Beginning of Chapter 3

I pull up to my school with five minutes to spare before I need to be in class. I just hope that my teacher isn't a hardass and will allow me to drink my coffee in peace. A girl needs her caffeine.

I walk up to my locker when I see a girl I'd never seen before in the corner of my eye. She's about 5'7, golden blonde hair and rather grey or blue eyes. She's beautiful, and I bet she's the type of girl that denies it.

I grab my binder and textbooks and head to class a little early to see if there's a seating plan. I walk past the girl and lock eyes with her for a split second. I wonder if she's in my grade and if she's gay.

I walk into my classroom and get my teacher. I ask her if there's a seating plan and she tells me where to sit. I also grab the notes and worksheets that had previously been handed out.

The bell rings signalling that class is about to start. People start walking in and finding their seats. That's when I noticed the blonde girl. I wonder where she'll be sitting? With any luck, she'll sit with me.

She starts walking toward me, places her books on, I guess, our decks and introduces herself.

"Hey," she said, "I'm Annabeth Chase."

What an unusual name. It suits her quite well. An unusual name for a beautiful human being.

"Percy Jackson." I extend my hand to shake hers. I'm glad that I get to sit with her because I might make a new friend. Maybe even end up with a girlfriend

The teacher calls for everyone's attention as she's about to do attendance. I find attendance useless, but at the same time, I understand why teachers need to do it.

"Persephone Jackson?" She called.

"It's Percy," I correct her. This is the reason I hate going to new schools. People find out my birth name and make fun of me for it. That's why I go by Percy. Makes it easier for everyone.

During class, we talk about DNA and genes. It's actually quite interesting and the information will most likely stay in my brain, that is if my ADHD allows it too.

The bell ring signalling our next class. I have a free block, and this school has a pool. I think I'll head down there if there's no one there. My goal is to be able to go to the Olympics someday, whether it now, once the swim season starts, or in 4 years when I've practiced a lot more.

The Olympics have been a dream of mine for many years, but with how well I'm doing, that dream could become a reality. I hope that it does. My mother would be so proud, I'd bring home a gold medal just for her.

I go outside to my car to grab my swimsuit. After that, I go to the front office and ask the secretary if anyone is supposed to be in the pool. She said no, so I started to head over there. Then I hear someone call my name.

"Percy?" I turn around and see that it is Annabeth.

"Hey!"

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm heading to the pool to swim some laps," I start, "I want to be prepared for when the season starts."

"That makes sense," she said, "are you busy after school?"

I wonder if she's trying to ask me out or if she's just being friendly. I'd be okay with either. "No, I'm not busy at all."

"Great, meet me at the front steps at 2:55," and with that, she walks away with a massive grin on her face.

I start walking towards the gym wondering what happened. I know I'm a girl, but girls confuse me. Sometimes in a good way, but lots of times in a bad way. Females as a whole are confusing.

I get changed and do around 20 laps before taking a break. I then practice my breaststroke, butterfly stroke, and my backstroke. If I keep practicing these every free block, I'll be the best in the state in no time.

Once I'm done, I jump out and head to the showers. I get changed and head to my locker to put my stuff in my bag. I grab my bag and look at my phone. 2:50 p.m. The bell rings in 2 minutes and my meeting with Annabeth is in 5.

I wonder what we'll end up doing. We'll probably take my car because I trust no one else's. I hope that she understands that.

I walk out the front door and sit down on the steps. Even from here, the view is beautiful. I'm glad that my mom decided to move here and nowhere else.

I look at my phone and see that it's 2:55. I hope we're able to go to Starbucks. I need another coffee. Those things are what keep me alive.

"Good afternoon Percy," Annabeth said.

"Good afternoon Annabeth," I say, "let's get coffee."

"Agreed!"

We get into my car and head to the closest Starbucks, which is the one I stopped at this morning. We arrive and head in. I asked Annabeth if she knew what she wanted and she said that she did.

"Good afternoon," the barista said, "what can I get you guys?"

"I'll get a strawberry frappuccino," Annabeth said.

"And I'll get a nitro cold brew with vanilla sweet cream."

"Is that everything for you guys?" The barista asked.

"It is."

"Can I get a name for the order?"

"Um, yeah," I started, "it's Percy."

"Alrighty Percy, that'll come to $9.98"

I pay for our drinks and tell Annabeth to go find us a seat. I want to get to know her, so how about a coffee shop.

End of Chapter 3