AN- Thanks for continuing my story. All rights go to Rick because he is a genius and I do not own these characters.

Percy POV

Chapter 7

"Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what."

Sweat poured down my face and music blasted in my ears as I was ran down the path by the park. I was in my own little world and I didn't notice the ball that was headed straight towards my face. But man did I feel it. That one slam took me down and I was lying on the cold hard ground. My headphones position out in front of me so all I could hear was the ringing from my ears.

"I'm so sorry" A voice called out breaking the complete silence I was under. I recognized the voice; it was the voice I had gotten to know so well for the past two weeks. That single voice had the power to stop my heart and make my palms sweaty.

I pushed my body of the floor and gave her a goofy grin " Out of all the people"

Annabeth stopped when she saw that it was me she had hit "Percy are you okay?"

Her voice had a hint of worry and made me happy that she had cared.

"It's all good. I got a hard head." I said while I picked up my phone that had flown from my pocket.

She rolled her eyes "Well something got to protect that brain of seaweed"

I faked a hurt expression "Well we all can't be smart like you, Wise Girl."

She smirked at me "That's the best you can do Seaweed Brain?"

"Hey my brain's the one that's made out of seaweed"
"Annabeth, What's taking you so long?" A little boy called as he ran up to the blonde hair girl.

I gave Annabeth a look "This your cousin?"

The boy gave me a look "I'm her brother"

Another boy that looked almost the same as the other ran up to and stood next to his twin and gave Annabeth a look "Who's that"

Annabeth looked at me "Percy meet my step brothers Bobby and Matthew. Bobby, Matthew meet Percy, he's our new neighbor and an old friend of mine" I didn't bother learning which one was what. They looked exactly alike and I didn't help they both whore red shirts and blue shorts.

I gave her a hurt look "Old friend?" My mind however was trying to figure out why she never told me her dad got remarried or that she had two new brothers.

Annabeth waved me off

"Wait a second" said twin two as he pointed to me "Didn't Mal mention a Percy on the last day of school."

I gave Annabeth another confused look "I wasn't here on the last day of school. Why were you guys talking about me?"

Annabeth stiffened "Malcolm was talking about my friends from first grade"

"Huh" I looked at the two brothers and kicked their soccer ball to them

Twin one trapped it and then looked at me "The games uneven, want to play?"

I didn't even think about the answer, if Annabeth was going to be there I wouldn't miss it.

The twins smiled "Annabeth your on Percy's team."

The twins smiled evilly and on sync the both said "We're gonna destroy you two."

Annabeth walked past the two of them and took the ball away "Don't bet on it."

Ten minuets later I was dribbling the soccer ball down the feld with Bobby (I think) around my ankles trying to slow me down.

Annabeth and Matthew (It could have been Bobby) were standing to the side laughing at us.

"Okay time out" I stopped running and scowled at Annabeth "Aren't you suppose to be helping me?"

Annabeth gave me a look of confusion "Why would I do that. I was waiting for you to fall on your face"

Bobby let go of my ankle and staggered to his brother who gave him a high five.

Just then a beautiful noise filled the air with unnh-ba da-bum, unnh-ba da- unnh-ba-da-da-bum,unnh" Annabeth walked over to her bag and answered her phone cutting off the music.

"Hey Deadalus" Annabeth gave me an apologetic look. I just waved it off, she told me about a week ago about her job with her mothers company.

"He did what!" Annabeth yelled into her phone. Felling a bit awkward I took out my iphone and pretended to play a game and not look like I was listening to her conversation.

"He knows how big of clients those are." Annabeth face was a bit frantic

Deadalus must have said something cause Annabeth face filled with panic

"I don't know Deadalus."

She nodded her head after a minuet then she looked up "I'm babysitting my brothers right now. Helen and my dad won' t be back till seven."

She listened for a second "I'll figure something out"

She hung up her phone "Sorry about that Percy"
I waved it off " Was that the Doctor Who theme song?" I said laughing at her ringtone

Annabeth just shrugged "It's catchy"

"So what was that all about?" I asked

Annabeth gave me a look but just sighed, "This guy at the company just quit and he was working on one of the most important project."

I gave her a confused look and she shook her head probably figuring out that I didn't get it "Since he quit we cant use his ideas. That wasn't the problem though; the problem is the clients are coming in today to see the blueprints."

"So what's that got to do with you?"

"I'm just an intern there but I do my own sketches and Deadalus saw one of them and now he wants to use it."

I gave her a blank stare "That's good right?"

"Yeah, but I have to be there in like 45 minuets and I don't know what I can do with the twins."

"That easy" I said, "I'll watch them"
Annabeth gave me a surprised look "Seriously"

"Yeah what are friends for?"

Annabeth gave me a small smile. "Um okay, you guys can hang out at my house"

I walked into the entry hall and was amazed on how different it was on the inside. The last time I was in Annabeth house there it had a mixture of elegance, sophisticated and modern look to it. Her house had always been clean and not a single thing was ever out of place. Now it looked more like a typical household. Lego's lay all over the living room floor and a cat lied on the couch and lifted its lazy head to look at us. As I walked around I looked the family photos on the wall. I recognized the middle age man with sandy colored hair as Mr. Chase and standing next to him was a pretty Asian woman who I suspected was Annabeth step mom. To the right of Mr. chase was another tall guy maybe about 16 years old he also had blonde hair and looked really athletic. Malcolm I guessed. Annabeth stood next to her brother and in the photo she looked about 15. Bobby and Matthew were also in the photo to the left of Annabeth. I went on and looked at all the photos on the wall. Lots were of the Chase kid with sports photos and there were even some with Malcolm and Annabeth receiving awards. There were some baby photos of Bobby and Matthew with spaghetti all over their heads and even some photos of Malcolm that looked like they were taken when he was in elementary school. As I looked around I noticed how there wasn't a single photo of Annabeth looking like she did when we were kids. I frowned and was about to mention it when Annabeth beat me to it

"I had to beg Helen not to put any photos of me from elementary up there." Annabeth faked a shudder " I would die from embarrassment every time someone came over."

I scoffed "Oh come on. It wasn't that bad"

Annabeth gave me a look "Percy, it was"

I rolled my eyes "I don't know, I kind of miss your huge glasses and the frizzy hair."
Annabeth blushed and was about to say something back when Matthew grabbed my hand "Come on Percy, I want to show you my Lego's" As he drug me away I saw Annabeth shake her head then run up the stairs.

I was trying to build a chariot out of Lego's when Annabeth came running down the stairs her hair slightly wet but still looked perfect. She was wearing a light green dress with a white belt.

"Percy you have saved my life. Thank you so much. I will be back at 3" she said as she reached me

I stood up "You have a ride right?"

"Yeah Deadalus sent a car for me." Right when she said that the doorbell went off.

She gave me a terrified look "What if they don't like it. What if they tell me I'm terrible"

I pulled her into a hug and for a minute we stood there holding each other and I couldn't help but think that it felt right she was in my arms.

We just stood there till the doorbell went off again.

Matthew groaned and looked at us "Annabeth stop hugging Percy, your rides at the door"

Annabeth pulled away her face slightly red "No offense but you need to shower." she said with a smile but then her face grew into a worried look

"Percy are you sure-"

"Annabeth I'll be fine, and you, you will be amazing." I said I cutting her off

I gave her a little push to the door "Go"

She gave a big sigh and walked over to the door, opened it and took a step out. Right when she was about to close the door I couldn't hold it for any longer

"Annabeth" she opened the door and looked at me "You look amazing" as I said the words I could feel my face grow red
She blushed and closed the door.

I stood there watching the door smiling to myself.

"Percy, Come on" Bobby (Possibly Matthew) yelled from the table.

I walked over and sat down and tried to build the stupid chariot. After about ten more minuets I looked up to see the twins building full out buildings with their legos. Frustrated I set down my ugly chariot thing "How bout we go get some ice cream?"

The boys looked up with an excited look in their eyes and I let out a laugh.

"Let me go get my car"

I pulled into the parking spot of the ice cream parlor North Wind. As I got out of the car I looked up at the shop and thought about all the times I spent there with Annabeth and Luke. Smiling to my self the twins and I walked into the store and to my surprise I saw Luke and Thalia sitting at a table eating ice cream. I wasn't the only one who saw them because the next thing I knew the twins were calling Thalia's name.

Thalia turned a smile on her face but when she saw me there it became confused.

"What are you doing here with the twins" She asked with a suspicious tone

I looked down at the boys " Annabeth had to go to a work thing and I offered to hang out with them"

Luke looked at me "So you're babysitting them?"

I shook my head warning Luke to take it back but I could already see
Matthew's and Bobby's scowl

"Hey we're twelve years old" Matthew growled

"Yeah we don't need babysitting" Bobby added

Luke raised his hands up "My mistake boys"

They continued to glare at him "Hey guys go get whatever you want" I handed Matthew a twenty.

Matthew nodded "What do you want Percy?" he asked me with a big smile

"Anything with blue in it" I said smiling right back

They nodded and ran to go get in line

I looked back at Thalia and Luke who were giving me a look of bewilderment

"What" I asked, "I like blue"

Thalia shook her head "Not that you moron. It's just your so good with them."
Luke nodded and looked out the window "I don't think they like me"

I sat down at the table next to them and watched the boys look at the ice cream "Just got to treat them like there not little kids."

We sat there in silence and I noticed how wire it was that it was just the two of them sitting here. I gave Thalia and Luke a look "Are you guys on a date?"
Thalia's mouth dropped and Luke almost dropped his ice cream

"No no no no!" Luke said looking at me with wide eyes "No" he added after a second

Thalia had gotten over her shock and had a look of disgust on her face " Eww Gross" she added

I gave them a look "Then why are you here?"
Luke calmed down a little and answered, "Thalia's giving me advice"

"About Annabeth" I suddenly feeling sick with the thought of Luke and Annabeth dating

Luke gave me a mixed look of shock and anger "Ho- How did you know?"
I shrugged "It's kind of obvious you like her"

Thalia gave Luke a look that said I told you so.

Luke must have saw it to because he just sneered at her "Shut up" he muttered

Then he looked back at me "If you tell anyone"

"Calm down." I said putting my hands up in surrender "I wont"

He gave me a suspicious look but nodded "What do I do?" he said putting his head in his hands in defeat.
Don't tell him anything! I screamed in my head but on the outside I kept my cool.

"She deserves the best." Thalia gave me a surprised look when I said that. I don't think she expected me to care.

Luke nodded his head still in his hands "I know that."

"Good." Figuring the only two reasons I was helping him was because I wanted Annabeth to be happy and because he used to be one of my best friends. It was wired my relationship with Luke was different now. When all my old friends welcomed me back my old guy best friend kept his distance and acted like he wished I were still gone. Sometimes I would even catch him glaring at me. When we were younger him and I both tried to beat each at everything but now I feel like the competition never ended and we were fighting for something bigger then bragging rights. Only I didn't even know what the prize was.

Bobby and Matthew walked over and handed me an ice cream that was red and blue with red sprinkles and the left over money.

I looked at the ice cream "what flavor is this guys?"

They looked up from there ice cream "The Amazing Spiderman 2 flavor" Bobby said

"It was the only thing with blue" (AN- that actually a flavor. To bad there isn't a captain America one )

I laughed "Thanks guys."

"Hey Percy" Bobby started " We were wondering if we could sit over there and watch the basketball game."

I smiled at them "Go for it. But don't go anywhere with out telling me." I gave a laugh "Annabeth would kill me if I lost you to"

They laughed and promised me they wouldn't leave the table. As they walked away I looked at Thalia who was looking towards an approaching girl. Thalia's eyes narrowed as the girl made her way towards us. I look at the girl and winced when I saw her eyes were focused on me. She was about 16 years old and wore a short skirt and behind her white apron (that was even shorter then her skirt) was a crop top. If we were in California I would have liked the way she dressed but here in New York I wondered how she got a job at a kids ice cream parlor. She walked over and sat on the table facing me "Hey there good looking." She looked me up and down "You must be new to the neighborhood because I don't recognize you."

Thalia looked like she was about to strangle the girl and a part of me wanted her to. Luke just looked relived probably because the girls' attention was focused on me.

"Khione" Thalia growled, "if you don't get off the table I swear-"

The girl didn't even look back at her and cut her off as if she didn't hear Thalia

"I feel so sorry for you having to hang out with that loser" She said in a flirty tone as she flipped her brown hair behind her shoulder.

Thalia stood up and got ready to punch her when Luke pulled her down

"Look Khione" Luke said in a calm voice "We were in the middle of a really important conversation."

Khione turned to face Luke with a surprised look on her face "OMG!" she practically screamed "Luke it's been so long"

"Not long enough" Luke muttered but Khione didn't hear him or just didn't care. Khione looked back to me and put her hand on my arm "Can I get you anything." Her voice sounded helpful but her eyes gave me the feeling she didn't really care about being employee of the month

"It think we're good." I said taking her hand off of me

She got off the table and I thought she finally got the hint but then she bent down next to my ear and whispered " How bout my number so when you get board of these two I can show you some real fun?"

I tried not to throw up "Naw I think I'm good" I said scooting away from her

She just winked and walked back to the counter

"I hate her," Thalia growled her hand where in tight fist and she was practically crushing her Ice cream cone

I nodded my head "Tell me all the girls aren't like this at the school"

Luke gave me a pity look " About twenty-five percent of the girls"

I banged my head against the table "This school year is gonna suck"

Luke nodded "Welcome to my life. There's one girl at he school that stalks me"

Thalia laughed, "Kelli is obsessed with you" her faced looked like she was recalling on a memory "I cant believe she likes you"

Luke looked at me "Have you ever had a girl sit and just stare out your house?"

I shook my head and tried to keep from laughing "Then your lucky. Travis and Conner wouldn't let me live it down."

I finished my ice cream and looked at the twins who were watching the basketball game their ice cream gone. I stood up "I better get the twins home"

Thalia and Luke nodded and said their goodbyes.

We were watching the Avengers in the movie room when I got a text from Annabeth

"Hey my meeting ended and I'm like ten minuets away"

"Awesome, how did your meeting go?" I responded

I checked my phone about a dozen times but a response never came. What if something happened? What if her car crashed? With every minute the thought that something happened to her got worse and worse. I was going to send her another text when I heard the front door open.

"Percy, Bobby, Matthew?" I heard Annabeth call from down stairs

"We're in the theater Annabeth" Matthew called

A few seconds later Annabeth walked in and sat in the chair next to me "Hey, how we're they?" she said not looking at me but watching the movie.

"They were great. We played some video games and built some stuff with Lego's, got some ice cream, and we're about fifteen minutes in to this movie."

Annabeth gave me a look "you didn't have to do all that. You could have just shoved them in the closet with some Lego's and they would have been fine"

Bobby and Matt turned around and stuck their tongue out at her but Annabeth didn't look at them.

I just waved it off " If you ever need help watching them I would be more then happy to help." I looked back to the movie wanting to end the conversation right there but the words came tumbling out "I always wanted a brother or a sister.

I used to imagine me teaching him how to throw a baseball or play pranks on his teachers. If I had a sister I would teacher her how to ride a bike or I would be the scary big brother that all the guys were scared of."

From the corner of my eye I saw Annabeth studying my face " If you want you can have my brothers" she said half joking half serious

I looked at her and gave a small smile. "I don't think your step mom will like that."

She laughed and stood up "I'm going to go change I'll be right back."
I watched her walk away confused on my feelings. When I was with Annabeth I felt like my life was complete and all I wanted to do was hold her. It felt like eternity but Annabeth returned wearing light gray sweatpants with a white shirt and a dark jacket. Even though her hair was in a messy ponytail her princess curls were still perfect. It was obvious that she was wearing her comfy clothes but she looked like a Greek goddess. I didn't, couldn't, take my eyes off of her as she sat next to me. I studied her face how perfect it was and it didn't even have a drop of makeup on it, she was perfect. I was wondering how I got so lucky to have this beautiful girl sitting next to me when she whispered.

"Why are you staring at me" Her eyes never left the screen and I wondered how I had gotten caught

"I just can't get over how different you look" I whispered back not completely lying

"Good different or bad different?" she questioned her voice still soft and her eyes still on the screen "I miss the old you," I whispered

"I'm still the old girl" She reassured but I could see in her face that she didn't believe that

I looked back to the movie and ten minuets later Annabeth phone buzzed. In the corner of my eye I saw her look at it and text back a quick reply

"My parents are going to be back around nine. Do you want to stay for dinner? I'm making pizza." She asked finally looking at me with those stormy gray eyes.

I didn't even have to think about it "Okay" I said with a smile

She was about to say something back when Bobby turned around and shushed us. Annabeth just rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at them. Bobby huffed but turned back to the movie.

We got halfway through the movie when Matthew turned around "Annabeth" he wined "When's dinner? I'm hungry"

"When are you not hungry" Annabeth teased getting up from her seat " I'll go put the pizza in right now" She continued walking past Matthew and ruffling his hair. Matthew scowled and fixed his hair turning back to the movie.

Annabeth walked out the door but and suddenly I felt alone. I tried to leave it alone and focus on the movie. What could I do, stay here and watch a movie I've seen a billion times or be near the prettiest girl I've ever seen. Realizing the answer I ran after her.

I found Annabeth sitting on the kitchen counter typing on her phone. I leaned on the doorframe "You never told me how your meeting went" Annabeth jumped at the sound of my voice and looked at me

"Why aren't you watching the movie?" she asked

I shrugged "Lost interest. Don't try and change the subject" I warned

Annabeth looked at me and I couldn't decide what she was thinking. I was about to go and comfort her when a smile came to her face. " They loved it!" she said and I ran to give her a hug

"I knew you could do it" I said as I twirled her around and listened to her laugh

When I let go of her and tried to ignore how empty I felt "It's going to be a couple years. They still have to find a space in the city to build but they want to use my ideas"

I gave her a huge smile "I'm so proud of you Annabeth"

" Percy I couldn't do this without you. You're the reason I'm able to have this opportunity-"

I cut her off "Annabeth all I did was watch your brothers, you did everything else. This was all because of you"

She gave me a smile and my heart raced. We stood there and just stared at each other and I had the sudden urge to kiss her. Stop it I yelled in my head this is Annabeth Chase. She's to good for you.

We finally broke eye contact when the timer went off. Annabeth cleared her throat "Can you get the twins? I'll set the table" I couldn't help but notice that she was blushing and I new that I must be to.

I rubbed the back of neck "Yeah. Okay"

As we eat, we laughed and told jokes. After I finished my legendary knock knock joke I watched the people around me laugh and I wondered if this is what I was missing all those years of solitude. My mind wandered to my old town in California and I wondered if California could have been better if I had never made the promise to myself all those years ago.

In the middle of Annabeth riddle her phone went off. Apologizing Annabeth looked at and typed something back. "Matthew Bobby, mom just texted me and told me to tell you guys to go to bed. You have soccer camp tomorrow at 8oclock in the morning and she wants you well rested."

"Annabeth" The twins wined in harmony.

"Sorry guys" she said ignoring their puppy dog eyes

They realized that it was never going to work and turned to me and gave the sad look

"Please Percy" Annabeth shot me a glare seeing that they had me. I shrugged "sorry guys not my call"

They groaned and went up stairs.

"Sorry about that" Annabeth said washing their dishes

I walked over and started drying them and placed them in the dishwasher "For what"

She shrugged "You know. Having them beg you to let them stay up and then having to tell them no. But thanks for taking my side."
"Annabeth Chase I'm always going to be on your side"

I couldn't see her face but I knew she was smiling.

AN- Thanks for all the people who reviewed my story. You don't know how much those mean to me. Also, sorry for the late update. High school sucks, I have so much homework it's crazy. Highlight of my month is I meet a girl named Annabeth. I laughed so hard when she told me her name. However she had one flaw. She told me she hated Percy Jackson. I have very conflicted emotions about her. I mean her name is Annabeth, but she hates Percy Jackson. Who can hate Percy Jackson?