Author's Note: Here's the next chapter! I was originally going to post it yesterday, but I ended up changing almost the whole thing, so it took longer.

CHAPTER TWO: I GET SLAPPED

Percy's POV

Rays of sunlight shone through my window and fell upon my face. Only half-awake, I groaned and used my arm to block out the light. Come on, a few more minutes of sleep wouldn't hurt, right?

Then I heard my phone ringing across the room, on my desk. Groaning again, I tried getting out of bed, but fell on the floor in a tangled mess of bed sheets. I clumsily stumbled over to the table and grabbed my phone.

It was a text from Adam. "Hey bro. Meet up with me in the lobby at 11. I'll drive us to the beach. –Adam."

I smiled. Meeting Adam seemed like a blur to me – it was a lot of stuff to take in. But I was pretty happy to have a (half) brother who I could relate so much to. I mean, yeah, we've known each for three days, but it feels like so much longer.

To be honest, it's the best feeling I ever had – not counting all those times with Annabeth and saving the world, obviously.

I texted him back. "Okay. See you later." Setting my phone down, I looked at my digital clock. Crap. It was 10:50 already. Only ten minutes to get ready. I rummaged through my drawers to find a pair of swimming trunks and a t-shirt, and hurriedly changed into them.

I stuffed my phone and keys into a waterproof pocket of my shorts, and sprinted to the bathroom. When I was done, I quickly wrote a note for my mom (who was still asleep), telling her that I was going to the beach. After setting a paperweight over it, I left the apartment and headed down the long hallway to the elevator. I noticed a few doors down, another family was moving in. Cardboard boxes were stacked next to an open door.

Hm. I guess these apartments must be pretty popular, I thought to myself as I stepped inside the elevator and pressed the 'lobby' button.

Ding. The elevator doors opened, and there was Adam, all decked out for the beach. In one hand, he was holding his blue and gray surfboard. In the other, he was texting someone. A duffel bag lay strewn on the ground next to him.

He looked up as I approached him.

"Sorry for making you wait," I said.

"It's okay, I was just texting one of my friends from California about New York. She wants to visit someday," he replied with a wink. "Anyway, let's get to the beach. I'm dying to check out these waves."

I grinned as we both walked to the parking garage.

. . . . . . . . .

I think I'm in love.

"This is your car?" I asked, my eyes bulging out of their sockets.

Adam just laughed as he unlocked his car's trunk and stuffed his duffel bag and surfboard inside.

I just stood there, staring at his sleek silver convertible. Man, it was amazing. I really had to start saving up for a car of my own.

Adam slammed the trunk closed and walked over to the driver's side. He looked at me sternly.

"I know she's sexy, but she's all mine," he said, trying to sound serious, as he started petting his convertible.

Oh gods. That just made me crack up. With a toothy grin, Adam unlocked the doors and stepped inside. I followed suit.

"So, where to?" Adam asked as we both buckled our seatbelts.

"South Shore. I'll give you directions as you're driving," I said.

. . . . . . . . .

Annabeth's POV

I gave a sigh of relief as I shut the door to Apartment #408. 408. I gotta remember that.

I walked down the long corridor, glancing at the other apartment doors. 407, 406, 405… There. Percy's apartment. #404. I had a sudden urge to knock on the door.

No. Control yourself, Annabeth. You'll have to wait until Monday.

I sighed. Having to put up with moving from San Francisco to New York was traumatizing. My three brothers were already annoying the hell out of me, arguing over which of the boxes had their stuff. And don't even get me started on how much of my architecture papers and books I had to leave behind.

Hopefully a walk would help clear my mind. I stepped inside the elevator and pressed the 'lobby' button. On the bright side, I'm living closer to Olympus – which would make it easier to oversee the reconstruction – and Camp Half-Blood.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out into the air conditioned lobby. I was about to walk towards the glass doors when I stopped dead in my tracks.

I pulled out my invisibility hat from my pocket and put it on my head, just in time. Just to be safe, I ran to hide behind a tall potted tree. What has he doing here? Okay, so maybe he lived here, but Mrs. Jackson didn't tell me anything about this.

And who was that with him? I squinted my eyes and leaned forward a little, trying to get a better look. They were still too far away for me to see clearly. I waited patiently as they finally reached the lobby entrance and stepped inside.

This guy was slightly taller than Percy, with brown surfer hair, and eyes the same color as Percy's, except with hints of aquamarine. His skin was as tan as mine.

Percy and him were walking towards the elevator and joking around, laughing. Their smiles were contagious.

My body started warming up when they got closer to my hiding spot, which was right next to the elevator door. From my location, I could clearly hear their conversation. Apparently, this guy's name was Adam.

Seconds later, the two of them stepped inside the elevator and disappeared as I took off my hat and casually left the lobby for my walk.

. . . . . . . . .

"Are you sure you have everything you need, Annabeth?" my stepmom asked me, as she slid a third pancake on my plate. She was extremely excited for my first day at a new school.

"Yes, mom," I replied, drizzling syrup and berries over my plate. My dad, who was drinking a cup of coffee, looked a little nervous.

"What's wrong, dad?" I asked him while cutting my pancake.

"Nothing, dear. It's just a new workplace to get used to. New people to work around and get to know," he said with a sigh.

I nodded. After all, I would be starting a fresh sophomore year at a new high school, not like it wasn't something new to me, but the thought of spending a whole year with Percy slightly complicated things.

"So you talked to Mrs. Jackson last night about getting a ride with Percy, right?" my stepmom asked me, sitting down with her own plate of food.

"Yeah. She said to come over at 7:30 so I could explain things to Percy," I answered, with a small laugh towards the end. At the exact same time, my two brothers decided to walk into the kitchen.

"Percy? Your boyfriend?" Matthew asked, emphasizing the word boyfriend.

Bobby decided to join in. "Have you two kissed yet?" Bobby and Matthew started giggling. I rolled my eyes.

"Mom!" I complained. She gave the two of them stern looks, and they stopped.

I finished my pancakes and put the plate in the sink after downing a glass of orange juice. It was 7:25. Time to leave, I thought excitedly. I couldn't wait to see the look on Seaweed Brain's face when he saw me.

I gathered my backpack and books, slipped on my tennis shoes, and said goodbye to my family. I left my apartment, walked down four doors, and stopped at Apartment #404.

Sighing, I pressed the doorbell and the door opened immediately.

The beaming face of Mrs. Jackson welcomed me inside. I smiled and gave her a huge hug. After we pulled apart, I set my backpack and books down on the sofa.

"How are you and Paul?" I asked her politely.

"Oh, I'm doing fine. Paul already went off to the school, being a teacher and everything," she replied. I nodded in response.

"So, where's Percy?" I questioned.

She gave me a knowing look. "He's still sleeping. I think he'd like it better if you woke him up."

I went to Percy's room. The door was slightly ajar, so I pushed it open quietly. And, sure enough, there was Percy: still sleeping on his bed, with half of his covers on the ground, and drool leaking from a corner of his mouth. I shook my head and smiled.

I bent down and studied his face. He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping, with his hair covering one eye. I gave him a light peck on his cheek. (His lips seemed unsanitary from the drool.)

He still wasn't awake, so I shook his shoulder.

"Percy," I murmured.

No response.

"Percy." I said it louder this time.

He could probably sleep through an earthquake.

"PERCY!" I almost yelled out.

Aha. He bolted up, looking confused and sleepy. I waved my hands in front of him.

The look on his face was priceless. He looked like an excited drunken sailor being offered more whiskey. I rolled my eyes. That's my Seaweed Brain, I thought.

I looked at the clock. 7:40. We were going to be late if I didn't speed things up.

"Annabeth?" Percy exclaimed, still in bed, while rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, it is. I'll explain things after you get dressed."

He pulled the covers off, and yawned while stretching. "Okay, Wise Girl."

He got up out of bed. I looked at him. He was only wearing a white t-shirt with blue and green plaid boxers. A warm blush started creeping up to my cheeks. To hide my embarrassment, I opened the door to his closet and picked out a navy checkered shirt and khaki cargo shorts.

Closing the closet gently, I tossed the clothes to Percy. "Hurry and get dressed before we're late," I said, exiting his room.

. . . . . . . . .

Ten minutes later, Percy and I sat next to each other in his kitchen. He was eating a bowl of Frosted Flakes while I tried to explain things to him.

"My parents decided I would be a bit lonely by myself at a boarding school, so they surprised me by saying our whole family would be moving to New York. And, your mom told us there was a vacant apartment here, so things worked out even better than planned."

Percy beamed. "Don't let your head get too big, though," I laughed while tapping his head with my knuckles.

"I could use a bigger brain..." he mused.

I rolled my eyes while stifling a laugh. "Anyway, my dad finally finished writing his book and wanted to move back here to start on something new. The move was good for everybody."

Percy nodded as he finished his bowl of cereal and set it in the sink.

"So, what's your schedule?" I asked him.

He rummaged through his jeans pocket, pulling out a piece of paper that looked like it had been folded one too many times. He set it on the table and did his best to straighten out the wrinkles.

I took out mine, which I neatly put in the front pocket of my binder, and placed it right next to his. We both compared our classes, although it took a while with our dyslexia.

"Three classes together, not too bad…" I told him. "It's better than not even living in the same state as you," Percy said with a grin as I placed my hand atop his. "True," I laughed.

We were too busy to notice that the apartment door had opened and someone had come in.

"Hey Percy… and Annabeth," a slightly deep voice said. I could hear his footsteps on the kitchen tiles as he approached us.

Percy leaned over and grinned. "Hi, Adam."

I tilted my head and got a glance at Adam, dressed in a teal flannel shirt and dark blue jeans. His eyes were entrancing as I gazed deeper and deeper into them. There was something about him that...

"Annabeth?" Percy shot me a confused look.

I blinked several times, and turned my head towards Percy, trying to ignore Adam. It's nothing more than stupid teenage hormones, I thought.

But this never happened to me before. And besides, the 'love at first sight' trash is just stupid.

"Annabeth, this is Adam. He's my half brother, as in one of Poseidon's kids. He lives next door," Percy explained.

"Hi, Adam," I said meekly, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Wait, how come we've never met before?" I added, after processing what Percy had said.

"It's a long story. Percy can tell you some other time," he said with a chuckle.

Adam leaned over and saw our schedules on the table. He stuck his hand in his shirt pocket and pulled out his schedule. Percy's eyes scanned over the paper for about a minute. "Hey, we have three classes together," he said, looking at Adam.

My eyes darted from his schedule to mine. We had three classes together as well.

Adam stood up as he tossed a bundle of keys to Percy. "Come on guys. I don't wanna be late on the first day. Can you drive today, Percy? I don't know how to get to Goode."

Percy removed his hand from mine to catch the keys and stood up, excited for some strange reason.

. . . . . . . . .

We pulled into the parking lot of Goode High School. There were crowds of students everywhere, talking and laughing. I managed to get a glimpse at the school. The buildings were brownstones, an architectural style which I never really liked. There were stone walkways, bordered by lush green landscaping all around the school, which radiated importance and sophistication.

I was sitting in the passenger side of Adam's convertible, next to Percy. Earlier, Adam insisted that Percy and I sit in front so we could talk.

"There's a parking spot," I pointed out to Percy.

I have to admit, I was impressed by Adam's car, but more impressed by Percy's improved driving. He drove all the way to school without running any red lights or crashing into fire hydrants. (Don't get me started on that.)

Percy smoothly parked the car and turned off the engine. The three of us unbuckled our seatbelts, gathered our backpacks, and headed off to class.

We all had the same first period class – Chemistry. We were seated by last name, which meant I was in the front, Percy was in the middle, and Adam was in the back.

And what better way to kick off the school year than to take an eight page Chemistry Pre-Test?

The room was deadly silent as Mr. Kuch passed out the thick packets. The moment the packet hit my desk, I felt my brain melting. Sighing, I started the test. I blanked out on the first few questions, but the information started coming back to me in the later questions. After about an hour, I was done. I looked around the room, noting that Adam and about three-fourths of the class was also done.

Percy, on the other hand, was mouthing 'help me' with a pleading expression. I shot him a do-your-own-work-and-don't-get-both-of-us-in-trouble look.

Too late. "Mr. Jackson and Ms. Chase, please." Mr. Kuch's stern voice reverberated on the walls.

Some of the girls giggled as I slouched back in my seat and groaned.

. . . . . . . . .

Goode High School was built with a unique design, which I noticed after going to my second, third, and fourth period classes. All of the departments had their own huge two-story building, which were built in a V shape. The other buildings (office, cafeteria, etc.) were also built in a V shape, facing the classrooms. There was a huge grass field in the southeast corner and a swimming pool in the southwest.

Anyway, I was halfway towards the cafeteria entrance, scanning the sea of students for Percy and Adam. They were nowhere to be found, so I started walking back towards Mr. Blofis's classroom, which was their fourth period class.

There they were, right in front of his classroom. They were with three giggling girls, most of them wearing short shorts and revealing shirts. Percy was laughing and talking with them, his cheeks flushed. On the other hand, Adam wasn't paying attention and just looking around, trying to find someone.

Percy was so going to get it.

As I stormed towards them, Adam caught my eye and looked relieved. He said something to Percy, who reluctantly waved to the girls as they left the group and walked in my direction.

The moment Percy was close enough, I balled my hand into a fist and punched him on the shoulder. Hard.

He pulled back, wincing while rubbing his shoulder. "What was that for?" he asked me.

"Don't get me started," I muttered, stalking towards the cafeteria with Adam and Percy trailing behind and whispering to each other.

Just as I was about to open the door to the cafeteria, Percy rushed up and put his hand on my shoulder. My body froze, and I whipped my head around. In the process, my ponytail slapped Percy in the face. I smirked.

His eyes locked into mine. They glimmered, like the ocean on a sunny day, and for once, I could tell Percy was sorry. My expression softened a bit.

"I–I'm… sorry, Annabeth," he spoke softly. Adam was solemnly watching us from a distance. When I looked at him, he nodded slowly.

I took a deep breath. This was going to be hard. "Promise me you'll never do it again… and I'll forgive you," I told Percy.

Percy smiled a little. "I promise," he said.

"Then I forgive you," I said simply.

A janitor walked by, armed with a broom and mop, and saw us loitering outside. "Get inside the cafeteria," he barked.

I noticed my hand was still on the door. I swung the door open as the three of us rushed inside the crowded cafeteria.

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