New beginnings at Goode. A Percabeth story

Words between worlds

**Percy's POV**

After lunch, Percy walked Annabeth to her English class, feeling more relaxed now that she seemed to be settling in at Goode High School. It was great to see her getting along with his friends. They were a good group—Emma, Lily, Karter, and Liam—and having Annabeth around made everything feel more balanced, like a missing piece of his life had finally clicked into place.

As they reached Room 204, Percy felt a little excited. He and Annabeth were in the same English class this year, and the teacher was none other than Paul Blofis—his stepdad. Paul was one of the few adults who knew about their demigod world and didn't freak out. He was also pretty cool, and Percy hoped that having him as a teacher would make school a bit more interesting for Annabeth.

Percy slid into his usual seat in the middle row and patted the chair next to him. “Right here, Wise Girl,” he said with a grin.

Annabeth smiled and took the seat next to him. “You ready for some English lit, Seaweed Brain?”

“I’m always ready,” Percy said, leaning in closer to her. “Especially if it means sitting next to you.”

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but he could see the smile tugging at her lips. “We’ll see if Mr. Blofis can keep your attention, then.”

Percy chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in a while. As the bell rang, signaling the start of class, Paul walked in, carrying a stack of books. He gave a quick smile and nod when he saw Percy and Annabeth sitting together.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” Paul began, setting the books down on his desk. “Welcome to English Literature. This year, we’ll be exploring some of the greatest stories ever told—tales that have shaped our understanding of heroism, adventure, and the human condition.”

He started handing out the books, and Percy recognized the cover immediately: “The Odyssey.” He exchanged a glance with Annabeth, who looked like she was trying not to laugh.

“Ah, The Odyssey,” Paul continued, holding up his own copy. “This isn’t just a story about one man’s journey home; it’s about resilience, cleverness, and discovering what’s truly important in life.”

Percy stifled a grin. He could almost hear Annabeth’s thoughts. They had lived through enough adventures to fill their own epic, but here they were, about to study a hero’s journey from a whole different perspective.

Paul’s eyes scanned the room, stopping on Percy. “Let’s start by discussing what makes Odysseus’s journey so compelling. Why do you think this story has endured for thousands of years?”

Percy glanced at Annabeth and saw her hand shoot up. Of course, she’d be the first to speak. Paul nodded at her, looking genuinely interested.

“Yes, Annabeth?”

“I think Odysseus’s journey is more than just a physical one,” she said thoughtfully. “It’s about personal growth and learning from his mistakes. He encounters monsters and gods, but he also has to face his own weaknesses and grow from them. That’s what makes his story so timeless.”

Paul nodded appreciatively. “Excellent point. The journey is not just about reaching a destination but about the transformation that occurs along the way. Well said, Annabeth.”

Percy nudged her with his elbow, proud of her. “Good answer, Wise Girl,” he whispered.

She smiled back, a little color rising in her cheeks. “Thanks, Seaweed Brain.”

The class continued, with Paul guiding them through a discussion on the various themes and characters in “The Odyssey.” Percy found himself surprisingly engaged. It wasn’t just because Annabeth was sitting next to him or that Paul was his stepdad; there was something about seeing these old stories through a new lens that made them feel more alive.

When Paul asked for more input, Percy surprised himself by raising his hand. He usually wasn’t one to speak up in class unless he was called on, but something about this felt different. Maybe it was because Paul was teaching or because Annabeth was here, making him want to try a little harder.

“Yes, Percy?” Paul asked, looking intrigued.

“I think it’s interesting how Odysseus has to rely on his friends and allies to get home,” Percy said. “He’s supposed to be the hero, but he can’t do it all on his own. It’s like… even the greatest heroes need a little help sometimes. Kinda like real life, right?”

He glanced over at Annabeth, who was nodding along with a smile. Paul seemed to like his answer, too, because he gave a thoughtful nod.

“Absolutely, Percy,” Paul agreed. “Odysseus’s story is a reminder that heroism isn’t just about strength or cleverness but also about knowing when to ask for help and valuing the people who support you. Well said.”

Percy felt a surge of pride, not just because Paul liked his answer, but because it felt good to contribute something meaningful. He turned back to Annabeth, who was still smiling at him.

“Look at you, participating in class and everything,” she teased gently.

“Hey, I can be insightful sometimes,” he shot back, pretending to be offended.

“Sometimes,” she agreed, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

As the class went on, Percy found himself genuinely enjoying the discussion. Paul had a way of making the material interesting, and having Annabeth next to him made it even better. They didn’t have to worry about monsters or quests or anything supernatural for a change—just words on a page and the thoughts they sparked.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Paul wrapped things up. “Great job today, everyone. For homework, read the first three chapters and think about how Odysseus’s journey might relate to your own life experiences. We’ll continue our discussion tomorrow.”

Students began to gather their things, and Percy turned to Annabeth. “Not bad for our first class together, huh?”

“Not bad at all,” she agreed, standing up and stretching. “Your stepdad is a really good teacher.”

“Yeah, he’s pretty cool,” Percy said, feeling a warm glow of pride. “And he’s been looking forward to having you in his class. Keeps asking me about you.”

Annabeth’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a soft smile. “I’m glad to be here.”

As they left the classroom together, Percy felt a sense of contentment wash over him. Sure, they were still figuring things out—how to balance this normal life with the not-so-normal one they’d been living—but moments like this made it feel like they were on the right path.

The hallway was full of students, but with Annabeth by his side, Percy felt ready for whatever came next. This year was going to be different, but in a good way. And he couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.

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With a new adventure unfolding at every turn, Percy knew one thing for sure: life at Goode High School was never going to be boring. And that was perfectly fine with him.