My Dearest Enemy
Chapter I:
Everybody knew they hated each other.
They hated each other the moment they first set eyes on one another. All it took was one accidental run in. One unwitting shoulder-to-shoulder bump to ignite a feud that spanned over a decade.
It wasn't the most surprising thing in the world. Caitlyn Kiramman was the golden girl—everyone knew it. Top of her class in everything, captain of the fencing team, record-holder on the track, and, of course, the daughter of the most powerful family in the city. Professors adored her, other students practically bent their knees as she passed by.
Her boots were never scuffed, her buttons never misaligned. She walked through the halls with a confidence bred, born, and polished by generations of nobility. Her uniform jacket was always perfectly pressed, that silver Piltovan crest glinting over her heart. Her indigo coat swept behind her like a cape, and her voice was always just loud enough to command attention without begging for it.
Percy Jackson, on the other hand, was just as infamous as Caitlyn. But for all the wrong reasons. A Zaunite adopted by Professor Heimerdinger, he didn't walk with much elegance. His uniform always had wrinkles, his boots scuffed and creased, his collar never buttoned. He reeked of the ocean, always had a witty remark to give, and when he wasn't in the swim pool after school, he could be found in the headmaster's office, serving yet another detention.
He was a problem. A nuisance. Yet, somehow, second in their class.
Of course, it only made sense for the two most talked-about students to absolutely, positively loathe each other.
She rolled her eyes when he snored through a guest lecture. He yawned obnoxiously when she asked questions that were 'too textbook.' She reported him when he set off fireworks in the common area. He got revenge by somehow rerouting the plumbing in women's restroom.
No one could remember the last time they'd spoken directly to one another. It was always "Jackson," uttered with icy disdain as she brushed past him, or a smug, "Kiramman," when he caught her glancing his direction.
So, Percy expected more of the same this year.
He sat with his feet kicked up on the windowsill, a thick folder balanced on one knee. The sky outside was that early-fall orange. The kind that made you want to run until your lungs hurt. He should've been applying to colleges like everyone else. Instead, he was doodling in the margins.
His also adopted brother dropped into the chair beside him with a sigh, arms full of textbooks.
"You know that's due Monday, right?" Viktor said, pushing his glasses up. "Your application packet?"
"Yeah." Percy didn't look up. "Just waiting for divine inspiration."
"More like divine procrastination."
Percy smirked. "Same thing."
From across the room, a darkness fell over them. Caitlyn. Of course. Her hair tied back, her posture annoyingly perfect. Only her shadow could swallow the entire dormitory common room.
"Some of us don't need divine help to save us," her voice was dry as ever. She tapped her own folder she had tucked between her arms. "Enforcer Academy. As if there was any doubt."
Percy gave her his best bored expression. "You going to frame that or sleep with it under your pillow?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Do they even let people like you apply?"
"People like me?" Percy echoed.
The Enforcer Academy. Piltover's military college. Only the top percent of Piltover Prep got in. The elite. The absolute best. Caitlyn's name was practically engraved on the building already. Percy? He'd never considered it.
Caitlyn smirked. "You know, people with disciplinary records longer than my fencing sword."
Viktor flinched. Percy just stared.
She flashed that resting bitch face of hers. "It's a rigorous process. Only the best get in." And then she turned, walking off like she hadn't just tried to carve him in half with her words.
"Longer than my fencing sword." Percy puckered his lips, repeating her words loud enough for her to hear as she went down the hall. "Viktor, I'm signing up for fencing. She's not as good as she thinks she is."
"You could apply to the Enforcer Academy," Viktor said suddenly.
Percy blinked. "What?"
"The Enforcer Academy. You're not stupid, despite your very loud efforts to convince people otherwise."
Percy raised an eyebrow. "The only reason why I have such high academic marks is because you help me with all my homework."
"You just need the stats to get into the academy. It's not like they'll make you recite calculus once you're in." Viktor shrugged, then tapped his cane against Percy's legs. "Plus, you definitely have the physical attributes already."
Percy leaned back even further in his seat.
He'd never been one to plan far ahead. But there was something in the way Caitlyn always looked at him, like he was some sort of stray dog, that made something old and spiteful burn in his chest.
"You think I have a chance?" Percy looked at Viktor. If there was one thing he could trust his brother on, it was instincts. He swore Viktor could predict the future.
"More than you think." Viktor adjusted his coat, which smelled more like chemicals than the leather it was made out of.
"What about the recommendations?"
"What about them?"
Percy frowned. You needed an extra recommendation in order to apply to the Enforcer Academy. And it wasn't just an ordinary recommendation from a professor. No. It had to be a recommendation from somebody on the Piltover Council. The same council Caitlyn's mom was a part of.
Viktor's fingers played piano keys against his chin, seemingly realizing the problem as well. "Hmm…"
"Whatever. I'll figure it out. You don't need to submit a counselor's recommendation unless you're invited for an interview." Percy stood up with a jolt, picking Viktor's bookbag off the floor. "I want to make her eat her words."
Viktor sighed. "Must you do everything out of spite?"
Percy just grinned.
-Ω-
"Morning, Kiramman. Did the wind mess up your hair? Looks a bit messy."
Percy enjoyed the way she jumped in place, glaring over her shoulder at him with those blue eyes of hers. He smirked.
"You're… planning to apply for the Enforcer Academy?" For once in her life, she looked surprised.
"That's what this line is for, isn't it?" Percy pointed at the sign that hung above them.
Many others just like it swung on strings that crossed the length of the gymnasium. Today was the day for application turn-in. Hundreds of students were piled in the big open room, crowding lines to submit for various colleges.
"Oh gods." She laughed. Actually laughed. "You're serious."
Caitlyn was surrounding by a group of her bratty friends, who laughed just a beat too late.
Percy cocked his head. "What, you think I can't get in?"
"I think," Caitlyn said coolly, "that the Enforcer Academy has standards. And you, Jackson, don't fit any of them."
Percy allowed himself the smallest, most infuriating smile he could conjure. "I'll get in just to see the look on your face when I do."
She laughed again. But the way her jaw clenched afterward?
He'd already won the first round.
Author's Note:
This story has been a lot of fun to write :) already started pre-writing chapters in advance! Hope you all enjoyed!
This is inspired by one of my favorite stories by thewritingmaniac, which was a PJO/HP AU!
As always, please check out my other stories and the links in my bio!