NEVER BE THE SAME . . . percy jackson

four: the kiss.

BROOKLYN HAD LIED to Percy. It wasn't her fault; she didn't know when volleyball tryouts were.

But at least she saw him in the crowd cheering her on as she ran circles around the ( probably former ) main outside hitter as she played to her heart's content. And because she wanted to be better than every other person there. No. She is better than everyone in this room.

They'd put up a notice soon to see what part they'd get, even though Brooklyn knew she'd get the part she wanted easily. She thought that this place had good volleyball players. Well, a lot of the current players were good, but the substitutes . . . well, they could be substituted for other substitutes.

Brooklyn changed out of her workout clothes, walking out of the confusing as shit locker room and meeting up with Percy and Mr. Blofis, her lips involuntarily pulling into a smile when Percy pulled her into a hug.

It's for show, she told herself, just like she'd told herself every other time they initiated a hug. After all, this school also thought that they were dating for reals. For the deniable plausibility with Annabeth and camp and whatnot. But now Percy was popular next to her, so at least they had that.

Then again, popularity wasn't everything. They both knew that. But they couldn't escape their new roles now.

"You were great out there," Percy told her as he pulled away, one of his hands leaving her, but then he'd grabbed her hand with his other one, so it was fine.

"They'll be lucky to have you," Mr. Blofis agreed.

Brooklyn beamed. "Thanks! I think the court's where I'm meant to be, you know? It just feels right. That's why, you know, I transferred over here."

"Not because of me?" Percy pouted.

"Keep dreaming, Flounder," her smile stayed as they walked off, walking to Paul's car. "Thanks for taking me to your home, Mr. Blofis. I appreciate it."

He shrugged. "Anything for my favorite student."

"You're lying," Percy accused. "There's no way Tinkerbell is your favorite when she's been here for all of two days."

"Yeah, but I participate, Percy."

"Your group of admirers forced you to do it. You also have dyslexia, right?"

"Xander's used a translator to translate everything into Ancient Greek so I can read it," Brooklyn shrugged. "I can tell him to make another copy for you as well, if you want one. They're the only reasons why I've been able to pass English and social studies classes."

"That'd be cool," Percy sent her a small smile, so unlike his usual smirk. It's not as if the smile showed up less than the smirk, but it seemed more . . . special, when directed at you, than the smirk.

She didn't know. She shouldn't think about it too much. Thinking's bad for her brain.

They stopped in front of a Prius, and Brooklyn slid into the back next to Percy. It was comfortable. Not a lot of stuff was in it, but there was enough stuff to be a slight problem.

"Sorry," he muttered, shoving some of the stuff away as the car started going.

"You are so messy," she huffed, leaning against the cushions and crossing her arms.

"Wait 'till you see my room," he smirked at her.

"Can it be any worse than your cabin?" Brooklyn rolled her eyes.

"At least Tyson cleans our cabin," Percy shrugged.

"Yeah, if I was your mother or Mr. Blofis, I wouldn't step foot into your room," she scrunched up her nose. "Tyson's forced to sleep in your cabin. Even I clean my cabin better than you do."