Chapter 8

A/N: Hey, I'm back! Ok, so, I have a few things to talk about. I've started a new community, called Strange Pairings, Ships, and OTPs. Make sure to check it out, yeah? If you'd like to become a staff member of my new community, just PM me.

Also, I've become a beta. I am also looking for a beta for this story.

I'm sorry it's been so long. I've had hiatuses on my other story The Exception; I have no idea where to go with it and I've spent most of my time on that.

I'm also going to take a short break from fanfiction, don't worry, it'll only be for a few weeks, to focus on improving my writing skills. I don't want to write a chapter because I feel forced and then publish a really crappy chapter. Anyways, here it is. Thank you guys so much for being so patient and being so supportive in the Review section.

WARNING: There is some cursing in this chapter.

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"You what?!" Leo said, dumbfounded. Hephaestus grinned at the teenager, perfectly unaware of his son's shock. "I've signed you up for soccer, Leo. I know how much your mother loved that sport. Anyways, practice starts at four tomorrow. It's at the field behind your school." Leo nodded and stared at the floor. He remembered that field, his mother taught him the basics of soccer there. Leo learned he was an amazing midfielder, a sucky defender, and, he sucked so much at offense it made him want to cry.

His mother would often take him to that field after her work at her mechanics shop on Wednesdays. She'd grab the old blue and green soccer ball and enthusiastically call Leo to the front door to leave. They'd often sit under a big willow tree, and, under the shade, his mother would tell him the most amazing stories. Stories about his ancestors, about mythology and theology, she'd taught him almost everything he knew about repairing under that tree. And then, she'd pull him up from the ground and beckon him to the field.

He remembered one specific day as if it was burned into his mind.

They walked to the field, Leo holding the aged blue and green soccer ball. They sat under their usual tree, the shade caressing their skin, which had grown a reddish brown from the relentless summer sun. Leo began picking at the grass as his mother sat beside him. It was the day after his second day of freshman year, and Esperanza wasn't looking too hot. There were bags under her eyes and her frame had begun to emaciate, Leo had never been so sad to see such a sight. His mother's smile was the only thing that hadn't changed; it was as warm and inviting like always.

"Are you sure that you want to play soccer today, mom?"

Esperanza laid her head back onto the tree, completely relying on the trunk for support. "I don't think I can do it today, Leo, I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry."

He looked towards the old goalposts, imagining a smaller version of himself kicking the ball he held in his hands with Esperanza as a goalie. He looked at his mother, who had a hand on her forehead. "Mother, what's going on?" He finally asked. "I'm just a little sick, that's all." Leo frowned as he shot up from his seat. "Mom, I have to take you to a doctor."

Esperanza shook her head. "No, Leo. I'll be fine, I promise."

A promise was broken only eight months later.

She was so damn stubborn, Leo thought sadly. Soccer was one of his only ties to his mother, besides repairing things. He rarely visited that field, it was too hard. Every time he got there he imagined his mother sitting at the willow tree, calling his name, asking him to play with her. It was eerie, and Leo often ran away before he even placed a foot on the perfectly mowed lawn. He didn't know he'd be able to do it after school for practice. "I don't know if I can do this, dad," he said after a few moments. Hephaestus raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Leo took a deep breath. "It reminds me too much of mom."

Hephaestus nodded. "I know, my son. To be perfectly honest, I've never really done with things that are alive. But your mother...helped me with that. She was and still is an amazing woman. Leo, she would want you to join this team. Trust me, she'd be proud." His face fell. "She deserved a painless death."

Leo scoffed. "Life's a bitch."

Hephaestus coughed. "Yes, well, I guess it is. But it isn't so bad," he looked up at his taller son, "What about that girl Reyna?"

Reyna...oh right, Leo's dad took her home after the party a few weeks ago. Leo grinned at the thought of his best friend.

"She's so beautiful, dad, I wish Mom could see her. They would've gotten along famously," Leo replied, "She's not really friendly at first, but once she opens up to you, she's one of the sweetest and funniest girls you'll ever meet."

"Just like Esperanza," Hephaestus murmured quietly.

"What?"

"Nothing," Hephaestus said dismissively.

Leo sighed. "Anyways, thanks dad, for signing me up I suppose. I've just...had a really strange day, I'm sorry." Hephaestus smiled at his son. "It's fine, Leo. I hope that you enjoy soccer. Playing in a team can be really fun you know."

Leo rubbed the back of his neck. "Ok. Well, I'm going to bed now."

He ran up into his room and collapsed on his bed and closed his eyes. He dreamed about dark eyes and a warm smile.

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"Alright girls!" Reyna's coach called out to the track team, "another six laps and then you're done!" The whole team groaned, and then ran off to finish up their laps. Reyna left last, since everyone else was paired up or in groups with their friends. Because of her cold demeanor, Reyna didn't have very many friends. A blonde girl with gray eyes fell behind. Her hair was pulled tightly into a ponytail; it was so tight it was a wonder it didn't pull back her eyes.

"Hey, the name's Annabeth," she said, sounding a bit too friendly for Reyna's liking.

"Reyna," she grunted. They ran for a few minutes in silence, but soon Annabeth began to talk. "So, Reyna, I hear that you're the captain of the girl's soccer team."

Reyna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And who told you that?" Annabeth grinned. "My boyfriend Percy. He's the captain of the boy's soccer team and swim team, and the quarterback for the football team."

Reyna rolled her eyes. This Annabeth girl was just another 'Boy Bragger' as Reyna liked to call them. Boy Braggers are girls that are obsessed with their boyfriends and brag about them. For some reason, Reyna really disliked Annabeth. But still, she was thankful that the girl saved her from running alone again. She turned her expression from distaste into a grateful one. She smiled at the blonde. "Thanks for running with me." Annabeth smirked back, "Oh, no problem." She looked sadly towards her friends, who were way up ahead. "My friends don't really want to talk with me right now."

"And why is that?" Reyna asked, mildly interested.

"They told me I was too boring."

Reyna nodded. She knew what it was like to be scolded and then alienated by her friends. But yet, she maintained a generally popular reputation. Sometimes Reyna worried that her friends didn't really like her, they only hung out with her because they felt pity for her. And no matter how desperately Reyna wanted to say she didn't believe it, she couldn't deny she felt this way. Reyna glanced towards Annabeth. That girl had it easy. She had about a million friends, everybody knew her, and she was one of the most popular girls in school. Annabeth had a boyfriend, too; and from what Reyna had seen, they really loved each other.

"I don't think you're boring," Reyna said casually, "You just have different...ways than everyone else."

Annabeth raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "What do you mean by ways?"

Reyna shrugged. "You know, you don't spend all of your free time getting all glammed up. You don't party all the time. You actually study, and try to get into college unlike the rest of us. While you're under a tree reading Pride and Prejudice we're out taking selfies. You're different," Reyna smiled warmly, "I can see why Percy likes you."

Annabeth smiled back at the shorter Latina girl. "Thank you. I can see why Leo likes you, too." Reyna nearly burst out laughing at Annabeth's comment. Leo liking me?! Ha! That's the best thing I've heard all day! Reyna guffawed in her mind. Annabeth narrowed her eyes at Reyna. "You're not taking me seriously." Reyna shook her head, always blunt. "Nope."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "You two are so oblivious to liking each other that even a blind man would see it."

Reyna scoffed. "Yeah right. Leo does not like me," she spread her hands, "just look at me. I am so not pretty. I'm not a size two like all of you, I'm a size six. My curves are disgusting. My eyes are too squinty, and I'm really bossy and mean. I get angry really easily and I-" she stopped midsentence and glared at Annabeth as she realized the gray eyed girl had been mocking her with her hands and mouthing her words dramatically.

"Oh please. You are super gorgeous, Reyna. And let me tell you something," she leaned in and whispered to the dark haired girl, "guys like big curves." She retracted her head, "Even sweet innocent little Leo is not immune to that rule. Let me ask you something. Have you gone shopping with him?"

Reyna nodded hesitantly.

"Let me guess," Annabeth said, tapping her chin, "He bought you a dress and didn't tell you why, but then told you not to wear it in public?"

Reyna nodded, thinking that what Annabeth was describing was so accurate it was creepy.

Annabeth smirked. "Leo thought you looked great in it but didn't any other guys to see you in it. So I suggest that if you two go on a date that you wear it."

Reyna snorted. "And you know this how?" Annabeth looked at her nails casually. "'Cause. This happened between me and Percy."

"First, grammar," Reyna retorted, "Second, not all the guys are the same."

Annabeth's eyes lit up. "Yes, but in the dating game they are. Just do what I suggested, and I promise you will get...pleasing results."

"I think I plan on being a virgin for a couple of more years," Reyna laughed.

Annabeth shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Reyna scrunched up her nose. "Fine. I'll wear it if we actually decide to date, which by the way, will never happen."

Annabeth laughed. "Wanna bet on it, Miss I'm-never-going-to-date?"

PAGE BREAK

"So what's going on with you and that Reyna chick?" Percy asked as he kicked the soccer ball into the net. It was an easy goal.

Percy and Leo made quick friends as they discussed their new positions during the seasons and their soccer experiences. Percy was the captain of the team; he was pretty much the coach of the boy's soccer team. He had black hair and green eyes with a soft tone of blue in them. He was an amazing player and his position on the field was striker. He put Leo as the center midfielder.

Leo raised an eyebrow. "Reyna chick?"

Percy turned to look at him like Leo was a bit dumb. "Yes," he said slowly, "the girl named Reyna that you went to Silena's party with." Leo rolled his eyes. "Oh, that Reyna chick," he said sarcastically. Percy nodded slowly. "Get it now?"

"There's nothing going on between us," Leo said as he drew back his leg and kicked the ball with unbelievable power at the goal, "We're just friends."

"Ha!" Percy replied, "Only friends my-"

"Language," Leo chided.

Percy rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Point is, you are not just friends. You need to put yourself out there man! Just ask her on a date. I swear to the gods, she will say yes and you will get laid."

Leo laughed. "I highly doubt she'd say yes. I don't really think I can ask her."

"All it takes is just six words. Six words that will take up about ten seconds of your life. And if she says no, just move on and ask another girl," Percy said as they ran around the field as the coach instructed.

"That's the thing," Leo explained, "If she says no, then our friendship will be ruined."

"Nope," Percy said simply, "I thought the same way about Rachel. We're still friends." Leo sighed. "Bad example, dude. Rachel's friends with everyone." Percy smirked. "Everyone 'cept Annabeth."

Leo continued to run in silence. "Do you really think I should ask her?"

Percy scowled. "I swear to Poseidon if you don't ask her in the next twenty four hours I will push you off a cliff."

Leo laughed. "Okay, Okay, I'll ask her."

A/N: I know, I know, there's not much Leyna in this chapter, but they can't be around each other constantly! But I promise, next chapter will be their date...and maybe there'll be a kiss involved? You never know. Until next time.