Hi, it's Lorrieve, this is one of my favorite story lines that i've read in hooked. Written by Kayla Parent. This is just the first of many more to come! I've decided that the first story will be in 2 parts because it's TOO long. AU: Mortals
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO, Hoo, or plot
Why are there a pair of panties on the flag pole? I see them as I'm turning into the school parking lot. As usual I'm running late and park into the first empty spot I see. I look at myself in the rearview mirror and shrug then smile at myself, and poke at the feather in my hair. One I get out of my car I instantly hear laughter. Everyone is gathered around the flagpole so I look up, and that's when I get a good look at the panties. I felt my mouth drop a bit, there not just any panties... They're MY panties.
My fists clench involuntarily and my blood starts to boil. I know exactly who's responsible for this. Jason. Grace.
I find him leaning against the flagpole. We lock eyes, and his million dollar smile becomes a smug grin. "YOU. ARE. DEAD."
I storm toward the crowd, not stopping when I feel and hand on my arm. "Piper, take deep breaths." My best friend, Annabeth.
"He's gone too far this time."
"You did fill his backpack with Hot cheetos last week."
"How did he even get my underwear?! Filthy pervert!"
"How many times do I have to remind you to, lock your gym locker door." I pushed past her, and got right into Jason's face. "You conniving, arrogant, sneaky son-of" he smiles wider. Then pulls my matching bra from his back pocket.
"Floral print, Piper? so anti-climatic. Do you always take yourself so seriously?" I snatch them back. The crowd 'oohs' and 'ahhs' and I know they're recording us with their phones.
"you crossed the line!"
"didn't think you had one. Considering you broke into my house last week." Jason retorts.
"To get back my hubcaps that you stole!"
"I wouldn't have stolen them if you hadn't ruined mine!" At that moment we both looked over to Jason's car, I bedazzled his hubcaps a few weeks ago. It's some of my best work. Chris Rodriguez comes over chuckling as he slaps Jason on the back. "Man, I'm going to miss you two when we graduate. Never a dull moment." Chris says. Then I hear a girl call out behind me.
"don't let him get away with this Piper, I have 50 bucks that says you kill him this time!" I let her words roll off me the comments are nothing new. The bell rings and everyone starts filling inside but i don't take my eyes off Jason."You've made us into a laughing stock!" I say.
"Me!? your the one that started this!" Jason retorted.
"Five years of your bullcrap! I can't wait to graduate and never see you again."
"I'm counting down the days, babe." I let Annabeth pull me away.
"Your going to pay for this one, Jason" I said. I'm about to turn away, when his voice stops me short."Seven days." Was all he said.
"What?" I ask confused.
"We graduate in a week. Why don't we see who finally deserves to be crowned winner of this prank war?"
"I'm listening" I say, thinking.
"We have an ultimate prank week. And in the end, whoever pulls off the best prank... Wins."
"Piper, ignore him. Let's just go-" I stopped her mid word.
"I'll win eternal bragging rights? And you'll never bother me again?"
"We'll wave the white flag." Jason says with a smug grin.
"Oh no, no. Piper, stop and think about this, it's a bad idea-" Annabeth did't get to finish that sentence.
"I'm In." I reply with a smug grin of my own. "Good." Jason say's as he starts backing away toward the school.
"Just so you know, I won't be going easy on you. I've been waiting for this moment for years."
"I'm going to bring you to your knees, Grace. You're going to regret this." I say.
"Looking forward to it, Babe."
"Good! Because I already know what I'm going to do." He laughs, then walks away, leaving me and Annabeth standing alone. I turn to her, eyes wide.
"I lied. I have no idea what I'm going to do." I said to her. "I can't believe you agreed to this." Annabeth says shaking her head.
"I need an idea. A BIG one." I say already starting to brainstorm.
"If you would just slow down a second-"
"Do you think I could borrow your dad's tractor? No, he'd see that coming."
"You're way too impulsive-"
"Maybe I could login to his Tinder account!"
"Piper, your not listening! You-" Her words are drowned out by the sound of the flag wooshing down the pole. I turn to see Octavian (Don't know his last name?) pluck my panties off the pole. Then move to put them in his back pocket. I make a disgusted face, and rip them from his hand. "Paws off my undies, Octavian" I say utterly disgusted.
"Just trying to help out." He answers back. "I've always been on your side, you know"
"Team Piper sends their regards." I can't even try to hide the sarcasm in my voice, but he doesn't seem phased.
"I mean it. Grace' a chump. You need my help with anything... And I mean anything" His gaze trailed to my lips. "you let me know."
Octavian walked off. But something about his words set my mind racing. Annabeth scoffs from beside me. "What a creep. As if you'd ever... wait. Why are you making that face?" Because I just thought of a way to destroy Jason. A surefire way to win the prank war, I turn to Annabeth "I think I have an idea."
Annabeth slams her locker closed. "That will NEVER work."
"It's perfect." I reply with a mischievous grin. "Jason literally hates you."
"He hates me right NOW. But you're forgetting that he and I used to be best friends. I know him, and I know what he looks for in a girl."
"So what? you're going to use that to make him fall for you? He'll see right though it!" She says glaring at me with piercing grey eyes.
"I'm going to distract him with small pranks first. And then I'm going to do exactly what he did to me. Give him false hope, then watch him fall flat on his face." Annabeth gives me a sad look.
"Piper I mean this in the nicest way possible... But don't you think it's time you got over what happened? I mean it was eighth grade. He was young and-" I stop her short. I can never forgive what he did to me.
"Get over the fact that my best friend led me to believe we were turning into something more... only to turn around and kiss Drew Tanaka behind my back at his birthday party?"
"Yes, but-"
"And ever since, make my life a living nightmare with this stupid prank war?" I say re-living bad memories.
"Well, Jason's technically right. You did start this, if you hadn't pushed his face into his cake that night..."
"He deserved it it. And he deserves this, too." Annabeth shakes her head, then looks over at me disappointed. "This is a disaster waiting to happen."
"It's poetic." I reply. I turn and open my locker door... and shriek when dozens of condoms spill out. I grit my teeth and mutter under my breath. "Let the games begin."
It's Monday morning and I hear my alarm go off, and reach over to hit the snooze button. Definitely not getting up yet, I'm so not a morning person. I try to settle back in... but there's something tickling my nose. I reached up to brush it away, and I realize it was just my hair. I push the strands away from my face- Wait... something's wrong. A clump of hair comes away in my hand. My heart starts to seize in my chest, and I shoot straight up. Grasping at my hand. I looked around me and- to my absolute freakin' horror... I'm surrounded by my strands of hair!
They're on my pillow, in my blankets! MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT! THERE ARE CLUMPS EVERYWHERE! I'm screaming bloody murder, (a bit surprised my dad didn't wake up...) Two seconds away from hyperventilating. When I realize something about the hair. It feels... off. I take a closer look, and suck in a shocked breath. It's synthetic hair. FAKE.
My panic quickly shifts to anger. I scramble out of bed and run to the window. Jason and I are neighbors, and his window faces mine... and of course, he's already there waiting for me. I note with rage the wig and scissors in his hand. "Wake up on the wrong side of bed? You look a little rough." Jason said.
"If this is the best you got, you should forfeit now!" I retort.
"Forfeit? I'm just getting started, Babe" (I'm sorry I just got to point this out, every time I use the word 'babe' It's really meant to be baby... But idk bout you guys but I HATE that nickname it sounds weird to me) I slam my hands on the sill. He drives me insane!
"How did you even get in here?!"
"Your window was open... Just like your locker. You should really be more vigilant."
"Funny you should say that..." I reach behind me and grab his phone. "When you forgot to lock YOUR window last night." Jason's face went white, and it made all the sleep I lost worth it.
"Give it back!"
"Come and get it!" Just like I hoped, Jason goes to jump out the window... but jerks his hands from the sill. I painted a fresh coat of white paint on it, and now his hands are covered. God i'm a genius. Annabeth would be so proud! probably not... "Got to get up earlier than that to fool me, Grace. See you at school!" I throw in a wink for good measure, and leave him fuming.
For a few days... Jason and I prank each other nonstop. I put itching powder in his jockstrap, he puts red dye in my shower head. I fill his cooler with Viagra, he comes at me with a leaf blower filled with flower. I hide in his closet with a chainsaw, he lets a raccoon loose in my car. After that little stunt. I'm enraged. And ready to start working toward my ultimate goal. Which is why on Thursday after school... I'm filling water balloons on the side of my house.
Annabeth looks down at my bucket disapprovingly with her wise grey eyes. "Is this a good idea? your a terrible shot." She says.
"The water balloons aren't the point"
"I don't understand."
"I'm raising the stakes. Putting my bigger plan into action."
"And you think dousing him with water... right before he goes on a date... Is going to make him fall for you?" That gets my attention.
"Jason has a date?"
"Jessica has been bragging about it all day. I told you you already do you ever listen to me?" (I'm just gonna use the original name can't think of anyone from the books XD)
"What the heck does he see in her?!" For some reason, The thought of Jason on a date has my stomach unsettled... but I quickly push those feelings away. "You know what? Who cares. It doesn't change anything." I start dragging the bucket full of water balloons to the front of his house.
"I really don't get how this is going to work, and planning things is pretty much my thing" Annabeth said.
"That's because you're not thinking big picture. When I hit Jason with a water balloon... What do you think he's going to do next?" She answers.
"Retaliate." And I answer.
"Exactly." I hear Jason's front door open. He peers out and looks both ways... and I make sure to hide myself behind a hedge. When he thinks the coast is clear... That's when I strike. Water balloon in hand. I run onto his front lawn. "Hey Grace! why's your shirt all wet?!"
I throw the water balloon and it hits the center of his chest. Terrible shot my ass. I laugh, grab another one, and purposefully run to the other side of the yard. He looks down, shocked. His jaw hanging open. Then, his eyes narrow and he takes off running towards the bucket. "Leaving your ammo unguarded? Rookie mistake."
He grabs a water balloon, and when he throws it at me... I let myself get hit. I run back toward the bucket at the same time as him, and barely manage to grab one. But I do, and then I hit the center of his back. At the same time he lobs one at my shoulder.
Pretty soon... where in an all-out war. Just like we used to do when we were kids.
We're both soaked by the end. And to my surprise, we're laughing. The smile on his face is huge, and for just a moment. I let myself enjoy it. Let myself enjoy the scar on his lip I think is cute... and the way his electric blue eyes light up when he laughs. Wait, whats going on here?! Am I having... FUN?!
Jason, who I realize has also been scanning my face, seems to catch himself at the same time I do. I school my features and plop down on the grass... Needing a moment to collect myself. I feel him sit beside me, and it's a couple seconds before he speaks. "Water balloons? I'm surprised. You're a terrible shot." He says ginning.
"You too?! A girl loses one little league championship and never lives it down." I said exasperated.
"Don't get mad at me. I was the only kid on the team who did't shun you afterward."
"You were the better pitcher. They should have put you in."
"Nah, you were better. Just easily distracted. Always chasing butterflies instead of the ball." He meets my gaze, and we both laugh. Uncomfortable at the ease between us, I look away.
I need to get my head back in the game. So I clear my throat, and reach for the hem of my tank top. I pull it over my head, revealing the very skimpy bikini top I borrowed from my half-sister Selena. From the corner of my eye, I watch as Jason's eyes get wide. Then close in on my chest, his cheeks go red. And after a few seconds, he seems to force himself to look away.
I smile to myself. Step one was definitely a success. I wanted him to notice me... and from the way he's fidgeting, It worked. Now, I have to play it cool. "Anyway, you better get going. Don't want to be late for your *date*."
"What?" He asked looking confused.
"I'd change if I were you. Were you really going to wear that anyway? Poor Jessica." He runs a hand through his blonde hair. Seeming agitated.
"I'm not going out with Jessica. I cancelled. Wasn't feeling it." A sort of relief fills my chest, but I refuse to examine it too closely. I need to get out of here. So I start backing away.
"Typical. Break the girl's heart after all the bragging she did." I said.
"Well if I were going out with me, I'd brag, too." Ah, there's the Jason I know and hate.
"You're too arrogant for your own good. Anyone ever tell you that?" His eyes stayed locked on mine as he says:
"A time or two."
Annabeth finds me the next day. "Looked like you had fun last night. At least from where I was standing."
I can't meet her eyes. Truth is, I did have fun with him, but I don't want her to know that so instead I say "I got to throw things at Jason's head. Whats not to like? More importantly... Step one was a success. He couldn't keep his eyes off me." A guy's voice calls out from behind us.
"Hey Piper! I'm rooting for you, girl! Don't let me down!" I wave to him in acknowledgment.
"what's step two?" Annabeth asks.
"Are you coming to my family's barbecue tonight?" A group of jocks walks by before she can answer. One of them grins at me.
"Heard Grace' cooking up something epic. I'd be scared if I were you." I flip him off as my answer, and Annabeth rolls her eyes.
"yeah I'm coming" Annabeth answers my question.
"Good. Because for step two, I'm going to need your help." She lets out a sigh and stops in the middle of the hallway.
"Look Piper, I know I sound like a broken record... but is this really what you should be focusing on? Graduation is in a few days. And you haven't even figured out what you're going to do-" I interrupted her. Because I've been avoiding that conversation for a long time... And I don't want to get into it now.
"I'll worry about that later. Be there at six." I walk past her, and see Jason coming out of a classroom. Usually we avoid eye contact, or scowl at each other, but I smile, hoping to take him off guard. And when he stares back at me, confused, I know it worked.
Later that night, I'm on my bed surrounded by pictures of me and Jason. We were inseparable when we were kids... and this trip down memory lane is bittersweet. But step two is already underway, and I don't want to get caught up in my emotions.
I check my phone for the what feels like the tenth time. My family's barbecue started 20 minutes ago... and so far, no sign of Jason. "Come on, Annabeth." She's doing me a solid and sending Jason on a fake errand to my bedroom. But she's late most likely Percy holding her up I rolled my eyes she and her boyfriend are so cute-
I hear footsteps. I jump back into bed, and grab a picture. The door opens and Jason's head pops in, and when he did I made a show of trying to hide the pictures. Of course, I want him to catch me. That's the whole point. I look up, painting a sneer on my face. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?!"
"Annabeth asked me to get you. Your Dad just fired up the grill." He says.
"I'll be right there. You can see yourself out now." Just like I hoped, his eyes narrow in on the pictures scattered around me.
"I don't think so." He storms in and snatches one. "Oh, I see what this is. Trying to embarrass me with old photos?"
"I was looking for the one of you trying to eat a stapler when you where two, I remember the day Thalia gave me the picture I could not stop laughing" I saw grinning. Thalia's in college now, but I still miss her.
"Have at it. Can't shame me, I was a good-looking kid." I pretend to be annoyed.
"What are you even doing here?"
"Just because we're not friends anymore... does't mean our parents aren't. You know they make me come to these things." He says.
"Whatever." I pick up a picture. Ready to put step two officially into action. "I uh, haven't looked at these for a long time."
I hand Jason a photo, and he laughs. "our tree house! Man I haven't been up there in ages." Thalia built us a tree house when we where younger we'd always play in it best place in the world!
"I went up the other day." This is true and It's all the exact same way we left it before-
"You did?" Jason said be=ringing me out of that memory.
"It's just how we left it. Posters on the wall, sleeping bags on the floor, our lit of rules is still hanging above the ladder." A genuine smile lights up his face.
"No way?! What were they again? No parents allowed..."
"No going to bed before midnight..."
"And..." Jason trails off smile starting to fade, and I know why. Because I'm feeling lost for words, too. But I force myself to finish the sentence.
"And stay friends forever." A pang fills my chest, and a sad smile crosses his face.
"Right. Things were a lot simpler back then, huh?" He asks.
"Yeah." We share a look, and I force myself to look away first. I grab the picture I'd been hiding behind me. "Oh. My. God. Here it is! The stapler picture!" It's the reason he has that scar on his lip, I show him the picture and we both start laughing.
"Okay, I take it back. Please burn this... I had such a big head." He says through laughing.
"Not much has changed." He chuckles, then sits on my bed... picking up another picture. I hold my breath, watching him, letting myself for just a moment, enjoy having him near.
Over the weekend... Our pranks continue, but it feels different. And I'm not exactly sure what to do about it. When I sprayed him with the hose, we both ended up laughing until we couldn't breath. He ordered ten pizzas to my house, and we spent the whole night eating and talking on my porch. And on Monday morning, when I open my locker, dozens of roses spill out. I made a flower crown during first period and put it one wearing it for the rest of the day. I read his latest text message playing with the crown in my hair.
Jason: You left your math book here. Hope you don't think your getting it back in one piece!
Piper: Do your worst. School's almost over, big head.
Jason: Pick it up later?
Piper: See you then.
Piper approaches, and I don't have time to wipe the smile off my face.
"Someone's been in a good mood lately. Cute flower crown." She says smiling. I play it cool.
"Uh yeah. My plan's working perfectly. In fact, step three is already in motion." I reply.
"I mean it. You seem... Happy, and your spending a lot of time with Jason."
"Because I have to. Stop reading into things, brainiac." She shakes her head before changing the subject.
"anyway, I talked to my cousin she's hiring at her photography studio, and I figured since you didn't have any plans after graduation-"
"Oh- there's Octavian. We'll talk later. I've got a date to plan."
"Wait, you're going out with Octavian?!" Annabeth looks utterly shocked and disgusted.
"No, but by the end of the day... Jason is going to think I am." I shoot her a wink, then walk off.
Jason is in the gym shooting hoops scoring every single time, when he's approached by Octavian. I sneak behind the bleachers and listen in on their conversation.
"Yo, Grace" Says Octavian.
"What is it, Octavian?" Jason says.
"Do me a solid, lay off on the pranks tonight. Got a date with Piper and I don't want any interruptions... If you know what I mean." Jason looks visibly shocked. Good.
"Piper is going out with you?!"
"Don't look so surprised... I've got a lot to offer a girl like her." I can't help but to roll my eyes at that one. Octavian grabs a basketball, then shoots, and misses. "Let's just hope I have better luck scoring tonight, eh?
Octavian grins before walking away from a conflicted Jason. Jason takes out his phone and types something. I jump when my phone pings.
Jason: You still coming by to grab your book tonight?
Piper: Oh shoot. I made other plans, can you just leave it on my back porch?
Jason: Yeah. Sure.
Jason puts his phone away, then shoots a ball, but misses. He looks upset. Perfect.
I'm dressed in a form-fitting black dress, that I of course borrowed from my half-sister Selena. Sitting in my back yard at a table set for two, I'm waiting for my 'date'. And when Jason walks into my yard, my math book in his hand, step three officially begins. I check my phone as if I'm annoyed, and I can tell when he notices me. I look up and lock eyes with him. Kaleidoscope, that's how he explained it when we where kids, against electric blue "Oh great. Just what I need."
"Piper? What is this?" I feign irritation.
"I'ts supposed to be a date, but considering he's an hour late, and not answering my texts... I'm pretty sure I've been stood up. The shock on his face is flattering.
"You're kidding me! Octavian's a no show?!"
"Go ahead and laugh."
I wave my arm around at all the food and decor. "I'm sure you find this all hilarious."
He takes a step closer. "The only thing I find funny is you going out with Octavian. I thought you hated him."
"I do. I mean, I did, but not all of us have unlimited dating options, Grace" He grinned sheepishly at that.
"True. I do have my pick of the ladies as Leo would put it" He laughs. I school my expression into one of defeat. I need him to take the bait.
"Just go okay? This is embarrassing enough." There's silence... and I can feel the wheels turning in his head from here. Luckily, they spin in the direction I want them to go.
"And let all this food go to waste?" He sits down across from me and picks up a fork. I fake outrage... Even though this is exactly what I wanted to happen.
"What do you think your doing?!" I say.
"Eating. At least I know it's not poisoned." He takes a larger bite and groans his pleasure. "This is freaking delicious. Best mac and cheese I've ever tasted."
I smile despite myself. I'm glad he likes it, since I made it just for him. "That doesn't mean a lot, coming from someone who thinks mac and cheese is a food group."
"Exactly, so I would know it's the best. Is it homemade?" He asked me.
"Yeah I, uh, spent all afternoon making it."
"Pshh, all that for Octavian? His loss." Jason picks up two beers and takes off the caps. He holds his up, and I force myself to hesitate I have to make this believable.
"Jason, this is crazy. We can't have dinner together."
"Why not?" He replys.
"Because you... because I... because we"
"It's just a meal. Come on, for old times sake." After a beat, I return his smile, and clink my beer against his.
"for old times sake."
This 'date' with Jason is going well. Too well. Because as we climb up the ladder to our tree house... The prank war is the last thing on my mind. Jason and I had a great time at dinner, and I have to admit to myself... I'm having a much better night then I thought I would. And now, after all these years, we're standing in our tree house and my heart skips a beat. Jason looks around. Eyeing our old memories with light in his eyes. Your where right, this place hasn't changed. It's just like I remember."
"Memories don't change, Grace. People do." I say as we share a sad smile. Then we sit down on our old sleeping bags. To my surprise, he pulls a six-pack of orange soda from his backpack.
"Ta-da." He says smiling.
"Crush soda?! I haven't had that in years!"
"Grabbed it when I went in to use the bathroom. Figured this night deserved a little something extra." His words, and the smile on my face, warm my already skittering heart. But his next words feel like a bucket of cold water.
"So what are your plans for after graduation?" He asks.
"I...have no idea. Kind of a sore subject for me right now."
"Yeah. Me too."
"Really?! I thought you were going to State." Jason fidgets uncomfortably.
"Everyone thinks I am... but no. I decided not to go."
"Oh."
"No one knows this, but I'm going to an engineering college that specializes in Aerodynamics. It's a better fit for me."
That' great! But I don't get it. Whats the problem then?"
It's just... Everyone is going to these fancy universities to get their fancy degrees. I guess I feel ashamed in a way." He says clearly vulnerable so I say the next best thing.
"Well, that's stupid. You've always been interested into that type of stuff I mean no one can build a paper airplane like you can. Your way too proud, Grace." I say.
"I know I've been way to proud of a lot of things." His Blue electric eyes pierce mine, and when his head move in closer... I'm drawn to him, like a magnet. But I blink, forcing myself back into reality. I can't loose sight of things now. And since he was honest I decide to be, too.
"Well, at least you have a plan. I have literally no idea what I'm going to do. I always thought i'd have more time... but I guess life finally caught up with me."
"You can do anything you want. You're a force to be reckoned with, Piper." His words make my eyes water. He has no idea how much that means to me.
"And when did you start having so much faith in me?" I asked
"I always have. You've always been the coolest... ballsiest, most adventurous girl on the block. You still are. You can do anything you put your mind to." And there, in that moment, I feel the wall between us break down. My feelings for him open like a dam. A dam that had been poorly built for years. Overwhelmed, I make light of it.
"Wow. So much for being proud, huh?" I know Jason. And I know he's feeling the same thing I am.
"Piper, there's something I want to say. I've really, really missed you." His honest bravery astounds me... and I can't lie to him.
"I've missed you too."
"I think we need to talk about what happ-" Just then, the floorboards of the tree house creak. There's a large crackling sound. I shriek and jump into Jason's lap. Once the noise stops, and we realize it okay... we both laugh. But I'm still on his lap, and we both notice at the same time. The moment turns serious and heated, and we both lean forward and I jerk away. This is too much, too fast. I was about to kiss Jason Grace! I need to reevaluate. When I pull away, I can see the disappointment in his eyes. Unable to stand it, I turn and start picking up our things.
"We better go. I don't think it's safe"
"No. I don't think it is, but hey, you're coming to my birthday tomorrow, right?" I tease him.
"You mean I'm actually invited?" He doesn't laugh.
"I want you there."
"Then I'll be there."