Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or settings. They are property of Rick Riordan. I am simply a fan, thank you. If all these other writers don't then why would I?

The sky was dark and the air was cool at Camp Half Blood. Half bloods sat around the fire after a long day of training.

Annabeth moved in closer to me. I folded my hands in my lap nervously. Lately Annabeth had been acting especially friendly, and ever since I got there all she wanted to do was kill me. Things were taking a turn for the worst. How was I supposed to explain to Annabeth that I didn't like her?

Annabeth Chase was persistent. She never let me out of my sight, and she always walked me back to my cabin at night. She even offered to keep me company. I would kindly decline. However, I wasn't blocking everyone out of my life.

For a while Luke had been taking me under his wing. It seemed like he was the actually my friend. The only half bloods I really knew were Clarisse daughter of Ares, Annabeth daughter of Athena, and Luke. Grover was busy with the daughters of Aphrodite, and we didn't share that interest in them.

But lately I'd been picking up hints from Luke, and I realized that deep down I almost wanted them to be there. I wanted him to smile at me during breakfast as I sat alone at the Poseidon table. I wanted him to guide my hand when we practiced sparing even if I assured him that I was fine.

And I admit liking the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed. Luke was different with me from everyone else. Some girls from the Demeter cabin were flirting with him, but his eyes didn't sparkle when they smiled and made him laugh. He almost always left them with an awkward grimace on his face.

The problem was I couldn't ignore what I was feeling. I got jealous when he talked to girls or when he let them play with his soft blond hair. My stomach curled into knots when I saw him shirtless.

I came into full realization of my feelings one day while sword fighting in the arena. I threw my sword down in frustration.

"I'm done," I said, taking a seat on the bleachers.

Luke sighed and sat down beside me. "What are you talking about, Percy, you're doing fine."

I ignored the fond smile he shot my direction. I rolled my eyes.

"What?" Luke asked. "You just needed a break, I get it. I was kicking your ass."

"I heard from a little birdie that you're going out with that girl from the Demeter cabin." I said, stroking some old cuts on my forearms.

Luke's eyebrows shot up and he gave me a strange look. "It's a rumor."

"Yea…?" I asked. "I don't think so."

"Why not, I just told you it was." Luke said. He was being patient with me. This wasn't getting to him. It wasn't working.

"Why are you lying, I saw you kiss her." I said, trying to sound like I didn't care.

Luke shrugged. "She kissed me…" he faded off.

I smirked and stood up. "Lies… I'm going for a drink, don't care to join me." I faced my back to him and folded my arms across my chest.

"Wait, you stop right there, Percy." Luke said, "I've been doing this longer than you, no hard feelings."

"It's not about the stupid sword fighting, dumbass." I spat. My tongue was probably burning with unnecessary anger. My cheeks were warm and green from jealousy. Luke with that dumb Demeter girl… He didn't even seem to like her.

"You must really like her," I said.

Luke didn't answer. "I think Annabeth likes you. I see the way you guys look at each other."

I turned around and puffed my cheeks with air and let it out to calm my frustration.

Luke raised an eyebrow at me. "You're not jealous are you?"

"What…?" I cried. Now my cheeks were red.

Luke raised his hands. "I was just kidding, Perce."

I laughed hysterically, but there was no joy. For some reason the laughing hurt. "And I'm not jealous. That's a stupid thing to say." I shot back.

"I said I was kidding, didn't I?" Luke said.

I sighed. "Hmm, whatever… I'll see you at lunch. Don't bother to follow me. Go off and have phone sex with Claire (that was the Demeter girl's name). "I don't give a crap."

"Eww, gross…" Luke said with a snort.

Luke was doing some Grammy Award winning acting that day. He had made it clear before that he liked me, and I wasn't taking no for an answer.

After that I think I made a pretty big mistake. I asked Annabeth if she liked me and she said that she did. I wasn't sure how I came to this conclusion, but the next second I told her that I liked her too. That was a really dumb mistake, and I couldn't take it back.

I turned to face Annabeth, and she was looking at me.

"What were you thinking about? She asked me. Her hands were now wrapped around my arm.

"Just… My mom… I miss her," I said.

Annabeth pursed her lips. "At least you've met yours."

I heard laughter behind us. I turned around to see Luke and his friends sitting at the Hermes table in the darkness of the over hanging trees.

I stood up. "Follow me," I said, taking her hand.

"Ooh!" Annabeth said, allowing me to guide her to the Poseidon table. Demigods watched as we left the fire. They smiled and sneered and snickered. I didn't give a fuck.

"Annabeth," I said, glancing over at Luke's table. We met eyes. He didn't look away. I looked into Annabeth's steely gray eyes for half a second. I took her hand and smiled devilishly. That was a smile from me to Luke. I noticed him sit up straight. He put his arm around Claire, who leaned into his chest. His muscular, smooth, chest…

"What is it Percy?" Annabeth asked, in the sweetest little-girl voice.

"You look lovely tonight," I said.

Annabeth smiled. "Thanks…"

"Wouldn't you love to meet your mom?" I asked.

Annabeth sighed. "More than anything in the world..."

"What if you could just escape?" I asked.

"That would be great."

"What if you could just be in the perfect place?" I asked. My heart was crawling up to my throat and my stomach was like a tornado. I was nervous. I never expected to be, since I was… Kind of hetero… But kissing a girl? Would I do it? Yes. It was necessary. It was apart of the plan. I wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Guess what?" I asked Annabeth, touching her toned arms.

"What?" Annabeth asked, eyes sparkling. Not like Luke's though.

My fingers made their way up to her cheek. I slid my hand down her neck, making her shudder. "I know a way you can escape."

I sucked up my pride and closed the space between us with one swift movement. Annabeth giggled lightly. Our noses were touching. I closed my eyes and kissed her mouth. I felt Luke's eyes on my cheek.

Only 4 more seconds Percy… I thought. Three and a half seconds passed. I pulled away. Thank Zeus! I should have been paid to do that.

"How was that?" I asked.

Annabeth smiled, showing all her pearly white teeth. "Hmmm…"

I raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh?"
"Yea," Annabeth said. She snatched up my face and took the lead in kissing me. Her hands were on my waist now. Oh hell.

I opened my eyes. Her were closed. I looked in the corner of my eye at Luke. His shoulders were still squared, and his arm was around Claire. I winked. His full pink lips pulled up into a small knot. Jealously. Roll the cameras someone, this is blockbuster material.

Before I knew it, Annabeth pulled back and hugged me. I found myself gasping for air. It was worth it, wasn't it? I certainly wasn't feeling sparks fly, but it got Luke right where I wanted him… There was no way he could resist me now that I was out of reach.