{Percy}

If I could punch the alarm clock in the penthouse I would get iron knuckles. Then punch it.

It started blaring at 4:30 AM. 4:30. Why, you ask?

Leo. Go ask Leo. It was a prank. Which explains why he got in bed and was asleep by 8:30 while we were all watching The Hangover.

He made the alarm clock go off at 4:30.

And of course, it wouldn't turn off. So I had a different solution. I would sleep on the couch. Well, Jason had the same idea. So I had a different solution. Sleep in the recliner in the game room.

Clarisse had beat me to that. She'd also punched the walls in her room and now huge holes were there.

So I went back to sleep on the floor of my room, which was really uncomfortable, by the way.

Sadly, the floor wasn't taken.

"Leo, I'm gonna kill you!" Yelled/groaned Piper.

Just then Leo screamed, "GET OFF ME ANNABETH! AHH!"

I snickered at that. That's what you get, Leo.

I dozed off about 4:45 AM, and woke up about 6:30. I slumbered down the hallways to the kitchen and fixed blue pancakes with blue butter and blue sausage.

I accidentally fell asleep in my plate and got syrup all over my face. I got in the shower and finished getting ready.

I was now (partially) woken up, so I glumly trotted down the hall to the elevator, and temporarily collapsed in between the doors. They tried to close. 4 times. And I was squished. 4 times. And then Annabeth came out and drug me inside the elevator. I got up and shouldered my backpack.

Here we go. Back to school. I couldn't wait to see my mortal friends, but... What. About. Carey?

The elevator got everybody in, and then went to Thalia's level. I noticed Nico was whispering to Reyna but I didn't really pay much attention. This time, Octavian and the rest were smarter. This time, we all held tight to the rails, and after the ride (which I was used to) we walked out of the lobby and started trotting to Goode. I was so excited for this year. Getting to meet all my mortal friends from last year, half-blood friends, teachers (eh, I guess), the school in general, music... But mostly the best part would be spending the year with Annabeth.

Annabeth put her hand in mine and we continued walking. A few people turned heads at all of us, even greasy haired Leo, who (for once) was wearing a different outfit other than suspenders. He had on jeans and a dress shirt. I looked at Annabeth, who was wearing a chevron dress with a small belt at her waist. She had on a small pocketbook that went across her chest. She's so beautiful, when I see her, it takes my breath away.

Soon Goode high was in view. And within a few more minutes, we were at the entrance, being greeted by senior cheerleaders. Nico's eyes went up as he stared at them. Then he turned around and looked around.

"What is it, Neeks?" Asked Thalia.

"Looking for my friend," Nico said. "He's not here. His names Gale Schwartz. I'll introduce you later."

"Wait, is he a friend or a boyfriend?" Asked Reyna, a little smirk on her face.

"A friend," Nico said. "Can't a bisexual guy have regular friends?"

"I thought you were gay?" I asked.

"I mean, I like girls too, so..." Nico shrugged.

Silence. Reyna and Nico walked side by side until Nico had to go to his hall and we had to go to ours.

My schedule was:

Math first block, science second block, history third block, PE/health, lunch, economics fourth block, language arts fifth block, study hall

I only had lunch with Annabeth, which really stunk. But me and Leo and Jason had almost the same schedule. Leo  had math, economics, and language arts with me. Jason had math, language arts, and science with me. I went to my locker and threw my unneeded things in there. Annabeth came just as the first bell rang. I kissed her goodbye and went to homeroom.

***

I got into first block to see a new kid in the back. I glanced at Leo and Jason, and then we decided to go sit with her. I sat down next to her and her eyes got wide. She was pretty, with auburn hair and brown eyes, but I could tell she didn't know that she was. Also Leo took great notice of her. She looked to either side of her. Jason on one side, me on the other. She looked surprised.

A few seconds of awkward silence and staring. Finally I said, "sup, I'm Percy."

"I'm Lydia," she said.

"I'm Jason, and this is Leo," Jason said, motioning to himself and Leo.

Lydia nodded. Then Leo said, "Lydia is a pretty name."

"Thanks," Lydia said politely.

The tardy bell rang.

"Okay, okay!" Said the teacher. "My name is Mr. Caswell. I'll be our math teacher."

"Well no duh," said a guy in the front row. "It's what it says in the 1950s yearbook, so of course it's still true..." I immediately recognized the guy as Rick, from the bar.

"I don't like giving lunch detentions on the first day, but if you get smart, than you've thrown the towel under the table." Said the teacher.

"Yeah, I'll have to pick the towel back up, too, because your bones are too fragile they might snap. Also, can you just go ahead and give me suspension? Because I hate this place." Said Rick.

The teachers eyes swelled. He wasn't even that old! Maybe 34 or 35, he still had a full head of dark brown hair.

I felt bad for the guy. I turned to look at Jason abruptly to find Lydia's eyes on me. Her gaze dropped, but I didn't really notice.

"Hey," I whispered to Jason. "Get ready to see a scene."

"Is he always like this?" Asked Lydia.

Leo, Jason, and I turned to her, and at the same time all said, "yes."