It's a bird! No, it's a plane!

It's. . . An update?

Wow. . . Didn't see that one coming.

Well everyone. . . For some strange reason, you all really want me to finish myself. I don't understand why exactly. . . But nevertheless, I am extordinarily thankful for all of you fabulous readers. You are all just so amazing, and are a big part of my life. I read every single one of your reviews, and they nearly always leaving me grinning ear-to-ear. Thank you so much.

You all are so supporting and amazing, but one review in particular gave me the biggest grin ever. AugustSummer, thank you so much. This chapter is dedicated to you.

I'd also like to give a speshal (yes, speshal) shout-out to Mackenzielifebl, one of my closest friends on this site. Thanks for your support, girl!

And. . . LILYPAD5TH IS CONTINUING TRUST! THE WORLD IS NOT COMING TO AN END!

And UGH I can't wait for my birthday (in fourteen days *whoop whoop!*)! I feel so freaking small 'cuz all of my friends are already teenagers and I'm sitting her stuck at twelve. *Pouty face* I can't believe it's been like, a year (19 more days) since I've started this story, and I only have eleven chapters. . .

That's. . . terrible.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. I am not a dude. My name is not Rick Riordan. And Nico is not my boyfriend. Therefore, I do not own Percy Jackon.

Anyways, without further ado. . .

I stalked out the church as soon as the bell sounded. Chin held high and a vice grip on Rachel's wrist, I dragged her behind me, not noticing (or caring, for the matter) that she was guffawing at me and trying to claim her wrist.

"Annabeth, you do not have to drag me around! I'm not a dog," she said, clearly exasperated.

"Sweetheart, I know you're not Percy, but I'd like to get out befo-"

A throat cleared behind us, and I froze, mid-stride.

"Annabeth-stay. Rachel, go to class," Mr. Bae said. I sighed, grinding my teeth but keeping my glare between me and the floor. I released Rachel's wrist and made my way up the small stage, not before catching the flirty-wave-thingy she had going on as Percy passed her by. I rolled my eyes. People can be so biased with pop-stars.

It was bias. . . Right?

Never mind.

"Yes, Mr. Bae?" I asked through a sigh as I stood at the bottom of the platform. Mr. Bae motioned me over with his forefinger as he sat on the small wooden stool by the marble pedestal. When I was two feet in front of him and his finger didn't stop twitching, I moved to the point my face was a mere three inches from his.

His lips moved to my ear and his warm breath sent a chill down my spine. "I know who you are."

I froze.

Just like that, a sort-of-good-day turned into I-feel-like-puking-my-intestines.

My breath hitched and I jumped away from a smug-looking Mr. Bae.

When worst comes to worst, stay in denial. Deny everything. Don't tell your teacher you didn't do your homework, don't tell your mom you skipped class, don't tell your Theater Teacher you're secretly a pop star, and don't tell your brother you ate the last chocolate Pop-Tart.

I slid on a hard, plaintive mask.

"Come again?"

Then he laughed.

Again.

Gods, that's starting to get irritating.

"Please, Jez. Your disguise isn't exactly working too great. Not on me. Lucky for you the entire school doesn't have a son that's obsessed with Jez Falcon. I swear, Jack has more pictures of you than the paparazzi do. He's bought ever single one of your albums, and according to his sister, he nearly passed out at your last concert. He knows more about you than you do. I think I know what I'm talking about. Did I make myself clear this time around?" He finished in a breath, eyebrow cocked.

I was thoroughly shocked. Shocking Annabeth Chase -Jez Falcon- into speechlessness meant you accomplished something in life. Kudos to you, broski.

Mr. Bae grinned.

I swear to the gods of Olympus, if he laughs one more time-

"Don't worry, Chase. I won't tell anyone. But good luck keeping it from everybody at the talent show- the one your so bent on beating Perseus Jackson in."

With that, he mysteriously -overdramatically, as I would put it- backed out of the room, eyes wide as he did the same frilly-finger-thing he'd done earlier.

Well, this is just peachy. I don't know how much more awesome my day could get.

Pursing my lips and blowing my cheeks, I tugged my bag higher on my shoulder and strolled towards the exit, pushing one of the double doors open as I wafted through the intruding students.

Shoulders bumped me, arms shoved past me, feet near just tripped me, the latter having a certain ring to it that didn't make it sound exactly tempting. I hugged close to a column and waited for the halls to clear up enough to prowl through.

This was certainly a big change from the life I was used to, where people were kissing my feet instead of trying to trip them. But this was what I wanted, and I still have no regrets. May the gods bless Thalia and her way of having a brain at random spontaneous moments.

I bit my lip albeit nervously and began maneuvering through the slowly evaporating crowd of killer teens.

Once I was finally able to approach my locker without people running into me (or I into anyone, while we're on the subject), I scrolled through the digits and tugged it open with a click. Shuffling through my stuff and doing away with what I didn't need (which was most of it), I shut it closed and double-checked the triple-check of my schedule to make sure I was headed for the gym before falling flat on my face.

"How does the floor taste, wench?" a sickly sweet voice sneered. I peered upward and clambered back to my feet, picking up what little dignity I still had (most of it was left on the floor) and held my head high.

"I wouldn't know. You tell me."

She scoffed. "How would I know?"

I narrowed my eyes and stared her dead face, leaning in a bit. "Well, I kinda figured. There was all this dirt covering your -nope. Never mind, it's just your face."

She gasped that dramatic-girl gasp and clenched her manicured hands into a fist to where her knuckles put shame to Snow White's skin. I slid my mask back on.

Drew threw a fist aimed at my face, but I quickly caught it in my hand. My face didn't waver, as I kept the mask in-check. "Well that wasn't very smart. You might break a nail," I said plainly, staring her down. She squirmed under my gaze, trying to wrench her fist free, but my grip only got tighter.

"Jakie!" she squealed. It was then I noticed the big burly-guy she'd been hugged up on in the parking lot was standing a good four feet behind her. Ah, the cliché 'it' couple with the anorexic girl that shows more butt than shorts, and the huge jock captain-of-the-football-team guy that everyone wonders how he managed to get to the grade level he was in.

I sighed.

Drew glared daggers at me. "Jake's not afraid to hit a girl. You'd better scurry along now you-"

"Oh, I'd hope he would. I have no problem with that," I said, "but I have to say I'm a bit disappointed miss sl*t over here won't be fighting herself." I chuckled in a way that probably perturbed her a bit.

Be afraid. Very afraid.

Jake cracked his knuckles and took a menacing -or, what was probably supposed to be menacing- step towards us, glaring a cold stare in my direction.

I smiled sweetly and gave him the 'flirty wave' with my free hand, but even Aphrodite would be able to see through to the sickly part of it.

Correction; I believe we've found someone dumber than Aphrodite.

Holy mother of Poseidon's Little Mermaid panties, I need a gun. The zombies must be coming.

The look had obviously both startled and confused him. Letting my grin drop and my eyes role a bit, I let go of Drew's fist and turned to her boyfriend. Drew gladly cowered behind him as soon as she was free, examining her hand as if it were a fragile bit of glass that would shatter with a single wrong move.

"You can't beat something you can't touch, so I suggest you go ahead and put that away," I said, pursing my lips and pointing to his fist. His crystal blue eyes faded two shades darker as he clenched his hands by his sides, fuming. Watch, in a second his hair was gonna catch fire and smoke would start pouring out his ears. I was debating whether he would be best for Ares or Hephaestus.

I pondered this for a moment.

Yup, Ares.

Look out, Aphrodite. Looks like you've got some competition.

Drew just stood there with a smirk that I wanted nothing more than to slap off of her cake face.

Grinding my teeth, I held my fist ready as Jake charged at me.

Just as I was about to unleash The Power, however, someone spoke up and held me back. A firm hand wrenched my wrist away and tugged me out of the direction of the train headed straight for me.

"Woah, blondie," a familiar voice chastised. "Don't start something you can't finish."

I would have turned to retort had the person's voice not poked around my brain. Where had I heard it before. . .

Slowly, I turned to be greeted with brown curly hair, crutches, and a sly grin that transformed into a confused gaze.

"Annabeth?" he asked, confusion turning to surprise and utter relief. I grinned.

"Something I can't 'finish? Come on, you know me better, Grover."

Aww, friendly reunion xD so now I've pulled Grover into the mix. Sorry, couldn't resist. How many of you started squealing?

Also, that Jack person is gonna come it a bit later in the story, so keep an eye out for that. . .

So, yes, I am back in business. Hopefully the next update will come before the usual two-and-a-half-months-or-longer deadline. You have no idea how bad I feel about that, BTW.

AN - 335 words

Story - 1430 words

Altogether: 1765

Thank you guys so very much. I love you all.

~Saranghae naui jag-eun yong~

MusicisBeAsT