Percy winced as Annabeth held the ice bag to the small bruise under his left eye. They were sitting on the steps of the big house after that morning's …err… fiasco.
"It's not that bad" Annabeth said as she examined the bruise. Percy groaned "Seriously, I did not know you could get a bruise from being hit with a pillow" He reached a hand up to take the ice bag from her and their hands brushed each others slightly. Their eyes met before Annabeth looked away, blushing and Percy coughed to cover up his embarrassment.
"Well…" Annabeth turned back to him, cheeks still red "It was Clarisse who was holding the pillow"
She was trying to change the topic. Percy was grateful and went along with it. They might be "seeing" each other technically but dating was new to both of them and neither of them was sure about what the next step should be after you've agreed to "like liking" someone.
They were in the middle of discussing what summer activities Chiron had planned for them when Nico appeared from the other side of the big house, whistling.
"Where did you come from?" Percy asked, lowering the ice bag putting it down on the porch next to him "After you woke up the Hermes and Apollo cabins, you just disappeared"
Nico looked at his bruise and smiled a bit "Clarisse got you, huh?"
"Hey man-"Percy started but Annabeth cut him off as she addressed Nico
"Have you been outside, again?"
Nico didn't answer as he leaned casually against the railing of the porch steps. Annabeth frowned.
"Nico, we aren't supposed to leave camp"
"I was just taking a walk-"
"What is it with you and walks?" Percy demanded
"-I didn't go too far" Nico continued as if Percy hadn't spoken "And I ran into Rachel"
"Rachel?" Percy repeated
"Did she have the half-blood with her?" Annabeth asked
Nico nodded, running a hand through his dark hair.
Percy and Annabeth looked at each other then back to him.
"WELL?"
"Well what?" Nico asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"What is she like?" Annabeth asked
"What does she LOOK like?" Percy asked at the same time
"PERCY!"
Nico, Annabeth and Percy looked up and saw a familiar red head running towards them, duffle bag in one hand. Annabeth and Percy stood up. No sooner had they done so when Rachel flung her arms around Percy.
Annabeth's eye twitched a bit. She caught Nico's eye. He smiled and shook his head.
Don't be jealous
Annabeth took a deep breath and smiled as Rachel let go of Percy and turned to her
"Annabeth!" Rachel smiled, also hugging the slightly stunned daughter of Athena "I missed you!"
"Really?" Percy asked, smiling as the 2 girls broke apart.
Somewhere in the grounds, a horn sounded, signaling the morning assembly.
"Grover told us about the half-blood you found" Annabeth said "Where is she?"
"Oh, She's with Chiron" Rachel answered as she and Annabeth began walking together towards the dinning pavilion "We met him at the entrance"
Percy watched them walk away before he turned to Nico.
"You coming?"
Nico nodded then walked towards Percy. He threw an arm around Percy's shoulder, a habit he had become fond of doing ever since he caught up to Percy's height, as they walked in silence. As they passed the cabins, Percy cleared his throat.
"So… this new half-blood…. What do you think?"
"what do you mean?"
"I mean… Clarion's is an ALL girl's school, right?" Percy continued
"Yeah…. So?" Nico replied, not quite sure where this conversation was going.
"So the new half-blood IS a girl, right?" Percy answered, a smile creeping up to his face.
"I don-" Nico stopped, finally getting it. He looked at Percy with the silly grin on his face and laughed "No way, man"
"What'd you mean; NO WAY?" Percy asked, laughing
Nico, still smiling, shoved him away "NO as in NO"
"Not your type?" Percy asked, grinning as reached the entrance of the Mess Hall where the campers were gathering to welcome the new "recruits".
Nico smiled but didn't answer as he entered the hall.
