The Decoy

A/N: OOC everyone. Enjoy!

Chapter One

"I think he's cheating on me."

Annabeth looked up from unpacking her bag to look down at her watch. Not even an hour of getting settled in and her friend is already pulling her in to the drama. It's not like she wasn't expecting it, of course. It's more like she would have liked to at least have a full twenty-four hours before the talk of drama.

Maybe drama talk is just Piper's way of catching up.

Piper McLean and Annabeth Chase had been childhood friends. They only separated when college hit and while Piper, and their mutual best friend, Jason Grace, went off to NYU, Annabeth chose to attend school in California. They use to talk every single day, then monthly check-ins and promises to meet up soon. Their junior years, they barely spoke at all until Annabeth called to tell her that she'd be moving to New York, and attending NYU. Piper was ecstatic! Her best friend was coming back, and they'd all be reunited!

Annabeth really hadn't told anyone why she was transferring schools and moving back. But it's her secret, and she wants to keep it that way. She's a private person. Piper and Jason would understand that, right? She'll tell them when she's ready.

The only downside Annabeth has is that she'll have to make new friends. At least the school year hasn't started yet so she has time to make friends before the first official day.

"It's just weird, you know? I just have this feeling that he's not being faithful and I know that it's true."

Annabeth sighed, turning her attention back to her bag and unpacking it. Piper fell on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Annabeth was too busy missing her best friend, that she forgot about the one thing that always bothered her. Piper was insecure, and Annabeth had no idea why. Piper is beautiful, smart, and funny!

"Why don't you just straight up ask him? Or, if you don't trust him, why not break up with him?" it was an obvious solution, really.

"I don't want to break up with him because I really do want to be with him." Piper sighed, dropping her hands to her stomach, her eyes focused on the ceiling "I also don't want to scare him off with stupid trust issues. Girls practically bow at his feet. He's in a band and a swimmer. I don't want to tell him that I'm scared he's not being faithful, and then him turn around and take one of the girls that drools over him."

"I understand where you're coming from, but, if you really want to get to the bottom of it, you have to talk to him. Who is this guy, anyways?"

Piper smiled "He's good friends with Jason. They're roommates."

Annabeth frowned at that. She couldn't begin to imagine how Jason felt. The poor guy had been head over heels in love with Piper for as long as she can remember. And the only person who doesn't seem to notice, is Piper herself. The fact that she's dating his roommate probably tore him apart. She made a mental note to go see him as soon as she was all unpacked.

"So, I'm guessing I'll be meeting this mysterious boyfriend soon? Maybe I can sense his feelings."

Piper sat up, a nervous look on her face. She stared down at her hands, twiddling her fingers, a nervous habit Annabeth noticed back in high school "Actually, Annie, I was hoping.."

Annabeth froze, a pile of clothes half out of her suitcase before she dropped them back in "Piper..." she started with a warning tone.

"I know, trust me, I know. It's stupid to ask, but -"

"This isn't high school anymore, Pipes."

Piper rolled her eyes, dropping her hands to the bed beside her and giving her friend the best puppy dog eyes she could muster "It works like a charm though!"

"Piper."

"Please, Annabeth! I just want to see how he would react to the hot new girl making a move on him. It's not like he knows your my best friend! Will he act like a committed boyfriend, or a douche bag?"

Annabeth threw her head back and groaned.

There had been times back in high school when Piper would start dating a crush. It would be some guy she has "liked for forever", and when he finally starts liking her back or asks her out, she panics. Her trust issues kicked in and she would need some reassurance that the guy was the real thing and not just playing her. It had started by just asking Annabeth to flirt with one guy to see how the reacted. When Annabeth would make the move, leaning in to kiss them, they'd either kiss her back and be history, or push her away. Piper found it was the easiest route to making sure her boyfriends were faithful, and eventually ended up asking Annabeth to do it for every single one of them.

What did Piper do for the three years they were apart?

Annabeth didn't like thinking about those times. They were young and dumb. It wasn't healthy for Piper to deal with her insecurities like that, and Annabeth had told her that many times. Annabeth had hated the reputation it had gotten her in high school, and she had vowed after leaving, to never ever doing that again.

"There are better ways to deal with this, Piper."

"I know, I know. But some of the best relationships I've had are the ones that I could see the commitment with when they turned you down. It makes me feel better! You're hot. If they don't go for you, they won't go for anyone while dating me!"

"Do you realize how messed up that is?" Annabeth said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.

"Since when are you so judgmental? What happened to Annabeth Chase?!"

Annabeth sighed. She hadn't realized at all that she wasn't acting like Annabeth Chase from high school. It's been three years! Had Piper really expected her to come back and be the same girl? People change.

"I'm sorry, Pipes." Annabeth apologized with a frown "I'll do this thing one more time. But you have to promise me you will never ask me to do this again. Ever."

Piper jumped up, throwing her arms around Annabeth and pressing a kiss to her cheek "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise!"

Annabeth laughed, wiping her cheek with her hand and pushing her friend away "So what's the plan? What do you want me to do?"

"I just want you to give him attention. Just try and make some moves on him. He doesn't know yet that we're friends, and I doubt he'll know we tell each other everything."

Annabeth snorted. She can't remember the last important thing she had told Piper. It's been two years since she's shared anything remotely personal with her friend. At this point in time, they don't know much about each others lives at all. They'll always be best friends, though. Nothing could come between them. Annabeth just knows they'll regain their old connection.

Annabeth nodded "Will Jason find it strange that I'm hitting on your man?"

Piper shook her head "Don't do it in front of Jason! Simple as that."

"Speaking of Jason, I should probably go see him."

"Perfect! You'll also meet the boyfriend. I think he's there, anyways."

Annabeth nodded before yawning, lifting her arms above her head to stretch "I think I'll take a nap first."

Piper smiled, throwing her arms around her friend again "I'm just so glad to have you here! I've missed you so much!"

Annabeth hugged her back this time, and she couldn't stop the smile "I missed you, too, Pipes. I'm hoping this year will be great." Piper nodded, heading towards the door that leads to the living room and kitchen "Oh! And Piper?" Piper turned and looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow "What's this mystery boyfriends name?"

Piper laughed "It's Percy."