Chapter Two

Annabeth walked up the two flights of stairs to get to Jason's apartment. The only thing she could hear was the sound of loud music blasting, and she smiled. Jason had always been one to blast his music as loud as he could. And since Percy is in a band, he probably has no problem with it. They most likely bonded over their love for loud music. She knocked, unsurprised to find that it probably couldn't be heard. Her hand hovered over the doorknob before she thought he's my best friend, he won't mind! And opening the door.

It was a typical male apartment, and just how she figured it would look. A mess. Clothes everywhere, a sink full of dishes, and she's almost sure that if she opened that box of pizza there would still be some in it.

From the corner of her eye she saw someone. He was standing in one of the two bedrooms, his back turned, messing with his phone. He was wearing a baseball cap, backwards just like Jason always did. He hadn't even heard her come in because of the music.

She smiled, making her way to the guy – hopefully Jason – in the bedroom, and throwing her hands over his eyes "Guess who."

The guy, that she now knows is not Jason, stiffened up "Well, it's not Piper."

Annabeth yanked her hands away, taking in his face when he turned around. She quickly smiled "Oh Gods, I'm sorry. I thought you were Jason."

Annabeth tilted her head. Percy wasn't what she was expecting. Piper had always dated people like Jason. Blonde, blue eyed, athletic. This guy didn't look a thing like that. The black hair, green eyes. He even has a lip ring! He was… Good looking. Kudos to Piper!

"It was the hat, wasn't it?"

Annabeth nodded, smiling "It was definitely the hat."

Percy took the hat off and looked it over "It's Jason's. I just took it from him." he reached over and turned the music down before turning back to Annabeth "I'm guessing you're the friend he's been going on about. I have to admit, you're a lot better looking than he described. I'm Percy."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. She couldn't help but wonder how Jason had described her. He wasn't always the best at that "Annabeth. You're dating Piper, right?" Percy nodded and Annabeth had to remind herself that she's on a mission "You're way better looking than I thought you would be."

"Annabeth!"

She spun around on her heel, smiling when she saw her friend and rushed over to throw her arms around him in a hug "I've missed you!"

Jason picked her up in a hug "Welcome back to New York, Annie!"

Annabeth groaned. Both Piper and Jason know how much the nickname bothers her, but they use it anyways. She hit his shoulder until he put her down with a laugh "I hope you know I'm expecting some dinner and a tour around this place. This campus is huge!" she could still feel Percy's eyes on her so she turned and looked over her shoulder at him with a smile "You better come, too."

Jason nodded in agreement, walking towards his room to grab some things "Yeah! Annabeth is great. Tag along with us!"

ΩΩΩ

When Annabeth got back to her apartment that night, Piper was relaxed on the couch watching some movie on her phone. She quickly paused it and leaned over the back of the couch to see her friend "So? How did it go? Was their apartment a mess as usual?"

Annabeth crinkled her nose in disgust but nodded "It was gross. I don't even want to go back." she fell on the couch and looked at Piper "I met Percy. He's a looker. Definitely not what I was expecting. You did good!"

"I know!" Piper sighed, leaning back "It's why I need you to do this for me. To make sure he's good and loyal."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, shaking her head "Piper."

"Okay! So, today he's seen you. And if he doesn't think you're attractive, then he's blind." Annabeth purposely chose not to tell Piper how he had said about her being 'better looking than described'. She probably wouldn't take that well "Now all you have to do is get to know him, become his friend, flirt… We need to know if he knows where the lines are."

And Annabeth did just that. In the beginning, she would head to Jason and Percy's apartment to hang out with the both of them. By the time she was there with just Percy, it wasn't weird to be alone with him.

ΩΩΩ

"What are you watching?" Annabeth asked as she let herself in to the boy's apartment and sitting next to Percy on the couch.

He shrugged, remote in his hand "Some college swim meet."

Annabeth frowned, eying the remote before looking back at his face "You swim. Do you really need to watch it, too?"

"Yes."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. She thought about grabbing the remote and changing the channel. That wouldn't do any good, though. She chose to look around instead, trying to think of anything to get him talking so she can act. Her eyes landed on the pile of dishes in the sink. Her nose wrinkled "I'm going to stop coming over if you guys don't start cleaning the dishes."

Percy glared at the dishes like they offended him "We can't have that, now can we?"

And that's how they found themselves standing at the sink, doing the dishes. Annabeth felt more than relieved that at least one mess would be cleaned up in this apartment. She gives it a week. Percy was standing next to her, drying the dishes and putting them away as she scrubbed.

Percy walked past her, resting a hand on the small of her back as he reached to put a bowl away. Annabeth turned to say something, pausing only when she realized how close their faces were. Their eyes connected in that way they always do, and it was usually innocent. Until Annabeth realized if she moved just right she could kiss him.

Annabeth moved to the side, looking down at their feet with a frown. That was the perfect opportunity and she had to go and get all nervous. Way to go, Annabeth. She cleared her throat, turning back towards the sink "Sorry. So, when we first met you said Jason described me." he hummed to let her know he was listening "What exactly did he say?"

At the question, Percy laughed. Annabeth liked the sound a little too much "Tan girl with crazy blonde curls and crazy eyes. So, you didn't sound too great. Crazy eyes is a bad thing."

Annabeth frowned "I don't have crazy eyes."

Percy shook his head "Your eyes are pretty. Unique. Different. That's how he should have phrased it, but… You know Jason."

"Yeah. He's not the best at describing anything. So, dishes? I want to get this done."

ΩΩΩ

"Can you let Percy in? I'm almost done getting ready!"

Annabeth sighed, pushing herself off the couch and heading to the door. How long have Percy and Piper been dating? Why doesn't he have a key yet? She pulled the door open, raising an eyebrow "Why don't you have a key?"

"That's a great question." Percy glanced towards Piper's room "I guess she isn't ready for me to see her not 'prettied up'. Which I don't understand. She doesn't need to be extra petty around me." he said with a roll of his eyes.

Annabeth shrugged, walking back towards the couch and turning her attention back to the TV. She looked over at Percy when he sat down next to her "Piper is naturally gorgeous. She shouldn't have to 'extra' pretty herself. I'll lecture her later."

Percy looked Annabeth over. She hadn't planned on doing anything or seeing anyone. She had decided to just stay in her sweatpants and tank-top all day and just be lazy for once. It's not often that Annabeth Chase is lazy. He gave her a smile when she met his eye "Then again, not everyone can make such a pretty hobo like you do, Annabeth."

Annabeth opened her mouth to reply before snapping it shut. Was that flirting? Is he flirting with her while is girlfriend is just in the other room? Annabeth shook her head, act on it, she told herself. She smiled "Don't say things like that or I'm just going to have to kidnap you for myself."

"I don't think Piper would like that too much."

Annabeth waved her hand around "She can deal. Right, Pipes?"

Piper walked up to them, a smile on her face. Her best friend and boyfriend. Bonding. Piper nodded, holding her hand out for Percy "Right. You ready?"

He nodded once, grabbing her hand and standing "I've been ready. I was just waiting on you." she smiled at him. He turned to Annabeth "I'll see you whenever I bring her back."

Annabeth waved them off. Peace and quiet. That's all she really wanted for one night, and she would be happy. She couldn't help but think about how Jason must be feeling. Was he upstairs? Was he upset that Piper was going out with his roommate? The guy she now knows is his best friend? She feels bad. When Jason is upset all she wants to do is give him a hug.

With that thought, she fell asleep on the couch.

Annabeth was woken by the sound of someone knocking on the door. She groaned, reaching towards the table and checking the time. Two A.M? Who is knocking on the door at two a.m? She really hoped it wasn't some drunk creep. They knocked again and she stood "I'm coming, I'm coming."

She wouldn't admit that it scared her just a little bit. Most people are sleeping by now. Everyone knows that. Her hands were definitely not shaking because of some stranger at the door. Nightmares are a real thing, and she hates them. The nightmare and having someone knock on the door both have her a little on edge.

Annabeth pulled the door open and was shocked, but also happy, to see Percy and Piper. An unconscious Piper. She quickly stepped out of the way "Gods, what happened?"

"Well," he started towards Piper's room, Annabeth right behind him "after dinner we went to some party that our friend was having. She drank a little too much."

Annabeth opened the door to Piper's room before walking back to the couch. It was far too dark for her liking. Especially after that dream. She quickly turned the TV on, sighing and pulling the blanket she had been using around her. She didn't even hear Percy walk up behind her "You okay?"

She jumped, turning to look at him "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."

Percy walked around the couch, sitting next to her and frowning. She hated more than anything that he could practically see right through her "Did I scare you?"

Annabeth snorted "Yeah, right. I was having a nightmare. So I could really thank you."

"Oh." Percy nodded like he understood. He probably did, for all she knows "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Nope. Not at all. I don't want to risk the nightmare becoming real. Usually if I talk about them, they show up from their hiding spots." Percy raised an eyebrow and Annabeth sighed. She glanced around nervously, as if she could spot those creatures "You know… Eight legs.. Ugly.. Terrifying."

"Spi-" Annabeth's glare made him snap his mouth shut "You're scared of them?"

"Extremely. They frequent my dreams."

Percy nodded in understanding. He leaned back, making himself comfortable and crossing his arms "Let me distract you until you fall asleep." Annabeth didn't even protest. She didn't have the energy to "Tell me more about yourself. Why you're scared of those things. What you're going to school for. Your family."

Annabeth couldn't help but smile when she started talking. Percy was nice. He was a genuinely nice guy. He was fun to talk. He was funny. She would admit, her best friend is lucky to have found someone like this. Annabeth found herself talking to him until they both fell asleep.