Summary: Annabeth Chase is a no one, spending her time studying, hiding from others, and burying herself deep into her past. To top it all off, this anti-social loner has the biggest crush on Percy Jackson—the most popular guy in school. Travel through the pain of high school with Annabeth as she watches her beloved one, hidden in the shadows.

~oOo~

HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS

Chapter Two

The Jackson Effect

~oOo~

"Lol, like, yeah, you're definitely going to be swim captain this year," a girl giggles, her voice all sugary. Her back is to me, as I rummage through my locker, and I can hear her failed attempts at flirting with Percy—my locker neighbor.

With a glance at her in the corner of my eye, I see the familiar black hair with purple tints at the ends, meaning only one person: Drew. She curls her hair so it rests on one shoulder, and leans her side up against the row of lockers, crossing her arms so it makes her chest more apparent.

I can't help but roll my eyes at her absurdity. Despite Drew's ridiculousness, she seems to be a decent person under her popular-façade.

"Well, we can't determine it yet, but thanks," Percy replies. I turn my head towards them for a moment, catching him smile warmly at her, before closing his locker. "I have to go now, Drew, but I'll talk to you sometime, okay?" he says, dismissing her kindly.

He leaves his locker, and I turn back to my own, rushing a bit so I wouldn't be late for next period. Drew continues to stand by his locker, her back flush against it, smiling as if she's in a daze—something I've begun to call the "Jackson Effect".

I shut my own locker door closed, causing Drew to snap out of her daze and look at me.

Her face brightens and she breaks out in a grin. "Oh my God, you're back! Hi!" I'm back? What? Where did I go? I think mutely, looking at Drew with a curious gaze.

"DREW!" a voice from behind me squeals with delight, causing me to sigh wearily. Oh. That's why. I rifle through my bag, making sure I have everything, and see a red-headed girl—Rachel Elizabeth Dare—fling herself at Drew. "I missed you so much, Drew!"

"I know! How was Connecticut?"

Rachel leans against the locker beside Drew and she clutches her books to her chest, her ginger eyebrows furrowed, a small pout on her face. "Boring. Daddy made me attend a summer finishing school there… Clarions, or something, I don't even want to remember it."

Drew sighs sympathetically. "It couldn't of been that bad, Rach."

She shakes her head, her untamed red curls flying. "It itself wasn't—Clarions is such a gorgeous place—but they completely restricted me of my art! I couldn't do anything for two months!"

"Aw. Well, I bet seeing a certain someone would cheer you up out of your Clarion-Academy blues," Drew smiles, the Jackson Effect taking over once again, spreading to Rachel this time.

Rachel grins, her teeth a brilliant white. "I know! I saw him in the hallway earlier and I couldn't stop swooning when he winked at me! Do you think he worked out over the summer?" she giggles.

Drew rolls her eyes teasingly. "He doesn't need to… not that I mind that he does or anything. I love me some abs," she drawls, licking her lips to complete the act. She laughs, along with Rachel, and they head to their next class together, catching up from the summer absence.

I look up from my stare at my shoes and walk down the near empty halls, alone.

What would it be like to have he wink—no, look—at me, just once?

~oOo~

I arrive to class on time and take my seat up in the front, where no one sits. I've always wondered why people always think that those who sit in the front of the class are nerds or something. It's not always true. Smart people enjoy sitting in the back, as well.

Personally, I sit in the front because, well, there's nowhere else for me to sit. It's not like anyone saves a seat for me, anyways. But sitting in the front means everyone would see you from the back, and you'd be the first to leave the class.

Wherever you sit doesn't necessarily matter at all to me. If I were to have been seen, or saved a spot—that would be the day. One big, huge, and utterly messed up day.

I honestly don't mind being alone all the time, really. It gives you a moment to reflect or simply just think. As Whitney Houston would say, "It isn't a crime not having friends. Being alone means you have fewer problems." You don't have to worry about telling someone something on accident, or hating anyone, or even sharing anything. It can be lonely at points, but you soon become accustomed to it, to the point where you would prefer being alone rather in big groups.

On occasions, that is. Despite what anyone says about how they enjoy being in solitude, it can undoubtedly get lonesome over a period of time.

"Miss Chase? Annabeth Chase?" the teacher calls over the chatter of the class, looking down at her class roster, a scowl on her narrow face. "Absent… on the first day of school… Hmph." I hear her mutter to herself, and my hand shoots up.

"Here," I say meekly, my eyes downcast, not because I was intimidated by her glare, rather, not wanting my grade to be at risk. The teacher shakes her head at me, clearly showing her distaste.

On the teacher's bad side already, I grumble to myself inwardly. This is just great.

"Katie Gardner?" the teacher continues to drone.

I lean my head on the palm of my hand, waiting for class to actually begin.

"Miss Gardner? Is she here?" the teacher repeats.

From the back, there's a loud voice that can be overheard by the crowd. "She's here!" whoever it is cries.

Their remark is shortly followed by a more feminine voice, who says, "Here!" before yelling at the other, "Geez, Travis, I can speak for myself!"

The teacher—Ms. Kimble, according to the plaque on her desk—clears her throat. "That's enough, Miss Gardner, Mr. Stoll," she says, before continuing with the roll.

At least Katie wasn't almost marked absent.

~oOo~

I eat lunch in silence and as usual, alone. It didn't matter much anymore, though, and I got to catch up on reading, or homework-ing, or something else productive.

And, to be honest, it was perfect for catching up on the gossip roaming around the school.

"Yup! This summer was amazing! I spent pretty much the entire time on the beach tanning and flirting with cute guys!"

"Bro, did you hear? Malcolm's been working out… did you see his muscles? Lil' ole nerd's moving up!"

"I went to Europe with my family and it was absolutely spectacular!"

"Hey! Piper and Jason got together over the summer! They're so cute together!"

I finish eating my sandwich and stand up to go throw away my trash in the large garbage cans un-strategically placed around the cafeteria. I wipe my hands down and return to my seat, prepared to spend the next five minutes of lunch in complete silence.

My gaze drifts over to the table where Percy is sitting, and I can't help but stare at him. Rachel or Drew or whoever was right… He has been working out. His biceps are more prominent than the year before, and his skin is more tan, more toned.

Suddenly, his attention turns toward my general vicinity, and he flashes a breathtaking grin. It's almost as if he's staring directly at me, directly through me, and I look down.

When I look back up, he's turned away, talking to another friend. There's a horde of giggles from behind me and I sigh to myself.

Seems like the Jackson Effect's struck again.