"Aw, the bookworm is still asleep!" Cooed one of the boys in Michael's gang. Michael's gang were the bane of my existence. They ruled the kids of St Peter's. They were the reason I hated coming back here. But I was ready for them.

I jabbed upwards with hardback collectors' edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I heard a small crunch. I had hit my target.

"OWEE!" The boy shouted. I grinned, rolling over innocently. I quickly checked my book. No blood, good. I would never be suspected. I heard the unreasonably quick footsteps of the Bubsta coming to find out what was going on.

"What happened here?!" Mr Bubbled shouted. I stirred falsely. This was so easy. I sat up, blinking with feigned exhaustion. Mr Bubbles looked at me sympathetically.

"What's all the commotion about?" I yawned. I looked around and finally found out who I hit. Gideon held his hand to his nose. It wasn't broken, but it was badly damaged. "Oh, God! Gideon, are you okay? What happened?"

My fake concern finally broke through the calmly assembled mask Gideon always held.

"Harry Potter hit me!" He growled. I furrowed my brow.

"Gideon, I think you may have a concussion. You might want to go see Nurse." I turned concernedly towards Bubbles. "I think he may have a case schizophrenia. Harry Potter is a fictional character."

"Kate, you're the one with schizophrenia!" Gideon yelled.

"See what I mean? He's delirious." I said. Michael frowned at me. I was the only person who could get away with things like this. Even he couldn't do this.

"Okay, okay. Boy s, out! Gideon, go see Nurse about your nose." Mr Bubbles said. He turned to me. "You, get dressed and ready to leave. We've found a place."

So I did just that, throwing on my Hogwarts top and a pair of black skinny jeans, and slinging my Hype bag over my shoulder. I sighed, shoving my feet into my black leather boots. I ran downstairs.

Mr Bubble's black Mercedes was parked outside. I got straight in, seeing the clouds. It was going to rain. Soon. The Bubsta walked out and got in the driver's side. We drove off.

"Where to this time?" I asked.

"Manhattan. Quite near the Empire State and a few good book stores." I was told. Manhattan, that was far from here, Jacksonville. I had never been that far away. I would never see my friends again...

I whipped out my phone.

I'M MOVING TO MANHATTAN!

Drake replied within seconds.

So am I! My aunt has a place there.

My hands shook.

You are the BEST friend a girl could have.

I know I am.

I sighed, leaning back in my seat. Good, I was okay. Not totally alone.

"So, what are the names of the people I'm staying with?"

"Mr Jackson and Miss Chase. They're getting married in the spring."

"Jobs?"

"Miss Chase is an architect and Mr Jackson is a business owner. He runs the 'Sea Sanctuary' corporation. "

"Oh. OH! I'm staying with some pretty big people."

"Yes, you are. So watch your manners."

"Yes Mr Bubbles."

So went the conversation. Simple and easy. I closed my eyes against the early morning light. It would be a while before we reached Manhattan. I fell asleep eventually.

"Kate! We're there." Mr Bubbles shook me awake. I woke with a start, blinking frantically. In front of us was a tall flat building. More apartments. I guess that's okay.

We walked inside. I held the book Drake had given me tightly.

"Oh! Percy get in here! She's here." A woman with neat blond hair, pulled into a ponytail, called up the stairs. She had stormy grey eyes and seemed somewhat familiar...

"I'm coming Annabeth! Gosh!" A man shouted back, running down the stairs, almost tripping over his own feet. I choked back a laugh. He had dark windblown hair and bright, humorous sea-green eyes. He wore a loose orange tee with faded black letters...

"Hedge." Percy said, offering a hand out to Bubbles, who shook it.

"I go by Bubbles now. In Jacksonville." He grinned suddenly. "Or as this little monster—" he ruffled my hair, "—calls me, the Bubsta."

Percy laughed, doubling over. The woman, Annabeth however, rolled her eyes.

"So this is...?" She asked, glaring at Percy.

"Kate. Kate Di Angelo." I said. I hadn't used my surname for ages. I was always just Kate. Just Kate.

Percy stared at me in disbelief. Annabeth grinned.

"I'm calling him!" She exclaimed. I blinked in confusion.

"She does look like him, a bit. The eyes. Skin colour." Bubbles said. "How she holds herself. Don't you think?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but who are you talking about?" I asked, kind of annoyed.

"Never mind, you'll find out soon. Go call him Seaweed Brain, I'll stay with her." Annabeth said, smiling wider.

"Okay..." Percy said, walking off.

"Just wondering, did you know your parents?" She asked.

"No. My mum died when I was two. I never knew my dad. I've been in the foster system ever since." I replied.

"Are you...? Is she?" Annabeth asked vaguely to nobody in particular.

"She is." Bubbles answered.

"She is in the room. She might want to know what in Hades you're talking about!" Great way to make an impression, make a reference not many would understand.

"You already know!?" Annabeth said, surprised. Then something clicked. Annabeth...Chase. Percy...Jackson. Hedge? Oh damn it!