Remember Me For Centuries

Authors Note. I’m so sorry

Chapter 8

We pulled up on Half-Blood Hill about 5 minutes later. The first thing I noticed was the huge removal van parked next to the house opposite from Grovers. His house is number 7, It’s the 4th house on the left, it’s quite big with 3 bedrooms and a huge yard. Zoe lives 2 houses down and spends a lot of time with Grover. I think he secretly likes her. Ethan lives opposite Zoe, so I’m avoiding that area. I think Leo and the Stolls might live on this street too.

I parked the car in Grover’s driveway and sat there getting ready. Ok, If i’m quick maybe no one will recognise me. Annabeth opens the door and climbs out, I pull the hood up on my jumper and pull the strings making it hide my face. I quickly jump out of the car but I end up tripping over my own feet and face planting on the pavement. I hear someone across the road laugh.

I lift myself up from the pavement and look at the person. She was tall with curly black hair and brown eyes, her arms were crossed and she was looking at me with disgust. She was in high heels and a tiny dress.

“Smooth” she said, picking her nails.

“Thanks.” I shook off my hood.

“Ugh” she cried, outraged when she saw my face “You need to sort out your fashion choices.”

“Um, honey. I think you should take a long hard look at yourself in a mirror before you start handing out fashion advice.” I click my fingers and as I’m about to walk away, I hear a familiar voice.

“You just got wrecked” I turn to see Piper standing next to the girl with a massive grin on her face. What is Piper doing here? I swear she lives in the New Rome Estate (This is the posh place were all the extremely rich kids live… My dad and all my cousins live there).

Annabeth popped up behind me, its almost like she appeared from nowhere.

“Piper? What are you doing here?” Annabeth asked walking closer to her.

“Uhhhh, Uhhhh” Piper paused for a second and the nail picker, tiny dress girl interrupted.

“She’s helping us move in.” I must of looked confused because she carried on “We’re her sisters”

“You have a sister?” Annabeth asked

“She has 2 sisters” a cheerful brown haired girl said while jumping out of the removal van.

“Silena?!” Annabeth exclaimed.

Silena? Silena Gomez…?(A.N I know thats not how you spell her name, but this is Percy) Silena Beauregaaaaaaaard?! Silena Beauregard?! Silena! Beauregard! The girl who moved to Paris 5 years ago but if that is Silena that must mean…

“Drew?!” I whirled back around to stare at the nail picker.

“Uh, yeah, and who are you?” she said angrily.

“Its me Percy, what happened to you? You used to be a nerd!” I exclaimed, Drew stopped picking her nails, as her face turned a deep shade of red.

“Ha ha- how interesting” Silena burst out laughing then tried to cover it up when Drew turned to glare at her.

“I was not a nerd!” Drew practically screamed, stomping her foot.

“Hah. Don’t make me laugh.” I exclaimed “Hanging around with you and Annabeth was like sitting in a library. I didn't ever need to read because of the constant quoting! It’s probably your fault I can’t read!”

“Shut up Percy!” Annabeth cut in the conversation “At least we don’t have boxes full of ‘Nemo' merchandise.”

“No… you have boxes full of Harry Potter and Hunger Games merchandise.” I said looking at her.

“Well, Not boxes…” She grumbled under her breath. “Anyway we were talking about Drew”

“I was not a nerd!” Drew exclaimed “I just really liked Star Wars”

“Ok” I scoffed. “Whatever gets you through the day”

“Wait, Drew likes Star Wars?!” Piper laughed “Why wasn't I told this?!”

“Because I don’t like Star Wars… I liked Star Wars. There’s a difference.”
Drew told her. Silena walked up and wrapped her arm around Drew.

“Oh, my darling baby sister, wasn’t it just last week when you heard about the new Star Wars movie, and wasn’t it just last week when you squealed and begged me to go with you.” Silena said with a dramatic sigh.

“ You're mistaken” Drew growled to Silena.

“Honey” Silena sighed dramatically, turning her head towards her sister “I couldn't mistake those eyebrows”

Drew then stormed away shouting “Go screw your boyfriend” over her shoulder.

Silena starting skipping towards me “Gladly” she shouted towards her sister just after the front door slammed.

“How’s Charlie?” She asked eagerly “I haven’t spoken to him in a few days”

“Ugh… Great to see you too Silena. Oh I’m great. Thanks, I have gotten taller. Your looking pretty good yourself.”

“Oh, Shut up.” She said with a smirk, giving me a hug. “Now, tell me how Charlie is.”

“I don’t know. We haven’t really talked since he graduated. We’ve just been so busy.” I said scratching my neck.

Charles Beckendorf (goes by the name Beckendorf or Beck unless your Silena and then it’s Charlie) is a few years older than us. Beck graduated at the end of last semester and I haven’t seen him since the summer. I text him every now and again but I’ve been so busy and so has he. He works at Hephaestus’ Motor Repairs. Hephaestus is Leo Valdez’ father. Silena and Beck started dating in Silena’s 7th grade, Becks 8th and have been together ever since. Silena moved to Paris a year later and they mastered the long distance relationship. They call or Skype each other at least 3 times a week and every summer (and sometimes Christmas) Silena’s mom pays for Beck to get a flight over to Paris.

Silena was about to say something when Annabeth and Piper came up behind her.

“I spoke to Beck a few days ago, he seemed fine. He didn't mention anything about you moving back though.” Annabeth said while giving Silena a hug.

“That’s because he doesn’t know.” Silena said with a mischievous smile “It’s a surprise”

“Well, I was surprised.” I told her. “It works”

Silena shook her head at me.

“Still the same old Percy I see” she chuckled “Except taller… and hotter”

I blushed and looked down at the floor scratching the back of my neck.

“Ugh… yeah. Same to you too…” I mumbled feeling extremely awkward. Annabeth and Piper were laughing at me while Silena gave me a pitying look

“I’m teasing you, Percy”

“Ugh, yeah” I coughed “I knew that.”

“Anyway how’s your mom doing? And little Tyson?”

“Yeah, they’re fine. Ty’s got a new friend, Ella. She goes to the same school as him.”

“Good” She said with a smile, that smile then turned into concern as she seemed to remember something “How about that whole thing with L…”

“Fine. It’s fine now.” I cut her off, Silena nodded her head not looking convinced. Annabeth gave us both a curious look but didn't say anything. Piper looked confused as well.

“Anyway” I said turning to Piper “Why didn’t you tell us about your Mom?”

“I just didn't think to mention it” She answered

“Your Mom is Aphrodite. Ex-Supermodel and the founder and CEO of the worlds biggest dating website. You didn’t think to mention this? At all?” I asked

“Not really I mean… I don’t live with my mom. I don’t ever really speak to her, since her and my dad split up.”

“She’s embarrassed of our mom” Silena told us.

“I’m not embarrassed” Piper defended “I just… don’t see eye to eye with her.”

“No need to get touchy” Silena chuckled “I love my mom but honestly… she’s far too dramatic. Last year she found out that when her and my dad were together, he got another girl pregnant… Lets just say me and my sister will be the last kids he’s ever having.”

I flinched and squeezed my legs together. That poor guy didn't know what hit him…

“So, you have another sister?” Annabeth asked

“Ugh yeah, It’s kind of complicated though… Her name’s Clarisse La Rue. Her mom was about 18 when my dad got her pregnant, she died while giving birth. When people got in contact with my dad asking if the child was his, he denied it. Clarisse was put into the care system because her grandparents didn't take her in… that’s about as much as I know. ”

“How did mom find out?” Piper asked, this was obviously news to her aswell.

“Her and my dad have been on and off for years. He admitted it too her the last time they saw each other” Silena said with a sigh. “Enough about my family drama. How’s your mother Annabeth?”

“Fine… the same as always”

“I’m guessing she still hates Percy then?”

“Yup, more than ever” she said with a chuckle. That’s when Grovers door swung open.

“Hey” Grover said trotting towards us “I see you’ve already worked out who’s moved in”

“Uh, no. Who?” I snorted sarcastically. Grover just ignored me and continued talking.

“Anyway Percy. I was talking to Coach Hedge the other day and…”

“Wait, why were you talking to Coach?”

“I was, uh, giving him a note” Grover said, looking extremely shady. I dropped it. “Anyway he told me to tell you that swim tryouts are tomorrow after school.”

“Uh, ok” I said “I’ll think about it”

“Perseus Jackson, If you don’t try out, you’ll be going down the same route as Silena’s dad” Annabeth threatened, I couldn’t tell if she was serious or not. I decided not to test it.

“Ok” I squeaked. Grover nodded towards his house indicating for us to follow. In the corner of my eye I saw Piper and Silena giving each other a look. Then I heard someone cough

“Percabeth”

—————————————————————————————————————

I didn’t really want to be on the swim team anyway. Stupid swimming. Stupid captain and his stupid friend. Stupid Luke. Let me explain.

I went to the tryouts on Monday, pumped. Annabeth had been telling me all day how ‘I would surely make the team this year’ and how ‘I’m the fastest swimmer she’s ever seen’. Annabeth’s obviously a compulsive liar. Everyone came to watch me, the whole gang including Silena, Drew, Beckendorf even Jason and his friends were there. Granted they were only there because Thalia was their ride.

I went to the tryouts feeling extremely confident until I got to the pool. The stands were filled, I could see all of my friends, they started to cheer when they saw me, and I suddenly felt very aware that I was only wearing shorts. I looked around at my competition. They were all muscly and fit with six packs and stuff. Compared to them I looked like a scrawny parrot… and I’m quite proud of my body. I’m not, not muscly. I mean I’m fairly…toned? Is that the word? Anyway I looked like a rat. There was about 15 guys including Ethan Nakumura and Alabaster Torrington, another one of Luke’s gang, I think he’s on the Football team. Luke stood at the other end of the pool talking to Coach Hedge, until Coach turned to us.

“Alright Cupcakes! It’s time for you to show us what you’ve got! Luke here!” he shrugged towards Luke, who had a smug look on his face. “Has given me an idea. We’re going to have a series of races the winner of each race will make the team!”

I heard everyone else groan. They were obviously as nervous as me. I looked for my friends in the stands, They all gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

“Ok, listen up Cupcakes! When I call your name step up, shake your opponents hand and get ready to go! Understood?” We all nodded “First up Alabaster Torrington and…” Coach listed off name after name, most of which I hardly recognised. I was last on the list

“Percy Jackson and Ethan Nakamura.”

Great. Just great. My confidence had completely left me by now. I stepped up to the edge of the pool and shook his hand. I could hear everyone cheering. My friends shouting my name. Ethan gave me a tiny smirk and looked me up and down.

“Good luck” he whispered in a way that made me want to strangle him right there and then… but I knew that would be frowned upon. Even by Coach Hedge. So I decided on

“You too”

I climbed up onto the platform, closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I focused on my breathing drowning out all of the cheering. I looked up into the crowd and saw Thalia. She looked me with determination in her eyes and mouthed

‘Win’

I smiled at Thalia and looked at Annabeth, my concentration stopped. Luke was now sat next to Annabeth, she was turned away from me and seemingly in a deep conversation with him. He saw me over her shoulder and grinned. He knew exactly what he was doing. I was about to turn away and try and get back into my little zone but the horn went. I had no time. Ethan was already in the pool, so I jumped in. I tried as hard as I could but I just couldn't get into it. I couldn’t catch up to Ethan. So I lost. I didn’t make the team. I jumped out of the pool at the end of the race and walked over to where I left my towel.

“Hey Jackson” I heard a condescending voice, Ethan. “Better luck next time.”

I looked over at my friends and Luke to see them all walking towards me. When they got closer Luke and Annabeth walked towards Ethan. What is she doing? Luke gave Ethan a ‘manly’ hug and a pat on the back. Annabeth just kind of stood there awkwardly with her arms crossed.

I turned away from them when I felt a pat on my shoulder. Frank was stood there.

“Better luck next time, man” Everyone said chorused with a yeah or a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, except Drew. She walked up to me ands slipped her hand over my bare shoulder and another arm around my waist, pulled me into this extremely awkward hug and seductively whispered.

“You really do need to sort out your fashion choices”

She disentangled herself slowly and looked over my shoulder with a raised eyebrow. I stood there flustered.

“Oh OK” I mutter. I shook myself out of my daze and looked over at Annabeth. She looked furious, her eyes glaring daggers at Drew. Luke looked at me with that condescending smirk and wrapped his arm around Annabeth’s shoulder while walking towards us.

“Good job today Percy” Luke said, Ethan reached across to shake my hand. I didn’t take it. “Well, thats un-sportsman like. Come on Percy” He slapped my shoulder “We’re all friends here”

I reached over and took Ethan’s, still outstretched, hand.

“Well done” I said through gritted teeth.

“Right, I’m off”Luke announced after a moment of silence “Coming Annabeth? My dad would love to see you…”

“Uh, sure. Why not?” She said, she started walking past me but stopped at said “We’ll talk later, ok?”

“Yeah.” I muttered as she walked off. Ethan barged me in the shoulder as he walked past and Luke leaned down and whispered

“Can’t seem to do anything right. Can you… Seaweed Brain?”

Then he just walked away.
I grabbed my t-shirt and bag. Thalia tried to stop me from leaving by holding my
bag.

“Don’t let him get to you Percy”

“I’m not” I said as I shook her off and stormed away to my car.

The drive back home was silent. I hate driving alone, with no passenger. I hate driving without Annabeth. I got home that night, walked up the stairs of my building to my apartment. Walked in the front door. No one greeted me. I walked into the kitchen. No one was there but I heard voices in the living room.

My mom was sat on he floor with Tyson while he played with building blocks, Gabe was sat on his armchair watching the TV. Every now and again Ty would knock down his tower of blocks and my mom would say ‘Oh no’, Ty would laugh and start building again. Gabe, even though he was just sat watching TV with a beer in his hand, actually had a small smile on his face. I stood in the doorway watching the little family. The little family that I wasn’t apart of, no matter how hard I tried, or how much I wish I was sometimes. No matter how much I hate Gabe, sometimes I still wish he was my father just so I’d feel included.

I walked right back out of the apartment, right back down to my car and drove. I drove to Thalia’s house. The only house were I felt, reasonably, welcome.

Notes