HER DIARY

- Entry 1 -

Dear Diary,

It's the first day of school and Mrs. Dodds decided to surprise the class with a test in Algebra. Since nobody was crazy enough to spend their vacation staying at home and studying, almost everyone failed. They kept complaining and discussing their answers with each other during lunch, frustrated and at the same time relieved to know that the others felt the same. Me? Well, let's just say that we're not riding on the same boat. And my classmates knew that, that's why nobody's talking to me. Surprise, surprise.

-A

My name is Annabeth Chase and I'm not a total nerd. Instead of debating with my classmates whether a is the hypotenuse on the Pythagorean Theorem instead of c, I was sitting alone in the cafeteria writing at my diary. Not that they would debate with me anyway. They'd believe whatever I say. Maybe if I said that 3.14 is called pi because it spelled pie backwards and is only meant to be an inside joke between mathematicians, they'd actually believe me. I appreciate that they have that "huge trust" in me, but it's kind of annoying. They seemed to think that my words are final—no questions needed. I can't tell them that that no. 22 was a little tricky or that I almost messed up at no 18. I can't join them while complaining about the teachers giving test on the first day of class because I'm supposed to be the model student; always prepared, not bothered by a surprise quiz, or even surprise exams.

"You, having a hard time? Impossible." was all they're going to say. And maybe it will become a little awkward if they haven't actually answered no. 18 and 22.

That's always how it is around me. Awkward. I never knew why. Maybe they're insecure? Intimidated? Maybe they felt small around me knowing that my lowest score in a test is 99% and my highest is 110% or above (with the bonus questions and all)? I don't know. See? I don't always have answers! And I hated not knowing the answers.

I always thought that top students always have a lot of friends (and as you may have noticed by now, I am at the very top spot). It seems that I was proven wrong.

It had been hard on my first year. With all those awkward conversations, forced smiles, and wary looks. But as time flies, I learned to get over with it.

Writing at my diary became a distraction. It keeps my mind off things and make up for the fact that I'm isolated around these lively crowd known as the students. But I'm already a senior now. I was used to this and it doesn't bother me anymore.

"We're from the same class, right?" a voice said, shocking me and effectively cutting me off of my reverie. I hid my diary under a couple of notebooks and looked up at the guy in front of me.

I didn't recognize him. He was tall (maybe a couple of inches taller than me), with raven black hair that seemed like he haven't used a comb this morning. But what really struck me was his green eyes, looking hopefully at me.

"Um, I hope this doesn't sound rude," I finally said. "But, are you talking to me?"

"No! No!" he exclaimed. "I mean, yes, I'm talking to you and no, you definitely didn't sound rude and" I raised my eyebrow. He's going to start rambling. I thought but before that happened, he stopped himself, closed his eyes, and let a breath out. When he opened them again, his eyes seemed to gain a happy glint on them and then he flashed me with a smile. A smile that would probably make other girls swoon but only made me skeptical. I just raised my eyebrow and waited for him to speak.

"This morning at Algebra. Under Mrs. Dodds?" he continued where he left off, like his rambling never happened. "Umm, can I sit here?" He added but he didn't wait for me to answer and sat in front of me. I mentally rolled my eyes.

Since I was late today (which I rarely am), I only had a glimpse of an unfamiliar guy going back to what I assumed was his seat. That must be him. I never really paid him much attention since I'm on the front row and after that Mrs. Dodds handed us the test papers so my mind focused on the paper instead.

"You're a transfer student?" I asked instead, trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah. How was the quiz this morning?" To say at least, I was shocked that he brought that topic in front of me. But given that he's new here, well, that explains it.

"Umm. Okay I guess?" I wasn't really sure how to answer that one since I've never been asked that question before.

"Okay? That was not okay. Who gives quizzes on the first day of school?"

"Well apparently, Mrs. Dodds." I said matter of factly.

He rolled his eyes at me and I raised my eyebrow. We just met and he's rolling his eyes on me? This guy must be super friendly.

"Obviously. But come on! It's the first day of school! She should have known that nobody studies on vacation so nobody would have passed the test!"

"Wow. I'm a little proud of Nobody." I said nonchalantly while he grinned at me and decided to play along.

"Yeah. He's awesome. He do things that others won't"

"And how do you know he's a 'he' and not a 'she'"

He shrugged implying that he doesn't really care. "Let's assume that Nobody's a 'she' then."

"Doesn't really matter as long as she continues to do what she's doing."

"Yeah. And I bet that if ever we're on the same class, Nobody would have perfected that test."

"Jeez, never thought that I'm Nobody." Maybe this have gotten his attention because he didn't reply and seemed to be pondering what I said.

"Wait, you scored 30/30 on this morning's test?" he asked like he doesn't believe it.

"Umm, yeah?" Actually, 35 since there's a 5 points bonus question, but I didn't dare voice that out. It's already bad as it is. This was usually the time where things get a little uncomfortable so I'm already preparing myself. I also started thinking up a good reason to excuse myself if the awkwardness become a little unbearable.

"Wow. That's awesome! I barely scored 10 and you scored 30! Do you always receive a perfect score on a test?"

"I guess?" I was confused. Usually, in this situation, everyone would be too shy to reveal their scores in front of me but he said it like it doesn't bother him. He's one of those easy going students, that's for sure.

Before he can say anything else, the first bell rang.

"Is it time already?" he asked while looking at his watch.

"Nope. That's the first bell. It means that we have 10 minutes before classes start." I said while starting to pack my belongings. He noticed the folders and seemed to remember something because he suddenly stood up which almost made me jump in surprise.

"Oh, shoot! I forgot I still have something to fill up at the Registrar's Office!" He muttered a quick apology/goodbye and hurriedly went to the direction of the Registrar. But before he could turn a corner, he looked back at me and shouted, "By the way, I'm Percy Jackson!"

"Annabeth Chase," I shouted back.

He grinned at me. "Well, see you around Annabeth." And then he was gone.

I retrieved my diary and uncapped my pen.

P.S. Well, someone actually talked to me. A guy named Percy Jackson.