Waiting For Superman

Chapter 3

So I'm back! I have a few chapters already written, so I'm just gonna update the ones I have and then continue writing. I currently have up to Chapter 7 written, but I've been experiencing some writers-block from there. Don't worry though, I'm sure I'll find something to help get past it! Until then, enjoy these next few updates! :)

Disclaimer: PJO and HOO belongs completely to Rick Riordan, not me. Credit goes to him for the amazing Percabeth :D

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Annabeth's POV

I walk to the back of the class and take the seat next to Percy, not even glancing at him. I feel his gaze burning into me and I begin to feel self-concious.

Is he really going to stare at me like that?

I turn towards him and meet his gaze warily, his bright sea-green eyes meeting my stormy grey ones.

After a moment, I snap, "Stare much?"

He smirks at me. "You were staring back."

"For a second, not a full three minutes."

"Oh, so you were counting now?" he teases.

I give him my best glare. "Shut. Up," I hiss.

I turn back to my notebook, opening it and trying to focus on whatever Ms. Dodds was talking about. Unfortunately, I'm a bit distracted today. I keep pulling down the sleeves of my sweatshirt, trying to hide my wrists. My side aches terribly, stabbing pains shooting through me every few seconds. I'm pretty sure I wince every time. It hurts just to pick up my pencil and write.

I keep noticing out of the corner of my eye how Percy keeps glancing at me. I take a risk and turn to look it him as he glances at me again. His eyes are full of concern, but I don't understand why.

He meets my eyes again, just for a second, then turns away, scribbling something on a piece of paper. A few seconds later, a white folded up piece of paper is sitting on my desk. I lift it up, unfold it quietly, and glance down to read it.

"Why do you keep wincing every few seconds?" It states.

Crap. Am I that obvious?

I feel my cheeks heat up as I quickly write back, "It's nothing. I just pulled a muscle. I'm fine. Why do you care anyways?"

I slip it into Percy's awaiting hand when Mrs. Dodds isn't looking, and his fingers brush against mine. I feel like I was just shocked by electric, but I will the feeling to pass. What was that about?

He reads it, replying with, "You look like you're in a lot of pain, I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

I purposely hold my hand out while Mrs.Dodds is turned away, waiting for the note, just so I could feel that jolt of electric through my fingers when he touches them. He passes it to me, and I feel that same shock. I smile slightly to myself, read the note, and mouth back to him, "I'm fine."

I crumple the piece of paper in my hand and stuff it in my pocket, tugging on my sweatshirt sleeves again, just in case. I sit back and try my best to listen to what Mrs. Dodds is teaching, the class dragging on.

************

I sit down at my usual lunch table and wait for my only friend, Piper.

I don't understand how we are even became friends, but now we're so close I consider her like my sister. Piper's beautiful, but she's got her own style, and doesn't flaunt her beauty, like some of popular girls, who aren't nearly as pretty as Piper. Piper could easily be a popular, have any guy in the school, but she ignores it all. Apparently to her, I'm all she has. Of course there's her boyfriend, Jason, and his best friend, Leo, who's she's friends with too, and I sort of am too, but she means it in a sisterly, only best friend, way. I'm grateful though, because she literally is all I have. She even knows about what Luke is doing to me, but I made her swore not to tell anyone or make a scene about it. Instead, she usually covers for me or tries her best to help with my bruises.

I begin eating my lunch, and ten minutes later, Piper hasn't shown. I sigh. She must be sick. Which means I'm alone.

Luke is sitting with his football buddies today, and even though he invites me to sit with him every time, I refuse to sit with those jerks. No way.

Two minutes later, just as I'm finishing my lunch, someone slides into the seat in front of me. I look up, surprised to see Percy, and I can't help but think about that feeling that traveled through me when our hands brushed. Those thoughts quickly changed as I remember the reason Luke hit me last night, all because of Percy. And if Luke sees this...

"What are you doing here?" I hiss.

"Relax, I won't stay. I just wanted to remind you about that project we have to work on for Mr.Brunner's class," he replies, throwing his hands up in mock surrender.

"Yeah, so?"

"So... We need to get started on it. You can come to my house after school, and we can work on it. Only if you aren't busy though."

I glance quickly towards Luke. He isn't paying any attention to me, still goofing around with his friends.

"I'm not busy. I can come."

"Great. Just meet me at my locker after last class, okay? I can take you."

"Or I can just meet you at your house," I say, suddenly nervous about the idea. What if Luke sees me walking out with him, or getting into the same car with him. Luke might have me cornered anyway.

"Do you have a car?" Percy asks, a slight smirk on his face.

I blush deep red. "No.."

"Exactly. My locker number is 657. I'll see you later." he says, getting up and leaving.

Just then Piper decides to come rushing in, taking the seat Percy just left.

"What was he doing with you?" she asks anxiously.

"We were paired for a project. He was asking me if I could go to his house to work on it today after school."

"HIS house? Will his parents be home?"

I shrug. I hadn't thought about that. "I don't know."

"What about Luke?"

"Think you can cover for me?"

She smirks. "You know it. I'll walk out with you and Percy, and Jason can come, so it'll be like a group. I'll keep a lookout for Luke. If I see him, I'll explain you're coming with me to work on a project."

"Thanks, Pipes."

"No problem, Annie. I'll see you after school. I'll meet you at Percy's locker. What's his number?"

"657."

"Sounds good. See you later!" she gives me a hug and runs off.

I throw my food away and walk out, deciding to go to the library before next class.