PIPER POV

"I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU SET UP PERCY AND ANNABETH AND DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME!"

Thalia physically winced at my loud whisper and looked a little guilty. As she filled me in on the scheme, I have to admit, I was simultaneously impressed, scared and a little concerned at the kinds of evil schemes Thalia's mind comes up with. Man, I better watch out for that girl. I would not want to get on her bad side.

After history class, I made my way P.E. with Leo, as we laughed about the way Mr. Weinberger had said the word "mischievous" at least ten times.

"You kids are just so miss-CHEEE-vious, passing your little notes and giggling behind my back, but I see it ALL you know. I know what miss-CHEE-vious deeds you all get up to." Leo did his best nasal voice in an attempt to impersonate their comedic history teacher, while I laughed uncontrollably, accidentally bumping into at least two people in my fit of laughter.

We turned a corner and with my beaming smile on my face and laughter just barely fading, I came face to face with a pair of electric blue eyes. Eyes that did not belong to a dark-haired, female friend of mine, but a blond, very male, err... what were we? Friends? Acquaintances? People with amazing chemistry who need to get together as soon as possible even if that meant being kidnapped, sedated and locked in a dark closet together? (Okay so that voice sounded FREAKISHLY like Thalia… I'm worried for my own sanity now).

"Hey Jason!" Leo sounded happy to see his friend, though a bit guarded, as if he didn't want to get his hopes up that Jason wouldn't ditch him again for his new popular friends. Luckily, Jason didn't seem to be going anywhere, as his eyes locked with mine and he said softly, "Hey."

Leo, finally noticing our crazy eye contact, looked between the two of us, but didn't say anything other than "Maybe we should start walking to P.E.?" Oh yeah, I had forgotten Jason was in that class with us. Honestly though, how could I have possibly forgotten considering how AMAAAAZING he looked in those gym shorts!? They seriously need to start making the boys' gym uniforms as ugly as the girls', or I would have a heart attack one of these days, and not from the physical exercise.

"Huh?" I said, looking up and finding both of the boys looking at me expectantly. Brilliant, Piper, just grunt at them and look like an idiot why don't you?!

Jason laughed and ran a hand through his hair. My eyes followed his hand as it ran through the silky golden strands.

"I asked if you were liking it here and if you miss your old school," Jason said, smirking at me lightly, "but I guess you were too busy daydreaming to hear."

"Yeah, don't take the daydreaming to personally, I just zone out sometimes." Especially when I'm thinking about how good you look in gym shorts… "BUT, to answer your questions, yes, I am loving it here, especially because of the people," At this, I smiled brightly at both Jason and Leo. "And I don't miss my old school at all. Definitely not the people at least..."

When we made it to gym class, we were informed that we would be splitting into teams for dodgeball. Naturally, the gym teacher just had to make Percy and Jason the two captains. They smirked at each other as they took their places to begin choosing. After a couple of rounds of picking, I was surprised when Percy called my name to be on his team. He smiled at me and I figured he had probably picked me because Annabeth was already on his team and he knew we were friends. As I made my way to stand behind Percy, I passed Jason and raised an eyebrow at him. Well this should be interesting.

JASON POV

Reyna and I had just had a fight. In my opinion, she had completely overreacted to what was an completely innocent, budding friendship between Piper and me. Well, maybe I had been thinking some not-so-innocent thoughts around her, but she's beautiful and intriguing and confident and I'M JUST A GUY, OKAY?!

That wasn't the first time Reyna had gotten angry about a girl and I had always known she was possessive, but something about Piper was really irking her. It might've had something to do with Piper filling the space Reyna had previously occupied in her old friend group perfectly, as she befriended Leo and Hazel, and became all buddy-buddy with Thals and Annabeth. Reyna's always been insecure about her relationships and popularity, but she was furious with me in a way she hasn't been before.

I sighed, walking down the hallway. I realized that with my mind preoccupied, I had actually been walking in the opposite direction of my next class, P.E. Wow, great job, Jason.

As I was just about to reach the corner and began to slow down so I could turn around, I was greeted by the sight of two people, one who had been occupying my thoughts FAR too much lately, and one who, I then realized, had not been occupying my thoughts enough. Leo greeted me, but I sensed the distance between us. We'd lost something in our friendship recently. It was something I couldn't exactly name, but the absence of it created a barrier between us and things just weren't the same anymore.

As I was thinking this my eyes were lost in Piper's, mesmerized by their color and variety, as always. I let out a small "Hey," but continued staring into her eyes until Leo cleared his throat and suggested going on to the next class. I made some chit chat with Leo that was just SAD because it just made it more obvious how little we had been interact these days, while Piper remained silent as she walked between the two of us. I finally turned to Piper as me and Leo's pathetic conversation petered out and inquired about her time here and how it compared to her old school.

I smirked as I realized she had been completely zoned out. If only she had been daydreaming about me… The wicked thought popped into my head, but I attempted to ignore it. GIRLFRIENDGIRLFRIENDGIRLFRIEND, get it TOGETHER, Jason! But I became a mess again when she smiled a smile I felt was meant for me while she said she loves it here and loves the people here. Does she mean me? Was she smiling at both me and Leo, or just me? Am I reading to much into this? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME AHHH. This girl makes me go crazy, wow.

After we got to class, changed, and reconvened in the gym, I was, naturally, not surprised when Percy and I were made dodgeball captains. I win rock, paper, scissors and get first pick. Soon, Zach, Reyna, Octavian and a few others are added to my team. I'm surprised when Percy calls Piper. I had been considering picking her and braving Reyna's wrath. She seemed like she had the muscles to throw a ball and something told me she would play fiercely.

Piper walked towards me on her way to join Percy's team, and I watched, amused, as Piper raised one eyebrow at me and smiled wickedly. Octavian was urging me to pick Mike, a big, bulky guy and a fellow footballer, and I did. Percy picked Leo, who went to stand behind him, next to Hazel. Well that's interesting, I thought, as Leo blushed and looked at the girl standing next to him while Hazel was chatting with Piper.

Finally, the teams were arranged. Hmm let's see what Perce comes up with this time. I'm naturally a competitive person, and let's just say I DON'T LOSE. On principle. The whistle is blown and the ball I was holding soared through the air, hitting its mark and forcing a lanky boy from the opposite team to go sit on the bleachers.

"Nice one, babe," Reyna was right next to me, easily dodging a ball hurled at her. I wonder if this means all is forgiven, I thought. She picked it up from the ground and hurled it right back. The thud I heard and the self-satisfied look on my girlfriend's face tells me her perfect aim did not fail her. She is even more competitive than I am.

I smirk as I catch a ball that is hurled at me. Another out. Suddenly, a ball whizzes past me, almost hitting my left shoulder. I dodge it, of course, but am surprised at how close it got. I search the opposing side for the person who threw it and find two kaleidoscope eyes filled with mirth, looking directly at me. Oh, it is so ON.