So I wanted to try something completely different this time around. I have the first six chapters of this story written already (and plan to work on the seventh this coming week), and should probably be posting one every couple of days until we reach that point. Also, Nico is straight in this story. I have nothing against canon!Nico (actually, Solangelo is one of my favorite PJO/HoO pairings), but I came up with the storyline for this before his sexuality was revealed, so I think I'll be sticking with my current plans. Characters will probably be OOC (Percy will be smarter than his canon counterpart (though still just as unlucky/clumsy), Thalia and Annabeth won't be as close friends as their canon selves, and there are several more changes you'll just have to wait and see.

For my friend hproxx1999, who expressed an interest in reading this. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer - I own nothing except the plot.

-Annabeth Chase-
~Three days ago~

I was furious. Both with myself, for ever thinking that Luke could change, and with Luke himself, for being so damned good-looking. "You slept with my best friend! How the fucking hell could you do that to me, Luke?".

"I was bored, okay? We barely see each other anymore. And when we do, we don't do anything together!"

"Oh? And whose fucking fault is that exactly? You're always off gallivanting around the world for your father's company, and I'm here in New York waiting for the day that you realize your girlfriend should be worth more to you than some goddamn job!" I retorted.

At this point we were probably disturbing the neighbours with our shouting, but I was at a point where I just didn't care who heard me. All I wanted, all I really desired, was to make sure that Luke realized just how badly his betrayal had hurt me. And there was one surefire way to do that. "It would never have happened, Annabeth. You stopped meaning anything to me weeks ago".

His words only confirmation of what I already knew, I turned and walked towards the bathroom. A long, hot, shower would be just what I needed to clear my head. "Grab your things. I want you gone by the morning. And I never, ever, want to see you again".

"Annabeth..."

Why couldn't he take the hint already? It was time to stop pretending. Our relationship had started out well enough, sure, but neither of us had ever been fully invested in it. It was dead, had been for a long time, no matter how hard either of us had tried to resurrect it. We were bound to break eventually, we'd just been postponing the inevitable. I realized it, why couldn't he? "It's over. Goodbye, Luke".

~Present day~

I walked briskly down the sidewalk towards Central Park, my grey eyes misty with the memories of all the good times that Luke and I... And Thalia, I supposed... had had together. I had left in rather a hurry that morning, giving myself barely any time to style my hair properly, so the golden-blonde locks hung listlessly around my face, framing my slender features. "Watch out!"

I was broken from my contemplation by a yelled warning just seconds before someone smacked into me, sending both the both of us tumbling to the ground. "I am so sorry about that! I was so busy thinking about my ex-boyfriend that I didn't notice I'd stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk" I apologized quickly.

He smiled at me and got easily to his feet, brushing his jeans down before reaching down to help me up. I smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks".

"You're welcome".

His sea-green eyes met my grey ones, and I could almost feel my heart skip a beat. Oh, he's cute... We stood like that for a few minutes, each of us holding the other's gaze, until at last he spoke. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name".

He spoke calmly, and gently, and his green eyes sparkled like the sea when they caught the light. My thoughts flashed quickly to how much friendlier his voice was than Luke's, how perfect his face, unmarked by the scar that had marred Luke's features, was. No. No more thinking about Luke. No more comparing other people to Luke. Luke is in the past, you need to move on with your life. Give the guy your name. I laughed gently in response. "I didn't exactly offer it, did I? Annabeth Chase".

I extended my hand in an offer of friendship, and he shook it with an impressively firm grip. "Percy Jackson. It's a pleasure to meet you, Annabeth Chase. Would you care to join me for a coffee?"

I smiled back at him, and, for the first time in what felt like a long time, didn't feel like making an excuse and walking away. I supposed that was progress. Despite the fact that I had only just met him, I slipped my arm through his and smiled at him once more. "I'd like that".

-Percy Jackson-
~Two hours ago~

"It's been three weeks since you last dated anyone, Percy!" Grover, who had been my roommate and best friend for almost as long as I could remember, complained.

I sighed dramatically and pulled my earbuds free, dangling them from one finger. "What do you suggest I do then? It's always the same thing. I go on a date with a girl, everything seems to be going fine, and then she ends up falling for someone else instead!"

"Let Juniper and I set you up on a blind date with one of her friends. Apparently, she knows one who would be perfect for you".

I considered this idea. Juniper, Grover's girlfriend of four years, had quite a few female friends, and both she and Grover had been trying to set me up on blind dates with said friends for slightly over one and a half years. Quite frankly, I kind of wished they'd just stop it. "You both say that every single time. And they never are".

"Oh, but this time we actually mean it".

I rolled my eyes. "You say that every time too".

I thought about it briefly, mentally weighing the pros and cons, then sighed. What did I have to lose... "Fine, set the damn date up. This is the last one though. If it doesn't work out, you two have to promise to stay out of my romantic life for at least the rest of the year and let me find my own girlfriend. Agreed?"

He nodded. "Agreed. On the other hand, if it does work out, I get to decide what movie we watch this weekend".

"Fine".

I stood and headed for the door, grabbing my phone from my desk and slipping it into my pocket before pulling my jacket from the hanger nearby. "You going anywhere in particular?" Grover queried.

I shrugged. "Just out. I'll be back later".

~Now~

"I am so sorry about that! I was so busy thinking about my ex-boyfriend that I didn't notice I'd stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk"

I smiled slightly at the speaker as I got easily to my feet and brushed the dirt of my jeans before offering my hand to help her up. She smiled gratefully back at me. "Thanks".

"You're welcome".

I was momentarily entranced by the way that her stormy grey eyes sparkled as she looked at me. Gods, she was beautiful. Her skin was slightly tanned, giving the idea that she was from California or somewhere close to a beach, and she was slender, but not to the point of being unhealthy. This girl was special, there was no doubt about that, and I couldn't help but want to know more about her. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name".

She laughed, a clear, musical, sound that made me almost question my own disbelief in 'love at first sight'. "I didn't exactly offer it, did I? Annabeth Chase".

She extended her hand in a gesture of friendship, and I shook it. Her grip was pleasantly firm, giving the impression that she knew what she was capable of and refused to let life get her down (or for very long, if it did). "Percy Jackson. It's a pleasure to meet you, Annabeth Chase. Would you care to join me for a coffee?"

I gestured to the small coffee shop that we were standing outside of as I extended my offer to her. For the briefest of moments, it looked like she was seriously considering turning down my offer, but instead she smiled at me and slipped her arm through mine. "I'd like that".

So yeah. If you couldn't tell, I'll be switching character POVs every so often. For example, sometimes a chapter will start off in Annabeth's POV, then switch to Percy's partway through the Chapter.

Yes, I am aware this is a fairly cliche idea. Let's just go along with it though, see where it takes us. Could lead somewhere entertaining.

Anyway, Reviews?