Sadie pov

After PE, a lot of people praised Percy, who just smiled sheepishly. May too had gotten a lot of compliments.

When I looked at Percy, I noticed how much one sword fighting lesson had affected him. He looked more open, more lively. The twinkle in his eye he'd gotten while sparing with May was still there, brighter than ever.

I smiled. Percy was one strange guy if swords could cheer him up.

As the rest of the class filed out, Percy stayed back. I walked out of class but stopped when I heard Percy talking to Coach. Ok, fine. I know I shouldn't eavesdrop. But I couldn't help it. I wanted to know as much as I could about Percy. So when Percy said,"Thanks.", I hid behind a wall to listen. I had a free period anyways.

"For what?" Coach asked.

"Y'know what, Coach." Percy said.

"I figured you weaklings were getting out of practice so I decided to help you get back on track." Coach said.

"Yeah, it really felt good. I just wish I could use Riptide instead of these swords..." Percy said, with a rather dreamy tone. Now that surprised me. And, what the hell was a riptide? Yes, I know the literal meaning of it. But I didn't think Percy was referring to the waves.

"You want to fight? Really Jackson?" Coach's tone was tinted with amusement.

"Well...not really. But like you said, I was getting out of practice." Percy said.

"Didn't really look that way to me." Coach said.

"How did they even allow you to teach us fencing? I mean, is it allowed in schools or...?" Percy left it hanging.

"I told your Principal it would be a good change for you kids. And since its Brooklyn Academy for the 'gifted', I told him it should be different from other schools. He gave in immediately. Pretty nice guy, that Roque. Friendly too." Coach said. That's true.

Mr. Roque was really friendly.

"How's your wife?" Percy asked.

"She's doing great! Well, junior is giving her some trouble. But hey, he's just like his old papa goat!" Coach said. I bit my tongue to stop from laughing. What kind of a guy calls himself 'papa goat'?

"It was really unfair of you to hide it from us for such a long time, Coach." Percy said.

"You better not talk, Mr. Sneaky Jack-" Coach stopped abruptly, as if he had bit his tongue. Awkward silence seem to hang for a while.

"Sorry I..." Coach started.

"It's fine." Percy said, and I was sad to see pain lacing his voice.

"So, you met Nico yet? I'm sure he'll be happy to see you. Since you two were questing buddies and all." Percy said, trying for a laugh. Again, I had no idea what he meant.

"Oh yeah. Di Angelo's here too, right? I almost forgot. I'll have to catch up with that kid." Coach said. After that, I heard footsteps, and I panicked. I quickly ran out of there, turning a corner, hoping no one saw me.

OooooooooooooooooooO

I sat down in the cafeteria, since it was a free period. There were a few other people there besides me, I don't know where Percy was. Carter and the rest were also nowhere to be seen. Out of where, May plopped down beside me.

"Your school is really nice. And the rules here are...different as compared to India." She said.

"So you like it better here?" I asked.

"Well, that's mostly because Eric is here." She said. I laughed.

"Do you, like, y'know...love him?" I asked. She blinked.

"Of course! Of course I love him!" She said, as if it were preposterous to think she didn't.

"How does it feel like? Being in love?" I asked.

"I would tell you. But that would ruin the fun of discovering it yourself." May said. I sighed.

"I don't think I'll be discovering it anytime soon." I said. May leaned in, as if to tell me a secret.

"Don't worry. Percy will surely notice you. He's already even moved on." May said. Now it was my turn to blink in surprise.

"How..." I started, but May put a finger to her lips.

"He's coming." She said. I turned around to find Percy walking towards us.

"Hey." He greeted. I waved back.

"I gotta go find Eric." May left. Percy came and sat down next to me.

"Almost forgot this was a free period." He said.

"You're pretty good with swords." I said. He shrugged.

"Practice makes perfect." He said. I smiled.

"How's your mom doing?" I asked. He looked at me in confusion.

"She's fine. Why do you ask?" He said.

"Well, you said she's pregnant, so I thought.." Percy face palmed.

"Of course! How could I forget? " he said.

"Amnesiac much?" I asked. Percy shivered.

"Don't say that. I've got some pretty bad experiences with amnesia." He said.

Though he meant it in a light hearted way, his eyes held seriousness, and it made we wonder what could possibly have happened. Did it have something to do with Annabeth? Also, back then when Coach called Percy...what was it? Oh yeah. Mr. Sneaky Jackson. How could such a casual nickname cause pain in Percy's voice.

Percy may have said he's moved on, but I know he still hasn't truly. I know now that love is holding on and never letting go, no matter what happens.

OoooooooooooooooooooooO

During recess Percy, Carter and I were making our way to our table when suddenly I tripped. Strong hands caught me before I could fall. Percy steadied me, and I hoped he didn't see me blushing madly as he did.

I looked around and so that I was made to trip by none other the leader of the plastic bags, Drew Tanaka. She was glaring at me, probably because I didn't fall down and embarrass myself like she expected. Another reason, I'm guessing, is because it was Percy who caught me.

Without realizing it, I was glaring back at her. Percy looked to where I was glaring and his gaze hardened.

"Oh no, she didn't." He started towards her, but I surprised myself by holding him back. I was trying not to blush as I pulled at his wrist. He turned around and raised his eyebrows at me. I let go of his hand, though I didn't really want to.

"Relax. She does that all the time." I said. Percy seemed to hesitate. He looked from me to Drew, who was already seated on her table, and then sighed.

"That girl has got to stop." With that, Percy went and took his seat on our table next to Nico. It was then that I realized that Carter was still standing beside me. He was quiet the whole time I even forgot he was with us. I looked at him to find him looking at me suspiciously. I rolled my eyes before sitting down myself, beside May. Carter followed suit, sitting between Eric and Walt.

"I saw that." May whispered when no one was looking. I bit my lip uncomfortably and looked at her, who just winked and turned around to talk to her boyfriend. I noticed how Zack was sitting far away from the rest, not participating in any kind of conversation.

"You should tell Piper about that." Nico said. Percy nodded.

"Tell what? And who's Piper?" I asked.

"Piper is the in charge of Drew's cabin." Percy said. I raised my eyebrows. Somehow I felt like the conversation these two boys were having was about me.

"So, you're the camp leader, hot shot?" I asked Percy, not sure where the 'hot shot' came from.

"Well yeah. Wait, hot shot?" Percy asked.

"Yeah. Your pretty hot tempered. I can tell." I lied. That definitely not why I called him that. But Percy bought it.

"If you say so." He said, shrugging. But then added slowly and mysteriously, "Sugar cane."

"Sugar cane?" I asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I mean, your last name is Kane. And your highlights, they're red today instead of purple. So I thought the name is fitting." I was speechless. Percy actually noticed the change in my highlights. Moreover, he actually thought of an extremely sweet nickname for me.

"Thanks. That's real sweet of you." I said. Percy grinned.

"Sugar canes are meant to be sweet." He said. I was aware of the rest of the able giving us looks that said 'do you guys even realize you're flirting?'

I looked over to May, was was smiling knowingly at me. Another person who was giving me the same look was Nico. I sighed. It was possible he knew about my crush too.

So everyone this world have figured it out, but Percy remains oblivious. And I think that right now, I like it that way.