11: Mirrors

Annabeth POV (in Percy's body)

I waited till all of the guys were finished getting changed before I entered the boys' locker room. I didn't want to take advantage of the situation.

Besides, I was already violating one guy's (ie Percy's) privacy without having a right to. I didn't want to intrude where I wasn't supposed to with anyone else.

It was weird seeing another guy naked.

I mean I've seen other guys before, but those were guys that I was allowed to look at since we were in a relationship. However, Percy and I definitely weren't together.

In fact, Percy belonged to someone else.

But, I didn't have a choice. And, Percy's outer visual wasn't something that I could really complain about. He had a great appearance, and he took care of himself.

Most teenage girls would consider seeing him exposed a treat. I wasn't like most girls though.

As I quickly changed Percy into his swim trunks, I also mentally prepared myself. The coach might have been angrier today. Since I was already running late, I didn't get a chance to look at myself in the mirror.

I definitely didn't look at Percy's lower back and waist.

I rushed into the pool room, and as expected, the coach was already waiting for me. Most of the swimmers were already in the pool and doing laps.

"Jackson, you're late," Coach Hedge growled.

I winced as I stopped in front of him. I technically didn't have any excuse, so I stayed silent. The coach stared at me for the longest time.

"Jackson, are you even interested in being an athlete?" he asked.

"Of course I am," I responded quickly.

"Well, it doesn't seem like it to me. You're skipping practices, and you're always. That is so irresponsible, especially for the star swimmer representing our school."

His voice elevated with each sentence.

"Coach, I am dedicated and responsible. I've just been dealing with some stuff."

"I don't need your excuses. Do you know how many people are counting on you?" Coach exclaimed firmly. "You've accomplished great feats last year, but this year is what matters in terms of putting this school and town on the map."

I stayed silent as I listened to the coach. He wasn't really helping with all of the stress and pressure that came with being talented and having everyone's eyes on you.

Gods, I never realized that Percy went through all of this.

Suddenly, the coach's demeanor changed as his voice took a disappointed tone.

"In my opinion, Jackson, I'm not so sure if you're as good as I thought you were. You're becoming a slacking athlete who's tainted by fame," he expressed.

I winced at his words before he walked away.

To be honest, I was glad that I was in Percy's body just then. I think that those words would've deeply hurt Percy considering how much effort and passion he put into swimming.

I could feel the Coach's eyes on me, waiting for my next actions.

I sighed as I walked towards the pool's least crowded lane. Frank Zhang was currently treading water in the deep end while gazing at me.

He gave a kind smile.

Frank was one of Percy's best friends, so he definitely knew not to show pity or shame towards me (ie Percy).

I climbed the white diving board in front of the lane, but I noticed something. Several swimmers walking past me had stopped to stare. Even Frank paused as his eyes narrowed.

As I stood on the board, I watched the few people around me.

I didn't understand why they were staring as Percy got ready to dive. They've definitely seen Percy swim many times before.

I turned to Frank, and he quickly averted his eyes. However, he was wearing a confused expression.

"Frank, what is it?" I asked firmly.

He turned to me in nervousness. "Percy, um, did you always have that?" he asked as he pointed towards me.

I looked down at my stomach but didn't see anything.

"No, the scar on your right lower back that traveled onto your waist," he informed. The other swimmers started to part ways, but their curious eyes stayed on my back.

My hand touched my lower back until I felt it.

There was a large scar running four about 6 inches down my lower back before curving onto my right side waist. Considering the groove, it had been a long and deep injury once: a slow slice.

I gasped before deciding to go in the water.

I quickly dived in so that people would stop staring and go back to whatever. I hadn't noticed Percy's scar, and by the looks of it, others haven't either.

That didn't make sense. Percy swam all the time, so people would've seen a large scar on his back.

As I tentatively swam down the lane, I remembered the makeup on Percy's dresser. It was odd that he had makeup unless he used it to cover up.

Those thoughts melted out of my head as I swam.

I reveled at the power that Percy had in the water. His body pulsed with adrenaline and energy as I glided his body with each stroke.

While I didn't swim much, I knew the techniques to swim. Also, swimming was largely muscle memory, and Percy's body certainly knew what to do in the water.

I was in awe of my own 100 meter swim time that day. Of course, that swim time was actually Percy's, and it was actually slower than what Percy could do as himself.

It was weird.

It seemed that Percy and I could tap into each other's skills. Even though this was me (Annabeth Chase), I could internalize Percy's own physical skills and body usage.

Needless to say, as I swam faster and harder, I reveled in the power and skill. I've never been acknowledged as the best at something, but Percy has been for good reason.

His body was amazing and powerful in the water.

However, despite my fascination with Percy's swimming abilities (which were now mine), my mind reeled back to the secret scar on my (Percy's) back.

***

I was currently in Percy's bedroom, staring at my (his) upper body in the mirror.

I turned slightly to see the scar in the dresser mirror. I had no idea how Percy's got that scar, but it was clearly a deep slice. The location was obscure.

It could've been an accident, but I felt like this scar was a result of an attack. From who? I didn't know, and I didn't know how to ask Percy either.

However, I did know that I had to cover it with water-proof makeup from now on. Percy didn't mention this to me, and I wasn't sure if it was by accident or if he didn't want to talk about this.

Regardless, I had another surprising piece of Percy's life puzzle.

I put my shirt back on just in time to respond to a text message. Percy's phone had a chime for notifications that was surprisingly soothing.

It was from Annabeth (ie Percy from my phone).

'What's your school email and password?' he texted. That was a very odd request. I didn't understand why Percy would ask for those.

'Why the hell do you need my credentials?' I texted back.

I just need them. I'm doing something for you.

I sighed as I flopped onto his blue bed. He was being very sly and shady.

'Like What?'

Suddenly, his phone started to ring. Clearly, Percy wanted to have an actual conversation. It still startled me when my own voice talked into the phone.

"Wise Girl, I need your credentials for homework," my own voice said.

"Percy, you can't be this dumb. Do you really think that I would believe that you're doing my homework? Sometimes, you don't even do your own homework," I expressed.

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, your brain is filled with seaweed, Seaweed Brain. That's why you can't even think of a proper lie."

"Okay, Wise Girl, not calling to be insulted by you," he said with a sigh. "Although, I should probably be used to it."

"Yeah, you should," I laughed.

"Well, technically, I'm in your body, so it's your brain that's seaweed," he shot back. While he did have a point, I wasn't taking it.

"Seaweed Brain," I said anyway.

I could hear her (his) audible sigh. "Wise Girl, seriously, I need your credentials for something school-related."

"Seaweed Brain, what are you planing?" I asked firmly.

I heard some muffled sentences next. He was clearly telling me but covering his mouth. Whatever it was, he knew that I probably wouldn't be on board.

"Spit it out clearly, Seaweed Brain."

"I want to enter you into the talent show. You have an amazing voice, and I think that it should be shared with everyone. I'm serious, Wise Girl, you're incredibly talented."

I sat silently as I listened to him. It was my own voice talking to me about how talented I was. That internal validation felt very good.

It also felt good that Percy was complimenting me like this.

"Percy, I can't the talent show. I've never performed before," I whispered.

"There's a first time for everything, Wise Girl. Besides, I'm the one in your body. You just have to let me do it to showcase your voice," he said softly.

"Yeah, I'll have to deal with the consequences, especially if we switch back to our lives before the big event," I explained logically.

I was nervous and scared.

"Please, Wise Girl."

I sighed as I listened to Percy's pleading. He really wanted me to do this, and he seemed confident in my abilities and talent.

It felt good to feel that confidence from him.

He was trusting me in his body to do swimming, and swimming for him was a whole lot more important than singing for me. That's because his life, future, and everyone around him depended on his swimming.

"Okay, Seaweed Brain, but I can renounce this anytime. It's my choice," I said firmly.

The truth is that I always wanted to share my voice, but I didn't have the confidence, especially because my personal life was so messed up. I didn't want singing to also get messed up in the same way.

"Yes, YES. Thanks," he exclaimed emphatically.

Since he was in a girl's body and voice, it came out as excited squealing. "Yeah, yeah, stop your girly squealing, Seaweed Brain," I laughed.

I was anxious, but talking with Percy helped. We ended up talking for hours, and I had such a good time. We got to know each other's lives and personalities in a flipped setting since we had swapped bodies.

Regardless, I realized that Percy wasn't so bad.

A whole three hours passed by without even thinking about it. Eventually, Percy had to call me off to go do my chores in my house.

I felt bad that he had to live in my personal life, especially considering his home life was so good.

However, Percy didn't judge me for my life. He understood it.

I liked him a lot because of that.