There were several advantages to Percy joining the water polo team. The first being it gave him something to do after school other than detention for being a Seaweed Brain. He got some normal, mortal guy friends to go bro-out with, and how could Annabeth forget the very nice body that came with playing water polo.

The excitement in Percy's voice when he called at the beginning of his junior year at Goode to tell her he'd made varsity was enough to write off any qualms Annabeth had about him playing a sport with mortals. His sophomore year Percy had missed tryouts (due to saving the world and such) and had been placed on JUNIOR-varsity, which was an injury to his I-Am-Son-of-the-Sea-God-Pride. He didn't have a lot of pride, but only making JV of a water sport, especially one as aggressive as water polo, was enough to send Seaweed Brain into a rage. Eventually he calmed down enough to become star JV player, but that's not the point. The point is this year Percy would be on Varsity, and most likely be the star (being nearly invincible and never tiring in water had that affect).

Anyways, Annabeth was pretty excited about Percy's joining the water polo team. She knew it was kinda cheating for a son of Poseidon to play a water sport, but at least it was in a pool, and she did use her wisdom pretty regularly so…Besides did she mention the very nice body that her Seaweed Brain was getting? She had very little issue with Percy playing water polo…until she came to a match.

As she sat in the stands with Mr. Blofis and Percy's mom she began to notice the amount of girls sitting in the stands. Girls with signs and names on them that were unreadable from where Annabeth sat. Maybe water polo was a big deal at Goode, she thought doubtfully. However her answer came with the roar of the crowd at the entrance of the Goode team.

How could she have forgotten? Boys play water polo in Speedos. And while Seaweed Brain looked good, really good, she didn't like the other girls looking at her six-foot-three newly ripped boyfriend like that. Granted all the boys were six-foot-something with six packs, but Percy definitely looked the best, and she wasn't biased, it was a fact. Anyone could tell, and clearly those other girls could too.

Percy craned his neck and looked around. Finally his eyes landed on where Annabeth was sitting with his parents. His eyes lit up when he saw her and he flashed her his goofy smile. That made Annabeth feel better. So what if all those other girls were here? Percy gave her his brilliant smile that made heart flip-flop and then went back to glaring at the opponent. He didn't even see his fan club on the sidelines!!

Both teams jumped into the pool, and the match was off. Annabeth noticed it was kinda like soccer in the water. There was a goal keep, and then like 6 other players in the pool per side. But it was definitely more brutal than soccer. Somehow the boys got their entire torsos out of the water as the tossed the ball crisply and quickly between themselves. Heads were held under the water, they shoved each other like football players, and basically anything short of drowning the opponent was allowed. And that's just what Annabeth could see above the water. Of course, all this aggression was no problem for Percy who probably couldn't feel most punches and shoves, and gods know the drowning attempts were futile.

After reminding herself a million times that Percy couldn't get hurt, and cheering until her voice was hoarse, Goode won the match 11-9. The crowd all cheered as the teams climbed out of the pool and marched into the locker rooms.

After what felt like forever of Annabeth craning her neck, looking for the Percy, he marched out of the locker room, unfortunately no longer in his Speedo. Annabeth frowned as a hoard of girls mobbed him, but smiled as her Seaweed Brain met her eyes and gave an eye roll worthy of Thalia. Finally he extricated himself from the mass, and marched up to his parents and girlfriend. His mom hugged him, saying something along the lines of "oh, I know not to worry, but its just such a rough sport!" Causing him and Paul to crack up. Mr. Blofis clapped him on the back, saying "Congratulations on your first match, Percy!"

"Thanks, Paul," Percy said with a grin. Finally he turned to Annabeth, giving her a chaste peck in front of his parents. He gave her a side ways smirk as he pulled away, "Sorry it took me so long to get up here. Mortal girls…" He joked, shaking his head.

Annabeth felt herself grinning, in spite of herself. "Well…I would be mad…If I didn't see where they were coming from." She smirked as Percy's cheeks colored.

"Well if I knew you felt that way…"Percy recovered, trailing off suggestively, a mischievous twinkle in his emerald eyes.

Annabeth only smiled mysteriously, and changed the subject (she would renew it later). "So Seaweed Brain, are we getting out of here soon or do I have to stay here on the receiving end of your fans' death glares?"

Percy's mouth formed at little "o," as he turned around and saw the girls hastily turn and start to giggle. His cheeks colored again, "Yeah we'll get outta here soon," He mumbled to her. "Mom, Paul? Annabeth and I are gonna go out."

"Okay Percy, but be back by midnight"

"Sure, sure," Percy said, already grabbing Annabeth's hand and leading her down the stands. As they passed the group of giggling, staring girls Annabeth wrapped her arms around Percy's torso (just for good measure) and snuggled her face into the side of his chest, earning an affectionate kiss on the forehead from Percy.

"Well played, Wise Girl," Percy murmured as they exited the pool area, still wrapped around one another. The smirk was evident in his voice.

"What do you mean?" Annabeth looked up wide-eyed, feigning innocence. Percy just laughed, kissing her for real this time, on the mouth, and said "Whatever you say, Wise Girl, whatever you say."

"Did I mention how much I like water polo?"

Percy's laughter filled the air as the couple walked off of the school campus, into the still summery night.