Chapter 11-

It was a clean shot for Jason. Nothing but net. He let the ball bounce for a couple times before he ran to pick it up. Beads of sweat dripped onto the ball, but that didn't matter for Jason as he positioned himself on the three-point line. He dribbled through and pulled up for a midrange jump shot.

Every time Jason felt troubled or stressed, it was expected to see him in the gym, just playing basketball. It helped him clear his mind out. And that day happened to be a very long day for him.

He tossed the ball up in the air and sprinted towards it. He then jumped up to meet it and slammed it inside the rim. A self-alley-oop.

He felt stupid. Getting hung over a girl he barely met. He felt stupid for thinking how insanely attractive she looked. How he noticed her hair was chopped up- as if she was trying not to look good but failing miserably to do so. How he saw her hands and just wanted to hold them. How –

Erm, you get the point.

Jason shot a three-pointer and watched it go in. He let the ball bounce a couple times before he noticed how tired he was. He sighed.

"Tough luck, eh?"

Jason didn't even need to look behind him to know who it was.

"You tell me, Jackson," Jason replied.

Percy walked over to Jason with his hands in his pocket. He was staring at Jason as if he was expecting an answer.

"What?" Jason asked.

"Nothing," Percy replied. "Come on, it's time you take a water break."

There they were, sitting side by side against the patting of the gym walls. Jason was sweating pretty heavily. Of course, Percy gave Jason some respectable distance.

Percy was the first one to break the silence.

"Do you ever get the feeling when there's a moment…"

"And?..." Jason asked, but he knew where Percy was going.

"A moment," Percy continued. "Where after such moment, you know everything will never be the same again.

Jason stared at him. Percy can be pretty deceptive at times. He was always smarter than he let on.

"Yeah," Jason stated simply. "I guess."

They both sat there in silence. After all, for both of them, there was nothing else to say about it. They both knew what happened that day. The question was, what were they going to do about it?

"I need that scholarship," Percy stated.

Jason understood. Percy came from a poor family. His father- a marine biologist of some sort- got lost in the sea and was missing in action.

"I mean," Percy stated. "Thanks to Paul, my mom is finally happy again and we don't need to worry about starving or anything."

It was true. Paul Blowfis was a pretty amazing guy, Jason admitted. He was certainly an upgrade from the last…

"But I can't let him pay my college tuition. What kind of a jerk would do that?"

"A smart one," Jason replied.

Percy laughed. "True, but you get the point."

"But that's not the only reason," Jason said.

Percy hesitated for a while. "Yeah." He took a deep breath.

"I owe it to my dad, at least. I… I was a nobody before I found swimming. I made myself today through swimming. I owe it to my dad to achieve what they said I can't: make it to college."

"And if it's through swimming that they'll let me attend Olympus University, then I'll gladly take it."

Jason stared ahead. He understood what Percy felt: to take pride in what was his passion. But he wasn't as high stakes in basketball as it was for Percy in swimming. His family, as messed up as it was, was rich. Insanely rich.

"You already know my dad," Jason sighed.

Percy winced. "Yep, he's not my number one supporter."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

He shook his head. "Don't be, it's not your fault.

"Thanks."

They sat there, mind filled with problems and heart filled with burden. It was at that moment that they felt very, very tired.

"You know," Percy said to lighten the mood. "I talked to Piper before this."

Jason snapped his head.

"What?"

"Oh," Percy said nonchalantly. "I was strolling around the park, minding my own business. Then I crossed paths with her and we decided to go get ice cream. Her treat."

Jason curtly responded. "Good for you. I hope you had fun with her."

"Aww," Percy teased. "Is someone jealous cause he wasn't there instead?"

"Kill yourself."

Percy laughed and patted Jason's shoulder. "She's a really great girl, you know. Down to earth and charming."

Jason shook his head, slightly bitter that Percy had the chance to talk and get to know Piper before him. Only slightly.

"Your point?"

"My point," Percy stated as he got up. "Is this."

He stood in front of Jason and patted his shoulders.

"Good luck."

Jason flinched at the gesture. "Pardon?"

"I said good luck. Your priorities. With keeping your family together, with basketball, with student council, and with your friends."

"Hey," Jason got defensive. "It's not like your plate is light either."

"All I'm saying is that you have priorities. Make sure you place them at the right place."

Jason simply stared at him.

"Piper is too good of a person to be placed last," Percy continued. "Even for you."

"Yeah," Jason said. "I know, I'll figure it out."

Percy started to walk to the exit.

"What about you?"

Percy stopped his tracks and stared back at him, wanting an explanation.

"What about you? What about Annabeth?"

He simply stared at Jason, eyes filled with stress. "I don't know."

If there's one thing people make a mistake about Percy is that his most consistent personality is his 'happy-go-lucky' spirit and upbeat attitude. His troubled past made him- at times- cynical and dark. Percy was more than what he showed. And no matter how many times Jason saw Percy laugh and joke around in public, Jason always knew the truth.

"Hey, Jason," Percy said, snapping Jason out of his own reflecting thoughts.

He gave Jason a smile that possibly showed just how strong he truly was.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out. Both of us."

Jason swallowed his spit. "Yeah," he said. "I'm sure we will too."

So yeah... I'm back. I do plan on finishing what I started. (Even if might take forever). But as I'm writing, reviews and thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!