Part Two

The four started talking to each other completely ignoring my friend and me. I cleared my throat to get their attention. All four simultaneously turned and stared at us.

Usually I didn't mind people staring. I could usually feel eyes all over my body. I was pretty. I'd discovered this at a very early age and learned how to control and use it to my advantage. But the stares I was getting from the four were different. They weren't wondering or gaping in amazement. They were just looking.

"Can we help you?" the black haired girl asked rather bluntly.

I put my hands on my hips, "Like I was saying- my name is Cara."

"And my name's Sophie," my friend said.

"Okay..." the Goth muttered. "Bye."

I was a bit frustrated but just smiled to cover it. "Wait," I insisted, "where are you from?"

"Somewhere smart," the dark haired girl murmured. Percy was the only one close enough to her to hear. He smirked and laughed a little under his breath.

I glared at her, "What is your name?" I kept my voice pleasant so anyone listening but not looking would think I was fine. She glowered back with a glare slightly more impressive than mine. I tried not to let it faze me but it was hard.

Annabeth cut through the glaring contest. "Here," she tossed an apple at the black haired girl. "Think fast!" The girl's arm flashed and she caught it out of the air. She grinned and took a bite.

Blondie smiled and turned back to us. "I'm Annabeth. This is Nico," the Goth kid waved. "And the pests across the table are Percy and Leila."

Percy and Leila both scowled at the same time. Leila reached over and hit Annabeth in the arm but Percy didn't do anything. "Shut up," Leila told her.

The bell rang then signaling it was time for gym.

"Well, I guess I'd better go..." I trailed off suggestively, expecting Percy to walk me to my next class.

But they were already gone. The four were walking across the lunch room. Annabeth and Percy hand in hand, Nico telling Annabeth something, and Percy and Leila talking and laughing together.

For some reason they seemed out of place. They were obviously close. They knew each other from somewhere. But where? They way they walked, talked, presented themselves... it was all different from the rest of us.

It wasn't a weird different, though. It was a special different. The kind that made it almost intimidating to talk to them... together at least. Maybe if I have a class with just Percy-

I beamed and brushed that thought off for later. Sophie and I spun on our heels and strolled back to our table.

"So what'd think?" Amy asked.

"I thought they were strange," Sophie commented.

"Me too," I agreed. "But it was a good kind."

"OMG! That reminds me!" Amy exploded. "We have P.E. together! They combine freshman and sophomores! Isn't that awesome?"

Sophie perked up, "REALLY?"

"Yes!"

"Hold up," I said. "How did our conversation about Percy turn into gym class secludes?"

"Because I happen to know that they have the same gym class as the three of us!" Amy explained.

I smiled slowly, "Perfect."

"We're allowed to wear any T shirt we want as long as it's not above our belly button. The same goes for shorts except it has to cover our panties and not come above our mid- thigh." Amy told us in the locker room.

"Can we wear skirts?" Sophie held up a cute purple, orange, and white swirled skirt.

Amy nodded, "If you have short shorts underneath or if it's a skort." Sophie slipped on short white shorts on before covering them with the swirl skirt.

I pulled on a black pair of shorts and shed my jewelry. The three of us slid on our Adidas sneakers (that were only ever used for gym classes) and slammed our lockers shut.

We stood on the field waiting for the Gym teacher to call for attention. Gym was outside today so the boys and girls combined. Amy explained how in the colder months they split us up to make the semesters of Health more bearable.

"Cheerleading tryouts are next Monday and the Homecoming dance is this Friday (A/N: I know Homecoming is never the same week as school starts but I needed to make it that close or I would have to write WEEKS of school days!) so we need to go shopping like..." Amy seemed to be counting days in her head. She shook her head and settled on: "Soon."

"Let's skip school on Thursday than and go shopping," I suggested.

"Great idea!" Amy turned to go find Sophie and tell her our plan.

I smiled when I spotted Percy and his Goth friend... what's his name? Nico! That's it. Percy and Nico come out of the boy's locker room.

"Hey Amy, Sophie," I called. Both girls came running over. "What are we playing today?"

"Soccer," Amy answered.

"Yes!" Sophie cheered and jumped in the air with joy.

"Perfect..." I agreed. "How does it work?"

"We split into teams of four and rotate around the fields each other," Amy replied.

"Do we get to pick our own team mates?" This was a very important detail to Sophie.

"Usually, if the teacher's are in a good mood."

"Coolness!" I said, "Let's ask Percy to be on our team!"

Sophie shrugged, "Sounds cool!"

Amy, on the other hand, grimaced, "He won't."

"What? Why not?"

She sighed like we should know this already, "Because he's always on the same team as Annabeth."

"What about the other girl... Lily or something."

"Leila," Amy corrected. "Don't call her Lily. She hates it."

"Why?"

"No one knows. All anyone knows about the whole situation is a junior kept calling her Lily last year kept and she gave him a black eye for it," she stated.

"W-O-W..." Sophie trailed off.

"Yeah, so just don't," Amy advised.

"Whatever," I sighed. "Anyways, they don't like to be on the same team?"

"Well, yes. He does. He seems to have more fun playing against her, though," she said. "It's weird because every time there on different teams and they verse each other... they tie. It's always a tie."

"No way!" Sophie screeched. She of all people knew how hard it was to tie and was probably offended by the thought.

"Yes way! It is sooo weird! She's just as good as he is so they tie! We went into overtime once for like... a half hour. It was kind of cool because we got to miss our next class but totally strange."

"Well, I think we should suggest they get around," I smiled. "Socialize, a little... you know?"

Sophie smiled back, "Socializing is good for you..."

"I don't think you two get it!" Amy fumed. "They're not good enemies to have! Don't bother them!"

"Aims, calm down," I soothed. "Last year I wasn't here."

"Yes, Cara, but I was!"

"Last year, you didn't have either of us," Sophie said. "It was bound to be hard."

Amy rolled her eyes, "You have no idea what you're getting yourselves into."

"Either way," I shrugged. "I'm going to suggest the idea with or without you."

"All right, all right," she sighed.

"You're in?"

"I'm in."

Sophie squeaked and drew us in for a group hug.

The idea turned out to be a bust. Amy was right. The teachers didn't care enough to split us up so why would they?

Sophie bounced a soccer ball on her knee and kicked it high in the air every couple of seconds to keep herself busy. She had taught us a lot about sports to make sure we all worked together as a really great team. Amy and I were nowhere near as good as Sophie but we were better than most so that had to count for something.

"All right," the couch announced. "We're going to soccer today. Make your teams! There must be four people on each team. No more. No less. Show me what you've got!" He blew the whistle.

I skipped over to Percy and smiled, "Be on our team. We need a fourth player."

"Sorry," he replied. Though, he didn't sound sorry at all. "Looks like I've already been assigned one." I glanced over at Annabeth, Nico, and Leila who were standing a few feet away waiting for him.

The girl's had both changed into gym shorts and put their hair up. Annabeth's pony tail was low on her neck whereas Leila's was high on top of her head like a cheer-leader's. Her long hair still hit the middle of her back, though.

"Bye," Percy said dismissively. I took a deep breath and went back to my friends.

"Nothing," I seethed. "Not even a second glance!"

"If you keep it up, it will get worse," Amy promised.

"I'm going to go see if we can find a goalie for our fourth player," Sophie voiced.

She came back moments later with a boy who was all right looking but not the best looking dude around. "This is Ryan," Sophie told us. "He was in most of my classes last year and was goalie for the boy's soccer team."

"Awesome," I said. Amy nodded telling us it was cool.

Everyone lined up and was told what team they were. My friends and I were named team three. I listened and learned that Percy, Leila, Nico, and Annabeth were team six.

We played a couple of teams. Team two, team four, and then team one. We won easily. Sophie and I were forwards, while Ryan was in goal and Amy was defense. We were unstoppable. Or so I thought.

The four of us took a break and sat on the bleachers. The coach bought over some water. I hated to admit it, but I was already having more fun here than at my old school. I knew I could blame my friends for that.

"Next will be team-" the coach paused scanning his clip board; "-team three vs. team six."

I smiled as I made my way toward on the field. This was too perfect! Percy could see how much better I am than Annabeth (or any other girl) and then he would totally want me!

We each took our spots. On the other team, Annabeth was goalie, Nico was on defense, and Percy and Leila were offense.

Leila was across from me and Percy was across from Sophie. I was about to tell Sophie to switch sides with me but then I thought I probably shouldn't beat my future boyfriend; just all the competition in the way.

The game started the same as any other. None of us did anything drastic; we all were just testing to find any weaknesses in the opponent's strikes and passes. Then we got into it.

Leila made a flawless pass to Percy and he kicked it straight up into the corner of the goal. Ryan had tried to catch it but it was too late for that. It was impossible to stop.

That's when I realized we were in trouble.

Ten awful minutes later, the coach finally stopped us.

We had lost seven to none (us being the none, obviously). Percy and Leila were amazing forwards. Every time one of them scored, it never missed. Nico hadn't been afraid to take down girls so he was great at defense and if we got close enough to score- Annabeth caught it a little too easily.

I wouldn't let this get to me, though. I knew I was still prettier, and just all around better than Annabeth and Leila! I sighed as my friends came up.

"Wow," Amy stated.

"I know," I agreed. "They're pretty good."

"'Pretty good'?" Sophie looked like her feelings were swaying from wanting to murder them to wanting to worship them; "'Pretty good'! They are amazing! It's not fair! Where did they learn to play like that?"

Amy shrugged, "No clue."

"I have to know!" Sophie announced.

"Like I said-" Amy put a hand on Sophie to stop her from running over to the group who were sitting on the bleachers a little ways away. "They like to keep to themselves. Most likely, they even won't tell you."

"Why wouldn't they?" I demanded. "Is it a secret?"

"Maybe," Amy answered.

"I have to know!" Sophie repeated.

"Fine! Let's go," I told her.

We walked over to where the four were sitting. There was an extra seat next to Percy which I quickly took; Annabeth was on his other side with Nico and Leila behind them.

I smiled and Sophie started talking immediately. "OMG! You all were so good!"

"Yeah," I agreed. "That was fun."

Amy stood a few feet back from us, saying nothing, which was very unlike her.

"Thanks," Percy said. He moved a few inches away from me. I knew it was just because that girl was here. I knew he liked how close I was. He just wouldn't admit in front of his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend. He wouldn't want to hurt her feelings.

Annabeth smiled at Sophie, "Yeah, thanks." Then she stole a look at me before looking at Leila behind me.

"Where did you learn to play like that?" I asked, moving a bit closer to Percy.

Then I felt a sneaker in my back and grass under my hands.

"Cara!" Sophie screeched. Her and Amy bent down and helped me off the ground. After I brushed myself off, I whipped around.

"You kicked me!" I accused, pointing a finger at Leila.

She smiled coldly. I noticed she'd taken my seat next to Percy. "Maybe I did," she admitted confidently.

I scowled then mirrored her smile; "That's okay," I muttered through gritted teeth. "Now if I could just have my seat back-"

"Sorry but no," she told me.

I stomped my foot, "Give me my seat back!"

"I said no you slutty bitc-"

"Is there a problem here?" the coach interrupted, coming over to see what all the commotion was.

"Sir," I pleaded before anyone else could. "She kicked me off the bench and then took my seat!" I said pointing at Leila again.

"Leila," the coach said. "Is this true?"

She appeared surprised. I smiled smugly. She thought she would get away with it. Well, she was wrong.

"I have no idea what she's talking about, sir," Leila said in a surprised voice.

My mouth dropped open. "She's lying!" I told the coach. "She kicked me!"

The coach just told us to stop fooling around and go find different seats if we had too.

I couldn't believe this! Amy and Sophie hadn't even said anything to back me up!

Sophie repeated my question. "Anyways, where did you learn to play soccer?"

Annabeth answered, "We learned at our summer camp."

"Really?" I said incredulously. I wouldn't have pegged Annabeth or any of the rest of them as the outdoorsy type.

She nodded, "Yeah. It's where we met each other; or at least it's where Nico and I met Percy and Leila."

"You knew each other before you went to camp?" Sophie asked.

The pair nodded like it was obvious, leaving us not wanting to look stupid by asking more about the subject.

"Oh, that's cool," I commented.

The couch blew the whistle. "All right," he said. "Today was good. I saw a lot of effort out there. Anyways, go change and get to class."

"Isn't Annabeth intimidated by Percy and Leila closeness?" Sophie asked on our way out of gym.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I was wondering that to."

"Of course not," Amy said. "Leila and Percy are twins."

I froze. "What?"

"Yep," she said, popping the 'P' quite loudly. "That's what I was trying to tell you at lunch. He got more than a smart, protective girlfriend; Percy's got a psycho, totally chill twin sister who's out to get anyone who dares ruin her brother's happiness."

I cursed. This was going to be harder than I had first thought. Of course, if I could get to Leila, maybe, through her, I could get to Percy...

"How can you be psycho and totally chill at the same time?" Sophie asked.

I rolled my eyes, "Only you would ask something like that, Soap." But I really did need this information if I was going to pretend to be Leila's best friend in the world for the next... I give it a week at the most.

"What? I want to know," she shrugged and waited for Amy's answer.

Amy sighed, "Leila and Percy are both complicated; and it's even worse when they're together. It's like they have their own secret language. The two of them don't even have to talk out loud to know what the other is like... thinking, almost." (A/N: This might not make tons of sense unless you've read Leila POV on the Lightning Thief...)

"Whatever," I stated. "I don't care. He will be mine. Annabeth, Leila-Heck! Even Nico can go to hel-"

"OMG!" Sophie exclaimed. "I have to get to class! We'll talk later, 'kay?" She leaned in a little so no one passing by could hear. "Then maybe we can talk about phase two in the Get-Percy Jackson-To-Be-Cara's-Boyfriend-Slash-Makeout-Partner scheme."

Amy rounded on her, "Phase two? What happened to Phase one?"

"I thought Phase one was getting Percy to notice Cara," Sophie explained. "And, well," she laughed, "he noticed her!"

"Shut up!" I told her.

"What? Don't tell me to shut up because you messed up and really da-"

Cutting her off, I snapped, "Get to class Sophie." She turned on her heel and gave us the finger on her way down the hall to her next class.

Amy and I laughed. Amy muttered, "Soooo Sophie."

"Yeah," I shook my head, "but she can talk to much."

"So can you!" Amy giggled, not completely down from her high laughing mood.

"Whatever," I scoffed. "I'm allowed to."

We walked into class. All heads turned toward us. Class had already started, I realized. I put on my dazzling smile and brushed my hair over my shoulder for effect. Amy swung her hips back and forth with a sexy smirk on her face. This was she was my best friend.

The two of us had known each other forever. We were neighbors as kids until she moved down the street when her little sister was born. Her sister was eight, but we had already started training her right so she would be able to get guys like Percy all the time.

The teacher just sighed and motioned to the seats in front of him. I turned to do my usual scan of the classroom. Then my eyes fell on one particular black haired hottie in the fourth row.

I smiled and swung my hips a little like Amy, suddenly feeling like I'm up higher then cloud nine.

Percy Jackson was in my History class.