Percy's POV

You got two black eyes from loving too hard
And a black car that matches your blackest soul
I wouldn't change ya, oh
Wouldn't ever try to make you leave, no

I decided I would pull my first prank at lunch, for multiple reasons.

One, the cafeteria is always crowded, meaning, Chase would suffer major embarrassment. It would also put on a great show for everyone, which might dull the bullying, at least for a little while.

Second, it's the most practical time and place for my prank to go down. It was going to be glorious.

If I could pull it off, that is.

That's when it hit me—I was going to need some help. I searched the halls for any familiar faces or people I knew could help.

Then, someone caught my eye. His dark curly hair, impish grin, and grease covered clothes were a dead give away that this was who I needed.

Leo Valdez.

Leo Valdez was certainly a character to Goode High. Saying he was some sort of blacksmith, is really the only way to put it. Apparently, he worked in a garage with his father, fixing cars and whatnot. But he was also a mischievous troublemaker. He was always after the girls, and it was honesty pretty funny. He was a pretty funny kid and he seemed cool, so getting his help shouldn't be too hard.

I approached him at his locker. "Hey."

He turned and looked at me, confused. "Hey." He said skeptically.

"I'm Percy." I said kind of awkwardly.

"'Sup, Percy. I'm Leo." He said.

"I have really bad people skills so I'm skipping to the point—I need your help." I spoke quickly.

Valdez crossed him arms and raised an eyebrow. "With what?"

"A prank." I said.

"What kind of prank? On who?" He asked, eyebrow still raised, though he was almost smiling. Here's the thing about Leo; he's always up for causing trouble.

"It's on Annabeth Chase, the new girl."

"Ah. She seems tough. You sure about this?" I asked.

"What, you don't think I could handle whatever she throws at me?" I asked, pretending to be offended.

Leo made a face like 'mmmm maybe' and shook his hand in a gesture that said 'kinda'.

I mocked a hurt expression. We laughed.

"Alright. I'm in." Leo agreed.

"Great. Meet me before third period?"

"Got it. I look forward to doing business with you, Jackson."

"I as well, Valdez."

Then we walked our separate ways. Leo's help could be the perfect leverage over Chase.

It could be exactly what I need to win.

><•><

"Alright. You ready?" Leo asked me.

"Yeah."

We were sitting at a table in the lunch room, close to the wall, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. We were waiting for Chase to go to walk through the cafeteria doors that led to outside, where we usually sat.

Our plan was all set: she would open the door, and the bucket would tip, pouring freezing cold ice water all over her, leaving her drenched.

We just had to wait. There was no one else in the school that ate outside, so we weren't worried about catching the wrong victim.

Suddenly, Leo slapped my shoulder. "Bro, look." He nodded to Chase who had just walked through the doors. She made her way across the cafeteria to the doors. Then she opened it and everyone stopped.

Water poured all over her, soaking her clothes, hair, and bag. She stood there for a minute, and everyone stayed silent. She sighed. "Fucking shit." She muttered.

Then she turned around and started slowly clapping. "I must say, well played."

She was standing face to face with me and Leo, we had stood up as soon the water fell. Everyone was watching us with anticipation.

"You're lucky that I brought a new sketch book today, and that this is empty." She threw the soggy book down on the floor with a splat. "But this, is for drenching me." She grabbed the color of my shirt and slapped me across the face—hard.

"Aw." I grabbed my cheek. "Shit, man." I muttered.

"And this," she slapped Leo across the face as well. "Is for helping him drench me, you Latino elf." Leo reacted the same way that I did.

Then Chase walled out of the cafeteria, shoes squeaking, hair dripping, leaving everyone stunned.

Leo fist bumped me. "Totally worth it."

"Yeah."

><•><

I walked into detention and sat in a desk, throwing my book bag on the floor next to me.

A few minutes later, in walked Wiseass. She seemed to be wearing dry clothes. I wondered how she got them.

She threw her bag down and plopped into the seat next to me. She glared at me for a good five minutes. I could only tell because I felt her intimidating stare burning into the side of my face. I didn't dare make actual eye contact.

Then I felt something hit the side of my face. I looked over and a little paper ball hit me in the nose.

I saw Chase ripping little pieces of paper and then crumpling them up, and finally, throwing them at me. She smirked as one hit me in the eye.

I just gave her a bored expression. I decided that I needed a nap, and the sub who was watching us wouldn't care.

I put my head down on the desk and drifted off, little paper balls decorating my hair.

At the end of detention, Chase woke me up—and let me tell you, what an unpleasant surprise that was.

She poured water in my ear.

I had jumped up and struggled to get the water out of my ear. Chase just sat there, dying of laughter. Her shoulders were shaking with her head on the desk and she slammed her hand on the table as well.

When she was done with her little fit and looked up at me, she had the nerve to comment. "You drool when you sleep."

I wiped my mouth. "Thanks." I retorted, with a scowl.

"That wasn't a compliment."

"Don't give a shit." I hauled my book bag over my shoulder.

We walked to the front entrance of the school and outside.

"You suck Jackson." And with that, Annabeth through down her skateboard and rode off.

I just sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose before walking to my car. I got in and plugged the aux cord into my phone.

I've got those jetpack blues
Just like Judy
The kind that make June feel like September
I'm the last one that you'll ever
Remember

I thought about how much I didn't want to go home to Gabe, his abuse. Maybe he won't be home.

I doubt it though.

><•><

"Kid!"

I sighed as I closed the door. Of course, I could never get lucky enough. My prayers could never be answered. No matter how much I prayed, wished, or hoped for anything, it could never happen.

And so I endured that beating for as long as I could before blacking out.

•••

Author's note

Guys. I found the original version of never be so I can make everything in this story more similar to that one. And I'm sorry I haven't updated I've just been feeling a lack of motivation lately but I'll try to update more. Also things with Who Could Have Known are crazyy. The reads go up everyday and I just want to say thank you for all the support there and here. Anyways, don't forget to vote, comment, etc. thanks and love you guys!!
-bella💕