Reasons for not updating: My exams were going on, I had a severe writer's block, I had a hell lot of inspiration for other stories, I had a severe writer's block, I have other stories to update, and did I mention the writer's block?

One of my BFFs, Shivika Dudeja, read this story and left so many comments! Shivika, this chapter is dedicated to you (And for Olympus' sake, keep another pen-name and change your haircut!). Shivika here also gave her approval for this chapter's stroke of inspiration, and goaded me into writing it. Thank her for this chapter (she's smiling and saying thanks behind me. Ignore her, I do. Ouch! She hit me!).

BrookieHyuga, you come in the next chapter, I promise.

I have decided that as some people want HoO to happen and some don't, I will mix it all together, and have it and not have it at the same time. You'll find out my plan this chapter.

Okay, all clear? Continue reading!

Approximately one week later

Third Person's POV

'Stella! Can you give it back?'

The shriek pierced the room like the shot of a sharp pistol. Stella grinned from ear to ear, and dodged Christina's hand, which was about to smack her. Thalia groaned and got out from bed, while Annabeth and Ashley watched in amusement. Stella had taken Christina's hair-brush, and was not returning it. Stella, on top of having the gift of super-fast reflexes, also had the blessing of Artemis, which made her faster than she had ever been.

Seeing Thalia groan and get up, she tossed Christina her hair-brush back. She was, after all, a daughter of Aphrodite.

'Why did you take it?' Christina said angrily. Stella pointed to Thalia, was crawling out of her sleeping-bag. 'I did it so Miss I-Want-To-Sleep-In over there would wake up.'

Ashley shook her head. 'Really, Stella, only you would do that…'

Stella, Ashley and Christina had been staying the night at Annabeth's place. They had set up their den in the family room. The night before, they watched a couple of chick flicks till about three, after which they told some really scary stories. They all finally fell asleep at about five o'clock, and it was now noon. Seven hours of sleep was enough for them to survive through the day.

Even though it was Sunday, there was nobody at home. Dr and Mrs Chase had taken Bobby and Matthew to a movie they really wanted to watch, leaving Annabeth and her friends all alone till four. The girls had decided to have a quick brunch, then head out on a shopping trip, have coffee and go their separate ways.

'Come on, Thals,' Annabeth said, smothering her giggles. 'We're late anyways, but we have a tight schedule. We got to keep moving.'

'Okay,' Thalia said, stretching. 'You're like a little sister, trying to boss the older one around.'

Camp Jupiter – Just after the war

'Jason! Why can't you do your paperwork?' Reyna shouted. Jason jerked, and told his colleague (for she was just that, and nothing more), 'Reyna, I had today off, so I didn't do it.'

'So?' Reyna screeched again. 'You had work yesterday, but you haven't even started the work! You will finish all the paperwork, and only then get a free day!'

'Jason,' said a voice from behind them. Both of them whirled around to see a lady with a goatskin-cloak. 'Lady Juno!' The two dropped to their knees.

Juno smiled at them. 'My dear praetors, I have a task for you. I need you to stay in New York and go to a school called "Goode High School". Bobby and Gwen shall be praetors in your absence. But before this, you shall go to Vancouver, and bring a boy named Frank Zhang to Camp. Train him until a girl named Hazel Levesque comes. Stay for another week to train her some, and then take them both to Goode.'

'Yes, my Lady,' Reyna said.

'I shall explain the whole reason for it when you start at the school. And tell a child of Trivia to perform an aging spell on Hazel to make her fifteen. You all shall be Sophomores.'

'Of course, Lady Juno,' Jason said.

'I shall take your leave, heroes,' Juno said. 'I expect to see you in the school in one month's time, if my calculations are correct.' She disappeared in a shower of peacock feathers.

'Well,' Jason said, spitting out a couple of feathers. 'We should get to work. And, was I the only one who noticed that she sounded that she was going to be there?'

Tristan McLean's home, Los Angeles – just after the BMW heist

'But Dad, you can't do this to me!' Piper threw down her book on the dining table. 'I can't go to New York City to study!'

'Yes, Piper, sweetheart, I know,' Tristan rubbed his face tiredly. 'But you heard Jane; it's either you stay in NYC, or go to the boarding school in Armpit, Nevada.'

Piper turned green at the name of the place. Tristan was not very far behind the spectacle.

'I have managed to persuade a Dr Fredrick Chase, whose daughter, Annabeth, studies in the same school that you will go to. They have agreed to house you. Be happy about how it's turning out, Pipes. Jane wanted to send you to Armpit. I managed to convince her to send you to New York.'

'But still, Dad, I hardly get time with you,' Piper said desperately. She did not expect this when she admitted her getting the BMW.

Tristan's eyes became sad. 'I don't either, Pipes. But you force me to. Now go, pack your suitcase.'

Court – just after Piper's BMW heist

'The Court has come to a conclusion, Leo Valdez,' the Judge said in his loud, booming voice. All the whispers gradually quieted down.

'We have decided to send you to an orphanage, from where you shall go to "Goode High School". This is a school for kids like you; kids who have ADHD and dyslexia, though not both at the same time,' the Judge looked kindly at Leo. 'Now, son, I know you aren't all bad. But if you run away from this orphanage, or do something to question our actions, consequences will be severe.'

'Yes, my lord,' Leo said, bowing his head.

'We shall notice your behavior throughout the year,' went on the Judge. 'If you like it there enough, you shall continue staying there. If you want to leave anytime, then come to us and tell us where you want to go. Do you understand?'

'Yes, my lord,' Leo nodded.

'Then get going,' the Judge said, his eyes starting to twinkle. 'Oh, and, Mr Valdez?'

Leo, who had started to scamper off, turned back to the Judge. 'Please, we want the best for you. Accept it.'

Leo nodded hastily and ran. At last, he had gotten a fair trial, and he had no intention of backing off the words he had said to the Judge.

Annabeth's Place – after the shopping trip

'Annabeth? Thalia?' came Fredrick's voice the moment they entered the house.

'Yes, Dad?' Annabeth called back.

'Sweetheart, we want you to meet your new roommate,' Fredrick called out again.

Thalia and Annabeth exchanged baffled looks. Roommate?

As the two entered the living room, they saw a girl sitting in front of Fredrick and Alpana, Bobby and Matthew. The girl had choppy brown hair which she braided down her side. Her skin was a dark shade, like a Native American's. Her eyes were like a kaleidoscope. She wore tattered jeans, a tank top with swirly designs on it and a snowboarding jacket, even though it was just autumn.

She bounced up, held out her hand, and said, 'Hi, I'm guessing you must be Annabeth and Thalia. I'm Piper McLean, your new "roommate".' She made quotations on "roommate".

'Piper's Dad, Tristan McLean, wanted to send his daughter here for her to study. I was passing by when he was talking to a friend. I pitched in the conversation and told him I'd take Piper here in, and send her to the same school as you two. He seemed really thankful and agreed immediately. I had another bed put into your room, and girls, make space in the closet for Piper's clothes,' Fredrick stopped here, and turned to Alpana, and said, 'Have I missed something?'

Alpana shook her head, smiling. 'For once dear, I think you got everything.'

Fredrick cleared his throat and said, 'Go on up, make friends, girls.'

Once up, all three girls made themselves comfortable. After finishing unpacking, they settled down on their respective beds, Annabeth turned to Piper and said, 'So, your Dad's a movie star?'

Piper blushed and said, 'Yeah, but I don't like to advertise it. I don't really want to talk about it, see?'

Thalia smiled and said, 'It's okay, we won't mention it again, and not tell anyone about him. Your secret's safe with us, sister.'

Piper looked relieved. 'Thanks, guys. It really means a lot to me.'

They talked like normal teens, until the topic turned to families. It turned out that Piper's situation was very similar to demigods' lives. She had ADHD and dyslexia, too. Could she be a demigod?

Here's the super long update (in my usual standards, at any rate). I feel tired. Anyways, I hope you like the chapter. I decided on a tiny little (large one, actually) twist on HoO. It will happen, but not how it happened in the books. Stay tuned to know more! See you soon!

Yours truly,

Stella