Chapter Text
Percy looked up at the towering building, squinting from the sun in his eyes.
“Well,” Percy’s mom, Sally Jackson, starts. “I wish you well on your exam!"
Percy Jackson, yeah, let’s start there. He’s your average ADHD and dyslexic kid. Fifteen years old, got into a couple brawls in middle school, nothing too serious. Plus, he has an extremely powerful quirk. Water manipulation? Who has quirks like that anymore? Pshh, the test will be easy, a piece of cake even! And-
“Just so you remember, even if you don’t get in, I am so proud of you, Percy. I know you’ll try your hardest."
What good is a quirk like his if it can't stop the tears from collecting in his eyes?
Percy’s best friend since elementary school, Grover Underwood, smiles from inside Sally’s car. “Break a leg! But like, don’t actually."
“Haha,” Percy sarcastically drawled. “Do you really have so little faith in me?” He should; 8th grade was a nightmare.
“I-It’s not like that! Of course I have faith in you-"
“Grover, I was joking."
“Oh..."
Percy laughs, shoulders shaking along with him. Yeah, it was okay. Even if he wasn’t going to pass the test, he’ll be fine. Just, deep breaths.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Yeah, it was not going to be fine; who the hell even came up with that idea anyways!? Certainly not Percy.
Before Percy went inside the building, he gave one final definitely-not-teary hug to his mom and gave Grover a half-hug. (It was so awkward. Percy lamented to himself. How do you fully hug if one person is in a car and the other person isn’t? You just can’t!)
He was in such deep thought that he didn’t notice the person he just walked into. “Ah- Shit, I’m so sorry."
“Watch where you’re going."
Time stopped.
Percy could honestly die right here and be okay with it- actually, no. Grover and Mom would be upset. Plus, no way was he going to leave his dearest mother with he-who-shall-not-be-named.
The person he bumped into was a girl who was only a little shorter than him, so basic average height. She had blonde hair with princess curls tied up into a ponytail. Her eyes were a stormy grey, knowing yet curious all at once.
“Uh-“ Way to go Percy. The epitome of eloquence. Might as well go to Harvard with how advanced his linguistics are.
“You have something on your face.” She mimics where the ‘something’ is on her own face. She uses her pointer finger to trail down a path form her eyes to her chin. “And are you really cursing in a school like this?” The girl scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“I was apologizing!” Why he felt the need to defend his honor, he no clue. If this were middle school- eh, never mind. Not the time. He uses his hand to wipe his face and- yep, something was there: there tears from his definitely-not-teary hug with his mom earlier.
She gave him a disbelieving look. “Yeah, right.” She turned around to leave. The girl was wearing an orange T-shirt that has the words ‘Half Blood High’ encased in a circle with a pegasus on the back.
“Do you, like, already go here?” Percy blurted out before he could stop himself.
“Hm?” She turned her head back around just as she was walking away.
“Your shirt, it’s the school spirit-wear.” Percy rubbed his hands on the back of his neck - a nervous habit.
“No, I’m applying. My friend is already going here, so he gave it to me."
“Oh, that’s...uhm. Cool, great, yeah. Imma go... see you later?” Percy internally winced, the girl, however, smirked.
“Only if you can get in."
‘Cool. Yeah, uhm, bye...?"
“Annabeth!” A foreign voice called. Percy thanked the gods for this divine intervention form his awkwardness. He watched as the blonde girl - or Annabeth, as the mysterious voice called her - turned to look at the voices figure.
“Luke!” She greeted cheerfully. Luke was a boy taller than Percy. He had short, sandy blonde hair and ocean blue eyes, different form Percy’s sea green ones and disheveled black hair.
“Oh, and who might you be?” The boy asked, nodding in Percy’s direction.
“I’m Percy, Percy Jackson. I’m trying out for the Hero Entrance Exam.” Percy said a little too quickly, rubbing the back of his neck again.
Luke gives Percy a smile that looks somewhat mischievous and Percy notices that Annabeth’s cheeks start to flush a light shade of pink at the gesture. He watches as the boy’s eyes crinkle at the corners, much like how an elderly man would look at his grandchildren. However, he also noticed the scar that ran down his face, marring his features.
“I’m Luke Castellan. I’m a first year student - well, not anymore. I’ll be a grade above you if you do get in. Best of luck though!” Luke flashed Percy a smile once again before looking down at Annabeth. “Come on, the exam will start soon."
“I’m coming, hold on.” Percy watched as the two of them walk towards the registration desk.
Well, it looks like he has someone to live up to. No way was he going to be nervous, after all, it’s just a test! (Don’t look at his middle school grades, they’re not accurate anymore. A new year, new Percy.)
Breathe in, breathe out.