Chapter 7
The next few days went smoothly, until I asked Rachel to meet me at the mall. Lately… She's been extremely annoying. I think it was just because I don't like her and she likes me too much. She was sort of smothering me. She was very clingy. I couldn't handle that anymore.
I slid my hands my pockets as I waited around for her. Finally, she stepped out of her limo, smiling at me. She was wearing a red jacket and black slacks. I'm sure she was about to go meet her father. She grinned as she neared me and hugged me. She went to kiss me, but I turned my head slightly and her lips landed on my cheeks.
She frowned, "What's wrong?" She asked, putting a hand on my arm.
I rubbed the back of my neck and didn't meet her eyes. "Rachel… I think we should, err, break… up." I muttered.
She stared at me and removed her hand. I looked at her. Her eyes watered and she backed away. "What? Why?" She demanded.
I cleared my throat, clearly uncomfortable. I don't know if I should lie or tell her she was annoying and clingy… "Um, you were sort of… smothering me…" I managed.
Wrong thing to say. Her eyes widened with fury and she set her hands on her hips. "Oh, I was smothering you!" She exclaimed. "Sorry if I liked you, Jackson! Sorry I cared for you!" She yelled.
"Rachel, come on, you're making a scene…" I said, under my breath.
Several people were looking at us. "I don't care! You break up with me because I'm smothering you? You know what? Fine! Bye!" She yelled and spun on her heels.
She stomped back into the limo and slammed the door shut. Nearby, I heard an old couple mutter something about us kids and love nowadays. I smiled sheepishly at the people staring and began walking.
I sighed and sat down at a table. I took out my phone and was about to text Annabeth, when I yelp caught my attention. I looked over to the side and saw a girl had fallen and the bags in her arm fell. I jumped up and helped her with her bags.
"You alright?" I asked, handing her the last one.
She laughed nervously, "Sure, if you call being completely embarrassed in front of tons of people at the mall." She sighed.
I grinned, "It's not all that bad. At least a very attractive boy came up and helped you. You seem more like a damsel in distress. People would kill to be you." I chuckled.
She laughed, "Oh, that makes me feel so much better. You're a bit conceited." She told me.
I gestured her to sit down with me. I really didn't know what was compelling me to talk to her, but whatever it was, it was urging me on. "Just a little proud." I shrugged. I smiled at her, "I'm Percy Jackson."
"Calypso Adams." She smiled.
I studied her for a moment. She had long, chocolate-brown hair in a high pony tail. Her skin was a smooth caramel color, and her eyes were a light brown. She wore a loose, peach colored V-neck shirt and jeans. She carried about five bags. She was really pretty, and didn't even look like she was trying to be.
"It's nice to meet you." I reply. "What brings you here?"
She sighed, "I just moved here, from Florida. Just doing a little shopping. You?"
Florida, nice. I nodded, "I'm here because I just broke up with my girlfriend." I replied, not really thinking as I spoke to her.
Her eyes widened slightly and she raised an eyebrow, "Breaking hearts?" She chuckled.
I laughed, "Not exactly… I think. She seemed more angry than upset."
"Oh, Percy. That's how girls react to a break-up. She probably is hurting a lot inside." She said.
I groaned, "You're making me feel worse."
She laughed, "I'm sorry. Can I ask why you ended it?"
"Too clingy."
"Ah." She replied, nodding.
I stared at her for a while. "Can I get your number?" I asked, suddenly.
She seemed a little surprised, but nodded, grinning. We exchanged numbers quickly. Then, her phone rang. She shot me an annoyed look and picked it up. "Hello? Yes, dad. Yes, dad. Of course, dad. Right away, dad."
She sighed, and glanced back at me. "You have to go?" I sighed unhappily.
She nodded, "We should hang out some other time."
I smiled, "Of course."
She grinned and waved, and then hurriedly left the mall. I sat there for a couple of minutes. I finally realized what happened. That was quick… I whipped out my phone and texted Annabeth, although I was a little hesitant. We were supposed to hang out later- to meet at the park.
The next message she sent me almost sent me punching the wall. She wanted Luke to come! Out of all people!
Then, an idea popped into my head. It was insanely ridiculous. A little immature, too.
Oh, well.
I marked calypso's number; she picked up on the second ring. "Hello?" I heard her soft voice say.
"Hey, it's, uh, Percy. Can you do me a tiny, teeny favor?" I pleaded.
I heard her sigh, "Sure, what is it?"
"Can you pretend to be my girlfriend?"
"What?"
"Please! It's this girl, I really like her, she's my best friend and she's got a boyfriend. Only, I really don't like him. We were supposed to hang out, but then she invited him, and I just really want to-"
"Make her jealous by bringing me?" Calypso finished for me.
I sighed, "…Maybe? What better way to make her jealous than to bring a gorgeous girl with me?"
She chuckled, "Gorgeous, eh? Oh, alright. When and where?" She asked.
I grinned, "Today, at the park. I'll text you where it is. At around six?"
"Alright. See you then."
"Thank you, oh sweet girlfriend of mine." I sang.
She laughed and hung up. I excitedly brought out my phone and sent a text to Annabeth. Sure, Luke can come. I'm bringing someone, too.
I was too excited.
I met up with Calypso a little before I was supposed to meet with Annabeth and Luke. She had let her hair out and it framed her face perfectly, giving her a natural look. I noticed she had several different colorful bracelets on her wrist. Other than that, she had no jewelry. Her hands were in her back pockets as she grinned at me. It was a bit windy, so her hair flowed around freely.
"I wasn't exactly sure you were actually going to come." I said, picking my words carefully.
She laughed lightly, "If you actually knew me, you'd know I actually go through with what I say."
I raised my eyebrows in mock surprised, "But you're my girlfriend!" I exclaimed.
We sat down on a bench and faced each other, "Alright, so how about we actually learn things from one other, eh?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.
I smiled "Alright then… Favorite color, thing to do, sport, food, and music." I said.
She thought about it for a moment, and then grinned, "Green. Read. Softball. Spaghetti. I listen to everything mostly, but I really like Indie. How about you?"
I chuckled, "Alright, uh, Blue… Swim… Anything blue… And, everything."
She shook her head, "Did I just hear you say anything blue?"
I laughed, "My mom adds blue dye to most things she cooks. It's tradition." I told her. I leaned forward, so that our knees were touching, "What's Indie?"
She sighed, "Not many people know what that is. It's kind of surprising. I can't really explain it… You'd have to listen to it to know what it is."
"Maybe you can show me sometime."
She leaned forward, so her face was a few inches from mine. "Maybe I will."
"Hey, Percy!" Someone exclaimed, and we both jumped back.
There was Annabeth, her blonde hair loose. She wore a black sweater and jeans. Her hand was interlocked with Luke's who was grinning at me. Her gray eyes shone brightly.
"Hey, guys." I greeted, giving Annabeth a hug, and Luke a handshake. I went back to Calypso, who was standing and smiling. "This is Calypso, my girlfriend. Calypso, meet Annabeth and Luke."
I took Calypso's hand and realized she was a bit nervous. Annabeth's eyes widened, "Girlfriend? What happened to Rachel?"
I waved my hand dismissively, "She and I were done a while ago."
"If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have gotten together." Calypso said, chuckling.
I laughed, giving her a wink, and nodded. "Well, then, this is great!" Luke exclaimed. "Let's go grab some pizza."
The four of us walked to the pizza shop and sat down at a booth. I sat next to Calypso, who sat across from Annabeth, who sat next to Luke. We ordered a slice each and then began talking. Luke and Annabeth did much of the talking, while Calypso and I mostly played around whenever they weren't looking. Not that kind of playing around, but poking each other and making quiet jokes.
"So, Calypso, nice name by the way, where do you come from?" Luke asked.
She put down her soda and rubbed her hands on her jeans. "I'm from Florida. Moved here a couple days ago." She said.
He nodded, and then Annabeth stepped in, "A few days ago, hm? How did you and Percy meet?" She asked accusingly.
I stifled a laugh and looked at Calypso, who was trying not to laugh as well. "Well, I was sort of shopping…"
"She had a ton of bags." I interrupted, rolling my eyes.
She pushed me softly and grinned, "I was shopping, when I, being as clumsy as ever, fell. This kid decided to be chivalrous and help me up, and then we hit it off."
"I remember after you sat down with me, you looked completely lost." I smiled at her, "Like a cute, lost girl who had been completely embarrassed in front of tons of peoplel. Then, her father called, and she had to leave, so we only talked for about ten minutes."
She laughed quietly. "I remember it… like it was earlier today." At that, we both started laughing.
Annabeth and Luke stared at us, but we didn't stop laughing. Finally, we calmed down as our food came. Luke and I finished quickly, but the girls took a while. After eating, we headed out back to the park.
Luke and Annabeth took seats on the swing, while Calypso took another. I was about to sit on one, when I had a great idea. I took Calypso's swing and pulled it back.
"Oh, god, Percy! I just ate and-" She squealed as I let go and pushed her more. She was really high up now, but laughing cheerily.
I laughed and then stopped the swing, stepping in front of it, and keeping her still. Our laughter died down. We were really close now. Suddenly, I forgot I met her a couple hours ago. I forgot that she was my pretend girlfriend. I forgot about Luke and Annabeth curiously watching us.
I was so close to her. Our noses were touching. I was beginning we'd get cross-eyed if we stared at each other any long.
Then, I saw the smile on her face. The smile turned into a cute, little giggle, and then a laugh. A smile slowly made its way to my face, too. I chuckled as I realized that was all… a joke. Primarily, to get back at Annabeth and Luke.
Liking each other wasn't the plan.
We laughed it off, so I hugged her instead. Annabeth and Luke look confused after that.
Finally, I had to get home. Annabeth and Luke left before us, although Annabeth seemed a bit… distant. I thought maybe I had gotten to her, until I saw her and Luke make out when Calypso and I were talking.
I walked Calypso home, buying her an ice cream on the way. We stopped in front of her house. "Thank you for this amazing fake first date, Percy, dear. It's been a pleasure." She said dramatically, running her fingers through her hair.
I suddenly thought of her as on old friend… Not someone I just met. She was just so easy to talk to. Funny and flirty. She was no Annabeth… but I liked the idea of her being… her. Not Annabeth. I smiled at her, "Anything for my supposed girlfriend."
We stared at each other for a while. "How exactly does a fake couple… part?" She asked, keeping up a strange, medieval accent.
I had no choice to go along with it. "I suppose, sweetheart, this is when our lips meet in a passionate kiss?"
She chuckled, "Ah, dear, you're going to have to show up at my door on a horse with a dragon's head. A shiny armor would be lovely, as well." She informed me, a slight smirk on her face.
I sighed dramatically and miserably, "Thou request the most…eth impossible… eth."
She rolled her eyes and ruffled my hair, "Oh, shut up." She said, smiling. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
She started walking into her house. "Have a nice sleep, honeybun." I called out.
"Don't let the bed bugs bite, my cuddlybear!"
