Hellooo! I told you I wouldn't be able to update early. Busy rehearsal schedule this week... I had to put my arms around a boy and hold his hand quite a lot, I wouldn't mind but he's so much shorter than me and I kinda have to bend down to reach him hahaha!

Anyways, hope you enjoy!

- M


Percy

I was upset about yesterday.

Annabeth went to bed without saying a word to me, she wasn't being bitter and she didn't storm off, she just silently slipped away from me. I'd wanted to hold her hand, I wasn't trying to make a move or anything, it was supposed to be my way of showing her that I was sorry and that I cared about her... but she got all tense and looked uncomfortable, so I backed off.

Then I told her that she shut people out, I meant it too. I knew she would spend the whole summer reading and ignoring her feelings, she liked watching others live their lives whilst she sat in the background. I didn't want that for her. I didn't care if she wouldn't want to talk to me about her problems, but she could at least deal with them, like talking to my grandma or seeing a counselor; Everyone needs to morn after a loss, I don't think Annabeth allowed herself to.

The dance was tomorrow too, grandma insisted that I came along, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to.

I kept throwing really obvious hints at Annabeth that I...maybe, sort of... liked her? I was still texting a few girls, partly because some of them were dangerously hot, partly because deep down; I might have wanted to make Annabeth jealous.

But it didn't work.

She didn't seem to care about me flirting with other people, which kind of hurt because I cared when I found out that some random guy wanted to take her out! Ugh...don't get me started on that.

So, this morning I woke up a little later, I didn't feel much like helping out this morning, so I squeezed in an extra few hours of sleep, Annabeth didn't need my help, she just enjoyed my company in the mornings; If anything, I slowed her down.

I dragged my stiff body out of bed at around 10 o'clock, Grandpa was working, Grandma had gone shopping for groceries and Annabeth was nowhere to be seen. I ate breakfast by myself, I didn't know why I felt so darn miserable, I mean, it's wasn't like me and Annabeth were still arguing, so why did I feel like I hadn't spoken to her for days? My phone kept making sounds but I ignored it, I didn't feel much like talking to any of those girls, there was only one girl I felt like talking with right then, and I wasn't even sure if she still wanted to be my friend.

I was about to grab my coat and head outside to find her, but as if on cue; Annabeth barged into the kitchen, her hand on her forehead. I could see blood on her hands but her expression was calm and slightly amused. "I-uh, I was painting one of the pens and I scratched my head on a nail sticking out of the wood." She said sheepishly, probably embarrassed that she had no one else to go to for help.

I stood from my chair and walked over to her, removing her hand and inspecting her scar. It wasn't too deep, just a cut. But it was bleeding pretty bad so I sat her down at the table and fumbled around for some kind of first aid kit.

"A wet cloth will do just fine." Annabeth called from behind, I could tell she was secretly kicking herself for not finishing her work, Annabeth was a perfectionist at times, this must have been killing her. I ran a towel under some cold water and looked over at Annabeth. She was pretty when she smiled, but I didn't think she genuinely felt too happy about scratching her forehead.

I rinsed the towel and sat down in front of her, I didn't want her to feel awkward but I had to get pretty close to her face. As I pressed the cold fabric against her skin, she hissed at the sensation, her grey eyes squeezed shut in pain. "Are you okay?" I asked, dabbing the towel gently around the mark. She nodded after a while, and I felt more comfortable. The coolness began to soothe her, she sighed in content as I gently brushed the cloth backwards and forwards against her head. I had to push a few pieces of her hair out of the way, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Thanks." She breathed as I pulled the towel away. The scar was a little red and puffy, but the bleeding had stopped. It was only then that I realized just how close our faces were, if I leaned forward slightly, our noses could have touched. I found my eyes fluttering down to her lips, I tried to concentrate on my breathing, I didn't want her to notice how strange I felt with her eyes meeting mine, the smell of her peppermint breath, it was all enveloping me, making me want to lean forward and close the distance between us. She seemed to be focused on my lips too and I felt my heart pounding inside of me, I wanted her to kiss me, I thought maybe...

"Did you hear that?" Annabeth's voice interrupted my trail of thought.

"Hear what?" I asked distantly, my eyes still glued to her lips. Annabeth stood from her chair and I felt a sudden kind of emptiness. That's when I heard the knocking in which she'd been referring to, someone was at the door. I followed Annabeth into the hall but sat on the staircase, I knew there wouldn't be anyone calling for me, all my friends were back at home.

When Annabeth unlocked and swung the wooden door open, an unfamiliar boy came into view, he looked nervous and bashful, I knew who it was immediately. "Charlie," Annabeth breathed, not looking as shocked or as irritated as I wanted her to look with him stood there.

He shuffled his feet and dug his hands into his pockets, I wanted to burst out laughing. This guy? Seriously, Annabeth? But I kept my mouth shut.

"Hey, um... so you're g-going to the dance, right? I-uh, I was wondering if, well, you wanted to go with me?" He stuttered, I was waiting for his head to explode or for him to pee himself or something. Annabeth scratched the back of her neck and I could have sworn she glanced at me. I started to feel really bad. I felt bad for holding her back from doing something she clearly wanted to do. Besides, I doubted Loser-Charlie would have any moves to use on her. Maybe I could show her how suckish a date with him would be compared to a date with me...yeah, I liked that plan.

"You should go," I said softly, Annabeth turned to me, she looked surprised, sad almost. I sighed, I didn't want her to be hanging around with some other boy all night, but I didn't want her to be unhappy either, she'd definitely be unhappy going to the dance by herself. "As long as you save me a dance, Wise Girl." I smirked.

I mentally patted myself on the back for actually sounding somewhat smooth in front of Annabeth for the first time. Annabeth smiled thankfully then turned back to Loser Charlie. "That sounds lovely, Charlie." She said politely, I grinned from my seat, I could tell she wasn't into him.

Charlie's face got all red and he blew out the air from his cheeks. I guess he was okay looking, but I tried not to worry about the minor competition. "Okay, great- yeah. I'll-I'll pick you up at seven, okay?" I was almost certain he was distantly related to a tomato.

"Cool. Seeya tomorrow then." Annabeth said sweetly.

Charlie nodded and waved goodbye before walking back to his crappy old car. When Annabeth shut the door, she sat down next to me and I felt warmer than before, maybe the room had just heated up. "You better be there tomorrow too, Rich Boy." She stated, poking my arm.

I raised my eyebrow at her. "And why is that?" I questioned, Annabeth's face began to resemble Loser Charlie's. "Well, I believe I owe you a dance." She noted, pushing some hair away from her eyes. I don't know what possessed me to do such a thing, but I leaned over and kissed Annabeth's cheek softly. She blushed furiously and looked away from me trying hard to force her smile away.

I chuckled and nudged her arm. "It's a deal."


Next chapter will be crazy so pleeeaaaase don't lose hope! Sorry about the lack of events in this one!

- M