I do not own Percy Jackson, or Heroes of Olympus.  It all belongs to Rick Riordan.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I walked with a slight limp to my locker.  I winced as several of the metal doors clanged shut.  I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and did my own combination.

1-33-11

I grabbed a pile of textbooks, and winced as my locker slammed shut with a loud clang.  I bit back a yelp as the stack of books rested on my arm, digging into my flesh beneath the layers of bandages.  

I hurried down the halls.  There was a noticeable lack of people in the halls.  Which both comforted me, and made me more nervous.  But I knew what it meant.  I was late. Again.  I could feel my skin pale, and started to walk faster towards my social studies class.  

I just hoped the teacher would let me off the hook this time.

Usually, being late meant detention.

Detention meant staying after school.

And getting home late.

I shivered at the thought, and pushed open the large wooden door.  It made an eerie screeching noise, catching the attention of the whole class.  I felt my face go hot, and ignored the gaze of the curious students.  Not taking my eyes off of the floor, I went and plopped down on my chair.  I set my books down on the desk, and met the teacher's intimidating glare. 

"So nice of you to join us, Mr. Jackson." She said, adjusting the oval glasses resting on the bridge of her nose.

"Sorry." I muttered an apology, shifting my feet under the desk.  She rolled her eyes, but other wise ignored my lateness.  I let out a breath of relief, and the teacher continued her speech.

"As I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted," She began, giving me a pointed look.  "Today we will begin a new project.  About ancient Greece." She stood up, pushing her chair back.  "I will assign partners, and each pair will be assigned a certain topic about ancient Greece." I felt eyes on me, and turned to the side.  

The usually empty desk now had a girl sitting in the attached chair.  Blond curls rested on her shoulders, and her eyes were a piercing gray.  She was studying me with a calculating gaze.  Anxiousness clawed through me as she stared.  I opened my mouth to comment on her behavior, but the teacher started calling names.

"First, Kris and Luke." A boy with neat brown hair, and weird golden eyes went to join another guy with blonde hair and blue eyes.  

"Call me Kronos." The golden-eyed guy whispered.  His voice was low and emotionless, and chilled me to the bone.  The blue-eyed boy smirked.

"Luke." He responded. 

"Your project will be the Titans." The teacher explained.  

I zoned out as she called the rest of the names, fiddling with my pen nervously, repeatedly running my fingers over the small trident etched into it.  I snapped back to the living world as I heard my name.  

"Percy and Annabeth." She said, not even bothering to glance our way.  "Your assignment is Tartarus."  I looked around the room, but had no clue who Annabeth was.  I was really terrible with names in general, but I could've sworn there was no Annabeth in our class. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder and flinched.  My head whipped to the side, and I saw the blonde girl who had been staring at me earlier. 

"Percy, right?  I'm Annabeth.  Annabeth Chase." She introduced, holding out a hand.  All of my internal senses were screaming at me not to shake hands with the girl.  But with a shaking hand, I shook hands with her.

"And I'm Percy. Percy Jackson." I said.  "Why haven't I seen you before?"

"I just moved here yesterday.  But due to the fact that yesterday was a Sunday, I never had the chance to attend, In which case you couldn't have seen me before today." She gestured to the blond guy, who was in deep conversation with 'Kronos'. "That's Luke.  My dad and his mom work together, and both got reassigned here." 

"This project is due in one week." The teacher said, interrupting our conversation.  I sighed, and tapped my feet under the desk. 

Stupid ADHD.

She then walked around, visiting every desk as she gave each of us a rubric.

I squinted at my paper as soon as I got it, trying to make sense out of the jumble of letters.  They swam around on the paper endlessly. Taunting me. I gave up,  and placed the sheet in my folder.  It was overflowing with random papers, and unfinished homework. 

Suddenly the bell rang, and I jumped.  I gathered up all my things, and headed towards the door.  And with one more glance over my shoulder at Annabeth, I left the room.

_._._._._._._

The rest of the day went by incredibly slow.  It felt like I was riding a snail through the halls. 

But eventually the day ended.

The bells rang, and students spilled out of the classroom, gossiping about who was going where with who, or what new exciting plans were in store for that night.

And then there was me.

I stuffed everything in my bag, and tossed it over my shoulder.  I was about to leave, but a familiar blonde held me up.  Fear stumbled through me.

What if I was late?

He would be even worse.

"hey." Annabeth said with a smile.

"Hi." I replied, swallowing my fear and pain.  I noticed a guy behind her.  Luke, I think.  He was watching me with narrowed eyes, as if he was waiting for me to screw up.  "What's up?"

"Well, since the project is due relatively soon, I was wondering if you wanted to come over today to work on it." I gulped.

"Sorry, I can't." I said quietly.  Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "We have to go to this family thing tonight." I lied quickly, hoping she wouldn't notice my dishonesty. Her eyebrows raised a fraction more, but she nodded. I started to leave.  She called out goodbye, then left with her friend. I sighed, and as soon as I was out of their field of vision, sprinted out.

I stared at the apartment door in fear. The wood was splintering, and the first number was crooked.  With trembling hands, I reached out for the knob, and tested it.  Sure enough, it was open.

Holding in my breath, I opened the door.  I signed in relief when there was no one on sight.

I began to walk to my room when I felt something shove me too the ground. I started shaking on the ragged carpet.

"You know, its rude being late." Gabe said from above me.  His words were slurred, and I could see a beer bottle resting on the small table a few feet away.  I attempted to scramble away, but he landed a series of hard kicks to my ribs, making me unable to get back up.  I groaned, and he hauled me up, before slamming me against the wall, and punching me in the nose, causing warm blood to trickle down my face. 

His fist met my eye, and I whimpered.  No doubt that'd be a black eye in the morning.  Gabe's fist reeled back, and I prepared for the worst.

But I was saved just in time as a dinging nose sounded through the room.  My step-father growled, and shoved me to the floor.

"One word..." He let the threat hang in the air.  I didn't dare protest as he sauntered towards the door.  I heard quiet voices, and strained my ears to hear.

"...trying to focus. I have millions of report cards to write.  It sounds like you're killing something up here." I recognized the voice as our downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Dodds.  She also happened to be my math teacher, and was constantly complaining about everything and everyone.  Especially me.  I wouldn't be surprised if she was a demon disguisedI shifted to the side, trying not to scream out in pain.

"I have no clue what you're talking about." Gabe replied.  "Don't hear anything up here.  You must be getting senile." With that he slammed the door on the old lady.  "Go to your room, boy." He growled.  I scampered to my room, using the wall for support.  I reached the bathroom, and painfully wrapped bandages around my arms.  

I laid down on my bed, staring at the paint-chipped ceiling. I took deep shaky breaths.

I thought of my mom.

How we used to go down to our small cabin in Montauk every summer.  Listening to the sound of waves crashing ashore, and the crackling of the fire as she told me stories about my father, the way he was before he left us.

She would always put blue food coloring in everything.  From waffles to cookies. It was our little joke.

These comforting thoughts eased my breathing, and soothed me as I drifted into a heavy sleep.

_-=-_-=-_-=-_-=-_

Helloz!

I hope you liked the first chapter!!!

Its only 7:53, but I'm already incredibly tired.  So I'm just watching Food Network till my dad gets back :D

Stay cool demigods, 

-Shark