Percy

Look, I never wanted to be a competitive figure skater. It just kind of happened. My mom needed to find something for me to take my energy out on when I was little, so she took me ice skating a few times. Then little me saw the people in the middle of the rink, training. They were spinning around and jumping and it looked really awesome. So I begged my mom to get me into a skating club and before I knew it, I was being coached by one of my dad's old friends. As it turned out, I was kind of a natural. So, at 5 years old, I became my coach Chiron's biggest hope for competitions. Now, at 17, I'm hoping to make a career in figure skating and my whole future depends on the next competition season.

Every day I wake up at 5am and head to the rink for my morning practice. Today I'm practicing my long program in full for the first time. I'm both nervous and excited. Generally, I pick up choreography very fast and my musicality isn't too bad. I have some problems with my jumps, sometimes. But my biggest problem is distraction. My mom watches me practice sometimes, which is distracting. Even at competitions I sometimes get distracted by the crowd. My biggest distraction, however, is right there on the ice with me. Annabeth.

Annabeth has been skating at the same rink as me since before I even started there. I think she didn't like me when I started out because I kind of overshadowed her, but by now we're good friends. Lately, we've been getting into some pretty dumb fights, though. We have this mutual friend called Luke (he also trains at our rink, but he's a pair skater with his partner, Thalia) and I think Annabeth likes him. In the more-than-a-friend way. That's fine and all, but I just don't think Luke likes her back. He's also a bit older than her and I really wouldn't want Annabeth to get hurt. I would never say that to her, because she would punch me, for sure. She knows what she wants and I have no say in that.
-

I was just lacing up my skates when Annabeth sat down next to me on the bench. "Morning, Percy," she sighed. I looked up at her. She looked more dishevelled than usual. "Hey Anni, not much sleep last night?" I asked.
"Nah, my dad was up late, working, so my stepmom was nagging at me over dinner. She kept asking me what my plan was for college and I kept telling her that I'm focussing on skating right now and she really didn't get it. Again." She shook her head as if that was just a fact of life tat couldn't be helped. I knew that for her, this was true. She was 17, like me, and couldn't afford to move out from her dad's place. Even though it would probably have helped her with her focus on skating.
"That sucks. Is she coming this weekend?"
"No. My brother has a football tournament and she won't miss that for one of my competitions." She didn't sound that disappointed. Relations between Annabeth and her stepmom had always been tense.
"Maybe it's for the best. Less people to distract you, right?"
"I guess. As long as you guys are there, I'll be fine." She smiled at me. I was grinning back at her. I had almost finished lacing my boots but checked the nots again.
"I better get warmed up, Chiron won't let me off the hook if I'm not in top shape this week. See you on the ice," she said, getting up and stretching as if she had just woken up.
"You show him how top your shape is!" I called after her. I immediately regretted it. But when she laughed, I felt alright about it.

-

"You're late. You'll do extra off-ice tomorrow." Was the greeting my coach, Chiron, threw at me when I skated up to him.
"Good to see you too." I mumbled.
"Actually, Percy, I need to talk to you. This competition season is very important for you. But it's also important for Annabeth. I thought, since you had such a great run choreographing your new program with Grover, maybe you'd like to be coached by him a few times a week." My mouth fell open. Was my coach dumping me? I mean, Grover is awesome. He's Chiron's assistant coach and does most of our choreographies, but he's never coached me.
"Uhm, Grover's great and all… but… why?" I asked Chiron, rubbing my neck.
"To be honest with you, I think you've got this Percy. I think you're skating better than ever before, you've really put in the work this season, and if you focus, you've got the competition in the bag. Annabeth however…"
"Annabeth's a great skater!" I cut in.
"That she is. I know that. And I need her to believe it, as well. She's got a lot going on and she's less focused than I've ever seen her. But I want her to win. I know she can do it and I know she can go pro, but this is the time for her to step up. I think you're more ready for that than her." Chiron put his hand on my shoulder. I was confused, but I wanted what was best for me and Annabeth.
"Percy, I'll see you both to a professional skating career, I promise. So please trust me. Grover will help you and make your skating more artistic. And I'll still be here. If you need anything, you can always come talk to me."

I nodded. "Okay." I'd try it out.
Chiron clapped me on the back.
"Perfect! I'll get Grover for you tomorrow. Now warm up for the long."