Me and the Mental Patients Take P.E.

Annabeth's POV

Even in rehab, they have to have physical education. They claim to want to keep all the patients "in tip top shape" so when we get out we won't be fat and clean, but not fat and clean. I have no place in gym class. Even in school I either stand in the corner hoping that no one notices me, or I say I have to go to the bathroom and stay there the whole time. The only sport I ever liked was gymnastics but I had to give it up because it was too expensive. Yes, my once a week gymnastic classes were more expensive than Bobby and Matthew's three day a week country club golf lessons.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." I froze in place and told Percy, "We have to go to gym?" Percy chucked and kept walking, "No, I was lying…yes we have gym." he replied. I groaned and stomped down the green tiled hall. "That is so stupid!" I complained, "Do they make us change clothes?"

"Sadly." he responded and flicked the curled edge of a poster that said, "There's nowhere to go but up!"

"Damn. This so going to be terrible."

"Don't be so negative. It could be worse."

"What could make it worse?"

"They could make us shower."

"Good point."

We stopped at a wooden door. "Girls Locker Rooms" was printed in peeling yellow paint on the top. "I'll see you in there." Percy called out as he left me in the dust. Before I could ask him if there was any way to ditch, he was halfway down the hall. I sighed and pushed the door open. Hot, musty air blew me in the face followed by a faint smell of disinfecting spray. I let out a small cough. The walls were sea foam green and the floor had small blue tiles that were neatly aligned. I took a few steps down a dark corridor to come to a bright room. There were lockers smaller than shoeboxes lined up against the walls. There were four rows of baby lockers the same color as the walls. There were a few pale girls spread out, changing into a white tee-shirt and navy mesh shorts that came down just past their knees. "Hello!" someone chirped from behind me. I spun around to face an old woman with graying hair. She had on a grey sweatshirt and green sweatpants with bunny slippers. It was quite a fashion statement.

"You must be Ms. Annabeth Chase." she stated. I nodded and she scooted me over to the end row of lockers. Silena was there, shoving her twig legs into an extra small pair of shorts. She had pulled the tightening strings out as far as they could go but the shorts still sagged low on her hips. "Here is your locker." the old woman continued, "In here is your clothes for P.E. You will be expected to change every day you have gym and to shower that night during your bathroom time." Before I could ask any questions, she was shuffling away in her pink bunny slippers.

I gingerly pulled the door to my locker open and pulled out the tee shirt I was required to wear. I pulled my own shirt over my head and threw it into the locker. I put on the white shirt and looked down at myself. My teddy bear bra was very visible. I shrugged and thought what are you gonna do? before taking my pants off and shoving them into my locker. My shorts were small on me even though they were a medium. I looked over at Silena who had yanked the strings out a foot each.

I left my hair down and kept my sneakers on. I walked across the sticky floor and through a door that had "Gymnasium" painted on the top. The door was heavy and a gust of hot wind blew me in the face when I pushed it open. Suddenly, the room was noisy. I could hear the pounding of basketballs on the wooden floor, the spring as rebounds were missed, and if you listened closely, you would be able to hear the low buzz of the lights that hung above. I sat next to a piece of gum on the bleachers. "You'll be my friend. Won't you?" I asked the gum. The gum did not reply. Maybe I did belong here after all. How often does a teenage girl talk to gum? Three whistled were blown and all the patients ran for the bleachers. I got stuck between a fat kid with bad acne and a pale short kid with bags under his eyes.

"Hey babe," he winked, "How ya doing?" He must've been 12. I brushed him away and scooted a half a centimeter towards the fat kid. The fat kid sneezed and I scooted back. "Alright, weasels." The main gym teacher paced in front of us with a microphone. "I hope you don't expect to get out of Phys. Ed. just because you're "special". Sorry to break it to you, but you're not. You guys aren't special. You're messed up, crazy in the head. You weren't born with a problem. You put it upon yourselves. Now, I hope whatever drugs you took don't affect exercise. We're starting out with soccer. Girls verses boys. I think we all know whose gonna win." he mumbled that last part. How sexist.

In a matter of ten minutes; we were on the field. And in another ten minutes, I was dirty, sweaty, and tired. I didn't even play the game. Weird boys and girls kept pushing me down and chasing me. I didn't remember much of the rest of the day because the next thing I knew, a ball was coming straight towards my face.

I guess I wasn't out for long because I woke up on wet grass not far from where I was standing. Grass clippings clung to my arms and dew soaked through my shorts and shirt. I sat up wearily and my head spun. The male teacher came over to me and yanked me off the ground. "We don't have time for foolishness, people!" he yelled, "Stop messing around and play the game!" He didn't ask me if I wanted a break. If I was hurt. If I wanted to go to the nurse. My answer would've been yes to all three.

After gym was over, I met Percy in the hallways headed towards lunch. "Hey, how's it going?" he asked. I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "Terrible." I muttered.

"What? Why? What happened?"

"I got knocked out in gym and the teacher shoved me back in the game."

"Wow. That sucks ass. I was playing goalie for my team and I guess I wasn't paying attention. How long were you out?"

"Only a few seconds, I think."

"Does your head hurt?"

I didn't notice how much it hurt until he asked me. A flash on pain ripped through my head. I stumbled a bit. He swooped down and supported me by wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Thanks. Yeah, I guess it does."

"Why don't I take you to the nurse's office?"

"No! I mean, er, I'm good. I'll be okay."

"You sure? You don't look to hot."

"What?"

"It's a saying."

"Yeah, well, I'm fine."

Lunch was pretty boring. I wasn't in the mood to eat so I just listened to Percy, Thalia, Grover, and Silena's conversation.

"So, what do you call an alligator in a vest?" Percy asked with delight, "An investigator!"

"That's not that funny." Thalia stated, unfazed.

"It's a little funny." Grover added, "I mean, like, it's clever and all."

"It's not funny." Thalia stated again.

"Okay, then. It's not." Grover caved. He seemed intimidated by Thalia.

"Fine. Be heartless people who don't enjoy alligator jokes." Percy shrugged.

"I like your joke, Percy." Silena puckered.

"Thank you, Silena." Percy thanked, "See, Silena likes my joke."

"Whatever." Thalia droned, "Let's get to the good stuff."

"Yeah, I agree with Thalia." Grover announced. Thalia's expression remained the same. Grover's face fell a bit.

"So, what's the plan?" Percy inquired.

"I say we all make fake passes saying we have a late-night group session." Thalia stated.

"I like that idea." Grover complimented. Thalia's expression still remained the same.

"What's the plan for? What are you guys planning?" Silena asked.

"A little party, just for us though." Thalia answered.

"Three times a week we sneak out of this place and go to the local supermarket." Percy explained.

"Then we buy alcohol and cigs and other stuff." Grover continued.

"The bitches who run this place don't even notice. And if they do, they don't care." Thalia fake sighed.

"Where do you get the money?" Silena asked.

"Ever heard of shoplifting?" Thalia yawned like the topic wasn't new to her.

"So basically, we need a new plan because we almost got caught last time." Grover said.

I went over the new information in my head. An alarm bell sounded in my head, this wasn't right. We were here to get better and fix our issues, not sneak out after hard work and blow it. But, what they were discussing sounded really enjoyable. I needed a drink desperately. Before I could stop myself, I blurted, "Sounds fun, I'm in." Percy grinned at me. "Awesome." he cheered, "So you guys know the plan. See you tonight." I must have zoned out again. Damn. I would have to get Silena to tell me the plan.

A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter. I need to get it moving because I have so many ideas and so little time! I apologize about the super slow updates. Luv ya!