A/N: Hi everyone! I haven't been on this website in forever but I thought it'd be a fun hobby to pick up again during the quarantine. I hope everyone is safe and enjoy the first chapter! It'd mean a lot if you could leave a review, thanks!

PERCY'S POV

"I'm sorry Mr. Jackson but there's nothing I can do. I've issued this class multiple reminders about the presentation deadline and yet you've failed to pull together even an ounce of the last-minute presentation. Add this along to the exam grades of your previous assessments and you've failed, Percy."

I looked in horror into the eyes of my English literature teacher, . Despite her well-known compassionate nature, I suspected my constant tardiness and late assignments had finally gotten to her. She flashed me an apologetic grimace as she handed me my presentation rubric with a big, whooping F written in red.

"But Mrs. Summers, the swim team is having their city semi-finals within a month and I can't miss the game. I'm their captain, I have to be there."

I tried to squeeze in extra desperation into my pleas, but it was hard to say that desperation wasn't truly what I felt at the moment. Swimming had been my anchor throughout junior year at Goode High. It was a miracle I survived three years at a school altogether, much less high school. I never felt like I belonged before but swimming had made up for it. I could finally breathe and feel at home in a place that well, wasn't literally home. My team was close to the championships, the closest we've ever been and I needed to seal the deal this year.

I gave my best puppy dog eyes and practically clapped my hands together in exasperation. She sighed and rubbed her temples, taking off her glasses.

"I can't promise you anything but we have a Great Gatsby exam coming up in about two weeks. If you can manage to get an A on this test, I'll consider letting you make up past assignments assuming you ace and continue to pass future given assignments."

I nodded my head earnestly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise I won't let you down."

I grabbed my books from the top of my desk and was about to head out the classroom door before she said, "I hope you know we're already 5 chapters in and by my guess, you haven't started reading at all. I'd find a girl named Annabeth Chase if I were you. She's a junior tutor and you can tell her I sent you if she asks."

With that said, she sat back down at her desk and waved me off. A feeling of panic overwhelmed me as I thought about what she said. I was 3 weeks behind on classwork and had no idea what I was doing. But the thought of asking Annabeth Chase for help was nerve-wracking in its own right. Despite being kind of a nerd, her name was one that traveled around. She was popular for her golden curls and beauty that seemed to radiate. Not that I knew, it was just what I heard of course. And on top of that, she was brilliant. She led our school to victory in the Academic Decathlon 3 years in a row, ever since her freshman year.

I decided to head to the library to find her. I looked from the bookshelves to the study areas where the obnoxious "SHH!" signs stood. It wasn't until my eyes glazed over the computer work area did I notice blonde curls and a white blouse.

It felt like a million years before my feet shuffled behind her. I lightly tapped her shoulder before she turned around, almost whacking me in the process. Her area was a complete mess, paper scattered all around her while her computer lay open with 20 tabs. Her notebook at the end of the table began to fall, but I rushed to catch it. When I looked up and saw her stormy gray eyes, my breath hitched in my throat. I couldn't believe my breath hitched. I'd always been a scrawny kid who was smaller than the other kids in my grade but ever since I joined the swim team in sophomore year, I'd grown into my body. I wasn't the best looking person by far but after I hit puberty and sprouted 5 inches, girls started to notice me. Even though I was dim-witted when it came to relationships, I'd never had to make the first move. But here I was, breath hitched and all. I mean sure I heard she was always pretty, but seriously she was incredibly beautiful.

She cleared her throat lightly, muttering a thanks as she grabbed the book from my hand.

I snapped my head out of it as I felt my face heating up. I cleared my throat as I explained to her my need for a tutor. "I really need this right now and you're my only hope."

Annabeth brushed her hair behind her ear, as I stared at her owl earrings. I could almost see a storm brewing in her gray eyes as the wheels turned in her head. "I don't think I have the time right now. I think you're going to have to find someone else."

I was shocked at her frankness. She didn't apologize or sound sympathetic but straight to the chase. "I'll do you a favor. You do me this and I'll do you a solid."

She raised her eyebrow again but I thought I saw a shadow of a smile on her face.

"Tell you what. I may be able to do it if you agree to be my Greek myth partner. I just transferred to your class yesterday and I don't feel like getting to know everyone."

My heart did a small relay race at the thought that she had noticed me yesterday but I pushed all thoughts aside. I needed to do this. So without a thought, I put my hand out for a handshake.

"You got yourself a deal, wise girl."

She smirked as she shook my hand.

"Looks like we've sealed the deal, seaweed brain."