Percy POV

I hated the month of May. Never in my life have I been more stressed out. It's not even a stress because I have so much going on; I always have a lot happening. No, this was stress as a result of something I've been waiting for for so long is finally coming.

Now, it was the first week of June, and I'd be leaving for the USA Olympic Trials in Colorado in exactly eight days. I'll be gone for a whole two weeks.

The sad part is that I'm missing my high school graduation.

Graduation was set for Monday next week.

I'll be leaving for Colorado on Sunday next week because the competition will begin on Monday. My first event (a quarterfinals for Butterfly 100m) would be on Tuesday.

"Don't worry about missing the graduation ceremony, honey," my mom said once the dates were finalized. "You're still graduating. At least, you'll get to attend prom."

"I don't think I'll go to prom," I replied.

"PERSEUS JACKSON, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS," my mom yelped.

"Mom, prom is literally on Saturday. I leave for the trials at 1 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. It doesn't leave aa lot of time for resting," I explained.

"I don't care. You have to go to prom," my mom stated.

I sighed. It's not that I don't want to go to prom, I just don't think I'll be in the right state of mind at prom or afterwards. It's a matter of preparedness. I don't want anything to distract or deter me during the final days before the biggest competition of my life.

My mom scooted closer to me on the couch. We were simply hanging out tonight with the TV playing in the background. I still have a few minutes before bedtime at 10 o'clock.

"You have to go for Annabeth's sake," my mom added with a smile.

"Mom, we've been over this. Annabeth and I are just friends. We decided to keep things low until I'm ready," I repeated for the hundredth time.

However, even I wasn't believed my own words at this point. Annabeth and I are so much more than what we were telling people.

My mom stared at me with a deadpan look.

"Honey, no offense, but 'just friends' don't make out on a bed," my mom teased.

My cheeks burned red from the incident two weeks ago. Gods, it was so embarrassing, and my mom brought it up way too much.

Annabeth was tutoring me for the final exam in math class. It was the only class where I needed to get a particular grade to pass with a C+. I wasn't particularly focused that day, so Annabeth promised that every correct answer would be met with a kiss.

The strategy worked for a while. But, then, without even knowing it, a small kiss transgressed into a heated make-out session (another false reality moment, I guess). We didn't even realize that we fell atop my bed. However, my mom walked in a few minutes later to call us for dinner. The only saving grace was that we didn't remove any clothes.

Regardless, my mom found us in a fairly compromising situation.

"Can you just forget about that? It just happened in the heat of the moment," I mumbled.

"Heat of the moments shouldn't happen between 'just friends.' That's all I'm pointing out. You have to go to Prom at least to give Annabeth a proper special night," my mom stated firmly.

"Yeah..."

After everything I put Annabeth through, I agree that I owed her a special night. Prom is supposed to be a big deal for girls, so I guess I can join as her date.

I might as well take advantage of the timing since I'm missing graduation anyway.

"Ugh, I need to buy a tuxedo now," I murmured, annoyed.

...

I skipped school of Thursday and Friday. Since everyone finished final exams already, the last two days were pointless anyway. I was going to hang out with all my friends throughout the summer, so there was no need for goodbyes or congratulations.

Instead, I spent Thursday and Friday preparing for the US Olympic Trials.

Chiron and Lupa made me have light swim practices in the morning. I went light to save my energy for competition next week. Even still, I warmed up, timed the Butterfly and Freestyle events that I'm competing in, and cooled off.

That was it for my swim practices leading up to the Trials. I know that I probably won't qualify for Freestyle, but I stood a solid chance for the Butterfly events.

I need to give it my all and then some.

I didn't have evening swim practice. Instead, I sat with Chiron and Lupa as they discussed my competitors.

"Swimmers are supposed to focus on their own performance, but you can learn a lot and be prepared by knowing your prime competition," Chiron informed.

"We'll leave Freestyle swimmers alone. You're main goal is to qualify for the Olympics under the Butterfly 100m and 200m. Triton and Ponty are your comeptition. Their times rival yours as some of the best in the country," Lupa explained.

There was a pause as I took them in.

An IPad was open with videos of Triton's and Ponty's latest competitions. They both competed at Worlds last year, and their swimming was quite impressive. It's surreal that I'm at a position at 18, where I'm competing against the best.

"First of all, Percy, we're really proud of you," Chiron expressed. "It's a big deal how much you've grown. You have a real shot at the Olympics now, just based on times."

"And, your times and skills rival the best in the world," Lupa agreed.

It meant a lot to hear it from both of them, but I already knew what they were telling me. I was incredibly proud of myself because I had come a long way. I'm at a position where I'll definitely reach the finals for Butterfly 100m and 200m at the Olympic Trials. The real competition is ranking in the top 2 in those finals; that's how I can qualify for the Olympics.

We spent hours on Thursday and Friday studying my competitors. Triton was a force to be reckoned with even after already participating twice in the Olympic Games. Ponty would be stiff competition too.

My name is creating some Olympic buzz though.

Chiron and Lupa kept me away from news reporters and the buzz. They didn't want it to go to my head or distract me from the real goal. I was thankful for them.

After a short session with my coaches on Friday, I drove home to find Jason and Rachel waiting for me.

My two best friends decided that I needed help with packing.

"Hey, bro, how many bags are you planning on taking?" Jason asked in confusion, looking at the four bags laid out on the floor of the bedroom.

"I only need two," i responded.

"So, why are there four laid out?" Rachel asked.

"I'm lazy. I just brought all the bags from storage to figure out which to take. But, I didn't feel like actually packing."

Jason and Rachel both rolled their eyes. Rachel shoved past me and headed to my closet while Jason tossed two of the older bags out into the hallway. That left two navy duffel bags (one big, and one small), ready for being packed.

The big would be for my clothes, casual wear, and suits. That one could probably stay in my hotel room for the entire competition. The smaller bag would be my carry-bag for the locker rooms and for swimming.

I was glad that Rachel and Jason were there. They did all the work for me.

Regardless, it took almost two hours to pack all my stuff. I wouldn't have time tomorrow since it's prom, so today was the day. By the end, Rachel and I were sitting on the big bag as Jaosn struggled to zip it up.

"Why are you taking so much stuff for two and a half weeks?" Jason grunted.

"I don't want to repeat clothes," I said simply.

"Yeah, because Percy here wants to look fresh in front of the press every day. Hey, didn't you get verified on Instagram since Winter Nationals," Rachel stated.

"Well, yeah..."

"Damn, our buddy gonna be world-famous," Jason said, wiping fake tears.

I elbowed him and got off the bag. It was finally all packed and ready; hopefully, my suits didn't get all crinkled from the process of closing the bag.

"Don't let the fame go to your head, bro," Jason said.

"Might be too late," Rachel teased.

"Shut up, guys. Seriously, I'll never forget what both of you did during my journey. Rachel, I wouldn't have gotten a second chance from Lupa if it wasn't for you, and you've been a constant support. And Jason, you're my best friend; thanks for always being there, dragging my ass out when you saw that I needed a break," I expressed, starting to get emotional.

I cleared my throat, not realizing how sensitive I had become. Jason and Rachel smiled while coming to give me a hug.

"We always got your back, Percy," Jason whispered.

"Just do us proud and give it your 100% effort at the Trials," Rachel added.

I looked at both of them with conviction. They were so supportive, and I owed it to everyone who helped me on my journey to perform to my full potential.

"I will...I promise," I said firmly.

...

As a lot of you already know, I am an Indian living in America. I speak multiple languages: Telugu, Hindi, and English (obviously). What languages do ya'll speak?

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