Annabeth's POV

I walked into to class, late, as usual.

"Ms. Chase, so glad you could join us." Mrs. O'Connor said as I went to take my seat at the back of the classroom. Her voice was peppy and bright; she was young, newly married—according to the whispers in the halls—and very enthusiastic about her job. In other words, one of the most annoying people I know. But I try to be less of an asshole to her, though, because she really does try to be perky and lively for the students, which is more than any other teacher in this school tries to do.

"Sorry." I said, but my expression was anything but.

I made my way to the back and tossed my book bag on the floor as Mrs. O'Connor continued talking. I looked around and saw Jackson, earbuds in, hood up, sitting a few seats to my right. I rolled my eyes at the very sight of him. I don't know why, but he's irritating, yet at the same time I want to annoy the hell out of him just to get under his skin. Like I hate him, but I can't stay away.

I shook my head and closed my eyes to rid my mind of the thought. I tried to focus on Mrs. O'Connor's words.

"Today, I decided that we should do something fun. We are going to be re-enacting any battle scene from ancient times. Pick a partner and I'll let you all discuss for a few minutes before calling you up."

Everyone began looking to each other and switching seats. I stayed where I was just observing, for I didn't know anyone. I looked over to Jackson. He hadn't moved either, and just watched all the commotion from the sidelines. I had a feeling this was nothing new to him.

Once everyone had a partner, Mrs. O'Connor looked to me. "You don't have a partner, Annabeth?" I just looked at her. "Well, lets see..." She looked around for a minute before her eyes landed on Percy. "Here!" She walked to Percy and waved me over.

I put on my 'you're kidding me' face, and switched my gaze between Percy and Mrs. O'Connor, who was smiling bright, while Percy glared at from me next to her. I glared right back and we seemed to have a silent conversation, only using our eyes.

I hate you. No. I conveyed.

Well, we don't have a choice so come on. He seemed to say.

We continued with our little battle until Mrs. O'Connor looked at us strangely. I then huffed and stood, grabbing my stuff, and moving to the desk next to his.

"Alright. Have fun!" Mrs. O'Connor walked off.

Five minutes later, we were still glaring at each other. Percy opened his mouth to say the first word in the silent minutes I had been sitting there. But, Mrs. O'Connor decided this was also a great time to start calling us up. Asshole and I hadn't worked out a plan yet. And lucky for us, we were first up.

"What are we gonna do?" Percy whispered as we started to stand up.

"What I do best. Wing it." I walked to the front of the classroom confidently and Percy followed timidly behind me. I didn't even have to turn to tell that he was extremely uncomfortable with all this attention; every pair of eyes was on us. They seemed to be saying,

Let's see how this turns out.

I didn't blame them, for I was wondering the same thing myself.

Suddenly an idea popped into my head, (I knew that wasn't actually how that fight went down, but I went with it anyways), and I started to speak, hoping Jackson would catch on.

"Menelaus, why not a one-on-one fight?"

"I don't see why not, Paris." He smirked and continued with the dialogue. I thanked God that he knew what I was going for, catching the hint.

"It's settled then. On guard!" I grabbed a ruler from a nearby shelf and pointed it at Percy so fast that it seemed as if the ruler appeared from thin air. Percy understood and grabbed a ruler of his own from some kid's desk. The kid didn't bother to try and get it back.

I waited for Jackson to make the first move, knowing he would. And as usual, I was right. He lunged and I side stepped, bringing my weapon back to stab his arm, but he moved too quickly. Before I knew it, we were facing each other again, ready to strike, parry, or dodge.

We went on back and forth for sometime, just swinging or lunging and missing each other as the other dodged or parried. We seemed to work in sync, always knowing what the other would do. Asshole was better than I though he was.

Percy went to strike and I brought my ruler up to deflect it. We were testing each other, ruler on ruler, pushing back and forth. Playing my part, I allowed Percy to overpower me. He pushed his ruler against mine and I stumbled back.

In the original story, Paris is overpowered by Menelaus and is then saved by Aphrodite, who later brings Paris and Helen together. Typical, I know. It's the same old story; the two forbidden lovers always end up together and live happily ever after. I wish someone would make something more realistic, where the two don't end up together, because not everyone gets a happily ever after. And it feels like I'm the only person willing to accept that.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Jackson swung at me. I took a step back, narrowly avoiding the tip of his ruler. I saw what Percy was going to do before he did it, readying myself to counteract his move.

He quickly swung straight down, and I pulled my ruler up sideways, pushing him back. He stumbled and fell to the floor.

I decided that this wouldn't be exactly like the myth. I took this opportunity of him being on the floor. I quickly jumped on top of him, trapping him under me, making him unable to get up. I went to strike at his neck, but Jackson moves quicker than you'd think. He brought his ruler up just in time to block my blow. I, however, saw an opening and took my chance.

His grip on the ruler was poor, for he had brought it up quickly. This made it easy for me to knock it out of his hands, making it skid across the floor to the other side of the room.

He looked back to where it landed, than back at me, a look like, aw shit. This is it. I smirked at him. I brought my ruler up above my head and brought it down under his arm, sticking it between his arm and his side. He leaned forward a bit, before flopping back on the floor like he was dead.

I quickly got off of him and stood up, grabbing my weapon from his armpit and held it up high triumphantly, saying, "FOR HELEN!"

Everyone cheered with our performance. I bowed, before I felt something hit the back of my leg.

I turned and realized that that 'something' was a hand, specifically Asshole's hand. He held his hand up to me as if he needed help. I rolled my eyes. He nudged me again, saying, "Come on!" I sighed and hauled him off the floor easily.

"Thank you." He said like, was that so hard? We then both took our seats.

"That was very good." Mrs. O'Connor commented from behind her desk. "You know that isn't the true story though, correct?"

"Yeah."

Percy just nodded. I was surprised to see that he knew the story. I wondered if he knew all of the Greek mythology stuff. The only reason that I did was because my mother had been so infatuated with it, and would tell me all the stories and teach me about everything. That was before she left, of course. Those are some of the best memories I have with her, and despite how young I was, I still remember all of them, for I had saved every moment that we spent together. I knew that they had been fighting, and I didn't know how long they would last until....

"Chase?" Percy snapped his fingers in my face.

"What?" I snapped and looked up at him.

"Class is over, Wiseass." He said before walking off. Wow, I must have been thinking for a long time. I didn't even see anyone else's performance. Not that it would top mine, though.

"Thanks, Asshole." I shot back. He just turned and shot finger guns at me, clicking his tongue. I rolled my eyes and hauled my book bag over my shoulder after standing up.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and put my earbuds in, walking down the hall.

And it's the road that leads to nowhere
But all I want to do is go there
She's got me
Running from the daylight

This was going to be a long week.

•••

Authors note

Hi. Sorry I haven't updated. I've just been reading a lot and I have volleyball camp now, which makes me hella sore. I was also reading The Storm Thief. It's a great story I would def recommend, and I'm sad that it's over. Also, go support my girl VoldemortOnTheArgoII she could really use it. And anyways, I just hope that you guys enjoy and thanks for all the reads!! Don't forget to comment, vote, etc. thanks and love you guys!
-bella💕

Ps.- go read Roommates by my friend Cxtxstrophee it's a lit story. Okay, bye!!