Tutoring Chapter 5
Annabeth and Thalia stood side by side staring at Percy as he walked back to his seat. Annabeth had no idea what that was about, they've gone to school together for four years and he's barely even spoken to her. And then he started dating Rachel and he turned into a huge jerk, even Annabeth could see that and she barely knew him. But from what Thalia told her he started partying a lot more and was getting into trouble with school, and was close to losing his scholarship offers. Which explains his reasons for tutoring besides the fact that he isn't exactly book smart.
"That was weird" Annabeth finally said breaking the silence.
Thalia just stared after her cousin "It was weird but that was more like the old Percy" Thalia shook her head "You need to get back to warming up, forget about Percy, just go out there and kick ass" Thalia said smiling.
Annabeth laughed "Yeah I should get back to warming up, thanks Thals".
As Annabeth walked back to the track so she could do some warm up sprints. But she couldn't block everything out of her head; it bugged her not knowing things. And right now she had no idea why her mother was against her being friends with Percy, or why Percy was being nice to her all of a sudden. Frustrated Annabeth stopped running and put her hands on her head.
Why is it that after one day of Percy being nice to her and asking for her help that she can't get him out of her head? She'll admit Percy is extremely good looking but she didn't have time for a boyfriend especially one like Percy Jackson. Annabeth sat down on the grass not caring that it was wet; she needed to relax and clear her head her race started in ten minutes.
Thalia sat down next to Percy "We need to talk Percy" she said looking at him pointedly.
Percy raised his eyebrow and turned to Thalia "I thought we already did".
"I heard what you said to Rachel. What is going on Percy? Look I'm glad that you're trying to turn around, maybe then you'll stop getting in trouble and be able to get a scholarship, and stop disappointing your mom. But somehow you've involved Annabeth, she's my best friend I don't want to see her getting hurt and turning into someone she isn't just to be with you" Thalia said.
Percy grabbed her arm pulling them away from their friends once they were out of ear shot Percy spoke "I don't want to hurt Annabeth I want to get to know her. I'm trying to change Thalia, I'm tired of being the guy who gets black out drunk at parties and makes his mother cry every time he leaves the house. I want to be the old me, and I think Annabeth can help me get there".
Thalia gasped "Oh my god you like her don't you?"
Percy shrugged "I don't really know her, but I think she's cute and smart. I just want to get to know her, trust me if I hurt her you have every right to beat the shit out of me" Percy said truthfully.
Thalia took a deep breath "I'm happy that your trying to change, I just don't like that your involving Annabeth but I know she can handle herself. Just don't hurt her Percy, and keep that crazy bitch Rachel away from her".
Percy smiled wrapping his arm around his cousin and hugging her "Trust me Thals I'm trying".
Thalia shook her head as the two cousins walked back to their friends. Percy sat down next to Jason on the bleachers and watched as Annabeth along with Piper lined up for the 200 sprint. Percy elbowed Jason in the side "Stop drooling man" he said teasingly.
Jason glared at him shoving his shoulder "I was not drooling I was simply admiring".
Percy laughed "Did you invite her to get some food with us afterwards?"
Jason shook his head "No I haven't gotten a chance to talk to her yet".
"Grow some balls and ask her after this race" Percy said smiling.
Jason rolled his eyes but didn't say anything instead he turned and watched as Piper and Annabeth got ready in their blocks. Percy just smiled as he faced forward as well. The guy with the gun raised his arm and shot off the gun causing the runners to take off. Percy wasn't sure why he never came to track meets before. If you've got good friends with you they aren't that bad, plus the fact that there's hot girls running around in tank tops and spandex helps a lot to.
Percy watched as Annabeth and Piper lead the runners to the finish line. They were fifty meters from the finish line when Annabeth pulled out in front of Piper taking the lead. Percy, Jason, Thalia, Luke, and all of their friends stood up and rushed to the front to see who would cross the finish line first.
Percy smiled and clapped as Annabeth crossed the finish line first with Piper seconds behind her. He watched as she hugged and congratulated Piper on finishing second. Deciding to tear his eyes away from Annabeth he turned to look at the two scouts, both who were smiling slightly and writing on their clip boards. Obviously they were impressed, which they should be Annabeth was amazing. Percy high fived with Nico and Jason before sitting down on the bleachers.
"She's doing awesome, I think the scouts are really into her" Thalia said leaning against Luke.
Luke nodded his head "Yeah I think so to".
Percy nodded his head "Are you going to follow Thalia to UCLA if that's where she goes?" he asked.
Luke smiled "Yeah, I already applied and got accepted, I kind of have to go no matter what though. My dad's already paying for the tuition and stuff, plus they have an awesome per-med program".
"You want to be a doctor?" Percy asked.
Luke nodded his head "A pediatric surgeon actually".
"Wow that's impressive" Percy said.
Luke just shrugged before turning to face a smiling and laughing Annabeth and Piper. Immediately Jason stood up and congratulated Piper on her awesome race.
"That was awesome Piper" Jason said pulling her into a hug.
Piper blushed slightly hugging him back "Thanks Jason, at least it was Annabeth I lost to".
Annabeth smiled setting her hand on Piper's shoulder "Don't worry you'll beat me some day".
Piper rolled her eyes "Yeah after you graduate" she said laughing.
Annabeth laughed sitting down on the bleachers and taking a drink of her water Percy sat down next to her "That was an awesome race, have you always been this fast?" Percy asked.
Annabeth shrugged "I've always liked running in middle school the coach talked me into joining the track team and it just clicked I guess. I used to do long distance running but I like sprints more, I only like running long distance to clear my head and relax".
"Wow I can barely run a mile without passing out" Percy said.
Annabeth laughed "Yeah well my skills are on the track and yours in the water, there's no way I could swim like you do".
Percy raised his eyebrow "You've seen me swim?"
Annabeth blushed slightly looking down at her feet "Thalia dragged me to the state meet last year".
Percy nodded his head but didn't comment "So how long do these things usually last?"
Annabeth shrugged "Depends on the size of the meet and who is running it, but this one should be done in the next hour or so".
"Awesome I'm starving" Percy said.
Annabeth laughed "I have to get back on the track and meet with my 4x1 team so we can warm up and practice".
"Have fun" Percy said smiling.
Annabeth didn't say anything as she got up and tapped on Piper's shoulder telling her they needed to start warming up. Percy watched as Annabeth, Piper and two other girls warmed up together.
Right before the race started Percy's phone vibrated in his pocket pulling it out he saw a text from Connor Stoll 'Hey party tomorrow night after big swim meet, it's going to be awesome'
Percy didn't reply to the text as he put it back in his pocket, of course he was in the swim meet this was the last meet before state and recruiters from all over were going to be there. Going to the party after a big win would be awesome but after his last party he wasn't sure if that was such a smart thing to do when he had so much riding on these scholarships.
A couple of weeks ago Connor and Travis had a huge party; Percy had gotten black out drunk and woke up the next day in a completely destroyed classroom at the school. Luckily Paul had gotten the school not to press charges but he had to do detention and community service at the school to pay for the damages, even though his father Poseidon offered to pay for everything.
Shaking his head Percy focused on watching Annabeth line up as the last leg for the 4x1. He would figure out the party situation later. With the sound of the gun the first girl took off quickly passing the baton to the next girl, from what Percy could tell Annabeth's team was in second. The girl passed to Piper who took off quickly catching the girl in front of her. Percy couldn't tell who was in first anymore but when Piper past the baton to Annabeth everyone stood up to see who would get to the finish line first. Annabeth was tied with the girl in first before she broke away taking first place.
As she crossed the finish line everyone clapped and cheered, and her team crashed into her hugging her. Seconds later someone come over the loud speaker 'Goode high school's girls 4x1 team has beaten the school record' the person said causing everyone to cheer and clap loudly again.
Percy watched as Annabeth was given medals for her first place finish in the 100, 200, and 4x1. When he looked at the scouts he saw them writing more things on their clip boards, they looked like they were really impressed. Once Annabeth was given her medals she came back into the stands.
"Annabeth that was fantastic, two school records in one meet, I'm so proud of you sweetie" her dad said hugging her.
Annabeth hugged her dad "Thanks dad, it was a good day".
Mr. Chase smiled "Were going to dinner with us do want to go to, or do you already have plans?"
"I'm actually going with my friends" Annabeth said.
Mr. Chase smiled "Alright have fun sweetie and make sure to be home by curfew".
"I will dad" Annabeth said saying by to her family.
Percy smiled putting his hands in his pockets "So are you ready to go?" he asked smiling.
"Yeah Piper and I just need to change real quick" Annabeth said picking up her duffle bag.
Percy nodded his head and walked beside her towards the locker room "You were pretty impressive today Chase".
Annabeth smiled "Thanks, you ready for your swim meet?"
Percy nodded his head "I'm always ready".
"Well at least you're confident, so where are we going to eat any ways" Annabeth asked.
"Thalia and I agreed to go to the dinner that's a couple of blocks down the street, sound good to you?" Percy asked.
Annabeth nodded her head "Yeah I like that place. Are you going to need a ride?"
"If you don't want to I can ride with Nico" Percy said stopping before the locker rooms.
Annabeth shrugged "No I don't care, wait here while I'll change and then we can go".
Percy nodded his head and watched as Annabeth followed Piper into the locker rooms. Jason leaned against the wall with him "You need a ride Perce?" Jason asked.
"No I'm riding with Annabeth, who you riding with?" Percy asked.
"I'm goin with Piper and Leo, Thalia and Luke are on their way there now, and Nico and Bianca are taking Frank and Hazel with them" Jason said.
Percy smiled "I feel bad for the dinner, all of us in there at one time, I don't see things ended to well".
Jason laughed "No me either, hey did you get the text from Connor about the party?"
"Yeah I did" Percy said.
"Are you gonna go?" Jason asked.
Percy shrugged "I don't know, it probably isn't the best idea, especially since I know Rachel will be there".
Jason nodded his head "Probably the smartest choice, look if you don't wanna go, my parents will be gone most of the night we can hang out there, order pizza and play video games all night, just hand out without all the drama".
Percy nodded his head "That sounds like a good idea, keep me and Nico out of trouble anyways".
"Why would you and Nico get in trouble" Annabeth asked from the locker room doorway.
"Uhh Nico and I have a tendency to get in trouble a lot" Percy said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Oh, well are you ready to go?" Annabeth asked.
"Yeah, see you in a couple minutes man" Percy said doing the manly hug guys did before walking with Annabeth towards her car.
"Here let me take your bag" Percy said taking the strap off her shoulder and setting it on his own.
"Uhh thanks Percy" Annabeth said, Percy just smiled as they walked to her car.