Thursday, 4-19-18

I thrashed through the water, quickly switching arms and kicking my legs until I finally reached the cement edge of the pool. I turned around, just as I had practiced, and sped back to the other end of the pool.

"Wow, Perce. Below 24 seconds, that time. I don't even know how that's possible."

I smiled at my friend, Annabeth. She and I had been friends for over three years, since we were twelve. She really liked to tease me about swimming, and I teased her about reading and architecture all of the time.

I pulled my self out of the pool and toweled off. I swung the white towel over my shoulder and sauntered over to the bleachers, where Annabeth was watching. I sat beside her.

"Want to go get pizza?" I asked.

She nodded. She stood up and grabbed my hands, tugging me back up again.

"Go get changed!" She laughed.

"Fine, fine."

I hurried into the boys' locker room and unlocked my locker. I changed from my wet swim trunks to my street clothes: a pair of jeans and a blue tee shirt.

I shoved my sneakers on before going back to the pool room to meet with Annabeth.

"Ready?" I asked her.

She nodded, pushing her blonde curls out of her eyes.

Together we made our way out of Goode High School and began the small trek to the best pizza parlor in Manhattan.

Since we were only fifteen, we didn't have our driver's licenses yet, so we had to either walk places or get driven by our parents. We typically walked around that time of year, mid spring.

"Are you excited for the competition coming up?" Annabeth asked me, kicking a pile of pebbles on the sidewalk.

"Yeah, I guess. I'm pretty nervous, to be honest." I shoved my hands in my pockets solemnly.

It was our sophomore year, and the coach had suggested that I be captain, which was a huge honor for my age and lack of experience. If I did well during the competition, I'd get the position. I wasn't sure if I wanted it to begin with, though. That seemed like a lot of pressure, and I don't classify myself as a leader or someone to go to for encouragement.

"How? You have below 24 seconds for a 50 meter freestyle! That's incredible, Seaweed Brain!"

I shrugged. "Doesn't mean I'm not nervous, Wise Girl," I pointed out.

"Just remember that I know you're amazing, Percy. I don't care if you carry the entire team, or if you drag everyone behind. You're one of the bests there are."

I smiled at her, a slight blush coating my cheeks. I almost hated when she told me things like that, because of the reaction I gave. Almost.

We were almost at the parlor, maybe two minutes away, when Annabeth cursed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I didn't bring my wallet to school today. I left it on the counter this morning. I was so annoyed at my brothers I totally forgot."

"Don't worry about it. I'll pay."

"You sure, Perce?"

"Of course. I know you'd do the same."

She smiled at me, making it even more worth while. I knew money at home was tight, with my mom being an up-and-coming author, and Paul a teacher, but I thought they would both understand. They knew how long Annabeth and I had been friends, and would probably be proud to see me offer to pay for some meals. Besides, it would only be an extra ten bucks at most.

We finally arrived at the pizza place. I held the door for Annabeth and mock bowed, making her laugh. We stepped inside and were immediately encumbered in the scent of fresh pizzas - cheesy, tomato-y goodness.

We chose a booth in the corner by the windows, and a perky waitress immediately swooped in.

"Hey, there! I'm Silena, and I'll be your waitress today." She placed down two menus and sets of silverware. "What can I get you guys for drinks?"

"I'll have sweet tea," Annabeth said.

"Can I get a Coke?"

"Of course!" She scribbled something on her note pad, before rushing to the kitchen.

"She's very energetic," I commented.

"Yeah. I could never be a waitress," Annabeth admitted. "I'm not very good at...customer service."

I chuckled. "I'm sure you'd be fine if you had to be."

She shrugged.

We began scanning the menus. After slight comparing, I decided to order a personal pizza with extra cheese, bacon and pepperoni.

"What are you thinking?" I asked Annabeth.

"I'll probably get a personal pizza with flatbread crust and black olives. Do you want to split an appetizer?"

I scrunched up my nose at her pizza choice, and she rolled her eyes.

"Um, we can get mozzarella sticks with dipping sauce."

"Sounds great," she said.

Silena came whirling back to our table with the drinks in hand. The parlor was pretty empty, just two other people at a table in the opposite side of the small restaurant.

"Here you go!" Silena placed our drinks and two straws. "Have you two decided on your meals?"

I nodded. "Annabeth will have a flatbread personal pizza with black olives, and I'd like a personal pizza, too, with extra cheese, bacon and pepperoni. And we are going to get the mozzarella sticks too."

Silena smiled. "Alrighty, is that one bill or two separate ones?"

"Just one, please."

Silena nodded and took our menus. "I'll be right out with those mozzarella sticks."

"I could've ordered for myself, you know."

I grinned. "My mom told me to be a gentleman around ladies, and that applies to you too."

She raised her eyebrow. "Who does your mom want you to impress?"

"Grandma Blofis," I answered smugly.

Annabeth laughed, and I did as well. Grandma Blofis was Paul's mom, who was my step dad. Whenever we were eating a meal together, my mom would always chide my messy eating, saying, "Would you eat that way in front of Grandma Blofis?" It was kind of an inside joke with close family members - and Annabeth - at that point.

Silena brought out the mozzarella sticks very quickly, just as promised. Annabeth and I devoured them, and just as we were finishing up, our pizzas were brought out.

"Enjoy!" Silena told us, walking off to tend to the two other customers.

I was basically drooling over my pizza, which was loaded with greasy cheese and meat. I glanced at Annabeth's pizza and grimaced. She laughed at my expression.

"Want to try?" she taunted, waving a slice in my face.

I shook my head. "No thanks, I'll stick to what I know."

"Come on, Seaweed Brain! I know you want a piece of this." She wiggled her eyebrows and gestured with her pizza.

I blushed. "Fine."

I grabbed the slice from her hand and took a bite. I chewed quickly and swallowed before even tasting.

"Done," I said.

"Percy," she said, laughing, "you didn't even eat a bite with olives. That was plain."

I groaned, before taking a larger bite. I chewed sadly with a frown on my face.

"There." I put the slice back on her plate. "I don't like it."

She laughed again. "Well thanks for trying, I suppose."

"You're welcome."

I then took a slice from my delightful pizza and enjoyed the savory taste in my mouth. I finished the pizza fairly quickly, Annabeth not far behind.

She reached for her drink, but, seeing it was empty, she frowned.

"Here," I said. I pushed my Coke across the table to her.

"Thanks," she said. "It's just a lot of salt, I needed a little something."

I nodded. "I like salt," I told her.

"I know, you ocean freak!" Annabeth giggled.

I smiled sheepishly.

Silena came to our table for the final time, bill in hand. She put it on the table and took off, but not before wishing us a good day.

I put the cash in the check book, also leaving a decent tip of five dollars.

"Ready?" I asked.

Annabeth nodded with a smile on her face.

We left the restaurant, Annabeth going first once again. I looked behind me, at the other pair that was in there with us. I realized it was my good friend and little cousin, Nico di Angelo, with his friend Will Solace. I smiled at them, before following Annabeth out and walking back to our homes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHOUT OUT TO Eclipse_Assassin FOR THE EPIC COVER!

Eeeeek! I made a fanfiction!!! What do you think? I really would appreciate all of your input, so I'm going to list a few questions that would really help me. Feel free to leave comments in the inlines!

How long should each chapter be? This is about my usual length, a little over a thousand words.

Would you like the entire story in Percy's POV? That is what I'm personally leaning towards, but let me know!

What ships would you like to see? I'm only including PJO characters for now, especially because of their age (15) but if you really want HOO characters then I may consider it?

Anyway, please leave a vote, and comment any suggestions! It would definitely motivate faster updates if chapters did well. Don't worry, though, I'm planning on updating fairly regularly anyway.

I hope you enjoyed!!