Maria Santiago

                                    

                                          
I stared at the picture of Percy Jackson on my wall. He was the best swimmer in the world, and was the youngest swimmer ever (20, now he's 25) to receive a gold medal in every part of the Olympics he competed in. He loved to swim, enjoyed fencing/sword-fighting, and had these sea green eyes that swirl with several emotions and a deep past. I knew all about him. How he once was wanted for something they found out that he didn't do. That he disappeared for a year because of a family emergency. How he and I were just meant to be. I sighed. I continued to get ready for school, throwing my long brown hair into a high ponytail, and applying minimal makeup. I would just take it off for gym, in which we were swimming. I put on foundation and blush, but left my eyes alone. They're these deep blue eyes that seem calm, collected, and sweet. I'm not popular, but I'm not down in the unpopular groups. I'd say I am well known. So, maybe Jessica Hart isn't friends with me, but I'm known by a lot of people I've tutored, and everyone on the swim team. Some people know me because they've seen me during practice or during a swim meet. 
                          
I need to quit babbling. I throw on a "Swim 4 Life" t-shirt, and jeans, as well as my black converse. I throw my swimsuit into my backpack and head down the stairs, where my mom has put out cereal before she left for work. I gulped it down before hearing the bus' horn, honk. I throw the dish in the sink, and grab my backpack. I run out to my bus, and sit in the first seat. 
                          
"You're late." Libby, my BFF says. 
                          
"I know. I got distracted." I say. We talk the whole way to school, and little did I know it would be the day that changed my life, and my perspective on Percy Jackson. 
                          
_______Time Skip to Gym (Swim)______
                          
When I walked into gym, the first thing I noticed was that the floors had been cleaned. The swimming pool had been too. My teacher blew his whistle. 
                          
"Alright, cupcakes, I called in a few favors, and I have a special guest coming in today to help pick out the flaws in your techniques. He is also coming to the swim meets tonight to give out scholarships." Coach Hedge says. I kind of zone out, thinking about Percy. He and I were soul mates, I'm sure of it. Libby waves her hand in front of my face, interrupting my thoughts. 
                          
"Maria, focus, he's calling roll." Libby says. 
                          
"Santiago! Are you here?" he calls out one more time. 
                          
"Yes, sir. Sorry." I say. 
                          
"Okay, Libby Hart." he goes. Did I mention that she's Jessica Hart's twin sister? 
                          
"I'm here." she says, raising her hand. 
                          
"Alright, so, our guest today, is Mr. Percy Jackson." Coach Hedge says. My mind does a double take as he enters the room. My soul mate was standing right in front of me, and I was getting a chance of a scholarship by him, tonight! 
                          
"Hey, Coach." Percy says. 'Maria Jackson.'  runs through my mind. "How's Chuck?" 
                          
"A little rascal." Coach answers. 
                          
"And Leah?" Percy asks. 
                          
"Millie forgot what its like to have a toddler around." Coach answers. A young woman with blonde hair comes in with a baby carrier and a toddler. 
                          
"Annabeth, I didn't know you would be joining us." Coach tells her. 
                          
"I'm not here to swim." The girl named Annabeth says. "Luke wanted to come, and I can't leave him unsupervised, Selina either. The nanny was sick, so I'm home for a few days." 
                          
"Nice, well, class, as some of you know, Percy Jackson is a very successful Olympic swimmer. He'll be able to sign anything at the end of class, and he's here to tweak your techniques. Percy, I'll hand the class over to you." 
                          
____Lazy till end of Swim time Skip_____
                          
I was the next in line to get my poster signed. I always had one in my backpack, one in my purse, and one in my room. The girl, Annabeth, left Percy with the toddler in his lap. They're probably good friends, or siblings or something. (Or something.) 
                          
"Hi, who do I make it out to?" Percy asks me. 
                          
"Maria Santiago." I say simply. "So, what do you have going on this afternoon?" I ask him, trying to get a date with him. 
                          
"Um... taking care of my kids while my wife goes to work, then come to the swim meets tonight." He tells me. I'm taken aback. He has a wife! And kids! 
                          
"Oh." I say. He finishes signing my poster, then moves on. I will get him tonight. 
                          
___Le Lazy Time Skip 2000_____
                          
I wore my best swimsuit, blue with a strap going around my neck, then had on my light pink cover-up over it. I threw my towel, cap, and goggles into my bag, and hopped in my car. I'm still a sixteen year old girl, but I was also a hardcore Percy Jackson Fangirl. When I got there, the entire parking lot was packed. I was lucky I'm an athlete, because otherwise I would have had to park like a mile away! I swam my hardest the entire meet, and then flirted with Percy the rest of the time. Then, he announced the scholarships.... I waited, and waited, and waited. My name was never called. I walked up to Percy. 
                          
"So, Percy, why didn't​ I get a scholarship?" i ask him. 
                          
"Sorry, Maria. You have good techniques, but you seem distracted, and you aren't focused enough on the scholarship and swimming. Sorry, the collage wants focused people." Percy answers. 
                          
"Percy, I was focused on you." I tell him. 
                          
"I'm flattered, but I'm married." he says. 
                          
"Daddy!" A little boy says, running up to him. 
                          
"Awe, that's so cute! He thinks you're his dad!" I tell him. Percy looks at me. 
                          
"But.... I am his dad." Percy answers. He picks up the little boy. "C'mon. Mom'll be waiting in the car." 
                          
And that's how I met Percabeth.... I hate them.