The doctors finally let them see Thalia, thanks to Will Solace, who was an intern. Percy and Annabeth laughed with Thalia for a while before deciding it was getting late.

Annabeth got up from her chair and smirked at Percy, "See you at school tomorrow, Seaweed Brain."

"See you then, Wise Girl." Percy watched her leave and Thalia elbowed him.

"Ow," Percy glared at Thalia.

"You're going to wait until the last second and then she's going to have a date to the dance," Thalia crossed her arms, leaning back in the hospital bed.

Percy raised his eyebrows, "I just have one question: Why do you care if I get the date?"

Thalia huffed, "Because if you don't you'll be all heartbroken-"

"Why would you care?" Percy asked smugly.

Thalia rolled her eyes, "You know I don't want you to get hurt, Kelp Head."

Percy looked back at the doorway Annabeth had just exited through. "Yeah,"

~

Annabeth woke up to sunlight streaming into her windows and her alarm blaring. She hopped up, slipping her feet into her fuzzy bunny slippers.

She padded to her closet, about to pick out some jeans and Percy's Led Zeppelin shirt. She bit her lip and grabbed black leather short shorts, a white tank-top and a dark red crop-top. Annabeth grabbed a pair of white wedges and sat them down by her door for later.

She slid into the bathroom, pulling open her drawers in search of her toothpaste. After brushing her teeth, she pulled out her makeup, sighing and looking down at her outfit. She put on a thick layer of mascara and dark gray eyeshadow, leaving it at that.

Annabeth exited her bathroom, grabbing her shoes on the way out of her room. She slipped them on as she stumbled down the stairs. She passed her stepmom, pulling a rubberband from the stash in the bin. She pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and twisted it into a bun.

"Hello, Annabeth." Helen greeted.

"Hi, Helen." Annabeth smiled  with difficulty, hoping it didn't show.

Helen stiffened and placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Annabeth, who ate in silence. Annabeth glanced at the clock and hopped up, grabbing her bag from the counter.

"Bye, Helen."

~

Annabeth waited for Percy by his locker after quickly grabbing her math books. Percy approached, laughing. He was walking with a girl who had blue eyes and hair dyed a silvery color. It was straight and reached her shoulder-blades and she had side-bangs. She wore a gray fishnet shirt over a white tank-top and dark skinny jeans. She had a darker complexion, that made her eyes even more vibrant.

A twinge of jealousy hit Annabeth as she watched them laugh all the way to Percy's locker.

"Hey, Wise Girl." Percy grinned.

"Hey, Percy." she said quietly, finding the tiles interesting.

"You okay?" Percy asked, causing her to look up.

"I'm fine."

Percy furrowed his brows, "Anyways, this is Camila Dylan. Cam, meet Annabeth."

"I know who she is, and I'm not exactly fond of her," Camila said nervously.

Percy bit his lip, "I get that, I guess."

"Percy," Camila said shortly.

"What?" Percy raised his eyebrows.

"She's been my bully for the past two years,"

Annabeth looked down, "I have to go,"

She walked away, ignoring Percy's protests. Annabeth pushed into the math room, leaving Percy staring after her in confusion.

~

Annabeth jotted down notes, passing notes with Britt at the same time.

So, Percy huh?

~Britt

Annabeth rolled her eyes and flipped the paper over.

No. He's just... My best friend?

Britt looked at her, smirking. The bell rang and both girls ran out of the class, heading to Annabeth's locker, which was conveniently next to Britt's.

"Hey, Annie!" Annabeth turned to see Drew and Lacey, who looked nervous.

"What do you want, Drew?"

Drew thought for a moment, "Jackson,"

"Go for it." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"But... you told Rachel that you liked him." Drew whispered near her ear, causing her to shudder.

Annabeth swallowed, "How would you know what I said to Rachel?"

"She's one of my best friends, Annie." Drew smirked.

"But she hates the popular kids-"

"Most of them. I just took her in under my wing. Have fun getting out of this one, Chase." with that, Drew strutted off, Lacey following her, sending Annabeth an apologetic look. Again.

Annabeth pinched the bridge of her nose and Britt spoke up, "We can get her back."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Annabeth asked impatiently.

Britt grinned, "Have you ever met Leo Valdez, and possibly Travis and Connor Stoll?"

Annabeth moistened her lips, smiling and looking up. "Who hasn't?"

~

Percy sat down at the desk next to Camila, who had a triumphant look on her face. Percy chewed his bottom lip, glancing at her occasionally. He didn't have the right to be suspicious of her, but he was. Just because her and Drew exchanged the occasional grins doesn't mean Camila's a bad person...

There was a loud shriek from the hallway, and Percy was immediately out the door. A group of three boys ran and hid behind Percy.

"Leo?" the green-eyed boy hissed.

"Oh, hey Percy." Leo grinned nervously.

Drew Tanaka walked out of the bathroom, hair poop green and her skin tinged with neon orange. Percy cringed.

Drew screamed again and pointed to Percy, "You did this?"

Percy snorted, "I wish."

Drew scowled and trudged back into the bathroom, leaving a shocked hallway full of people. Percy high-fived the Stolls and shook Leo's hand, smirking.

The latino boy grinned, "Annabeth gave me skittles." he yelled.

"Oh gods," Percy muttered.

Leo bounced from foot to foot, shoving his hands into his pockets and pulling out random nails and more.

"I think we should run..." Travis said slowly.

"Maybe-" Percy started but a nail hit him in the forehead, "Yep. We're running."