A/N: Life got in the way! I'm so sorry for this chapter being two weeks late! I got a promotion at work and only have one day off a week now, it's insane. It's taken some time to get use to, but I think I've got the hang of it.

Lavender5687: I try and update the story every Monday. Sometimes updates may be a few days late, though.

Chapter Three

"Annabeth, come with us! It'll be fun!" Piper leaned over the back of the couch, giving her friend her best puppy dog eyes she could muster "We'll introduce you to some friends and you'll be set for when school starts!"

Annabeth waved her friend off, holding the book up that she was currently reading "I don't do parties, you know that. I'm perfectly fine with making my own friends and staying in tonight."

"It's the last night of our summer break, Annie. Some of us have classes starting tomorow, and you haven't even tested him yet. Tonight would be perfect!"

Annabeth sighed. Piper was right, though. She had been pushing away her decoy duties the past few weeks. She was also right that tonight would be perfect. Annabeth could drink and play it off that she was too drunk to think straight. Piper is convinced that Annabeth and Percy's friendship is based solely based on the intent to test Percy. She's completely oblivious to the fact that the two are actually friends. Annabeth is almost wanting to back out of being a decoy so she won't have to ruin her friendship with Percy.

Annabeth took a deep breath. She can do this. She can drunkenly throw herself at Percy and end this whole thing. She already knows what's going to happen. He's loyal. Piper has no reason to not trust the guy.

"Fine." Annabeth stood from the couch, setting her book on the table "I'll ride with Jason. We'll meet you and Percy there."

"You're the best!"

ΩΩΩ

Annabeth stepped out of Jason's car, looking at the big house that was in front of her that overlooks the beach. She can hear the people near and in the water, drunk and yelling. Having fun. She can already see the fire going, and the group of people surrounding it. Is it bad that she feels nervous? She had only taken a few steps in the house and eyes were turned to the new girl walking in with Jason Grace.

She knew Jason was popular, being the quarterback and all that. She really hadn't been expecting the looks she would be getting from some of the girls.

"Jason!" Annabeth and Jason both turned at the sound of his name. A girl with caramel colored hair was walking over to them, a smile on her face. She pulled Jason in for a hug before turning to Annabeth "Hi! Are you new? I don't think I've seen you before."

"Annabeth, this is Calypso."

The girl, Calypso, mouthed Annabeth's name before her smile returned "Oh! You're the girl Jason and Piper always talk about! It's so nice to meet you, please call me Callie or Cal, or whatever you want to. I don't mind, really."

Annabeth raised an eyebrow, looking to Jason who only shrugged. The girl was nice. She had to be one of the nicest people Annabeth has ever met. Besides Jason, of course. The guy doesn't have a mean bone in him. Annabeth returned Calypso's smile "Yeah, I guess that's me. It's nice to meet you, too!"

Jason set his hand on Annabeth's lower back, pushing her forward "Hey, hunt down Piper and introduce Annabeth to everyone."

"You've got it!"

The next thing Annabeth knew, Calypso was gently grabbing her arm and pulling her in to the crowd of people. She learned that Calypso talks a lot. The girl is an open book. She told Annabeth all about how she's a cheerleader, she met Jason through Leo, and then jumped in to how Leo is some guy that she has a crush on but don't tell anyone. Annabeth snorted. She could get along with this girl. Annabeth is sure she could deal with how much she talks.

"Piper! Look who I've got!"

Piper, and a few other people Annabeth didn't recognize, turned around to look at them. Calypso may be use to the attention, but Annabeth hated it. Piper smiled and walked over to them "I'm so glad you're here! I thought you were going to dip out."

Annabeth waved her hand, rolling her eyes "I wouldn't do that. Jason and I just walked through the door and then I met Calypso."

Piper pulled her forward, giving the other girls smiles "Guys, this is my best friend, Annabeth! Annabeth, these are some of the girls. Hazel, Silena, Clarisse, and Drew."

Annabeth had felt like she was there for hours. She stuck with Piper, talking with some of the girls and getting to know them. They weren't too bad. Something about Clarisse and Drew bothered her, and she already knew they were two people she would be staying clear of. Silena and Hazel were her kind of people, though. She wouldn't mind hanging out with them.

She was talking to Hazel when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned, expecting to see Piper or even Jason standing there. It was a guy she didn't recognize, though. He was smiling at her, his blue eyes shining and she could smell the alcohol. She raised an eyebrow at him, pushing his hand off her "Can I help you?"

"I'm almost sad that Jason didn't introduce us." Annabeth frowned at that, crossing her arms "My name is Luke. And, you're Annabeth?"

"Yes?"

"I've heard about you from Jason. You sound like a cool person."

Annabeth laughed, shaking her head "Well, that's good to know I guess. But, if you will excuse me, I have to go find someone."

Before Luke could say anything else, Annabeth was out of sight. She made her way to the kitchen and decided having at least one drink wouldn't be bad. She needed to find Percy. Where would he be? She sipped on her drink as she thought about where he would be. Piper was in the living room with Jason, but as her eyes glanced around, she didn't see him. Maybe he was outside? He did mention was that he loves the water and beaches. She refilled her drink, and stepped towards the back door.

She was only stopped when two guys got in her way. They smiled at her, telling her she hadn't had enough to drink. As much as she wanted to argue with them, they were right. If she was going to hit on Percy, she'd need all she could get… And that's how she found herself taking shots with Connor and Travis Stoll.

By the time she finally made it out to the beach, you could say Annabeth was drunk. She was drunk just enough to do her job, and remember the next day. The Stoll brothers had given her another cup for good luck and pushed her out the door. She was happily swinging her shoes in her hand and taking small sips, occasionally tripping over her own feet.

She found Percy by the water, just like she thought he would be.

"Percy!"

He jumped, turning to her and letting a smile fall to his lips "Annabeth." she stumbled over to him, laughing at herself when she almost fell over. He raised an eyebrow at her "Are you drunk?"

Annabeth snorted, shaking her head as she took another sip "No! Never. I don't get drunk."

Percy laughed nervously, reaching out and gently taking the cup from her hands "I think you need to cut yourself off now."

"I'm fine, Percy." she tilted her head, a lazy smile falling to her lips as she looked Percy over "Not as fine as some of us here, but I'm fine."

"What?"

Percy's eyes were wide. There was no way that Annabeth was hitting on him. She just meant it in a… Friendly way. Or maybe she was talking about some of the other guys at the party. Or maybe she was just too drunk to keep her mouth shut.

Annabeth stepped forward, letting an arm slip around his waist "You know what I'm trying to say, Percy. You're attractive."

Percy looked down at her. She was staring up at him, her eyes wide and she looked nervous. He let his hand rest gently on her shoulder, wanting to push her away but also… Not wanting to "Annabeth..."

"No talking. Please." she took a deep breath. The final push.

She got on her toes and leaned in, watching as his eyes fell to her lips. She felt… Something. And that's bad. She shouldn't feel anything for her best friends boyfriend. Just when she thought Percy was about to kiss her, he shook his head, pushing her away "What the fuck?"

Annabeth knew this was going to happen. She knew Percy wasn't one to cheat. It didn't stop her from feeling rejected and embarrassed "I..." she started, biting her lip "I'm sorry, Percy." she whispered, looking to the ground.

Percy stepped forward, his hand reaching out for her "Annabeth, what's..."

Annabeth quickly stepped away from him "I'm so sorry." she said again, weakly, before leaving behind a Percy with confusion and a little regret masking his face.

Annabeth shook her head at herself. Why did she let herself get caught up in this again? Why is it hurting? Why is she having to hold back tears? She knew what she had signed up for, and she had known that he was a good guy. She shouldn't be hurting. That's her best friends boyfriend!

She bumped in to someone on the way back in to the kitchen and went to apologize before seeing that it was Piper. She put on her best poker face "He pushed me away, Pipes." she did her best not to let it show how much it hurt.

Annabeth saw the relief and happiness that took over her friends face. She threw her arms around Annabeth "Thank you! You're seriously the best friend I could ever ask for!"

Annabeth nodded and watched Piper walk past her towards the beach. Probably to find Percy.

Annabeth glanced around until her eyes landed on one of the Stoll brothers. She walked over, demanding that he give her a stronger drink than anything that's in the kitchen. Travis, she thinks it is, smiled before leading her away.

By the time Percy and Piper made their way back in to the house, Annabeth was pressed up against someone. Luke. She had sought him out after Travis gave her a glass of the strongest liquor he had, and she was more than happy to drink away her feelings. Luke's lips were on her neck, and his hands were in places she wouldn't allow if she were sober.

She heard people talking about how lucky Luke was to be getting the new girl so fast. The hot new girl. Annabeth was too gone to realize that this is not the first impression that she had wanted to give people. She caught the look on Percy's face from across the room as he watched her with this guy.

It should have given her pleasure to see how he looked. But the room was spinning and she wasn't sure if she was dancing, or if Luke was just holding her up. Before she knew it, she heard a familiar voice.

"What the hell!" Jason was shoving passed people to get to her. And she did not like the look on his face.

Percy was pulling her away from Luke, as Jason pushed him away. She could only barely hear him yelling things. Jason was too nice to be doing things like that! He was just protective of her. And if the room wasn't spinning enough, Percy was picking her up and yelling at people to get out of his way and that the show is over.

Definitely not how she planned her night to go.