Percabeth at highschool

the Judo Flip.

Why are Mondays always the longest day? It's like, all the days are 24 hours, but Monday is the longest. School takes up 7 hours, sleep takes up 10 hours, 2 hours for homework, 1 hour for each after-school activity (most people have two) Another hour for meal at home, and that basically leaves NOTHING. Maybe one single hour of free time. Maybe, if you're lucky, two. And that is the analysis of the first school day of the week.

As Percy and I drive to school, I cannot help but think about all the math. Should I be thinking about math just fifteen minutes before I actually need to? No. But, hey, I'm a child of Athena. It's what we do. Besides just be wise.

We pull up to the school, and climb out of Percy's blue truck. And who has the pleasure of meeting us there? Paris herself. I can see all the makeup she's caked on, and the almost burnt hair from all the curling and flat ironing and blow-drying I'm sure she did. And all to put it up an a messy bun that could never make itself look attractive on me. But she makes it work, sadly.

That does not excuse all the PINK. Pink scrunchies, pink miniskirt, pink crop top, pink cashmere sweater. And all different shades, too. If she had just cut down on the hair products and pink, she could have looked pretty. Prettier than me, at least. 

Percy chose me, I tell myself. He jumped in Tartarus willingly for me when he didn't need to. There is no reason-

"Percyyyyyyyyy!" I hear come out of the pinkster's mouth, interrupting my thoughts. Paris continues,

"You look so hot! How did you even do it? It's impossible!" I roll my eyes. Suddenly I see all the seven come out of the big white van. They walk into the school, completely leaving us out here. Well. Percy fought the Minotaur when he was twelve, and I fought a huge talking evil spider laast year. We can handle this pink nightmare. Percy says,

"Well, probably the heat is making you see things. I am wearing a sweatshirt, haven't even brushed my hair, and khaki shorts. Basically what every boy in there is wearing. Plus, I have a girlfriend. Whom of which you can obviously standing right next to me," I give a little wave to let her know that's me, and Percy puts his hands in his hoodie pocket, and swervs around her. I try to do the same, but pink nails dig into my forearm's flesh. I give Percy a knowing smile, letting him know it's okay for him to leave. I take a deep breath, and tell her,

"Look. I'm Annabeth, which you know already, and I know you're into my boyfriend, but please back off. We've been together since we were fifteen. And been best friends since twelve. We've seen worse than someone trying to flirt with him, but at least when he said he has a girlfriend they immediately backed off. Which shows they have restraint. And, obviously, you don't. So I'm going to give you a chance for me to forgive you, and we won't nesessarily be friends, but not mortal enemies either. So please remove your nails from my arm, and let me be on my way." Paris digs her nails into my flesh, and starts talking.

"Hi. I'm Paris, which YOU already know, and I'm not giving up on your boyfriend. I'm going to snap you two like a twig. A tiny twig. And, like, I'm not giving up until that happens. So maybe YOU back off instead of I do? Kay." She starts talking to her minions, while I sit there just waiting until she gets her cat's claws off of my arm. It's nothing compared to the broken ankle I had while fighting Arachne. So I just bide my time, listening in to what Paris is saying to her minions.

"I mean, I don't, like, even know why a guy like Percy would want her, a horrible, weak, stupid-"

That's where I draw the line. A daughter of Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare, shall never be called weak or stupid. I grab onto her wrist, tear her nails from my arm, and pull her over my shoulder in a judo flip, her landing on the ground. I can see the shock on her face, and I step around her. I run into the school, turning my face away from people in the parking lot, filming.

"I'll get you for this, Chase! You'll see!" I hear behind me. I run through the doors, and bump into Percy on the way to my locker. 

"I just judo flipped Paris," I say. I can't believe it. This isn't camp. I can't do that.

"What?" Percy asks, confusion written all over his face. I let out a sob, me not hearing what comes out of my mouth. I run into the woman's bathroom, and slam a door closed. I hit my head against the door. Tears run down my face. 

Camp was easy. It's what I knew. But high school? It's a battleground with no clear claim.