Mortals meet Percabeth

Madelyn Summers

I looked into the gorgeous eyes of Percy Jackson as he spoke to me.

He was telling some story that had happened in class this morning. I wasn't listening, content with just his presence.

"Isn't that hilarious?" he asked, jolting me back to the reality.

"That's really funny!" I said, faking a laugh and blindly agreeing. I do that for him, because I have a huge crush on him.

He's really handsome, funny, and brave. He's not very book smart, being dyslexic, but I can tell he possesses some intelligence. He knows how to dress acceptably (which, believe me, is rare in high school boys), and is very respectful. Perfect boyfriend material. Maybe even husband, though that's a bit crazy. We're 17, after all. Only juniors.

I think he likes me back, but it's hard to tell. I've got shoulder length, dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. I'm short, and very skinny, but my figure is okay. I've been told I have a good complexion, while rather pale.

Our other friends joined us at the lunch table. There's Percy's swim team friends, Peter Siemens, Jake Bolstad and Danielle Montgomery. They all came together, joking about their coach, who they don't particularly "love".

Then my two best friends ever, Austin Brinkman and May Winghart, came and sat down. We're all cellists(person who plays cello), so we've sat together during orchestra since fourth grade.

"So, everyone," Jake said, stopping our conversations. "In honor of our long break from school next week, we're going on a road trip. No excuses, you're all coming!"

We all started chattering excitedly. We did road trips every once in awhile in Jake's family's minivan. We drove to new fun places.

I know what you're thinking. How on earth did these athletes and musicians end up being such great friends? It doesn't seem right.

The answer is... Percy. I met him during English in freshman year and immediately was charmed. I had to sit with him. My friends followed me. His swim team friends came with the whole 'Sit With Percy' package. And honestly, I'm glad I met them. We've all become close, and being popular in our fields, worked to eradicate the clique problem in our school.

We used to have a amazing artist, but Rachel Dare had to go to a different school. I still miss her.

"Where are we going this time?" Austin asked. He's tall and skinny, with curly red hair and freckles.

Jake smiled. "I won tickets to that music festival in LA next Saturday. There's enough for the eight of us! You band geeks will like that!"

May scowled. Jake purposely calls us band geeks, knowing we're in orchestra. Austin and I take it lightly, but she hates it. Her mother is the music teacher after all.

The rest of us were excited. Most of us had never been to a music festival.

"Wait, is LA close to San Francisco?" Percy asked, confused. "I've been to both, but–"

"No, weirdo," Peter replied, his eyes following Chelsea Andrew's ass as she walked by our table. "It's like six hours away. Why?"

"Oh, I just know someone who will be there next weekend," he replied. Danielle rolled her eyes, but when I looked at her, she gave me a look that said, don't ask.

I decided to trust her, not knowing why, but I figured she had good reason.

We continued to plan for our trip. We would leave Monday and drive across the country, stopping for random tourist sites and staying in cheap hotels or sleeping in the van. We would get to LA by Saturday, and stay for the music festival. Then we'd drive straight through the night and all of Sunday, barely stopping, to get back in time to get a good night's sleep before school on Monday.