Annabeth POV

"The Age of Innocence, written by Edith Wharton in 1920, was Wharton's twelfth novel, and was initially serialized in 1920 in four parts, in the magazine Pictorial Review," lectures my AP Literature teacher, Mrs. Ross as she hands out books. She's giving us the book earlier than planned. I'm not really paying attention, though. This may come to a shock to certain people (*cough* Percy *cough*), but I hate reading books for this class. I know, gasp! I may be a daughter of Athena who believes in the pursuit knowledge and the importance of reading, but I am also dyslexic, okay? Reading big English words in big novels in a certain amount of time for a grade- not my ideal way to enjoy reading.

Thankfully, I read a Greek copy of the book when I was ten, so I should be able to remember enough to contribute something.

"We will also be doing group presentations, which are due at the end of the month," Mrs. Ross continues, now passing out rubrics. "You may work in groups of four and all must have a job in your groups. I expect all of you to be done with the book by next week. You may use class time and your free time to work on your projects. You may get up and form groups now."

Kids start to disperse around the room to find friends. I recognize 2 guys coming towards me and smile. They were my friends from Debate.

The first one is Andrew. He's 5'11 with dirty blond hair and hazel colored eyes. He's a matter-of-fact-kind-of-guy most of the time, but he loves awfulpuns and will repeat several a day. The second boy is Colton who's a few inches shorter than Andrew, about 5'9. Colton has dark brown skin, low cut hair, and he's… well I guess what you would call an average guy. (well, average mortal guy, anyway) He doesn't stand out at any end when it comes personality. He's pretty easy to understand, a voice of reason and he's just... Colton.

Andrew and Colton sit down next to me. "Hey, Annabeth," Andrew begins. "Want to be a group?"

"Yeah, sure," I respond. I notice everyone else was in groups of four. We had only three. Colton looks around and asked, "hey, where's Charlie?" "Something came up with student council," I say. Andrew gets out his phone and texts Charlotte.

A minute later, he looks up and says, "showing some new kid around. Says she'll be here in ten and we can start planning."

I nod. I look at the rubric and frown. My dyslexia's acting up, and I can't read most of it. Appreciatively, Andrew reads the rubric out loud before I have to even ask.

"Okay, so we can do electronic or a physical presentation. We could do a physical one." Andrew announces.

"Electronics are easier," Colton argues.

"But a physical presentation is more reliable and shows effort," I counter. "Also, the internet here sucks, remember?"

"Soooo, physical it is," Andrew say as he jots down notes. "Now we can pick jobs…"

I'm no longer listening. My mind wanders to the what I need to do for one of the parks I need to finish on Mt. Olympus. Reconstruction was paused last October and I had less than quarter done, then. Hmmm… The columns in that one courtyard in New Rome would make a lovely pathway for it and I can add a few more statues…

I'm interrupted from my daydream when Charlotte, who's out of breath, sits next to me.

"So," she says panting. "What did I miss" Colton fills Charlotte in. "Now we're discussing jobs," Colton sums up. "I can type, Andrew can fact find, you can draw and Annabeth, you want to organize?" I say sure.

The bell rings and we all start packing up and head to AP government.

Colton POV

Why do I have to take this class? I can summarize politics pretty good in just five words. People arguing about who's smarter. Or maybe that's just my class. Of course, they're all aiming to be second best, because no one is smarter than Annabeth Chase.

At any rate I can't wait for lunch break 'cause I am hungry and I do not want to review 'the unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process' again.

All around some kids are whispering about the new and I quote, "Hawt" exchange student who was in their Oceanography class. Apparently, his hand shot up for every question, and gave the right answers enthusiastically. I'll have to ask Charlie about it later.

Just when I think I going to pass out of boredom, the bell finally rings and we are free to leave the class and get something to eat.

"So, Charlie," I begin while we're in the lunch line. "What can you tell me about the new student?"

She looks at me and gives me an amused smile. "I didn't know you were the type for gossip."

Andrew, who was in front of me pitches in for me. "Well, can't a guy be curious. Besides, I'm kind of intrigued, too. I mean what kind of dude would be so enthusiastically interested in Oceanography?" Annabeth smirks, as if she knows someone just like that.

"Ohm," Charlie continues indifferently. "He's from here in New York and likes Cheeseburgers. Oh, and he also likes Oceanography, I guess."

"Oh, come on," Andrew complains loudly. Then a grin appears on his face "You're gonna have to be a bit more… Pacific than that!" Andrew and Charlie bursts out laughing while I facepalm. Hey, I like jokes as much as the next guy, but Andrew takes it to a whole new level and Charlie just encourages him.

We get our food and head outside. The grounds of Pedantic Academy just outside the cafeteria door is our hangout spot during lunch. It's not crowded, it's peaceful, and you can calmly enjoy nature's wholesome pleasant feel of Upper East Side, New York City. Our little group eats by this big Oak tree with Andrew, Charlie, and me sitting on a bench and Annabeth relaxing under the Oak tree, drawing in her sketchbook. Three more girls show up. Alexa Lloyd, Abbey Thorson, and Kate Truss. I technically know them, but Charlie knows them better. Heys and Sups are exchanged around.

"So, Charlie," Kate begins. "What can you tell me about the new student?" Charlie mocks being hurt. "Jeez! Is gossip all I'm good for? And why is everyone so obsessed about the new guy?"

Charlie looks at Annabeth for support. Annabeth just smile and shakes her head. "Well," she says to Charlie getting up and walking away. "While you handle the chit chat, I have to go the library, so bye." She walks away with the most devilish of grins.

Abbey's the first one to speak. "Anyhow, back to the new guy..." Charlie is soon bombarded with questions from all of us when she raises her voice. "Alright, alright. I'll just introduce you guys since your invested," she concedes while rolling her eyes.

She walks away and comes back with a boy with sea green eyes and black, messy windblown hair. He's wearing the school uniform with a blazer and no tie.

"Everyone," Charlie says. "I would like you to meet Percy Jackson"

"Hey," says Percy Jackson. We all happily greet him

The we start trading information. He's from Goode High school, his favorite color is blue, and he's on the Swim team at his school. Percy seems like a pretty cool guy. While Kate tries (keyword: tries) to flirt with him, I start to think, he's Annabeth's complete opposite. Before I can continue with this thought, Percy notices Annabeth's sketchbook which she must've left, and picks it up.

"Oh, that's Annabeth's," I say. "She's another one of our friends and she just left to go to the library a few minutes ago. She also doesn't like people messing with her stuff, so it's best to just leave it alone."

Percy just looks at me and snorts. "Oh, is that true" he asks with a mischievous tone in his voice.

"Yeah," Alexa puts in. "It's best not to mess with her stuff 'cause she'll get mad, and you'll regret it. I mean, you'll walk away with not only a bruised pride, but also a broken nose, a bleeding lung, or worse"

Percy just smiles as cockily, "I highly doubt that." I just stare at him and he stares back with what I assume arrogance. He must be a cheeky little piece of-

"Actually guys," Charlie interrupts our little staring contest. A wide smile spreads across her face. "Let's all let Percy play his little prank! I'm sure it will be entertaining to watch!"

Andrew and Alexa shrugs and Abbey smiles in anticipation. Kate looks like she wants to object, but doesn't. I, however, do object, because a I am obviously the only voice here. They all look at me, expectantly. Knowing I'm outmatch in this and my friends are looking at me, (Dang it Peer Pressure!) I give in. So much for being the only voice of reason!

"Fine," I say.

A minute later, Annabeth walks towards us, earbuds in. She must've gotten an audiobook. The moment Percy sees Annabeth, he smiles widely and hides behind the tree we're all by, book in hand. Annabeth sits down and looks through her bag for a moment. Then a look of confusion crosses her face as she starts to dig deeper.

She stops looking and gets to her feet when Percy speaks from his hiding place. "Looking for something, Wise Girl?"

Wise Girl? Seriously? Of all things to say?

Annabeth looks absolutely shocked as Percy with a sarcastic, troublemaker smile comes into view, leaning on the tree while holding Annabeth's book in his left hand. I'm almost 90% sure it's because she's never met someone as stupid as him.After a moment of dazed silence, Annabeth regains her composure and looks at Percy with her cold, steel gray eyes.

"You know that book is belongs to me, and I suggest you give it back," she says in a threatening tone taking a step towards him.

Percy, not backing down at all, says "Oh really?" How is he still smirking under Annabeth intense gaze?

"Yes, really, Seaweed Brain." She takes another step. And another, until she is a few inches from his face

Wait, Seaweed Brain? (Side tangent: when Annabeth insults someone she studies you a moment then coldly says an insult that will actually hurts. This one time, a girl named McKenna was being rude to Alexa. When Annabeth told the her to stop, McKenna said, "Ew, will you please get away from me," harshly. Then Annabeth looked at her, raised an eyebrow and said, "oh, is that what your boyfriend said last week when he dumped you?" No one knew this, but the girl shrieked "It was a mutual break-up!" and runs away, tears in her eyes.) Annabeth does not use petty insults, especially not childish ones like Seaweed Brain!

Percy leans towards Annabeth. "Well," he says smiling wider. "You're gonna have to make me."

Annabeth raises an eyebrow and smirks at him as if she's going to enjoy what she does next.

Judo flip in

3

2

1

She kisses him.

Wait, what?

"Wait, what?!"

Author's Note: Hey! I'm alive! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but all of guy's reviews have kept me going, so I want to thank you all. Percy is Annabeth's Complete Opposite. So Next time on Pedantic Academy with Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase.

PS: I am open for suggestions for plots of future chapters. Leave it in the comments below!