Author's notes

Holy crap... I don't know what else to say. The chapter is not even that good. Thankfully I finally got some rest from school and now I'll have more time to write. So sorry I kept you waiting for so long, but things have been crazy. I mean, I had 7 different school projects I had to work out (some of them singlehandedly). I wish I could write faster and better, I really do, but it seems that's just not my thing is it? I'll try to do my best writing the other chapters more quickly. Don't worry reader, even though I'm slow I won't give up on my stories. Enough babbling already, to the chapter!

I do not own the rights to Percy Jackson and Olympians' characters, those belong to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 14

Piper was walking around the main hall, searching for her friends. She spotted Percy talking to a girl that seemed to be Annabeth, she didn't recognize her the first time since the blonde was almost fully covered with a winter jacket, her usual scarf and had her Yankees' cap on.

"Hey guys!". She called out, approaching them. "So winter came earlier for someone, are you okay?". As Annabeth started to write something she sneezed, answering her friends question. I should've called Mellie. The girl regretted mentally.

"So it goes down today huh?". Percy asked.

"Yeah, Jason told me he and Leo are bringing the ladder now, I just hope they make it". Piper replied, after a brief moment she spoke again. "Is it okay if I say that I'm nervous?". Annabeth grabbed her notepad and scribbled down something to help her friend, as Percy and Piper waited, he only shrugged in response to her question.

"We're only going to do this after class, 'till then we just act normal, Percy will do his part and then we break in".

"Yeah, piece of cake". The boy added, fully trusting Annabeth's plan.

"Well, if you guys say so, umm, what now? Wait in the classroom?". The girl responded still uncertain. It's not like Piper never got into trouble, but breaking into the Principal's office, that was definetly going up a level she wasn't before. She honestly didn't expect for their little adventure to scale up, she only started it to bring Percy and Annabeth closer. The blonde answered the native girl by nodding her head.

"Okay". Piper said, trying to calm herself a little by pretending to use her phone.

"I gotta go to the bathroom, see you there". Percy spoke and then walked away from the girls, Annabeth's eyes followed him as if they were entranced by his figure. She felt better from her cold just by looking at him while no one else was looking. Why? Well, it was quite easy. It's because we humans only have room for one illness at a time, the girl's common cold was being replaced by another kind of cold, called love. Although this cold's symptoms varies from person to person, there are some that can be predicted, like the longing to be with our loved one again, to see them smile making us smile back and when it happens it's possible to feel this most vivid and unassuming happiness, as colorful as the spring or a Monet painting, so precious and yet so ordinary, it's possible to feel that everything is possible at their side. However, when this person is distant or simply does not answer to our hopes the way we want, the pain can be excruciating. In fact, the more unanswered these hopes and the more distant they are, the more we fall victims to this illness. Maybe that's why the unanswered romantic heroes died young in the novels and movies. The author thinks it's safe to say that love can be compared to a virus, an illness. It could happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Piper noticed the look on her friend's face as the raven-haired boy walked away, a small smile forming on her lips. I've gotta find a a way to bring these two together. She said mentally, the girl looked back at her phone before the blonde saw how she was looking at her. Annabeth realized that she was probably looking like an idiot in love and quickly glanced back making sure no one was watching.

"So, we ready to go?". The girl with multicolored eyes asked, Annabeth smiled and nodded in response.

Meanwhile

Percy was casually walking down the corridor full of students, as he got closer to the boys' restroom a red-haired girl with some freckles that were strategically hidden by her makeup approached him. He didn't notice her untill she tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, are you doing okay?". She asked him in the most lovely way, it seemed as if she genuinely cared about him, maybe she did.

"Umm, yeah?". He responded awkwardly, surprised by someone he didn't know asking that question. Not exacly not know her, the redhaired's face was familiar, he had seen her walking around the school with some group of girls he couldn't remember.

"humph, silly". Percy thought that she was pretty, she had some kind of natural beauty, but it was hard to see it through all that makeup.

"Do you want something with me? cuz' I need to go to the bathroom".

"I'm just here to help you that's all". That was weird statement that Percy didn't hesitate to ask about.

"And how can you help me?".

"For a guy like you, that moves to a new town and a new school, it can be sometimes lonely, don't you think?". The girl said as she got closer to his chest and with her gentle hands unmade a wrinkle on his shirt. Percy looked at her very awkwardly and moved back a little, mainly because he didn't even know her name and because he wasn't used to this sort of interaction, on South Bronx all he expected from other people back then was trouble. He had to admit that it felt nice having nice people around and to not be worried all the time. But also there was this small, almost umperceivable feeling that he was betraying someone.

"Umm, thanks, what was your name again?".

"Oh, it's Rachel, Rachel Elizabeth Dare! But you can call me Rach, you can call me whatever you want". She cheerfully said, just happy that the boy wanted to know her name.

"Umm, you don't need to worry, I've got friends". Her happy expression turned into disappointment once he said that, it was scary in a certain way.

"Tsk, you don't mean that Annabeth girl do you?".

"Why? What's wrong with her?". Percy replied, crossing his arms.

"Percy, don't you see? She's only using you to get more attention, she doesn't really care about you". The girl said, desperate to make him feel the same feelings she felt for him. She was convinced that she would be successful, after all what was her competition? a mute, skinny, blond girl who had nothing special whatsoever?. I'm prettier, more popular, funnier and I don't have to write everytime I want to talk with someone. She kept thinking, she would do anything if it meant making him her boyfriend. She learned it from Drew, there was no one else that she looked up to more than the girl with slanted eyes. There are two kinds of people in this world, darling. She remembered the girl saying. The ones we can compare to sheep, and the ones we can compare to wolves. The wolves are the ones that own this world, the wolf does not, neither should, care about the sheep's opinion. They take what they want because they deserve it, while the sheep are weaklings at the mercy of others that keep trying to make others as weak as them with their talk of altruism. So let me ask you a question darling, are you wolf or are you sheep?. But back to the moment.

"What are you-?". And then it clicked, Percy remembered where the redhaired was from. "Wait I remember you... You were walking around with that Chinese girl". Rachel chuckled.

"It's Japanese, don't you ever let her hear you saying this".

"I don't want an argument or something like that with you, as far as I know, you haven't done anything wrong to me or my friends, but trust me, I can smell when there is some kind of crap going on". He then pointed his finger at her very menacingly to the girl. "But, if you ever hurt them, specially Annabeth...". He stopped his sentence there since he didn't know what to say next, and was surprised that he said what he did that way. Specially Annabeth. Echoed on his mind.

"Don't worry I didn't do anything". Yet. She mentally said.

"And just... stop going around with those girls, you're better than that, I know it".

"What do you know about them? About me?". She instantly replied, even though she was flattered. Percy frowned in response, he really believed she had something else, something that made her different from those spoiled and mean girls, but it didn't mean he would stop believing it. "Relax, I hate it when you frown, it hides your perfect smile". She said softly punching him on the shoulder. The boy chuckled and she started to walk away, still looking at him with a smile.

"See you around Percy Jackson". She said turning her look away from him.

"You too Rachel Dare". He replied.

Meanwhile

Both girls were inside the classroom Annabeth was rereading some old romance her mother gave her as a gift, she was on the part where one of the main characters was suffering because he wanted to profess his love to a girl but was too afraid to do it, fearing she would reject him. I feel you bro. The blonde mentally said as she read through the pages of her book and thinking of a certain dark-haired boy. Other students started to come in and naturally the classroom turned pretty loud pretty fast. Unable to focus, being among all that noise, she closed her book and decided to start a conversation with Piper who was secretly reading something about matchmaking on her phone.

"So?". The blond girl poked and showed her friend the notepad.

"I told you, they're coming". The native girl replied.

"Let's talk about something". Piper tried to hide a grin.

"Sooo, boys". Annabeth almost dropped her notepad, immediatly regretting her decision to start a conversation with her friend. She wrote something and showed to the brown-haired girl again.

"Anything else to talk about?". A smug smile formed on the corner of Piper's lips.

"Nope". As she finished her response, Annabeth heard the group of girls that liked to pick on her talking about something.

"Did you see her face when I talked about that garbage she decided to wear?". One of them said.

"Oh, it was masterful". Drew replied. Annabeth's shoulders shrunk with insecurity once she heard the voice of the Asian girl. Are they talking about me? No it has to be someone else, did they pick on someone else too?.

"Hey, Earth to Annabeth, are you even listening to me?". Her friend said snapping her fingers in front of the blonde's face. Annabeth was taken back to the conversation. "So?". Piper asked, the blonde looking a bit confused as to what her friend was trying to say.

"Tomorrow, do you want to go trekking with me in the woods?". Annabeth rembered what her friend said about the park where she lived, it seemed like a good idea since she had nothing to do saturday. Annabeth nodded with a grin.

"Screw this class, who's coming with me?". Drew said, both girls turned their looks over to the Asian girl's group. Looks like Barbie queen is skipping class today. The mute girl mentally noted.

Meanwhile

"Dude, hurry up or else we'll get late for class". Leo said as he and Jason were walking down the empty streets of the small town carrying a ladder.

"Get late for class? Since when you gave a danm for showing up on class in time?". Jason asked weirded out by his friends statement.

"Exactly, it's all about the reputation, girls love a guy who shows commitment". Jason sighed at his frend's response. Of course. The blond boy thought. "Besides". The latino continued. "The more time I spend out here the less I'll have to talk with Hazel, and we're looking ridiculous carrying this thing around, we'll be lucky if my mom doesn't notice anything".

"Dude no one on Astoria saw us and you'll have the entire year to ask that girl on a date". Jason said. "Now shut up and keep walking".

"Shut up and keep walking". Leo imitated him in a silly voice. "I still don't know how you dragged me into this".

"Mainly because you're dumb". The boy stated, poking at his friends pride.

"Screw you". The other replied, the school was already in sight they were very close to the entrance. It looked like there was no one there thatt could bust them, the few advantages of having the school in a tight budget, but of course if it wasn't on a tight budget they probably wouldn't have to be doing this on the first place. The leaves from the trees danced as the wind flowed past them, they could hear some birds tweeting, starting their morning routine. In general, the place seemed to be like the rest of Astoria, peaceful.

"It's over there". Jason said, hoping that would calm Leo down and make him stop complaining for just some seconds.

"Alright Mr. I'm-going-to-break-into-the-principal's-office, what's the plan? Where do we leave this thing?".

"I'm thinking behind the football field, no one will look there".

"Sure". They grabbed the object again and started to make their way to the football field. Some minutes later they finally found a spot were no one would notice the ladder.

"Phew, alright blondy boy let's get to class already". Leo said wiping some sweat from his brow.

"Yeah". Jason responded, but as they walked around the corner they were surpised by a group of well-dressed girls calling their attention. Drew, their leader, seemed very pleased to have found Jason alone, finally she got the opportunity to talk to him without being interrupted by that annoying brown-haired girl.

"Jase". She called him, Jason did his best not to cringe at his nickname. "What are you doing out here darling?". What now? Did they see what they had brought, was their whole plan compromised? Before Jason could say anything Leo stepped in doing it for him.

"Look girls, I know you all want a piece of hostshot Leo here, but the thing is that I'm saving myself for later right now, so can't you just come later?".

"We'll come when I need my bike repaired, repair boy". The girl with dark almond eyes and caramel hair replied, her friends laughing at the latino boy. But instead of being hurt, Leo decided to play along.

"Only then? What a shame, there's so much more to me". He said in the most seductive tone he could do.

"Like what beaner?". The girl retorted.

"I don't know, wanna find out?". He said as he pressed his lips together for a kiss, but before he could reach her lips she slapped him across his face and quickly tried clean her hand disgusted just by touching the latino boy. Leo had been bullied his entire life by the likes of these girls and many more, he had learned that the best way to deal with it is too be as annoying as them.

"Ugh, gross!". The girl said disgusted.

"Ah, tienes una hermosa manita". He said rubbing the spot where she slapped him. The spot on his cheek slightly stinging, the same could be said about his self-esteem.

"See what I'm talking about Jase? Don't you get embaressed walking around with these losers?". Drew said as she observed the 'peasant's' interacting with her group of 'fair maidens'.

"It could be worse". Jason admitted and slightly referencing to Drew's own group of friends.

"I'm done Drew! I don't wanna be around this weirdo one more second!". The girl with caramel eyes said.

"Me too Calypso". The one with icy-blue eyes agreed.

"You should listen to them Drew, I'm not sure if I can hold my friend's hotness here". Jason joked a little and actually making the other girls even more disgusted.

"You'll come around eventually darling, don't worry". The Asian girl sighed in defeat, another failed attempt seducing the blond boy. But Drew wasn't giving up on him, she was a queen, and queens sooner or later always get what they want, no matter what the cost. "Let's beat it girls". And when they weren't around anymore Jason let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally". He then turned his look to his friend who was a little bit quiet. "You okay there buddy?". He asked concerned.

"Yeah". He answered. Leo could take a lot, he was always the last one to feel down. Most of the times, all it takes to cheer him up again is just a cheap joke.

"Don't worry about them dude, they're not ready, you're just too much for them". Jason conforted the guy.

"You said it not me". He cracked a smile.

Some hours later

The bell rang indicating that the first week of class had ended, the students immediatly grabbed their backpacks and started to make their way out. Some happily chanted with friends as if it was their last day of school and that summer had started all over again, others made plans to meet on their houses and enjoy the weekend.

"Don't forget to bring your homework next week!". The teacher tried to call their attention, some of them groaned in response. The worst thing after a week of class ends is being reminded that you'll have to come back on monday.

Jason, Piper, Annabeth and Percy were chatting about something, one of them eventually chuckling because of puns or other jokes. Their little moment was interrupted by the fat gray-haired man, know as Leneus, or asshat (to the more intimate students).

"Percy Jackson?". He called waiting for the boy to respond. Annabeth locked her eyes on his, as if she was saying 'this is it'.

"Don't forget what you gotta do". Piper whispered.

"Don't worry". He responded as he walked away through the door with the fat old man by his side. The blonde couldn't look away from him but she was forced when another sneeze escaped her.