Hey guys!

I've had this chapter sitting in my computer, wasting away. And I went back and read it, and figured, hey, why not post it? The only reason I didn't post it before was because I couldn't think of a title.

This story will not be updated as frequently as Honesty Isn't The Best Policy, but if there's enough interest, I'll continue it. Otherwise, I probably won't. So if you like it, please review, follow, and favorite!

You guys are awesome! (Also, if you think of a better title for this, lemme know ;) )
~ Audrey

Pain.

That's all I could feel as the boy punched me as hard as he could in the side of the jaw. I saw stars, felt lightheaded, as he continued to hit me, over and over again. The ribs, the stomach, the face. And why? Just because I made a snarky comment? I've made plenty of those before. All resulting in punches, but nothing this bad.

And I've never fought back before.

Until now.

I swing, my powerful blow causing a gasp to erupt from the much larger boy's mouth. "Oh, that's it! You're going to get it, Jackson!" he screams, attempting to hit me again. I block his punches over and over, getting in punches of my own, until he's down on the ground, curled up. His gang stands away, not wanting to come near me, the fighting machine. I'm kicking him again and again, and he's crying out but I just can't stop, and-

I feel strong arms pull me away.

"Perseus Jackson! By the gods, what on earth are you doing?!" I hear Mr. Brunner yell out.

And before I know it, I'm marched into the principal's office, with the screams of Nancy (yes, it's a boy's name too) echoing behind me.

I wake to the sound of cheesy country music blaring from my alarm clock. Looks like my mom's gotten to it again. She loves all of that banjo stuff, while it gives me a headache. When I think of the day's events, the migraine just begins to grow stronger.

New school.

Again.

"But Mom!"

"Percy, you put a boy in the hospital! You broke two of his ribs! I…I don't know what came over you. I know he was picking on you, sweetie. I understand why you might have reacted. But you shouldn't have reacted this much!"

"But a new STATE?"

"New York will be good for us. A fresh start! I mean, we'll be away from that guy, all those bullies and old schools…"

Her voice trailed off, but I could tell she was thinking of Gabe, her ex-husband. She married him because she thought I needed a father figure in my life, but in actuality, he was the farthest away from a parental figure that you could get. That was one figure I was happy to leave.

"I….I guess you're right."

She pulls me into a tight hug. "Aren't I always?"

It's not like it's anything new, after all. Let's see, I'm starting my junior year. Considering I've been kicked out of every school I've been to, once every year, that makes…10 schools? 11? I'm not very good at math. Or anything, really.

I quickly turn off that annoying music that's still blaring and change into the new school uniform. Slacks, a dress shirt, and…I hate to even say it…a tie. Just another thing I already dislike about this new school. Besides its name and slogan. "Goode High School-It's all goode!" Cheesy much? Quickly running a brush through my jet black hair and rubbing my sleepy sea green eyes, I hurry out the door to the kitchen, where my mother awaits. She's still beautiful at 37, with long brown hair and dark eyes. It's no wonder my father fell in love with her. Of course, I just have to assume that's one of the reasons, considering I've never met the guy. He ran off before I was even born. I've had people keeping away from me before I was even born.

I sit at the kitchen table as Mom sets down a plate of blue waffles before me, which I hurriedly gulp down as she laughs at my uniform.

"Wow, Percy. I think that's the first time I've seen you in a tie in…what, two years?" she grins.

Despite the fact that if anyone else had said that I would have killed them, I smile. Mom does her best, after all.

"What?" I say jokingly. "It's not my color?"

She removes the empty plate before me and laughs. "Oh, get in the car."

"Mom, I can walk there."

"No you can't."

I roll my eyes, but walk out the door and hop into the front seat anyway.

"Off to Purgatory," I mutter to myself.

Twenty minutes later, we've pulled to the front of Goode's red brick building as I brush my mother off. Every new school, she attempts to come in with me, and every time I make her stay. I love her, but a guy can only stand so much. Grabbing my backpack, I grouchily accept her peck on the cheek and get out of the car. The other students look at me curiously; the boys seeming to be sizing me up as the girls check me out. I wink at them all before striding into the school.

Hellooooo, Goode High School. Get ready to meet the one and only Percy Jackson.

I walk down the crowded hallway to the principal's office. Mr. Blowfis greets me with a handshake and a genuine smile, which takes me a bit off guard. Most principals just pretend to like me, whereas he seems at least halfway decent. He hands me a stack of books and a locker number, and gives me a push in the right direction.

I eventually locate my locker and am struggling to open it when out of the corner of my eye I notice a girl standing abnormally close to me. I grin to myself. The fawning has started already. I turn my head, ready to give a smile that will make her swoon, and-

"Hey, slowpoke, mind moving so I can get to my locker? Us non-jocks actually have school to do, you know."

I still, astonished. Did someone actually just talk to me like that? She doesn't even know me!

Dang, I like this girl already.

I completely spin around and take her in. And….geez. Long blond hair that curls like a princesses, stormy grey eyes that look gorgeous even as she glares at me. Even that school uniform looks good on her. I grin at her, and she scowls.

"So sorry, ma'am. Didn't mean to get into your way." I say.

"Oh, sir, no! I am entirely apologetic. I shouldn't have interrupted your fawning time. What, were you trying to see your reflection in the locker?" She answers sarcastically.

I roll my eyes and try to keep the smile off of my face. "Well, when you're as good looking as I am…"

"I assume I am correct in saying that you got that bruise on your cheek from bumping your head on the counter after fainting at your reflection?"

I touch my cheek. I had almost forgotten about that mark. Well, now I know the other reason people keep looking at me.

"Are you saying that I'm attractive, miss?" I raise my eyebrows, and she blushes. Success.

"Mind letting me through now?"
I step aside and let her pass as I finally succeed in opening my own locker. Putting my books inside, I grab my lucky pen that has somehow still followed me from my old school (I swear the thing is magical. It always seems to appear in my pocket, no matter where I think I've lost it.) and after a glance at my class schedule, walk down the hall to Government to the stares of all the others.

I feel my pen drop from my fingers as my head sways. Looks like I won't be going into anything government related in the near future, if even the word can make me nod off. Finally, when I think I might just go to sleep right then and there (let's be honest, it wouldn't be the first time) the class starts at the sound of an obnoxious bell sound coming over terrible speakers. Well, that's one way to get the class to wake up.

Next up on the ol' schedule is Ancient Greek. Boy, do I remember that class. I've been taking Greek for years, every time against my will. But for some reason, I have a weird ability to be able to read it quite easily. I can't understand a simple math problem, but an ancient language? Simple. Last year I was forced to take it with our principal, Mr. Brunner. There were only 3 people in the entire class. One of them slept through every class, and the other texted his girlfriend. But if I even blinked, Mr. Brunner would reprimand me. He wasn't a bad guy, just strict. At least I am rid of him, I think as I walk into the classroom.

No way.

No freaking way.

Really?!

"Hello, class," the teacher says in his deep baritone. "I am your new teacher Mr. Brunner. I have been teaching ancient greek for 10 years. Rule number one: Do not sleep in my class. Rule Num-"

Before I know it, I've shouted out, "But Mr. Brunner, what is Ancient Greek even for them if it's not nap time?"

Titters from the other students erupt behind me.

"Well, nice to see you again too, Perseus."

I narrow my eyes. "It's Percy, for the thousandth time. Or, wait, do I have to say that in Greek for you to understand it?"

"English will be fine for now, as I'm sure many of our newer students are not as fluent as you are."

Wow, teach, thanks for making ME look like a nerd. I send him another glare. What is he even doing here in the first place? It's like he's following me!

Twenty minutes later, I'm completely fed up. Every chance he gets, Mr. Brunner picks on me. He's had me come to the board four times, and all for things that he knows I can't do. My smart remarks have still managed to amuse the other students, but I'm losing patience. Finally, I hit my breaking point when he asks me to come up and translate part of The Odyssey.

I jump out of my chair, knocking it to the ground. "Screw it. Oh, HECK no. Get someone else to be your teacher's pet, por favor."

"Por favor is Spanish."

"Naw, really?" I yell out sarcastically, and walk straight out the door.

Oh, great.

It's my first day and I've already pulled a stunt like this. My mom can't keep bailing me out. Where can I go? I can't leave the school, I have nowhere to go. I wander the empty hallways for a few minutes before spotting a door that reads…Ofropot? Curse this dyslexia. I quickly rearrange the letters and see the word Rooftop printed. Perfect.

I ease the door open, surprised that it isn't locked. Stumbling up the steps, I quickly reach another door that is already cracked open. I push it open the remainder of the way and am hit with a blast of wind.

The sun is peeking out from behind gray clouds, revealing a bit of the blue sky beneath. I bask in the warmth of the light on my shoulders. Turning, I watch the grass sway in the wind and look at the view from this height. It may be a one story building, but it's almost like you can see for miles. The skyline is incredible, and you can even see a little bit of central park from up here.

I love New York.

And then I hear a voice from behind me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Bum bum bummmm! Cliffhanger! xD Let's just say if I continue, you guys will like who it is. ;) Do you guys think Percy was OOC? I honestly don't know.

I hope you enjoyed! Reviews, favorites, and follows are loved.

~ Audrey