The Day The Storm Moved On (AU)

Piper IV

I hung up.

Yes. I panicked and I hung up. And then I had the smartest idea ever. They made Google Maps for a reason. And that is how I ended up headed toward my school. I admit I would've figured Destination 1 saved in my phone would be my house. Not my school. But once I got there I couldn't turn back.

So I pushed open the doors and headed to Annabeth's locker. Moving my eyes along the throng of people I found a commotion at the end of the hall. At first I figured, another kid had a run in with Dylan. And then I noticed something. A short, Latino boy standing at the back of the group trying to push his way forward. I raised one of my eyebrows as I spotted another familiar face pushing past the crowd. Leo and Frank? They didn't usually watch these kinds of things.

My feet pushed me toward the gym and I slipped through the crowd easily, surpassing Leo and coming to stand behind Frank. So I did the obvious thing and poked him. He jumped and turned around. I snapped my fingers. "Hello? What is going on?"

He just waved me forward. We reached the edge of the crowd and everything fell silent. I watched Frank reach out to stop the figure but I already knew who it was. I stared at my shoes as the figure turned to look at me.

Neither of us moved.

I turned to leave and found myself face to face with none other than Annabeth Chase herself. I have her a pointed look and turned back around. I blinked, the crowd was still there. I snapped my gaze to them. I was irritated and upset, okay? You would've done the same thing.

"Don't you people have anything better to do? Wouldn't you all rather get a life than meddle in ours?" And I swear I've never seen these kids run faster in their life. There were six of us left by the time it was over. Me, Jason, Annabeth, Percy, Frank, and Leo. I crossed my arms and stared at Annabeth. "What the Hell Annabeth?"

She looked back at me. "You hung up." My eyes widened. "I hung up because I was having a panic attack in my car and what do you think happens when 'not Annabeth' answers Annabeth's phone? So yes I hung up because if I hadn't you know what would've answered the phone? Silence. And silence is worse than nothing at all." She looked slightly guilty.

I grabbed her hand and opened her palm. Then I dropped my phone into her open palm. "You need to keep that. My dad's Secretary keeps calling me. Don't answer anything. If my dad calls," I paused and thought for a moment, "let it ring." I tapped my foot.

"Don't think you're off the hook." I looked at her. "You skipped school." I shrugged passively. She glared at me, "Piper! You need to finish today please." I shook my head. Then she began to yell but I turned her out. I could see everything through the window. Percy eavesdropping, Frank talking to Jason. "-passed out just like that guy in the ring." Everything stopped.

We all stared at Jason. It was obviously his short tempered voice that had said it. And, sure enough, there was a boy on the ground. He was breathing, just not moving.

Leo and Percy dragged him away while Frank pulled Jason away to somewhere. Annabeth dragged me toward my locker after that. I ignored the hushed whispers of the others in the hallway. Don't these people have lives to attend to?

She opened my locker and picked out a bunch of books, shoving them into my arms. Art for dummies. The art of art. Art for the professional. I smiled slightly, "Art with Mr. Smith." At least I liked this class. I turned and dutifully headed to class.

I opened the door and Mr. Smith's voice was already talking. He didn't waver or stop as I took my seat. He was a tall man, with shaggy brown hair and a slight limp but he was great at art and I loved his class. At least it'll less torture-like in this class.