Disclaimer: I do NOT own Percy Jackson.

The next morning, Percy woke up in a daze. He groaned as he put a hand on his forehead, and blinked his eyes open.

The room was dark, and when Percy glanced at where his window was, taking up the majority of the wall, he saw there was no sign of the sun. It must have been early, yet suddenly he felt wide awake.

When his gaze shifted to the doorway, Percy's face settled with a scowl. He looked at Poseidon with a look of annoyance, who seemed to be watching him wearily.

"What are you doing here?"

"You live in my house." Poseidon stated with a raised eyebrow, and Percy's scowl deepened.

He wouldn't admit it to Poseidon, but the house was impressive. With six large bedrooms, each the size of his old apartment, four bathrooms, a grand staircase, a family room, a kitchen, and a movie theatre along with a pool, Percy would love the house. It would be the kind of house he'd do his best for his mother to live in if the circumstances were different.

If the circumstances were different.

He knew Poseidon was rich, could throw away hundreds of thousands of dollars without a second thought, but had a hard time believing how he'd gotten to live in a house that didn't reek of beer and drugs. When he first breathed in the air, his heart had melted. But he wasn't letting Poseidon know that. He didn't deserve it, especially when Poseidon decided it would be best to barge into his life and act like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't made his son's life hell for the past 14 years.

He had. And now, Percy was focused to return the favor, despite it being his father.

"What?" He asked his father, pulling his covers aside. "You want me to leave? Fine. I will-"

An exasperated sigh, one that Percy heard multiple times a day, left Poseidon's lips. He regarded Percy with a stern look, and then shook his head.

"We aren't going to do this every day. You're acting ridiculous, Perseus."

Percy snorted.

"It's three in the morning," Poseidon told him. "You should get some sleep."

"Don't tell me what to do."

"I'm your father, I have the right to."

A ragged laugh escaped Percy's lips, and he did his best to try to hide it. "Can you just leave me alone? I don't get why you're suddenly all wanting to tell me you're my father, because believe me, I don't want to have you as my father. I'd rather have no father at all. Oh, wait, I had no father until now, did I?"

"Percy."

"Don't call me that," Percy slid off the bed, irritated.

Poseidon pursued his lips. "Did you do your homework?"

"Like I care about that."

"It's Saturday."

"Yeah," Percy raised an eyebrow at his father, "and you're a bastard. Any more obvious questions?"

The fresh air to Percy nowadays seemed like a drug, and he breathed in deeply as he walked. The sound of his shoes hitting the sidewalk echoed in his ears, and the image of running away flashed in his mind.

Shaking his head, Percy pulled out his phone and dialed Luke's number. It was 10 A.M, and he had nothing better to do, and he sure as hell wouldn't do homework.

School didn't matter to him anymore, even though the first week had just ended. The teachers had piled homework, except for Mr. C, the history teacher. He was the only person Percy could stand.

That was, until Annabeth Chase sat next to him everyday because of the seating chart. He hated every single moment of it. Why had she came into his life when he was trying to start over? Why did her and her stormy gray eyes have to glance at him disapprovingly every morning?

Why couldn't he forget her and their past relationship?

Within just a week, everyone knew about the new girl. Annabeth Chase. All the guys talked about her, yet she had no idea. They made bets in the locker rooms about who'd get her first, and it made Percy sick to his stomach. Who would do that?

It didn't bother him. It couldn't, he wasn't supposed to care about her. Like he used to. That was the past, and this was the present, and as Gabe always told him, the past is a bunch of shit that needs to be forgotten.

The streets of New York were busy on Saturday morning, and the September sun was shining in Percy's hair. He hasn't even bothered to brush his hair or change from his jeans, just throwing on a shirt that hadn't been washed in days.

Luke picked up on the second ring. "Hey, man."

"Hey, what's up?"

A shuffle came from the other line as Percy sat down on a bench, as if Luke was shrugging. "Nothing much, you?"

"Bored." Percy answered. "You up for the parking lot?"

Luke was silent for a moment before he spoke. "Sure. I'll be there in two. See you there, Perce."

"Cya."

The parking lot was an abandoned place Luke had introduced him to, where nobody but troubled teens went. Troubled. The word that fit every aspect of Percy's life.

It was right around the corner, with fences as protection around it. Although, they had worn off with all the things that had happened inside, and there was a clear entrance right in the middle. Dirt and cigarettes were scattered all around the floor, the air screaming pollution.

When he squeezed through the jagged fence, Percy saw Luke sitting on one of the cement blocks, his legs stretched outward. When he glanced up at Percy, Luke stood up.

"Perce! How's it going?"

As they did the "manly" hug, Percy winced as the smell of cigarettes invaded his nose from Luke's mouth. He tried to hold his breath as he clapped Luke's back. "Good, man, and you?"

They sat on the cement blocks, Luke offering Percy a cigarette.

"Come on," Luke pushed it towards him. "Take it, relax."

Just seeing it made Percy think back to Gabe, and he was tempted to burn it. He gave Luke a forced smile, "Nah, man."

Luke raised an eyebrow. His washed out blue eyes narrowed, "Why?"

The intensity of his gaze caused Percy to sigh internally. A voice in the back of his head said it wasn't a good idea, but he couldn't make his friend suspicious. Taking the cigarette and lighter that Luke had pulled out, Percy tentatively put it in his mouth. The taste was repulsive, and he had to force himself to not spit it out and gag.

"Never mind," Percy sighed. "So, you didn't answer my question. How are you?"

Luke shrugged. "Mom's in the hospital again, Hermes won't shut up about college, even though he knows I can't go. It's two years away, anyway."

Percy made a sound of agreement. "Yeah."

"You know the new guy, Nico?" Luke questioned, his eyes darkening. "The one who hangs out with Thalia Grace?"

"I think so," Percy said. He remembered the boy who sat behind him in one of his classes, with his pale skin and dark, unreadable eyes. "Why?"

"I heard he's gay." Luke scowled. "Disgusting, right?"

Percy regarded Luke with a look of confusion. "How?" He blew out smoke from the cigarette, feeling suddenly calm.

"Gay," Luke spat out. "He needs to die."

Percy raised his eyebrows, removing the cigarette from his mouth. "No, he doesn't. Shut up."

This time, Luke's eyebrow arched. "What did you say?"

"The fact that he's gay doesn't mean anything," Percy said slowly. "What does it mean to you, anyway?"

"Are you really standing up for him?"

Percy's gaze lowered. He released a deep breath, before looking back at Luke. "No, I'm not."

Luke smiled. He pulled out his own cigarette. "Good."

Annabeth's P.O.V:

Annabeth stared at the math problem on her lap,annoyance creeping up on her. Normally, advanced math was nothing to her, but the numbers of her homework wouldn't stop mixing in her mind.

She let out a sigh, dropping onto her bed, and pushing her binder to the floor, where her papers scattered. She'd fix it later.

A scraping sound startled her, and Annabeth glanced at the window of her room. Standing up, she pulled it open, glancing down to see Piper come face to face.

Annabeth jumped as Piper laughed, and she climbed into Annabeth's room. Recently, Annabeth learned that her and Piper were neighbors, and saw each other everyday. They'd clicked instantly, a bond Annabeth had never felt before.

She looked at her friend, with her light green blouse and skinny jeans, accented with combat boots. Her eyes were twinkling, hair pulled up beautifully into a braid. Piper didn't even have to try to look beautiful, and Annabeth felt a twinge of envy, but quickly pushed it aside.

"Ever heard of knocking, and not climbing up my house?" Annabeth grumbled, but she gave Piper a quick hug.

"Nah," Piper shrugged. She tilted her head to the door to Annabeth's room, "Is he there?"

"Nope," Annabeth popped the "p". "He's at work."

"Cool," Piper grinned. "So you wanna hang out?"

Annabeth had accidentally let it slip that she hated her father three days ago, and Piper had told her about her family. A dad all the way in Florida for a movie shoot, mother gone, she lived with her nanny, Beryl. Piper's father was the all famous Tristan McLean, but that didn't change Annabeth's friendship with her in the least.

"I can't."

Piper frowned, her eyes losing their sparkle. She put a hand on her hip, "Why not?"

"My dad can come back anytime."

Piper snorted. "Who cares? C'mon. He won't care."

"Piper," Annabeth stretched out her name, but a smile graced at her lips. "Really?"

"Don't waste a Saturday night," Piper advised her. "It's beautiful out!"

"Homework." Annabeth reminded her, raising an eyebrow.

Piper winked at her. "That's what Sunday nights are for."

Annabeth leaned against the bench of the park they were in as Piper threw her head back and laughed.

"You're not serious." Piper tried to keep a straight face, but failed.

"I swear," Annabeth was mockingly solemn. "They tried to do that."

"Wow.." Piper shook her head. "My life isn't nearly as interesting as you, especially my preschool life!"

Annabeth gave a small smile, her eyes lingering on the grass under her. Moving the dirt with her feet, she was silent, her thoughts everywhere. The dark color of the grass strangely reminded her of a certain pair of green eyes, and she could imagine them twinkling. Like they used to.

What had happened to him?

He completely ignored her in history, where they sat next to her, like he'd forgotten everything. Annabeth was aware that he had dated Rachel, and for all she knew, still was, but he didn't even acknowledge their friendship. He acted as though she was some sort of disease, and wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible. That wasn't the Percy Jackson she used to know, what had changed? Why was he in New York?

Did he suddenly forget all of their small, rememberable moments?

Did he forget about her?

"Annabeth?" Piper asked. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Annabeth said. She slowly looked up and bit her lip, an emptiness settling in the pit of her stomach. But why?

"Alright," Piper said. She sat crisscrossed onto the bench, and grinned at Annabeth. "So, let's get to know each other more?"

"You know more about me than practically anyone," Annabeth said softly. "Let's talk about you!"

Piper shrugged. "There really isn't anything interesting about me."

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"You know, people say that since we're sophomores, we should know what we're going to do in life, but I don't have any idea." Piper's voice was low, and her gaze was on her hands.

Annabeth nodded. "I understand what you mean. But I guess we'll know soon enough, right?"

Piper hummed. "Right."

They were silent for a while, hearing the echoes of the laughing children from the park that was off to the side.

A couple minutes later, Piper pointed to the water. "Wanna go put our feet in the water?"

"Sure." Before they could get up, though, a child that had been previously running from a friend, Annabeth assumed, triped, screeching as he fell. A second later, he began crying softly, all traces of happiness gone.

Piper jumped up to help him, and Annabeth glanced around for his mother. Nobody seemed to be concerned for him, all concentrated on their own children in the field.

Annabeth could hear Piper's soothing noises as she stood up and walked over to him, and the boy, who seemed about 5, was sniffling. He had blonde hair and blue eyes and looked at Annabeth with a sad frown.

"Do you know where my Mommy is?"

Annabeth slowly shook her head, and she saw that he'd scraped his knee when falling. Piper turned to Annabeth, "Can you go get my water bottle?"

Nodding, Annabeth rushed over to the bench to pick up the bottle, and handed it to Piper in less than ten seconds. She soothed the child as he whimpered for his mom.

"I have Band-Aids somewhere," Piper muttered, as she dug around in her pockets.

When Annabeth noticed the child's suspicious look and how his bottom lip trembled, she decided to converse with him. "What's your name?"

"B-bobby." He answered shakily, and Annabeth smiled at him.

"Nice to meet you, Bobby. We're going to find your mommy. Do you know where she is?"

He shook his head, "I was p-playing w-w-with my b-brother. I l-lost mommy and M-matthew."

"Okay," Annabeth cursed in her mind. "Do you know where they might be?"

"No.."

"Alright," Annabeth sighed. "We'll have to look for her, then."

His lip quivered again, and as Piper put a bandaid on his injury, he let out a loud whimper. "I want mommy."

"Shh," Annabeth said. "We'll find her."

A tear dripped down his cheek, and Annabeth's heart melted at his innocence. She found herself disliking his mother, not knowing her at all. Who would leave their own child unsupervised?

Pipet stood up, and looked around. She peered down at Bobby before pointing to the ice cream stand near the water. "Do you like ice cream?"

The boy nodded excitedly, but a sniffle interrupted it. "Yes!"

Piper flashed him a smile. "How about we go get you some ice cream, then find your mommy?"

He nodded eagerly, and grabbed onto Annabeth's hand, and looked up at her. "Okay! I like chocolate. What's your name?"

"My name's Annabeth," she answered.

His eyes widened for a second, "Annbeth?"

"Annabeth," she repeated, slower this time.

He nodded as if he understood everything. "Beth!"

Annabeth gave a small laugh and squeezed his hand. She wiped the tear on his cheek, and he looked up at her again with wide, blue eyes.

"Annabeth." He said, again.

"There you go!" Annabeth spoke enthusiastically. "You're really smart!"

His cheeks dimpled. "Really?"

"Yes," Annabeth said.

"I'm four," he said as they neared the ice cream stand.

"That's cool." Annabeth watched Piper ask for chocolate ice cream. "Four is a fun age!"

"I want to be a grown up," he frowned.

She laughed. "You will be soon enough!"

"But I don't want to wait!"

Believe me, you do.

"Well, four is a very amazing age, too. You're awesome for being four!"

Happiness spread through his features. "Yay!"

As Piper walked back to them, Bobby let out a surprised noise turned to Annabeth with wide eyes. "I know you!"

Annabeth furrowed her eyebrows. She'd never seen this kid in her life. "What?"

His face broke out into a grin. "My mommy talks about you all the time!"

A/N: Sorry for the late update, I hope this chapter is still enjoyable, though! Thank you guys for reading. What did you think? Let me know! :D

theartnerd333: I haven't heard from you in a while! Where've you been? :) Thank you so much! I'm glad you're "loving it"!

BookLuver4ever7: I still think I've got a hell lot of practice needed, but that's what writing's about, right? I know right.. Seriously Percy? Yep! That was Luke. Hope you liked this chapter!

AnimeAddict1059: Yep, I wanted to give Annabeth a group of friends that she could be with and all. It'll add onto the plot ;) All of the character's actions will, actually. You'll have to keep on reading to find out :) Hope you liked this chapter!

ShatteredOwl: Gotta love school! XD no. And oh shut up, you're denying the fact that you killed him. Tsk, tsk..irresponsible.

Purplicouspolkadot: *screams bc you actually read this* Wow. It's an honor. Yeah, Percy does remember her, but that doesn't mean he wants to. ;) Hope you liked this chapter!

uneednotnomyname: I get so excited when you review. Thank you, woah, I'm rendered speechless. This is so sweet and I'm so lucky to have readers like you. I feel bad for Annabeth, too. Don't worry, the characters will make sense later on! I hope you liked this chapter! :D

ArtsyFangirl: Thanks! I'm trying. :)

CassylovesPercabeth: Oh, the sadness has just begun. Glad you like it, I hope you like the next chapter :)

WriterLife: I am! :)

greekgeekgirlbro: Same.

And that's all of the reviews! Thanks for all your support, and I look forward to seeing your reviews and reactions to this chapter! Keep smiling, xxx.