A/N: Oh. My. Gods. You guys are amazing! Thank you so much for all of your follows and favorites and reviews! :D They made my day when I saw them!

I would like to quickly apologize for not updating for so long – life has been… not so great lately, and I'm just trying to power through it. I was feeling kind of blocked and I didn't want to write a bad chapter for you guys, so I kept trying until I could really write you guys a good chapter!

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy Chapter 3, and I'll have Chapter 4 up soon!

As always, R&R!

Chapter 3

That night, Rachel had insisted on staying over for a sleepover, and she had pounded each and every detail out of me, from my waking up on the pool deck to my not – so – discreet exit. After I was finished, she sighed dreamily. "At your wedding, you'll credit me with finally bringing you two together," she smiled, poking me. I just rolled my eyes. "And after that I'll suddenly defy gravity and rise into the air, hovering above the crowd before soaring off into the distance!"

Rachel frowned. "Just wait, Annabeth, just wait."

The next week found me at the library, where I held a part – time job, in addition to teaching little kids' karate classes. I was sorting books in one of the most remote sections of the library when I heard voices coming from a couple of shelves away from me. Normally, I would think nothing of it – however, this was one of the most remote parts of the library, one where hardly anyone went, aside from professors of botany or biology. Frowning, I crept closer, careful not to trip over the stack of books at my feet, peering around the corner.

It was there that I spotted Percy and Calypso – sitting cross - legged on the floor across from each other, a stack of books by Calypso's side and a book in Percy's hand. Percy was squinting at the book, trying to make out the words. Finally, he gave up, setting the book by his side. "I can't do it," he sighed, his hands clasped in his lap. Calypso shook her head emphatically. "Yes you can," she urged, pressing another book into his hand. He shoved it away, standing, his eyes flashing. "I can't," he said, with a shrug. "It's no big deal – I'll manage, I always have."

Calypso stood as well, a look of annoyance flashing across her face. "Percy, you have to try harder – you won't be able to get into college if you can barely read a normal textbook."

Percy crossed his arms, and I could tell that he was trying to contain his anger. "Try harder? You don't know what it's like to have dyslexia – you can't just 'try harder' and then everything gets better. The words just jumble up in my head, in front of my eyes. It's not so simple!"

I took a step back, surprised, and feeling a little guilty for eavesdropping on a conversation I was clearly not meant to hear. It was then that I accidently knocked the stack of books that had been behind me. They fell to the floor with a loud thump. Instantly I froze, creeping back around the corner before almost running full sprint back to the desk in the front, where people checked out books. Gasping, I turned, expecting to see Percy and Calypso coming out behind me, and expression of anger on their faces, but to my surprise, the library was as quiet as ever. I quietly started to check in books, lost in my thoughts. Percy's dyslexia was obviously a secret, or else the whole school would probably know about it. I turned the book I was holding over in my hands, glancing at the cover, focusing on the jumbled words until they finally came into focus. I was dyslexic too, and as soon as I had found out, I had my mother find me a tutor that specialized in kids with dyslexia. In no time, I could read as well as most of the kids in my grade – and even better than some.

Someone clearing their throat jerked me suddenly out of my reverie. I turned around to see Calypso, eyebrow raised in annoyance. I could tell that she was still ticked off from the fight between her and Percy. She held up a book, her face softening as she set it on the library counter. "Um, I'd like to check this out," she said, a small smile gracing her features. Percy stood slightly behind her, eyes on the floor, his face red with anger. "No problem," I said, and at the sound of my voice, he straightened, his eyes locking with mine. Despite myself, I blushed.

"Annabeth? What are you doing here?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Fighting velociraptors."

He laughed, his sea- green eyes sparkling with good humor. "Clearly, smart – alec," he rolled his eyes slightly, bringing a smile to my face. Taking the book from Calypso, I scanned the barcode, punching in her library card number. I handed the book back to her, willing the blush on my face to disappear as quickly as possible.

"Enjoy the book," I said, and Calypso nodded, stiffly walking past her boyfriend and heading towards the door. Percy sighed, his eyes turning dark again. "How's the head?" he asked, attempting a smile. I shrugged. "Alright – I haven't had the chance to bump into anything with it yet, so I'm not sure." He laughed, shaking his head. "You are such a wise girl," he said, shaking his head ruefully. "Wise girl?" I asked, eyebrow raised. Percy blushed. "Yes – you always have an answer for everything."

I shrugged. "And you're a seaweed brain," I retorted. It was Percy's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"A what?"

"A seaweed brain," I said, matter – of – factly. "You're a swimmer, which is where the seaweed comes in, and honestly, if 'Wise Girl' is the best you can come up with, then your head must be full it. Seaweed, I mean."

Percy thought for a moment, a pensive look adorning his features - before smirking at me, his green eyes meeting mine. "Well played, Wise Girl," he drawled. "But this isn't over."

With that threat, he walked after his girlfriend, and I rolled my eyes to myself, turning to the books that still needed re-shelving. Inside though, my heart was racing. His last comment implied that he would see me again soon – maybe of his own accord. But where? How? And most importantly, why? Percy had never paid me much attention before – like he had said only a week ago, we'd been in the same homeroom since forever, and he had barely acknowledged my presence. My mind raced along with my heart, and I could feel myself beginning to blush.

'Snap out of it!' I told myself harshly. 'He has a girlfriend! He isn't, and never will be, yours.'


However, it seemed fate had different designs.

The next day started my job as a little kids' karate instructor. Having gotten my black belt a year before, I decided that I might as well get some extra training in and asked my sensei if there was any way I could start teaching.

Sensei Brunner (or Chiron, as he insisted his favorite students call him), nodded amusedly, his brown eyes twinkling. While neither Japanese nor able to walk (a terrible car crash 10 years ago had taken away the use of his legs), he ran a successful business, having trained from the best student of the best student of the original master of Shotokan Karate. Even though he couldn't demonstrate certain moves himself, he had a sharp eye for technique, and I often spent hours training with him, correcting small errors in my technique until it was flawless. He had of course hired other senseis to actually demonstrate moves and teach on their feet, like Charlie Beckendorf, and my two of my best friends: Thalia and Luke. Now, I was eager to join their ranks.

"Of course you can start teaching, Annabeth," Chiron said with a kind smile. "Just try not to lose patience with the little ones – they are learning, they can't be perfect yet."

My smile shifted into more of an amused grimace. "Hahaha Chiron, very funny," I said sarcastically, while Beckendorf, who also happened to be in the room, stifled a laugh. "I promise I won't 'lose patience' with them."

Chiron laughed heartily at my expense, patting me on the shoulder before wheeling into his office. Beckendorf stifled another chuckle while I just sighed resignedly, a small smile playing across my lips. I could be a bit of a perfectionist, that was true, but I wouldn't yell at 8 year olds!

At least, I was somewhat sure I wouldn't yell at eight – year olds.


As it turned out, I wouldn't – and didn't - yell at eight - year olds.

The kids lined up single file in front of me and Travis (a fellow sensei with a penchant for causing trouble, who was assigned by Chiron to help me through my first two classes) at the start of class, their white belts tied somewhat haphazardly, but tied correctly all the same. The kid who stood in front of me looked oddly familiar, with dark hair and clear blue eyes that smiled up at me, even though his face was stoic and set in determination. He was easily the cutest kid in the class, and I was tempted to ruffle his hair, or hug him – as if he were two, and not eight.

At the end of class, I had the now sweaty and tired eight – year olds line up again in front Travis and me, just like they had in the beginning of class. I started reading the attendance list, looking up after I read the names so I could match them to each of the boys.

I glanced at the attendance list, confused as to why the list was going backwards alphabetically, until I saw the small smirk on Travis's face and mentally groaned. Of course Travis would play such a small but irritating prank on me. I punched him hard on the arm and he winced, clutching his arm. "Ouch," he muttered, his face contorted in pain. I smiled casually at him before turning back to the list and continuing to call roll. I dismissed the boys as soon as they were accounted for, until only one was left – the cute little boy with the blue eyes. "Tyson Blofis?" I called, smiling at the little boy. He grinned, saying an enthusiastic 'here!' before scampering off to get his shoes. I turned to Travis, who was now all but glaring at me. "What was that for?" he asked belligerently. "For messing with my attendance list," I retorted, crossing my arms. Travis rolled his eyes, but I could see a smile creeping on to his face. "Lighten up Annie," he said, starting to walk away. "Don't call me that!" I shouted after him.

Suddenly, someone placed a hand on my shoulder, and I could sense that someone was standing very closely behind me. "Annie? Haven't heard that one before, Wise –"

Before he could finish (and before my mind registered who the stranger was), I turned quickly, grabbing the wrist of the stranger and with my left leg, sweeping his feet out from under him and flipping him onto the ground. I recognized the face of the person as soon as I saw him lying on the mat, my hand still gripping his wrist as I stood over him, my eyes wide with shock.

"Seaweed Brain?"