Beyond the Storm: A Percabeth Collection

A Step into the Spotlight (High School AU)

It was the last bell of the school day, and Percy Jackson was walking out of the gym, towel slung over his shoulder, a grin plastered on his face. He had just finished an intense basketball practice with his team, and despite the physical exhaustion, he felt a high from the rush of the game. Percy was popular—an athlete, a good-looking guy with a charming smile that he knew how to use—and he had everything that came with being at the top of the high school social hierarchy: friends, attention, and a certain unspoken power over the rest of the student body.

He wasn't a jerk, though. Not like the other guys on his team, who acted like their popularity made them untouchable. Percy was friendly, down-to-earth, and actually cared about the people around him—something that set him apart. But there was one person in school that still made him nervous, that he couldn't seem to figure out, no matter how hard he tried.

Annabeth Chase.

Annabeth wasn't like the other girls at school. Annabeth stayed quiet and to herself, always buried in books. Her hair was often pulled back into a messy bun, and she wore oversized sweaters that hid her figure. She didn't have time for petty drama or high school clichés. Instead, she spent her days at the library, studying late into the evening, or working on projects that she found interesting.

Percy had noticed her in class, of course. How could he not? She was smart, clever, and incredibly sharp—qualities that intrigued him. But he also noticed something else: the way she was often picked on by the popular girls. Drew, Kelli, and Tammi—the queen bees of their grade—liked to make Annabeth the target of their nasty comments, throwing cruel words her way when they thought no one was looking. Percy never understood why they did it, but it seemed to be an ongoing part of high school life for Annabeth.

He'd seen her try to ignore it, her quiet strength, but it didn't make it any easier. Percy always felt a little guilty for not stepping in more, but he didn't want to draw attention to it. After all, he was popular, and Annabeth wasn't. High school politics were tricky, and even though he didn't like the way she was treated, he wasn't sure what to do about it.

---

The sound of soft music played through Piper's bedroom as she flitted between her closet and vanity, organizing everything for her best friend's "glow-up." Annabeth sat perched on the edge of the bed, feeling oddly self-conscious, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Her long-sleeve sweater, something she was usually comfortable in, felt too casual for the party Piper had insisted she attend.

Piper, Hazel, and Thalia were in full-on makeover mode. It was a well-practiced routine at this point. Hazel sat by the window, flipping through a magazine, while Thalia, her dark hair perfectly styled and her mood as unbothered as always, watched with a raised eyebrow as Piper worked her magic.

"You know," Thalia said with a smirk, "this whole transformation is a little extreme, even for you, Piper."

"Shut it, Thalia," Piper replied, holding up a dress for Annabeth to inspect. It was a sleek black number, tight, off-the-shoulder, and simple enough to let Annabeth shine without overwhelming her. "This is for her own good. Annabeth's been in hiding for far too long."

Annabeth winced at the word "hiding." She hadn't meant to be antisocial, but the idea of being the center of attention had never been her favorite. She preferred her oversized sweaters, her books, and the safety of being invisible in a crowd. But here she was, sitting on Piper's bed, surrounded by her closest friends, who were determined to make her someone else tonight.

Hazel grinned, sliding her chair closer. "Don't worry, Annabeth. You're going to look fantastic, and we'll make sure you're comfortable. This is just a little... push out of your comfort zone."