Hello.
DON'T KILL ME! *Cowers*
I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long, but things got…crazy. And plus, I got grounded…ugh.
So…
Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
***
So long since you've been missing
Its good to see you again
How you how you doing
And how about we don't let this happen again.
—Do You Remember by Jay Sean.
***
"Look, I don't want to come!" argued Annabeth. "I don't want to go out tonight!"
"Oh, come on," Thalia said into the phone. "What's the point of being in New York if you're not going to party?"
"Um…I don't know, and I don't really care, Thalia. I don't want to come!" Annabeth all but yelled into the sleek silver cell phone and slammed it shut before Thalia had a chance to respond.
Usually, Thalia was a great friend, but…Annabeth was just sick of her now. Thalia had been talking constantly and now…well, Annabeth wasn't angry, just annoyed. She had wanted to go out that night, but not if it meant hanging out with Thalia. And now her plans were ruined.
Just then the phone rang again. Annabeth sighed dramatically and picked up. "I don't want to go to whatever club it is!"
"Good to know," came an amused voice. "And I suppose I should be offended?"
"Excuse me?" Annabeth blushed as she frowned in confusion. "Do I know you?"
"Well, not really. But we met—kind of—at the café today, remember?"
"Oh, you're Percy," exclaimed Annabeth. "I'm sorry about today—"
"No, don't worry about it. I don't mind. Actually, it was the most exciting thing that happened to me today," he said ruefully.
"I guess a job at a coffee shop isn't that exciting."
"Part-time job," he corrected. "I actually go to college and have this job part-time."
"Really?" Annabeth's chest tightened uncomfortably. "I was going to go to college. I mean, I am, at Columbia, but only part-time, I guess. I want to be an architect," she confessed suddenly.
"I want to be a photographer," said Percy. "But…but my dad wants me to be a marine biologist, so that's what I'm going to be."
"Yeah? How come? I mean, marine biology?"
"Something about family pride and history. Really though, I don't want it. I don't want any of the stupid family pride."
"I can sympathize," agreed Annabeth. Her own mother had wanted her, at first, to be an architect. But then, when she saw that Annabeth actually had a chance at modeling, and then, when she saw her paycheck, she was completely enthusiastic about it. Really, though, it made Annabeth sick.
"Yeah? I guess everyone's been pushed into something by their parents." There was an awkward silence. "Hey, when you picked up the phone?" asked Percy.
"Yeah, what about it?" answered Annabeth.
"Was what you said intended just for whoever you thought I was, or was it a general statement?"
"That I don't want to go out? It was just intended for my friend, Thalia. She was the one you saw with the convertible today outside the café. I wouldn't mind going out, though."
"Really? In that case, you know about this place called Times Square?" Percy teased.
"Yes, I know that place called Times Square," Annabeth stated wryly. "I know a thing or two about it, at least."
"Do you know about this tiny little store near it? It's like an antique store."
"No. What's it called?"
"Silva's."
"Oh," Annabeth said, waiting for him to go on.
"Yeah."
"Well, what about it?" asked Annabeth rather impatiently. "Is it a bomb shelter? Built on a graveyard? Was somebody murdered there? Did somebody get married there? Did you first ask a girl out there? Do you own it?"
"Will you stop?"
"Unless you tell me what you want with it, no."
"Jeez. I just wanted to know if you wanted to meet me there in, like, half an hour."
"Um…" Annabeth hesitated.
"That's okay," said Percy quickly. "I get it."
"No! I mean, sure, I'd like that," accepted Annabeth. She knew that she really shouldn't be going anywhere with a complete stranger, but this felt…okay. Like she knew him, maybe in a past life. Something like that, anyway. "Where exactly did you say it was?"
*
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*
Raucous laughter greeted Annabeth as she got near the small shop. Looking around, she saw that it was coming from the club near it, probably just like the one Thalia would be at. Annabeth shook her head. It was already dark, as was typical of winter, but the store was close by. Still, she hastened her steps and was soon in the warm store.
There was only one other customer in the store, and of course it was him.
"Hey," she exclaimed. "I'm Ann."
"I'm Percy." A grin spread across his face, making him look like a little kid, and Annabeth was momentarily distracted. "Hello?" he asked, waving his hand in front of her face. "You okay?"
Annabeth flushed. "Sorry. It's just that I used to know someone who looked a little like you. The guy I was telling you about, whose name's Percy, too. What did you say your last name was, again?"
"I didn't, but my full name is Percy Jackson."
"What?
"My name is Percy Jackson," he repeated slowly, chuckling nervously.
"Percy Jackson?" Annabeth clarified.
"You're starting to creep me out, Ann," warned Percy.
"My name isn't Ann," Annabeth shook her head slowly. "Don't you remember me?"
Percy frowned. "Your name isn't Ann?" he asked. Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Once a kelp head, always a kelp head," she sighed. She didn't notice Percy's eyes lighting up in recognition.
"Owl Droppings?" Percy questioned incredulously. "Annabeth Chase?"
"How'd ya guess," Annabeth drawled.
"Oh, shut up!" Percy grinned. "I can't believe it's you!"
"Do you have any idea how corny that sounded?"
"Do you have any idea how corny this whole meeting scene is?"
And of course, there followed the usual nervous laughter.
"Why don't we talk somewhere else?" suggested Annabeth. "It's supposed to snow soon anyway."
"Sure," Percy agreed. "Why don't you come back to my apartment?" Seeing the look on Annabeth's face, he stammered on. "I mean, I know that sounded like a line from a cheesy movie but…"
"It's okay," laughed Annabeth. "You know that Barnes and Noble over on Fifth? How about the Starbucks there?"
"Once an owl head, always an owl head, huh?" Percy teased. "No, I'm just kidding. I know that place. You wouldn't believe how many times I've spent there, studying. Well, more like just talking to Nico and Bianca. You really should meet them. Oh, and you have to meet Conner and Travis!" Annabeth let Percy talk on while she smiled, daft as a daisy. Still trying to get over the fact that she was here, in the City, with her best friend, who she was more than a bit irritated…
…And an ex-best friend who was looking good as a prospective candidate for 'Best Friend'. Not bad for a night, Annabeth though to herself.
Maybe she could finally just kick back tonight. And as for that, she might even be able to make that little voice in the back of her head shut up. The one that was telling her to tell Percy about her modeling.
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Sorry that it sucks. I hate writing in third person. Maybe I'll change it to first person.
Your opinion, please?
Oh, and maybe you'll check out my poll? Maybe even vote, yeah? :D
~Clara
P.S. Did anyone notice the new logo for Fanfiction? I kinda liked the old one better. What about you?
