Heya guys! I'm sorry for not updating the past three days, but the internet in the previous hotel sucks...

I don't think this is a good chapter...well, it's definitely not long, and i'm really sorry but i'm so tired that I can't be bothered to write too many details. It's already 3 am here...i've spent more than an hour writing this chapter.

I thank all of you for the reviews :D they spur me on a lot. Please review more! WE're hitting the 200 review mark too :) I'm glad. Well, good night and have fun reading people!

I've also recently observed that Toe walker's stop reviewing...well, i guess he has his reasons :( Sad but if the story's not good enough for him then...well, I can't blame him for that. On the other hand, he may be like me, overseas or just no time for fanfiction. I certainly hope its the latter. Enjoy!

R&R! :D

Annabeth's POV

I smiled as I heard Percy knocking on the door, calling out and asking whether I'm ready to go. His voice sounded a little impatient. Well, it was quite late, and if I don't hurry, even taking a cab won't make us on time.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I called. I then picked up my school bag and ran to the door. I opened it and saw a slightly annoyed Percy standing in front of me. When he saw me, he frowned even deeper.

"C'mon, it's a Friday. Cut me some slack, Seaweed Brain." I whined as I locked the door. His eyebrow twitched irritatingly, but he then sighed.

"If I get my first detention this few years, it would be because of you, and don't call me Seaweed Brain, Wise girl." He said, his voice sounded irritated. I just smiled cheekily at him, knowing that I had succeeded in irritating him and thus wasn't bothered by his retort. He rolled his eyes when I smiled at him. I chuckled.

"Let's go. For all we know, the cab driver might suddenly drive away because we're taking too long." Percy said and walked to the cab. I chuckled again, and followed him.

It's strange. We have known each other for like, what, two months? And yet, throughout all my life, in just barely a month, Percy had become one of my closest friends, maybe even the closest one. Excluding him, of course. My thoughts became more and more morbid the more I thought about him. I sniffed subconsciously, which attracted Percy's attention. He looked at me and noticed that my eyes were a little wet.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked in a worried tone. I was a little surprised. I didn't even know that my eyes were tearing. I quickly wiped them away. I looked at Percy and saw him looking at me with a worried expression on his face. I suddenly had the urge to cry again, this time for a different reason, but restrained myself. I shook my head.

"Something got caught in my eye. Nothing much." I said, giving him a watery smile. I then cursed myself for my stupidity. Like, who the hell sniffs when something gets caught in their eye? Percy seemed to know this too, but just nodded. I knew that he knew i was hiding something, but the thing about him was that he never pushed for information. He never asked about my past, he gave me my personal space and didn't push me to reveal my secrets and pain. Yet, he makes sure that I know that he will always be there to help me whenever I need help, that he will always be there if I ever need him.

A few minutes later, we reached the school gates. I noticed that Percy gave some extra cash to the cab driver. They exchanged a few words too, but I was already out, though i did manage to get a few words.

"Sorry...made...wait...extra...make up...thanks..." I heard Percy say. I immediately felt guilty. Because of me, Percy had to give more money to the cab driver for making him wait for me. Of course, it wasn't really a must, but it was the right thing to do, and what's more, it was Percy who did it, not me.

I was looking down guiltily when he came up beside me. We then started walking in silence. I could tell that we weren't late or anything because of the large number of students walking into the school with us.

"What's wrong?" I heard Percy asked, yet again in a worried tone. It just made me feel guiltier. I had caused him so much trouble in the past, but i haven't given anything back. Not only that, I'm still giving him more trouble.

"I'm...sorry..." I whispered. "Sorry for causing you so much trouble...I seem to be a nuisance to everyone...nothing else..." I didn't know what to expect.

That was why I was really surprised when I felt an arm squeeze my shoulder. It wasn't the hard, angry type of squeeze. It was more of the gentle, warm type of squeeze. I looked up in slight surprise and saw him smiling down at me, his eyes warm and kind, but also a little anger inside. He looked at me straight in the eye.

"Don't call yourself that. You," He said in a firm, but still kind voice. "Are not a nuisance to anyone at all, especially not me. You got that?" He asked. My eyes were wide at his statement, but really, I should have expected that. It was totally Percy-like. Still...I don't want to take such a blessing for granted.

"Still, I'm sorry." I said. He just sighed.

"No need to be. We're here." He said. It was then i realised that we had already reached the class. Percy was holding the class door open, looking at me, waiting for me to enter.

"Thanks!" I said with a bright smile now. He always managed to cheer me up. He just smiled back and followed behind me after I got into class.

The day came and gone quickly. To me, anyway. To others, studies and school is a drag. They didn't know how precious it is to even have a school. They all had good families, financially well, all so pampered...

The last lesson was Greek today. I was a little nervous, even shaking a little when the bell rang, signalling the end of the day. If you are all wondering why I was nervous, it was because I was about to ask Mr Brunner whether he'll let me into the Art Of Weapon club. Percy kept on assuring me that Mr Brunner would let me in. He also said that if Mr Brunner didn't, he will march into Mr Brunner's office and pester him until he lets me in. I smiled slightly at the thought.

"You should ask him now before he goes off." Percy said as he packed his bag. When I didn't react, he sighed.

"Oh, just go and ask him already," He said in an exasperated tone. "It's not like you're asking him for his hand in marriage or something..." He muttered softly, but loud enough for me to hear. I immediately glared at him when I heard him say that. I didn't dare to imagine asking his hand for marriage...it's way too weird and creepy.

I gathered up every ounce of courage I had and made my way to Mr Brunner, who was about to pack finish his stuff. He looked up at me when I stopped in front of his desk. He then raised an eyebrow.

"May I help you, Miss Chase?" He asked in a polite and slightly serious tone. I was shaking slightly due to anxiety, and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't open my mouth to ask. All the negative possible outcomes went through my over-thinking brain.

What if he finds me too petite? What if he says that I lack the determination? What if He laughs at me for even trying to ask? I'm certainly not a hardened warrior or anything...What if...

I suddenly felt a hand pressing down my head. I looked back and saw Percy standing there. He looked at me, and then sighed for the third time that day. Mr Brunner looked at the two of us, eyes tinted with amusement.

"Can she join the Art Of Weapon club?" Percy asked. There, he asked it. I was mentally berating myself for being so timid, and I looked at Percy apologetically as he had wanted me to ask on my own. He just smiled at me though, as usual. I smiled back.

Mr Brunner's eyebrow arched even higher in wonderment, and he suddenly gazed at me seriously, studying me with deep, dark, ancient eyes.

"Hmm..." Mr Brunner hummed, contemplating on whether to let me in. As for me? I was shifting restlessly, and shaking slightly. I never asked for this before. Heck, I never asked for favours in the past few years! And yet, in a month, I've tried asking for favours so many times already!

I then heard Mr Brunner sigh. My heart rate increased and all the negative thought scame back again. I was expecting him to say no.

Hence, I was surprised when I saw him nod. He seemed a little exasperated though. I wonder why...

"Yes, I'll let her in. She seems a little shy now, but i can see some potential. He said. My heart leaped when he finished, and I wanted to leap and skip and scream in joy. I can even join a club now! I was so excited.

"Even if i said no, it wouldn't matter...you'll find a way to get her in anyway..." Mr Brunner muttered in an annoyed but yet resigned tone. I smiled slightly at his grumblings and looked at Percy inquiringly. He just gave a cheeky smile and shrugged. I rolled my eyes at him.

"I told you so." He mouthed at me. I stuck my tongue out at him and made my way back to my bag to pack up.

"I'll pick you up later at the same time!" Percy said. Before I could protest, he waved goodbye, giving me a wide grin before running off. I huffed in annoyance. No matter how I tried, he would never give in, would he...

As I walked towards Lakeside shopping mall, I thought about all the things that had been happening. I've never talked so easily with anyone before...not even him...and yet, after so many years, just in a month, I've found Percy, a truly good friend and Brother. Also, I recently found Thalia.

To tell the truth, when I first came into the school, I was afraid of Thalia. She had the cool, cold and hard exterior. She looked like a delinquent to me, and the rumours from other students didn't exactly help my imagination of her character.

But, after meeting her the day before, I found out that she was actually a very friendly and kind girl. Her eyes reminded me of mine, and that's probably why she was cold and seemingly heartless. She and I...may actually be the same in some ways, just that we took different approaches to our problems. She acted tough, whereas i avoided everyone and became timid.

Before I knew it, I was already at the shopping mall. I was about to walk in when a certain someone caught my eye. He was across the road, and yet his face. His face! That face!

My whole body went rigid. My eyes were as wide as saucers and my mouth hung open. I was shocked, surprised and a fear started to crawl up my skin.

Ivan. Ivan, that bastard from my previous school. The one who always bulled people, and especially me. What was he doing here? I couldn't believe my eyes. Why, why? Why is this always happening. He should in Manhatten! Why is he here!

Many thoughts went through my head as I continued my way to the restaurant. No please...if he was here...please let it be a vacation, or holiday. Anything other than him moving here...

But, it wasn't the holiday season, and no student will come to the Bronx straight after school. There could only mean few things, but one stood out the most.

He was moving. Moving here, to the Bronz. What's worse was that here, the only popular school was the school that I was attending then...and since he's kind of rich, he would most probably be enrolled to my school. Not good.

That day, I worked distractedly. I even accidentally spilled some wine on a table when I was filling a diner's glass. Luckliy, it didn't spill onto the diner's clothes. It got me a lot of scolding, though.

Finally, work ended. I glanced at the clock and groaned when it read that it was one in the morning. Past midnight. As usual, I was one of the last few to leave the restaurant. Thoughts about Ivan still crossed my mind. If he really got into my school, if he spotted me...he would make sure my daily life would be a living hell...no...

My unhappy thoughts melted away as I saw a familiar messy black-haired guy walk towards me, sea green eyes looking at me with a mysterious swirl of power and mystery. I smiled at him warmly, and he did the same in return. It's funny how he can change my mood so easily. It's also scary too...

"There's food on the table! I'll join you tonight. There's nothing on tomorrow, so I can sleep more." He said before i could protest.

"Plus, the food is your favourite." HE said with a large grin. I smiled brightly at that. If he did cook my favourite dish, it means that there's porridge, pork floss, baked beans...all sorts of good stuff. I must have looked very weird, as Percy was staring at me in mock cautiousness, acting as though I might be a retarded person who smiles suddenly stares into space.

We talked about all sorts of things on the way home. Work, friends. Really, usual stuff all the way. When we reached my house, I tried to dissuade him one last time from coming with me. Of course, it didn't work.

That night, as we chatted, made jokes and laughed away, my worries about Ivan disappeared for a while. Percy makes me forget my troubles. Whenever I talk to him, I feel happy...all warm and fuzzy on the inside. I like it.

I'll think about Ivan later. Right now, let me enjoy my time with my best friend, my brother.