* * *

*knock knock knock*

*knock knock*

...

*knock-*

*creeeeaaak*

A green eye appeared behind an almost closed door.

"What."

"Um excuse me?" I was confused at the rudeness of this man, and why he took so long I answer, and mostly, why he was in principle Zeus's office. "Why are you here? And... who are you?"

The eye blinked and a sigh was heard behind the door. It opened fully and an angry man with a small beard stood in front of us.

"What. What do you want."

I would have answered but Percy beat me to it. "We asked who you were. So, who are you?"

The angry man's frown deepened into a glare. "My name is Hermes, I am principle Zeus's assistant, therefore am entitled to be in his office. What are you doing here. School is out, and the gym is off limits. What brings you to disturb the peaceful offices at a chaotic school, eh?"

Percy stood up straight, and I will add that he looked really good in his tossled black hair and blue jacket. With the sunrise shining into the window to outline his figure, wow. I almost gaped- wait, what? Where was I.

Ahem- Percy stood up straight and made eyes contact with Hermes. "We need to talk to Principal Zeus. It's about the ETOPE later today. We have bad new-"

"Bad news you say?" Hermes interrupted. "Bah, Zeus knew all about that even before last night when you snuck out to get even with your enemy,"

I started. Even with his enemy? Snuck out? I shot Percy a quizzical look but the look he gave me told me he'd explain later, which didn't satisfy me, but I thought it better to wait.

"He sent me to wait for you and give you a message. All the teachers and leaders are at the board convention and I get stuck sitting here waiting for you. Bah."

Hermes made to close the office door but Percy put his hand up to stop it from being closed. "You said you had a message." Percy said, deadly calm. "What is it."

Hermes heaved another large sigh. "All he said was 'you're on your own. Use that dimly lit head of yours and think of a plan.'"

Hermes tried closing the door but Percy put more effort into holding it open. Wow, those muscles- .... sorry- anyway.

I straightened up. "That's it? That's all he said?"

"Yes little girl and I'd advise you take it and leave. You don't want to see me angry."

"I though this was his angry side..." I heard someone whisper. Hopefully Hermes didn't hear that.

"Are you sure there was nothing else?" Percy asked.

"Yes. Now I'd appreciate it f you kids left me to take my deserved nap. Now shoo!" Hermes took hold of the door knob and got ready to pull it out of Percy's hand and close the door. However, right as Hermes threw the door with his might, Percy stepped back and the door and Hermes collided with a THUMP

A few curses were heard behind us as we walked after Percy back to the gym.

"What do we do now?" I asked Percy.

"We're going to win this tournament. and we're gonna do it right."