Chap 11

After some nice home cooking and a good night's sleep, Percy made his way back to Goode campus. It was a difficult trip to make, featuring a long bus ride and shuttle that cut into his Sunday but seeing his mom was well worth it.

10 days had passed since both teams played their first games, each had played two games since and won both with little fanfare, so all was well on the court. However, Percy realized it was going to be a bit more difficult for him in the classroom, as he stared at his latest report on Macbeth in English class. After failing the test last week and seeing a big fat D on his paper he wasn't surprised when he saw a note his teacher left saying he was to meet her at her office after classes.

'Percy! Why didn't you tell me you were struggling! I would've helped you!" Grover exclaimed after being informed of his friends' problem.

"Geez Grover could you keep it down, I don't think the whole school heard you" responded a sheepish Percy. They were sitting at the lunch table with Jason, Nico, and the Stoll brothers. "It's fine G man, seriously, Mrs. Smith will just assign me some makeup work and everything will work out."

Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time Percy has had trouble in a class and it usually goes the same way, once his coach and the administration finds out, he gets chewed out a bit, then the teacher gives him a bunch of extra credit material. He understands that he only gets that opportunity because of his basketball talents but that wasn't his fault. And it's not like he doesn't try in class, English is just especially difficult for him on the account of his dyslexia. So if he gets a little extra help it's not some great injustice.

Dispute Percy's confidence Grover was unconvinced, "but Percy..." Grover trailed off as Beckendorf joined them at the table.

"What's going on fellas," he asked in typical cheery fashion.

"Percy is flunking English" Conner Stoll bluntly put, earning him an elbow in the ribs from his brother.

"Aw man really Percy?" Beck asked concerned.

"Guys you have to relax, it only a couple of low scores Mrs. Smith just wants to talk there nothing to worry about," Percy said exasperated.

"I don't know Percy remember what Coach said before the year about our grades? He seemed pretty serious." Jason offered. What he was talking about was a school-wide mandate that student-athletes have stricter academic requirements to play. It was handed down after it was released that several of the football players played in a playoff game despite failing multiple classes. So, every coach was put on high alert regarding their players' grades.

"Exactly Percy, you need to take this more seriously!" Beckendorf pressured, not just because of his importance on the team but for the sake of his future. With his head down, Percy finally relented.

"Yeah ok, you guys are right." Percy sighed, "do you think coach knows yet?" He asked

"If he doesn't yet, he'll know soon enough," Beckendorf informed.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the cafeteria, Annabeth, Piper, and Thalia were idly chatting. When Piper got up to get tater tots, Thalia leaned over to talk to her friend. "So, you know the Syracuse coach was watching our game the other day right?" Before the season started Thalia announced she was accepting a scholarship to Syracuse University, who had heavily recruited her for the previous six months. And last week him their head coach had come to watch Thalia play. Fortunately, they won that game and Thalia scored 23 points.

"Yeah, I remember, what did she say about how you played?" Annabeth asked.

"Oh, it was awesome she says I can score at will and that she can't wait to get me on campus," Thalia added with a massive smile. "But that's not what I wanted to talk about. You see she was also really impressed with you. And she was wondering if you would reconsider taking a visit." Thalia explained. You see last year while scouting her the Syracuse scouts had asked Annabeth to come to visit but didn't get very far with either Annabeth or her mother, but apparently, the coach saw enough to give it another shot. "I'm not forcing you or anything, I just told her I would relay the message. I didn't promise her anything." Thalia said. She respected Annabeth too much to try and recruit her. Although the idea of them playing on the same college team did excite her.

"Oh, really I'm surprised they are still interested after how nonresponsive I was last year." Annabeth considered. She of course had received interest from schools before but they never went very far. She had decided that where she went to school shouldn't be decided by which basketball coach, she liked best or how nice their locker room was. So, she mainly stayed out of the recruiting cycle.

It was at this point Piper came back and inquired what they were talking about, after Thalia explained piper decided to voice her opinion. "You know Annie, I don't know why you do take this stuff more seriously, I mean most players would kill for a school like Syracuse to be interested in them, and their not even the only ones, you could have your pick of any team you wanted, I don't know it just seems like you're limiting yourself by only focusing in on Columbia." Piper finished up. Annabeth had to admit Piper made some good points, it's not like it would hurt to expand her college options and, in the end, it was still her choice.

"Maybe you're right, I don't know. I guess I'll think on it more." Annabeth decided. She'd be wrong to say the idea of playing big-time women's college basketball, which is becoming more and more popular by the year, didn't excite her. Throw in playing with her best friend for another 3 years and it was something she would have to think about. "Has Jason been dealing with all this stuff too," Annabeth asked, which caused an awkward moment as both Thalia and Piper went to answer. Before Thalia sent her brother's girlfriend a patented stare telling her to tread lightly. A message Piper received loud and clear.

"Jason said he got some offers over the summer, but he's still sorting through them tho, I think he wants to stay in the northeast, Villanova and Rutgers are the only ones he's agreed to visit so they would be his "favorites" I guess," Thalia explained with air quotes included. Piper and Annabeth nodded in understanding. "You don't have to do this on your own, ya know, we can help you with it." Thalia offered. She knew how overwhelming the process could be. She went through it and now her brother was going through it.

"Thanks, you two, I am going to think about it." Annabeth started, as she was gathering her things. "I'm just worried about how my mom would take it, I haven't even talked to her about college since last year so she still thinks Colombia is the only school I have interest in. She probably doesn't even think I want to keep playing basketball." She complained, now standing next to the lunch table searching for answers.

"Well Beth it sounds like you just have to sit down and talk to her, I know it sucks but she isn't going to figure out you feel this way unless you tell her." Piper offered with a compassionate smile, she knew how difficult it was to try and change a parent's mind on something. Thalia agreed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Annabeth said with a sigh. "Now I just have to get my mom to stay in one place long enough to talk to her." With that, she waved goodbye to her friends and left the cafeteria for her next class.

...

After his classes, Percy made the long walk of shame to his English teacher's office. As he came up to the door, he realized another student was heading to the same place at the same time, a red-headed girl he vaguely recognized from his orientation, "Ahhh I'm sorry Mrs. Smith asked to see me as soon as classes were over" Percy tried to explain politely, as he reached for the door.

"Hmmph, she asked me to see her too but it's fine you can go first Mr. sportsman I'm sure it's of the utmost importance." The girl responded with attitude Percy wasn't expected.

"Ahh ok, thanks I guess" Percy awkwardly ended their conversation wondering what he'd ever done to her. As he entered the office, not quite sure what to expect. Mrs. Smith stood upright as he entered with a determined look on her face. "Hello, Mrs. Smith you wanted to see me." Percy lamely started.

"Yes, Percy come on in, now you're a busy guy so let's get started, you're currently in danger of failing my class" she stated bluntly, at which Percy winced. "Now I know you have a lot going on and to think about so don't worry I haven't reported you to the principal to be suspended. Yet." She emphasized. "And I've talked to a few of my colleagues and they've said you've had similar problems in the past but you've shown you have the willingness to put in the work to pass." She pauses waiting for confirmation to which Percy nodded. "And I understand you also deal with dyslexia?" Another nod. Percy was used to her Ratatat style while in the classroom but getting it one on one was an adjustment. Though it was probably better to be upfront about everything he supposed. "Ok, so I have a plan to get you the help you need to pass my class without any cushy extra credit I know you were hoping for." She relentlessly explained. Percy was a bit taken aback but he followed everything she said so far. It was at this point Mrs. Smith went behind Percy to open the door. 'I guess that's all she wanted to say' he thought. She opens the door and gestures to someone outside. In walks the redhead from before.

"With that being said Percy meet your new tutor. Rachel Elizabeth Dare."

…

A/N Well there you have it, the latest chapter in the story that will never die! I have recently come into some free time (most of us have right?) so I would like to continue this for a bit. I know it isn't perfect but I really like how it's turning out, I hope you dig it!

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