Percy was in love with a cellist.
She was the cellist he always dreamed about, who played at the 3rd Street Promenade in LA every Friday and Saturday. Whenever he walked by, he always left a hefty tip, although he felt that this amazing cellist belonged in Carnegie Hall. Sometimes he'd stop at the cafe right across from where she played and drink his coffee while staring dreamily at her. The barista, Rachel, always told him to, "grow a pair and ask her out!" But Percy doubted she even knew he existed.
He could sit there all day (and he had, before) watching her silky blond curls flow in the breeze, listening to the magic that she created with her slightly battered cello, studying her tanned face as she closed her eyes and became her music.
One Friday, the cellist (who he had learned was named Annabeth-Percy didn't think there was a name more beautiful than that) had a little table in front of her advertising her 10% off cello lessons.
"Make your move, you coward!" Rachel urged. "Ask her for cello lessons!"
She practically shoved him out of the door and he stumbled and tripped his way up to her. She looked up, and Percy seriously thought he was going to either choke or barf under her beautiful gaze.
"Can I help you?" she asked, smiling a little. Percy's face reddened.
"Um...yeah, I, uh, I would like some, uh, cello lessons," Percy spluttered.
Annabeth's face broke out into a real smile, and Percy felt like his heart was going to burst.
"Just fill out this form, please," she said.
"Oh, um, of course," Percy said.
As he started filling out information, Annabeth asked him, "Uh, Percy, are you free tonight?"
"Wait, how do you know my name?" Percy asked her.
Annabeth's face flushed, and she mumbled something intelligible. At his confused expression, she repeated, "I'm friends with Rachel."
"Oh," he said intelligently.
"Oh," she agreed.
"Wait, were you asking me out?"
"Uh, maybe...I mean yes. I was," she said, refusing to look him in the eye.
"And now you're not? Because I would totally accept," Percy said.
"You would?" Annabeth's eyes sparkled, and she smirked. "Well then, I'll see you tomorrow night at the Luna Llena at 7:00, if that works for you."
"Oh, it totally does," Percy agreed. Whatever he might've planned for then was now canceled.
"So, I'll, uh, see you tomorrow?" Percy asked.
She smiled and agreed.
Yep, Percy thought. I love cellists.