AN-thanks for still reading. I do not own Percy Jackson. Tell me what you think.

Annabeth pov

Chapter 4

"Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it."

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I smiled to myself as I listened to my friends argue about which super hero is better. "Why are we even having this conversation it totally obvious who it is " Leo voice spoke over all the arguing and everyone stopped to stare at him "Guys it's totally Johnny Storm aka the Human Torch. For starters he's flammable can control any fire he see's, and he can fly. Guys he can fly and can control fire. That's awesome!"

Piper scoffed "Please you only like him because you like to watch things burn" It was true Leo was a little bit of a pyro. "besides everyone knows it's wonder women. She was even blessed by the greek gods. Silena back me up."

Selena gave her sister an apologetic look "As much as I love Wonder Women I'm gonna agree with Leo" Piper gave her half sister a look of shame. "Come on Pipes, The human torch is hot."

Leo gave a laugh "hahah I get it. He can control fire so he's hot. That's punny Silena."

Silena rolled her eyes "I meant he's good looking Leo"

Travis's head shot up "whoa whoa whoa there Silena. What about captain America? It's the same guy. What his name?"

I rolled my eyes "Chris Evens" I said like everyone should know that.

Silena looked like she thinking. Probley going over which movie Chris Evens looked hotter in. finally she nodded her head "I'm on team Captain America. Sorry Leo. He's buffer in Captain America and his hair is longer."

Leo argued but his older half brother by six months cut him off "dude shut up. Iron man is way better. I mean he built his own suit."

Leo went silent " I will admit that's cool. But not fire cool."

Just then Thalia stomped over and stood next to me.

Katie looked at her "how are you already mad? You just got here"

Thalia gave her a look "Because of my stupid cousin. Man I hate him."

Luke gave a laugh " I know how you feel. That Nico doesn't know when to shut up." He said jokingly

"Oi! For your information I just have a lot to say. And It was our new cousin not me you jerk." Nico called coming out of the crowd with His sister and Jason.

I looked at Thalia "oh yeah, how did that go?" I said remembering the conversation we had.

"He's a spoiled brat!" she growled,

Nico laughed "Luke you would love his car. He's got the 2014 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible" Almost all the guys' mouths dropped in awe.

"Man that car is be-"

"Lets not talk about him. What are you guys talking about." Thalia growled cutting Connor off.

"Which super hero is better" Connor replied

Jason head shot up " Superman better be in this conversation." Jason had a strange obsession with superman. Jason loved Superman so much he tried to live his life just like superman. Jason would go to great length to be brave and do the honorable thing and his life motto was WWSD. What Would Superman Do? Even now Jason wore a blue suite with a red tie.

Nico scoffed "um hello Ghost Rider"

Thalia elbowed him in the stomach "please Storm is so much cooler."

Bianca, Nico's older sister, was silent but spoke "Storm is pretty cool, however Wonder Women is better."

Piper gave her a high-five "thank you. Some one who is actually smart."

I gave her an offended look and she looked at me sheepishly.

Luke put his hands up and everyone fell silent "Spiderman" was the only thing he said. I burst out laughing and Luke gave me a look that asked me if I had anything to say.

"Please not even the avengers wanted him." Luke face fell and he looked like he wanted to argue but stayed silent.

Finally he spoke "And whom would you pick smarty-pants"

"Captain America all the way"

He gave me a look of disgust "why?"

"Captain America is the most dignified and respectable of the marvel heroes. He is the definition of a super hero because he is always standing up for people who can't stand on their own. He always fights for justice and goes up against insane chances despite his mortality and limited power set. He saved the most lives out of all the Avenges and he has crazy good strategies. Plus like Silena said, he's hot." Silena gave me a high-five.

Piper cleared her throat "okay votes for Human Torch" Leo put his hand up alone. Defeated he mutter words under his breath I caught some "stupid… and he's plenty hot"

"Wonder women" piper continued as she put her arm up along with Bianca

"Spiderman" Beckendorf, Nico, and Luke put their arms up

"Captain America" Katie, Travis, Connor, Grover, Rachel, Thalia, Silena, and I put are hands up

"Okay that's it Captain America wins"

Jason looked at his crush with wide eyes "pipes you didn't even ask about Superman"

Piper shrugged "I knew he wasn't going to win"

Jason scoffed but didn't argue.

We walked and talked for another half-hour in till Mr. Grace came and took his kids, nephew and niece away. After they left we went to go find a table and sat there till Thalia and her family came up on the stage. My eyes went to the side where I saw the boy who had hit me when he was riding his skateboard. He looked surprisingly familiar with his black hair and eyes. That's when it hit me on who he was and I was about to say something when someone beat me to it.

"Oh my god guys!" Piper exclaimed "its Percy Jackson."

"Who" Grover asked

"He-" I stuttered, "He's a guy that used to be part of the group. He moved away in second grade and we never heard from him again." I couldn't take my eyes off of him. For years I thought about looking him up but I could never do it. I betrayed him and I didn't think he could forgive me.

"He's hot" I heard Rachel say from where she was sitting and I shot her a glare.

Silena nodded he head "he grew up nice. He was so skinny and scrawny looking when we were little. Now he has some muscle."

Leo gave me a look "should we say something to him"

"Like what" It came out panicked and I could fell my breathing fasten with the thought of talking to him.

"I don't know. Hey we used to be best friends in like, second grade then you moved away and we never talked again" he said to me

Luke was still staring at Percy with glare in his eyes. You would think he would be happy that his old best friend was back in town. " I can't believe he's their cousin." Luke said at last looking back at us.

Mr. Grace said his speech and a band was stating to play but it was all a buzz to me. All I wanted to do was sit there but that's when I saw Deadalus walking towards me.

"Annabeth" he said once he got to our table "I want you to come with me to meet Mr. Jackson and his son." Panic filled me and I looked I looked at Luke for help.

Luke stood up "Mr. labyrinth it's good to see you again" Deadalus loved Luke and thought he would be perfect with me. This would become a good advantage for us.

"Mr. Castellen. What a pleasure it is to see you." His eyes twinkled as he looked at Luke and I standing next to each other.

"Trust me sir the pleasure is mine."

Deadalus gave me a look "Annabeth, I want you to date this boy"

Luke and I both blushed and Travis and Connor gave a cough trying to hide their snickering.

"Sir I was wondering if I can barrow Annabeth." Luke leaned in and whispered something in his ear and Deadalus gave me a look.

What ever Luke had said I was beginning to think it was going to get me out of seeing Percy. Deadalus face had changed to pure excitement when Luke whispered in his ear. Then his face went back to his serious face.

"I'm sorry Luke but this is really important. If Annabeth wants to take the company over she has to have connections." Deadalus paused "however I will only take her for fifteen minuets. Once those minuets are up you can take her away."

Luke smiled "Of course, sir"

Deadalus looked over at me "Lets go my dear"

I smiled at him "yes Sir" I looked at Luke who gave me a look that told me he was going to fix this and then he turned around and ran towards the back. I followed Deadalus through the crowd till we came up to a man with black hair and green eyes. No doubt Percy's father. Percy dad looked up and his eyes narrowed when he saw Deadalus.

"Poseidon" Deadalus called in his business voice. His business voice was darker and deeper then his normal voice. He sounded so powerful when he talked in that voice and I was expecting Mr. Jackson to back up but he stayed calm.

"Deadalus what do you want." His voice startled me. It was full of power, and yet there was some kindness in there.

Deadalus looked at me " I want you to meet my heir to the business. This is Annabeth Chase"

Poseidon looked at me and his glare softened. "Annabeth Chase. You used to be friends with my son." Deadalus gave me a look. He wanted to know why I didn't tell him I already knew them.

"Hello again Mr. Jackson. It's been awhile."

Percy dad laughed, "It has. You look so different I hardly recognized you." I smiled but I was used to the words. "I was never really a fan of your mother. But you" he gave me a look "You were a good friend to my son." He looked around probley to see if he could spot Percy. I wondered if Percy had told him that I was terrible to him in his last days around.

"Where is that boy" Mr. Jackson muttered to himself " Percy will be so glad to see you again" Poseidon said the least part louder and in his voice I heard a little bit of doubt.

That's when someone ran by and Poseidon yelled "Percy"

He never looked at his father but kept running "sorry dad my car alarm is going off." He called over his shoulder. Poseidon shook his head and looked back at me.

"Are you still in the same house."

I nodded my head and suddenly I knew where the conversation was going "yes sir"

"Then I guess we are neighbors now"

Deadalus was about to say something when Luke was suddenly at his side.

"Mr. Jackson I was wondering if that was you."

Poseidon looked over and his eyes widened " Mr. Luke Castellen. I haven't seen you in awhile either."

Luke smiled "I think its been about eight years sir."

Deadalus gave me a confused look. " Percy, Luke and I used to go to school together and we were all pretty close."

Poseidon laughed boomed "close is not the right word. More like inseparable."

Luke laughed, " I was wondering if I could take Annabeth away. There is going to be a slow dance coming up and I would love to dance with her."

Poseidon nodded "I should problem find my wife soon."

I smiled "tell her I say hi"

Poseidon nodded "she would love to see you again" with that he walked off. Deadalus gave me a look "why didn't you tell me you knew them."

I gave him sheepish smile "I never really new that his dad was part of the big three"

Luke nodded "Percy never told us. We just found out tonight" Deadalus gave a suspicious look "How could you not know?Your father works for the company, your best friends with two of big three's kids."

I shrugged "We don't talk about that kind of stuff.

Deadalus shook his head and sighed "Well I've got to go see some people" he gave Luke a wink who blushed and then walked away.

I looked at Luke "what was that all about?"

He looked into my eyes and smiled "want to dance?"

I looked at him and smile "I would love to?" Luke took my hand and we walked over to the dance floor and the band started to play some random slow dance song and we began to dance to the music.

"So do you want to know my incredible story of how I kept Percy away? I have to say it's a very fun story." Luke said after a moment of silence.

I laughed, "why not, your stories are almost always interesting"

Luke chuckled " Well I ran to the kitchen and stole a valet jacket. You must think okay that's easy but let me tell you its not. I told the security guard that I was hiding from my clingy ex girlfriend and I wouldn't cause any trouble. The guy just nodded I could have poisoned the food or something and gotten away with it. Anyway back to the story so I was walking around in the back looking for the jacket thinking that maybe someone off duty had taken one off but I couldn't find one." Luke shook his head "that is in till I walked into this one room and Annabeth you should have seen how many Red Jackets there were. I grabbed one and put it on, and boy was it itchy." He said the last part like a five year old and I rolled my eyes. "Then I went to find Percy. About two minuets later there he was by himself. He looked kind of sad. Anyway I asked him if he was the owner of 2014 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible and he said –"

"Wait a second how could you have known what kind of car he has?" I asked cutting him off
Luke gave me a strange look "oh my dear Annabeth you need to be more perceptive. Jason told us when Thalia was complaining that he was spoiled and stuff like that. Anyway I told him his car alarm went off and he ran off. "

I laughed, " I actually saw that. He ran past Mr. Jackson saying something about his car."

Luke smirked at me "I'm a genius"

I scoffed " Your plan working once does not making you a genius."

We continued to dance in silence for a second when I got up the courage to ask him "So what did you tell Deadalus?"

Luke blushed and opened his mouth to speak when someone bumped into us.

Luke looked over and held my hand tighter "Percy" he whispered

My heart sped up faster when I looked into his sea green eyes. He looked so confused and for a second I thought he wasn't going to recognize us.

"Luke Castellen" he said and slowly his face cleared of any emotion and I was cared he was going to punch Luke. Then his face broke into a grin and he stoke out his hand.

"Man I haven't seen you in forever. How have you been?" Luke shook his hand and gave me a confused look. Percy looked at me like he just noticed I was there. His face filled with confusion and then it cleared. I braced myself for him to start yelling at me but it never came.

"You're the girl I hit with my skateboard right."

"Yeah that's me" I smiled at him but all I felt with sadness. He didn't even remember me.

"I'm sorry about that. I was a jerk," he said apologetically

"You kind of were. But yeah I wasn't exactly nice either." He laughed and my heart sped up faster.

"Luke, do you still talk to the old gang" Percy asked bringing Luke back into the conversation

"umm yeah. Matter of fact their over there." Luke pointed to our table where our friends were chatting.

Percy looked to where he was pointing and nodded his head but then looked back at Luke "Do you still talk to her?"

Oh my gods he was talking about me. He didn't forget about me he just didn't recognize me. Luke looked at me but then quickly looked back to Percy "umm yeah. Why?"

"No reason. Tell her I say Hi." And with that he walks towards the table of his old friends.

"Hey Annabeth" Luke said once Percy was out of earshot "Percy says Hi" I hit him on his shoulder

"Luke! This is no time to joke. He didn't recognize me" I said sadly

Luke put his arm around my shoulder "Well you don't exactly look the same. You don't have glasses and your hair isn't that frizzy anymore. You look so different now."

I nodded my head and look towards the table where Silena, Katie and Piper were giving Percy a giant hug. Then in the corner my eye I saw someone moving fast towards the table. I looked over and saw Thalia navigating though the crowd of people her eyes locked on Percy.

"We have a problem" I grabbed Luke's hand and pulled him towards the table. We got there the same time as Thalia and I saw her brother and cousins right behind her.

"What are you doing here Jackson?" Thalia snarled, "Leave them alone. They don't even want you here"

Piper gave Thalia a look " Thalia, your one of my best friends, but right now I need you to Shut up." Thalia took a step back, she haven't been expected Piper to defend her despised cousin. Jason eyes widened and I wondered who he would defend if Thalia or Piper got in a fight, his sister or his long time crush.

"Piper, whatever he said to you forget it. He's a liar." Thalia said her eyes narrowing

Leo stepped up "Thalia you should let us explain we have-"

Thalia gave Leo her death glare and Leo shrunk back into his chair.

"Hey" everyone looked back at Percy who was standing taller and had a look in his eyes. "Leave them alone, cousin" He growled the last part "These are my friends"

Thalia got into Percy face "You don't know them. Hell you just met them."

"Actually we were friends with Percy in second grade Thals" Travis stood up in his chair "Don't talk about things you don't know about." Everyone gave Travis a surprised look because he was absolutely terrified of Thalia.

Jason looked at Piper "what's he talking about."

Percy looked at Jason "I used to live here but I moved away in second grade. This is my old group of friends"

Thalia gave me a look "Annabeth what's he talking about?"

I winced and looked at Percy who was looking at me with a shocked expression.

Everyone was looking at us two and Luke tensed besides me probley-expecting Percy to start yelling at me. He had been the only one to know what had happened between us.

Percy just stared at me with his mouth opened his eyes searching my face. Thalia who was starting to get inpatient cleared her throat.

Percy turned his head to give her a look "Thalia your right maybe I should go. He looked at everyone but me " I'll see you around"

He started to walk towards me but then turned and walked the other way and my heart broke a little. I wanted to run over and apologize tell him I wanted to be friends again. But I didn't.

"What the hell was that all about?" Nico whispered yelled. He was standing there with his mouth open looking slightly like a fish.

Thalia gave me a look "We need to talk." She didn't wait for me to respond and grabbed my hand and started to drag me off.

We were standing in the corner of the room and she was just standing there staring at me. We stood like that for minuets when she finally spoke. "Why didn't you tell me you were friends with my arch nemesis?"

I rolled my eyes at her commit " Your over reacting you don't even know him."

She scowled at me " why didn't you tell me you knew him."

"I never knew he was your cousin. If I knew I swear I would have told you."

Thalia looked like she wanted to argue but stopped "What happened between you two?"

I didn't look at her, I just kept my eyes on the crowd of people hoping to get a glimpse of the boy that I had hurt. "I don't like to talk about it." I whispered

Thalia scowled and let the conversation drop but I knew she wasn't going to rest in till I told her.

"Come on, let's get back."

For the next half-hour I listen to my friends tell jokes and make fun of the other guest but all it all came out as noise to me. My mind kept wandering over to that green eyed boy and went through all the conversations in my head that I could have with him. I thought about what I had said to him and how I had embarrassed him.

That's when something hit me on the head and I snapped back into the real world.

"helloooo, earth to Annnnnieeee" Travis singed

"Don't call me that!" I growled at Travis

He laughed, "It's been like eight years Annie, I don't think that's ever going to happen."

I looked to my right to see Luke giving me a concerned look "Are you okay, we called your name about a thousand times."

I gave him a small smile "yeah I'm fine, just…tired" Luke nodded but I don't think I convinced him because he kept his eyes on my face. I looked away and saw Thalia wiggling her eyebrows at me and I blushed.

"Um him' gonna go find Deadalus" I said breaking the silence of the group

"I'll come with you" Luke smiled

"no" I said that to quickly and a flash of hurt ran across Luke's face. "Thanks Luke but I have to ask him a question about one of the corporate building we're building for the Freedom Bank. It's totally boring and uninteresting, I'll be back soon."

Luke nodded "I understand" but I could tell he didn't

I walked away before I could tell him my question could wait. I walked through a crowd of people. Some I recognized as friends of my mothers and Deadalus but know one stopped me.

I walked outside to the huge patio where a few people lingered but no one paid any attention to me. I sat at a table in the corner hidden by shadows. A part of me was nervous that my friends would come out and I would be pulled back into the world were I always had to be different. I loved my friends and they understood that sometimes I needed to be alone but they never got the hints of when I needed it. Tonight's was one of those nights where they didn't get the hints. I listened to the car honks and the rush of the city and closed my eyes to relax. It must have been two minuets when I heard a girl speck in a flirtatious voice from the far end of the patio.

"Hey there good looking" I opened my eyes to see Drew on the far side of the Patio talking to someone who I couldn't see because like me, he was hidden in the shadows.

"Umm…. hi" I recognized the deep voice that sent chills down my back.

Drew was wearing a sparkling pink dress and shoes that made me wonder how she could stand in them much less walk.

"What's your name handsome?" Drew purred and the noises made me want to throw up.

"Look you seem" he hesitated as if looking for the right words "Like a.…nice girl. But I kinda want to be alone with my thoughts.

Drew flipped her hair back "I totally understand how you feel"

She sat down the chair next to him "Oh my god it's like we get each other" she gave a squeal "We are totally meant for each other!"

Percy gave a sigh "Look Drew if you new who I was you wouldn't be sitting next to me."

Drew head went to the side "How do you know my name?"

Percy gave another sigh "We went to school with each other. You hated me."

Drew laughed, "Look green eyes I hate a lot of people, you got to be more pacific."

"You had your friend Ethan beat me up almost everyday of first grade."

"That narrows it down to like almost fifty people"

"I was a friend with Annabeth Chase"

My breath caught in my throat and my heart stopped. Why did he say my name? He could have said Piper, Luke,Travis, Silena. But he didn't, he said my name and I wanted to know why.

"Peter Jetson?" Drew said in a stereotypical stupid cheerleader voice.

"No…. Percy Jackson" Percy said slowly like he was talking to a five year old
"I totally meant to say that." She put her hand on his arm "Besides lets not live in the past, what are you doing after the party"

"Probably going home and sleep. Maybe have snack"

Drew gave an angry sigh "What is you problem."

"Your not my type."

"What do you mean I'm not your type? There are guys who would kill to be in your spot."

"I like girls that are hard to get." With that he got up and walked away.

I felt like I should clap or take a picture of Drew's shocked face. But I just snapped there with a crazy grin on my face.

I sat there for about another twenty mi nuets before I went back and found Deadalus.

"So my dear" He gave me a grin "Any new news"

"Nope"

The grin fell of his face. "Nothing to do with you and Luke?"

I shock my head with a confused look on my face

"Oh well maybe another day"

That night I laid in my bed wide awake and thought about Percy. I thought about the way his eyes twinkled when he smiled and how he had the ability to make my heart stop.

My phone buzzed and a picture of Luke making a goofy face popped up on my screen

"Hey Luke"

"Hey I just wanted to make sure your okay. You seemed" he paused "off, after we saw him."

"I'm fine" I didn't even believe me

"Annabeth"

"I'm fine" I repeated more confidant

"Okay"

"Okay"

"You're going tomorrow right?"

I scoffed "And miss the chance to beat you"

He gave a laugh, that laugh that always made me smile. My mind drifted back to Percy and his smile."

"Annabeth you there?"

"Yeah sorry zoned out."

"I'll see you tomorrow"

"See you tomorrow"

He seemed like he wanted to say more but he said goodbye again and hung up

"why does life have to be so confusing?" I whispered to my self as I turned of my lamp.

AN- Sorry for the late update the past month has been really hard. My friend that I went to school and volunteered with committed suicide and I took it really hard. We had talked a lot and he always seemed so happy. What made it hard for me is that I had talked to him that morning and he didn't even seem different. We had talked about the Blood of Olympus and he told me he was excited for it. The only thing that struck me as odd was he gave me a hug before he left. I had asked him if everything was okay but he just smiled at me and said he would see me at school. He was a great guy and a great friend I just wished that I had been a better one. So this chapter is dedicated to him. If anyone that reads this story has any thoughts about suicide please talk to someone because there are people out there who care about you.