Percy ran his way to school. He woke up late, pressing the snooze button of his alarm clock one to many times. He ran a few meters before jumping on his skateboard and skateboarding the rest of the way to school. The boy flew by other pedestrians as he raced to his high school, Goode High, which is probably the only school that did not expel him after a month of him attending there.

Percy ran his hand through his untamable black raven hair as he beat the clock and had seven minutes to spare until homeroom started. However, being the clumsy person he is, he barely paid attention to where he rode next, after being alleviated that he managed to arrive on time, he basically ran into a poor girl that unfortunately was walking in front of Percy's oblivious riding.

The girl turned around to see what was heading towards her as her eyes became wide as saucers like a deer caught in the head light.

"Oof!' The boy with the black hair yelled as he flew off his skateboard and onto the girl knocking both of them on the ground. He wasn't hurt. The girl would a make a very good cushion one day, and today was that day.

The girl, who had blond hair that descended down her back in curly ringlets, groaned from the ground. She was on the verge of blacking out, having the air knocked out of her by a hundred pound boy out of nowhere.

Percy hastily rolled off the poor blond haired girl and offered a hand to help the girl up, whom gladly took it, and was still a little bit wobbly.

"I am so sorry, it was totally my fault." Percy said, looking down and scratching the back of his neck. And, it was, Percy cursed himself for not being attentive enough. "I'm Percy, by the way." He looked up and was shocked at the density of the blond's eyes. They were a cloudy shade of grey, like an upcoming storm or an overcast sky.

And, the eyes were even more intimidating if they were glaring daggers into your head. They, however, softened a bit when, the girl understood that it was an accident. "It's okay," she said, nicely. "I'm Annabeth, and we should probably go now, if we don't want to be late to class."

"Oh right!" Percy exclaimed remembering the cause of this little accident. He hurriedly picked up his skateboard which had rolled off meters away from the momentum.

"So you attend Goode High?" Percy asked while fast walking the few yards to entrance of the high school.

"Yes," Annabeth breathed, obviously out of breathe and still a little bit wobbly from the incident.

"How come I never seen you before?" Percy inquired, curious. Annabeth winced a little.

"I'm not the most…popular student to attend the school." The grey eyed girl said, aggravated.

Percy nodded in understanding, although he did not really comprehend. He was not the most popular kid at school, but at least he had made tons of friends easily. "Oh…well, now you have a friend" Percy said charismatically, and grinned at Annabeth as they walked the hallways of the school.

Percy was surprised as Annabeth followed him into the same homeroom class. They made it just as the bell rang, and the homeroom teacher, who was also his history teacher, smiled at them and told them to sit down. Percy made his way to the front of the classroom, and as he plopped down on his seat, he noticed Annabeth walk towards the back of the room. And, for the umpteenth time he felt guilty for not noticing such a beautiful girl.

..

Apparently, Annabeth was in his gym and Greek class as well. During the walk to another class, Percy was able to catch up to her.

"Hey," Percy gasped, catching his breathe. Annabeth was the first out and by the time he made it out of the classroom, she was far ahead of him.

The blond haired girl looked shocked for a second before regaining her composure, "Hey, Percy…" she managed to say.

"So, we are in the same Greek and gym class," Percy stated, wanting to start on a conversation. The upcoming period was lunch, so he did not have to rush to class, and due to the fact that every grade has the same lunch period, Annabeth did not have to rush either.

"Yeah, I take the AP classes, so I'm stuck with the geeks," Annabeth nodded.

"Yeah…that explains a lot...the highest grade I would every get is a C+." The green eyed boy laughed.

Annabeth shook her head and chuckled, "Seaweed Brain."

"Oh yeah? Is that the best you could do? Wise Girl!" Percy stuck his tongue out at her.

Annabeth only rolled her eyes playfully as they entered the cafeteria, "Thanks, I'm flattered, "she said sarcastically.

Percy only laughed, but as he started to retort, he noticed that Annabeth had disappeared. He craned his head to look for her, and saw that she went to the back of the lunchroom and sat down at one the empty tables. Ignoring his friends who were gesturing for him to join them, he made his way towards Annabeth as she started to pull out a book from her book bag.

"Hey, he said as he slammed his hands in front of her. Annabeth jumped.

"Percy?" she asked incredulous. "You are still here?"

Percy laughed. "Of course I'm here, why wouldn't I?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes but then abruptly became serious, "You are going to drop your social status colossally if you don't get out of here now, and I'm warning you."

The boy laughed again, "I don't care about that, and no one uses the word 'colossally'"

The blond looked skeptical, "If you want to hang out with the aloof person of the crew, fine by me, but it would be at your risk."

"Of course I want to hang out with you, you seem cool," Percy grinned as Annabeth's lips twitched upwards a fragment of an inch.

"Alright, then."

..

It was sophomore year and Percy and Annabeth were the best of friends. But, it was different now, instead of just Percy and Annabeth, it was 'Percy and Annabeth and ten thousand more people.' It may seem like a hyperbole, but Percy wasn't joking. Annabeth had found the courage to make friends and she was very good at it. With friends like Piper and Thalia, she wasn't an outcast anymore. So, Percy and Annabeth combined groups, and now they were a large miscellaneous collection of friends.

Despite being a one large happy assembly of comrades, he rarely spent time with his best grey- eyed friend. And, it was taking a toll on him. He missed the way she would chuckle if he said something funny, or roll her eyes when he said something stupid, but most of all smile a beautiful smile for just being him.

"So, Annie, how's it going?" Percy said as he suddenly appeared next to her. Annabeth jumped a little from shock.

"Percy!" she yelled, "You scared me!"

The green-eyed boy laughed, "That was the point. So, do you think we could hang out this Saturday?"

Annabeth's smile disappeared. "Oh, sorry, Seaweed Brain, Piper and I got plans…"

"It's fine. How about Sunday?"

"Nope, Hazel and I are going to go to the art museum across town."

"Oh…its fine then." Percy said. He would have to find plans with one of his friends, like Grover or Jason.

..

The next week, Percy promised himself that he would make plans with Annabeth earlier. His weekend with Grover and Jason was sadly awkward and uncanny.

"Hey, Annie," Percy said as he slung an arm over her shoulder

"Oh hey," she stated as she smiled brightly up at him.

"I was wondering if you are free this Saturday. It would be nice to do something together, like old times, you know?"

"Oh yeah, I'm totally free this Saturday, I would love to hang with you," Annabeth smiled at her best friend warmly.

"Then it's settled, you will come to my house on Friday and spend the rest of the Saturday there, too." Percy said frivolously.

Annabeth laughed, "What? You only said Friday, Seaweed Brain, not two days of my weekend when I'm supposed to be studying."

"Oh well, your plans are now changed, you are sleeping over at my house."

"…Fine."

..

By the end of the school day on Friday, Percy was jumping for joy. Annabeth was all his for the weekend. The girl with the blond hair that descended down her back in ringlets was waiting for him outside of the school.

"Yo, Seaweed Brain," she said, jocular. "Ready to get your butt walking and off to your house?"

"I've been born ready." Percy retorted as they started on the five minute walk to his house, which happened to be only three blocks away from the high school.

..

Percy had the time of his life with Annabeth. They spent the day watching movies, playing Monopoly, the Game of Life, playing Halo, and just talking.

Now, Annabeth was in the shower, and Percy was daydreaming with a goofy grin on his face. Annabeth never ceased to make him happy. And, as he started to dream about their next 'play date,' Annabeth appeared at his doorway, in his t-shirt ready to sleep. Percy, being the gentleman he was not, already took a shower.

"Hey, time to go bed, Perce, I'm exhausted," Annabeth groaned and then yawned.

"Alright," Percy agreed sliding in his bed after turning off the lights. Annabeth crawled in after him. Soon, they were huddled closely together, sharing each other's warmth.

"Hey, I missed this," shared Annabeth softly.

Percy chuckled, his face tickled by Annabeth's hair. "Yeah me too. We used to do this almost every weekend in freshman year."

Annabeth smiled at him, "Yeah…but we should do it more often from now on."

"Yeah totally."

"And thanks for letting me borrow your shirt." Annabeth laughed harmoniously. It sounded like bells to Percy.

"No problem, go to sleep now, its late." Percy said but Annabeth was already soundly asleep. The raven haired boy smiled fondly at his best friend. He loved her, not in a romantic way, but in a way that best friends do. And at that time, he would not want it any other way.

..

Sophomore year has come and gone, and now, Percy and Annabeth are officially juniors. It was the middle of January and the winter dance was approaching. Percy was a little worried, he did not have a date, and it was embarrassing to go to the dance dateless. However, Annabeth was also partnerless and Percy was going to ask if they could go together, as friends. So, during lunch, he approached her.

"Hey Annabanna," Percy said as he sat down across from Annabeth.

"So, for the winter dance, because we are both partner less-"

"Wait, what makes you think I am partner less?" Annabeth snapped cutting him off.

"B-but yesterday you were totally free!" Percy exclaimed, shocked.

"And, does that make me incapable of getting a date today?" Annabeth retorted.

"Okay okay, I'm sorry, so who is this lucky man?"

Annabeth's eyes softened, "Luke Castellan, you know, the captain and the quarter back of the football team."

Percy's eyes became as wide as saucers, "Luke Castellan asked you out?"

Annabeth nodded, "Yeah, I'm shocked too, but what do you know, maybe I am attractive," she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Percy laughed and then Annabeth joined in. But, for some reason, he was not happy. It was like a flame had ignited in his body. A certain frustration taking over him. It could possibly be because Luke Castellan was a total jock and had a date-and-dump motto, or it could be Percy's strange feelings towards Annabeth. He felt more…protective and close to her lately. It was a feeling he couldn't describe. He had so many questions about it…yet he could not answer any of them.

But, he had other things to worry about; he had to find a date before Friday, which was only four days away.

..

Percy managed to find a date on Wednesday. Her name was Rachel and she was his partner in art class and he managed to ask her out, despite the fact that he was a stuttering mess. That was the past, and now it was Friday night.

The worried boy straightened his tie and checked himself out in front of the mirror. He wore forest green tie that juxtaposition well with his eyes, and a black tux. His hair was disheveled as always but it made him look charming. To put it simply, Percy looked hot.

Although his hands were still clammy, he walked with a certain confidence that radiated charisma and appeal. It may have been Percy's imagination, but as he walked in the gym with Rachel, the other students that were there, especially the girls, looked in awe as he passed.

Nevertheless, the reaction was more wondrous when Annabeth had walked in with her hand on Luke's. She wore a beautiful one sleeved royal blue dress that fell behind her in elegant ruffles. Her hair was down in golden ringlets and her hair had a braided crown with light blue platted and white flowers imbedded into the weaves. When she moved, the dress danced around her in a beautiful dance and she walked elegantly in her navy blue shoes with white lace flowers on it. When she grasped Luke's hand her nail polish made like icicles and a snowflake ring on her middle finger showed. A heart and pearl necklace was wrapped around her neck. As she laughed at what Luke said her earrings which were snowflake shaped matched her ring showed completed her outfit. Annabeth was beautiful.

Percy's mouth was agape as he stared at the stunning figure in front of him. If he didn't know better, he would have thought she was the Queen's daughter or something. But he did, and the person in front of him was his best friend. The person he loved. That was the strange feeling…love.

His red headed date Rachel appeared next to him. "She's quite the attention hog, isn't she?" Rachel said snarky.

Percy's last nerve burst because of this. He didn't know why he was so mad all of a sudden, but it was probably because Annabeth looked so happy with Luke. "Yeah? I could say the same about you…maybe even worse."

Rachel scoffed, but before she could retort, Annabeth came gliding over, the slight tap of her heals could be heard. Luke's arm was draped casually on her shoulder, his mouth pressed on her cheek.

"Hey, Perce," Annabeth said airily…the adrenaline was clearly pumping through her veins. "How is your date going?"

"It's going fine." He replied grudgingly. But, Annabeth didn't notice.

"That's great! But, I have great news," there was a pause for dramatic effect. "Luke and I are officially dating!"

Percy's jaw dropped, but he quickly regained his composure, "That's great!" he lied. The flame in his stomach was back…it was like he was infected with jealousy.

..

The dance after that was uneventful, Rachel and Percy parted ways after the dance, agreeing to just stay friends. A full month had passed with Annabeth and Luke making lovey dovey eyes at each other during class and speaking twenty four seven. It was absolutely painful.

It was six o'clock on a chilly Friday night. Percy was lying on his bed being the lazy person he is. Out of the blue, his phone had started to play Mayday Parade's Memory, his ringtone. He picked it up and answered with a bored, "Hello?"

"P-Percy?" replied a stuttering Annabeth, she sounded shocked, not yet crying but shocked. "Can I come over right now?" Percy, fulfilling his role as a best friend approved. And, in a matter of minutes the ring of the doorbell was audible. Just as he opened the door, Annabeth came flying into his arms, hugging him tight. She started to sob into his shirt, soaking it up.

Percy brought her upstairs and into his room and sat her down on his bed, never once letting her go. He whispered soothing words into her ear, never hesitating to hug her tighter to his body, kissing her hair as he did so. Annabeth rarely cried, only a few times but only when she was in private with him. She stopped after what seemed hours. She still looked on the verge of sobbing again. Her eyes were glossed over and her face was stained with a thousand tears. Her throat was raspy and she was barely able to speak.

"I-I" she started, stuttering a bit, but Percy cut her off.

"Shh, you don't have to talk right now." He said.

But she resisted, "No, I want to, you deserve it."

Annabeth heard screaming and yelling from her closed room. It was nothing abnormal, but this time it sounded more vulgar and vile. She heard glass breaking and objects smashing into the walls and floor. This was definitely new. After few hours of this nonstop, Annabeth was called into the room along with her older brother Malcolm and younger twin brothers Bobby and Mathew.

Her parents were red faced from the constant yelling, their faces showed utter hatred. Annabeth was reluctant to ask, "What's going on here?"

Her mom's eyes softened, but her tone showed her effort to tame her voice, "We have something to tell you. Something regarding our family issues." 'More like parental issues,' thought Annabeth.

Her father continued, "We are getting divorced. Annabeth you are going with your mother, the boys are coming with me," the way he said it was like ripping the bandage off wounded skin, fast, painful, the hurt was unpredictable.

She was shocked, Annabeth was able to deal with her parents' fighting, but this was just unbearable. She loved her brothers, no matter how annoying they could be.

The blond didn't know what to do, she started to yell. "You think you have the right to take me away from my brothers, and go with my mom, who failed to complete her job, the very person to show little care about me, maybe even less? All those years of making my own lunch, dinner, doing my own things for my own survival and my brothers all for nothing? And, the constant yelling? Who do you think you are, separating our family?" I HATE you! You-you ugh!" She wanted to curse them so much, but she knew she would get it so much worse. Annabeth stormed out of the room, her brothers following suit, each after yelling at their parents, leaving them shocked. Annabeth needed to get out of here.

Her first thought was Percy, but she felt in debt with constant helping, so she went to Luke. She approached from the back door, where Luke had given her keys to. But as she approached, Annabeth heard voices.

"Luke…I love you so much," said a voice.

"I-I love you too, Rachel," Luke replied.

"I'm so glad you ditched that Annie girl, when are you going to break up with her? In fact, why haven't you already?" the voice, Rachel, screeched. Annabeth didn't hear Luke's reply, she was already running, to Percy's house, which was the only option left.

Percy was absolutely infuriated. How dare her parents? How dare Luke? How could they hurt someone as beautiful as Annabeth? It was unbearable for him. So, he just laid Annabeth down on his bed and lay down next to her. She leaned her head on his chest and he wrapped a protective arm around her.

"It's okay," Percy said, "I'm here, and it makes you okay."

Annabeth just nodded. And when he thought she was asleep, she said, "thank you for this, I love you so much."

Percy thanked the gods that it was dark, because he blushed tomato red. He knew Annabeth meant it in a best friend way, but it still made him giddy inside. "Yeah, I love you too." But he loved her in a different way.

Percy was sure Annabeth fell asleep because she was breathing more deeply and she wasn't saying a word. And so, he fell asleep, loving his best friend.