"I'm pretty sure this has been the longest week of my life."

Annabeth didn't have to look up to know that Percy had just plopped himself down beside her. The history department office where Annabeth had taken to eating her lunches was empty but for the two of them as Reyna had first lunch and Frank had second. (Octavian had long since learned to stay clear after he set the microwave on fire and Annabeth, Reyna, and Frank had all chewed him out.)

"It's the fourth week of school. We've only been here for a month," Annabeth said, her forkful of salad poised in front of her mouth.

"Eurgh, don't remind me." He dropped his head onto the table rather dramatically and Annabeth laughed.

"Just eat your lunch. I'm sure your mom packed you something good."

Percy grumbled but he opened his paper bag and took out his sandwich. Annabeth continued to eat her salad, trying not to think about how his elbow was brushing her arm.

It had been like this for two weeks now. It was Percy's first year in the English department at Webster High and he had taken an immediate liking to Annabeth. They'd met in the lunch line on the second day of school and neither of them had set foot in the cafeteria since.

"You honestly don't think this is the week from hell?" He asked through a mouthful of turkey and cheese.

Annabeth shrugged. "My kids have been pretty good."

"Ok, is anyone else having the week from hell?" Piper asked as she rushed in with her Lion King lunchbox in hand.

Percy gave Annabeth a pointed look and she rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, my kids are acting like little demons."

Annabeth just shrugged and took a drink of her water. "I don't know what kids you guys have because mine have been angels all week."

Piped pointed at Annabeth with the PB&J she'd just pulled out. "You better be careful."

Percy laughed. "You totally just jinxed yourself."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "You two are such drama queens."

"Good thing I'm the head of the drama department then, huh?"

Annabeth's weekend was quiet. She declined when Piper and Jason asked her out for drinks in favor of curling up with some popcorn and a movie.

On Monday Annabeth decided her students were the spawn of Satan. Jake and Nyssa spent the whole of first period throwing paper airplanes back and forth across the room. In third period, Dakota actually fell out of his chair after he leaned back too far. And after lunch it was pretty much a free for all. Even her student helper, Malcolm, was unusually rowdy.

When she complained to Piper at the end of the day, her best friend just smirked and said, "I told you so."

"I'm serious they were absolute jackals. Travis and Connor Stoll were actually throwing tiny pieces of a peanut butter sandwich at Lacy and Mitchell. Oh, and did you know Drew Tanaka has a thing for Jason? She spent all of fifth period talking about how hot he is. Loudly."

Piper scowled and Annabeth laughed.

"She's in my homeroom. I'm gonna have to look at her face every day now and pretend to like her."

"Knock knock."

Annabeth and Piper looked up to find Percy standing in the doorway.

"You know, you could actually physically knock on the door. I'm pretty sure saying 'knock knock' as you walk in completely misses the point of knocking in the first place."

Percy scowled at her. "School is over, stop trying to teach me things."

Annabeth rolled her eyes and went back to checking her email.

"What do you want?"

"Well I was going to see if you guys wanted to get coffee but you seem to be in a mood."

"She had a long day just like we said she would last week."

Annabeth closed her laptop and gave him a sunshine smile. "Yes I am in a mood. A 'Never again will I doubt Percy and Piper' mood. Now can we go get coffee or what?"

"Dad's in town and he's coming for dinner so I'm out."

"Ooh good luck," Annabeth said packing up her things. "And as for you," she said turning to Percy, "I'll drive if you pay."

Percy grinned. "See you out front in five."

The coffee shop was crowded when she and Percy walked in. People lounged on chintz armchairs and velvet couches and drank out of giant, mismatched mugs. It was a cozy place with some indie rock that Piper would've liked playing quietly and eclectic artwork hanging all over the walls.

They ordered- a caramel macchiato for Annabeth and a raspberry white chocolate mocha for Percy- and found seats on a plush blue couch by the window.

"Have you been here before?"

Percy nodded. "Just once. My sister likes to hang out here. They did an open mic night this weekend and she read so I came to listen to her."

"Oh that's so cool. How old is she?"

"She's fifteen."

"Does she go to Webster?" The news that he even had a sister was a surprise, but she didn't think she knew any students with his last name.

"Nah, she's at Roarton Academy. What about you- any siblings?"

Annabeth went through three macchiatos while they sat there talking and neither of them realized how much time had gone by until someone interrupted them.

"Miss Chase, Mr. Jackson!"

It was a pair of freshman named Mitchell and Lacy from Annabeth's homeroom.

"Hey guys," Percy said finishing off his drink.

"Are you guys like, on a date?"

Percy spit his coffee out and Annabeth choked on her own spit trying to stammer out a response.

"No- no, no, no- we're just- no!"

"Just getting coffee," Percy said clearing his throat.

"Right. Actually," she said standing up quickly, "I've got to get going. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Thanks for the help with those lesson plans, Mr. Jackson."

Percy blinked, but he caught on quick enough. "No problem. Glad they make sense now."

As Annabeth left, she heard Lacy mutter, "They don't even teach the same subject."

Annabeth's townhouse was on the other side of town and when she finally got home, she kicked off her shoes and sank into the couch. She closed her eyes with a groan- the whole school would think she and Percy had been on a date by 8 am tomorrow.