Insecurities

Chapter 1: Percabeth

Percy groaned in frustration and gritted his teeth. He had been trying to read this book all day, but his ADHD kept making sure that he couldn't get past the first chapter. This was exactly why he didn't usually read, but today he was determined to read the entire book, cover to cover.

Earlier that day, he had overheard two Athena kids talking about him.

He had been brushing blackjack, when they walked into the stables and started brushing some horses nearby. They didn't see Percy, but just as he was about to say hi, he heard his name.

"I have no idea why Annabeth is dating Percy. I mean, sure he's hot, but the difference in their IQ is humongous!"

The other kid nodded and said," I'm pretty sure she's going to dump him soon. I mean, he's probably never read an entire book cover to cover!"

"Except for !" The other one quipped, and they both burst into laughter.

Then they walked off, chortling, and Percy stood there staring after them, his insecurities bubbling up.

That was how Percy ended up sitting in his cabin for the rest of the day, battling his ADHD and attempting to read one of Annabeth's favourites- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone. It was most probably the toughest thing he had ever done, but he'd be damned if he let a book separate him from his wise girl. Deep down, He knew that Annabeth wouldn't dump him over a book, but he wanted to be the best boyfriend he could, and he would prove those Athena kids wrong, prove that he was smart enough for Annabeth.

A few hours later, he still hadn't finished the first chapter. He let out a frustrated yell and threw the book across the room, burying his head in his hands. He couldn't even read one little book. Maybe those kids were right, Annabeth was going to leave him, of course she was, she deserved to date someone smarter, somebody good enough. Percy wasn't good enough. He let out a sob, and in his blind panic didn't even notice the door opening.

"Percy?" Annabeth's concerned voice filled his cabin and she stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. "You've been in here all day. What's wrong?".

Saying she was surprised to find her boyfriend crying would be an understatement. She had just met him that morning, and he seemed fine, ranting about connections between Frozen and The Little Mermaid to anyone who would listen.

Percy let out a choked sob "Please don't leave me! I- I'm going to read it really I am , I just , just-"

"Whoa, what?" Annabeth sank down next to him, putting an arm around him and rubbing his back. "I'm not going anywhere. Now, tell me again, slowly, what happened. The entire story."

Percy slowly calmed down, and told her what had happened, what her siblings had said and how he couldn't read. After he was done, he refused to meet her eyes, embarrassed that he couldn't read even one chapter.

Annabeth stared at her boyfriend, and to his surprise, started laughing. He stared at her in surprise. She leaned forward and kissed him, laughing even more at his bewildered expression, and said "Seaweed brain,Having ADHD does not make you stupid, ok? I'm not going to leave you because of a book! I love you, and that isn't going to change, ever. Ignore what my sibling said, they don't know ANYTHING about us. " Percy started grinning. She kissed him once more and said "you're not getting rid of me that easily!"

The next day, two Athena kids got mysteriously injured and ended up in the infirmary, and developed an unexplainable fear of blondes with grey eyes.