A/N: Sorry about the long gap, I have tons of exams coming up, and so I have to review, or else I'm never gonna live out of high school. School sucks right? That's a common sense right?

So I got this review from a guest on the first chapter of the story, it was a negative review by the way. So just to clarify once more, if I had not said this before then I am saying this again: the characters in my stories are all loosely based on the original series, so obviously it will be out of character, but not too much. Frankly, I am just using the names and the fundamental facts from the series to create a story of my own that merely has anything to do with the original series. I think that if characters from a fan fiction is not even a little, to slightly out of character, then the story line is limited down to only a few choices, which then makes everything boring again. I don't really mind people spatting on my work, but I really do think I have to explain myself here to prevent further misunderstandings.


_Fonts' variation will appear before every chapter on this same spot_

Bold - A/N

Underline - setting/time

Underline + Bold - sub setting

Italic - flashbacks, letters, notes, song lyrics

Italic + Bold - texting

Italic + Underline - texting

Bold + Underline + Italic - third person in text, extras


Annabeth Chase

Friday after school

Compared to others, Annabeth would rather be cold than warm, because in her ideology, if one's cold they could move around to warm up their body; but if one's hot, how'd they be able to cool themselves down? She disliked air conditioner in general, especially in winter. It was always way too hot in a room with air-con on. Walking into her room in mid-winter it was possible to see her windows opened; opening the door that led her into the cafe that Percy worked at, she was greeted by the warm air generated by the heater. She felt her throat becoming dry and the urge of stripping of her shirt just to sit in her sports bra and tights.

"Annabeth." A voice stopped her from inching forward to the booth at the deepest corner of the cafe. She did a few back steps and peeked at the source of the voice. There, standing behind the counter, Leo Valdez, the young hyped boy that had been working there forever, held out a mug from IKEA to Annabeth. Annabeth flashed him a tired but genuine smile and walked towards him with questions flashing through her mind. As she reached for the mug, Leo retreated his outstretched hand, smiled smugly. The smile was soon wiped off his face because-

"Back to work Valdez!" A girl's voice came from one of the rooms behind the counter. It was his boss' daughter, Calypso.

Leo flushed as he quickly handed Annabeth the mug, muttered, "careful, it's hot." Just as Annabeth was about to turn away from this awkward encounter, he called behind her, "your boyfriend made it."

Firstly confused but then realized: people usually assumed that Percy was her boyfriend, because it's obvious that they both have romantic feelings for each other, but they were actually not dating. They just seemed to act like a couple unconsciously. She had nothing to say, no matter how she and Percy wanted to claim that Percy and her are not a thing, people just wouldn't buy it.

She sighed, normally she would correct them, but this time she had something more important to do. Mentally, she counted the days and time she actually, potentially could have for homework. Just as she opened up her computer lid and was about to start with her most urgent assignment someone slipped next to her, wrapping their arms around her waist pulling her close to them. Not even planning to look up, from the breeze the guy was giving off of his cologne, it was obvious of who he was.

"Percy I don't have time." She groaned, trying to get back to her computer. "And you have to work."

"Not when you don't eat." He replied gently in her hair, caressing her scalp. "I know that you have that World Cup to go to, and you need have practice tonight-"

"Oh fuck, practice. Damn forgot about it." Annabeth rubbed her face with frustration.

"I can ask Paul to tell all your teachers to make an exception for you." He suggested, looking at Annabeth's weary expression. "You not only need to focus on training, but you also need to rest, resting can be a major influence to one's performance. Focus on this World Cup and forget about school okay?" He tucked her chin up and looked at her in the eyes, searching for confirmation. When he saw it, he gave her a feathery peck on the lips and stood up. "Hope you liked the tea." He smiled. Before he walked away, he reminded her sternly once more. "Rest." She nodded and obeyed. He looked satisfied when he left the booth.

Although she was told to not worry about her work, she still wanted to finish as much as possible in the time she had, but, it would never happen.

Because…

"Oh my god Annabeth!" Pulling out the ear buds at the mentioning of her name, Annabeth looked up from her work and stared at the crowed that had formed seconds ago next to her booth entrance. She rolled her eyes mentally crossed by the interruption, but she put on a fake smile and welcomed them.

"Reyna! What brings you here?" She stood up to welcome Reyna and gave her a hug. She then turned to the others. "And hi to Reyna's friends." They shuffled in and squeezed into the small booth.

"Guys, we should probably keep the volume down a little." Reyna whispered trying to lower the enthusiasm and the excitement amongst the crowed.

"Maybe we can go to the second floor, I don't think anyone's up there this moment." Annabeth suggested, not bothered to pack up her stuff knowing that there wouldn't be much people.

Up stairs was a big oval shaped table with cozy arm chairs surrounding. Each one took a seat and Percy followed up.

"Percy!" A girl and a boy stood up and rushed to Percy jumping on him catching him off guard.

As the two figures pulled away from Percy and allowed Percy to take a greater look, the nervous look was replaced with a look of joy.

"Frank! Hazel! How's life without me buddy?" He asked as he patted Frank on the back, while smiling at Hazel.

"Great!" Frank exclaimed.

"Better without you." Hazel joked.

"Aw hey come on babe." Percy mocked with a smile.

In the background, Annabeth was sitting with her hands in her hoody pocket and her eyes out of focus, staring at her feet under the table.

After Percy exchanged greetings with Frank, Hazel and Reyna, he walked up behind Annabeth, placing both of his hands on her shoulders. She didn't move, her gaze was still fixed on something around her feet.

"Guys, can you please still keep the noises down a little. I might get complains from customers." He asked politely, smiling at each of them.

Then he bent down and whispered in Annabeth's ear. "Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?" He asked.

Annabeth's stare was still fixed, but she tilted her head slightly telling Percy that she had reactions from his words. Then nodding slowly and absent-mindedly, she stood up, muttering an 'excuse me' and left with her eyes still out of focus starting at the direction of the floor in front of her; her head hanging down. When they got to the top of the stairs merged in the darkness, Percy stopped, Annabeth looked up at the place where Percy's head was supposed to be.

"You never told me they're coming, I'd have taken a day off and find another place for them to hang out. You know how much this job means to me right? I don't want to lose it."

Annabeth nodded slowly. "I don't know about their visit either. Reyna and I haven't speak to each other lately, or recently per say. I know how important this job is to you, and how much you like it, but their visit caught both of us off guard." There was a pregnant pause, no one said anything. "Do you think I liked this interruption? No, but because they are not as close as friends to me, I have to put up with them and treat them as guests. If it's you and Jason then I wouldn't even bother to stop my work." She paused and sighed. Pressing home button she checked the time on her phone, then locked the screen again. "I am leaving in about an hour, and I planned to finish the first draft of my speech, but now I'm doomed."

Percy nodded slowly in understanding, not that they could see each other.

"Guys we, actually, I only have approximately an hour, so why don't we enjoy the precious hour?" Annabeth announced when she got back, after Percy left for the counter down stairs. "We still have to keep our voices low though, a request from Percy." Annabeth shrugged. "So, should we just catchup as a whole group or shall we play something? I suggest it's something that requires us all sitting down, because I'm just too lazy to move."

"By the way people." Reyna started after a moment of silence. "I mean Annabeth." Annabeth looked up at the mentioning of her name. "They are new to my gang and also to the school, so you don't know them." Annabeth nodded for her to continue. "So you know Frank, Hazel, Gwendolyn- Gwen I mean," Reyna sent her a fake apologetic smile and ignored her future protest, "Dakota. These are Hank, Jacob, Larry, Bobby and Nathan."

"Bobby?" Annabeth jerked at the sound of his dead step-brother's name. She scanned around the people around the table, and the one called Bobby waved his hand awkwardly. Reyna didn't know what happened in the time she was not with Annabeth, and the latter didn't planned on telling her anytime soon. She shook her head signaling Reyna and the others that it was nothing.

"We call him Bobby C because it was written on his basketball varsity jersey, and it kinda became his nickname we had for him in the gang." Gwen piped in.

"Bobby C…" Annabeth mused, thinking back to a basketball game she had watched when she was still in Texas, recalling the time she had made fun of a player from this other school in their league, and laughing with a friend of hers just to make this game a little more enjoyable. She chuckled. "Yes, I do remember a Bobby C." Annabeth sent a smile to Bobby showing her teeth. Bobby flushed and turned away from Annabeth.

"Where's Percy?" Reyna asked.

"Oh, uh… Downstairs. He needs to work." Annabeth replied nonchalantly. Reyna nodded, and they fell into an awkward silence.

Till they were finally all warming up to each other and getting to know each other, Percy came up.

"Annabeth." He called when he was within earshot. Annabeth turned her head to the caller, raised an eyebrow. "Excuse us." Percy informed the rest of Reyna's group. They went to the same place they had a conversation half an hour ago.

Just as Annabeth was about to start telling him about her schedule and answering his questions on her World Cup... He kissed her in he middle of her sentence. She was really taken aback, and Percy seemed to be holding her real close. He pulled away only the slightest and whispered 'they're watching', and continued to kiss her. She thought of a moment then kissed him back realizing that he did this to save her.

When they pulled back from their act, Annabeth turned her head to Reyna and co, she smiled sheepishly. "We let you go just to let you make out with him?" Reyna accused. Annabeth pursed her lips as she put a hand on Percy's chest, looked at him calling for help, because fundamentally he started it. Percy just nodded and shrugged. Annabeth lowered her forehead and smashed it on to Percy's shoulder sighing.

"Well sorry to interrupt then." Reyna said apologetically, though the words didn't sound like it, but she was actually sorry.

Annabeth laughed just as Reyna turned her heels. "No it's fine, I need to leave now. I'm sorry, if you had told me about your arrival then I'd plan something." Annabeth explained catching up behind her.

"This trip is also unexpected for us." Reyna chuckled. "We had a lock down in our school, and someone blew up parts of our school, so now the school thinks it's not safe for us, so we are free till after the Halloween holiday. Oh by the way, are we allowed to attend your school's halloween party?"

"I think so, you'll have to ask Jason though. He told me that this party is open to anyone, it's just held in our school gym that's all." Annabeth replied nonchalantly, packing up her stuff. She looked up when she sensed Reyna tensed besides her, that's when she recoiled. "Sorry, didn't mean to." Annabeth looked up at her, stopping whatever she was on, apologetically. Reyna shook it off. Annabeth kept forgetting that she and Jason had a rough breakup, and she was the one who got dumped. Annabeth knew that Jason didn't end it smoothly, and it was not the wisest thing to do, but he desperately wanted to end it for some reason he was not willing to share.

"Are you and Percy a thing?" Reyna asked her as she walked her to the door. Annabeth leaned on the column beside the door, staring at Reyna.

She shook her head. "No." Annabeth crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Why? Got your eyes on him?" Annabeth's serious expression morphed into a teasing grin, she looked at her suggestively. "You know what? Don't make things awkward between you and him, and…" Annabeth stood up and put a hand on the door, she pushed opened it. "Beware of the bro code." She winked, shut the door and walked out.


"Dude, why are you up so early? It's still dark outside." Percy whined, more like groaned or complained as he turned around so his back was facing the dim light source coming from Jason's computer. Percy buried his head in the blanket so that he was merged into complete darkness once again. Jason didn't bother to even make a sound to Percy's remark, his eyes were fixed on the screen like it was bore into the screen. He plugged his big headset into the computer and placed the headset on his ears.

"Yes! Come on Chase!" Percy perked up at the mention of Annabeth's name, although he wasn't really sure what he was feeling about Annabeth currently, but he still decided to care about her and love her.

Jason crossed his fingers from both hands in front of his chest, and continued to pray. On his screen, a women's soccer match was going on. On the top left corner, there was a label that told the current playing teams, it was the US against Germany. At the bottom right corner, it says FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Quarterfinal.

"Here, lemme show you the squad." Jason said once Percy got into Jason's bed as he peeked over to stare at his screen. Percy knew a little about association football, but never knew how to play it. He suck. He was never interested in soccer, he only got to know a little about it ever since Jason started playing, and now that he was slowly becoming more interested because Annabeth was playing as well. Jason pulled out a screenshot from his desktop, there showed the position of the starting line up, and in the position of a left winger. "She just did a perfect cross, but no one was there, and the only person who was at the right place did not head the ball for some reason, I thought they at least knew how to touch the ball with head." Jason exclaimed as they continued to watch.

"Is this live?" Percy asked, eye lids falling down, but still staring at the computer screen. Squinting due to the brightness of the computer screen.

"Yes." Jason said, gave Percy a 'are you kidding me' look. Percy just shrugged, looking indifferent about the look he just received from Jason.

Just as Percy was about to fall asleep since he could not understand shit about a soccer game, he had no idea how Jason was so into it.

"Damn it! Fuck… Shit…" Jason muttered all of a sudden. "Shit! This is bad."

This made Percy jerked awake, he opened his eyes just in time to see the playback of what just happened.

When Annabeth was about to cross over the ball with her left foot, right after she kicked the ball before it went out from the base line, an opponent stepped onto her ankle as she ran towards Annabeth to tackle her. The opponent reached Annabeth a step too late, therefore, it wasn't the ball that she stepped on, but it was Annabeth's left ankle. Annabeth fell as expected after that heavy stomp, since that player used Annabeth's ankle as a break, it was a really heavy step. Right. On. The. Ankle!

Ouch!

Annabeth felt like she heard several snaps in her ankle of her ligaments. She sat on the spot where she fell and cupped her ankle with a force using her palms. She shut her eyes tight, tried not to cry, but painful tears still came out of her eyes. She sniffed as she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. There were already medical people gathering around her examining her injury, she let go of her ankle slowly, the cold temperature somehow iced the ankle itself, such a sever twist was still not swollen. A medical person helped her up and told her to test her leg, she tried applying on force, it hurt, but she waved her hand telling them that she was fine and she could keep playing. Few minutes of recovery on the side later, she rejoined, but not long after she signaled that she was unable to continue with her bad ankle. With no choice, her coach used the first substitution quota and switched her down. She high-five her teammates and hugged her coaches briefly and slumped down onto the bench, with a poker face.

"Oh shit." Percy muttered.

"Don't you even dare bringing up this game when after she returns." Jason pointed a finger at Percy and warned him in a serious tone.

"Why?" Percy chuckled, still thinking that Jason was joking.

"I'm not kidding man, I'm dead fucking serious."

"Why?" Percy asked again, this time serious.

"She's be beating herself up in the inside right now on the bleachers, and she will be beating herself up on the outside when she got back from the game. Depending on the size and importance of the fixture, the more important the longer she'll be depressed. So leave her alone if she doesn't want company. I've learned it the hard way."

"What happened?"

"She snapped and shouted at me when I approached her trying to calm her. She was kicking a soccer ball onto the wall constantly, in a extremely hard way, I got hit several times, and got huge bruises. She didn't talk to me for a whole week, didn't reply to my text, my calls, anything, no one had heard from her for about a whole week, heck, not even a single soul had spotted her anywhere, she just vanished."

"Then?"

"She came to me, apologized to me about her actions and explained why she did it, vaguely. Though she didn't bring up to anyone where she was and what was she doing throughout the course of her disappearance." Jason shrugged. "That was not important anyway, she need time and space alone to think and chill, which I totally understand."

"I understand too, I would want time alone as well if I had done terribly in a (swim) meet." Percy nodded his head in agreement and understanding.

Jason shut his laptop lid and put it aside on the counter.

"You're not watching?" Percy asked out of curiosity.

"No, not when Annabeth's not on."

Percy shrugged and got out of bed and went back to his own. He stretched and yawned. "What time is it now?"

"Nearly 5 (in the morning)." Jason replied, sliding back into his blanket, adjusting his head on his pillow.

"How much time do we have?" To sleep he meant.

"Two hours."

Meanwhile…

Halloween

They say, a party wouldn't be enjoyable if your friends were not around.

And… This was rather accurate. To Percy at least.

To him, there hadn't been much of a change except for the fact that he fell for this girl that he had just met from the start of this semester.

Standing in the middle of the small, crowded room he pondered. Considering all scenarios.

What was he doing? Why wasn't he partying and having fun slash getting drunk?

Because…

Friends were a valuable thing. Jason was not there, because he claimed to be busy with organizing and keeping everything in order; Annabeth was not there, because she was currently injured and waiting for the World Cup to end in Jordan; Luke… Luke was another story for another time.

So yes, that was it, all of his close friends were nowhere to be seen. Oh, don't forget about Rachel.

Percy scanned around the room standing on his tip toe trying to find the skinny, slim, red curly haired girl, but she was nowhere to be seen as well.

This was frustrating and confusing, why wasn't he been informed that no one would even bother to give a shit about him, whether he was alone or not? Speaking of the red hair, she was on a hot date. The word 'hot' was for her date (as in the guy), not the date (as in the actual date or appointment to be professional).

"Oh you damn fucking motherfucker! I'm fucking allergic to those things, are your brains filled with shit?!"

Hm… Who just yelled out this sentence with one third of it were swear words. Ah yes, forgotten about Percy's dearest cousin, Jason's affable and adorable older sister; Thalia Grace.

Why was she here? Wasn't she in an all girls' school; the one that Kate (Annabeth's former roommate) and Bianca went to? Yes, you were right, but who said she couldn't come and party when the host was her brother.

Back to what she yelled earlier to that poor guy. What happened?

Minutes ago…

~Before Thalia shouted~

"Yo, are you new? You look lost." Thalia went up and bumped his shoulder. That kid looked like a Junior and didn't seem to know what to do. He had quite an unique look we shall say, and of course Percy's clique wouldn't let this kinda guy slip away from their fancy little group. Making up a quick assumption, Thalia assumed that he was new.

"Oh yes baby." He replied, or perhaps flirted, with a cup liquor in his hand. It was kinda obvious that he came from the rich spoiled private school, where the origin of the stereotypical American tv show drama was.

Thalia scowled. Immediately, she decided to drop the nice act, but before she could do anything, that weird looking guy with absolutely no hairstyle gave her a mug of milk. She eyed him in detest. "Dude who drinks milk at a party?!" She said shoving the stein. "Gross!" Making a grossed out face.

Just as Thalia was about to turn around and go, the guy grabbed her wrist and shoved a handful of nuts in her hand, smiling at her like an idiot. Or was he trying to be smug?

That was when the sentence came out, she threw the handful of nuts back onto his face.

Oh~ So this was what happened? That guy was indeed weird.

"Sycon!" Someone yelled, and that guy turned around with a doubtful face. Two guys came up, and stood next to the guy, Sycon. One which Thalia recognized as Ethan Nakaruma, one of Luke's childhood best friend. He offered a warm smile at Thalia and Thalia smiled back; she stifled a laugh at the mention of that stupid guy's stupid name. Who named their kid an animal?

While the Halloween party was filled with drama as usual: welcoming a new kid; the lonely sexy swim team captain… This young lady wasn't in the mood for anything apart from go back in time. She was mostly interested in, killing herself.


A/N: Apart from those who had reviewed at least twice before in this story, I wonder why I cannot gain reviewers or readers, is it because of my summary? The way I write is not what people like (this I don't really care)? Or what? Is it because my updates are not constant enough? My stories' stats kinda just proved to me that I'm a sucker at writing (which I kinda am...). I do get views, not that I don't want views, but I also like reviews.

Should I update more often? If I have anything to update.

Please read the note at the very start if you haven't already, it's super important!

Dedications

PoppyOhare: God you're fast, I love you so much cuz your review comes so fast every time.

Guest (chapter 1): If you ever read till this chapter, then your action contradicts your words. However, I do appreciate your review, it reminded me something that I have to declare. I thank you for making me realize that I had declared too little at the very beginning of my piece. I'm sorry to let you stumble upon this story, and I hope you enjoy the other ones that you liked. I don't suppose or planned to make everyone like my story, and although I do think your words are a bit offending, I accept your criticism.


For those who didn't get a dedication/reply but reviewed, that does not mean I don't want to reply or I dislike your review, its simply because I didn't see it. Either because of the system's email push service or because it did not show on the reviews area. I thank all of you who reviewed, and I apologize if you didn't get recognized. Blame the system not me, I would reply to every single one if I saw them. I swear I would.