John's POV:

Hi. My name is John Doe. I know... it's a really boring name. I am 16 years old and I live in New York City and go to Goode High School. I am considered "nerdy" and "antisocial" because I only have one friend. His name is Percy Jackson and he is considered "popular." I know, I know! A "popular" guy shouldn't hang out with plain old John Doe, but he does. Percy is the guy that every guy wants to be. Percy is the guy that every girl wants. He has looks, with the sea green eyes, black hair, muscular tone, but more importantly effortlessly popular and kind to everyone. I once asked him why he hung out with a boy like me and he responded,

"You're the underdog, I am normally the underdog also. Plus, you are smart and nice and funny." I smiled. I didn't understand what he meant about being the underdog, Percy was never the underdog, but the compliments made me feel goode.

"Hey, Percy!" I said, sending him a wave from across the hallway.

"Hey, John!" Percy said back. "You want to hang out tomorrow, it's the first day of winter break. I have to leave on my... vacation in the afternoon, but tomorrow morning, okay?"

"Sure!" I said.

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The next morning...

I woke up... sick. I was nauseous and my head has throbbing. Great. Now I can't go to Percy's house! I called him. After three rings someone on the other end picked up.

"Hello?" A woman's voice answered.

"Hi, this is Percy's friend John."

"Hold on sweetie... Percy! Your friend John is on the phone!"

"Hey, John! Where are you? It's almost 11!" I coughed.

"Sorry, Percy. I'm sick, I can't come over today."

"Oh..." I could hear the disappointment in his voice. "Well... I can't see you until after the break, so see you at school on Monday?"

"Yeah, sure. Bye!" I hung up.

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On Monday...

I looked eagerly around the hallways, trying to spot Percy. No luck. The bell rang and I hurried to homeroom, hoping that Percy was already in his seat. Yeah... no. He wasn't there. I was starting to panic. Where was he? I took a deep breath. He could be late. Hours passed, and Percy still didn't come. Well, he's probably just sick. I would call his house later.

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After School...

I dialed Percy's number as soon as I got home. I had gotten picked on all day without Percy there. The phone rang and rang until finally, someone picked up.

"Hello?" The same woman who had answered the phone the other said.

"Hi, this is John, from Percy's school. Um... Can I talk to Percy?" The woman broke down crying. I jerked the phone any from my ear. What the heck was going on? I tentatively held the phone back up to my ear.

"Sally, honey. Calm down. Give me the phone. Um... Hello, John?" A male voice said on the other end.

"Yes?" I asked, my voice wobbled a bit. Where was Percy? What was wrong?

"Percy has gone missing." Tears sprang into my eyes. No. NO!

"What?" I asked, just to clarify what this man had just told me.

"I'm sorry. Percy went on his vacation with some friends and went missing. By the way, my name is Paul Blofis. I am Percy's stepfather." I broke down crying. My mom came and gently took the phone from me. I heard a couple, "Mmm hmm's and "Oh's," and she hung up.

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry." She didn't have to say anything else. My mom scooped me up like I was a little kid again and held me tight. "I am so so sorry."