Fatal Flaw (a Percy Jackson AU)

A Return to Normalcy

Annabeth
I loved math and Algebra was a favorite class of mine. Numbers just made sense. The didn't do crazy things like people did. They didn't get angry. They didn't blame you. Numbers just followed set patterns.
    Today we were completing a pre-test to see what we could do. I looked around to see Percy furrowing his eyebrows; he looked quite cute, but that was beside the point. I looked at the first question which was a three variable equation. I used elimination and after awhile arrived at an answer. I checked it and was glad to see it was correct.
     I sped through the test. I enjoyed it immensely because I was good at it. I understood numbers in a way that allowed for  me to master them. Math had always been one of the classes that I had been good at in elementary school, before I ran away. While I lived on the streets, I would oftentimes read books on math and print out math problems to solve. It was a great way to take my mind off of all my problems.
I turned my pre-test in half an hour early. The teacher let me begin working on our homework, which was a worksheet on solving two-variable equations by graphing, elimination, and substitution. I finished the worksheet with a few minutes to spare and collected my stuff together for my next class.
   The bell rang and I walked toy next class: Biology. The teacher, Mr. Prometheus, took roll and started talking. "Biology is the study of living things." he began. "This year, you will learn about genetics, ecosystems, proteins, biochemistry, and the history of life on Earth. Now, I would like to begin with a question which will pertain to us during the rest of our class. Are viruses alive?"
    My hand flew into the air and Mr. Prometheus smiled as he called my name. "Would you like to share you answer, Annabeth?" he asked.
    "Viruses are not considered alive because they cannot reproduce outside of a living cell," I said. "They do have genetic material, RNA, and can invade cells, but because they rely on living cells to reproduce, they are usually considered in the realm between living and no living."
    "Excellent answer, Miss Chase, the teacher said. "Class, please flip to page three and begin taking notes."

Percy
    The good thing about dating a smart girl was you learned things. The bad thing was you learned things. Annabeth answered Mr. Prometheus's question with her usual analytical and factual response. The whole class seemed astounded that she already knew that. It was even more impressive due to the fact that she was homeless since she was seven. Annabeth chose to learn; most kids wouldn't do that.
After Biology and English, we had lunch in the cafeteria. The lunch today was a tofu wrap, blueberries, milk, and carrots. The lunches were very healthy, but surprisingly good. I sat down beside Annabeth and began closing down my meal. Annabeth punched me lightly on the shoulder. "Use some manners Seaweed Brain!" she chastised.
My cheeks roasted as she took a napkin and wiped some rice off my cheek. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Honestly," she said. "You look like I declared war on Russia!"
"That's the problem," I said. "I'm a secret, Communist spy for Russia."
Annabeth guffawed at me and punched me playfully again. "You really understand politics," she said sarcastically.
"I don't need to with you to explain it for me, " I protested.
Annabeth pursed her lips and crossed her arms. "I'll teach you that sometime," she decided. "Now, eat up Percy. History starts next!"