Sorry for the long wait guys. Believe it or not, I've been busy with my life.

So I went to a bookstore and got THE BLOOD OF OLYMPUS! Yes I haven't read it yet, I still need to finish The House of Hades. Plus I am going on vacation...so maybe less updates. I took forever to update this chapter and know you know why.

Thanks to the; followers of me: HispanicThug, PunksNotDeadYouAre, The feels always hit me, and XxDarkDalekXx.

favorites of me: Sora Loves Rain, PunksNotDeadYouAre, EatBlueFoodAlways, The feels always hit me, and XxDarkDalekXx.

story followers: HispanicThug, Soccerfan2014, shadley16, LibraKid98, TheOneThatSitsAndLISTENS, wisdomsdaughter6504, Biaxbm, AnNatalie, PunksNotDeadYouAre, EatBlueFoodAlways, I'm Not A Princess, micheal. foster. 908, erinkessler15, FoggyNights.p2, The feels always hit me, King Of Beasts 007, InsaneNerd99, Catnip-wisegirl, r. olsen01, itzelaraujo, christianateen13, BeckR, Daydreaming Stories, marinaofthesea12, and XxDarkDalekXx.

story favorite: pjojellybeans, shadley16, Sora Loves Rain, TheOneThatSitsAndLISTENS, wisdomsdaughter6504, PunksNotDeadYouAre, EatBlueFoodAlways, erinkessler15, and The feels always hit me.

reviewers (I should have messaged you): HispanicThug, pjojellybeans, LibraKid98, TheOneThatSitsAndLISTENS, Biaxbm, Jessica Jasso (guest), PunksNotDeadYouAre, XxDarkDalekXx, theNerdfromNaboo, micheal. foster. 908, and BeckR.

P.S.: I wanted to say thanks to those who PMed me just to talk with me, there were some very interesting and information full conversations. Also to: The feels always hit me, I LOVE YOUR PEN NAME!

OKAY, I'M DONE, ENJOY!


Chapter 2.

~Annabeth's pov~

Sixth hour I saw him again. We had gym together. Girls went to their changing room and boys to theirs. I walked in and no one but Piper talked to me. After changing, we walked out and found most of the boys ready. Percy was talking to Jason. Piper called Jason's name and ran into his arms. Jason caught her and introduced Percy and Piper. I walked up to them and when Jason tried to introduce Percy to me, Percy stopped him.

"We have already met." He said.

"Oh." Jason said looking between us. I was bright red and Percy was getting there. Jason must not have noticed Percy walk up and talk to me during lunch.

"So I guess you found my friends." I directed towards Percy, my face returning to its normal color.

"I guess so."

"How do you know Jason?" I asked.

"We have English together. Accidentally flicked him with my pencil and started crack jokes about the teacher. Although, I have never met Piper. I don't think we have any classes together."

"Fourth hour math." Piper said.

"Really?" Percy asked.

"I sit way in the back left corner."

"Oh, I sit in the front right corner."

"Wait, were you the kid that almost fell asleep?"

"Maybe..." Percy said sheepishly.

"You were!" Piper laughed.

"Alright cupcakes. I'll say your names aloud and you will line up." Instead of lining us up by last name like he did last year, (more formally know as Coach Hedge) lined us up by first name. Percy and Piper stood right next to each other. If Percy was anything like Piper, they were going to cause a lot of trouble. Coach went down the line to make sure we were all here and stopped at Percy.

"Percy Jackson?"

"Yes sir, and you're Coach Hedge."

"I feel like I know you..." Coach Hedge looked at him strange and Percy mirrored him but with a smirk on his face. Coach Hedge continued down the line.

"It's nice to see you again." Percy added. Coach Hedge stopped and looked to Percy again. He dropped his arms down to his side and walked back over to Percy.

"Third, fourth, and fifth grade. I was the one that climbed all the way to the top of the ropes-"

"When I said to go only half way. Yeah, I remember you now." He gave Percy a stern look then grabbed his shoulder and laughed.

"You were always my favorite student, an overachiever you were." Percy smiled at him.

"Now let me tell you guys." Coach Hedge said to the group, grabbing Percy and standing him right next to him, so everyone was able to see him. Compared to Percy, Coach Hedge was like a midget.

"This boy is an amazing athlete, good at every sport, and don't even get me started on soccer. You are going to try out this year aren't you?" He asked Percy, who was red with embarrassment. A new kid being called out in front of a class on the first day of school and being talked about, even if it's a good thing, was embarrassing.

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Oh come on my boy, you gotta try out, and guess who's the coach."

"Let me guess." Percy laughed.

"So you will?" Percy thought for a minute.

"Yeah, I think about it."

"Alright! Now back in line." He said slapping Percy on the back happily. He finished the attendance and told us we were going outside.

When we got to the field, there were cones set up, we were playing kickball to start off the first day.

"Alright, team captains...Percy and Jason." The two stepped over to coach and Percy picked first.

"Annabeth." He said. I was startled. He picked me first!?

"Connor." Jason said.

"Jason!" Piper yelled.

"What?"

"You know what, whatever Jason."

"Piper." Percy said with a smirk, directed towards Jason.

"Well thank you, Percy. At least I know someone cares." Piper said walking over to Percy and I.

"You were my next pick." Jason protested.

"I should have been your first! Besides you probably would have chosen Travis next."

"No, and to prove it...I pick Silena." Piper gasped.

"Dude, should have picked a guy." Percy said.

"Oh that's the final straw Jason, you're going down." Piper said.

"Looks like we have some bad blood stirring, this will make an interesting game. Percy, your pick."

"Travis."

"Hey, that was my next pick." Jason said. Percy laughed and shrugged.

"Hey, you could have avoided all this if you would have picked Piper."

Soon the rest of the people were picked and we began to play. Since Percy picked first, Jason's team started off.

Percy was amazing. He was quick and light on his feet, catching kickballs and throwing them to people so they could tag the kicker. Soon it was our turn. Percy was up first, the ball was pitched and he kicked the ball way past everyone standing in the field.

"Come on guys, team run!" Percy said. We stood there in awe but soon snapped out of it and run behind him. He was running pretty slow because no one had possession of the ball yet. He was rounding third when someone got to the ball. He began to walk as everyone else on his team ran past him. I stopped next to him and smiled.

"Nice kick."

"Thanks, soccer really helps." He replied.

And that's how the game went. We won 16 to 2.

By the end, Percy was a sweaty mess, he was wearing soccer pants and a long sleeve workout shirt. He must have been dying. I was, and I was in shorts and a tank top.

"You look hot." I said.

"Thanks. I thought maybe you liked me." I reddened. Well of course he was HOT, but I meant he looked warm.

"I-I meant-"

"I know, I'm playing with you. Yeah, I'm kind of warm, but I'm not dying, otherwise is be on the ground probably shaking from heat stroke."

"Yeah, that wouldn't be good. If I was you, I would be dying." I said. We were nearing the locker rooms.

"Yeah, then I would call you hot, and not because you were sweating and warm." He said with a smirk before entering the boys locker room.

What just happened?

"Percy is totally crushing on you!" Piper said out of nowhere.

"Wh-what!? No, we're just friends." I told Piper.

"Yeah, okay." She said. I repeated Percy's words in my mind.

'Yeah, then I would call you hot, and not because you were sweating and warm.'

I blushed. Did Percy like me?

It was only the first day, surely Percy would get bored and find another girl.

I got back into my normal clothes and freshened myself up in the mirror. When I was finished, I looked closely at my reflection. I remembered this morning, telling myself to not get sucked into the lies of my peers.

Could Percy really love me?

What if he thought it was true? Even if he thought what Rachel said was true, would he still love me? The bell rang and I walked out of the locker room with Piper. We walked to the band room together and pulled out our instruments from our lockers.

I put my flute together and Piper put her clarinet together. Jason was already there, his trumpet already set up. It wasn't like he had to do anything. All he had to do was put on a mouthpiece. He was already playing some music. He saw us and walked over, sitting next to Piper who was still a little mad about Jason not picking her to be on his team. As Jason was trying to fix the situation, I saw Percy talking to the band director. Percy followed the band director to the other end of the room, where he picked up a drum.

Percy picked up a snare drum. He put it on and began playing. He was good. Really good. He tried out some other types but stuck with the snare. The bell rang and the band instructor had us walk out to the back of the school where we practiced for marching band. Percy didn't have the music so he asked the band teacher. Percy sat out for the first time through because he had to hear the song before playing it. Percy was given what he needed to play and practiced off to the side. After playing a few times through, the band split into different instrument groups and played our assigned parts.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and found myself looking at Luke.

"What do you want, Luke?" I asked harshly.

"Look, I'm sorry Annabeth. I told people that what I said was a lie. I don't know what went through my head. I promise, by this time tomorrow, everyone in the school will know it was a lie. Will you forgive me?"

I didn't believe him. Why would he ask me for forgiveness when he could just leave me out on a branch and be named as 'cool'? Maybe he realized that what he did was wrong and thought I didn't deserve it. Maybe him seeing Percy walk up to me after he heard Rachel's lie about me was too much for him.

Or maybe not.

"Maybe we could talk about it over ice cream? After school?" He asked.

I looked at him, I didn't trust him alone with me. Not after what happened, but this time it was a public place. The party during the summer had been a public place too, though.

Who knows, maybe Luke was actually being sincere.

"Okay Luke, I forgive you. Ice cream sounds great."

"Great."

What did I just agree to?

The end of the day came and I walked up to Percy as he was taking off his snare drum. I stood behind him and swallowed.

"Percy?"

"Oh, hey Annabeth."

"I think I'm mentally challenged."

"What? There is no way. I can tell you're one of the smartest people in our class, it just kind of radiates off of you."

"No, Percy I-"

"Annabeth." Percy said softly, turning and placing his hands on my shoulders. He looked me in the eyes.

"You are not mentally challenge and to prove it-"

"I said I would go and get ice cream with Luke." Percy's face fell and he glared behind me. He tensed up and the grip he had on my shoulders tightened.

"And you came over here to ask me to come with you?" Percy asked, although it was more like a demand.

Why hadn't I thought of that?

"Percy you're a genius!" I said hugging him. When I pulled away his face was red and he was smiling sheepishly. He rubbed the back of his head.

"Then I guess that makes you a mega genius." He laughed, his mood had changed from angry to happy in a matter of seconds.

"You ready to go Annabeth? We are going to the shop a few blocks away, so we can walk there." I heard from behind me, it was Luke.

"Actually Luke, I'm driving Annabeth." Percy said putting his arm around me protectively. Was Percy getting jealous?

"I didn't invite you." Luke snarled.

"But I did. We have a project to work on after this, and he is coming to my house." I said. I could tell Luke was frustrated but he just let it go.

"Fine, see you there." He mumbled as he stomped off.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"Um...we're going to have to go to my house first." Percy said.

"Why?"

"Well you want to arrive in style, don't you?" He said. I gave him a confused look.

After a ten minute walk, we arrived at Percy's house. He told me to stay on the sidewalk and I waited as he went in. His house was actually alright. It was connected to a candy store. My curiosity won out and I walked into the store. There was candy everywhere, but what really got me was the wall behind the counter that was dedicated to blue candy. From lollipops to gum, they had it all.

"Hello miss, how may I help you today?" The lady behind the counter asked. She had brown hair and she looked pretty young. Her blue eyes full of happiness.

"Oh, I'm just looking. I never knew there was a store over here. Do you get lots of customers?" She pulled her head up, her eyes changed color in the light.

"Sometimes. Mostly during the summer when the kids of the neighborhood are running around and wander wherever they want, but I make enough to keep the place and provide for me and my son."

"He must love that you work in a candy shop. How old is your son?"

"Actually, I made this wall for him, he loves the color blue." I heard a bell from the door opening.

"And here comes my son now."

"Annabeth?" It was Percy.

"Percy? You're her son?"

"You two know each other?" Percy's mom said.

"We go to the same school mom. This is Annabeth."

"Well it's nice to meet you Annabeth. I'm Sally. It nice to know Percy made a friend on the first day."

"Okay, well mom, we're going to go."

"Leaving so soon-"

"Sally!"

"Oh, look at the time. It was nice to meet you Annabeth. Percy." She said giving Percy a look. He took my hand and lead me out of the shop. I watched Sally as I was taken out of the shop. What was that yelling about? I felt Percy's hand let go of mine as we neared the road.

"Take this." Percy said, handing me a helmet.

"What's this for?" Stupid question. He stepped out of the way and found a motorcycle. It was all black and on the side, it said "Blackjack".

"So your version of "going in style" is on a motorcycle." I asked. Percy smiled.

"Oh yeah. You're...okay with going on a motorcycle, right? I mean unless you want to walk or ride my skateboard."

"You skateboard?"

"Is that a yes or a no to the motorcycle?" I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Sure." Percy helped me get the helmet on, although I told him I could do it. As soon as it was on correctly, he hopped on his motorcycle and gestured for me to get on. I sat down behind him and suddenly felt queasy. What if we got in a crash. I hugged Percy's stomach tightly which produced a laugh from the driver.

"Don't worry Annabeth. We aren't going to get hit."

"You never know. Have you ever had anyone else on the back of one of these before." He was quiet for a second before answering.

"Yeah." He sighed. He started it up and drove off. We got to the ice cream shop eight minutes later. Luke was just entering the shop with none other than Rachel. They had walked. They both watched us jealously as Percy and I hopped off the motorcycle. Rachel looked like she wanted to hit Luke, while Luke looked like he wanted to hit Percy who had a smug smile on his face.

What happened that got them to hate each other already? What happened to Percy sitting with them at lunch? They had been perfectly fine then. I pulled off the helmet and gave it to Percy who just hung it on one of the handlebars of his bike.

"You're not going to take it in?"

"Nah, I barely use it. Who's going to steal it anyway? If it is taken...well, it's more fun when you don't have one on." He smiled. We walked up to Luke and Rachel and we all walked in. I sat down in a booth and tried to get Percy to sit down by me but Luke sat down next to me, which meant Percy had to sit next to Rachel. He looked a little uncomfortable. Rachel began to look at Percy like he was, as she would say, "yummy".

A waitress came by and we ordered our ice cream. We were quiet except Rachel laughing every so often as she poked Percy's arm to feel his muscle and he would pull away. The waitress came back five minutes later and gave us our ice cream. I had cookie and cream, Percy had cookie dough, Luke had mint chocolate chip, and Rachel had some red ice cream that was as red as her hair. Something raspberry or strawberry maybe. It didn't look like normal strawberry but I wasn't sure, I wasn't listening to her order her ice cream.

We were almost finished with our ice cream and someone finally decided to say something.

"So Annabeth, I wanted to ask you...if maybe you wanted to do this again...just the two of us." Luke said with a smile.

"I don't know Luke."

"I already told you that everyone is going to know it's a lie, you can trust me." Percy laughed and everyone looked at him as he dug his spoon into his ice cream one last time.

"What's so funny?" Luke scoffed.

"You really think Annabeth wants anything to do with you? Why would she? Considering what you did to her? Yeah, I know the truth of what happened that night, she told me, but that's beside the point. Why would she want to date you after knowing what you did? Do you really think she is dumb enough to fall for you just so you can do it again?" Luke stood up and grabbed Percy by the collar.

"Watch your tongue if you want to keep it."

"You call that a threat?" Percy shot back at him. Luke swung at him but missed as Percy flinched away. His eyes were wide for only a second and Luke went to hit him again. Percy's eyes went back to normal and he grabbed Luke's arm and twisted it, then sent him flying over his shoulder. I stood up and stepped between the two of them.

"What is wrong with you two?" I yelled. Luke got up from the floor and I felt something touch my lips, another pair. My eyes shot open and I found Luke kissing me. I tried to pull away but he grabbed my head harshly and deepened it.

Not again. I knew I couldn't trust him. I heard something, or someone, fall behind me. One thing went through my mind.

Where was Percy and why wasn't he helping me?

I touched the table and found Luke's glass ice cream cup. I brought it up and smashed it against his head. I felt a piece hit me but I was just happy that Luke fell to the ground. I turned and found Rachel on top of Percy in the booth. Percy was having a hard time getting up and away. Seeing this I got...jealous.

Yes! Jealous!

I yanked Rachel's hair and pulled her up. She screeched and grabbed my arm. I grabbed her arm and twisted it, she let go of me and I dropped her on top of the unconscious Luke. By now, a waitress was out. She saw the whole thing actually. She was bringing the bill over and saw the whole thing. Great. She had a shocked face but snapped out of it, smiled and spoke.

"You're okay. I'll let you guys go. It wasn't you're fault. It was all theirs. I take it you want them to have the bill?" Why was she helping us?

"Yes, please." Percy said.

"Thankfully, I was the only one out here and there wasn't any more customers. Otherwise...anyway, you should go." The waitress said. Her green eyes were shining and her black hair was up in a perfect bun. She looked a little like Percy actually. They had very similar features.

"What if they tell the manager? I mean they still know what happened, and there is all of this proof on the floor." There were shards of glass of the floor and some tables and chair were pushed over and moved from Luke and Rachel getting pushed into them.

"I am the manager here. Don't worry, they won't tell anyone. I promise they won't say a word." She said the last sentence with a mischievous look on her face. She stepped over to me and pulled a piece of glass out my face. I felt a stinging but then she rubbed her thumb over it and I touched my face.

Not a puncture from the glass anywhere. She smiled. Her white teeth glowing as bright as her eyes.

How did she do that? How could she be the manager? She was like a year younger than Percy and I.

"Thank you." Percy said. I was already out of the door. Walking fast towards my house.

"Annabeth!" Percy yelled as I was walking.

"No Percy."

"Annabeth, what's wrong?"

"You, is what's wrong. How could you kiss Rachel?"

"What? She kissed me, I didn't kiss her. I never wanted to."

"Then why did I find you two in the booth?"

"She tackled me. Literally. I think she might have played football before."

"This isn't a joke Percy!" I yelled at him.

"I'm not joking. I didn't want to kiss her! If there was anyone here I wanted to kiss..." He stopped before finishing his sentence.

"Who!? Who would you want to kiss!?" I was too filled with anger to think about who he liked. All the signs Percy had given me today, I should have been able to put two and two together, but after seeing Percy and Rachel kissing, my intelligence went away and instead, my mind was using anger rather than actually trying to think anything through.

Percy grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eyes, they were filled with rage, then softened.

"You Annabeth! I don't love Rachel, I love...I love you." Percy said closing his eyes and turning away. My mouth hung open and my eyes widened.

Everything Percy had done for me, staying with me when he found out what happened to me (even though it wasn't the truth), and even in the ice cream shop, he was uncomfortable with Rachel poking his arm, and it was clear that he was trying to get away from Rachel and her kisses. Why was I mad at him?

"I'm sorry Percy. I don't know why I blew up at you. It wasn't your fault, I just...got a little jealous of Rachel kissing you. I'm sorry." I said as I turned away. I felt something tug my hand. It was Percy's hand. He turned me around and lifted my chin so I was looking at his face.

"You can't be jealous if you have done it too." He said lowering down his head and catching my lips with his. My eyes fluttered closed and I lifted my hands to rest on his neck. One of his hands rested on my hip and the other held my back. One of my hands went to his hair and I could feel something I had never felt before.

Fireworks.

With Luke, I felt nothing but disgust, but with Percy, it felt right.

He pulled away and I could still feel the fireworks. He put his forehead on mine and closed his eyes.

"Sorry, I know you must be uncomfortable, with what you've been through." He apologized.

"But none of that felt like this before." I said. He looked at me confused.

"What?"

"Nothing I have been through felt right, nothing had ever made me feel..." I was lost for words.

"Loved?" That was the word.

"Yeah." I said. He smiled at me.

"Well, if you want a ride home, my bike is that way." Percy pointed over his shoulder towards his bike.

"Actually, I think we have some unfinished business to take care of at school." He looked at me, confused. I convinced him to ride us to school where I gave Percy the tour I had promised him.

"Hey Percy, I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm?"

"I didn't tell you that Luke had lied about what really happened, how did you know?"

"Jason told me."

"Thank you Jason."

"I heard my name." We heard from behind us.

We saw Piper and Jason walking up behind us. Piper winked at me, hopefully Percy didn't notice.

"You told Percy the truth about what happened."

"Oh yeah. Piper told me that the three of us had gym together and once I saw Percy had it too, I decided to tell him because he was probably going to be hanging out with us since Percy and I are already friends. Then I found out you guys knew each other, so...yeah. I guess it worked out."

"So what are you guys doing here so late?" Percy asked.

"Just some stuff for soccer, Piper was watching me."

"Do what?" I asked.

"I was in the weight room."

"Oh." Piper watched him lift weights? No offense, but who would want to watch someone lift weights for almost two hours, then get all stinky.

"You're going about it all wrong Jason. You don't have to lift for soccer. It's not football, it's fútbol." We all looked at Percy like he was speaking another language.

"Uh..." Jason said dumbfounded.

"You don't have to push a two hundred fifty pound guy like in football. I mean, it's okay to lift, but you don't have to do it for two hours just to stay in shape for soccer. You would be better off just doing some drills, stretching and running, put some planks in there somewhere and some other stomach and leg strengthening exercises, but you don't have to lift like you're going to be pushing someone back." There was silence.

"Coach Hedge did say you were good at soccer." Jason said.

"I'm okay."

"He said you are great. Amazing actually."

"That's because I actually tried to play while everyone else kind of stood there."

"Alright, I can tell you're being modest about it. So why are you guys here?" Jason asked.

"I was giving Percy a tour of the school liked he asked."

"For two hours?" Piper said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"No, first we had ice cream with Luke and Rachel."

"Ugh, what did they want." Jason asked.

"To kiss us first off." Percy said. I nudged him playfully and laughed.

"Then Annabeth grabbed a glass cup off a table and ninja smashed it on Luke's head. After that, she saw that I was a damsel in distress," he was dramatic and fell into a locker nearby, holding a hand to his head.

"and pulled Rachel's hair so hard I thought maybe it would have ripped out of her head."

"And you guys got out okay? No one called the cops?"

"There was no one else there. Only the waitress that was serving us saw it. She saw the whole thing and let Percy and I go."

"Cool waitress." Jason said.

"She made them pay the bill too." Percy added.

"Percy, I should probably go. I have homework and my parents are probably wondering where I-" my phone in my pocket began to buzz. I looked at the screen and it was my home phone number.

"That's them now. Hello?"

"Annabeth, where have you been!? Get home this instant."

"Fine." I said hanging up the phone.

"That was harsh." Percy said.

"That was my stepmother."

"Oh, okay never mind then. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"We'll walk with you guys."

"Actually, Percy drove us here." I said.

"Well we can walk out with you, we have to leave anyway." We all walked to the parking lot and Percy and I head towards his bike. Piper and Jason were startled when the realize Percy rode us here on a motorcycle, and a nice one at that.

Percy started the bike and made me put on the helmet. We waved goodbye to Jason and Piper and were off. I told Percy the directions as we made our way closer to my house.

When we got to my house, he let me get off of the bike. I stepped onto the sidewalk and Percy got off his bike. He took off the helmet I was wearing and walked me up to my door.

"So...good first day?" I asked.

"Well, I did make some friends and an enemy or two. I guess that counts as a good day. You?"

"Yes and no. The whole thing with Luke really made it bad but..."

"Yes?"

"I made a new friend today but he turned out to be something else." I said trying to sound disappointed.

"Did he hurt you? Who is he?" Percy asked defensively.

"He turned out to be my new best friend." I kissed Percy on the lips and opened my door, stepping inside. I closed the door and I found my stepmother with a man in our living room. I heard an almost inaudible "Yes!", some footsteps and then the ringing of a phone.

"Annabeth, come here." I walked into the living room and looked at the man. He was ugly and old, had barely any hair and was fat. He smelled of alcohol and throw up, but there was something else too.

Something familiar. Candy?

He looked disgusting. That was just his whole appearance.

"Um...hello?" I said. He smirked at me.

"Annabeth, this is ."

"Do I know you?"

"No, but you won't have to worry about that." He said.

"I'll leave you two." She left and I noticed what time it was. It was before five. My dad wasn't home, my step brothers weren't home, my stepmother left me alone with a strange man.

No! Not again!

" -"

"Just call me Gabe." He came closer and I knew what he wanted.

I screamed.

~Percy's pov~

I walked into the boys changing room and went to my gym locker. I got the combination from one of the teachers and tried to open my locker.

No luck.

"Need help?" I heard behind me. I turn and Jason was leaning against the lockers behind me. I had totally forgotten Jason was in my gym class.

"Hey, perfect timing." I gave him my combination number and he showed me how to open it.

"Did you bring your clothes? You have to change." Jason said.

"Yeah they're in my book bag, but I'm going to change in the bathroom, I have to go."

"Go ahead, I'm not stopping you."

I walked over to other side of the locker room where the bathrooms were located and went inside. I changed into my soccer pants and a long sleeve workout shirt.

There was no way I was letting anyone see my bruises. I flushed the toilet to make it sound like I went and walked out, washed my hands and left with Jason.

"Okay, so I want you to meet someone I know. Actually, two people. My girlfriend Piper, and her friend. They have gym with us. Now let me tell you, this girl has been through a lot and please just hear me out." He looked at me seriously.

"Okay."

"This girl has had to go through some things, like...um...how should I say it, prostitution, but she never actually did it with anyone. She had to do it against her own will because her stepmother was sick and they had to help her. Her stepmother was a witch and made this poor girl get into it. During the summer, some doorknob went and tried to...do it with her. His name is Luke, he is a senior here. She knocked him out and then he told this big lie to everyone here at this school. Everyone believes it because he said it was true and everyone stays away from this girl but Piper and I. She needs a friend and I think you can help her out...by being her friend too." Jason finished.

I knew he was talking about Annabeth right away. He must not have seen me talk to her during lunch. I saw him at her table.

"Jason!" Someone said. We both turned and found a girl running towards him, who he caught and hugged.

"Percy, this is my girlfriend Piper."

"Hello Percy. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Piper."

"And this is Annab-"

"We have already met." I told Jason.

"Oh." Jason looked at me, than at Annabeth. I felt my cheeks grow warm and saw Annabeth face was already as red as a tomato.

"So I guess you found my friends." Annabeth said to me. Her face was starting to lose it's red tint.

"I guess so."

"How do you know Jason?" She asked.

"We have English together. Accidentally flicked him with my pencil and started crack jokes about the teacher. Although, I have never met Piper. I don't think we have any classes together."

"Fourth hour math." Piper corrected me.

"Really?" I asked.

"I sit way in the back left corner." She confirmed.

"Oh, I sit in the front right corner."

"Wait, were you the kid that almost fell asleep?"

"Maybe..." I replied, trying to sound embarrassed even though I could have cared less if I got in trouble for it. It was a boring and hard subject.

"You were!" Piper laughed.

"Alright cupcakes. I'll say your names aloud and you will line up." The gym teacher called our names and I stood next to Piper.

When the teacher finally got to me, he stopped. I looked up at him, my green eyes piercing his eyes. I knew him from somewhere.

An old school maybe? Yeah, , my old gym teacher.

"Percy Jackson?"

"Yes sir, and you're Coach Hedge."

"I feel like I know you..." He gave me a puzzled look and I copied it, trying to be funny, a smirk present on my face. He resumed taking attendance and I almost couldn't believe he didn't remember me.

He was by far my favorite teacher when I was younger. Having him forget me? That wouldn't do.

"It's nice to see you again." I blurted out. Coach Hedge froze and looked at me. He dropped his arms and came back over to me.

"Third, fourth, and fifth grade. I was the one that climbed all the way to the top of the ropes-"

"When I said to go only half way. Yeah, I remember you now." He gave me a stern look but turned it into a smile, laughed, and grabbed my shoulder.

"You were always my favorite student, an overachiever you were." I gave him a smile.

"Now let me tell you guys." Coach Hedge was talking to the group now. He grabbed me and made me stand right next to him so everyone could see me.

"This boy is an amazing athlete, good at every sport, and don't even get me started on soccer. You are going to try out this year aren't you?" He directed his attention back to me. I was filled with embarrassment and I grew red. I was a new kid, on the first day of school and I was called out by a teacher. Obviously I felt a little embarrassed about being the only one to be called out, especially since it was for something good that others could be jealous of.

"I wasn't planning on it." I answered him truthfully.

"Oh come on my boy, you gotta try out, and guess who's the coach."

"Let me guess." I replied sarcastically with a laugh.

"So you will?" I thought it over.

Anything was better than home. But when I wasn't home...my mom...and my stepfather...

"Yeah, I'll think about it."

"Alright! Now back in line." Coach Hedge said clapping me on the back. He finished with the attendance and the whole class headed outside.

We went to a field where cones were set up. He informed us that we were playing kickball.

"Alright, team captains...Percy and Jason." I stepped forward and so did Jason. I was chosen to pick first.

"Annabeth." I said. She had a startled look on her face but walked over to me.

"Connor." Jason said.

"Jason!" Piper exclaimed.

"What?"

"You know what, whatever Jason."

"Piper." I said with a smirk.

"Well thank you, Percy. At least I know someone cares." Piper said walking over to me. I saw her give Jason a look.

"You were my next pick." Jason protested.

"I should have been your first! Besides you probably would have chosen Travis next."

"No, and to prove it...I pick Silena." I heard Piper suck in some air.

"Dude, should have picked a guy." I added in, laughing at his very unwise mistake.

"Oh that's the final straw Jason, you're going down." Piper said.

"Looks like we have some bad blood stirring, this will make an interesting game. Percy, your pick." Coach Hedge put in.

"Travis."

"Hey, that was my next pick." Jason said. I laughed and shrugged. I honestly didn't even know who Travis was, but since Piper said his name, and I didn't know anyone else by their name, I decided to pick him.

"Hey, you could have avoided all this if you would have picked Piper." I shot back at him.

When everyone was on a team, we started the game. Jason's team kicked first because I was the one to pick first.

Honestly, I didn't even try, and for two very good reasons.

1. I didn't want coach seeing how good I was because he would probably force me to join the team, even though it was just kicking the ball.

2. It was hot outside and I didn't want to die.

However, most of the balls did come to me and I would catch them or throw them so someone on my team could tag a runner out. Soon enough it was my teams turn.

I kicked first because I was the captain. I decided to actually try just once in this game. I gave my all in swinging my leg back and bringing it forward with as much force as I could.

Let's just say if I was on a professional soccer field and kicked from the end line or goal line, it would have went passed the halfway line. It went pretty far...past everyone one.

I looked at Jason's team and they all looked astonished. I felt eyes on me. I didn't want this attention.

Maybe I just have to give some attention to others. I turned towards my team and yelled to them.

"Come on guys, team run!" They stood there for a minute, flabbergasted, but I turned back around and ran towards first base.

First base.

I could hear feet hitting the ground behind me. I ran slow, no one had even gotten close to the ball yet on Jason's team.

Second base.

They were almost to the ball now.

Third base.

Someone finally picked up the ball but I began to walk. The ball was too far away for anyone to get me out. My teammates ran past me. I saw a figure with blonde hair slow down and walk next to me. I turned to her and she smiled.

"Nice kick." She said.

"Thanks, soccer really helps."

My team was up for a while and then we switched with Jason's team. They scored twice and then well...let's just say we kicked their butts, 16 to 2.

I was sweating badly, I was very hot, and I knew that if I didn't get water soon, I would pass out.

As our class was going back to the school Annabeth walked up to me again.

"You look hot." She said. I reddened but noticed she was saying I literally looked like I was burning to death. I quickly returned to my normal shade before Annabeth noticed me.

"Thanks, I thought maybe you liked me." I replied flirtatiously.

Flirtatiously? Sure, I thought Annabeth was cute when I first saw her, but did I like her more than a friend?

"I-I meant-"

"I know, I'm playing with you. Yeah, I'm kind of warm, but I'm not dying, otherwise is be on the ground probably shaking from heat stroke." I lied. Honestly, I felt like I could die any second.

"Yeah, that wouldn't be good. If I was you, I would be dying." She said.

"Yeah, then I would call you hot, and not because you were sweating and warm." I smirked at her and entered the boys room.

What did I just say?

"Annabeth likes you dude. Like really likes you." Jason said from behind me.

"What? No, I don't think so."

"Do you like Annabeth?"

"Yes! I mean no." I threw my arms up in frustration.

"I don't know, I barely know her and I can't sort out my feelings right now. I don't know if I like her or not, let alone if she likes me." I stated.

"Believe me, I can tell she likes you, and it sure sounded like you liked her." He informed me.

"Oh no! Really? Do you think she thinks I like her?"

"I don't know dude but you better find out if you like her, you could be sending her misleading signs."

"She probably wouldn't want to go out with me anyway. What if she thinks I'm like the rest of the them? What if she thinks that I could do something like that to her?"

"Why are you so anxious about what she thinks about you?" I thought for a minute.

"Because you want her to see you as a good guy. In other words, you, like, her." Jason pointed at my chest and put emphasis on the three last words.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Oh, look. Now Percy's trying to hide his crush."

"Just get dressed Jason, unless of course, you want to walk out naked after the bell rings."

"I bet the girls would dig it." He joked.

"More like you'd make everyone uncomfortable, and you have a girlfriend sir."

"I'll be done, we have a few minutes after the bell."

"But I need to get to my next class early. I need an instrument."

"What do you play?" Jason asked, pulling on his shirt. I took off my gym shirt.

"Saxophone and drums."

"What's with the bruises?"

Crap.

"Street soccer. What else?"

"You get bruises on your chest and back from street soccer." I began to sweat.

"There are no penalties in street soccer."

"Yeah, okay."

"I'll have to show you some time. It can get pretty nasty. One of these days I might come to school with a black eye. People can be rough. At least in football there is padding. What do we get? Shin guards. No shin guards in street soccer though." I pulled off my pants and turned around.

"Dude. Your legs."

"People kick pretty hard."

"But these are wicked." I pulled on my pants.

"Nothing to worry about. Just some fútbol." I said with a Spanish accent. We finished dressing and locked our lockers. We walked out of the locker room and into the main gym.

"Percy, you should get those checked out."

"Nah, I got these three or four days ago." I lied. They had been there for about two weeks now.

"If they aren't better in a week you better get them checked." The bell rang and we walked out of the gym doors.

"They'll be gone." I replied. I need to be more careful. I couldn't let anyone else see. My mother's makeup will do the trick. My mother hadn't used makeup in years, but she had some stuff that could turn my skin into a bruised up mess, to a 'never been beaten in my life' look.

We walked into the band room and I saw Luke. Jason had left to get his instrument. I walked over to Luke who was surrounded by a few people.

"What you did was pretty low Luke." I said, interrupting his conversation.

"I can't say I know what you mean." He lied, a smile on his face.

"You know exactly what I mean Luke. The lies about Annabeth." He turned pink and waved his friends away.

"Look here Jackson. Those might have been lies, but no one will believe you. Want to know what else? You might want to hold onto Annabeth, because once I talk to her today, she's going to wish she had slept with me. I'll get her and she'll do anything I want. She'll think I changed but I'm still the same guy she knew during the summer. Once I do what I want, you can have her. I'll just make sure she knows what she's doing once you decide you want a go at her. I'm doing you a favor dude. It's not too late to be my friend, Percy. I'll even help you get her alone, once I'm done."

What he said sickened me, talking about Annabeth like that. He was a total pervert.

"She's too smart Luke. She won't trust you, and you'll never do anything while I'm around, you sick pig." I spat at him.

"So I guess this means you neglect my friendship. Oh well. More for me." He smiled, looking behind me.

"There she is now. You just wait and watch as she falls for me." He turned back towards his friends.

I gave his back a glare and walked over to the teacher.

"Hello. My name is Percy and-"

"You were the one I talked to over the summer. Nice to meet you Percy. Let's get you an instrument." We walked over to an area with many lockers for instruments.

"Here's a saxophone, you can try it out." He handed me a case and I took it out. I played but decided against the saxophone.

"How about a drum?"

"Of course." I threw the reed out for the saxophone and watched as Jason got up with his trumpet to go by Annabeth and Piper. No Luke. I turned my attention back towards the instructor. We walked over to the other side of the room and he had me play multiple drums. I stuck with the snare. We walked outside to the back of the building and I asked for the music. He told me to listen to the song we would be playing the first time through.

After listening, the band teacher gave me music and told me to go off and practice by myself. The rest of the band play a few more times through and split into groups, flutes, trumpets, clarinets, multiple others.

The director came over a few times to see if I needed help and helped me keep time. The bell rang and he have me a key and the number to a locker for my instrument.

"Percy?" I heard.

"Oh, hey Annabeth."

"I think I'm mentally challenged." Something's wrong.

"What? There is no way. I can tell you're one of the smartest people in our class, it just kind of radiates off of you." It was true, sure, I didn't have every class with her, but the classes that we were together, she had over excelled in.

"No, Percy I-"

"Annabeth." I tried to sound soothing. I turned and placed my hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes.

"You are not mentally challenge and to prove it-"

"I said I would go and get ice cream with Luke." Instantly, the smile I had been wearing fell off my face. I saw a movement behind her and watched as Luke was smiling at me from across the room. I glared at him. I tensed and gripped her shoulders, probably harder than I should have.

I couldn't let that thing be alone with Annabeth.

"And you came over here to ask me to come with you?" It was a question, but it came out like a demand.

"Percy you're a genius!" She yelled, hugging me. The yell actually took me off guard and I almost flinched. I looked at Luke, his smile now gone and was walking over. She pulled away from the hug and my face was red. I smiled and rubbed the back of my neck.

"Then I guess that makes you a mega genius." I replied with a laugh.

"You ready to go Annabeth? We are going to the one a few blocks away, so we can walk there." I looked behind Annabeth, Luke had finally join the party. I scowled at him.

"Actually Luke, I'm driving Annabeth." I said putting my arm around her shoulders protectively.

"I didn't invite you." Luke spat.

"But I did. We have a project to work on after this, and he is coming to my house." Annabeth lied. Luke was frustrated, but let it slip.

"Fine, see you there." He stomped off.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yeah." If was I going to get my bike, Annabeth would have to stay here. I didn't want her meeting my step dad. She might also see that I was abused when I got home. That would be bad.

But my stupid mouth didn't realize that.

"Um...we're going to have to go to my house first." Great.

"Why?"

"Well you want to arrive in style, don't you?" I asked. She gave me a puzzled look.

We walked to my house, I was about ten minutes. I told her to stay on the sidewalk and I walked inside. I closed the door quietly. I went up the stairs and grabbed the keys off my dresser. In the other room, my stepfather mumbled in his sleep. As I was opening the door, it squeaked and I ran out into the front yard, slamming the door behind me.

I ran to my motorcycle but noticed I was missing something. I quickly walked over to my mom's store and opened the door.

"And here comes my son now." I saw my mom at the counter, like usual, but then standing in front of her, a familiar blonde girl was looking at the blue wall behind her.

"Annabeth?" I said.

"Percy? You're her son?"

"You two know each other?" My mom asked.

"We go to the same school mom. This is Annabeth."

"Well it's nice to meet you Annabeth. I'm Sally. It nice to know Percy made a friend on the first day."

"Okay, well mom, we're going to go." I only hoped she could see how urgent I was.

"Leaving so soon-"

"Sally!" My mom flinched and I sent her a empathetic look.

"Oh, look at the time. It was nice to meet you Annabeth. Percy." She gave me a look that said 'you need to take her and leave!'.

I took Annabeth's hand and pulled her out of the shop. I let her hand go when I neared my motorcycle, and handed her a helmet.

"Take this." I said.

"What's this for?" I stepped out of the way and revealed the motorcycle behind me. She looked at the bike.

"So your version of "going in style" is on a motorcycle." She asked. I smiled.

"Oh yeah. You're...okay with going on a motorcycle, right? I mean unless you want to walk or ride my skateboard."

"You skateboard?"

"Is that a yes or a no to the motorcycle?" She rolled her eyes and smiled at me.

"Sure." I helped a stubborn Annabeth get the helmet on, and hopped on my bike. I gestured for her to sit down but I could tell she was a little nervous as soon as her arms wrapped around my stomach tightly. I laughed.

"Don't worry Annabeth. We aren't going to get hit."

"You never know. Have you ever had anyone else on the back of one of these before." She asked.

I thought back to when I first let a girl on my bike.

Calypso loved to let her hair run wild as we rode.

"Yeah." I sighed, started it up and driving off. We were at the ice cream shop in no time. Luke had just gotten there with a red head. Rachel. They watched us as we drove into the parking lot and Annabeth and I got off my motorcycle. I saw Rachel give a look to Luke and Luke looked straight at me, his fist clenched and ready to fight. I put on a smile.

Annabeth pulled off my helmet and gave it to me. I placed it on the handlebars.

"You're not going to take it in?" She asked.

"Nah, I barely use it. Who's going to steal it anyway? If it is taken...well, it's more fun when you don't have one on." I smiled, but then thought back to Calypso. We walked over to the pair of walkers and went in. Annabeth sat down first, Luke sat right next to her. That meant I had to sit by Rachel. Annabeth knew I was uncomfortable sitting next to Rachel. I turned and found Rachel watching me, biting her lip.

A young girl with black hair and green eyes walked over and took our orders.

When she left, the table was quiet except for the red headed girl sitting next to me, who was giggling and poking my arm. I would pull away but she didn't get the picture.

Maybe she did but didn't care.

Either way, it was annoying.

The waitress came back and released me from Rachel by giving us our ice cream.

I order cookie dough, one of my favorites, Annabeth had cookie and cream, another one of my favorites, Luke had mint chocolate chip, and Rachel had some red ice cream. Probably strawberry, but that was more pink while this was more crayon red.

The whole time we were eating, it was quiet. Then Luke had to open his mouth.

"So Annabeth, I wanted to ask you...if maybe you wanted to do this again...just the two of us." Luke smiled at her.

"I don't know Luke."

"I already told you that everyone is going to know it's a lie, you can trust me." I laughed and everyone turned their heads to look at me as I finished my ice cream.

"What's so funny?" Luke snarled. He knew exactly what I was laughing at.

"You really think Annabeth wants anything to do with you? Why would she? Considering what you did to her? Yeah, I know the truth of what happened that night, she told me, but that's beside the point. Why would she want to date you after knowing what you did? Do you really think she is dumb enough to fall for you just so you can do it again?" Luke stood up and grabbed my collar. I didn't even flinch. I was used to this already.

"Watch your tongue if you want to keep it."

"You call that a threat?" I replied sassily. Luke swung at me but missed because I flinched, just getting out of his reach. My eyes were wide for a second but then the environment change.

My stepfather stood over me and was about to hit me. He had Luke's eyes, and a huge swinging fist. I closed my eyes and I was back in the ice cream shop. Luke was about to hit me when I grabbed his arm and twisted it, just like I had done to my stepfather this morning. I pulled him over my shoulder and he flew for a second, before falling in the ground. Annabeth stepped between the two of us.

"What is wrong with you two?" She screamed. Luke got up from the floor and ran at Annabeth, but before I could do anything Rachel gripped my shirt and kissed me. I tried to get away, to help Annabeth, but Rachel used her body weight to make me fall backwards, her on top of me, onto the bench of the booth we were sitting at.

I heard a crash, like glass smashing and I tried to push Rachel off me.

Annabeth was in trouble and I had to help her.

Suddenly Rachel was harshly pulled off of me and she screamed. Rachel grabbed Annabeth's arm and Annabeth retaliated by grabbing Rachel's arm and twisted it. She dropped Rachel on top of Luke and I realized the waitress was standing a little bit away from the pair on the floor. For only a second, she was shocked, but she soon replaced that look for a smile.

"You're okay. I'll let you guys go. It wasn't you're fault. It was all theirs. I take it you want them to have the bill?" Did I hear her right? I snapped out of my own shock.

"Yes, please." I replied.

"Thankfully, I was the only one out here and there wasn't any other customers. Otherwise...anyway, you should go." The waitress said. Her green eyes glowed and I was surprised that she wasn't freaking out. Now that I think about it, she looked like me. Black hair, green eyes, facial structure. That mischievous smile that I had used so many times.

"What if they tell the manager? I mean they still know what happened, and there is all of this proof on the floor." Glass was everywhere. Tables and chair were knocked over. It was a mess.

"I am the manager here. Don't worry, they won't tell anyone. I promise they won't say a word." That mischievous smile still played on her lips. She stepped towards Annabeth and touched her face. Annabeth lifted her hand to her face.

How was she be the manager? She was around my age. Maybe even a year younger. I snapped out of it.

"Thank you." I said. I watched as Annabeth walked out of the door, walking quickly. I ran outside and called out to her.

"Annabeth!" I yelled.

"No Percy."

"Annabeth, what's wrong?"

"You, is what's wrong. How could you kiss Rachel?"

"What? She kissed me, I didn't kiss her. I never wanted to."

"Then why did I find you two in the booth?"

"She tackled me. Literally. I think she might have played football before." I wanted her to laugh and so she would be mad but she took it the wrong way.

"This isn't a joke Percy!" She yelled at me.

"I'm not joking. I didn't want to kiss her! If there was anyone here I wanted to kiss..." I stopped. Did I mean what I was going to say? What I wanted to say.

"Who!? Who would you want to kiss!?" She was definitely angry, but I grabbed her shoulders, and looked into her eyes anyway, I softened my eyes so they were no longer filled with rage.

"You Annabeth! I don't love Rachel, I love...I love you." I closed my eyes, getting the realization of what I had said to Annabeth.

Jason was right. I liked her. No, loved her. I turned away from Annabeth, my eyes still closed, waiting for her reaction.

I got ready for a fist in the face, but it never came.

"I'm sorry Percy. I don't know why I blew up at you. It wasn't your fault, I just...got a little jealous of Rachel kissing you. I'm sorry." She turned away and my heart skipped a beat.

She had admitted she was jealous when Rachel had kissed me.

So...she liked me?

I grabbed Annabeth's hand and I turned her towards me, lifting her chin in the process. She looked into my eyes.

I felt like screaming. My heart was beating at a thousand miles per hour and I was scared of what I was going to say next, more importantly, what Annabeth would do next.

Instead, I let my racing heart speak.

"You can't be jealous if you have done it too." I lowered my head and pressed my lips to hers. I expected a punch in the gut, but instead, I found her hands floating up and gracing me neck, resting there. I placed one of my hands on her hip, the other securing her back. I felt her hand move up my neck and to my hair.

Fireworks.

It felt so right to kissing Annabeth, like it was meant for me to kiss her.

Rachel on the other hand, I felt like I was kissing an old rag.

I didn't want to, but I pulled away, the imaginary fireworks still making my lips tingle. I rested my forehead on hers and closed my eyes.

"Sorry, I know you must be uncomfortable, with what you've been through." I said apologetically.

"But none of that felt like this before." She said. I wanted to jump up excited, but then thought she might not be thinking what I was thinking. Did she hate my kiss? I looked at her confused.

"What?"

"Nothing I have been through felt right, nothing had ever made me feel..." She stopped mid-sentence trying to find the right word.

"Loved?" I asked. There was probably a better word but that's all I could think of.

"Yeah." She said. I smiled at her.

"Well, if you want a ride home, my bike is that way." I pointed over to my bike behind me.

"Actually, I think we have some unfinished business to take care of at school." I have her another confused look. We drove to school and Annabeth gave me the tour I had totally forgotten about.

"Hey Percy, I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm?"

"I didn't tell you that Luke had lied about what really happened, how did you know?"

"Jason told me."

"Thank you Jason."

"I heard my name." We turned to find Jason and Piper walking towards us.

I could have sworn I saw Piper wink to Annabeth out of the corner of my eye.

"You told Percy the truth about what happened."

"Oh yeah. Piper told me that the three of us had gym together and once I saw Percy had it too, I decided to tell him because he was probably going to be hanging out with us since Percy and I are already friends. Then I found out you guys knew each other, so...yeah. I guess it worked out."

"So what are you guys doing here so late?" I asked.

"Just some stuff for soccer, Piper was watching me."

"Do what?" Annabeth asked.

"I was in the weight room."

"Oh."

"You're going about it all wrong Jason. You don't have to lift for soccer. It's not football, it's fútbol." Everyone turned to me, giving me strange looks.

Did I accidentally say that in Greek?

"Uh..." A puzzled Jason said.

"You don't have to push a two hundred fifty pound guy like in football. I mean, it's okay to lift, but you don't have to do it for two hours just to stay in shape for soccer. You would be better off just doing some drills, stretching and running, put some planks in there somewhere and some other stomach and leg strengthening exercises, but you don't have to lift like you're going to be pushing someone back." Silence all around.

"Coach Hedge did say you were good at soccer." Jason finally broke the silence.

"I'm okay." I shrugged.

"He said you are great. Amazing actually."

"That's because I actually tried to play while everyone else kind of stood there."

"Alright, I can tell you're being modest about it. So why are you guys here?"

"I was giving Percy a tour of the school liked he asked." Annabeth replied.

"For two hours?" Piper asked, she wiggled her eyebrows at Annabeth.

"No, first we had ice cream with Luke and Rachel."

"Ugh, what did they want." Jason asked.

"To kiss us first off." I said. Annabeth nudged me lightly, playfully and laughed.

"Then Annabeth grabbed a glass cup off a table and ninja smashed it on Luke's head. After that, she saw that I was a damsel in distress," I dramatically pretended to smack into a locker nearby and held a hand to my head, as if I was in, well...distress.

"And pulled Rachel's hair so hard I thought maybe it would have ripped out of her head."

"And you guys got out okay? No one called the cops?"

"There was no one else there. Only the waitress that was serving us saw it. She saw the whole thing and let Percy and I go." Annabeth informed them.

"Cool waitress." Jason said.

"She made them pay the bill too." I added.

"Percy, I should probably go. I have homework and my parents are probably wondering where I-" I heard the buzzing of a phone and Annabeth brought her phone out of her pocket. She looked at the screen.

"That's them now. Hello?" She asked, answering the phone. I could barely hear what was being said.

"Annabeth, where have you been!? Get home this instant."

"Fine." She hung up the phone.

"That was harsh." I said.

"That was my stepmother."

"Oh, okay never mind then. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah."

"We'll walk with you guys."

"Actually, Percy drove us here." Annabeth said.

"Well we can walk out with you, we have to leave anyway." We got to the parking lot and I walked towards my bike, Annabeth close behind. Piper and Jason had looks on their faces that said they couldn't believe that the motorcycle was mine. It was almost brand new. Not a scratch on it.

Truthfully, it was only a year or so old. Calypso convinced me to buy it because I really liked it. I still did, but it brought back memories of my last girlfriend.

The one that I loved but pushed away so she wouldn't find out my secret of how I would get beaten when I got home.

Our last conversation wasn't a pleasant one.

I started my motorcycle and Annabeth put on her helmet. As I pulled away, we waved goodbye to Jason and Piper. Annabeth told me the directions to her house as I drove. I let her off at her house and got off myself. I walked her to the door.

"So...good first day?" She asked me.

"Well, I did make some friends and an enemy or two. I guess that counts as a good day. You?"

"Yes and no. The whole thing with Luke really made it bad but..."

"Yes?"

"I made a new friend today but he turned out to be something else." She sounded disappointed.

"Did he hurt you? Who is he?" I asked.

"He turned out to be my new best friend." Annabeth kissed me on the lips and went into her house.

"Yes!" I yelled to no one. I walked towards my bike and my cell phone went off and I saw it was my mom.

"Hey mom, okay, so you know the girl I brought home, Annabeth? Yeah she kissed me. Isn't that great!" I heard a sniff in the background.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I quickly walked over to my motorcycle.

"Percy. Just come home, please, you need to hurry, were leaving-" I heard a scream coming from inside of Annabeth's house.

"Oh no, Annabeth! Mom I-" I was distracted by a familiar car. I looked at the license plate and it matched what I was looking for.

"Mom, it's him. It's Gabe."

"Percy, leave, do not go by your stepfather."

"He is with Annabeth, mom. I can't leave without her."

"Percy...be careful..." I ran to Annabeth's door.

"Don't worry, if I don't come back alive, you can kill me. Bye." I open the door slowly and found Annabeth on the floor gagged, tied, and crying.


MAJOR CLIFFY! Review your reactions!

Question of the chapter: How do you think I should put the other characters in?

I have some ideas but I want to hear it from you guys.

Not much left to say.

K, bye~ VictoryD