Welcome all to my new story! Whoo I love this feeling! Ok, so to start off I have a few warnings: first, the rating may fluctuate between T and M, for language, themes, and possibly some very mild sexual content in later chapters (don't worry, I'll try to keep it PG). Next, I have my exams coming up, so I may not be able to update all that regularly. And... that's about it. Ok, enjoy!

Disclaimer - I do not own Percy jackson, nor any other book series for that matter... not yet at least ;)

Chapter 1: Graduation

'Big day, Piper. Big day.'

I groan as I hurtle around, getting dressed at top speed. I glance over at Percy, who is already in his purple robes. I hurl a pillow in what I hope is his general direction, as I journey on in my endless quest to find a pair of matching socks.

'Stop it. I feel sick enough as it is.' I tell him.

'Stop what?'

'Filming.' He grins like a madman, but does not turn off the video camera he is holding up at eye level. I hold my ground against the cyclops glare of the camera, and stick my tongue out at him. Like a five year old.

'Negative. You'll thank me later.'

'Not if I murder you now.' I head for the bathroom, passing my friend Annabeth, who is splayed out over my bed. She too is already fully dressed, and even has her graduation cap balanced precariously atop her mess of blonde curls. She winks at me as I pass.

'She's serious, babe.' I hear her say to Percy as I close the door.

'She's always serious. And you're always beautiful.'

'Put that thing down and come here.'

'Do we have time?' I lean forward and bang on the door.

'No, guys! Please no!' I hear them laugh as I pick up the brush and try to smooth out my choppy mess of hair. However, it doesn't take me long to give up, and I hastily tie it in a loose braid down the back of my neck. I stare at my reflection.

'This is the part where you say something inspiring to yourself.' I say out-loud to the girl in the mirror. The girl in the mirror stares back. She is average height, with high cheekbones and full lips, and eyes that flit between colors like a humming bird between flowers. She goes by the name of Piper Mclean. She is me.

'Something inspiring.' I say to myself.

~ line break ~ (A/N I'm not really sure if that is how line breaks work...meh, just pretend it had the desired effect)

My legs shake as Professor Brunner's booming voice calls my name. I stand and walk unsteadily to the stage, to general applause and wolf-whistles. I barely hear them for the sound of the ocean in my ears, and the fog clouding my brain. Ugh. I have always hated crowds. I picture myself in my mind's eye, gliding gracefully up the steps, elegantly sashaying over to the podium, my radiant smile dazzling the awestruck horde of my peers. I am so struck by the beauty of this delightful image that I trip on the first step, catch my feet on my robe, and stumble, my mortar board falling off. My face feels at least fifty shades of red by the time I reach the podium, realize that I left my mortar board at the edge of the stage, go back, and at long last retrieve my diploma, Mr Brunner giving me a pitying smile. I awkwardly curtsy to the audience, and see Percy and Annabeth leap to their feet, Annabeth whooping at the top of her lungs, Percy twerking unashamedly, as those surrounding them stare with a sort of incredulous horror. I grin, and return to my seat.

Trying with all my might not to be struck by the inevitable futility of human existence, I watch as each one of my fellow New Rome alumni traipse up to the stage to get that long awaited diploma. Each face shines with an almost luminous pride, and I can feel the smug satisfaction emanating from my peers. This surely proves what they have long since suspected; we are invincible. Kings and Queens. Gods among men! We are living proof of the universally known fact: all recent college graduates are pricks.

Things only liven up when Annabeth's name is called at last. Top of her class at our High school graduation a few years ago, over her time here she has collected more honors, been awarded more medals, and participated in more extra curricular activities than the rest of her class combined. Though New Rome does not select a valedictorian, we all know that it would have been her. Therefore, the cheering for her outstrips any football player, cheerleader, or class clown. Percy whoops and leaps up and down in an ecstasy of excitement, screaming at the top of his lungs 'That's my girl!'.

The ceremony ends with our dean, Mr. Brunner, giving his usual closing speech. Since I attended Silena's graduation the year before, I think I may be the only one to notice that the speech is word-for-word the exact same as last year's. Honestly, it could really be summed up as "Good luck. Now get out."

And so we do.

~ line break ~ (A/N I think I've clarified, I have no clue how line breaks work...)

Personally I was never big on High School parties, as I always felt like I was the only person with... well, actual thoughts in a room mostly full of morons glorying in obliterating IQ points with every gulp of whatever booze they managed to get their hands on. College parties are, on the other hand, full of smart, funny people, all of whom are used to being the smartest, funniest person in the room, so they spend the whole night talking over one another in a desperate attempt to prove that they are the smartest, funniest person in the room, if not the entire planet.

I sip from my plastic cup the rum and coke (my drink of choice in such situations) and look about pensively. As you may by this point have guessed, I am standing in the corner of a thumping house party. A drunken frat boy stumbles up to me, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on my breasts.

'Hey.' I previously considered it impossible to slur the word "hey". This guy has proved me wrong. 'How do you like your eggs in the morning?'

'Unfertilized thanks.' I tell Horny Frat Boy, darting past him before he has time to figure out what I said. I move past drunken graduates kissing, hurling, though not at the same time. Mostly.

In the middle of the room is a dance-floor, which my sister Drew is absolutely owning, doing a ridiculously slut-tastic dance. The only thing missing is the pole. Not surprisingly, both men and women stand around her, staring adoringly. She graduated along with Silena last year, but naturally couldn't resist a graduation party of this magnitude.

I cast around for a friendly face. Annabeth and Percy are making out in a corner (Annabeth and Percy are always, unless stated otherwise, making out in a corner). I spy Rachel standing by herself, watching it all with a tiny smirk, and direct my steps towards her.

'Hey.' I say. She smiles lethargically, but doesn't answer. For a moment I wonder at how unlike her this is, before I spot the joint in her hand and smile. She's high as a kite.

Just then, Leo stumbles up, happily drunk, his eyes bloodshot and a lopsided grin plastered across his face.

'Man, Drew is so hot when she does that thing where she like, exists.' I can't help but grin at this. Leo dropped out of college freshmen year to work in his family auto repair shop full time. However, he made more than enough connections in his limited time at New Rome to be invited to every party thrown throughout the years. He was invited more than I was.

The night drags on in this vein for a while. At around ten o'clock Silena arrives, like a ball of pure busty blonde energy. She joins Drew on the dance-floor, and the two dance gloriously for hours, while I silently pity every other girl in the room, myself included.

At last, Percy and Annabeth emerge from their pre-coital-stupor, and make their way over to us. Annabeth flings an arm around me, Percy tussling Leo affectionately.

I roll my eyes. He's videoing again. 'I really feel like you should stop doing that.'

'I'm capturing the moment.'

'You're all about the moment, baby.' Annabeth says, ensnaring her arm around his waist.

Percy holds the camera out, to get a view of all of us. 'We did it, guys. We did it.'

'We've done nothing yet.'

'We got this far.' Percy beams around at everyone. 'Now is where it starts. Tomorrow is the second day of the rest of our lives. I'm telling you, this is where it starts getting good.'

'Yeah,' I nod, and take a deep breath. 'Bring it on.'

If this were a movie, that would be the moment the opening titles end. As it is, THANK YOU FOR READING THE FIRST CHAPTER! Know it's pretty short, but don't worry, they will get longer. As always, reviews are much appreciated, as is advice and constructive criticism!

Peace out - Allislove123