High School Tales

Disclaimer: All rights to Rick Riordan and any song/lyrics mentioned belong to their rightful owner. The plot and dialogue of the characters is otherwise mine.

Character: Reyna Ramirez Arellano

Song: You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift

Reyna rolled her eyes as her best friend's phone rang. The screen flashed 'Piper'. Jason glanced at Reyna before answering. They were currently outside at the school's parking lot and were leaning against Jason's BMW, idly talking about their day.

Lately, Reyna had not spent time with her best friend. He was either at football practice or off with his girlfriend, Piper McLean. Even though she wasn't the jealous type, whenever she saw Piper with Jason, her stomach would drop.

"Hey, Pipes, what's up?"

Reyna looked away, trying to give Jason some space.

"What? No, I did not." His voice raised a little, but he just grinned at Reyna. She obviously knew something went wrong.

You're on the phone with your girlfriend

She's upset; she's going off about something that you said

"Come on, Pipes, it was just a joke."

Cause she doesn't get your humor like I do.

Reyna slowly smiled. Jason's definition of humor was more sarcastic and dry than others. It was one of the things they shared in common. Two more minutes passed before he hung up. "Ah, sorry about that,"

Reyna shook her head. "It's okay, don't worry about it."

Jason nodded. "So, I'm guessing you want a ride, right?"

Reyna rolled her eyes. "No, Jason, I will walk home at seven p.m., in the middle of fall."

Jason grabbed his keys. "Ah, well, see you later, Reyna."

Reyna laughed. "Don't be rude, Jason,"

He grinned and tossed her the keys. "You can drive."

She nodded and walked over to the driver's side as Jason got into the passenger seat. His mother died due to a DUI (driving under the influence). He was too young to remember much about her, but he had developed a fear of driving at night.

"So, how was practice?" Reyna asked as she stopped at a red light.

Jason rolled down the window and sighed. "Tiring,"

She rolled her eyes. "That says a lot."

Jason chuckled and continued. "Coach pushed us harder today. He wants us ready for the game tomorrow."

"It's tomorrow?"

"Yeah, did you forget?"

Reyna held back a smile. "I'm sorry, Jason, I can't go."

Jason looked out the window. "It's fine."

She glanced over at him and grinned. "I'm just joking, Jason."

He looked back at her and raised an eyebrow; the corners of his mouth curling up. "You can joke?"

She laughed and replied, "It's not a miracle."

He chuckled. "It is!"

Reyna smiled. "Okay, we are here." She parked outside his house. After all, they were neighbors. They got out the car and bid goodbye to each other. No hugs. Reyna wasn't the touchy type.

I'm in the room, it's a typical Tuesday [Thursday] night.

I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like.

When she got inside, she went straight to her room and blasted some EDM. Not many knew of Reyna's love for this type of music. The lack of words and just the beat with the rhythm was enough to make her stress free.

She lay down on her bed and scrolled through the few pictures on her phone. The first ten were of her English homework (well, Annabeth's but that's another story). The next five photos were just of her and Jason down by the highway. They participated in those highway clean-up projects. In the first picture he had his arm around her, the grabber dangling loose from his other hand. They were both laughing at some forgotten joke. The next three were of the scenery itself. With the cars passing by and the sun setting, it was a perfect moment. The last one was of Reyna and Jason sharing some jellybeans. They were leaning against a tree, their shoulders touching. Reyna was laughing while Jason was blushing deep red. Nonetheless, he was smiling too. Annabeth had taken that picture.

And she'll never know your story like I do.

Reyna knew Jason would always hold a special place in her heart. She wasn't sure if he felt the same way. At times he would stare at her and she would feel his burning gaze, even when she looked away. Other times, he would talk of and only about Piper. His eyes would gleam and she honestly felt happy for him. His mother was not the best. His sister practically raised him. And his father – CEO of Olympus Enterprises – was always busy. Jason needed happiness in his life. She just wished she was the true happiness in his life.

"Hmm," Reyna scrolled through her messages and decided to call Annabeth. She needed to know if they would still attend the game together.

She picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hello?"

Reyna sat up. "Hey, Annabeth,"

"Hey, what's up?"

Reyna heard shuffling noises and asked, "I'm sorry, are you busy?"

"No, not at all. It's just – Percy, stop! – nothing at all."

Reyna laughed. "Let me guess, you're at Percy's house. Doing work, I suppose?" She swore Annabeth was red faced on the other side.

"Of course! What else would we be doing?"

Reyna smirked. "Nothing, of course. Just work."

"I promise you nothing – "

"Hey, Reyna!"

Percy apparently took the phone away from Annabeth. Reyna grinned. Just date already, she thought.

"Hi, Percy, how are you?"

"Annabeth won't help me with math."

"I am not giving you the answers!"

Reyna laughed and glanced at her bedside table. She saw the flyer for the pep rally and rolled her eyes. Of course, that's what she was calling for. "I'm sure she has her reasons."

"Yeah, shitty reasons."

"Percy!"

"What?"

"Ignore him, Reyna, what were you saying?"

"Are you still coming to the game?"

Annabeth sneezed on the other side. "Yeah, I am."

"You're sick!"

"No, I'm fine. Reyna, yeah I'll be there. What are you wearing?"

Reyna had not thought about it. She just considered wearing regular clothes. It's just a game, right? Her thoughts drifted to Jason and Piper. Suddenly, she wasn't in the mood for regular clothes.

But she wears short skirts

I wear t-shirts

She was the class president. Her classmates respected her and anyways, her attire did not have to be formal nor casual. A t-shirt and jeans couldn't hurt, right?

"Reyna? Are you still there?"

"Hmm?" Reyna snapped back to reality. "Yeah, I'm still here. I'll just wear some jeans and a t-shirt."

"Oh, wear the class one!"

She glanced towards her closet and nodded. "I will."

"Okay, I'll see you – Percy! That's my work, not yours. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye," Reyna hung up and shut off her phone. A couple minutes later, she was well deep into her pile of homework.

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

The following day Reyna was walking around like a zombie. She only managed to get a couple of hours of sleep. When she arrived to her locker, she found a flyer stuck to the sides. She pulled it out and made a face.

Join Cheerleading!

"Are you seriously contemplating about it?"

Reyna rolled her eyes at Jason. He leaned against the lockers. Today, his outfit was all in Goode spirit. "As if,"

Jason's eyebrows scrunched together. "What's wrong with cheerleading?"

Reyna opened her locker and stuffed the flyer inside. "Nothing, but it's not my thing." She threw some textbooks in and grabbed some notebooks.

She's cheer captain

And I'm on the bleachers

Reyna thought, Yep, it's not as if your girlfriend is captain or anything.

"Jason!"

Reyna turned around and saw Piper walking towards them. She had a smile on her face, her hair down. Once she got close enough to them, Piper also greeted Reyna.

"Hey, Reyna, what's up?"

Reyna shrugged. "Not much."

Piper grabbed Jason's hand and Reyna swore her stomach plummeted ten feet below the ground. "I need help with biology." She smiled up at him.

Jason grinned. "Ah, I can't help with that, but," He looked at Reyna. "She has an A in that class."

Piper beamed at Reyna. "Do you mind?"

Hell yeah. "No, not at all,"

She smiled. "Great! I'll see you at lunch Monday?" Reyna nodded. "Come on Jason, we'll be late to English. Bye Reyna!"

Reyna waved goodbye and walked down the opposite direction. Students were just milling about, and Reyna felt like pulling a Sue Sylvester. Instead, she straightened her posture and headed to History class.

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

"HELL YEAH!" Reyna hurried to move to the side as the football players and various cheerleaders zoomed past by. She watched as they ran down the hallway towards the field. Jason and Piper were nowhere in sight.

"Crazy, right?!"

Reyna jumped. She turned around and saw none other than Leo Valdez grinning like a madman. He was snapping his suspenders back and forth, driving Reyna mad. She simply turned her head around and continued watching.

"You know, I have the perfect view right here."

Her ears turned slightly pink as she realized he was staring straight at her. Compose yourself, Reyna.

"What do you want, Valdez?"

Leo pouted. "You're still not mad about last year, are you?"

Reyna stayed quiet.

"It wasn't my fault!"

"Yes, it was." She stood on her tiptoes to look over the mass of students. How long does it take to get to the field? Seriously!

Leo started to bounce on his heels. "I love this!"

Reyna stared at him. "You have got to be kidding me."

He glanced at her. "What? You don't love it?"

Reyna snorted. "No," She took out her phone and checked it for messages.

Leo nodded towards her phone. "Looking for Annabeth?"

She looked at him. They were about the same height – which was something new since Leo was shorter than her last year. But then again, this was their senior year. Growth spurts occurred in these times. "Yes, I am."

Leo smirked. "Percy,"

Reyna sighed. "Of course," She placed her phone away.

"That's why I'm here. Percy shooed me away after walking into them at the library. Not that they were doing anything bad, but you know, it's Percy and Annabeth." Oh, please, stop talking. "He told me the game was about to start and Annabeth mentioned your name so – "

"I have to go." Reyna saw the end of the rushing students and walked quickly towards the back. The students were still hollering and moving around. Not a few seconds passed by before Leo was at her side again.

"Hey! I'm also going to the game."

Reyna inwardly groaned. "I, uh, I have to go home actually."

"You're not staying for Jason?" He asked.

"What?" Reyna prayed her cheeks weren't red.

Leo raised his eyebrows. He looked even more ridiculous like that. "He's your best friend – well I am too – but you always stay for his games."

Reyna glanced towards the front of the students and saw the cheerleaders jumping up and down. "Not today."

Leo frowned. "Huh,"

He didn't say anything else and Reyna took that as her cue to leave. The parking lot was empty; everyone was at the field, ready to see Goode continue its winning streak.

Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find

That what you're looking for has been here the whole time.

Reyna wondered when Jason would ever notice her in the special way she wanted to. She also wondered what life would be like if Piper did not move to the small suburban town in upstate New York that she lived in. When she entered her car, she realized her fantasy had a crucial characteristic: it was out of envy.

If you could see

That I'm the one

Who understands you

She did not understand why he was with her. They were almost complete opposites. She liked to party and attend concerts; he preferred the small get-togethers and the library. She had a failing grade and terrible attendance; he had perfect grades and a perfect attendance.

Reyna was just like Jason. How come he preferred someone so different from him? How does that make sense? It wasn't possible to be with someone who had a total different perspective on the world.

Been here all along.

So, why can't you see

You belong with me,

You belong with me.

Reyna was driving out the parking lot when she felt her phone vibrate against her thigh. She gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. Thirty seconds passed until the phone stopped vibrating. She arrived home and found out her sister was out. So the house was all empty. Again.

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

The following morning she checked her phone. She had two missed calls from Annabeth, ten texts from Annabeth, five tags from Annabeth, and one missed call from Jason.

She texted him,

'Sorry to have missed the game. My stomach hurt terribly. Still jogging to town for breakfast?'

Ever since high school began, Reyna and Jason would jog as part of their own exercise routine to the town on weekends. It kept her in shape, and kept their relationship together. He replied pretty fast, so Reyna got ready.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Are you feeling better?"

Reyna tripped over a sidewalk crack but regained her balance before making a fool out of herself in front of Jason.

"Oh, yeah I am. It was just a stomachache."

They slowed down as they reached the main street of the town.

Walk in the streets with you in your worn out jeans [sweats]

I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be.

Reyna shook her head to herself. Despite her wishes to be with Jason because they fit each other very perfectly, she knew it wouldn't happen. He would never leave Piper.

They continued their walk until they reached a bench in front of Di Angelo Café and Restaurant. Reyna took a seat while she waited for Jason to come back with her chocolate drink and his black coffee. She watched as several cars passed by and other joggers who nodded at her.

"Here you go," Jason sat down next to her and handed her the cup of hot chocolate. Reyna smiled.

"Thanks,"

"Of course," Jason replied. He sipped his coffee and then said, "I was thinking if we could head to the center later. I heard new puppies were born."

Reyna grinned. Of course Jason would care for a new batch of newborn dogs. "Yeah, why not?"

Jason smiled and Reyna felt her insides melt. She bumped his shoulder with hers. He bumped her back and for a second they did not move. Then, they erupted with laughter.

Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself,

"Hey, isn't this easy?"

Reyna wished for someone to have taken a photograph. She was carefree and happy. Jason was next to her, she was drinking her favorite drink, she was outside her favorite café, and she was sitting on her and Jason's bench. Their laughter and smiles died down as they continued to sip their respective drinks. Reyna's gaze appeared to be on the street across from them, but she was really focused on Jason.

Jason, who despite his crappy childhood, always had a smile on his face. He was the type of guy you could count on when life got hard and threw curve balls at you.

And you've got a smile

That could light up this whole town.

The best part of Jason – that Reyna would argue, that is – would be his smile. The scar above his upper lip would add more character to him. He would grin and you could see traces of dimples ready to come. But when he would give you a full blown smile, it was the best.

I haven't seen it in a while

Since she brought you down.

But for some reason, Reyna felt it was more forced nowadays. She knew he was stressed and his father was constantly down his back. When he was with Piper, he looked happy. He really did. But five times she already caught them in the middle of an argument. He would never raise his voice at her and he would be the first to apologize. The first time, Reyna was actually eavesdropping. She did not mean to, but once she started listening in, she could not stop. The second and third time she felt the urge to jump out and defend Jason – even if it was his fault. The fourth time she walked away. But the last time, she waited for him by his car and drove them to an ice cream place. She bought him vanilla ice cream with extra sprinkles.

You say you're fine

I know you better than that.

Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?

Reyna was still puzzled by why someone would want to and continue to be with someone who hurt them. Why would they put themselves in such a position? Why would they accept the pain? And most of all, why did they give in?

Standing by and waiting at your backdoor.

"Ready to go?" Jason tossed his cup into a nearby trashcan and reached for Reyna's hand.

She gladly took his and nodded. She drunk down the remains of her chocolate and threw the cup away.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Thanks for emailing me Reed's assignment. You saved my life."

They were walking at a fast pace now and Reyna was glad for the now busier street. She felt her cheeks redden and she prayed to whoever was out there that Jason would not notice.

All this time how could you not know, baby?

You belong with me,

You belong with me,

She grinned. "What would you do without me?"

Jason chuckled. "I have no idea."

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

They spent the rest of the day at the shelter. Jason left around six o'clock to pick up Piper from her house. He said her father was out of town and she wanted to head to the drive in theatre in the next town over. Reyna tried to not think about what they would be doing at the so called 'theatre'.

She was home alone and decided to watch some random films. She first watched half a season of 'The Fosters' and then she settled on a film about Greek and Roman culture. She was intrigued by the Roman ways than the Greek ones. Halfway through the film, Reyna's doorbell rang.

She frowned and wondered who could be ringing her door at midnight.

Oh, I remember you driving to my house

In the middle of the night

She opened the door and saw Jason with his head hung down and his hands in his pockets. She looked behind him and saw his car was semi parked. Oh, no. Reyna gently pushed him inside.

She locked her door and when she turned back around, she decided to hug him. She held him tight and felt his arms encircle her. She could smell a faint trace of his cologne and hear the rhythm of his heartbeat.

He muttered something but she could not make out what he said.

"What?" She looked up at him and he repeated himself. He was still mumbling and even though she was very close to him (she reminded herself to breathe in and breathe out), she could not make out a single word.

"Jason if you do not speak up I swear I will send you back out there in the freezing cold."

He cracked a small smile. "I said," He leaned down and held her again. This time he squeezed her. "Thank you,"

His voice raised a little and Reyna knew what had happened. His father had called and probably blamed him again for his mother's death or Thalia had sent a SWAT team after her younger brother when she found out he was a town over on a Saturday night.

I'm the one who makes you laugh

When you know you're 'bout to cry.

As she moved away from the embrace, she let her fingers trace the sides of his ribs. When they were younger, they would engage in tickle fights. She always won because he never found her weak spot (behind her thigh and on her feet).

He giggled and Reyna laughed out loud.

"I can't believe Jason Grace just giggled."

Jason raised his eyebrows at her, a grin on his face. "And I can't believe Reyna Ramirez just hugged me."

Reyna shrugged her shoulders. "Someone has to take care of you."

"And I'm glad it's you." He rubbed her shoulder and reached in for another hug. Reyna felt like on cloud nine. "You're like Thalia, but you punch me less." And now she felt like she was back on earth.

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

I know your favorite songs,

"Centurie-e-e-e-e-e-e-s!"

Reyna smirked to herself as she covertly took a video of Jason singing his heart out. They were on their way to IHOP for some Sunday morning pancakes. She never really went to church as a kid and Jason's family was not religious. So, their mornings consisted of radio music and pancakes.

"You are a terrible singer." Reyna stopped recording and smiled at Jason.

He glanced at her and grinned. "What? You don't like my angelic voice?"

Reyna laughed. "If by angelic you mean like a screeching cat,"

"Hey!"

Reyna laughed again. Pretty soon they were seated at a sticky table. The waitress already knew them, so their order arrived fast. They began to talk about their plans for the future. Reyna already knew his by heart.

And you tell me about your dreams.

He wanted to be a doctor. He did not want to go into the family business like his father planned. The family business was all about gaining more money and no consideration for the workers; for the people who had to suffer in order for the CEO to be wealthier every year.

Unlike her, Jason thought of everyone else before himself.

Think I know where you belong,

She could already picture him in his lab coat, with a clipboard and a stethoscope. She saw him standing in front of a home, with the picket fence and family car. She also saw him picking up his children, even if he was late for a meeting.

Think I know it's with me

But she did not see herself next to him. While he was talking about the colleges he was applying to, and professions he was thinking about, she had her moment of epiphany. He would never be with her. She had fooled herself for so long that she belonged with him. But the chemistry between them was not lit up. No, Jason was not right for her.

Reyna let out a small smile as she bit her pancakes.

"You okay?" Jason took a gulp of his orange juice.

Reyna nodded and let her smile grow. "I was just thinking about our friendship."

Jason grinned back at her, the little scar on his upper lip stretching. "Best one in the world."

And for once, her stomach did not drop nor did it erupt into butterflies. Her smile just grew and she nodded. Even though she could not reach over and kiss him, their friendship was enough

~~ You Belong With Me ~~

So, hello! This is the first chapter and it was solely focused on Reyna. I am sorry if she was slightly OC, but this is an AU and I have shaped her life differently.

Each chapter will have a character and a song. Each chapter is related to one another and there soon would be dramaaaaaa. If you have a song in mind and/or a character, PM me! I have several ideas written up, but I will soon hit Writer's Block… again. Also, in the summary there would a sentence in brackets ([_]) as a sneak peak for the chapter recently uploaded and the characters involved will be in a pairing.

And one more thing: The first chapters will be pop genre and happy and all that. Later on, angst and drama will come in. Again, if you have requests tell me! :)

So, how was this first chapter?

~StephLopez