Capter 1

Malteasers

It was happening again, I really tried not to make it a habit, but again and again I would find myself turning my head slightly to sneak a glimpse of the forever chased Percy Jackson. It was 3:30, fifteen minutes left of school and I had to endure a free class with him sitting a few rows behind me. His untameable raven black hair fell over his bright sea-green eyes, I sat and stared at the crinkle above his right eye that would appear every time he got confused. Honestly, I am more of an observer, daydreaming of talking to him, getting lost in imaginary scenarios where he notices me instead of studying. I turned around slowly, trying to give the impression I'm suddenly interested in the car park outside of the window, deciding that it looks natural if I accidentally turn too far and see him, see those eyes again. I stare at him for a moment too long and his eyes suddenly jerk upwards making eye contact . I swing my head around so fast my stupid blonde curls follow suit and wrap themselves around my face, I buried my face in my arms to hide the growing heat I could feel in my cheeks, discretely clawing stands of hair out of my mouth, "Do you want one?" I hear him laugh behind me, I turn to see the corner of his mouth raised in a down played smile. I stared back a blank expression, "you weren't exactly subtle" he held out a packet of opened Malteasers to me. Thousands of responses flew across my mind in that instant but none of them came to pass, I stretched my arm out smiling, but at the last moment he pulled the bag away, "on one condition, you help me out with this" he pointed down to his maths book, a pleading look took control if his face, pouting his lips and raising his eyebrows, replacing his trouble-maker grin. I moved and sat beside him, he smelled of sea-air, intoxicating enough to distract me yet again. "So what chapter you doing?" I said as calmly as I could, "Integration, my dyslexia isn't making this any easier" he said embarrassed, looking into my eyes, that moment seemed to last a lifetime. I tore my eyes away from his awkwardly, not really knowing where to look, and eventually settled for his maths book. I looked at the question "You see you have to add one to the power, and then put the whole thing over the new power like this, and then sub in the values you have for the limits for x and minus away". I looked up to see his eyes staring into mine again, he looked away embarrassed, smiling, gently shaking his head "what's a root?" he asked voice breaking.

I spent the entire day with him, even when the bell rang we both looked at each and smiled happily carrying on. Even when Nico came in, his best friend, the two ran the school together. He asked if he needed help with his homework, causing Percy to put his arm around me and say that I explained it better, Nico smiled and feigned jealousy. Nico was a senior with us, tall, slender with an olive-pale complexion. He had cut his obsidian black hair short on the back and sides leaving it long and floppy on the top hanging down the right side if his face. He was nice, but again, much like everyone else in this school, never really paid any attention to me. That wasn't his fault, I intentionally kept a low profile, not bothering with the constant flow of drama that comes with being socially present. He left us alone again, the comfortable silence surrounding us as he tried another equation, while I subtly stared at that crinkle above his eye. We spent three hours together, going over question after question, him making me laugh over and over again while he smiled and simply looked at me. "Come on" he got up abruptly grabbing my hand, butterflies seemed to physically attack my stomach causing me to slightly jump, "shit, sorry! I didn't mean to do that" he blurted out placing a hand on my back, which to be honest wasn't much better. "No, it's alright, I was just caught by surprise" I said looking up at him. "I want you to meet someone" he said excitedly, the patented trouble-maker grin appearing once again causing my heart to go into overdrive. Rolling on the balls of his feet, he grabbed his car keys and opened the door for me waiting patiently for me to pack my bag meticulously opposed to his tactic of throwing sheets everywhere and anywhere. His attitude was infectious, I immediately felt the same, ready, excited for whatever it was. He brought me outside and opened his car door for me. The silver hatchback had surfboards and floaties in the backseats, "what are they for?" I asked when he got in, "parachuting" he replied nonchalantly taking a second or two delay to look at the incredulous look on my face, "work, they're for work" he said laughing as I gently pushed his arm. "I work at the beach, teaching kids how to swim, surf and stay safe in water and stuff" he explained casually, "that's amazing" I shouted, immediately regretting my sudden outburst, looking down, but he just looked at me and smiled "yeah, I've always had a thing with the sea, just feels natural when I'm in it" he smiled goofily. "Can you believe I'm not able to swim?" I said quietly, biting my lower lip. "Yeah, well, disregarding the fact that you have never experienced one of the greatest things in life" waving his hands about in an effort to convey just how much of a tragedy it is "I want you to meet my mum".