Chapter 10: A Shark Tooth Necklace

A/N: Hey! Okay, so quick note before we start – in the books, Luke gave Annabeth his dagger with a promise. Remember? Well, here, obviously, he wouldn't give her a dagger. So, I've replaced that with a shark tooth necklace, like those people make when they catch a shark or whatever? I could've used a bracelet or ring, but in the series, the dagger belonged to Luke. I figured a shark tooth necklace is something he might have; at least I think he's more likely to have that versus a ring or bracelet. I chose a shark tooth necklace also because I figured it's as close to a dagger as I can get with a normal modern-day child's item (you don't give your kid a knife) – it's pointy-ish and triangle-shaped-ish. So, yeah.

P.S. I have no idea if 'botanical sciences' is an actual course you can take at school, but we're going to pretend it is.

Disclaimer: Haha, I read this disclaimer and thought it was cute:

I don't own Percy Jackson. Annabeth Chase does. ;)

Hope you enjoy!

Luke's POV

Friday. 7:30 A.M. I'd only been in school for five minutes and I was already tired and ready to go home.

Ugh. I need coffee.

Thalia, who was sitting to my left, looked just as exhausted. It had been a long week. The teachers seemed to have all agreed to pile on the tests, so my friends and I had spent the last few nights studying over the phone. I had suggested this to my friends, and I was surprised they had actually agreed. They just didn't seem like the studying type, but I guess I was wrong.

Today, my last test, biology, was first period. Thalia and I studied so hard last night that I think we overexerted our brains to the point that we could barely keep our heads up. It was probably a bad move, staying up until two in the morning, but hopefully it paid off.

"Alright, class, clear your desks. Get out a pencil, and let's begin." Mr. White passed out the test.

I looked it over.

Which of the following describes hypertonic diffusion?

Water entering a cell due to high levels of sodium inside of it

Water leaving a cell due to high levels of sodium outside of it

Water entering a cell due to high levels of potassium inside of it

Water leaving a cell due to high levels of potassium outside of it

Fortunately, Thalia and I had covered this. With a few minutes left of class, I finished the test.

The bell rang and Thalia and I made our way to our next classes. We would discuss the test during lunch.

…

"Ugh, my brain.." Percy was already at our usual lunch table, clutching his head, "It can't take it anymore!"

"What test did you have today?" Grover asked.

"English. I'm almost 99.99% sure I failed."

"Well," Thalia interjected, "I'm almost 99.9% sure Luke and I passed our bio test." She reached across the table for a high-five.

"English is hard!"

"Your stepdad teaches it! You could've gotten extra help so easily, right at home!"

"Yeah, school and home shouldn't mix. Anyway, what did you have today, Grover?"

Grover munched on a tortilla chip thoughtfully. "I haven't taken my test yet; it's next period. But I have it in botanical sciences."

"So, what, you have to plant a pretty flower?"

"No," Grover looked offended. "It's a written test. We have to-"

"Oh, I know," Thalia said, "You have to draw a pretty flower."

"No! We-"

"Guys," I scowled at them, "Don't be dumb; he said it's a written test."

"Thank you!"

"He has to write about a pretty flower! Duh!"

We cracked up and suggested different titles for a potential poem.

"Ode to Sunflowers."

"Lilacs in the Breeze."

"No, no, I know!" Thalia exclaimed, "You should ask to do an interpretive dance for your test – Skipping Through a Field of Dandelions!"

She stood, as if about to demonstrate, but sat back down.

"Sorry, Goat Boy, I won't choreograph for you but I'll hook you up with music, a set, and a costume!"

We were all laughing, except for Grover.

"You guys are terrible."

I smiled. "Alright, alright, I think we're done. So, summer's coming! Any plans?"

"California! Whoo-hoo!" Thalia was clearly excited.

"And I'm going, too. What about you, Perce?" Grover turned to Percy.

"Aren't you going on vacation, too?" Thalia asked.

"Wait," I said, "I thought you said that would be during winter break?"

Percy sighed. "Well, my parents wanted to go this summer. Then they decided to go during winter break of this coming school year. Now, they've changed the date one last time. Because of something at my mom's job, we're going during spring break."

"Spring break already passed," Grover commented.

Percy rolled his eyes. "Spring break of next school year, Grover."

"Oh."

"What about you, Luke?"

"I'm staying here in New York. But since Percy's staying here-"

"Maybe we can help out with summer programs at the club."

That sounded like a pretty good idea, so I agreed. "We can talk to Chiron when we go to the club later."

"Cool."

…

"Castellan! We gonna race or what?" Connor came up to me. Last week, he bet me a cheeseburger from the pavilion (this place had a cafeteria in the shape of an ancient Greek pavilion with amazing food) that I couldn't beat him in a race. I won. He was upset because he was really hungry and didn't have money on him. He had to 'borrow' (*cough-steal-couh-cough*) money from his brother, Travis.

Food was the only thing we paid for here. Percy, Thalia, and Nico had powerful dads who had big companies (and were also brothers). They made huge donations and were dubbed 'The Big Three' because they were the club's biggest sponsors. How they could donate so much money to keep the club running with little cost to the players but rarely sent child support checks to the cousins' mothers was beyond me. They hardly saw their kids – funding the club was sort of their way of making up for never really being with their children.

I turned to Connor. "Sure, whatever you want. But let's do it quick – I'm hungry and Will challenged me to an archery contest."

I beat Connor again. He was so confident he'd win this time that, once again, he didn't bring any money. I watched as he reached for Travis's wallet in his backpack. Travis was distracted by talking to Katie.

"So Katie, how was your day?"

"Get lost, Stoll."

"Oh, but Katie, Katie, dear, how can I leave without knowing how your day was?"

"Let me help you out." Katie took him by the shoulders turned him to face the door, and shoved him, hard. He stumbled forward but before he could get his footing, he fell face-first.

"Oomf!"

Katie brushed off her hands and strode out of the room. In that moment that Travis was on the ground, Connor, great brother that he was, took the opportunity to grab three dollars out of the wallet, stuff it back into Travis's backpack, and drag me out of the room.

"Shouldn't we help Travis?"

"He'll be fine."

"I think I saw blood running down his forehead."

"He's bled before. He won't die."

We settled down at the cafeteria. Connor went to get my food.

"Hey, Luke," Percy sat down across from me with a slice of pizza, "'Sup?"

"Connor's getting me a cheeseburger."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "A Stoll is buying you a cheeseburger?"

"Yeah. Why is that surprising?"

"A Stoll never buys anyone dinner – or any meal, for that matter. Why do you think they can't ever keep a girlfriend?"

Connor came back. He had a tray with my food and a milkshake.

"Dude! You got me a shake, too? Thanks!"

"Hey!" Connor batted my hand away, "Who says that's yours?"

"But you only took three dollars. How did you buy the shake?"

"I bought it with my own money."

"I thought you didn't have any money on you. That's why you took it from Travis."

"Oh, no, I have money, just not money I'm willing to spend on you. So I spent Travis's money."

Percy smiled at me. "Now that makes sense. I told you – Stolls don't spend money on other people."

Connor grinned. "That's right."

"Hey, Percy." I looked up. A girl stood behind Percy. She was gorgeous. She was tall and lean, with a slender body. Glossy, dark hair framed an immaculate face. Her features were beautiful. She smiled a bright, white smile. I could tell right away she was classified as 'rich and popular'.

"Hey, Silena – what's up?"

She beamed at him in response, then turned to Connor. "Hi, Connor."

"H-hi, S-ilena!" Connor squeaked, staring open-mouthed at the girl.

She smirked, clearly pleased with his reaction to her. Then, she looked at me. She studied me carefully with her heavily made-up eyes, arching a slender, perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"Luke, right?"

I simply nodded.

"I've seen you around here and school."

She sat down next to me, a little closer than I thought was necessary.

"You go to Goode?"

"Mm-hmm," she purred, leaning towards me slightly, "Captain of the cheerleading squad."

"Oh, I haven't seen you – I… haven't… been to any games… yet."

Smooth.

She laughed. "S'okay – no problem. Hey, there's a game next week. Why don't you come? I'd love for you to come out and support me," She rested a delicate hand on my arm, "You can bring your girlfriend."

I blushed. "Oh, uh, I don't have a girlfriend."

"No? Surely a hot guy like you must have a girlfriend. And if not… well, I don't have a boyfriend. We have so much in common! Here's my number – you should call me! Anyway, I have to go. My friends and I are getting mani-pedis! See ya!" She batted her eyelashes flirtatiously and stood. She looked at Percy.

"Bye, Perce."

See ya, Silena."

"Bye, Connor."

"B-bye, Silena!"

She smirked and left. Connor looked at me.

"Dude! Silena Beauregard just talked to you! How awesome is that?"

I shrugged. "She's nice."

"She's totally into you," Percy commented.

"Nah, she just…" I struggled to come up with an excuse as to why I was now holding her phone number.

"Flirting with you?" Percy suggested.

I sighed. "When she came over here, I thought she was going to talk to you, Percy. You're, like, the most popular guy here. And all the girls are all over you."

"Hardly. And, no. I've known Silena since we were in diapers. We're close, but not like that. We have a brother-sister thing – oh, and she loves to meddle in my love life, play match-maker and stuff."

Connor smiled. "Remember the last girl she set you up with?"

Percy scowled at him. "We never speak of that again."

"So…" I was unsure, "You really think she's into me?"

Percy smiled. "Totally. Give her a call."

"Are you sure she doesn't just do this to a bunch of guys?"

Percy shifted. "I can't lie – she does love teasing guys. But… well, I know her. This time wasn't as flirty as it could've been. I think she was more genuine. Call her."

"But I was reluctant.

…

After I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about Silena. She was pretty and nice, but she seemed like those girls who just date-and-dump. She could've had tons of boyfriends. She could've had dozens of pre-made slips with fake phone numbers and I was just another guy she gave one to that night, then laughed with her friends at the nail salon.

But I knew there was something bigger holding me back.

Annabeth.

I looked at my desk. There was a picture of us. It was just before I found out I was moving. She was wearing a necklace I gave her when we were younger. It was a simple leather cord with a shark tooth hanging from it, but it meant the world to me – it was the symbol of our friendship.

That day was special…

A little girl with blonde curls was swinging by herself. I had come to the playground with my mom and saw the girl. Her hair was in her face. She was a little short for age, as she couldn't the ground to swing herself. I went over to her and took the swing next to her.

"Hi."

She looked at me hazily. "Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

I swung next her. There was silence before I tried again.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

She looked away from me, but I saw a single tear slide down her face. "Fine."

I felt the urge to make her feel better. I reached out and touched her shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay."

She looked at me. "Can you keep a secret?"

I blinked. "Yes."

"Promise not to tell anyone?"

I nodded, ready to pinky swear, but she ignored my extended finger.

She told me about how her parents had fought last night. She told me about her mom leaving. By the time she was done, she was crying freely.

I felt the impulse to touch a shiny blonde curl. It was soft and a perfect little twist. She sniffed before looking at me.

"You promised not to tell anyone," she confirmed. I nodded.

She narrowed her eyes. "What if you're lying?"

I thought about that for a moment. I took off my shark tooth necklace.

"Here," I said, "Take this. I promise I'm not lying and I promise not to say anything. And I promise to be your friend. We're friends, now – I'll always be here for you. No matter what, we stick together."

That marked the beginning of our friendship. But by forgetting about her when I moved to New York, I felt like I had already broken my promise.

Even though there were no romantic feelings between us, I still felt like going out with Silena would be a betrayal. I was afraid I'd forget Annabeth over Silena. I couldn't let that happen.

But Silena seemed cool. And it's not like I was romantically interested in Annabeth, or vice versa… maybe I should date Silena. There wasn't a problem with it. But I'd give it more thought. I'll wait a little longer before I do anything. Maybe I can ask Percy what to do.

I get the strange feeling that Annabeth might not like it at first, probably because she'd be afraid I'd break my promise again, but I would convince her otherwise. Then, she'd be happy for me. She'd like that I found someone to be with. She would support me…

Right?

A/N: Okay, that was a little longer than usual but… I had a lot to cover, and if I split it into different chapters, the chapters would be too short, I'd need to throw in some fillers, and I didn't want to do that.

I realize Silena is a little OOC – she's not all flirty like that. But it was only for this scene. Once Luke starts to interact with her more, we'll see her true self – the sweet, caring Silena we know and love. So Silena lovers, don't worry. I put her in there also because in the series, if you remember, initially, Silena had interest in Luke, which is why she did what she did. No, Luke isn't going to turn evil and manipulate her, but since she did like Luke in the series (at least at first), I figured it'd be good way to introduce her, here. Plus, it adds to the drama.

I also used this chapter to have a little fun writing and develop some characters a little further.

So, yeah. I think that's it…

R&R!

- Promise

P.S. Virtual cookie if you can answer the biology question!