Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, all rights go to author Rick Riordan

Eric's POV

"Mr. Colturi, I am sorry to say this but after your little... incident... the school board has no choice but to suspend you from school," principal Rodgers said.

"Mr. Rodgers, it wasn't my fault!" I say.

"I'm sorry, but many people say that you provoked Skylar, then I saw what followed that," he explained.

"Why isn't Skylar getting punished? She had just as much part in it as I did!"

"Her parents are very influential. They said if I do not do something about their daughter getting harrassed then they will take it to court." He sighed. "That leaves me no choice but to suspend you. You will be allowed back at school in two weeks. If anything else happens after that, I will be forced to expell you."

"Great..." I mumble as I stand to leave. I don't do a good job of controling my anger though. On the way out I slammed the door so hard that a picture on a nearby shelf fell off and broke.

I finally got to the lunch room. It was the Monday after the incident, and I was called into the office during the period before.

"'Sup guys," I say dejectedly.

"What happened?" Percy said. The others looked at me with worried expressions. I happened to glance at the "popular" table and saw Skylar smirking in my direction.

"Suspension," is all I say. Halle gave me a hug.

"How long?" Annabeth asked.

"Two weeks. After that is expulsion."

I couldn't meet their eyes. Truth was I was mad at myself. I knew I shouldn't have done what I did, but I also knew I had to do something.

While I thought about that, the others went back to their conversation, knowing I needed some time to think.

I was rudely interrupted by someone behind me. A certain someone I wanted to punch in the face.

"Well, looks like someone finally got what was coming to them," Skylar said with a smirk.

I started to get up, but Halle put her hand on my shoulder and I was forced back into my seat.

"Go away, she-devil," I replied.

"Why don't you make me? Oh that's right you can't because if you touch me, you'll be forced to find a new high school."

"He may not be able to do anything, but I can," Annabeth said standing up.

Thalia, Percy, Piper, and Jason stood with her. At that point I noticed some people were missing. I knew Frank and Hazel moved on Saturday, but where were Conner and Travis, Leo, and Noah?

"Mark my words, Percy Jackson will be mine by the end of this year!" she said as she turned to go bak to her table. She clearly did not want to mess with Percy and his friends.

"Good luck," Percy says putting his arm around Annabeth, then kissing her cheek.

For the rest of the day I dreaded leaving school. I had to live with my aunt, and I was sure she would be angry.

Percy's POV

"I can't believe Eric is suspended," I say as I walk into my house followed by my friends.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Annabeth said trying to calm me down. "Eric knew the risks, you know he's smarter than what people give him credit for."

"I know," I say as I kiss her. "I just can't stand the fact that he was the only one to get busted."

"Actually Noah, Conner, Travis, and Leo have detention during lunch and after school for the same time that Eric is suspended."

"I hope things get better around here."

The following morning I woke up with Annabeth wrapped in my arms.

"Morning, Wise Girl," I say stretching my body.

"Morning," she says as she kisses my cheek. "We better get ready for school."

"Aw your no fun," I say as I pull he closer so she can't get up.

"Percy let go of me!" she playfully screams.

"Fine," I sigh. "Can I get a kiss on the lips though?"

"Only after you brush your teeth."

That day in Science we had a substitute. I had never seen the lady before, but she was breathe takingly beautiful. She seemed to change into what I thought looked like Annabeth, but I knew she wasn't Annabeth. She was right next to me, wrapped in my arm.

"Aphrodite," she mumbled so only I could hear.

"All right class listen up," she sang. "I am Mrs. Rose and I will be substituting for Ms. Mayberry today. Now I was told to do a social experiment with all of you today. In this project, you and a partner-" she stopped when she noticed everyone start talking trying to pair up. "- which has already been decided!"

Everyone stopped talking.

"You will go to each other's houses and learn about one another's families. Now I will read the list."

She proceeded to read every name, but as a song type thing. I don't know, I just waited for mine and Annabeth's names to be called together.

"Percy Jackson and Skylar Laretta!" she sang.

"Oh gods..." I mumble and Annabeth gives a death glare at Aphrodite.

Skylar gave me a smile when I glanced over. I could literally feel Annabeth trying to keep her anger under control. At least she was paired up with Eric. I didn't see how that would work, but it didn't matter to me. All I cared about was keeping Annabeth from going up and stabbing Aphrodite with her dagger.

"Now class I would like this done by Thursday, so better meet with your partners soon," Aphrodite said.

Class went on like normal, but Skylar made me meet her outside of class. I, of course, made Annabeth go with Halle to their next class.

"Let's get this over with," I mumble.

"So, Percy, I was thinking we go to my house after school today, then your house tomorrow," she explained with a grin.

"Yeah. Whatever," I mumbled. I didn't want to do it but I was kind of forced into it seeing as I need to pass the class.

"All right, meet me at my car after school."

The rest of the day had me trying not to think about going to Skylar's house and meeting her family, but of course I had to.

"Okay, I'll drive to my house," she said.

"'Course you will, I don't know where it is," I say.

The entire ride consisted of her talking about all this stuff I didn't care about. Who was dating who, makeup, clothes, blah blah blah. I didn't even realize we got there until I heard the car door open.

Skylar's house was huge. I guess she does have a lot of money. It was similar to a regular house, design wise, but it was at least twice as big. There was a marble fountain in the front. The doors were made out of some fancy wood and painted white.

"Welcome to my house, Percy," she said opening the door.

"Nice place," I mumble.

"Why thank you young man, I hired the best builders to make it," a man, who I assumed was Skylar's dad, said.

"Hi, I'm Percy Jackson," I say as I shake his hand.

"Yes, we've heard quite a lot about you," a good-looking woman said walking in. She looked like a model, so I assumed it was Skylar's mom. "It's so nice to finally meet the boy Skylar talks about. It's always Percy looke so good today or Percy won this competition."

I blushed despite the fact that I didn't like Skylar.

"Mom!" Skylar said, saving me from talking to her parents. "We'll be doing the science work in my room. C'mon Percy."

The rest of the evening was a blur. I asked Skylar questions about her family and she answered. When it was time to go, her dad told me I was welcome to come back anytime. Her mom said that I should take Skylar to the upcoming Homecoming dance. That earned a loud "Mom!" from Skylar. I left and Skylar gave me a ride back to the school, then I drove to my house, only to see Annabeth, Halle, and Eric in the living room playing a board game.

"Hey guys," I said sitting down.

"How was it?" Annabeth immedeatly asked.

"I don't rememmber that much," I told her. "I just wanted to get it over with."

"Well, Annabeth and I finished our work, I still don't see why the teacher is making me do it. It's not like I can turn it in to her," Eric said.

Annabeth looked at me when she heard a growling noise and rolled her eyes. "There is leftover pizza in the kitchen, Seaweed Brain."

"Thanks, Wise Girl." I say as I get up to kiss her and go get some pizza.

Annabeth's POV

"Thanks, Wise Girl," Percy says as he kisses me and leaves to get pizza.

I still can't believe Aphrodite is making us do this. Although I did learn a lot about Eric and Halle.

"I think this is going to make Skylar even harder to get rid of," Eric finally says. He definetly knows what he is talking about. If he was a half-blood, I could almost think of him as a son of Athena.

"I can't believe that he has to work with her," I say. "I swear if she makes any moves on Percy, I'm going to run her through with a dagger."

"Please tell me your not talking about Skylar," Percy says walking in with a plate of pizza. "You know we can't risk having you hurt her. Besides, your mom would be very mad if you got in trouble."

"I know, but you have to promise me you wont let her come between us," I say.

"Nothing will ever come between us," he says as he kisses me. "Remember 'never seperated again'."

"Aww, you guys are so cute together," Halle says.

"We better leave, Halle. I promised your parents you would be home thirty minutes ago," Eric said. "See ya later."

"Bye," we called after them.

"You know, today is the first day I did my homework, without my Wise Girl," Percy said.

"Yeah, but we need to re-evaluate your study "buddies"." I grumble.

"Of course, none of them come close to you," he wispers into my ear. He than kisses me as I turn on the tv to watch something, anything to calm myself down. I think laying here with Percy is the best thing for me, at this moment.