I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians I just own the story plot!
Percy's POV
"Why did I have to move to this new school?" I moaned to my Mom. She just smiled and shook her head, like she had done every single time I had asked her this question. Her reply was always something along the lines "You aren't welcome back at Goode…" I had actually grown quite accustomed to the small school over the two years I had been there. I had almost burned down the gym, I flooded the locker room twice, and I broke eighteen lockers all fighting some kind of monster that had come after me.
See, my mom was sending me to this school in Virginia and making me stay at her friend's house for the rest of the year. Oh, and did I mention that I hadn't been able to talk to my best friend in three months. At least I got to tell her why I couldn't talk to her the day before I was "grounded" for damaging the school with riptide. I couldn't even Iris message because she had stolen all of my leftover drachmas and hid them somewhere in the house.
Now we were sitting in the parking lot of the school that I would be attending while here. It was called Cave Spring because somewhere there is a cave with a spring in it so they thought it would be a cool name I guess. Anyways, no one was here because it was Sunday, but mom wanted to see the school for herself and make sure it was okay by her standards. I could tell it was better than Goode already because I could see the large baseball stadium behind the tennis courts that rested on the opposite side of the rectangular parking lot.
The school itself was made of brick and stood on the length of the rectangular lot with a modernized entrance with a roof that looked like it had a three dimensional, glass triangle sitting on top of it. There was only two ways into the parking lot and one was the fire lane that ran up beside the entrance to the school, and the other I could tell would be a pain to get in and out of. Across from the school there were three tennis courts that were fenced in on the same level as the parking lot. On the hill was the track and field area and beside that I could see the distant lights and stands that told me that it was the baseball stadium.
"I think you are going to like it here. Everyone says they have the best softball and baseball teams in the state. Also their swim team is undefeated. And you will just love Marge's kids! Keira and Derrick are you age and then Keegan is a year older than you. I just can't b-," she had said this same exact same thing so many times I don't think I could count. Ignoring her made me feel bad, but I wasn't very happy about being thrown down here for the rest of the school year until I got to go to camp. Ugh, that was six months away! Mom finally pulled out of the parking lot and started heading to my temporary home until camp.
"This is it," Mom said and gave my arm a squeeze, "I'm sorry we have to do this, but I think that taking you here will deter your scent and make it harder for monsters to find you. Hopefully you won't have any more attacks, but I know that is probably never going to happen. Oh, I know you can take care of yourself, I'm just worried!" I hugged her and that seemed to reassure her that I was okay with it, even thought I definitely wasn't, I wanted to make her feel better about this. I let go of her and got out of the car and grabbed my luggage. Walking up to the house it reminded me of the magazines you see of modern houses with stonework everywhere on the sides and stone steps that was two stories tall. Looking at the house made me feel a little better that maybe it would be cool to live in a house like this.
After knocking on the door a girl around my age opened the door. She was shorter than me by a couple of inches with straight brown hair, she had little makeup on over her blue eyes, and she wore a tank top and cheer shorts. "Hey I'm Keira, come on in Percy." She eyed me as her bubbly voice reached my ears. I felt uncomfortable with her staring at me, so I walked past her quickly not daring to look back. Stepping inside I found myself standing in a foyer that led to the dining room on the right a hallway straight in front of me, stairs going up and over the hallway, and the living room on the left. This house was huge and nice, take that back, it was gigantic and amazing compared to apartment.
I followed Keira up the stairs and down the hall, passing several doorways, until she stopped at the very last one and opened the door to where I would be staying. The room was dark blue with a queen sized bed in the middle, a desk that I would use for homework near the window, a closet, and a little table beside the bed. It wasn't that big, but I loved it. After setting my bags down I turned to find both Keira and my Mom gone. I immediately put my hands in my pockets and grasped the ballpoint pen, but it would look like a casual move to anyone else. I walked down the steps and into the kitchen like that until I saw them standing around talking to an older women about my mom's age, a boy my age, and a boy that looked a little older.
"Hello, I'm Marge," the older lady stuck her hand out and I shook it briefly. She reminded me of my mom with brown hair that had only a little grey in it, but I could easily tell the difference between the two because of their eyes and height. The boy next to her smiled at me, "I'm Derrick and that prick is Keegan." I laughed as Keegan elbowed Derrick hard in the ribs. Keegan was only a few inches taller than me and had more of a football player build than my baseball player and swimming build. His blonde hair and blue eyes set him apart from his family, but I could still see the same expression that the rest of the family wore on their faces. Derrick on the other hand looked like he would be good at baseball. He was wearing a black cap with a red bill that had a CS on the front that could only stand for Cave Spring. He had brown hair that fell just above his eyebrows straight, but messy, with the same blue eyes as Keegan.
"Alright, well Percy I have to go. Call me if you have any-," she glanced at the Lupins, "-incidents. No matter how small, and remember that Blackjack is within-umm-calling distance." I nodded knowingly and she hugged me tightly before letting me go and turning away to hide her tears as she walked out the door.
"So you play any sports Percy?" Keegan asked pulling out three Cokes and throwing one to Keegan and me.
"Thanks. I play baseball and I swim," I said taking a sip of the soda. Derrick smiled and Keegan frowned a little, but it seemed more out of disappointment than anger.
"We made a bet on what you would play; baseball or football. I win," Derrick smiled and Keegan scowled before pulling out a five dollar bill and handing it over. "Okay, well I'm tired thanks to lovely baseball conditioning, so let's head on up to our rooms and we can talk more." I think it might have been the expression the brother's wore or maybe even the way they easily exchanged money that reminded me of the Stoll brothers.
I nodded and headed up the steps after them. After changing into a t-shirt and shorts I went into Keegan's room where Derrick and he were lounging. "Close the door. Don't want Keira to listen in; she is just a little bitch like that." I heard a growl in the hallway and knew that it had been her as I shut the door and sat down on the arm chair in the corner of the room. I looked over at Keegan who was staring off into space, obviously deep in thought, "Earth to Keegan? Stop day dreaming about her, you know you have no chance! She doesn't date anyone!" Derrick said smacking Keegan on the back of the head playfully.
Keegan blushed, "Can't help but try though."
"Who are y'all talking about?" I asked innocently.
Derrick groaned, "Only the hottest girl in the whole school who also happens to be the star softball player and is nice to everyone even though she is the most popular girl there!"
"She has the best smile," Keegan said mesmerized by some unseen thought.
"Dude you have it bad," I said laughing.
"Yeah- ," Keegan was cut off from saying anything else by the voice of Marge yelling up the stairs that it was curfew. "Ugh! I really wish she would just give up with that already!"
I laughed walked out of the room with Derrick on my heels, "Good night." He said before shutting his door. I had thought that I wouldn't sleep very well, but as soon as my head hit the mattress I was out like light dreaming of nobody other than Annabeth Chase. When I woke in the morning I could still feel the butterflies that were dancing in my stomach from my dream. I blushed a deep red thinking about it and prayed that Athena hadn't seen what I had dreamt. I couldn't believe it, no, I was not falling for my best friend. I mean she was pretty and smart and… I am so screwed.
Annabeth's POV
"So have any of y'all seen the new guy? He is sexy," Maddie said as we walked down the hall.
"Yes ma'am. And guess who he is living with?" Keira said smiling beside Maddie. We both gave her the same look that showed we had no idea who. Keira rolled her eyes, "He is staying with me! Apparently his mom and my mom were best friends in high school so he is staying with use!"
Maddie's exclamation was unknown to me, for my mind was on a different guy. My best friend Percy Jackson. Sometimes I was mad at Percy for getting grounded, but then I would remember that he was a son of the big three and it wasn't really his fault that the monsters attacked. I just wish I could talk to him or at least see him instead of staring at pictures of him. I mean he was my best friend, even though my heart flutters when his eyes lock onto mine and…No, this is inconceivable. I will not fall for my best friend, I don't like Percy Jackson.
Their conversation was soon to surely turn to the fact that I had lived here for the entire school year and had declined every single offer to go out with a guy.
"Annabeth are you listening?" Maddie said waving a hand in front of my face.
"Sorry I was thinking about something," I said casually while my mind battled the feelings that had started to grow for my best friend.
"What in the world could you be thinking about when we are talking about the most gorgeous boy to ever grace the halls of CSHS?" Keira said with a sigh of exasperation. I rolled my eyes and we all started laughing. Finally we reached my locker where we always stood before our first class, which happened to be right beside it so we could sit here until the minute bell would ring.
Percy's POV
"Dude you have no idea how hot this chick is!" Derrick said for what seemed to be the fortieth time in the past two minutes.
Keegan laughed and soon I followed suit as we started through the front doors for my first day of school. Keira had left earlier than the rest of us so she could meet up with her friends, and to be truly honest I was glad to be rid of her. For the entire morning she had been hitting on me no matter how many times I made it blatantly honest that I don't like her.
"Okay, fine I'll show you. They are always at her locker before the first class," Derrick said throwing his hands up in frustration. I laughed, not only at him but at the fact that no matter how she looked, she would never be anything compared to Annabeth. I could just imagine getting lost in those two grey eyes while running my hands through her long, curly blonde hair. I shook of the memory and followed Derrick farther into the school. Whoa, get a hold of yourself! She is just your friend!
Walking around I figured out that the school was actually really easy to navigate if you knew what number your classroom was. When you walk through the front doors directly to the right is the small little attendance office which could be considered more as a cubby than an office, while the left housed the doors to the auditorium and the right the gym. Going on two the second set of three doors you reach the hallway that spans left and right around the office. The hallways made a deformed octagon with branches that led to either the annex or to the gym and locker rooms. Other than the small annex, the locker rooms, and the basement; it would be the easiest school to find your way around in. Something I noticed right away to my delight was that there were exits at almost every angle in the octagon which would make for a perfect escape if a monster decided to come along.
I hadn't even been walking for a mere minute before I felt eyes bore into my skin as people studied me. I heard the bits and pieces of conversations of girls saying something along the lines of how "hot" I was. I smiled, but then my gut twisted painfully with guilt when she was just my friend. Unfortunately that was all that we would be because I was just her best friend, nothing more. My smile faltered as I rammed into the back of Derrick, who had stopped abruptly in front of me.
"What did you stop for?" I said rubbing my nose from where I had hit it on the back of his head. I saw a smile pull at his lips as he gazed past me and at something that was directly behind me. I knew that it must be the girl that all of them were supposedly head over heels for. Slowly I turned around and met the eyes that I hadn't known I had needed to see so much until right now.
Annabeth's POV
"Oh my god, there he is!" Keira screeched and pointed over my shoulder at a guy who was wearing an American Eagle shirt that hugged his muscled arms and back. His hair was black and I would've thought it was spiked if I wouldn't have known better. His tan skin from spending so much time at camp seemed to glisten in the light of the hallway. His posture showed the nervousness that no one else would be able to perceive from just the look of his shoulder blades moving slightly upwards. I could smell the faint ocean scent mixed with the musky scent of a forest that I knew to be none other than his.
Derrick was staring right at me before he pointed with his finger towards my direction and the new guy froze and slowly turned around. Sea green filled my entire vision as the hallway faded away into oblivion. A smile played at his lips as his eyes lit up in joy causing my heart to flutter as if I was a daughter of Aphrodite. I could have stayed there forever, smiling at him like an idiot, but then Maddie slightly pushed my shoulder.
"Annabeth, I think you might say yes to him? Because if I am not mistaken the new guy seems to be staring at you like he wants you make out with you right now," she smirked as if she had found something that was invaluable.
"Uh huh, no way, he is so taken, I totally saw him first!" Keira said slightly annoyed, but I could tell she was dead serious. I am pretty sure that knowing that my mother was Athena and not wanting to disgrace her was the only thing that kept me from lunging at this girl and stabbing her with my knife. Especially when she did this smile-flip my hair-bat my eyes thing at Percy, this time I decided that I was done trying to restrain myself, why not torture her a little but I needed to wait for the right moment. "Let's go talk to him." With that Keira flipped her hair and started towards where he was standing with Maddie and me in tow behind her.
When we got up to him she smiled brightly but his smile and eyes never left mine. Keira glared at him as she followed his gaze to me. It was now or never, I thought pushing Keira slightly out of the way so that I could get past and then I was right in front of him, my chest touching his. "I missed you so much Wise Girl," his voice was soft as he wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me into a fierce hug that I gladly returned by sliding my fingers up around his neck before intertwining them there.
"I missed you to Seaweed Brain," I swear I could feel his heart beating a mile a minute, matching mine perfectly. When I pulled back he held me a second longer than necessary before releasing me. Now I stood beside him, my shoulder slightly brushing his and my hand was almost touching his. Keira was open mouthed and speechless, but before she could say anything I cut her off. "This is Percy Jackson my best friend." When I said that my heart deflated and I looked up and I could have sworn that his eyes shown with sadness before it was gone only seconds later.
Keira smiled then, relieved that he was nothing more, "Oh, well you could have told me you were friends with Annabeth." The way she said friends made it very clear that she wanted to be way more than that. "How do y'all know each other and for how long?"
I looked at him, having known him for so long I understood that we might as well tell as much of the truth as possible. "We met at camp when we were eleven. Ever since then we have been together each summer at camp and we became friends. I don't know how I would have survived the summer without someone to help." My throat contracted as I heard his words, and knew that the meaning was deeper than the literal since. He basically said that he couldn't have lived through the quests and fights without being able to be with me and for me to have his back. I looked up at him and smiled brightly, showing him that I knew exactly what he had meant.
"Oh, Percy that's so sweet of you to help Annabeth out! Maybe you could teach me some stuff from that summer camp of yours," she smiled mischievously and my eyes narrowed at her automatically before I could help it. I quickly averted my gaze, waiting for Percy's response to the obvious flirting.
"I don't think I would be much help. Annabeth was the one that helped me through the camp," he chuckled lightly causing the back of his hand to slide over mine sending a shiver up my arm. I tried to hide my excitement, but one look at Maddie's face that held a knowing smile made me falter. I was about to say something when Derrick walked up with his arm around the waist of Caitlyn one of my best friends at school. She smiled and then her eyes went down to where my hand was brushing up against Percy's and then followed it up to my face as I blushed and looked away.
Smiling she looked Percy over and then nodded as if in approval, "I'm Caitlyn, and you must be Percy who I have heard so much about." I blushed for the second time looking away while mentally scolding myself for being so weak.
I could hear Percy's smile, "Nice to meet you then, and I hope that is a good thing." Caitlyn smiled slyly making Percy blank and stare at me asking the question that I knew was coming.
"Does she know about-," he said, leaving out the last part so that the rest would have no clue what he was talking about except for me.
I shook my head, "No, I wouldn't put them in danger. You know how much it would be to do that." He nodded, and the looks on my friends' faces showed their obvious confusion on what the Hades we were talking about. I sent a mumbled prayer of apology to Hades before continuing the conversation. "Let me see your schedule please." He handed it over and I was glad to see that we had all but one class together which was when I had Chemistry and he had World History II. He saw that and I felt his smile as he laughed.
"Well I will show you to homeroom, come on Seaweed Brain," I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the branch that led down to the basement. I ignored the jittery feeling that I got from this simple touch as I let go of his hand once we were getting ready to go down the steps.
Percy's POV
Nothing I had prepared myself for was the amount of giggling girls at this school. Sitting at my desk beside Annabeth in homeroom for thirty minutes about drove me out of my mind at first. A bunch of girls who were obviously trying too hard to be pretty were trying to flirt with me. The only thing that got me through it was the glares they got from Annabeth when she though I wasn't looking. Every time she gave them one and I saw the jealousy flow through her storm grey eyes made my heart skip a beat. Maybe I'm not the only one whose feelings had changed.
The rest of the day flew by for me, with Annabeth by my side, even as a friend, was enough to get me through anything. Unfortunately I didn't have lunch with Annabeth because of the split lunch and our slight difference in schedule. I thought that maybe I could handle lunch because I had it with both Derrick and Keegan, but boy was I ever wrong. I knew right away that this was going to be hell.
I sat beside Keegan and Derrick sat across from us and I had met a few of the guys they hang out with. It was great, until Keira showed up and sat down right next to me. Damn, I just can't get lucky. "Hey there Percy," her smiled dripped with lust that made me want to puke. If I wasn't ADHD then I am positive I wouldn't have noticed her scooting her chair over slightly closer to mine as she sat down.
"Hey Keira," I said blankly before scooting my chair closer to Keegan and continuing the conversation with them. I could feel Keira staring at my back so intently that I thought she had to be a daughter of Ares. I shivered and prayed to every other god and goddess that I was wrong about that.
"Um Percy," she tapped me lightly on the shoulder, and I grudgingly turned around with a smile plastered on my face. She beamed at me, "What is that summer camp of yours like?" As she said that she traced a finger up my bare arm before I chuckled nervously and slid it backward out of her reach.
"Yeah tell us about how you and Annabeth met and fell in love," Derrick stretched out the word love so it would have been spelt with more o's.
I blushed, "She's just my friend," I managed to mumble as Keegan and Derrick started laughing while Keira was glaring daggers at her brother.
"Whatever you say. Anyways tell us about the camp," Keegan said containing his laughter at Keira's face.
Finally something that didn't make me nervous to talk about, even though I couldn't tell them exactly what happens at camp but I could dance around the truth enough so that I wouldn't have to lie blatantly. "Well it is a camp that you have to be allowed in. To be allowed to join you have to have certain abilities that no one else has. Once they determine that you can be allowed in than you are sorted by what type your abilities are. Every year a certain group of campers get to go off around the world to complete challenges and help people by using their abilities. And at the end of the year everyone gets a different bead based on what happened that year. Annabeth has more than I do because she has been there longer." I pulled out the leather cord that held all of the beads and pointed to the first one that had the trident of Poseidon on it. "This one was my first year, because I was the first one to have my ability in a long time to the camp so this one is based on me." Next I pointed to the Golden Fleece, "This is my second year when I got to go out on a challenge with Annabeth in hopes to find and help our friend Grover. We had to do a lot of searching to find him and when we found him he had a fleece with him that was golden, so that is where that came from." I pointed to the third bead on the necklace thinking about when I traveled across the country to save Annabeth. Not only at how I went to save her, but the fact that I was the only one that believed she was still alive. "This one is from my third year when I was sent on a challenge to go and help Annabeth who was in trouble. I ended up having to fight some people to get her back, but I finally did and we returned." The next one was special to me, because it was the year I almost died and Annabeth kissed me. I blushed, fingering the bead, "Um, this one was from last year and it is a picture of a maze. Annabeth and I went on a challenge again this year to keep an enemy of ours from gaining access to the camp without permission. We had to travel through a maze to figure out where they were and it was horrible being there. I'm still glad that I wasn't alone."
"Wow, that camp sounds like a really active hippy camp," Derrick said laughing. I growled at him and he sobered up enough to know not to say anything like that again. "Anyways, what's your ability that got you into the camp? No need to tell us why Annabeth got in, must have been her looks."
I glowered at him, "I got in because of my way with water and she got in because of how smart she is. Both of us also got in because we are really good fighters if need be."
"What is this camp's goal? I mean what do you do when you go on these challenges and what not?" Keegan's question caught me off guard; usually people were more interested in whether or not I could kick so and so's ass.
I stared at him. I really thought about telling him and Derrick right then, but I remembered how foolish that would be and Keira is sitting right beside me. "Maybe one day I will get the chance to tell both of you," I said pointing at both Derrick and Keegan, "Without putting you in the danger I would be opening you up to now." They tried to ask me questions and begged me to tell them what I was talking about, but I wouldn't give. Soon they gave up, but I could tell that our conversation was fresh on all of their minds. Oh well, gives them something that isn't a lie about my history. Lunch flew by as I ignored talking to Keira anymore, after trying to get her to see that I wasn't interested too many times count. My mind drifted from the drab lunch room and the blue soda sitting in front of me as I thought about everything that I had been through with Annabeth. I smiled as my thoughts strayed farther and farther from the place I was sitting in.