Percy grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the shore. I glared at him, but he was facing away from me and didn't notice, so he didn't shrink under the glare. I couldn't help but stare at his raven black, messy hair that was blowing gently in the wind, making him look like he came straight out of a movie. And his chest… Yes, he had a six-pack. Gods, he had a swimmer's body.
No, I scolded myself. You will not stare at Percy today. You do not like him. You do not like him. I like him. Does he like me back? GODS! SHUT UP!
Did I seriously just tell myself to shut up?
"So, are you coming in or what?" Percy chuckled, shaking me from my thoughts. He was standing in the shore, and I was about an inch away from the water. I yelped and stepped back. "What's wrong?" he asked. He sounded concerned, and oh my gods he looked so cute when his eyebrows furrowed like that when he's worried. Oh my gods, shut up, Annabeth!
"I… I can't go in," I mumbled, staring at my feet.
"Why not?" he begged.
"Poseidon hates Athena kids, remember? There's a 99% chance I'll drown."
"Well, you got 1 percent on your side," he gave me a lopsided grin. "And come on, I won't let you drown. I promise. And I'll kill my dad if he lets anything happen to you."
I sighed, "Percy-"
"No. You're my best friend and I'm teaching you how to swim."
You're my best friend and I'm teaching you how to swim.
You're my best friend.
Best friend.
I felt like a dagger went through my heart.
"Fine," I gave in.
"And don't worry, I know CPR," he wiggled his eyebrows.
I turned bright red. "No. I'd rather die than kiss you," I lied.
He rolled his eyes but for some reason, he looked hurt by my comment. "Yeah, whatever Wise Girl. Come here, I promise I don't bite," he stretched out his arms to me, signaling for me to step into the water.
I nervously stared at the shore. "I… I can't go in," I said again.
"Annabeth, the water isn't going to hurt you," he sighed. "Especially if I'm here."
"I can't do this," I insisted. "Poseidon will get rid of me the first chance he gets."
"Annabeth, my dad knows I'd kill myself if it meant you could have just a few more days on your lifeline," he stared into my eyes. I felt like he was looking into my soul.
"Percy," I scolded, "if you ever do such a thing I'd kill you before you could kill yourself."
He chuckled, "That's the Wise Girl I know and love."
My heart fluttered when he said 'love.'
"Come on," he smiled. "Swimming is easy after you get the hang of it," he shrugged. "It's like riding a bike."
"A big, scary, deadly bike," I hissed. "Seaweed Brain, why can't you understand that I just can't? Athena kids are afraid of the friggin' shower, for crying out loud!"
He laughed at that.
I glared, "Shut up, it's not funny."
"Annabeth," he said between laughs, "come on. Please? For me?"
I glanced at the waves. I sighed, I can do this. I closed my eyes and ran to Percy. I crashed into his chest and hugged him tight.
"Please, please, please don't let go," I begged.
He chuckled and hugged me back. "Wise Girl, I sort of have to eventually if you're ever actually going to swim."
I hugged tighter. "Percy, I'm scared," I whispered.
"Shh," he mumbled, combing my hair with his hand. "It's okay, Wise Girl. Come on, let go. You're choking me," he chuckled.
I blushed and let go.
I hugged myself, shaking while I stared at the water around me.
"Gods, you're really scared, huh?"
I shakily nodded my head.
"Hey, it's okay. You're going to be fine," he soothed.
"Per-"
I felt a current go underneath my feet, and soon I was getting dragged out to the center of the lake, underwater. I couldn't scream, because I couldn't breathe. I had to hold my breath, but I knew I couldn't for much longer. I just kept my eyes tightly closed and my mouth locked.
But I felt someone wrap their arms around my waist, and I felt air around me. I opened my eyes, but I was still underwater. But… I could breathe. I gasped for breath.
Soon, I broke to the surface with the person, and they helped me to shore. I fell face-first on the sand, kissing the ground.
"Thank the gods I'm alive," I sighed a breath of relief to myself and stuffed my face into the sand. "I hate the water. It's official. I love you sweet, sweet ground."
I felt a presence near me.
I sat up so I was sitting on my thighs and turned around to find Percy next to me, staring at me.
"Um, hi? Thanks for saving me?"
"I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I shouldn't of pushed you so much to swim," he sighed and sat down next to me.
"Hey, it's okay," I chuckled. "Not your fault, really. Someone was bound to try to make me swim eventually."
He smiled at me and I felt like someone was shooting a gun a million times at my heart. My palms suddenly felt sweaty and I felt like I was going to implode of so much blushing. I was in for a long ride on the rollercoaster of friend-zone.
