Annabeth (3rd Person POV)

Annabeth sat in Social Studies, trying to keep her focus on her notes. The worksheet was easy, pathetically easy, but her mind couldn't help but wander from the background of the Vietnam War. What did Nelli have that was so important to Annabeth? Why had she insisted that Annabeth show? The only logical conclusion she could come up with was that Nelli was a monster, and she was going to kill off the demigods one by one. Okay, so maybe it wasn't completely logical, but hey, Annabeth was a bundle of emotions. Her brain wasn't functioning properly. That's why Annabeth was so happy when the announcements came on. The sooner the whole thing was over with, the better.

After the bell rang, she quickly sped down the halls, clutching her books to her chest as she fought through the mobs of weary students. Goode was a large school, so it was no surprise that even with godly blood, it took her a couple of minutes to reach the main hall. She shoved and elbowed her way against the students heading in an opposite direction, much like a salmon swimming upstream. Then, as she reached the gym doors, Annabeth was shoved harshly toward the wall as a group of arrogant seniors blurred passed. She grit her teeth and told herself she didn't need trouble -she would get enough from Nelli anyways. And even though Annabeth convinced herself to ignore them, she couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"-she was all like, 'Don't leave, I really like you'" mimicked one. He was grinning, putting his hands on his heart like one of those overdramatic actors on TV. Annabeth immediately decided she hated his guts...and everything else about him. The rest of his buddies laughed, as if breaking a girl's heart was the funniest thing they've ever heard. Annabeth drew in a breath, just ignore them.

"Andrew, man," said another regretfully, "I wish I'd been there. Her face must've been priceless"

"Please, like you need to watch someone else break up," scoffed the guy next to him "you break up with a girl every other day." Annabeth was disgusted by the guys' behavior. They treated girls like baseball cards, trading and adding them to their collections. And to think, she had saved all of their lives not three months ago. Not being able to take anymore, Annabeth sneaked past the guys, went into the girl's locker room, and walked out the connecting door.

As her feet stepped onto the green grass, Annabeth sucked in a breath of fresh air. Being in a room with those jerks had seriously spiked her anger, and gods knows she didn't need any extra of that. She drew in another gulp of air, prepared herself for the inevitable conflict ahead of her, and headed toward the football bleachers. Step after step, Annabeth walked deeper into Nelli's trap. What could Nelli possibly have that would cause her to be so confident? Annabeth frowned in frustration. She hated not knowing things.

As she got closer, she began to hear voices. Familiar laughter echoed in Annabeth's ears, and she furrowed her eyebrows. What was Percy doing here? A sickening feeling entered her stomach, and Annabeth quickened her pace.

"-so you really forgive me?" she heard Nelli ask as she reached hearing range.

"Of course, people change, and trust me, I've had enough experience with that to know when it true or not. Anyways, everyone deserves a second chance, don't they," she heard Percy reply kindly. Annabeth's eyes widened, how could Percy suddenly stop hating Nelli. She was horrible! With a start, Annabeth also realized Percy was comparing Nelli with Luke. Luke was nothing like Nelli!

"Thanks!" Nelli exclaimed, throwing her arms over Percy's neck. Annabeth glared at the girl, and then glared harder when she saw that Percy was just letting her hang on him like a spider. And at that moment, Annabeth would much rather see a tarantula than Nelli; and for a child of Athena, that's saying something. Annabeth watched the two until a middle aged man blew a whistle, and all the boys ran up to him, including Percy. She saw Nelli climb up the bleachers, and wave at him. She saw Percy smile at her, and wave back. And then Annabeth left.

Annabeth grabbed Thalia by her arm and dragged her into their shared room. She slammed the door, locked it, and kicked it, scaring the eavesdropping Stolls on the other side. After she heard their footsteps stumble away, she turned to an extremely confused hunter. Thalia sat on the bottom bunk, her eyebrows raised, and her arms crossed, no doubt wondering what the Hades was going on with the her favorite architect of Olympus.

"I have a problem."

"Uh-huh," Thalia sarcastically commented, "I never would've guessed." Annabeth glared at her.

"This is serious." Thalia immediately straightened up.

"What is it? A god? A titan? A blood-thirsty empousai?"

"Close," replied Annabeth, "a Nelli." Thalia stared at her disbelievingly.

"A Nelli?"

"Yes," she replied, throwing her hands up, "didn't you hear me?"

"Well, yeah but an annoying high school cheerleader isn't exactly important..." Thalia trailed off, looking at Annabeth curiously. "I thought you said she didn't bother you."

"She doesn't!" Annabeth defended hotly.

"Then what's the problem?"

"Okay, so maybe she does worry me a little tiny bit..."

Silence.

"Okay, more than a bit..."

Silence.

"...She really bothers me, happy now?"

"No," Thalia replied, "but it helps if you admit it." Annabeth glared at the spiky haired girl for a minute before tossing herself onto her own bunk. She screamed into her pillow. Thalia just stared at the poor girl.

"You're right, this is a problem."

Eventually, Annabeth tired herself out, and explained everything to her friend. Thalia just sat there, and soaked up the the girl's explanation of her temporary -or not, you never know- insanity.

"Did you ever consider, that Nelli really has changed?" Thalia asked.

"No, why would I?" Annabeth replied in shock, "no one that bratty can change in three hours." Thalia shrugged nonchalantly.

"Just a thought, I guess."

So its been a month since my last update, and I'm sorry for that. But if any of are still reading this (which I'm beginning to doubt),I hope you like it.

P.S. C'mon guys, no reviews for chapter 9? I live off that stuff! So yeah, review please!