Chapter 9

Annabeth was freaking out to say the least. She couldn't believe she could be tricked so easily. As a child of Athena she prided herself on her wit and observation skills, but somehow Luke got in between her armor and played a cruel trick. She had always had a soft spot for Luke, ever since he had taken her in at the age of seven. Now, he was completely obsessed with her, so much so that he somehow got Aphrodite's magic and had put a love spell on her. Great.. just great.

Annabeth's main concern was how she would act around Percy. She didn't want to say anything hurtful, but she guess that was part of the spells properties too. She had to avoid him, until she found a way to fix the spell. She was also worried about how she would act around Luke. The spell was obviously directed towards him, even now being aware of the spell, her mind started to wander. Luke was waiting for her at the canoe lake, she could just image his shining blonde hair glimmering against the cool blue water. His sky blue eyes twinkling as he saw her, making her heart race. Annabeth shook her head. She could not be thinking about this. This is exactly how she felt when she started falling for Percy.

She racked her brain trying to remember anything like this happening before. She remembered how Aphrodite would always played into her favorite hero's love affairs, but why was she doing it with Annabeth? She already found the love she was looking for, wasn't she supposed to move on? As she contemplated this she came closer and closer to the canoe lake, where Luke would be standing in all of his masculine glory. The scary part was, Annabeth would be fully aware of her actual feelings, while her body reacted completely different. The dock was in sight, and there stood Luke, looking devilishly handsome in a casual camp shirt, and khaki shorts. Annabeth knew she liked dark hair better, but somehow Lukes blonde almost glowing hair was endearing.

His face crinkled into a smile when he saw her, he came and opened his arms for a hug. Normally, Annabeth would have hesitated and then hugged him as lightly as possible trying not to be rude. But instead her feet took a life of their own and she started running with her arms spread. Luke caught her in an embrace and squeezed her tight. Annabeth prayed to the gods that Percy didn't see them, she didn't think she could stand his sad sea green eyes. She wanted to pull back immediately but her body just held on to him tighter. He seemed to appreciate the gesture, because he pressed his body closer to her, holding her tight. They hugged for what seemed like an eternity, Annabeth started to become extremely uncomfortable but her body didn't show it. She could feel Luke sniggering like he couldn't believe it actually worked.

When they finally pulled apart Luke was beaming at her, and she imagined she had a similar expression. "Well Annabeth," He smirked. "You are quite bubbly today, I like it!"

He took her hand and led her to one of the canoes. Normally she wouldn't have let her hand be held like this, but her body seemed to have other plans. She gripped his hand tighter as she sat down in the canoe. Once again she prayed Percy was off fighting monsters or doing anything besides watching them, she would rather him fight a couple of gorgons than have his heart be broken by watching them. Sure his skin was invincible but that didn't mean his heart was.

Ever since they started dating, and even before, Percy had seemed a part of Annabeth. The term boyfriend didn't quite cut it. Sometimes Percy could seem annoying or short sighted, but when it came down to what really mattered he had always pulled through, that was one of the things Annabeth admired about him from the start. Now, holding hands with Luke in the canoe lake seemed plain wrong. It went against every fiber of her being. Sure she had wanted to be friends with Luke, but not to this extent. Part of her still couldn't believe he was even here. After he had died she had tried not to blame herself for it, but she had nightmares about that day in Manhattan. Now that that he was here, her mind couldn't just let go of the guilt. Maybe that's why it was so easy to trick her into falling in love with him, she would always feel a little guilt.

Once they were both in the canoe, Luke started to row farther and farther away from the dock. Annabeth was almost relieved, with them this far out Percy wouldn't be able to see who was in the canoe. Once they got far enough out, Luke put his magnificently strong arms to rest. He pulled a six pack of cans out from under his seat. Annabeth admired the gleaming red cans.

Her eyes gleamed excitedly."How did you get Coke into camp?"

Luke grinned. "One of my half- brothers, bribed a satyr to sneak it in, then I bought it off him. You would not believe the price these things go for in camp." As he said this he handed her one and popped the cap on his own. Annabeth savored the gloriously sweet beverage as it tickled its way down her throat.

She giggled. "Wow Luke you're amazing!" Once she said it, Annabeth gagged inwardly. Why was she sounding like a flirty Aphrodite girl? Oh that's right ,I'm under a love potion! She thought bitterly.

Luke seemed to sincerely enjoy any complement Annabeth gave him, probably because she would never say something like that unless he was her actual boyfriend. He gave her a cocky grin. "Hey, you're not so bad yourself." She looked down, blushing. "Listen Annabeth, I want to talk… you know, about us." Her blonde hair shook as she absently nodded.

Gah! What's wrong with me! Why am I such an airhead?! Annabeth wanted to strangle herself, she completely despised the stereotypical pretty girl who didn't know how to think for herself, and needed a man to take care of her. Her expression didn't change as she wrestled with herself, trying to be the outspoken girl she was not the bubbling, giggly girl she had turned into. She sat grinning at Luke, who was enjoying the nice easygoing Annabeth.

"Well, I just wanted to say that I want you. I want you to break up with that salt water bozo and choose me." He added a winning smile to that utter abomination of a sentence, and took her hands in his.

"OH HELL NO! Nobody talks about my boyfriend like that!"Annabeth wanted to scream. She wanted to tell him that that salt water bozo was her boyfriend, and that only she could make fun of his stupidity. Sadly the only thing she could do was shake her head.

For once since she had fallen in love with the wrong guy, she gave Luke an unhappy expression. "No, I don't think I can do that. I don't really like him, it's just something about it seems wrong. Like there's a little voice in the back of my head telling me not to. But you know who I do like?" She lifted her hand and put a finger on Luke's chest.

"Who." He asked. Obviously already knowing the answer.

"You, silly!" She said giggling. Although Luke didn't like that Annabeth wouldn't break up with Percy, he did seem to like her answer.

"Well I like you too Annabeth. That's why I want you to break up with Percy. Nice guys always finish last, you know I'm the better option don't you?"

No! No! No! I don't know that. Percy is so much better than you, pond scum!

"Of course you're better Lukey!" She traced a finger down his chest, poking his stomach.

Oh gods,what have I gotten myself into?