CHAPTER 2

THE PLAN

-Percy-

"PERCY JACKSON! I SWEAR IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP, I HAVE A BUCKET OF COLD WATER WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!" My mom yelled.

I groaned. Mondays suck. Especially Monday mornings.

But, I didn't feel like getting an early shower in bed, so I took all my will power and got up. I was about to brush my teeth, when my phone buzzed. I groaned, once again. It was Rachel.

Hey babe! I'll be at ur house in 20. Luv u! ;)

Great. Just great. I have to arrive to school in a pink car. That's great.

Now, truth be told, I hate Rachel. She was my red-headed nightmare. She is the most annoying and clingy person I've ever met in my whole life. I couldn't stand her and her high pitched, squeaky voice. Or her girly attitude and personality. Let me make this clear: I didn't want to be her boyfriend. But… I have my reasons.

I sighed. Just as I was turning the doorknob to head to my bathroom, I accidently knocked something on the ground by my dresser. It was a picture frame. Of my dad. The man I despised so much.

I bend down and picked up the photo and stared at it. I used to love my dad like any son would.

But that changed.

It happened about 2 years ago. My dad was an amazing person, he was my role model. I thought he was the coolest, smartest, nicest man ever to walk on this planet. He taught me how to swim, he bought me my first videogame, he played catch with me. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I was so happy back then. We all were; dad, mom, and me. We were one big happy family.

I learned that things can't stay the way they are. Things change.

People would always say my dad and I look like twins. Looking at the picture I was holding in my hands, I can see why they would say that. My dad had wind-blown solid black hair- like me. And he had sea green eyes- like mine.

In the photo, my dad and I were at the beach. It was our special place we would go to when we wanted to have fun or just relax. It was also where he taught me how to swim. My dad was smiling at me with warm, happy eyes. I was grinning back at him with the same look.

I could feel myself clenching my fists, remembering what happened that changed my dad forever.

I took a deep breath and counted to 10 slowly. My therapist told me to do that whenever I thought about him. When he went to jail.

I can't do this, I tell myself. I can't think about him.

I carefully put the picture frame back on my dresser, and carried on with my usual morning routine.

When I got downstairs, I could smell delicious pancakes coming from the kitchen. I followed my nose to the kitchen to see my mom making pancakes.

"Morning, mom." I greeted.

She turned around and smiled, "It's about time you came down; I was getting ready with the bucket."

I laughed, "Thank God."

Mom chuckled and handed me a plate. "Here, I made you favorite."

I inhaled the wonderful smell of my mother's freshly made chocolate chip pancakes. "Have I told you I loved you yet?"

Mom just smiled. I really do love my mom. When my dad got arrested, she broke down. Cried for days. I did, too. It was too much to handle, a lot to handle for just the 2 of us. I still remember when she looked at me and called me Steven. My dad's name.

I looked so much like him, that every time she looks at me, it pains her. It pained my mom just to see her own son. It can't get any more sad than that, trust me.

As mom and I were talking about stuff, I heard a loud HONK!

I swallowed. "Great." I muttered.

My mom looked at me with a confused stare, "What? Is that your ride to school?"

I nodded. "Yep, Rachel's picking me up."

"Rachel Dare?" My mom raised her eyebrows, "No offence, honey, but she's kind of-"

"Annoying? Irritating? Bitchy?"

She smirked, "Well, I wouldn't use those exact words but, yes. But why are you even with her?"

I sighed, "It's a long story."

Mom took a sip of her coffee, "Alright, dear. Have fun at school."

"Sure."

I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door. "Bye, mom! Love you!" I yelled over my shoulder.

"Love you, honey!"

I closed my front door and saw, in my driveway, a life-size Barbie car.

When I opened the door and got in, I gave a low whistle, "Wow, Rach, new wheels?" I prompted sarcastically.

Rachel giggled. "Yep, daddy got it for me. You like it?"

I rolled my eyes, but she didn't seem to notice. "Yeah, it's, uh, it's great. Well let's hurry up and get to school." Huh. I never thought I'd hear myself say that.

She shrugged and headed off. The whole rest of the ride, Rachel talked about some new fashion show or makeup thing, or a cat in a dress; I don't know. But what I do know, is that it was the longest car ride ever.

That's why I was relieved when we finally got to River Side High School.

We were looking for a good spot when Rachel found one and parked there. I heard a familiar voice yell out, "HEY! Dare, you took our spot!"

Yep, that was Thalia. My lovely cousin. She can be scary when she wanted to, so I decided to hide in the front seat so she couldn't see me and judge me for getting a ride from Rachel. She hates her as much as I do. I heard a door slam, and more yelling so I guessed that was Thalia screaming.

I thought I was going to hide in the car forever, until I heard someone else say, "Thals, stop it."

I grinned automatically hearing that voice. Annabeth Chase. The school nerd and Miss Perfect at everything. I don't hate Annabeth, actually it's the exact opposite. I always pick on her and call her 'Annie' because I know she thinks it's annoying and immature. I've known her since, like, we were 5 and she believes that I don't like her. Ha, that's a good laugh.

The truth is, Annabeth is a total hottie. She has full, blonde curly hair, a nice tan, and a beautiful face. Guys go crazy for her. But what really struck me, was her stormy gray eyes. They look like she's always thinking about something, always calculating. I could stare at her for hours… not that I would ever admit that to anyone. Not even my friends.

Annabeth is perfect. Again, not that I would ever admit that.

When I heard her voice, I thought it would be a good time to get out of car, and show myself.

"C'mon babe, let's go." I said.

I saw Annabeth look at me, with a surprised expression, which made me smirk.

I was about to leave when Rachel came up to me and kissed me on the mouth. Gross. Her lips tasted like cherry gloss. And thanks to her, I know what that tastes like.

I was trying to get her off of me so I could talk to Annabeth. When I finally did, I got in front of Thalia's old truck. I noticed that they were both in it, so this would be a good time to be a jerk.

At the end of the conversation, which ended with Thalia saying, "Move or I run you over." I grabbed Rachel by the waist and walked away, when I winked at Annabeth over my shoulder.

When we Rachel and I got inside of school, I immediately let go of her. Unfortunately for me, Rachel followed me all the way to my locker.

Luckily, I saw Grover, my best friend, and made an excuse to get away from her.

"Wow," Grover said, after seeing me leave Rachel. "Miss Dare is Percy Jackson's new girl?"

He chuckled while I rolled my eyes.

"No. She isn't." I explained firmly. "She's just part of my plan."

"Oh, your plan." Grover said with a sly smile. "Your plan to make Annabeth jealous?"

I smirked. Yes, it's true. Remember when I said I had my reasons to date Rachel? Well, that was my reason. I knew Annabeth couldn't stand Rachel, so I decided that she would be a good idea.

Sure, I dated other girls, but I could never get Annie out of mind. It's so weird, but I've had a crush on her as long as I could remember. Why do you think I always pick on her? Ok, maybe it's a little immature, but whatever.

Grover and I talked for a bit and then we headed to chemistry.

When we got to class, and sat in our usual seats, I didn't listen to a word the teacher said. I kept thinking about stuff, daydreaming. Mostly about Annabeth. I couldn't stop thinking about her. At least twice everyday, her face would pop out of nowhere in my head.

But, I had a confession.

Sometimes, I couldn't think about Annabeth without feeling guilt.

I know that her mother died a couple of years ago by a drunk driver. I felt so sorry. I knew Mrs. Chase and she was really kind and just as beautiful as her daughter.

My dad got arrested. I don't like thinking about it, but here it goes: My dad was having some problems at work. His boss told him he was going to get fired if he didn't do better. So sometimes, late at night, he'd go to bars. He would get really drunk; really, really, drunk.

It was then my mom and I realized what happened.

My dad killed Annabeth's mom in a drunk car accident.

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