Ruined Moments


It's been a couple weeks since Percy returned to New York and, well, things have been not been the same for him – in a good way. He gets a lot more attention from his peers than he did 4 years ago. Heck, he received almost all the senior and junior girls' phone numbers all ready. Asides all the negative attention he's been getting from the guys, none has tried to mess with him after the Luke incident.

And for the Luke situation – things are still being figured out between him and Percy. Until Luke is cleared to come out of the hospital, he's eligible to go to jail for attacking Percy. But for now, he's still stuck in a hospital bed with horrid hospital food and the constant visits from his annoying nurse.

So Percy's social life is basically intact but his school life still hasn't changed.

"Is my lesson interrupting your little nap, Mr. Jackson?"

"W-what?" Percy snapped out of his little daydream.

Mr. Lloyd, the chemistry teacher, scoffed and faced the class. "All right students, because my class seems like a bore to all of you, there will be a test tomorrow on what you've learned so far."

The class groaned and a few pieces of crumpled paper were thrown at Percy. He rolled his eyes in response to his peers. In luck, the bell rang to signal the end of class. Everyone hurried out of their seats and to the exit of the class.

"Percy," Mr. Lloyd called before Percy exited the class. Percy sighed and walked cautiously towards the front desk, prepared for a long lecture about not paying attention in class.

"Yes, Mr. Lloyd?" Percy asked as he approached his chemistry teacher.

Mr. Lloyd scratched his pre-shaved beard before speaking. "It's nearly halfway through first quarter and you're already lacking in my class."

"Yes, I know that sir, but – "

"That is why I'm giving you an opportunity to pass my class."

Percy's eyes lit up.

"I've looked through your report and saw that you're pretty good when it comes to being in the water. I'm the coach of the swim team and we need boys like you to take us to states. You do that, then consider this class a breeze."

Percy thought for a moment. He really needed to graduate and an A for this class was being laid out on the table. "Can you even do that?" He asked.

"How do you think those football jocks past their classes?" Mr. Lloyd asked a rhetorical question. The look on Percy's face made him want to face palm. "Try outs are on Friday."


"Heard you're trying out for the swim team," Annabeth said as Percy closed his locker.

Percy sighed and faced her. Annabeth's hair was let down, wearing only a tiny amount of makeup, a gray v-neck, dark blue skinny jeans, and a gray pair of vans. Percy admits that she looked good and it was hard not to stare. Percy didn't realize he was staring until Annabeth cleared her throat.

"Oh – um – yeah." Percy managed to say. "I mean, I have no choice. I have to if I want to pass Chem."

Annabeth eyebrows scrunched up. "I don't think that's a good idea, Perce."

"I know, I know. But how else am I suppose to pass that class?" He asked.

"I could tutor you? I took the class last year." Annabeth offered.

"Thanks, but no thanks. You're already tutoring me in Math. Two subjects will just be a burden." Percy replied.

Annabeth opened her mouth to say something but someone from behind. "Hey Anna – Oh."

A straight unnatural blonde-haired girl with blue eyes appeared between Percy and Annabeth. She was about 5'5" and slim. Her white dress hugged her figure tightly and showed off her light skin tone. To Percy, she was really pretty.

"Hey Silena." Annabeth said a bit uneasily.

"Hey Annabeth," Silena greeted back but her eyes were still skimming Percy. Percy averted his eyes to keep himself from staring.

"Uh, Silena this is Percy. Percy, Silena Beaugard," Annabeth introduced. Percy hesitantly reached out his hand to shake hers and Silena immediately grabbed a hold of it to shake it. As she did, she bit down on her bottom lip a bit seductively. Annabeth gave Silena a warning glare.

"I heard you're trying out for the swim team," Silena started. Her voice was high-pitched like a peppy cheerleader.

Annabeth shot a glare at Percy before he was going to confirm Silena's statement. "I-it's still being figured out." Percy stumbled to say. Annabeth smirked.

"Well, you should. Our team never got a mile close to states. All we need is a little luck and you – " Silena tapped Percy's shoulder, " – look like all the luck we need."

"Silena, you have a boyfriend." Annabeth cut in. Silena's attention shifted to Annabeth. She gave a confused look and started to take glances between Percy and Annabeth. After a while, Silena's eyes lit up like she just put a puzzle together. Her mouth was shaped like an "O."

"Oh, I see what's going on here," Silena grinned at Annabeth.

Once again, Annabeth's eyebrows scrunched up and Percy was plain confused. Silena giggled at their expressions. But before she could say another word, an African-American boy walked behind Silena and wrapped his huge arms around her. Silena smirked and leaned into the boy's touch.

"Hey babe," the boy greeted Silena.

"Hi Charles," Silena said back and gave him a kiss. "Percy, this is my boyfriend Charles Beckendorf."

Charles reached out to shake Percy's hand. "You can call me Charlie or Beckendorf. Nice to meet you," he said as he grasped a hold of Percy's hand. Percy's hand was tiny compared to Beckendorf's and could feel that his skin was rough. Percy guessed that he did some mechanic work.

"Hey," Percy said.

"Percy said he's going to be trying out for the swim team." Silena said with a smile.

Annabeth gave Percy an unsure look. "Well – " Percy tried telling them that he's still thinking about it but Silena kept talking.

"Charlie's on the team too," Silena said and smiled at her boyfriend.

"I wouldn't consider myself a part of the team. I just fix the pool filter and things like that," Beckendorf said shyly.

Silena scoffed. "Yeah if those stupid brothers stop messing with that thing, you wouldn't have to be fixing it."

Two voices appeared out of nowhere like something Silena said was a cue. "Did someone say 'brothers'?" A pair of identical boys came up from behind Annabeth and sandwiched her with their bodies. They both stood a bit shorter than Annabeth and had curly red hair. One of them had a blue shirt on and the other had a red one. They wore a mischievous smile that made Percy a bit uncomfortable because they were by Annabeth. Silena and Annabeth rolled her eyes when the boys arrived.

"Why hello there, beautiful," the boy in the red shirt told Annabeth.

"Connor, Travis. I swear, I will jab this pencil if you don't get off of me right now." Annabeth spat.

The twins immediately got off of Annabeth and the boy in the blue said, "Feisty."

"Percy, these are the most annoying twins you would ever meet. Connor and Travis Stoll." Annabeth said.

The boy in the red spoke up. "Well, actually I prefer for it to be Travis and Connor Stoll. Considering I am the oldest."

The boy in the blue shirt – Connor, Percy guessed – gave his brother a good shove. "You're only 30 seconds older than me! I was supposed to be first but Travis pulled me back in when I was about to get out." Travis smirked.

"No one wants to hear your fight in your mother's womb," Silena said disgustingly. Beckendorf laughed from behind her along with Percy and Annabeth.

"Whatever. You're mom is still hot," Travis told Silena. She gasped in disgust and slapped Travis square on the cheek. "Ow! Beckendorf, contain your girlfriend!"

Beckendorf tried to calm himself from his own laughter but failed miserably when his words came out as a gasp. "Yo-you asked f-for it bro."

"Boys will be boys," Annabeth mumbled loud enough for all of them to hear. They all gave her a good grin – including Percy.

"So, you're that guy who moved to Hawaii, eh?" Connor asked Percy.

"Yep, that's me." Percy replied.

"Then you're that kid that Annabeth couldn't stop talking about?" Travis cut in.

Percy raised his eyebrows at Annabeth and she looked down to hide her blush. "Is that so?"

Annabeth completely ignored Percy and faced Travis. "Don't you have to go to History? Or are you too afraid to see Katie Gardener after last year?"

Travis pursed his lips in embarrassment. Silena, Beckendorf, and Connor burst into laughter while Percy stood confused again. "You're a horrible person, Annabeth." Travis mumbled.

"I know. It's what makes me sleep at night," Annabeth smirked. The laughter died down when the one and only, Nico walked in. This time, he had Grover with him and Juniper by his side.

"Percy Jackson! You jerk!" Nico yelled.

"What?" Percy asked confusingly as his best friend approached him. Nico wore a serious expression but Percy couldn't really take him seriously because he towered Nico.

"Don't 'what?' me! I can't believe you're trying out for the team!" Nico exclaimed.

"Whoa, tune it down," Silena said with annoyance in her voice.

Nico looked at Silena and she expected him to gap but instead, his eyes opened wide. "The process is starting . . ." Nico slowly said.

Everyone – including the twins – store at Nico like he was some crazy lunatic. "What are you talking about?" Percy asked.

"You're trying out for the team. You're hanging out with Silena freaking Beaugard. An – an – a – and – " Nico made all these crazy hand motions that really convinced everyone he was going crazy.

"Grover?" Percy looked at Grover for answers. Grover shrugged and gave Nico a concerned look. Percy turned to Annabeth, whom also gave Nico a concerned-worried look.

"Uh . . . Nico? What's wrong, buddy?" Percy asked.

"This!" Nico poked Percy's pectorals. "This is what's wrong!"

"My chest is . . . bothering you?" Percy asked, a bit worried for his friend.

"No, you idiot! Do you realize what you're becoming?" Nico eyed Percy.

"I – uh . . ." Percy started.

"You're popular for hell's sake!" Nico yelled. Both Grover and Annabeth rubbed their temples while Silena and Beckendorf where giving Nico a 'he-needs-help' look.

"And that's a bad thing because . . ." Percy continued.

"Babe, please take Nico away," Juniper whispered into Grover's ear. Grover groaned and took Nico by his ear.

"I'm not done here!" Nico yelled.

"Yes you are," Grover told Nico and dragged him out of the hallway. After Nico was clear of sight, Percy took in a deep breath.

"Well . . . that wasn't awkward at all," Silena said.

"Sorry about him. He's just – well, I have no explanation for him," Percy said, shaking his head.

"It's fine." Silena said. "Anyways, after school all of us go to this burger joint down the street from here."

Annabeth's eyes lit up and she slowly shook her head at Silena. Silena noticed the sudden nervousness in Annabeth's eyes and stopped what she was going to say.

"Uh, if you're free this afternoon, you should come." Silena continued slowly. Annabeth face palmed behind Percy.

"Thanks. But I actually have something to do after school," Percy said nervously. Annabeth sighed mentally but the determination on Silena's eyes made her want to punch Silena.

"Oh, c'mon, Percy. Don't be shy. Annabeth will be there." Silena smiled. Annabeth shot a glare at her in response to her statement at the end.

Percy turned around to face Annabeth. She sighed. "You're going to regret it." Annabeth told Percy.

"Oh, then I'll definitely be going," Percy smirked.

"Awesome, see you there then." Silena said. The bell rung for the next class to start and so they all separated in pairs. Silena with Beckendorf, Connor with Travis, and Percy with Annabeth.

While Annabeth and Percy were walking to their next class, Annabeth punched Percy in the arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" Percy yelled and rubbed his bruised bicep.

"When someone tells you that you're going to regret something, you don't do it!" Annabeth growled.

"Well, you told me," Percy started.

"Especially when I tell you." Annabeth said lowly.

"And that's exactly why I'm going. Because you don't want me to go," Percy smirked.

Annabeth groaned. "You're so going to regret this, Seaweed Brain."

"I know," Percy smirked, "but it's so worth disobeying you, Wise Girl."


After school, the friends gathered in the parking lot. Silena and Beckendorf were having their "time" by his car, waiting for Annabeth and Percy. The Stolls were close by, planning something deceiving. After a while, there were two figures approaching the car. Silena pulled away from Beckenford when she heard laughter.

"They're so cute together! Don't you think?" Silena nudged Beckendorf.

"I guess," Beckenford replied while whipping off the lipstick from his lips. "She seems happier around him."

"Now that you put it that way, you're right, babe. I've never seen her this happy since freshmen year." Silena noticed. In the distance, Silena saw Annabeth laughing while Percy was smiling and looking at her. Silena also noticed how Percy looked at Annabeth. It reminded her of how Beckenford would look at her sometimes.

"Why do you have that look?" Beckenford asked Silena cautiously.

"What look?" Silena asked back.

"The look that you have when you're planning something probably devious," Beckendorf said.

Silena smirked. "You know me too well."

Beckendorf backed away from his girlfriend a little. He knows that when she wants something, she gets it. Nothing gets in her way. Literally, nothing. Not even himself can stop Silena when she's up to something. "Maybe you should just let fate take them we're they have to go," Beckendorf tried to reason.

"Right. I'm sure fate had an awesome plan four years ago?" Silena asked sarcastically.

"What are you talking about?" Beckendorf asked Silena.

Silena hushed her boyfriend. "Be quiet! They're near."

Annabeth walked up to Silena, smiling. Percy joined Beckendorf. Annabeth eyed Silena suspiciously when she noticed that Silena had a little devilish shine in her eye.

"What were you and Charlie talking about?" Annabeth asked her, while eyeing Silena out with her famous glare.

"Nothing," Silena replied with that high-pitched peppy voice of hers. Annabeth didn't buy it though. So she still eyed her suspiciously but then Percy's voice interrupted the situation.

"Dude!" Percy yelled disbelievingly.

Beckendorf laughed in response. "Go ahead, you can touch it if you like."

"Really? "

"Yeah. Go ahead," Beckendorf offered.

"What are you two talking about?" Annabeth asked as her and Silena turned around to see what was going on. There, they saw Percy all over Beckendorf's car. Silena growled lowly. "What is it?" Annabeth asked Silena.

"I swear, I hate that car. Charles gives that thing more attention than he does to me." Silena said with venom in her voice.

Annabeth bit her lip to avoid laughing. Silena glared at her. "What?" She asked.

"Nothing. It's just – you're jealous of a car," Annabeth stated.

"Oh, shut up. Looks like you're in competition with a car," Silena retorted. Annabeth's eyebrows scrunched up – again – in confusion. Silena smiled and gestured to look towards the car where Percy was still admiring Beckenford's silver Porsche Carrera GT .

"She must have cost you millions!" Percy said.

"Actually, I built her. Made from scratch and all." Beckendorf replied.

Percy's eyes shot up and store at Beckendorf in disbelief. "You're joking right?" He asked.

"Nope. She's a beauty isn't she? Not to brag." Beckendorf said with triumph.

"Okay, guys, enough talking about the silly car," Silena cut in, "let's go."


After the short ride, Beckendorf pulled up to a small café. A huge bright sign hung from above saying TEDDIES' BURGERS. There was an outside patio where tables and sun umbrellas were. What caught Percy's attention was a big wall that stood outside of the burger joint. It stood about 10 ft tall and it had a huge animated painting of New York. It was very colorful and eye-catching to Percy.

"You're letting your ADHD take over, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth whispered to him. She snaked her arm in-between his – making him nervous – and led him inside.

When they got inside, Percy was pretty impressed. It was a pretty huge place. It had one main level and an upper level. There was a stereotypical 80's theme – checkerboard floors, colorful walls, and booths set up around the room. There was even a huge jukebox on the far side of the joint.

"Annabeth, why don't you take Percy for a little tour? We'll be at the usual booth when you two are done," Silena said. Before Annabeth could even protest, Silena was already off with Beckendorf hand-in-hand.

"Guess I have no choice," Annabeth told Percy.

"Oh, c'mon, you know you would love to," Percy said in a cockily manner.

Annabeth rolled her eyes in response because she couldn't deny it. She kept her arm around Percy's muscular one the whole time. Nearly three minutes into the tour, someone already interrupted. A familiar red-head rolled towards the two in skates.

"Hey Annabeth," Rachel greeted her. Annabeth returned a half-hearted smile back. "Hi . . . Percy?"

"Hey Rache," Percy greeted back, "I didn't know you worked here." He noticed her wearing a red polo and a visor with the Teddie's logo on it.

"Remember how I had to convince my parents to let me go to school? Yeah, well getting a part time job was part of the deal." Rachel said.

"That's cool." Percy said. Annabeth stood on the side, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but firmly kept her arm around Percy's.

"I can take you on a tour if you like? There's an employee section in the back that I think you'd like. I have to sneak you in though," Rachel offered, totally disregarding that Annabeth's arm was hugging onto Percy's.

"Um . . ." Percy looked at Annabeth, who just shrugged.

"C'mon, Perce, I won't bite," Rachel told him.

Percy didn't want to leave Annabeth, but at the same time, he didn't want to be mean and reject Rachel's offer. "I'll see you later then?" Percy asked Annabeth. Her expression fell a little but she still managed a smile.

"Sure. Have fun." Annabeth told Percy. Rachel basically pried Percy away from Annabeth's grasp.

Annabeth joined Silena at the booth close to the window and Rachel took Percy on the tour.

"Where's Percy?" Silena asked Annabeth.

"That red-head took him for a tour," Annabeth tried to say calmly.

"Eek! I like this love triangle." Silena squealed. "Annabeth jealous of Rachel."

"What are you talking about? I don't like Percy like that," Annabeth grumbled.

"That's what you think, my very in denial friend," Silena pointed out, "but trust me when I say, something's going on over there." She pointed at Rachel and Percy. They were entering the employee lounge together. Annabeth couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable with Percy being alone with Rachel.


"And this is the employee lounge," Rachel introduced. Percy was awed. But not by the plasma screen tv hanging on the wall, or the fake waterfall – but what caught his eye was the huge aquarium located in the wall.

"Yeah, I thought you'd like that," Rachel said with a smile. "Go ahead. Check it out."

Percy walked to the aquarium like an anxious zombie for brains. He was amazed at how the tank glowed with that blue neon color. All the beautiful freshwater fishes swam peacefully around. As they swam passed, Percy sensed the feeling of welcoming. Under one of the rock decoration, there was a small eel.

"He never comes out of there." Rachel cut in. "He's a bit shy."

Percy didn't know what came to him, but he brought his finger up to the glass and tapped on it 3 times as lightly as he could. A few seconds passed when the eel from under the rock showed movement. Percy lightly tapped on the glass one more time and there, he saw the eel's head poke out from under the rock.

The eel's eyes are what caught Percy's. Its eyes were green, like his. There was some kind of connection that Percy and the eel were sharing and it couldn't be explained. The eel lowered its head and returned to under the rock.

Little did Percy know, Rachel was watching the whole time. Percy shook his head like he was waking up from a trance.

"So, you're a eel whisperer now? Is there something else I should know about you?" Rachel joked.

"He's just scared," Percy said. "New surroundings, no friends, and confused."

Rachel examined Percy closely. "You're strange. You know that right?"

Percy chuckled. He didn't even bother to answer her so they both exited the lounge.

"I have to go back to work. I'll see you later, kay?" Rachel said.

"All right. Have fun," Percy told her with a lopsided grin. Rachel rolled her eyes and laughed and his ridiculous expression.

Percy was walking back to the booth where Annabeth, Silena, and Beckendorf were until someone from behind howled.

"Percy Jackson?" a familiar voice called out. "No way!"

Percy turned around and saw Ethan Nakamura and the rest of Luke's "friends." Ethan didn't change one bit. He still had that wiry built body and glossy black hair. This time, though, he had a black eye patch over his left eye. Percy pursed his lips to stop himself from laughing. Luckily, Ethan didn't notice.

"I don't want any trouble, Nakamura," Percy told him.

"Should've thought of that before you put Luke in the hospital," Ethan said. The boys behind him nodded in agreement.

"Well, when you see him, tell him not to jump me," Percy retorted, "and why are you here anyways? You're a graduate. Go do something with your life besides pick on other people."

Ethan's jaw line tightened. "Why you little – "

"Gods, shut up, Ethan," someone cut in.

Ethan's eyes averted to behind Percy where the voice was coming from. Percy could feel the cold glare from behind him. Ethan looked down and backed away, taking his friends with him. Percy was impressed by whoever scared them off.

"Hey, thanks for backing me up," Percy said and turned around to face the person.

"No problem. And stop looking at me like that, Kelp Head," Thalia said.

"Nice to see you again, Pinecone Face," Percy said sarcastically. He started towards Annabeth again. "Come with us, Thalia. Annabeth is over there."

Thalia stopped Percy from walking by pushing on his chest a little. "About Annabeth . . . we need to talk," she said, "alone."

In the corner of Percy's eye, he saw Annabeth looking at him. I told you, she mouthed to him. Percy groaned when Thalia dragged him to the back of the burger joint. Now he understood what Annabeth meant when she said he was going to regret coming here.


About a half an hour later, Percy and Thalia returned to the booth where Annabeth, Silena, and Beckendorf were. Percy slid next to Annabeth with a smile on his face. Annabeth, however, eyed him suspiciously.

Silena got off the phone and sighed. "Babe, my dad wants me home now."

"It is getting a little late. I'll go pay the bill and meet you at the car," Beckendorf said.

"Okay. Percy, Annabeth. We'll drop you guys off," Silena offered them. "Let's go."


Finally, Beckendorf pulled up to the apartment where Percy and Annabeth lived. Percy exited first and held the door open for Annabeth to come out too.

"Thanks for the ride," Percy said.

"No problem. See you two tomorrow," Silena said and smiled at them. Beckendorf drove off again, leaving Annabeth and Percy alone at the lobby of the apartment. They both took the elevator to their floor. Annabeth's apartment was 3 away from Percy's.

"This is my stop," Annabeth said and stood in the doorway.

"Yep," was all Percy said before using his forearms to lean on her doorframe.

"So I'm guessing you're going to try out for the swim team," Annabeth sighed.

Percy pursed his lips in a tight line and nodded his head in response. Annabeth took a deep breath before speaking. "Whatever it takes for you to graduate, I guess."

"See, that's not the point, Wise Girl. I'm not doing it for my Chemistry grade. I want to do it because it's what I love. I don't want to live under a rock anymore. Things have changed for me since I left and I really can't decide if I like it or not. But I'm not going to let any opportunity like this go to waste," Percy said. All he could think about at the moment was the eel under the rock and how it was too scared to come out. He didn't blame it. The aquarium wasn't its natural home. The ocean was. Percy was the eel. He lived as an underdog all his life and now, he's brand new – like he outgrew his old self. But still, he kept himself sealed in his past, like how the eel did under the rock.

"I get it, Percy. Things have changed. You've changed. And I understand that it's hard for you to adjust to everything that's going on right now," Annabeth said.

Percy sighed but nodded his head in agreement.

"But don't get too cocky with yourself. You're still a Seaweed Brain. Always have been and always will be one," Annabeth joked.

"You just ruined a moment," Percy chuckled.

"What moment?" Annabeth asked. Then she came to realize Percy looking into her eyes. She saw the softness in his eyes that made her feel comfort. It was a look that wasn't really shared between them before. Annabeth started to think about whether or not she liked the changed Percy. But the moment she was caught in now - looking into those sea-green eyes – she knew that no matter what, Percy will always be the same old Percy.

With all the thinking going on in both of their minds, they didn't even realize that they were leaning closer to each other. Percy was only a couple inches away from getting a kiss from the person he loved until Annabeth's brothers interrupted.

"Hi, Percy!" Bobby greeted. Matthew jumped on Annabeth's back.

Percy and Annabeth immediately pulled back. "That moment," Percy mumbled, barely audible.

Annabeth groaned and shook Matthew off her back. "Can you two go annoy someone else?"

"Why? Were we interwupting something?" Matthew asked with that baby voice of his.

"Annie and Percy was probably kissing!" Bobby yelled.

"Ew! Don't kiss her, Percy! She has coodies!" Matthew warned Percy. Percy chuckled in response.

"Gods, you guys are so annoying! We weren't kissing and I don't have coodies." Annabeth scolded them. "Now go watch some TV or something."

"Fine. Bye, Percy!" Both Bobby and Matthew said at the same time.

"Bye, kiddos," Percy waved and smiled.

Annabeth faced Percy again and covered her face in shame. "I'm so sorry about them."

"It's fine. Kids will be kids," Percy said, "I should probably get going. Thank you for today."

"No problem. So – uh – see you tomorrow then?" Annabeth asked.

"Yep. Bye, Wise Girl," said Percy as he walked to his apartment.

Something clicked in Annabeth's mind once he started walking away. "Wait! Seaweed Brain," Annabeth called out. Percy stopped, turned around, and cocked an eyebrow up at her. "What were you and Thalia talking about back at the restaurant?"

"Nothing important," Percy lied. "See you later," he said, not allowing Annabeth to say anything else.

Annabeth watched him as he entered his apartment. She knew that Percy knew something he's not supposed to know and it's all because of Thalia. Now it started to bother her because he knows something she doesn't.


"Mom, I'm home!" Percy yelled as he closed the door to his apartment. He was a little overjoyed because he almost kissed Annabeth. The best part to his excitement is that she was about to kiss him too.

There was no response from Sally so Percy called out again. "Mom?"

Still no response. Percy checked the living room. No one was there but he did spot his mom's purse on the table.

"Mom?" Percy called out again. His voice was more worried now. He checked the hallway and all the rooms. No one. Percy flipped to panic mode now. A loud crashing noise came from the kitchen. Percy was in his room when he heard it. Panic raced through him and he rummaged through his room to find something to defend himself. He reached under the bed and his hand found something. He took it out and was surprised to what he saw. It was the golden pen that Mr. Brunner gave him four years ago – Riptide. He uncapped the pen and it had that sharp-razor point. Good enough, Percy thought.

He ran to the kitchen and barged in. He held up Riptide to attack the offender.

"I'm sorry," a man in his thirties said while bending down to pick up the shattered plate on the floor.

"Percy! I didn't know you came home," Sally noticed only now. Percy quickly capped Riptide before she could see it. "Paul, this is my son Percy. Percy this is Paul Blofis."

The man with longish salt-and-pepper hair shook Percy's hand. He wore a black shirt and a brown jacket. He reminded Percy of a television actor for some reason. Then Percy came to realization that he seen this man before.

"Mr. Blofis?" Percy asked after realizing that the man is his English teacher.

"You can call me Paul. We're not in school," the man said.

"Paul will be joining us for dinner." Sally interrupted. "Which reminds me, you're grounded, Percy."

"What? Why?" Percy choked out.

"You had a tutor session after school, Percy. You made Paul wait one whole hour before I came home and you didn't bother to call me, telling me we're you were at." Sally said with disappointment.

"But mom –"

"No 'buts', Percy. You're grounded and that's final," Sally said with a firm voice.

Percy groaned. "Oh, c'mon Sally. Don't be so hard on him. I mean, we did catch up on a lot of things since college since Percy was gone," Paul said. Percy was shocked that he was defending him.

Sally blushed and thought for a moment. "Fine, fine. But you're doing dishes and garbage for a week, Percy."

"No problem," Percy smirked. "Thanks, Paul," Percy whispered to him. Paul patted Percy on the back.

"No problem. And I would ditch a tutor session to hang with my girlfriend too," Paul whispered back with a wink.


Characters belong to Rick Riordan.


I'm so sorry for the late update. My wonderful excuse is finals. Last week I was stressing about my finals for my summer school classes and so that's why I didn't write. So I guess after finals and summer school finished, I had a total writers block this week. That's why this chapter is mostly dialogue; it's easier to write when my mind is totally blank. But anyways, I really am sorry. And for those of you authors that read this story and are in High School, I give you so much credit. It's my first year of High School and I'm already stressing out for summer school. Let's take a while to thank all High School/older authors on FanFiction.

And some people might find this chapter pointless. (Don't blame you.) But there are a few conflicts going on here so, just letting those people know.

Allstarry707: Thank you for this review. I'm not at all offended by your review. In fact, it's reviews like this that help me, a rookie writer, to improve myself. Yes, I do know I have grammatical mistakes and it annoys me to sometimes. And the reason for that is because I just type my chapters and don't really re-read it until it's published. Also, I know that I write in paste tense yet switch to present tense sometimes in the story. It's a horrible style of writing I developed after reading Spirit Bear. I guess I really liked how the author of that book writes so I started writing like that too. And now that I think about it, it's a really bad habit and I'm really trying to get out of it. And beta reader? (Sorry, I'm still a bit new to FanFic so I don't know a lot about this things) But I'm guessing that's like my mini proof reader before I update the chapter? Lol, explain to me...But if that is, I would love to have one (especially you as one) but I would have to think about it more because I really do stress on my updates per week thing and don't know if you'd be able to fix up the chapter on time (since I do write most of the chapter on Fridays). So please Private Message me or something? Thank you.

So ANYWAYS, thank you all for your patience. I really am sorry - again. Subscribe, favorite, follow, review, or whatever tickles your pickle.

~ Breana.

PS: I'm a female. (To that person who asked if I was a "dude" or not.) Lol