"Women may fall when there's no strength in men." –William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet


Percy was sitting at his computer, playing a game when his phone rang. He tapped the escape key to pause it, and unlocked his phone. He saw it was from Annabeth. They had been talking off and on for the past few days, Percy begging his goddess for forgiveness, and Annabeth, who wasn't having any of it. He tapped open on his phone screen.

Hey. Could you possibly come to my band thing tonight? It read. Percy sighed a little. He usually wasn't about physical pain. Percy's favored form of self-torture was his emotional/mental state. The more he saw of Annabeth, the more it reminded him of how badly he messed up, the more pain it caused him inside. Depressing music helped too. He sighed once more, and typed out an answer.

I suppose I can try to make it. When does it start, and when does it end? Percy sent.

We go on at 7:30, and it ends at 8:45. He read.

I suppose I can come to that. Went his response. See you there. He added as a follow-up. He waited, but didn't get a response. Percy checked his watch, then un-paused his game. He had some time to kill.


Percy hopped out of the car, thanked his mom for the ride, and walked towards the football stadium. Annabeth was in the color guard section of the marching band. The color guard's job was to dance, and do fancy choreographed routines with flags, and other straight objects. It was a very appeasing thing to watch. Percy leaned against the fence, looking for Annabeth. He longed to think that he was 'looking for his girl', but he could no longer think that way. He caught sight of her talking to some of the other members. An announcer's voice suddenly rang through the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Goode high school marching band, playing songs from 1001 Arabian Nights!" All the parents applauded as the marching band began their routine.

The songs were easily recognizable, but Percy only half-listened. He was too busy trying to keep his mouth shut as he watched Annabeth dance and twirl. The entire color guard was dressed up in the same red, Arabian outfits, but Annabeth easily looked the prettiest. He never once took his eyes off her as the band played on. All at once, the band finished, and everyone applauded. Even Percy did. He recognized good when he saw (and in this case, heard) it. The band began to exit the field in their orderly fashion. He ran around to meet them. Annabeth was putting her flags away. He slowly walked up to her.

"Hey," he said. "You guys did great out there." He said. She smiled a little.

"Thanks." Percy looked at his watch. It was about 8:00.

"Hey, I thought you said this ended at 8:45." He said. She shrugged.

"I thought so too. You can just catch a ride with me if you want." Percy nodded.

"Sure, that sounds alright." He said. She smiled again.

"Cool. I'm going to go get changed." Annabeth said. Percy nodded, and sat down on a nearby bench.

After Annabeth got changed, the pair (not quite couple anymore, who could tell if that's what they would be ever again?) walked out to the parking lot. Her mother was there already, waiting for them. They jumped in the car, and Athena Chase began the usual parental tirade, how did you do, that girl looks trashy, blah blah blah… Percy just stared out the window. After a few minutes, Athena announced that they would be stopping at a Walmart to pick up a few things for Annabeth's school-required drama project. They entered the store, and Percy and Annabeth split off to go find the supplies; bells, and party poppers.

"C'mon, they'll probably be in the crafts or party section," Annabeth said. Percy followed her. The two walked in silence, until out of nowhere, Annabeth threw her arms around Percy's neck, and kissed him hard on the mouth.

Percy almost lost his balance, but he managed to carefully place his hands on her hips. They stayed that way, for what seemed to be eternity, when they both pulled away at the same time, slightly gasping for breath.

"Well," Percy said. "That was unexpected." Annabeth laughed and Percy put his arm around her.


The search for the bells soon became half-hearted as the two began stealing kisses in between 'looking' for their items. Eventually, after ten minutes of searching, they could not find the bells, and left the store. Athena was waiting for them in the car. The two lovers got in the car, and began to drive to Percy's house. They secretly kissed a few more times in the car, not being able to get enough of each other. The trio pulled up on Percy's driveway after about fifteen minutes, and they walked up to his door.

"So, I guess we're good now?" Percy asked. Annabeth thought for a moment.

"I'm not going to pretend that I didn't cry, or feel hurt about this…" She said softly. Percy lifted her head so that he could look her in the eyes.

"I admit that I made a huge mistake. It was never my intention to hurt you. It's the last thing I'd ever want. Nothing like that will ever happen again, and I'll do whatever is necessary to gain your trust again." Percy said. Annabeth smiled, and they kissed again.

"See you tomorrow Seaweed Brain." She laughed, and then she was gone. Percy watched her go, hating it, but loving her more than ever. He thought he was forgiven.

He was wrong.

This was Wednesday.


Percy and Annabeth met each other after every class. Annabeth would insist on walking him to class, and despite Percy's protests, she would still do it. They walked to class, kissed goodbye, and Percy would think about her all day, and how happy he would be next time he saw her beautiful face. Everything was back on track, crisis averted, Houston, we no longer have a problem. That's what he thought.

Reality was colder.

The last bell of the day rang, and Percy was waiting for his true love by the stairs. He brightened when he saw her, then fear overtook him. Annabeth was depressed. He could read it all over her face. He ran up to her and put what he thought was a comforting arm around her.

"What's wrong Wise Girl?" He asked. She looked at him.

"Women may fall when there's no strength in men," She said. Percy didn't like the sound of that.

"Annabeth, I don't get what that me-" He began.

"The quote is from Romeo and Juliet. The quote is saying that the man cannot be upset if the woman strays or loses interest in him, if she can't trust the man to be faithful," She stated oh-so eloquently.

Percy felt his heart lurch.

"Baby, I'm sorry. By now, I'm a broken record. You know that I love you, and I know I made a mistake. I can't ever do anything that would make you forgive me." Percy said as they approached the buses. Annabeth said nothing. They were in front of Percy's bus.

"I love you." Percy said to her. Annabeth looked down.

"I'm sure…" She said, and walked away. Percy watched her walk away again, only this time, he didn't feel nearly as happy. His scars tingled, and he thought,

What are we… after all we've been through… what are we?