Strange

Chapter 9: Beep, beep, you weren't supposed to hear that

7:15am, Wednesday, November 9th, 2010

A knock at the door made Piper shoot up from where she was starting to fall asleep, in danger of falling into her plate of pancakes.

"I'll get it!" She called.

She ran to the door, opened it, excited, to see-

Leo Valdez grinning like a madman at her.

"Leo!" she cried, wrapping him in a tight hug. She pulled back, beaming at him. "What are you doing here?"

"And how'd you even get my address?" Percy said, walking in with Annabeth and Jason. Jason fistbumped Leo, and they brought him into the apartment.

Leo was introduced to Sally, and Piper and Percy repeated their questions. Leo grinned at them. "I came here bearing gifts. And I got your address of the Stolls. Calypso was going to come as well, but Katie kidnapped her." He made a face.

"How did the Stolls get my address?" Percy cried, alarmed.

"If the Stolls know where we live, I think that calls for a move." Annabeth added.

Sally laughed. "We are not moving, you two."

"What did you bring, Leo?" Jason asked.

"Well, I'm glad you asked, Mr. Grace!" Leo said, pulling four boxes out of the backpack he had dumped on the floor. He set them on the table, and Percy picked one up, taking off the lid.

Percy's head shot up, "A phone?" he asked, incredulous.

"Yup. Nyssa and I, with some help from the Stolls and Chris, managed to make the first ever monster proof phone. We're now working on laptops." Leo said, pride evident in his voice.

"Leo..." Annabeth said, "That's incredible!" Her eyes were bright and gleaming.

"I know, mis amiga, I'm incredible." Leo said, tilting back on his chair, hands behind his head.

Annabeth looked at him. "I never said that."

Leo opened his mouth to protest, but he had leaned too far back in his chair, and toppled to the floor. Annabeth, sighed. "Case in point." she said.

She glanced at her watch. "It's almost 7:30, we should head out."

Percy looked at him, "You're welcome to stay, man. Just try not to burn the table, it's new. And, uh," he rubbed the back of his neck, "tell Calypso I say hi."

Annabeth called from the hall, "Tell her all of us say hi."

Leo stood up."I've gotta get back anyway. It was lovely meeting you Mrs. Jackson!"

"It's Sally!"

"Yes ma'am!" Leo said, mock saluting her.

Piper grabbed his arm, "Come downstairs with us, you idiot, we're all heading the same way."

Leo agreed, and together the five teens walked downstairs.

11:20, Wednesday, November 9th, 2010

Madeline Thomas did not like listening into students who were talking during her class.

Half the time, it was stupid mindless gossip, that had absoultely no place in her class.

But this conversation was intriguing.

It was between Jason Grace, and Annabeth Chase. Two students, who were associated with that upstart Perseus Jackson, and almost as much disrespect.

Jason Grace was pretty good on most occasions. He was a passionate debater, no doubt, but he was also good at remaining reserved. He was polite, but he was also the cousin of Perseus Jackson.

Madeline didn't have many issues with him, but his companion was a whole other story.

She was as good, if not a better, debater as Jason, but she was passionate. Her arguments were good, cold and merciless, but she had not restraint. She challenged Madeline on many things.

She had challenged Madeline when she had said that Zeus was a good king. She had brought up the myth in which Hera, Athena, Apollo and a begrudging Poseidon had tried to overthrow Zeus, planning to replace him with Poseidon.

Her argument had been that if Zeus was such a good king, then why was there an attempt to have him usurped. Madeline had said that it had been their biased opinions, and that the four of them had been power hungry.

Annabeth had argued that Hestia was an important goddess. She had argued that Hades was a good man, despite popular belief. She had argued that despite rightful anger, Hera's actions towards Zeus's mortal lovers were unfair.

And the most passionate debate had happened when Madeline had stated that Athena was unfair to punish Arachne the way she had. Annabeth had gone on a tirade, that involved yelling, some tears, and multiple points in which Jason had pulled her back down and hissed for her to shut up.

Annabeth had ended up storming out of the class, and Jason had run after her.

The conversation was happening during a small partner project that she had assigned for the day. She was making rounds around the classroom when she heard a snippet of the conversation.

"...It's incredible, but how can we be sure it will actually work?" Annabeth whispered as she wrote something down.

"Leo wouldn't lie to us Annabeth."

"Yeah I know, I know. But monster proof phones..." and that was the last Madeline heard.

Thoughts swirled around her head, but one nagging thought stayed with her for the rest of the day. What monsters?

I FORGOT TO POST THIS CHAPTER AND THE NEXT OOPS