Percy Jackson And Sadie Kane: A Forbidden Love

chapter 22

Sadie's pov

The new Maths teacher was a nice Asian lady, Mrs. Usui, who looked to be in her late 30s. Sergil had left the school. No, I didn't have anything to with it. Though Carter likes to believe I did. After Maths class, I was walking to the next class, P.E with Carter and Percy.

"Maths is officially my favorite again. This lady knows how to teach!" Carter said.

"Yeah she's good." Percy said, but after a pause continued, "Doesn't mean I have to like the subject."

"Omg. You took the words right out of my mouth." I said, raising my hand for a high five. Percy politely obliged.

As soon as our hands touched electricity ran to me. I quickly put my hand down, trying not to make it look weird. Percy smiled, but I thought there was some uneasiness in it. Must have been my imagination.

We had a new coach, and I was hoping against hope that this one would go easy on us. Yeah right.

We met May and Eric near the door to PE, and by the way they were breathing, they had either run a marathon or had been laughing hysterically just a few seconds ago. There was an option three, but I decided not to dwell on that.

When we entered class, Percy stumbled back at the sight of the coach. Carter and I caught him before he could hit the ground. Eric and May let out a gasp. I didn't know what was so surprising.

The coach was a short man. He had a goatee and a permanently grumpy expression. He wore a cap, a whistle around his neck and had some sort of wooden plank resting on his shoulder. Yeah, that is weird.

"Coach!" Percy said the same time May breathed, "Gleeson Hedge."

The coach grinned. "Cupcakes!" He said, spreading his arms out as if wanting a hug. But the guys seemed a bit reluctant to hug him.

"What? You didn't miss me?" Coach asked, sounding broken hearted. Since he seemed to know all three of them, I'm guessing he's got something to do with this 'camp'.

"Of course we missed you coach. Don't be silly." Percy said soothingly. Coach made a grab for him and pulled him into a hug.

"Then come here Jackson." Coach said, ruffling Percy's hair. Percy seemed to blush a little. How cute!

"Nice to see you again, Coach Hedge." May said.

"You're from La Rue's cabin right?" Coach asked May. May nodded.

Then the class settled down. Zack and my friends had come in too. This Zack was starting to creep me out. He was not at all like his cousin. Always expressionless, staring of into space. It gave me the willies.

Then coach started to speak. "So cupcakes-"

"What's with the cupcakes?" I whispered to Percy. He grinned a lopsided grin.

"You'll start to find it endearing soon. Believe me." He said.

That's when I realized how close we were leaning into each other, so that we could whisper into each other's ears. I leaned away immediately, blushing. Percy seemed to be blushing too. Great. He already thinks I make things awkward. Way to go Sadie.

"I know it's outdated. But you cupcakes need to shape up a little. And what better way to shape you up than a good fencing lesson." The class broke out into loud whispering.

"And," coach said, raising his voice so he could be heard, " since I don't know anything about fencing, the champion of fencing is going to assist me in teaching you." He said dramatically. When no one went over to him, he sighed in defeat.

"I meant you Jackson." He said. Percy's eyes widened.

"What?" Percy choked.

"Get your butt over here Jackson. That's an order." Coach said. Percy sighed and went up to him.

"Just so you guys know, Jackson's one of the best sword fighters to walk the earth." Coach said. People cheered. Percy blushed beet red as he elbowed Coach Hedge.

"Ok. So I want you to give the kids here a demo. And you'll be sparring with..." Coach's eyes wandered over us. They stopped at May.

"You there. June." Coach said. May shivered.

"Don't June. April, December, anything. Not June. By the way, I'm May. But I'll bear anything else except June." She said. Coach laughed, Percy chuckled.

"I hear ya." He said. May got up and went to the front of the class. I saw Zack clench his fists. I looked at his face and saw that his jaw was clenched too. Wonder what that's about.

"So, I want you to give it all you've got. Just to show these sweethearts that they are a looooong way from perfect." Coach said. Percy and May nodded. He gave them both metal swords, but with blunt edges. They both positioned themselves in a fighting stance. Then coach blew on his whistle.

May went for the strike, but Percy parried. He slashed at her, but she blocked it. Then May advanced on Percy.

At first Percy was just taking the defensive post, no real interest in his eyes. But after a while his stance became more offensive. His eyes got a twinkle to them. And even though his expression was one of concentration, I think I saw a smile there somewhere.

Percy and May's swords clashed with force. They slashed, parried, slashed, parried. I think I was starting to drool. Percy was so awesome. Carter seemed to be in a similar state. He's fascinated with swords since he too plays with that curved one. Yeah, khopesh. Whatever.

I could hear people whispering and cheering behind me. But the closing of swords seemed to drown it all.

After what seemed forever, both May and Percy tried disarming each other. As a result, both their swords went flying backwards. We thought that was it. It would be a tie.

But no. As quick as lightning, Percy slid down and made a grab for his sword, and succeeded. May cartwheeled backwards and caught hers. And then it started all over again. Strike, parry, strike, parry.

They both were panting hard. I thought coach would stop them now. But he was just watching them with an expression I couldn't put a name too. I looked at Percy again. I realized how natural with this. It was like he was born to play swords.

Slowly, May started to let her guard down. Percy probably noticed this too. He tried to disarm her again and succeeded. May's sword went flying backwards. May was ready to make grab for it, but Percy placed the sword at her neck.

"Dead." He whispered, panting slightly but not looking as tired as he should have been.

Actually, neither of them looked tired.

May blinked. Then she stared at Percy for a while. Then, her face was one big grin. She started to clap. She was followed by everyone else in class. Percy seemed to notice this and lowered his sword, scratching the back of his neck with his free hand.

May was laughing now, shaking her head slowly. "They don't call you the best for nothing, buddy." She said. Percy smiled, blushing slightly. Then Coach dismissed class, saying that practice would start from next class. If Percy will be teaching, I think I might even take interest in class for once.