Percy was totally fine with Annabeth talking to other guys, like Arnold from the Apollo cabin. Yes, he was. He didn't care. Nope, not one bit. What did it matter that he was actually making Annabeth laugh, which was practically impossible to do? Did it matter that this guy was about ten times better-looking than him? And that Annabeth was now getting into a canoe with him and Arnold was leaning into Annabeth and…a wave of fury hit him and he was overwhelmed with raw jealousy.

SPLASH! A gigantic water hand, out of nowhere, grabbed Arnold and tossed him into Clarisse—who was sitting near the edge of the lake -'s arms. Clarisse, revolted, shoved Arnold into the lake.

Annabeth was sitting in the canoe, shell-shocked. Then she saw Percy standing in front of the lake, a small smile on his face. She jumped out of the canoe and raced to Percy.

"What was that?" she yelled. "What's your problem? I'm just hanging out with Arnold!"

"What?" Percy said. "He was making a move on you!"

"So?" Annabeth countered. "Why do you care?"

Percy blushed deeply and mumbled, "Never mind."

"No, tell me Percy! Why do you care whether or not guys flirt with me?"

"Because…" Percy hesitated. What if she scoffed at him? Rejected him? He couldn't tell her. She'd laugh! It'd ruin their friendship!

What if it didn't? What if she likes you back? a tiny, hopeful voice in his head asked.

Annabeth moved a step closer and closed the gap between them. "Tell me, Seaweed Brain," she said threateningly, only now there was a soft quality to her voice.

Percy, overwhelmed by the close proximity of his secret crush, was unable to say anything. He gently tugged one of Annabeth's curls and watched it spring back.

Annabeth giggled girlishly, startling Percy. He bumped into Thalia, Zeus' daughter who was turned into a pine tree.

"Watch it!" Thalia said, then stalked off.

Annabeth pulled him back on his feet and cornered him. He couldn't escape.

"You don't own me, Perseus Jackson. I can talk to whoever I want, whenever I want. Even guys. You shouldn't care. Unless…" her voice trailed off and she stared into space, he calculating gray eyes hazy.

"Annabeth?" Percy said tentatively.

Then she did something shocking. She pounced and kissed him.

She was pressing her lips against his with a kind of ferocious passion, and for a moment Percy was numb with shock. Then he got in the mood and put his arms around her waist and kissed back.

Annabeth pulled away, grinning.

"That was…" Percy stuttered. "It was—um…I…Annabeth…"

His best friend smirked. "I believe the words you're looking for are Gee, I like you too, Annabeth."

"Whatever you say, Wise Girl."

Annabeth rolled her eyes at the nickname.

"Does this mean we're going out?" Percy asked.

Annabeth stared at him for a moment, then said, "Boy, Seaweed Brain, your brain really is filled with kelp!" and then walked away.

Percy, struck by a sudden thought, dashed after her and caught her in his arms.

They shared another kiss and went into a canoe, happy. They were finally together.