Chp1

Mark P.O.V

I stuffed my books in my locker, and took a deep breath to calm myself down. Today was the day I was going to ask out Annabeth Chase, the smart and funny girl who just so happened to be my best friend. Hopefully, now she'll be more than that.

I'm Mark Well. I have light brown hair and brown eyes, and I'm not like the jocks who just crush on Annabeth for her looks. I like her for what she is, and she likes me back. I can tell from the way she looks at me.

Anyways, it was the start of school, and I was waiting for Annabeth to show up. I would walk her to her homeroom (which was the same as mine) and ask her if she'd want to go to her favorite author's book signing event after our study date on Saturday. She'd say yes. Boom.

It didn't turn out that way.

When she came to school (uncharacteristically late) she seemed way happier than normal. When I asked her about it, she just shrugged and said,'' No difference.". but she had arrived just a few minutes before bell, and that made us only just on time.

"So, Annabeth, are you free on Saturday, after the study date? I was- "I started, when we were just in front of the door, but then she cut me off.

''Um, we are really late, and I have to read over my notes for the test, so talk to you later." She rushed away making me get just some small, and I mean miniscule, doubts. I didn't share any classes with her, and I didn't see her at lunch, either. I decided that she probably anticipated what I was going to ask her, and now was planning how to respond, act at the date, etc etc. She was always planning. For every little thing. I found that cute.

Finally, at dispersal, I found her. She was waiting in the pick up area, her foot tapping anxiously- that was her ADHD kicking in. See, I know her better than most. You could hardly tell she had ADHD from the way she concentrated in class. I headed towards her confidently. Just then, a van labeled Delphi Strawberry Fields came in. Annabeth didn't notice it. Not that it mattered. The van door opened, and I expected a guy in white overalls to hop out. Instead, a punk girl stepped out. She was pretty, sure, but nothing compared to Annabeth. She had short, spiky black hair and electric blue eyes. From the shotgun seat, an emo kid climbed out. I shivered. He looked creepy, with pale skin and sunken eyes.

Out of the back of the van, four kids popped out. The first was a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes, similar to punk girl, so I guess they were related. The next was a beautiful girl, with choppy hair and eyes that seemed to change color. Then an elfish guy with curly hair came out. The last kid hopped out. I'll admit it, he was good looking. He had black hair and sea- green eyes, and he seemed to be looking for someone. The punk girl called, "There she is!" and they all started walking towards … Annabeth? No way. These people looked like people who fought for fun. Annabeth won't get involved with them.

These people were definitely targeting Annabeth. It looked like I would have to be her knight in shining armor. I focused on that as I walked up to Annabeth, hoping that these people won't fight with witnesses around. "Uh, Annabeth, would you like to go- "I said, hoping to distract her, but she was only paying half attention. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and a moment later, sea-green eyes came and kissed Annabeth. My Annabeth. I felt anger boiling up inside of me, but I let it slide. The poor guy was about to find out what Annabeth did to anyone who dared touch her. But to my shock, she kissed him back.

''Uh, who are you?'' I questioned after overcoming my initial shock.

''Hi, I'm Percy Jackson.'' The guy said warmly, holding out his hand for me to shake. I didn't take it. Percy frowned.

''Okay…'' I said. "How do you know Annabeth here?''

She laughed, her beautiful, tinkling laugh. "Percy, here,'' she said, ''is my boyfriend.''

I gaped at her. Boyfriend?

''Care to introduce us, Annie?'' Percy said teasingly.

"How many times have I had to tell you not to call me Annie!'' she said back, punching him. He didn't even flinch, so it must not have been too hard. Believe me, Annabeth can pack a punch.

"You already know Seaweed Brain over here,'' she gestured to Percy, who pouted at the nickname. I was appalled. He was behaving like a five-year-old. How could Annabeth, one of the most mature people I knew, be with someone like him?
''And that's Thalia,'' so Thalia was the punk girl.

''And Nico.'' Nico was the emo guy.

''Blondie here is Jason,'' Percy cut in.

''I'll pretend you didn't call me that,'' Jason muttered.

''This is Piper,'' color changing eyes,

''And this is- '' Annabeth started, cut off by-

''LEO VALDEZ, SUPER SIZED MCSHIZZLE, BAD BOY SUPREME! YEAH! INVENTOR OF THE VALDEZINATER! '' elf guy interrupted. Did these guys have absolutely no manners at all? I was having a very hard time believing that Annabeth would willingly hang out with these people. Maybe they blackmailed her? If so, I had to save her.

Annabeth sighed, probably sick of these people. ''And guys, this is Mark, one of my friends''

I was slightly hurt by this, as I thought I was her best friend. Not just 'one of my friends'. I even was trying to figure out how to get her away from these people!

''Okay then, Mark, see you on Saturday!'' Oh, right, I forgot. Our study date.

''Ok.'' I replied, because I couldn't just ask her out in front of her boyfriend. So I came up with a plan to do the only thing I could do.

A plan to break them up.