Day 46
Piper's House, Junior Year, 2016
"Annabeth, it's been over a month. You have to talk to Percy eventually."
"I don't have to do anything."
"Okay, fair. But can you at least be around him. The group is starting to feel like children of divorce. And Leo has this new girlfriend and he really wants you to come to Ray's tonight so he can introduce her to you and the rest of the group."
"He really wants me there?" Annabeth said, somewhere between hopeful and defeated.
"Yes. And cross my heart pinky swear you don't even have to talk to Percy. You can sit on the opposite side of the table."
"Fine. Fine." Annabeth relented. "Just let me go home and drop off my uniform. Maybe change my clothes."
Piper squealed and clapped her hands.
"And," Annabeth said, swinging her bag over her shoulder, "you better get there before me so I'm not alone with him."
"Fine. Totally fair. But, Annie, what really happened between you guys?"
"I just can't be around people who make me feel like crap Pipes. I get enough of that from my stepmom I don't need it from my friends too."
And with that, Annabeth walked out of Piper's room, waved goodbye to her dad, and took the subway two stations home.
Goode High School Boys' Locker Room
Percy was in a bad mood. Swimming was a winter sport, but he needed something to keep him occupied until February. Or so his mother said. So he joined the basketball team with Jason. Basketball was okay, but he hated how sweaty he got. No matter how chlorine-y he smelled after and even if he got a little sweaty, the water made him feel clean. Alive.
Percy shoved his sweaty clothes in his gym bag.
"Jason!" Percy called. "I'm gonna go home and shower."
"Okay, man. Ray's in an hour though, okay?" Jason called from the showers.
"Yeah, sure. See you there."
Percy swung his bag over his shoulder and pushed open the door of the locker room. His bad mood continued when he thought about going to dinner with his friends. He loved them, but things got so weird after his fight with Annabeth. He already felt crappy about it, and Piper and Hazel's constant sad looks his way were just pissing him off. He shouldn't have called her a slut, but he also couldn't stand the thought of her and Luke Castellan. It didn't help that he had to be around him for basketball practice this whole semester, not knowing if anything was going on with him and Annabeth.
But whatever. It wasn't his problem. He still had Rachel, right?
Ray's Pizza
Piper sat at the table, drumming her fingers. Jason was next to her, his arm sling around the back of her chair.
"What are you so amped up about?" Jason asked, putting his hand on top of her's.
"I'm waiting for Annabeth. She finally agreed to hang out tonight and she's definitely gonna chicken."
"Wait, are you serious? Did you tell Percy?"
"No. Why would I tell Percy? She's not going to talk to him anyway?"
The bell over the door rang, and a rush of cool air came in. Annabeth walked in, unzipping her jacket. She pulled it off to reveal an off the shoulder sweater and black leggings. Her mascara was smudged and she flopped into the chair next to Piper.
"My stepmom is a bitch."
"What else is new?" Piper responded sympathetically.
"When I was leaving the apartment, she told me that wearing my sweater off the shoulder made me look like, and I quote, 'a stripper who just got off her shift.'"
"Damn, Chase." Jason said, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter anyway. I only have to deal for less than two years, then I'm going to college in California and I'm never looking back."
"Gee, thanks." Piper said.
"Don't be silly Pipes. I'm taking you with me." Annabeth said with a hint of a smile. Piper and Annabeth kept talking. Annabeth was getting more and more comfortable, gesturing and imitating her math teacher's Russian accent. Then Hazel and Frank arrived, and soon after Leo and his new girlfriend, Calypso.
"Everyone calls me Caly except Leo." She said, rolling her eyes. Leo looked and her and smiled like a goof, pulling his chair right up next to her's.
"Where's Percy?" Frank said. Annabeth tensed.
"He went home to shower after basketball. He should be here soon." Jason answered.
"Cool. I have to go over Fantasy teams with him."
"Frank." Said Hazel, gently smacking his shoulder. "All you talk about is Fantasy Football."
The bell over the door tinkled. Everyone looked up at Percy. His hair was still wet from the shower and he was wearing a Nike T-shirt and jeans. He came over to the table and looked around. He and Annabeth made eye contact. When she smiled slightly, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Long time no see, Annabeth." He was still standing. The only seat was next to her, and he wasn't sure if she was okay with it.
"Aren't you going to sit down?" Annabeth said. Percy let out a sigh of relief.
The group sat at their table for nearly two hours, laughing and talking and pissing odd everyone else in the restaurant. The owners didn't mind, though. The kids were regulars and were pretty polite, even if they were a little raucous.
"So, Annie." Jason said. "We have a game against St. Vincent's tomorrow. Are you gonna be there?"
"I can be." Annabeth said. "If you want me there."
She had made the remark to the whole table, but everyone knew she was talking to Percy.
"Depends who you're rooting for," said Percy with a smile. "It might break our spirit to see you cheering for the other side."
Annabeth giggled.
"I will remain a completely impartial audience member. Is it called an audience for a sports game?"
Everyone laughed, and their dinner continued. Much later that night, Annabeth opened up Instagram to find a picture Percy had posted of the group at dinner. She smiled at herself in the dark, took a deep breath, and double tapped.
Percy was a pretty popular guy. He had already received over 100 notifications from his post. Only one mattered though.
Chasing_Annabeth liked your post.
Motivation is hard y'all. But reviews help my loves.
(Also, Annabeth's Instagram name might be a real account, but I'm just using it for creative purposes)
