Exceptions

AN: Okay, so I've had this idea in my mind for forever, and I really really wanted to write this because I don't think someone has written over this topic yet. I think it'll be really fun to write this story. So enjoy, tell me if it's good and whatnot- ShyGal

Percy

September 4th. Merely a week after school started. That was the day that everything changed. For two years straight, I was captain. Two years. You know that feeling you get when you've worked so hard for something and then someone comes in and just steps on your dreams, threatening everything you've worked so hard for? Well if you haven't, lucky you because that's what was happening at this exact moment. I remember every detail of the horrid day she walked through the doors of Goode High School.

She was blonde, 5'4, and tan with piercing gray eyes. Her hair was messily fixed into some type of braid, falling over her left shoulder. She dressed like she didn't care. A black cardigan was thrown over a blood red shirt. Her shorts reached her mid-thigh and her black converse were worn out and scratched. She was admittedly attractive. In fact, when she walked into the classroom during third period that day, even the guys in committed relationships couldn't help but stare. Her bag was slung over her shoulder in a way that suggested she didn't care about anything, but trust me, that first impression could not have been more wrong.

She was intelligent, that's for sure. And in the one day that I saw her, I knew she cared about something. Her grades. It was obvious she was one of those straight A students set on reaching some stereotypical dream of becoming the valedictorian and going to Harvard.

I didn't know she cared about something else until I saw her that afternoon. The afternoon of September 4th. We were all lined up by the pool. Goggles on our faces, swim trunks secure. It was the day of the swim tryouts. This day would set the swim team until next year. This day would also determine who would be the new swim captain. May I remind you, two years.

In the beginning, things were going smoothly. Rookies waddled in the water, intermediates swam smoothly, and the more advanced people… Well let's just say they toughened up the competition. I was basically always guaranteed a spot on the swim team. I'd been training for this sport since I was in diapers, so I was extremely experienced. It was basically over. Everyone had done their laps and proven, or disproved themselves.

And then she walked in. More like ran in if I'm being honest. A pair of goggles hung loosely around her neck, a towel was draped around her shoulder, and she wore a blue Speedo brand swimsuit. All eyes were on her. She couldn't possibly be trying out, you say. Well if you happened to say that, sorry to tell you that you're wrong. It's been years since a girl tried out for the school swim team at Goode.

Everyone watched as she talked to the coach rapidly, probably coming up with some excuse as to why she was late. Her long tan legs were now fully exposed because of her swimsuit, and I didn't have to be a genius to know that the guys were ogling her lovely… assets. After a brief discussion, the coach agreed to let her try out.

Everyone watched as she neared the pool. And she dived. I looked around me as jaws dropped. She was amazing. Her strokes were smooth, no sporadic movements… She was gliding through the water. As she stepped out of the pool, she shook her hair out of her swim cap. Coach Hedge walked up to her and hey discussed who knows what for a minute. That's when he called me down. That's when I heard the worst news of my life.

And that's why today, September 5th, the whole team-that was selected anyway- were staying after school to watch us swim. Because today was the day where the captain would be selected. Today was the day that my position as captain was being threatened by some girl who couldn't pull her head out of a book long enough to carry a conversation with someone because Coach thought it was a good idea. I snapped out of my thoughts as one of my friends, Leo walked over to me.

"Dude, you've been glaring at her since you got in here. Calm down, there's no way she's going to beat you." I turned to him feeling my anger building inside of me. "You didn't see her Friday. She was incredible, amazing, she moved so gracefully through the water… I hate her." He chuckled. "She's… something else, Perce. I think I might pass out if I see the water glistening off her skin…" I slapped him.

"Leo, mental image… This is my competition, not a girl I'm interested in."

"Oh come on. You have to admit she's incredibly hot."

"She's competition."

"Look at those hips.."

"She's a threat."

"Her legs are just… wow."

"Leo will you shut up? I'm trying to get captain not a boner!" He snickered. On the other side of the room, the new girl- I didn't bother learning her name, I was too focused on practicing- was conversing with my cousin Thalia. At some points she even looked at me through the conversation. Obviously they were talking about me.

"Alright! Jackson! Chase! Front and center!" We met at the edge of the pool. We stared at each other, and I swear I saw something like determination set in her scintillating eyes. "Alright you two, this is how this'll go down. You'll each do a 100-meter freestyle, then display your butterfly and breaststrokes. Whoever has the best time and or movements wins the position of Captain. Good luck, Cupcakes."

I went first of course. I'd been working so hard over the last couple days for this and I really hope it pays off. Now all that was left was her. Once again, her movements were smooth, nothing was out of place. It was gonna be close.

"Dude you were right…She's… wow… you just might be screwed Perce." Leo commented as we watched her final stroke. I glared at him. "Not helping." I sulked until she was done, and when she was, I hated her for it. I met her at the center of the swimming floor and tossed her a towel, avoiding her yes at the same time. Ugh. I wanted to just push her in the pool.

"Wow. You guys. Wow. That was extremely close." I licked my lips waiting for the answer I'd been waiting for from Coach. "You." He turned to me. "Your freestyle was great, as always, but hers was faster." I could feel a scowl setting on my face. "But, your butterfly stroke was faster than hers even though she moved more swiftly. As for the breast stroke… They were exact. Exact time and very similar movements. It was almost impossible to discern who was who in the pool. This is… a lot harder than I expected." He turned to her. "You did great by the way. No one has every even been close to his level of swimming."

She nodded glancing at me quickly. "Okay. I know what I'm going to do." He turned to the bleachers where the team and some others were sitting. "Cupcakes! The decision has been made! After a long debate with myself of 2 minutes, I've decided who will lead the team. Both members standing here will lead this team. They will be Co-Captains. Does anyone disagree? Because if you do, expect ten extra laps around the pool next practice." No one spoke, not even crickets could be heard.

Co-Captains? Co-Captains? This is an outrage! By the look on her face, Annabeth was just as displeased as I was about the whole situation. She turned to me and held her hand out for me which I not so willingly took.

"Annabeth Chase."

"Percy Jackson." She looked me up and down, attempting to analyze my whole being.

"Look. I'm not very happy about this either. But what's done is done. We'll have to deal with it." I scoffed "Deal with it? Sweetie, I've been leading this team for two years straight. I don't take orders from a girl." Her eyes narrowed. Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say. I was acting out of anger, I didn't really even know what I was saying.

"A girl? What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means a girl can't lead a guy dominant sport."

"A guy dominant sport? Is there seaweed in your brain? Olympic-synchronized swimming is a female dominant sport, and even if it wasn't, a girl is capable of doing anything a guy can do." I scoffed.

"Oh you think you're so wise? Well we're not talking about Olympic swimming, we're talking about Goode swimming, and here, it's a guy dominant sport. And really? You think a girl is capable of doing anything a guy can do? Come back to me when you can take a piss standing up." At this point, Coach Hedge had left and a small crowd was starting to gather around us.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. No girl is gonna come in here and tell me what to do."

"You're a sexist pig! How can people like you, I've been here for less than a week and I already know you're an ass!" Ooh's erupted everywhere and I was trying hard to keep my temper under control.

"Oh get over yourself!"

"Just because I don't have a dick doesn't mean I can't kick your ass in the water! And if I did have a dick, let me tell you that I'd use it way better than you use yours right now. If you even have one."

"Are you saying I'm a player? I am not a player!"

"Well if your relationship tactics are anything like your disgusting attitude, then maybe so."

"That doesn't even make any sense!"

"Says the guy who said that there are more men than women involved in professional swimming! How many living brain cells do you have in you head?"

"Bitch!"

"Asshole!"

"I'm done here!"

"So am I!"

"Good!"

"Good!'

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

I pushed through the crowd in a fury. I wish she would just go away! Maybe I'm not the smartest person out there, but how would she know, we've known each other for 2 days! That was a complete assumption on her part! Ugh. Co-Captains my ass.

AN: So? How was it? I love the idea of Annabeth being a threat to Percy's skill. Tell me what you think, review review review! Until next time!- ShyGal