Chapter 3-septenber:

Ethans pov

Try outs for swim team were today. I'd been practicing the whole week in anticipation for today. I've been swimming my whole life, getting in should be a piece of cake, I mean I get in every year and I am best after the captain. Yet I'm nervous, Annabeth would be watching me and I didn't want to let her down.

My mom didn't help much either, the whole car ride to school she asked me annoying questions. I didn't lose my temper but I replied to her with one-word answers. She finally got the hint and the rest of the ride to school was silent, I briefly felt guilty but then I remembered it was my mom's fault not mine. She should have been less selfish.

I got out of the car and slammed the door, cutting my moms sentence midway. My friends caught on to my agitation faster than my mom had. I'll admit that I was laying the grouchiness on thick in hopes that Annabeth would ask me what was wrong. I glanced at her from time to time but she wasn't even looking at me. In the end Joshua asked.

"well... I'm nervous for the swim tryouts" I answered. At the mention of the word swim, Annabeth perked up. She probably likes water.

Joshua stared at me, mouth agape, "you get in every year"

"yes, but this time there'll be more competition", I explained patiently.

Annabeth piped in, "don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll do fine", she seemed kinda distracted. But then again Annabeth is always distracted. She might be blonde but she's actually quite smart. Her reply filled me with renewed confidence.

"the try outs are in the break, you wanna come", I asked hopefully.

"sure"

I suddenly had a great idea, "if I get in, we can go to the beach to celebrate!".

Liam scoffed, "the beaches in New York suck".

Liam was right of course but I didn't care. I imagined how fun it would be. Me and Annabeth splashing water on each other at the beach.

Annabeth however didn't agree, she murmured something that sounded a lot like, "not all of them". She had distant, dreamy look in her eyes. I didn't ask her about it.

"ok... then we can go to my pool", I announced.

Line break

Adrenaline was coursing through my veins and I hadn't even entered the water yet. I was wearing spandex and was extremely aware of the fact that Annabeth was watching me (along with my friends of course). The coach blew the whistle. This was it. This was my time to shine. The world seemed to slow down as I jumped into the water and swam to the other side. with each second ticking away, I pushed myself harder than I had before, until I reached the end of the pool. I looked around and grinned. I'd made it to second place again. I couldn't even see why I had been so nervous in the first place. I turned around to look at Annabeth who gave me a friendly thumbs up and a big smile and I swear I could've dissolved right into the pool. How could someone be so effortlessly perfect?

Later that day

Liam pov:

Since Annabeths home is on the way to Ethans, he and his mom dropped her home. They offered to drop me home as well, I live right near the school, but I declined and went walking home instead.

I walked home, my only company being my thoughts. It wasn't always like that. Me and Sammy, a girl who lives in my building, used to walk together. But ever since the monster attacks... I couldn't risk her life. We weren't friends anymore.

Around the time 7th grade started I'd been experiencing the weirdest things. I'd always been unlucky; I mean it's pretty unlucky to end up with dyslexia and ADHD. The fact that harper was even my friend was a miracle. I am lucky to have her but I don't deserve her.

The first time it happened was when I turned thirteen, that was two weeks ago. I was waiting at the park for Sammy. Me and her always used to sit with each other and just talk, she was my best friend. My family doesn't do that well, so for my thirteenth birthday it's not like I could afford to throw a party. I didn't have enough friends for a party either, in the end all I really wanted was to talk to my best friend. I was waiting for her at the park. She was a few minutes late, it wasn't that big of a deal to me but it may have just made the difference between her life and death.

I was sitting on the swing when an overfed chicken flew at me. At first, I assumed it was an abandoned pet or something; many people abandoned their pets in this area because they couldn't afford it. But as the chicken approached me, I saw that it had a misshapen face of a woman. Before I could even process what was happening, I had decapitated her head using the rusty chains on the swings. The only thing remaining of the chicken was a pile of sand colored dust.

I forgot all about Sammy and I ran back home, she didn't speak to me for a while. I didn't make any attempt to speak to her either. The weird encounters were getting more frequent and I didn't want to endanger her, I'd never be able to forgive myself If anything happened to her.

Line break

As I entered the dingy apartment, a strong odor hit me. Sadly, I was accustomed to weird smelling things, my sister was probably cooking food in the kitchen. I dumped my bag on to the floor and walked into our kitchen. Our apartment was pretty small. It was probably the size of one of Ethans room.

I couldn't help being resentful toward him, he was your basic, privileged white boy. He got everything he wanted, his parents loved him and he still managed to be an ungrateful little brat. He had parent who were there for him. Huh... imagine that...

Our whole apartment only had one small room, that's where my dad sleeps. We don't have any other room since the kitchen and the living room are conjoined. We have a sofa in the living room other than that It was empty. It was quite depressing if I'm being honest. The grey walls and confined space gave it a claustrophobic effect. Our kitchen, if you could even call it that, was comprised of a small fridge, a cabinet, and the oldest microwave oven on this planet.

Our dad pretty much left us to fend for ourselves. He only came home once a week, but we barely ever saw him since he always comes at night and doesn't allow us to enter his room. We don't know what his job is but I don't question it, the last thing we need to be is homeless. Neglected? Sure. But homeless...I wasn't sure how I'd deal with that.

"lee!, I made something special for lunch", Ashley called eagerly.

Ashley was a year younger than me, usually I make the food but I guess she made it today since I reached late. I'd been reaching late a lot recently but she never complains. She's glad to do anything she can to help. I guess she feels guilty, I sacrifice a lot for her. I used to cook most of the time, when she was sick, I would stay home to look after her, and I'd let her sleep on the couch while I slept on the floor.

I grimaced, "actually... it's fine Ash, I'm eating at my friend's house"

"oh, ok... well then, have fun"

Our dad didn't speak to us except to give us a weekly allowance for food; he didn't expect anything from us nor did he care about us. He comes home drunk sometimes but at least he ignores us. I mean... it could always be worse.

I change into swim trunks and a casual t-shirt and pack a towel in my bag and headed out. The walk to Ethans place was 30 minutes but I didn't mind. I preferred being out of the house, I didn't want to risk my sisters life.

You'd think I'd have a hard time believing that it was real but it somehow seemed right.

It was 3 when I reached Ethans Villa, Harper and Joshua had already arrived and they were already in the pool. Ethans mom was nice, she directed me to the pool; I'd never met my mom. I quickly took off my shirt and slipped into the warm water. I was immediately splashed by all of them, I noticed that Ethan was having extra fun with it.

Ethans Pov:

I stopped splashing Liam, if he hates me so much why does he still come to my house?

The thought of seeing Annabeth made me feel light and dizzy, like the world was spinning around me.

Why was she always last to come? When she knew I would want to see her. My heart ached dimly in my chest.

That's when I saw her. Her beautiful golden locks were loose and cascading down her back. I realized that I'd never seen her with open hair. Her grey eyes seemed warm today, as if she were relaxed. She was wearing a teal swim suit with an open back that showed of her slim arms. Toned shoulder and back. She was wearing denim shorts that showed of her long and tanned legs. I gestured toward the pool asking her to come in. She quickly took off her shorts and cannon balled into the water splashing all of us.

I suddenly felt self conscious about myself. I knew I wasn't built that well despite swimming for all these years .

But when she resurfaced instead of looking over at me, she was looking at liam.

I followed her gaze and she seemed to be looking at this chain around Liams neck. It had a metal tag on it. I thought that was quite fitting; a collar for the dog. Now that I look closer, I notice that Annabeth also has a necklace, with colorful beads on them. Before I could ask her what that was, she opens her mouth to speak, "Liam, what does your necklace say?".

Can't she read?

Liam reflected my thoughts, "you can't read?".

She turned red, "I'm dyslexic".

"oh... so am I".

I didn't know that...

"what does it say?"

"it says crossroads"

"where'd you get it from?"

"my dad gave it to me...it's the only thing I have left of my mother"

"wait, what?" I muttered

Liam gave me an evil look, "I never knew my mother, OK".

Annabeth nodded her head but she still looked like she was deep in thought. I felt kind of guilty for all those times I had been mean to Liam, but I understand now. He's jealous of me, it's so obvious.

After a while all of us were getting bored so we got out of the pool and decided to play truth or dare. My mom brought us a bunch of snacks and was fussing over all of us, muttering about how hungry we must have been.

Annabeth pov:

I found it strange that Liam was wearing a necklace that said crossroads on it and that his mother was missing...hmm, maybe I could speak to Chiron or Percy about it.

"who wants to go first", Ethan said.

" Ooo, me I'll go first, I choose truth", Celeste bubbled. Celeste reminded me of the aphrodite kids back at camp-half-blood, with her bubbly nature and confident presence.

"is it true that you had your first kiss in 6th grade?", Ethan smirked.

Celeste looked at the floor, her cheeks taking on a rosy tint, "yes..."

All of laughed.

"6th grade? Wow", I laughed.

"ok, moving on... Harper! Truth or dare?" Celeste asked, with an evil look in her eyes.

Harper bit her lip, and then stated with a defiant glare, "dare"

"wrong choice", Celeste grinned, "I dare you to put ice down your pants"

I gasped and started laughing, "you cannot be serious".

Harper didn't seem to be too surprised though. Harper stood up and asked, "ok, someone gimme some ice".

Ethan gaped at her before quickly scampering off and searching for some ice. He came back and handed her the ice; he took a bit of a while. Then I realized he was wearing a jacket; a cool breeze blew by. I shivered. Ethan glanced at me and gave me his jacket, I smiled at him gratefully.

Ethan was nice for a mortal; I saw a little bit of myself in him. He reflected the pride I so often saw in myself and he was a nice guy to hang around with.

Harper took the ice, turned around and crammed it down her pants. She looked at celeste with a sour expression, "hope you're happy"

Celeste giggled.

Harper scanned all of us, "ok, hmmm, lets see, Joshua".

"truth", Joshua said almost immediately.

"who's your favorite out of all of us"

Joshua laughed, "easy stuff... Ethan's my man"

Celeste mimicked a look of hurt and gasped, "I am beyond hurt"

Joshua rolled his eyes, "ok, Liam truth or dare"

"truth"

"who do you hate the most on this entire planet"

Liam had a dark look in his eyes and was scowling, he wiped all the emotions of his face, "my father"

Liam attempted to act casual, he pushed back the wet hair that was plastered all over his forehead, but he still looked disturbed.

Joshua stared at him with a blank expression on his face and then cracked up, "good one".

Liam glared at him, "I'm not joking".

We waited for him to continue bet he didn't. He seemed to have forgotten we were even playing. I took matters into my own hands, "ok Ethan, truth or dare"

Ethans eyes lit up. "truth" he said while looking at me somewhat expectantly.

I thought about it. I wasn't used to playing truth or dare. It was my first time. I finally decided, "what do you want the most in the world".

He looked at me with a dreamy expression, "well there is this girl I like, she's beautiful, she's my greatest desire".

"go for it, I'm sure any girl would be more than happy to have you"

"you... you think so?

I nodded. It was true. Everyone deserved to have someone, besides Ethan wasn't a bad guy.

The others were to speechless to reply.

He looked at me thoughtfully.

Suddenly his mom burst in, "sorry to interrupt", she smiled apologetically, "but Annabeth, your father is here"

I smiled and got up; I was just about to walk away when I remembered I still had Ethans jacket on.

"almost forgot", I muttered, unzipping the jacket.

"no, keep it, return it on Monday", he put his hand on my shoulder and I resisted the urge to wriggle away from his touch. I wasn't going to create a scene.

Ethan pov

I watched my mom escort Annabeth out of the house. She had just explicitly told me I had a shot with her. Wow

"no way" joshua Gasped

"I saw it coming" Harper scoffed

I glared at all of them, " don't you dare tell her"

That was mainly aimed at Liam, at least I knew the rest were trust worthy, then my expression softened at the memory of his mother. He looked at me and rolled his eyes, "I don't like pity, ok"

I looked down.

"well what are you gonna do now", Joshua asked.

"well, you heard what she said", I paused for dramatic effect, "guess I'm gonna have go for it".