When he left, I promised to write him letters everyday so that when he got back it would be like he never left.

And I haven't stopped.

"Actually, dad," I say, "I think that's the bus, so I'll just finish it there! Bye!" I don't wait for his response, instead I steal his piece of toast and run out the door.

I had tried to think of Piper as I got dressed this morning, but as soon as I walk through the doors I know I got it all wrong. No sweater is big enough to hide me from this crowd, no matter how blue it is.

That's the only color I can wear now. Anything to feel closer to him.

I slide into a seat toward the back of the class and can already hear the whispers starting.

I ignore them and continue writing. So far, so good. School looks like it's going to be great! I lie.

The teacher has trouble getting everyone settled down since it's the first day and for some reason everyone's excited.

Unlike most teachers, this one starts right off the bat by introducing the first unit: Ancient Greece.

I can't help it. I laugh.

The teacher's eyes start to narrow until she gets a better look at me and tries to hide a small smile. "I was going to open up the room to start naming some Greek gods, but why don't we start off with you, young lady? Oh, and please, introduce yourself."

"Annabeth Chase. Athena, of course. Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Hades, or Pluto if you prefer, Zeus or Jupiter, Aries or Mars, and don't forget about Posiden. Just to name a few."

The students are all gawking at me and nobody, but me, notices the teacher's narrowing glare. She has another question for me, "Are you particular towards Roman gods, Annabeth?"

I smile all too sweetly, "I just don't like them to get forgotten."

The bell rings and I am walking to my next class when I feel someone looking over my shoulder. I am immediately prepared to fight when they squeal.

"We are in the same class next! My name is Melanie and just hearing you talk in Mrs. John's class told me you were, like, a total genius!"

I decide that having any friend is better than none, no matter how trivial they may seem! So, I humor her.

She invites me to her table, for lunch. There is a group of girls and I can't tell if they are trying to look identical, or if they don't have any personality to back up their outfits.

Out of the blue, one of them asks if I had a boyfriend. While I stammer for an answer, she starts talking again.

"Because, like, James Miller is over there, and he is so making eyes at you. Do I have to mention how capital 'H' hot he is? Oh wait, you're not blind."

Their claims are proven true. The next day, the boy approaches me at my locker. "Annabeth, right?" Original opening line.

"And you are?" I ask, unimpressed.

"Really? You haven't heard of me? Captain of our varsity football team that almost won states last year?"

He left one detail open, "Why didn't you?"

"What?"

"Why didn't you win states? Bad leadership?"

"Yeah," he says, smirk ever present, "Not me. This year, you have my word, I am bringing back the goal."

I already don't like this guy. "You forgot the 'we.' It's kind of the whole point of team sports." I walk away and am bombarded with newfound hostility from the girls.

"Do you, actually know how jealous you made us for even getting a chance with him!"

"Why!"

"God, who knew you're such a bitch!"

"Like, are you actually blind?