Chapter 3 is almost finished! Pls PLS PLSSSSS review! It drives me. Pls review or pm ur thoughts. If you have a request for a moment you want me to write between them I will gladly listen and see if I can and will give you credit for the idea. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PJO OR ITS CHARACTERS UNFORTUNATELY, RICK DOES THOUGH

CHAPTER TWO

I have the chance to alter my love life...and I literally blow it.

It was the week before Valentine's day. And a week before the legendary Valentine's dance. Us sophomores organised the entire thing this year, courtesy of the amazing persuasion skills of Aphrodite. She had a way with words. We were also rich enough to fund whatever ideas she had, our father's sister could donate the money. All we had to do was ask her.

You see, when our dad passed away in the sixth grade, he left us an enormous amount of money which only seemed to grow with smart investments. My father may not have been the best dad in the world, but he was smart, cunning, a businessman to the core. Nothing I ever did was good enough, but my mother was different. I remember her being kind, sweet, my father's anchor, his very reason for waking up every morning. She died in child birth, along with my little brother, from that moment on, he focused only on his work, forgetting about his children. That was in preschool, then he had a drug overdose when we were 12. Probably with one of his whores. He came home that night drunk and completely stoned. He went to bed after making a ruckus and he just never woke up.

The thought of him doing that to us and himself made me hate him more. He brought that upon himself and orphaned us. My aunt Sally coming to live with us shortly after is one of the reason's I didn't set myself on the wrong path. She was our legal guardian, a kind woman, reminding me of our mother. It made me sad though, thinking about all this. But I shouldn't dwell on it, it was in the past, I can't miss him when I barely knew him to begin with. You can't miss what you never had. I won't think of mother either.

Back to the dance. How my sister had managed to organise it in just a week was a complete shock. Normally it was just for the juniors and seniors, the younger grades could get their own one, but my sister had a way with words as I said earlier. Somehow we managed to attend and organise the entire dance for the juniors and seniors.

The only downside to us being the youngest grade attending, we were all forced to attend, it was compulsory. It was rather embarrassing, because I for one know I will be attending with my friends, completely dateless, stag as they say. I sighed as I walked along the hallway, my books clutched to one side while my other hand was in my pocket, fiddling with some loose change.

I was gonna be dateless for the dance, again. I was going to be a nerd this year, again. I didn't wanna be. I wanted to fit in, I didn't wanna be made fun of.

Out of the blue, I was shoved into an open locker, my books crashing along the floor at my feet. I heard the sounds of Ares and his lackeys laughing behind me, it echoed through the metal walls of the compartment I was stuffed in.

"Nerd!" Ares prodded me with my chemistry book.

"Why so glum, brace-face?" Dionysus laughed.

A hand touched my face from above my head and I felt my glasses being ripped from my face.

"These don't suit you brace-face-" A jock mocked, "You can still see your pimply face!"

I didn't reply, knowing they wanted me to react. I had to take it until they got bored. It was always like this, I had to endure this torture all through freshman year and now sophomore year.

I heard them throw it on the floor, I felt chemistry book get thrown at my feet.

"Hey!" Ares hit the back of my head, my nose hitting the bottom of the locker. "Why don't you say anything? Mommy got your tongue?" He mocked.

"Not possible, he doesn't have one!" Dionysus added, all of them burst into guffaws.

They had no idea how much that really and truly stung. I felt tears welling in my eyes, but I blinked them away, they will get bored Percy. Do not lose your temper.

"That's why he can't dress properly-" Ares grinned smugly, "Look, his shirt is tucked in. What a little bitch."

I felt them begin to lift my legs and fold my arms, intending to stuff me fully into the locker. I will never know how they do it, my body size compared to the locker is so different.

"Hey!" A feminine voice yelled. Making Ares and his gang freeze. "Stop it guys! What did he ever do to you?"

Ares let go of me, I fell to the ground. People began to crowd around us.

"Ar-Artemis, we were just messing around-" He pulled me up, "Right brace-I mean Percy?"

I didn't acknowledge him, too embarrassed to look up at Artemis. She always caught me at my worst, just last week Hermes had messed his yogurt all over my pants and I walked right into her, getting it on her and her cheer uniform in the process. Let's just say the cheer squad did not like me very much at that moment.

Artemis crossed her arms, "Go pick on someone who actually deserves it." She ordered and pushed them away. "Don't think Aphrodite won't hear of this."

"No Artemis! Please!" They begged. As much as they loved my sister, they were equally as scared of her. Although their friend Athena could be even worse.

Artemis glared daggers at them, "Then beat it jerks!"

Ares and his jocks scuffled away with their tails between their legs, metaphorically of course.

I was already picking up my books, she leaned down and began to help me, I quickly put my glasses on my face so she couldn't see how ugly I was.

She looked up at me, "Are you ok, Percy?"

I could never get over the way she said my name. Being spanish and greek, she had an accent and curled the 'R' in my name. Her voice was the type of husky, feminine voice girls dreamed of having and guys fantasize about while they...well nevermind. (An: deal with it, i like spanish accents)

The fact that she even remembered my name always came as a shock to me. My heart fluttered when she looked at me with those striking silver eyes that were filled with genuine concern. Or at least I hoped I wasn't just seeing things.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm used to it. Thanks Artemis." I gave her a shy half smile.

She returned it with one of her own heart-stopping ones. Her hair fell onto her face, it was down today, I liked it down. She wasn't in her cheer uniform yet, so she was clad in white skinny jeans and a blue off-shoulder crop top. I felt like reaching up and brushing it behind her ear, but she beat me to it. Like I was gonna do it anyway.

"You're in my science class right?" She asked.

I nodded, I had forgotten that she did science. It was the only subject that a populars ever did if they wanted a hard class. And besides Athena, Artemis was the only one who did it. Athena was the only popular who was never ridiculed for doing hard classes, it's how she had always been and if anyone told her otherwise it would not end well for them.

"We're late then, let's go. will kill us you know how she hates tardy students." She suddenly grabbed my hand, her books in the other. I went red as people gasped and watched us intently as we walked hand in hand. I couldn't believe it. She was holding my hand, she didn't look even the slight bit disgusted.

I wondered if this was a dream, I subconsciously squeezed her hand to check. She raised her eyebrow and looked at me.

I went red and began to stutter, "S-so-sorry. I was just checking to see if-" I stopped mid-sentence. If I continued to speak I would just embarrass myself.

Artemis giggled, not asking me to finish what I was saying, as if she knew. Instead walking even closer to me, our shoulders were almost touching. Our close proximity making electric waves dance around my arm.

"Mr. Jackson and Ms. Olympia!" Ms. Ledwaba's voice rung in our ears. She was behind us, obviously late for class today. "Should you not be in my class?"

We glanced at each other, Artemis blushed, "Apologies ma'am. We were busy…"

Ms. Ledwaba eyed us, her eyes stopping at our hands. She knew of my crush on Artemis, as she taught us Life Orientation as well, I would often stare at Artemis during her lessons.

A smirk played at her lips, "Lucky for you I am late as well, get into my class before I do and you will be fine." She stated matter of factly, walking past us.

Artemis and I frowned before we realised she was now fast walking towards her class, we broke into a run. Passing her and our tardy slips. We laughed as we made our way to her door, I let Artemis walk in, we were still laughing.

People were to preoccupied with their own conversations to notice us. There was only one open table was and it was the one in the back that no one liked because it was so close to Mr. Whiskers. A very ironic name for a pet parrot. insisted that it was her little sister that named him when they were ten, but the name was just too funny.

The bird loved to nip at people because they reacted. But I just gave him a biscuit and he would leave me alone.

Artemis stroked the top of his head with no fear.

"Hello Mr. Whiskers, how are you?" She smiled at him.

He squawked, "Hiya!" He preferred the term 'Hiya' to a simple hello.

I pulled a biscuit out my other pocket and handed it to him, knowing I had science, so kept them in my locker.

He ate it happily and left us to sit at the table, no disruptions.

Artemis and I sat waiting patiently for Ms. Ledwaba, we knew she was not far from the class now.

She clapped her hands together as she entered, making the class quiet down, "Right! We shall be doing our practical today, you shall do it with the person you are sitting next to now." She handed out our instructions. "Be careful with the magnesium, do not put even the slightest more of it in, or the entire experiment shall be ruined and you will have to come after school to start again.

"I find when working with magnesium, it's safe to do make two. Just in case." Artemis suggested.

I grinned, "I do that to!"

Artemis returned my grin with a small one, "Perfect. Let's get started."

We each did an experiment, following the instructions without a word spoken between us. The silence was killing me, I so badly wanted to talk to her. She looked so beautiful when she was concentrating. The bulky safety goggles just made her look really smart, especially with the lab coat. She was writing down her observations after putting the magnesium in, still not paying me any attention. I was just about to, I had the container in one hand and the spoon in the other, but I found myself staring. Her brow was furrowed ever so slightly as she read what she had written. I wondered if she had a date to the dance.

Of course she did, look at her! But what if she didn't? I needed a date, perhaps now would be the perfect time to ask, since we had a good laugh earlier. I was mustering up the courage to ask, but was still unsure. Yes, I will regret it if I do, because she will most likely reject me, but I'll regret it more if I don't ask, as there is always the possibility that she will say yes, even if it was small.

Without looking up from her page, she said something, I jumped slightly, not noticing some of the crushed magnesium fall into my experiment already, from the container. "Yes Percy?" She had seen me staring. Gods, she must thinking I'm a total stalker.

I gulped, "N-Nothing! I was just-" What was I doing? "Uhh…"

She smiled, "Day dreaming?"

"Thinking?"

"About?"

I paused, "The dance."

Her eyes widened for a split second, "Oh?"

"Yup" I looked down at the instructions, pretending to read them, even though I knew every step to this experiment by heart.

There was silence after that, she was staring at her experiment with a frown, as if arguing with herself.

Then she spoke, "Are you going with anyone?"

I shook my head a a response.

"Neither am I. No one has asked me yet."

My head whipped around to look at her, "No one?"

She giggled, "Why are you so surprised?"

I blushed, "Well because...well you're you." I had forgotten about my practical now, my attention was on her.

Artemis looked away and smiled bashfully, her cheeks reddening, it must be hot.

"Maybe one or two have asked me-" She stated. Probably an understatement, I thought. "But I'm waiting for someone specific to gather up the courage and ask me." She told me, staring me straight in the eye.

I felt my heart sink, it probably wasn't me. But then she smiled brightly at me, giving me just a small ray of hope. Did she really want me to ask her? Did she feel the same way? There was only one way to find out.

"Hey Ar-Artemis?"

"Yeah?" He tone was almost excited.

I focused my attention on my experiment, just in case I got rejected and she couldn't see how hurt I would be.

"About that valentine's dance?" I tipped my spoon into my experiment, "Would you like to-"

I stopped as I saw the contents in my beaker begin to fizzle and smoke. Shit! Within seconds the contents created a large amount of pressure and the beaker flew of the gauze and bunsen burner. People screamed, Ms. Ledwaba shot up, looking directly at us. The beaker hit the floor with a smash, a small fire that was made up of magnesium was fizzling out on the floor. Ms. Ledwaba extinguished it with the fire extinguisher.

"What did I say about paying attention to how much magnesium you put in?" She asked frantically.

I went red, I was so embarrassed, "I uhh-I put exactly the right amount on the spoon. I don't know what happened!"

"Then why did it explode?" She asked with narrowed eyes.

People sniggered.

I looked down at the floor, I thought back. Realisation dawned at me, I met her gaze, "I may have accidently jumped a little and some fell from the container into the beaker without my knowing." I muttered.

"Why weren't you paying attention?" Ms. Ledwaba asked.

I glanced at Artemis who was biting her lip in either amusement or embarrassment.

Ms. ledwaba followed my gaze and sighed, rubbing her temples. Realising what was so distracting for me.

"From now when working with such dangerous chemicals, I shall put you with Annabeth." She muttered. People laughed, Annabeth rolled her eyes and smiled at me. I laughed, at least all was forgiven, it's why I loved Ms. Ledwaba.

After I had helped ma'am clean the contents of our experiment, Artemis had finished her one, so we still had results. The bell rang as I threw the singed stirring spoon into a bag and handed it to ma'am.

Everyone filed out, Annabeth approached me.

"Nice one, Jackson" She joked.

I blushed and rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, "Yeah, that was bad huh?"

She shook her head, "More amusing than anything else." She giggled, "See ya at lunch"

When she left I found Artemis was still in the classroom, talking with Ms. Ledwaba. I decided to wait. No matter how embarrassed I was, I was still gonna ask. It couldn't get any worse than what happened earlier right?

It was only another minute before Artemis said bye and began to walk out the classroom. She laughed when she looked at me, I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I know, that was funny."

"It really was!" She guffawed.

I let out a chuckle, "But as for what I was gonna ask?"

She stopped laughing and looked at me with a smile so stunning I felt my knees buckle.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you would-" Someone grabbed my shoulder and pushed me behind them. There stood Orion Hunt, a giant compared to me.

"Wondering if you would like to go with me to the dance?" He grinned, leaning casually against the doorframe.

Artemis frowned and looked at me, "I think Percy was about to ask me something."

I sighed as I saw Orion give me the 'Go away before I annihilate you' look.

"I was just gonna ask if you knew what the investigative question was for our practical report." I decided to say. Orion gave e a brief nod before turning to Artemis, who looked a little disappointed.

"No, I was gonna do it later." She murmured, then she turned to Orion, "Yeah, I'll go with you I guess..."

Why was she so forlorn? I asked myself.

Orion whooped, "Excellent! We'll be the hottest dates there!"

My shoulders slumped and I turned away, Ms. Ledwaba gave me a pitiful look, she must have heard everything. I shrugged, 'Oh well' I mouthed to her.

She shook her head and beckoned me over as Orion and Artemis walked away. Artemis threw a glance at me, I looked away immediately. I was not gonna let her see my pain.

Ms. Ledwaba smiled at me when I stood in front of her desk, it seemed a bit forced, as if she was trying to cheer me up. I thought she was gonna give me that be courageous lecture, but instead she said,

"You know Percy, I know Annabeth would definitely say yes if you asked her."

I looked up with a raised brow, "Really?" So I wouldn't be dateless?

"Yup, as a matter of fact, here-" She began to scribble a note and handed it to him, "Permission to cut some roses from the school gardens. You can give them to her when you ask."

I smiled, the sadness in my eyes started to disappear, "Thank you ma'am."

She winked, "Go get her!"

I nodded and rushed to catch up with my friend. Perhaps I could at least have some fun dancing with one his friends that was a girl, it was better than going with only Hermes, Apollo and Hephaestus. I ran around the corner, taking a short cut across the gardens to get to building B where Business was for the sophomores. I had a handful of red roses by the time I got there. I waited patiently for my blonde haired friend, I saw her walking down the hall with Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

I walked up to her and held up the flowers, she looked confused before she went as red as the roses I gave to her.

"Come with me to the dance you dweeb?" I grinned.

Rachel had resorted to standing back to watch, as did a few of our passing friends.

"Wondering when you'd ask you big moron." She smiled.

READ BELOW and AUTHORS NOTE AT THE BEGINNING

He went with annabeth?

What will happen in junior year? Senior will be the longest one. Consisting of more than one chapter. If you want me to write what happened at the dance request that in ur review.

PLS REVIEW!