Chapter 1

It's nice to meet you… Again?

Piper Valdez POV

"So, whaddya think, Pipes? One date?" Jack Collins smirked.

"Well, no, Collins, I'm not interested in a date with you. And may I ask you that you don't call me Pipes?" I fumed, running towards the house.

"Mom! I'm home!" I slammed the door, hard. She scowled, but her eyes gave away a mischievous grin. I raised one of my eyebrows. "Something good? Like, Dad got you a bouquet of flowers?"

"He's not even here, yet, hon." But she laughed. It freaked me out.

"Who are you, and what have you done with my mother?" I threatened. She just laughed.

"Oh, it's just that my old friends moved next door. We just talked a lot, I guess I'm reminded of the old days. Oh, you don't mind if they come with us, do you? I heard that their son is the same age as you… And attending Cherlene Academy, I hear. Perhaps you know him? Jason Jackson?"

"Weird name, I'd say… But he was a bit cute… I suppose." I mumbled, hoping she hadn't heard the last part. I cleared my throat. "I don't mind if they come."

"Okay, then. You should tell them yourself. Left door. Their name is Percy and Annabeth Jackson. Just knock on the door, Piper." I peeked out the door. Good. No Collins.

I ran to the next door, and quickly knocked on it. The door flung open, showing a woman who was really pretty. A lot. "Um… Mrs. Jackson?" I asked.

Her eyes softened. "You must be Piper. Well, happy birthday! Your birthday is the same as our son's. Do you know him?"

"He's the guy I sit next to in class. Yes, I know him." I smiled. She seemed like a good woman.

"Oh, mind my manners. Do come in." She stepped aside. Her house was magnificent, wonderful… I can't describe it. Her house was filled with books, books, and books.

"Oh my gosh! You have a library!" I gasped, my eyes were probably twinkling with happiness. She laughed.

"Well, yes. I love books. Did your mother tell you I was an architect?" She smiled.

"No way! Really? What'd you build?" I wanted to be an architect, when I was young. Unfortunately, I couldn't even build my lego vault, so that went down the drain.

"…Have you ever heard about the 'Ruby Sky'?" She asked. There was no way I couldn't know it. It was a building that was infamous, even called, "The Ace Landmark of England".

"No way! You built it? Which means… Annabeth Chase?" I gasped. The figure was legendary within architects. You didn't know Annabeth Chase, you didn't know anything about it.

"That's me." Her eyes twinkled. I grasped her hands, which was probably impolite, but still.

"Oh my gosh! You were my idol! Can I have an autograph? Or a picture?" I was in hysterics. Imagine Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Miley Cyrus moving altogether right next door. That's probably how I felt.

"What's so noisy, Mom?" Jason Jackson came. "Another one of your fans?" He halted to a stop and smiled. "Hello."

"Nice to see you again." I smiled. "And happy birthday."

"Um… It's nice to meet you… Again?" He frowned. "Ah, yes. Sorry, I forgot. Piper Valdez, right?"

"Jason, Piper, can you wait for me, please? Your father will be home soon, Jason, so it'll only be a few minutes." She smiled as she went into her room.

The door opened, and a man with black hair came in, a bit exhausted from work. "How's the book coming, Dad?" Jason asked.

"Oh, splendid." He mumbled. "Hello, miss. Jason's girlfriend, I assume?"

"No, actually. My name's Piper Valdez. I heard my mother was friends with you. Um… Excuse me, but… are you an author?" I asked.

"Yes. Have you ever heard of the 'John Hewston' series?" I broke into a wide grin.

"Of course, sir."

He winked. "My work." I blinked, and then looked at Jason with awe.

"You're really lucky." I stated.

"Now, you two, let's go. Percy, you too." Mrs. Jackson came out, looking very, very stunning. A knockout, I'd say.

.

.

.

"Reyna, what are you doing?" Mrs. Jackson asked casually, while twirling her pasta.

"Oh, just writing. It's okay." Mom smiled. "I hope I can get a book published. It's been boring doing the house chores."

"Maybe I'll have to think of you as my enemy, Rey." Percy smiled.

Mom pouted. "Not likely. I'm writing about science, fool. Not fiction."

"Hmm… Wonder what Piper would've done if she were alive…" They drifted into thought. Excuse me, I'm still alive.

"Excuse me, I'm still alive. Will you stop talking like I'm dead?" I asked, exasperated. They seemed to ignore me.

"And Jason… what about Jason…" Dad mused.

"I'm alive." Jason huffed.

"Oh, we're not talking about you, sweethearts. Just your namesakes. They were brave ones…" They thought. We just rolled our eyes.