Hey guys! So the reason some of your computers wouldn't let you review the last chapter was because I erased the author's note (ch. 7) so chapter 10 became chapter 9. Then when I posted the last chapter, it became chapter 10 but it said you already reviewed it because you reviewed chapter 9 which was originally chapter 10. Does that make sense? No? Oh... well, I tried. And I'm at 195 REVIEWS! AHHHHHH! Could we make it 200? PLEEAASE?! Love y'all!

HAPPY READING!

Annabeth

NO WAY!

Standing in front of me was Thalia, Juniper, Hazel, Piper, Silena, Jason, Frank, Grover, and Nico.

They all stood around my locker. My locker was covered in pictures of me and my friends. There were also some pictures of my old life. Mom and Dad and everything!

There was also a small decorated poster taped to the middle of the locker. It had a note and I could see my friends had signed it. In a daze, I walked forward and gently took it down to read it.

Annie,

I love you so much! You're like a sister to me. You always will be. I know that it hurts, but we wanted to do this for you so that you can remember that you're not alone. You'll always have us. And we wouldn't be the same without you. Please come to the dance. We want to see you have some fun. You deserve it! We already talked to your dad and he said yes. We know it's hard but we just wanna help. You're the best! I love you. We all do!

Love your absolute favorite friend,

Thalia

Silence. I ticked off the seconds in my head. One, two, three...

And then at once, everyone converged and we all shared a big group hug. I was crying but right now I didn't care.

"Thank you, guys. This means so much to me," I whispered.

I touched the picture of me and my mom at the beach.

"I forgot I even had this picture," I said softly.

Thalia wrapped her arms around me. I sent her a wobbly smile. It's rare to see her get sentimental.

Then a loud, obnoxious voice sounded behind me.

"We all know she's just doing it to get attention! Take my advice and don't fall for it. Her mom was an idiot."

Three guesses who that was. Rachel.

A wave of anger surged through me. Thalia grabbed my wrist to keep me from doing anything rash and all my friends formed a protective circle around me.

When Rachel saw the slightest hint of fear in Rachel's eyes before she put her innocent mask on.

"What were you saying, Rachel?" Nico said venomously.

Even she sort of cringed.

"I-I, uh, was j-just..."

"Well, spit it out! You wanted everyone to hear you so bad and now everyone is listening!"

And it was true. The whole hall had become silent. Everyone was watching in anticipation.

Rachel noticed this too. She held her head up high.

"I was saying that we all know Annabeth is just trying to get attention! That's all she ever does, because she knows that no one loves her. I mean, her dad is always at work and her step-mother told me that she hates Annabeth. It's not like anyone likes her."

"Um, NEWSFLASH! We obviously like her. We love her! She's a way better person that you will ever be!" Thalia snarled.

"I don't know why you're all falling for this! It's absolutely pathetic! Her mom was stupid! She couldn't design a building to save her life! My mom was way better! We all know it."

I ripped my hand out of Thalia's grip and ran forward, slamming her against the wall. Again. I looked her straight in the eyes.

"What happened to you? What happened to my best friend?" I whispered.

She opened her mouth to respond but I swung my hand back and slapped her in the face. Very hard.

Tears started to fall down her face.

"Did that hurt?" I said quietly.

She shook her head no.

I slapped her on the other side of her face.

"Did that hurt?" I repeated.

"Yes," she said quietly.

"What was that? You're gonna have to speak up," I commanded.

"Yes," she said a little louder.

"What? I'm still having trouble."

"YES," she screamed.

I smiled with satisfaction.

"Good. But that's not even a millionth of that pain I feel at home. So the next time you make an assumption like that, you make sure you remember how much that slap in the face hurt," I said, letting go of her.

"ANNABETH CHASE!" I saw Mr. Brunner and the principal coming towards me. Shiz.

Thalia came up behind me.

"Annabeth go! I'll make something up, okay? Just go! Rachel is one of the most powerful students in this school because of her mom and dad. They'll listen to her story. But they won't even give you a chance to say a word. Leave now."

I looked at my friends. "Thank you. Thanks so much."

And then I ran.

I didn't look back until I got to the door.

When I did glance back, Mr. Brunner was staring at me. But it wasn't full of anger. It was concern.

Thalia and my friends were blocking the principal's way.

And then I ran out. Now, I know that you might say it's very unlike me to skip school but there was no way I was gonna stay.

I didn't run home. Sue might be there. Or maybe even dad and I really didn't feel like answering a bunch of questions.

I ran towards the cemetary.

It didn't take very long. It's not far away.

I ran in and walked through the rows and rows of tombstones. Then I turned and walked to where I knew Mom's grave was. I was kind of surprised to see a boy at the grave next to me because most people would be in school by now, but I just ignored him. I knelt down and touched the grave.

"Oh Mom. I'm so sorry," I whispered to her. "I broke my promise to you. I promised you that I would always be me, and that I wouldn't ever let anyone change who I am. But now I don't even know who I am. And I let Rachel get to me. I'm sorry."

The wind swirled around me, picking up my hair and caressing my face.

I closed my eyes.

When I opened them, I received a shock. The boy next to me had put his hood down and now I could see his face. He had messy, black hair and his eyes were sea green.

"Percy?"

He jumped and looked at me.

"Annabeth?" he asked.

"What are you doing here?" we asked in unison.

"You first," we chorused.

I took a deep breath.

"My mom died when I was little, and this is the anniversary of her death. Now it's your turn."

He hesitated.

"My little sister died a few years ago."

I blinked. "But why is she buried here? I thought you just moved here."

"I guess I never mentioned that I lived here when I was little."

Silence.

"What was her name," I asked softly.

He gestured to the tombstone. I looked at it.

Rosa Lee Jackson.

Hmm... sucky chapter but oh well. Interesting... most people seemed to go with Frazel. Although, quite a few people went with Lazel. A couple of people said Leyna. I'm a Lazel shipper myself. It may be a little weird for Hazel and Leo to date each other, but I think their personalities really balance each other out. Hazel can be quiet and somewhat depressing while Leo can be really hyper and cheerful. Huh, I'm quiet (sometimes), depressing, hyper, and cheerful (sometimes). Reviews are BEYOND loved! Thanks!

Random question: Who do you think is going to stay behind in Tartarus and/or die in the next two books of HoO? Leo, Hazel, Frank, Nico, or Percy and Annabeth together?

Thanks and REVIEW! (Even if you're a guest!)