Disclaimer: All characters belong to Rick Riordan. Storyline is ours.
Chapter 9
Annabeth
Two weeks later...
"So..What are we?" he asks.
I smile and shake my head, finding it amusing that just because Percy has come to expect our daily makeout session, he thinks we are anything more than strangers with benefits. Not even friends with benefits.
I lean in to kiss him again and he backs up a bit, meeting my eyes.
"Seriously, I want you to talk to me."
I sigh and step back, putting my hands on my hips. I look him straight in the eyes, silently challenging him.
"What do you want us to be?" I feel like I am waiting for him to propose to me. He can't be that into me.
"I want you to be my girlfriend."
I stare at him, mute. Then I start to laugh and lean forward, putting my hands on either side of his hips on the counter, ready to meet his lips. He turns his head and my lips land on his cheek. I let my hands rest on the small of his back and slip down into the back pocket of his khakis.
"Come on Percy, you don't really care about me that much," I say as I try to kiss him again.
This time he leans forward and gently pushes me back, completely separating our bodies.
"You have no idea how much I care about you," he says, looking me straight in the eyes.
I laugh nervously and pick up my backpack. "Whatever Perce. Same time tomorrow?"
I start to unlock the bathroom door, but his voice freezes me cold.
"No."
I turn and stare at him. "Excuse me?"
"I said no."
I consider my choices. I can play into Percy's little delusional relationship, or I can give up the only (and maybe best) makeout sessions I have.
"Okay, well I guess that means no. Bye."
I start to turn towards the door but before I can leave Percy grabs my wrist and whirls me around to face him. He puts both his hands on my arms.
"Just give me one chance, give us one chance. Go to homecoming with me," he says, his eyes impossibly hopeful.
He must be able to see the doubt in my eyes because he keeps talking.
"Just to see if this thing between us would even work. You don't have to go on a date with me again after that, just give me one night."
I groan and cover my face. "But that requires dressing in nice clothes and acting like I want to be dancing in a gym that smells like dirty clothes surrounded by the tools that go to school with us."
He nods and cringes a little. "True, but we can dance and make out in a limo and I'm giving you free food. Can you really turn this down?"
I laugh at his attempt to lighten the situation but stay silent, looking into his eyes. After a moment, I say, "Okay. But only because you're such a fucking puppy."
His face brightens and he kisses me. I can't help but smile a little bit too at his pure enthusiasm.
"Seriously though, Perce, don't get your hopes up. This could still completely suck." I say as I start to head towards the door to leave.
"Not an option, Chase," he calls, as the door shuts behind me.
.::.
I fix the sleeves of my dress as a nervous habit and play with my bangles. I start to play with a strand of hair when Thalia slaps my hand away.
"Don't mess with it, I'm not done yet."
I groan and sit up straighter, worried about my dress. For once in my life, I'm worried if I'm showing too much skin. Is it too low cut? Is it too short?
"You look bangin', Annabeth," my mom says from the doorway behind me.
I laugh and roll my eyes, even though she can't see my face.
"I just hope they'll let me into the dance," I say, a note of anxiety creeping into my voice.
"I think you're really hoping Percy will let you into his pants," Thalia says with a knowing smile.
My jaw drops and I turn around. "The fuck."
She winks at me. "You know it's true."
"No better than Luke," I mutter.
"You two need to kiss and make up. It's hard to fit both of my schedules around you both."
"I'm not the one who has anything to apologize for, Thalia."
"You did slap him, you know."
"His words are like a slap to me," I say, faking a chest wound.
"Seriously, Annabeth, you guys have been so close for so long, don't let one fight ruin a good friendship."
"But it's not just one fight! If he thinks it's okay to throw my dad in my face and call me a slut, I don't need him as a friend."
"You know he didn't mean anything he said. He's been beating himself up about it ever since you guys fought. Besides, if it's really been bugging you that he said that then you need to talk to him about it."
"Luke never says something he doesn't mean. I know I don't have the best morals but I should be able to do what I want within reason without being proclaimed a slut."
"I'm not saying what he did was right, I'm just saying that you know Luke. You know he's a good person and a good friend, and I know you want to work it out."
"Thals, you know I'm too stubborn to go to him."
"Just think about, and be open to him when he comes to you."
"Fine. It isn't the point. As nice as Percy's pants look, there will be no getting in them tonight."
"Oh really," she says, one eyebrow raised. "Why not?"
"Because if I even attempted it, he might die of a heart attack."
Thalia laughs aloud at that. "He does look a lot like a little puppy."
"Are you done yet? I don't know how much longer I can fidget around and he'll be here any minute."
"Just about," she says, as she moves a few more strands of hair into place. "Go look at it and see how you like it."
I stand and fluff it a little, stopping in front of the mirror and gasping. My usually short and stubby neck looks elongated and my boring hair is transformed to a collection and arrangement of curls and waves.
Just as I'm getting used to looking at my newly transformed hair, the doorbell rings. I take a breath and walk calmly to the door, it won't kill him to wait a couple of seconds.
When I open the door, his back is to me and I can't help but admire how the jacket curves around the unexpected muscles. I can tell he is fiddling with his tie but when I cough to get his attention he turns, his eyes glued to the front steps.
"Ready?" His words catch in his throat and when his eyes inspect me head to toe, his eyes widen and darken just slightly.
N/A: We are back! Yay! First update of 2015! I hope you all had a wonderful New Years! I hope you liked this update because Brianna and I loved writing it. We will actually try to update more this year, it's our resolution. We love you guys! Please review! We read every single one and I can't tell you how much they really mean. New outfit on Polyvore, the link is in my profile!
