Last thing's first (see what I did there?) IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST FULL CHAPTER OF MARK OF ATHENA, THEN WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? GO READ IT!
Don't you just hate it when authors take over a month to update? Good thing I'm not one of those authors, right? Right? FINE!
i'mreallyreally reallyreally reallyandtruly sosososososorryfor notupdateginforever. I won't bore you with excuses.
I was at my locker, putting away the things I didn't need. When I closed the door, I was met with familiar, frizzy red hair. Why was she in Nico's locker?
"Rachel?" I knew Rachel since seventh grade. I met her at some cafe place. We've been going to the same summer camp since, and she was a great friend. Her dad was some rich, famous guy, whom I never heard about until I met Rachel. She was an innocent, and even though we kept in touch, she had no idea what things I was capable of. "What are you doing at Goode?" Rachel raised her eyebrow.
"I've been here since the beginning of the year. It's not like you to let something like that go unnoticed. You notice everything." I thought I heard her mumble "Almost everything", but I'm not sure.
Oh yeah, I think I saw you. I think I mistook you for Nancy." She pulled a face.
"We don't even have the same hair colour. How could you mistake us?" It was true. Nancy's hair was more of an orange colour, whereas Rachel's was more of a cherry-red. I was just so focused on killing Annabeth, that I didn't take note of the people around me. And then I had to cope with Nico running away, and now my mom was gone.
"Well, if you saw me, why didn't you just come up and say hi?"
"Don't change the subject. Something's wrong."
"I'm fine."
"I know you well enough to know something's wrong, no matter how well you hide it."
"Can't hide from you, can I Rach?"
"Nope," she replied, popping the 'p'.
"Well, I gotta get to class. Don't wanna be late. See ya," I rushed, try to get away. Rachel knew how to get people to talk. Rachel grabbed the back of my shirt and yanked me back. Guess my gambit didn't work.
"Class is in seven minutes. Talking about it helps."
"And maybe it doesn't," I retorted.
"So something is up."
"Just drop it." Rachel looked at me, worry etched into her eyes.
"You can talk to me whenever Perce. I'm here for you. I smiled gratefully at her. "You wanna come over after school? We can go riding. I'm working on my new painting until four thirty, so you can come over around that time." Rachel's family owned a small horse ranch. It was in their ginormous back yard, and they only had about five horses. Her family adopted unwanted horses. This included retired race horses and horses whose owners couldn't take care of. Rachel also loved to paint, and she was really good too. The first time I went over to her house, she had recently painted a bowl of fruit. It looked so realistic, I tried taking an apple, but all I got was a hand full of wet paint. Rachel got pretty pissed at me, and it somehow ended up with me being a human rainbow, and Rachel with buckets of empty paint bottles.
"Yeah, sure."
LINEBREAK
I got detention for half an hour by, guess who, Mrs. Dodds. The school campus was almost deserted. I saw Thalia sitting on a nearby bench. What was she doing? It looked like she was waiting for someone. Maybe I could avoid her. She turned around and made eye contact with me. She stood up and walked my way.
"Percy. I want to talk to you."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"I just want to know what's wrong."
"Are we still going on about this? It's been two weeks!"
"Exactly! You're never this depressed for so long!"
"I'll tell you when you tell me why you care so much," I snarled at her.
"Because you're my cousin! And as much as I hate you, I still care about you," she retorted.
"You want to know what's wrong? They killed Bianca! Nico blames me for it,, and it's all their fault! They killed my mother Thalia! You know why? Because I freaking saved a bunch of people from a fire that Luke started! They're just going to keep on killing people until I finish my job!" My voice rose with each sentence, but I was careful not to yell. There were still a couple people hanging around. Thalia just stared at me in shock.
"Percy, I-I didn't-"
"I told you what was wrong Thalia. Don't give me any of that 'I'm sorry' crap. We both know you don't mean it. Just leave me alone," I growled at her, and left. I started walking home.
LINEBREAK
I was walking near alley ways. It's a hard habit to break. You'll never guess who I ran into. Any guesses? It was Drew. Oh what joy. She was dressed in her usual stylish attire, which is not meant to be a compliment.
"Hey Sweetie. What are you doing all by yourself?" she asked seductively.
"I could ask the same to you."
"Looking for you." She took a step closer to me.
"That's creepy." Drew pouted and took a step closer to me.
"Is it illegal to look for a hot guy?" I wish it was, but I shouldn't be the one to talk. Not about looking for a hot guy, but a guy that I was supposed to kill.
"No. Listen, I gotta go." I had to get away from Drew. I was getting uncomfortable. I was still in a really bad mood about my confession to Thalia. I slipped past her and into an alleyway. Most people found it creepy and threatening, but I often found a strange comfort from them. Besides, the sunny atmosphere didn't match my mood. I felt arms wrap around my body from behind me. I immediately grabbed the hands, which I noticed were manicured, but I didn't give much thought about, and twisted them behind the person's back. I pushed my attacker up against the wall, and she whimpered. It was Drew. Leave it to her to try and seduce me in an alley way.
"What the hell Drew?" I let her go. "What is wrong with you? Don't you get the hint? Leave me alone." I restarted walking home. I felt a quench in my gut. Guilt. I should've at least made sure Drew was okay. Good thing I didn't take out any weapons. I would have to kill her, or she would've gone to the police. I finally got home, and I went inside to get a quick snack. I looked over at my watch. It was already 3:45. My watch! How could I forget it was a telecommunication device? I opened up the top layer of the watch, where the lower layer had a small screen and a few buttons. I found Nico on my contacts list. I called him, but after a few seconds, a recording of Hephaestus's voice told me I was blocked. Blocked? Nico blocked me? How? Only the Olympians knew how to block somebody! Damn it. So close to finding Nico, only to find out he blocked me! I hopped into the Jeep and headed off to Rachel's house. It was no use dwelling over the fact that Nico blocked me. I'm his partner! He can't just- right. No dwelling. So I was driving to Rachel's house, forty-five minutes before I should arrive. Her house was half an hour away (by car), but I wanted to be early. It's not like I had anything else to do.
LINEBREAK
I was fifteen minutes early, but I knocked on the mansion's door anyway. It was huge! Huge as in, three times as big as our school. And our school is really big. A tall woman opened the door. She had auburn coloured hair pulled up into a tight bun, bright green eyes that matched Rachel's, and a tight red dress.
"Hello Mrs. Dare. Is Rachel home?" She smiled warmly at me, and looked me up and down.
"She is up in her room. You really need to get nicer looking clothing. Yours are too drab." I smiled back at her.
"Thank you Mrs. Dare, but I've told you before, this is all I have."
"Tsk, tsk. I've told my husband that he should donate his money for the poor, instead of for expanding his business." Mrs. Dare was generally nice, but I can't always say she's always all that considerate.
I walked up to Rachel's room, which was up in the third floor. I took the steps three at a time, which I guess was sort of a habit. I wasn't tired, I mean, part of my training was full out sprinting for an hour straight (which I still haven't been able to do), but they should get an elevator. I walked into Rachel's room. Her bedroom walls were white, with rainbow paint splatters, no doubt the work of Rachel. Her floor was like a giant, fluffy, orang rug, and it felt amazing under my feet. The area where Rachel was painting was covered in newspapers. Her bed had a plain red comforter on it. Her back was facing me, and she seemed to be painting me in Greek armour. I don't understand why she would paint me. Rachel's hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail, and she was wearing paint-splattered jeans.
"Hey Rachel. Are you thinking about me again?" I teased. She jumped, causing a dark blue line to appear across my body. On the painting of course. She turned around and I saw that she was wearing her Van Gogh t-shirt. She quickly attempted to cover the painting with her body, and I smirked at her.
"You're early!" She glared at me.
"Only by ten or so minutes. So why are you painting me?"
"It was meant to be your Christmas present. But you ruined it, so I can't get you anything."
"How many times do I have to tell you I'm not big on Christmas? You didn't have to get me anything. So what's up with me being in Greek armour and leading a bunch of other people in armour?"
"I think you'd make a good leader. I mean, you're loyal, smart, caring and wouldn't hurt anyone intentionally, unless it's self-defence." I stayed silent and just looked at the painting. It was in front of the Empire State building, and I saw a bunch of my friends standing behind me.
"Thanks," I managed. The truth? I wouldn't be able to live with the picture; it would give me a too much of a guilty conscience. "So you want to go riding now?"
"Oh sure. Let me just change. Now get out." She pushed me out of the room.
I went downstairs, into the kitchen and grabbed a few sugar cubes and an apple. I went out back and towards the stables. The first time I came over to Rachel's house was the week before my fourteenth birthday. Rachel taught me how to ride a horse. I immediately went over to a pitch black horse who was hanging out near the back of the stall. Rachel told me he was shy and wouldn't let anyone ride him. She told me his previous owners mistreated him. So of course, me being fourteen-year-old-me, went into the stall and coaxed the horse to come out. It took an apple, half a carrot and thirteen sugar cubes. We tried putting the saddle on him, but he hated the thing, so I rode him bare-back. It's really painful, especially if it's your first time. He only lets me ride him, apparently. Rachel said he's always back to his old self when she tries riding him.
"Hey Blackjack. Long time no see," I told the black mare, opening his stall door. He looked at me and nickered. Blackjack came up to me and nuzzled my pocket. "I can never hide the sugar from you, can I?" He just ate the cubes and nuzzled my pocket again, asking for more. "None left. I got an apple though." I handed him the apple and he took it in one bite. I lead him outside and he kneeled down, allowing me to climb on. Blackjack was a big horse; 16 hands tall to the shoulder. I grabbed his mane and swung my leg over his back. I lead him out to the yard, and Blackjack trotted around the field until Rachel came back. When she did arrive, she was wearing a red tank top, ripped skinny jeans and riding boots. It wasn't the correct horse-riding outfit, but it was better than mine; a blue plaid shirt, cargo shorts and black converse.
"Looking good Dare," I told her jokingly. Well she did look pretty hot in her outfit, but I said it as a friend. I saw Rachel's face redden a bit before she replied.
"How many times do I have to tell you to wear your riding helmet? One of these days your going to crack your head open."
"I'll wear it when you start wearing your horse-riding outfit." Rachel scowled up at me.
"It's too small and uncomfortable." I smirked at her.
"Guess that means I won't be wearing my helmet then. Can we go on the trail today? Please?"
"No." Rachel's been teaching me how to ride horses for almost two years, and I've really wanted to go on the trail in the forest on the edge of Rachel's huge backyard. Rachel said I wasn't ready.
"Pretty please?"
"No."
"Pretty please with a cherry on top?" I begged.
"No."
"Pwease?" I pouted at her.
"Fine."
"Ple-e-e-a-a- wait, did you say 'fine'?" Rachel nodded, and I responded with a fist bump. I could forget about all my problems and just lay back whenever I was with Rachel. I didn't have to be this serious person who had personal problems.
"I'll go get Guido." Guido was Rachel's tan-coloured horse. Blackjack and Guido were the two fastest horses on the mini-ranch. I led Blackjack to the beginning of the path. The trail's path was pretty wide; enough to fit two Blackjacks side by side with about a foot in between them. I don't understand why Rachel thinks it's so dangerous.
"So the path will be about this wide for about a mile, where it leads to a small clearing. After that, the trail gets narrower. As we get closer to the clearing, there'll be a bunch of branches, so watch out." I tuned her out after that.
"Race you to the clearing," I challenged, kicking Blackjack's sides lightly. He started sprinting through the trail, and I heard Rachel and Guido behind us. I kicked Blackjack again and he sped up. After a few more minutes, I turned my head and looked at Rachel and Guido, who were close behind us.
"Percy! Look out!" I turned back around and saw a thick branch in front of me. I didn't have time to react, so it hit my chest and knocked me off Blackjack. I landed on my back with a loud "oomph." Guido just barely avoided my head, his momentum not allowing him to come to a complete stop. I raised my head and saw the clearing Rachel was talking about. Rachel was getting off Guido, and Blackjack was coming back, and he nuzzled my arm. I heard a sort of laughing noise come from Blackjack, or what I assumed was a horse-laugh.
"You find this so funny, don't you?" I asked him as I grabbed the back of his neck. He stood up, helping me stand up in the process. I saw Rachel suppress a laugh as she asked me if I was alright.
"I warned you," she told me, slipping her arm around my waist to help support me. I didn't retort. It hurt my chest too much to, so I took some deep breaths instead. I kept a hand on Blackjack's back, as he and Rachel led me back to her mansion. Guido was trailing behind us, occasionally going into the trees to look around. The horse was too curious for his own good.
Rachel set me down on her family's overly-large couch and went to get me some water.
"You can stay over for supper if your in the mood for chinese take-out. Mom's out with her friends, and Dad's still working." She sat in a chair across from me and handed me the water. I drank the whole thing in one gulp. A fast horse ride and a hard hit to the chest makes you thirsty.
"I can take you out, if you want."
"Percy, you're hurt."
"Nonsense." I stood up, showing her I was alright. "I mean, sure, my chest still hurts, but it doesn't bother me. Let's go." I pulled her up and led her to the door. Rachel just gave a small laugh.
LINEBREAK
It was already around eight-thirty when I dropped Rachel off at her mansion. We had gone to an arcade after we ate, and then took a walk around the park. I went out of the car, walked over to Rachel's side and opened the door for her. She smirked up at me.
"You're treating this a lot like a date Jackson. We agreed to only go eat." I smirked back at her.
"Maybe it is a date," I told her jokingly. I walked her to the door, you know, for her protection. Rachel unlocked her door and hesitated to bring her hand to the doorknob. Instead, she turned to me and pressed her lips to mine.
Why do they call it Prachel anyway? It has only the first letter of Percy's name, and Rachel's full first name. Wouldn't that mean that if any guy whose name started with the letter 'P' was paired with Rachel, it would still be Prachel? Like...Pollux and Rachel! That could still be Prachel! (I wonder why nobody's done that pairing yet...hmm...IDEA!) I think a better name would be Perchal. Or, better yet, Percabeth!
Does the long(ish) chapter make up for the long wait?
Sorry for any mistakes, but it's late. I'll fix any tomorrow.
Fluffy Bunnies Are So Cute – I updated soon...if you consider I could've updated in ten years instead...
Clumsy. Mustache – Thanks :D
Percabeth rocks 4 ever – Sorry to disappoint. :P And again, sorry for the late update.
Pirate-Spy-Demigod-Wizard – Thanks. And sorry.
arissaprincess321 – Ikr. And we finally get the full first chapter, but no reunion :( I was literally like "NOOOO!" when it ended. Thanks for clearing that up :) And again, sorry. But I still updated ^-^'
Time. To. Vaporize. A. Math. Teach – Sorry for the spaces, but you know how ff is. Thanks :)
The Innocent Little Human – My first reaction to that was "ugablargh" You're happy, then so am I :)
PercyJacksonsLittleSister –Thanks :D
April – Welcome back ;) Jk. Thanks, that's great, and I'm really sorry for the late update :(
Jamie Blue Daughter of Athena – Yep (: Does the branch count? Kidding. I only noticed it was a sort of accident when I typed the couch scene thing. I've had that scene before I started typing up this story, so don't worry. Or you might want to worry, not all people survive accidents hinthintnudgenudge*
Daughter of Magic – Thanks! And Sorry for the late update :(
Katerina Riley – If you haven't read it yet, see top AN ;) And thanks for the compliment.
Ginyus – You need to work on your British accent ;) Jk.
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Diamond Dunce – Well, they're not really supposed to be friends so that's why it's an odd start.
Secret DIARIES1208 - Thanks. And yeah, totally ;)
TodayTomorrowYesterday – I can't decide what tone of voice to use for your review...When'd I ever say I didn't love him? Does this chapter meet your standards?
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