I slid into my seat and glanced at the clock, seeing that I was several minutes early. I pulled out some drafting paper and began sketching a temple that I really wanted to put on the hill just south of half-blood hill at camp. Chiron says it's too expensive, but I want to be prepared, just in case.

Someone slid into the seat next to me and I groaned.

"Hey, City Girl."

"Go away, Brad." I turned back to my drawing. Now, to get just the right acoustics…

"Hey, are you going to the dance tonight?" Can't even he wrap his minuscule brain around the fact that I can't stand him?

"Depends." Okay, I'll try being as vague as possible so he can't get answers out of me before the bell rings. Then, when class is over, I rush to Social Studies. That'll work. I could make it better if I had an accomplice, but seeing as how I'm the bottom of the social chain…

"On what? C'mon, City Girl, don't leave me hanging!"

"I'd love to see you hanging off a hope."

"Oh." He pretended to be offended, "That hurt, City Girl. I'm wounded."

"Good."

"Aren't you going to kiss it to make it better?"

"No."

Clearly, he wasn't getting the hint because he said, "Tonight, then. When should I pick you up?"

Then, a plan formed in my mind. I pulled myself away from my plans, and smiled flirtatiously at him, "Seven."

Brad's face instantly brightened, "Great! Where do you live?"

"New York."

"What?" his face twisted in confusion.

The smile melted off my face, and I stared at him coldly, "My one and only home will always be New York, with my real friends. So leave me alone."

The cocky grin returned, "At least you didn't mention a boyfriend."

I scowled, "Yeah, cause all the guys there can take a hint and tell when I'm not interested."

"Or maybe they just give up too easily," Brad leaned forward, "But see, when I see a treasure, I'm not afraid to work for it."

Luckily, I was saved from further vexation by the bell. Throughout class, I thought of how little he was working. If he knew who (or what) I really was, and my definition of 'working,' he might not be so interested. He was working? Please. How about holding up the sky for instance? Percy did that. How about kicking some serious monster but? Percy did that. How about going on a life threatening quest for a friend? Percy's done that more than once.

Not that that means anything, of course.

Okay, so I have a crush on Percy. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Who cares? Even if I didn't Brad still wouldn't have a chance. Besides, that Seaweed Brain so can't take a hint. Not to mention he's gutless when it comes to girls. So, he can face Luke, monsters, and hold up the sky, but he can't ask me out? I mean… It doesn't make a lot of sense. Maybe he just doesn't want to. Yeah, I mean, no one ever said he did.

I pulled myself out of my Percy problems for the rest of school, but they soon returned as soon as the bell rang.

It's stupid, I mean… Oh, forget it! I was a daughter of Athena. He was a son of Poseidon. It was never happening. I mean, an amazing, incredible, kind, courageous, funny, sweet, fantastic, impossible, sword-fighting, intoxicating, invigorating, loving, caring, lovable, cute, brave, infatuating son of Poseidon- But a son of Poseidon nonetheless! My mother's enemy. It was enough that we were friends. If we were more… I would be so incredibly happy... But no. It's impossible. He doesn't like me, anyway, it's so not even a possibility.

I started my usual routine once I arrived on my long Percy filled walk home. I started right on my homework. I finished fairly quickly, in about an hour, and thought what to do with the rest of my time. Hmm… Well, there was a dance tonight. And just because I refuse to go with Brad, doesn't mean I couldn't go. Then again, the last dance I went to I ended up getting kidnapped. My mind wandered to the last person I'd danced with. Percy.

Oh- I had to forget him! Normally I wouldn't, but I should go to the dance. Get my mind off a certain green-eyed boy.

I walked into the dance and was greeted by pop music, streamers, balloons, guys in jeans and t-shirts, and girls with low tops and too-short dresses. Awesome.

I went out and danced a little, but this really wasn't my scene. More like fighting monsters with my best friends. Yeah, that could work. After an hour or two, I figured it just wasn't worth anymore. I'll give in. I'll daydream about Percy. I'll have a crush on him! I admit it. (At least to myself.) I'll go home and e-mail him, or maybe even IM. I just can't call him, but that's fine. I'm getting out of here.

I started to make my way out, when I was stopped short by an unwelcome acquaintance. "Hey! You came, City Girl!" He sent me a smile that probably made tons of girls swoon. Thing is, I'm Annabeth Chase, not tons of girls, ergo.

"Go away, Brad."

"No way are you leaving so soon! C'mon, City Girl, dance with me."

"I don't dance." Okay, complete lie. I danced with Percy once- no twice. But he doesn't know that.

He sent me another signature dazzling smile, "Yeah? Well, we'll just have to do something else then…." He stepped closer to me.

I figured my knife. He was mortal. It won't hurt him. I kept this in mind as I responded, "Yeah. Why don't we go out in the parking lot where I can kick your but better?"

He stepped even closer, "Or, there's an empty janitor's closet available…"

He's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal, he's mortal…

Before I knew what had happed, Brad was on the floor, holding his nose and bleeding profusely. I calmly stepped over him, and left.

But first, I just barely heard him say, "S'okay. I like 'em feisty."

Gods, I hate him.