YOU! - I cried silently, knowing the risks that involved speaking loud in there. James winced. The wince he made was similar to the one I gave when I had abruptly waked at the end of the history class. But he wasn't sleeping now. Probably, I just had surprised him a little bit, that is what he needs. Because, as everyone should know, you always have to be in… PERMANENT ALERT!

Now, talking about things you should know, I want you to make an example of the different types of gasps.

There is the surprised gasp: Like when somebody yells at you randomly, and you are trying to sleep. You have to hate those.

Then, comes the happy gasp that happens when somebody you didn't expect to come to your birthday party, comes and brings you a big present… Act that leads to the surprised gasp again, when you open the present and the only thing you got now, is a piece of cake threw to your face.

And after that comes the shock gasp, which would be… Ahh!

Like when I told him the thriller story about the "Happy Potato".

The poor boy, hasn't still recovered from the trauma in his childhood.

Returning to reality, we were in the backyard's corner of the school. The space wasn't really big, but it was very nice. Specially for staying, maybe doing homework… Ew, did I actually said that? There is no place in this world where doing homework gets to be "nice".

The walls and ceiling were made of a carefully treated glass, and every time the sunlight came through them, the light broke down into different colours, creating the pretty illusion that, in there, we had a permanent rainbow.

But if I had to talk about a dominant colour, it would be the green. An intense green. Wherever you looked at, the plants were making they appearance. Some vines, climbing the silvery holders to which they were assigned. Other, less docile, scattered across the floor, their flowers getting dirty with the Earth's brown. The floor, had a trail of white stones and gray, circle-shaped rocks. In the middle of the room, like splitting it in two were the trees, not very high, but wider than anything else. To the sides, holding the most beautiful flowers, were the pots. They showed the only sign that someone had ever been in this place, and it was they were made of clay, hand-modeled crudely painted in tempera.

The result was childish, but generated a small feeling of sweetness.

As you may have guessed, or not, when I say "backyard's corner" I mean the school greenhouse.

Okay, how this place would have survived in a school full of kids running from here to there? The conservatory was beautiful, perhaps the only thing I really like about this school, but ...

Oh, It's such a funny story! You see, er ... It's forbidden for students.

Actually, it isn't like the other children see the attraction to this place. The polarized glass greenhouse is out, which means you can not see what it is. Most of them probably think is an old house or a part from the school that isn't used. The High School Students, know it, and are even allowed to get in, but the little ones no. If a little one asks for getting in, they would reply: Banned! You don't want punishment, right?

And what are we doing here? Well, you can't think that something as silly as a suspension would stop us. Like if we hadn't brake rules before ...

Can you move a little? - I asked James. He sat correctly, and I took my place next to him.

How'd you find me? - There was a little curious tone in his voice. I made a philosopher grin.

Hmm ... Let me think ... Maybe this is not the place where you come whenever you get bored or you're kicked out of a class? - I replied sarcastically. He shrugged.

Maybe. But ... – he smiled defiantly – I will not let you win so easily, Jackson. This is war, and everything is allowed in it. - I rolled my eyes.

You really think you can beat me, Huh? Don't you know? This is my game, Grace. Nobody beats me in my game. -.

At how much goes the count? – I made some quick calculations.

Scoreboard goes this way, Jasmine: 7 vs. James: 6 ... Now, ff we have the expulsions of today, it would go: Jasmine: 8 vs James: 7 -.

Yes, but remember that day when I accidentally threw that ball ... - His voice trailed off as her cheeks reddened. But it was too late, because that memory had assailed my mind.

You see. At about mid year, we went on a field trip to an antiques museum. From the medieval age, and all that stuff. It was a history tour, and while the Professor spoke, James took the tennis ball with which he had been playing all the way on the bus.

At that point, everything was perfect, but Oliver, our odious classmate who enjoys teasing others, scoffed at James, saying he would never have the guts to face an army, as the Professor explained that the Crusaders had to fight to defend Egypt...? Well, a city.

An offense nonsense, but he continued teasing James, until he didn't resisted it and ended up throwing the tennis ball in Oliver's face. The bad thing is that he got wrong, and his ball crashed into an armoured knight on display.

There are chapters in your life you want to forget, aren't it? - I told him, tilting my head. He sighed.

What if I said no? – I Raised an eyebrow - Although... - He hesitated a little – I'm afraid I would never be able to forget that. If since I got home, I was locked in my room. "Until you calm down, and tell us the 'why' of your irresponsible behaviour" – He imitated his mother's voice, aunt Piper. Then, he made under tones, more serious - "I think we've talked about this before, Remus. You need to be more disciplined, so I'll send this year to Camp Jupiter ... "- His eyes changed from blue to dark brown -" No, dad! You cannot change me into something which I'm not! Why can't you understand? – There was a little of disappoint in his voice, that make me guess, that he actually felt hurt about that.

I tried to imagine the conversation between, on the one hand, the neat and serious Uncle Jason, his briefcase, his perfectly pressed shirt, his hair and beard shaved and impeccably cut, while on the other hand, probably sulking in the corner of his room, with dirty clothes from getting everywhere or playing games, and even bouncing his tennis ball, James.

However, I couldn't help feeling somewhat uncomfortable with my parents.

My cousin goes to a summer camp each year for three years, that I can remember remember. I never knew exactly what was his beloved camp, or what did he do in there, I just know that I can't come to disturb him, the first week of his return, or he would answer something like: "Moving? That means exercise, right? I'm dead. It hurts every single fiber of my little body. Come back in a week, and if I can, I will run to the door, I will turn the doorknob, I will say hi with the minimal physical effort required and then I will go to sleep. Okay?"

Maybe Coach is right when he forces him to do the double of exercise. He puts himself behind him, screaming with his megaphone the amount of sit-ups... Let's hope he leaves the pillow, at last. A love affair of so many years is difficult to cut.

I once asked my parents to go with him.

Let's say it didn't turn very well.

I had chosen the moment which Dad was making breakfast. Mom was reading some plans in her laptop, while Nico was playing with some old playing cards that Aunt Hazel had given to him. At mentioning my request, my brother looked at me surprised, but frowning, in that gesture that looked so much like mom. She looked at me nervously and, could that be an expression of anger...? She turned to my father. Dad looked at me sadly, and leaning against the wall, he put his blue coffee cup (long story) on the table. He motioned me to come, and Nico and mom left the room. She sighed and said it was the decision of my father, and that she could not interfere.

Of course, in language "Annabeth", that could only meant one thing, and it was: "Percy wanted it this way. He did not listen to my advice and I won't take responsibility of the consequences of his actions... Oh, Percy, you're a Seaweed Brain..."

Dad whispered "You're not going to that camp." Why? I wanted to know, they never forbade me things, and if it was for a good reason, they always made sure I did understand correctly that reason. "You're too young... I don't want you to go. I know you grow... But I'll keep you by my side until it gets no longer possible. Is selfish, and probably not good, but I…"

His words made me feel sad, and I hugged Dad, promising him I would never ask again. Yet here I was, still feeling jealous and wondering why James could, and I couldn't. Wasn't him younger than me?

…Or maybe if Terminus haven't got so angry, just because I happened to mention that everyone thinks that his rules were so dumb, that when they entered to a contest of silly rules, he got rejected, argumenting that they wouldn't accept professionals in the field. Seriously, if I really wanted... – He snorted - I had to stay all the afternoon cutting the grass with scissors. According to him, everything had to be perfectly aligned. And then, forced me to rake the soil and remove trash! - I laughed at his look "can you-believe-it"?

Did he really force you? - I smiled, and James nodded. He moved his neck, as if it pained him for crawling on the ground by measuring the grass. - Who is Terminus?

Our boring and without-humour-sensed Security Guard – He rolled his eyes - and you haven't known the two camp leaders... Those guys are great at controlling your life… -.

A silence followed upon. I leaned back on the bench, closing my eyes. Coach had us play a volleyball game, from which I couldn't escape the balls that ended being threw at me. Besides, sleeping on a table, doesn't feel exactly like sleeping on a feather bed imported from Switzerland.

Or maybe it does. Never tried it.

I heard the sound of falling water. Which was rather strange, since a few minutes ago, the sky was cloudless. Then, I heard footsteps... Steps?!

I opened my eyes and looked alarmed to the sound source. Unluckily, there was the Woman in charge of maintenance, watering the plants with an old plastic watering.

The Employee ... Oh, great. We would be discovered.

I honestly didn't think someone could come to check the greenhouse, I mean, didn't they have automated sprinklers installed? Who doesn't have a sprinkler installed automated these days?!

Although... On second thought, it would be pretty suspicious if we were completely wet...

The plastic watering, generated two situations: The positive one was that it would take longer to reach us, as we were on the far side of the entrance, and a negative, that it was in the driveway. And I couldn't find a way out, without being seen.

Hey! - James whispered behind me, as I stood silently. He smiled carefree, as if he had everything under control. - Wanna play a game? -.

I snorted: Do you think this is a good time to play games? - He nodded, leaning to search his backpack, to place it correctly on his back.

It's fun. It's called Truth or Dare -.

I blinked confused. Of all the games, he picks that one?

We moved slowly, with the trees in the middle of the greenhouse covering us. We didn't want to be seen. Suddenly, that little spark of indifference to punishment, wasn't so indifferent, and the possibility of being expelled by a silly rule (thus, I have never reached that point), stood at me menacingly.

"As a giant," I compared. "As the giant that appeared in my dream. The one that kept… "But the memories were getting fuzzy again and I really hated it, because it looked so important…

Anyway, I made the trivial choice: Dare -.

I stepped on a fallen leaf, making it sound. I closed my, as if in this way I could reduce the small noise caused. James held his breath, and I gently moved my left foot where the leaves hadn't fell. However, the floor at that point, was more slippery, since it had been watered. We both turn the head to the right, checking if we have been discovered, but the woman had not heard it.

I dare you to get out of this place… Alive -.

Ho ho! Sure, after that line, one hyper person like me expects that the awesome protagonist makes a dramatic walk towards the camera, putting or taking off his/her dark sunglasses, while behind him/her, something explodes in flames. Of course, that depends on the amount of impact you want to generate. If you want to be impressive, a house catches fire, or a helicopter explodes and falls (in these cases, may have the effect slow motion). For the simplest, always recommended a sport car.

Ah! And we can't forget the background music. Or that the protagonist takes a gun bigger than his body.

So that's how, my friends, you make an action movie.

CUT!

We continue moving behind the plants. We were so close… Near the exit, but also to the person who could be the reason my parents would impose me a permanent punishment until I get to eighteen.

Or seventeen, if Errol doesn't fails at bringing my Hogwarts letter.

I guess if I wanted to leave, what we had to do was make sure the woman was distracted enough watering the plants, to get through the door. It seemed so easy…

Ouch! - James gasped. And I turned to him, alarmed. He had slipped on the wet floor, producing a wet sound.

A wet sound? Can you feel the water when you hear? Well, I can't describe it in other way, so sorry if I mix the senses, but I'm quite sure that "wet" described that sound perfectly.

I watched that in horror, it was impossible that the woman hasn't heard that sound. I ducked instinctively and got ready to run, but the boy, who was half sitting on the floor with the backpack only sustained by one shoulder, surrounded by mud, did the strangest thing I had expected him to do. He began to laugh.

He lay on the ground like if it was the most normal thing in the world, and continued laughing. Desperate, and terribly confused, I took his hand, pulling him up.

Come! Quickly… I don't know why she hadn't heard us, but we gotta go! - I tried to get him up, but my efforts were in vain. James was infatuated with being on the ground, and that began to slightly irritate me.

Sorry, but I think I had missed the joke. Would you do the favour of repeating it for me? -.

She is Wendy – He said, referring to the woman. - Wendy is deaf, and is proud of it. She says she doesn't need transplants or replacement ears. She had born this way, and using them would mean she doesn't accept herself. She is not an invalid by his deafness, is only another thing that makes her different - He smiled.

But unfortunately, not thousand of his smiles could reduce the feeling of irritation and annoyance that filled me in that moment.

What you are trying to say me - I made a little pause, controlling myself - is that you knew that she couldn't hear, from the beggining and you didn't even bother to warn me!? -.

He got up from the ground, carefully for not falling. Meanwhile, I was kept glaring at him hardly.

Basically. – He admitted - but if I did, where would be the funny side? -.

What "Funny side"? Despairing for nothing?

He… Little, skinny boy, who has not much future life if he keeps intruding on my way… Useless, annoying, small flea floor.

I would surely thought of more definitions, but James stood up, took my arm and we walked the last stretch we needed to leave. He looked at Wendy, checking she couldn't see us, and crossed the glass door.

We surrounded the greenhouse, for no founding any child could surprise us. Or any teacher, which was worse. Apparently, every course had finished classes, and in the backyard park where playing the smaller, school bags strewn across the floor, while their children were mounted on slides and chasing each other. School bags… Wait.

Turning to give one last look at James, I examined him and informed: You have your nose dirty -.

I let go of the hand of my cousin, who just rolled his eyes at the gesture, that I would have admitted that was a little bit rude, if I wasn't because I was still too angry. Well, the word wouldn't be angry, rather… It was like that feeling you get when you're a sore loser, and you don't want to admit it.

I grabbed my backpack, which I had left in one of the Monster's tree branches, like is baptized by the students, or anyone who sees it, for its many branches and the giant space that uses. Under the tree, were the bigger guys, the ones from High School. I guess they liked it because it gives them plenty of shade, and you will see everyone talking, or listening to music. Some even read books.

I got frozen.

A small idea had echoed in my mind. It was unusual, but I had to check it. Just had to. It emerged, as if from nowhere, and maybe I would have been something uncomfortable to check, except for the fact that I already had the perfect excuse.

"Student Number 534. Jackson, Jasmine. Parents outside. Please report."- My school's shield, reported. I turned it off by pressing the button on the side. Properly setting my backpack, I walked into the hallway. At the same time as I was doing that, a boy with slightly lighter hair than mine, and who was almost doubling me in age, met me.

How was your day? – He asked.

Restless. Strange. Cool. – I answered. Nico smiled and ran a hand through his tie, distracted – And what about you? What three words would you use to describe your day? -.

Bored. Normal. Ordinary. -.

Oh, I forgot! – I Commented at his lack of enthusiasm - Nothing surprises you. Because you're fourteen, and you already lived your life, right? - He shrugged.

Take it the way you want. But nothing extraordinary happened today -.

Is school, what do you expect to happen? That a Jedi appears in the middle of the class, fighting against an army of clones? Or that from one second to another, all High School students would stand in the cafeteria tables, dancing and singing, perhaps? – I replied sarcastically.

Honestly no. That'd be really creepy. – He responded, but he seemed a bit more happily.

We continued walking until we reached where our parents were, waiting in the street of the school, along with all the other families.

Dad, with his sparkling green eyes, leaned back in the car, waving at us, and Mom with her wavy hair, that I had inherited, in a ponytail, had as if it was a hair accessory, because of all the time I had already seen her use it, a pencil. That however, fitted her, since under the arm she had a stack of papers. Probably designs.

I'm pretty lucky. Many parents can't come together to their children's school and take them home, but I guess that's the advantage if your dad is a marine biologist, whose job is to travel sometimes, and study some graphics and different populations of sea creatures, at home. And Mom is a well-known architect, people asked her to design important buildings to restore monuments of historical value, and all that cool stuff. But you will never see her without her computer, not even for all the Scooby Cookies of the world.

I gave each of them a hug. Nico shouldn't do the same, according to him; he was too "big" and "mature" for public hugs. But he just did it. I guess I will never understand the adolescent guys like him. They contradict their selves so many times...

I turned and ran to hug another person by behind, who just got out of her car. I heard a gasp, and felt a hand going through my shoulder. I looked up to see a woman, the same age as my parents, beautiful, with chocolate brown long hair and Native American factions.

Hello – I said. Aunt Piper smiled at me.

What's the reason of all this love, little? Who do you want me to punish now? - I laughed. Piper looked at my parents – She's not so little anymore, ehh? Annabeth, Percy… - She combed my hair with one hand - I hope you are proud of your daughter. -.

We are. Although we are used to receive some notes for her behaviour - Mom looked at me, and I felt that the homecoming would not be very nice for me. Mom gave the world best sermons.

Hum… I begin to think that putting my son and her into the same school was a bad idea - Piper pointed, and I let go of her, as she watched Danielle, Selina and her younger brother came to us, for going with their mother.

Not a bad idea. Not if we plan to blow up the school in a couple of years. - Dad joked. Mom rolled her eyes, and I'm afraid that dad's joke, won't be just that in the future. James waved at them both and passing next to him, I asked:

Truth or Dare? - Now it was his turn to blink in confusion. –

We didn't finish -.

Truth, I guess. You are a little bit dangerous in Dare -.

Perfect, I thought, just what I needed. I chose the question that had been flying around my head, even if it was stupid and without a good explanation. But there was something that told me it was correct.

You exploded that generator, right? -.

James hesitated, and a half-sided smile, was formed in the corner of his mouth:

You have no proof -.

Questions and more questions arose. One after the other. But I highly doubted any of them would be answered, no matter how much I could insist on them. I also had the slightest suspicion and a feeling (accompanied by a cold shiver) that this something he was hiding was related to what he had been saying to Coach Hedge. That this secret was related to the fact that Mom and Dad hide me things. Things of their past, which I barely know something. And that, was wrapped around something big, much bigger than I could imagine, or think.

I ran a hand through my hair, getting dizzy with all the thoughts. I leaned back in the car seat. Looking at my left, was my brother, talking to my parents about what happened at school today, and I heard them laughing. Someone had said something funny, but their voices reached me away, like from the other side of a tunnel. I wasn't paying them attention.

I frowned. Why did they hide secrets to me? What was so important, or dangerous that they wanted to keep far away from me? They didn't trust me?

I looked though the window, to the houses we were leaving behind. We stopped, the traffic lights colour red. Next to it, a man covered in dark clothes was looking at all the cars that passed in the street. Like searching for someone he wanted.

But then, his eyes looked at me.

Supposedly, I shouldn't know that. His clothes were hiding his face from me, and I shouldn't see them. But I could feel that sky blue eyes on me. And he knew I could see him, because he moved his mouth forming a sentence.

"It's you".

A blink. A second. And he was gone, like if nothing had happened. Except for the fact that he left me wondering if I was getting, slowly or not so, on nuts. Going crazy.

Are you okay? Nico, what's wrong with your sister? - Dad practically ordered. I positioned myself correctly in my seat, shaking his head.

I think she just needs to eat sugar, dad. - Nico reported. I frowned, remembering my dream… The details became more vivid at the time. I had to do something with it. The own dream seemed to chase me.

Nico - I muttered - Nicholas Jackson. Nico di Angelo. Of the Angels. The angel's breath - I continued saying what I had heard. - Twins snuff out the angel's breath. - Someone was trapped in that cage. Someone was trying to break the cage, too - One who holds the key to endless death. - laughter bounced off my mind. My head hurt so much. – The hero and the traitor must define their fates… - I let out a groan of pain, unable to stand it any longer. I put both hands on his head warm. - Κάντε το σταματήσει -.

I looked up, trying to stay calm. My brother looked confused and for the first time in my life, I saw him scared, but Mom and Dad's reaction was unexpected. They were completely pale. As if all the colour had just faded from their cheeks. We had stopped the car, this time without any traffic lights who indicated it, and the silence became so thick as a toxic gas.

Dad spoke hoarsely, and with a little tone of something I never thought I would use with me: fear.

Jas ... How do you know that? And what was the last thing you said? - I opened my mouth to answer but couldn't. How did I know? I guess I couldn't answer that question because I didn't really. They were like whispers in my ear. Part of a dream. Part of an important dream, I shouldn't had dreamed. I shouldn't have said that out loud. Now the words hung in the air, and it didn't even seem mine. It didn't make any sense, but should it?

I ... – I felt breathless and everything went black.

Well, er ... This was chapter three. I hope you now have clearer history of the main characters, and some other information to help them settle in our beloved old characters. That would be great, as is the way they behave and how they are what will define how the course of history. What are your decisions and the paths they choose to take. I consider it very important, at least.

Κάντε το σταματήσει = Make it stop, in Greek.

This chapter is for Hazel Levesque! For being the most awesome demigod ever ! And thanks for your support, ghosts!

Any questions, you know what to do.

- JustAnotherNormalDemigod