A/N: Thank you for reviewing, fav or following! You guys don't know how happy it makes me:) Enjoy! There are some details that might not follow the book, beware! Takes place when they're 14-15? Not sure.

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Percy tried not to focus on Annabeth too much, because that might just make him lose his head. Percy sidestepped, and smashed his sword hilt on his opponent's helmet. His foe crumpled, and Percy lifted his sword in victory.

The crowd roared, but Percy was only stealing glances at Annabeth, hoping she would notice his win. He saw her keeping a straight face, and couldn't figure out what she was thinking. Ugh, he was going to have to try harder. They were having a sword-fighting tournament at Camp Half-Blood, and Percy was determined to win so he can show Annabeth his skills.

Annabeth had a little outburst earlier this week going on about how Percy's strength all came from Poseidon, and how Annabeth had to train hard for many years to get where she was now. Percy knew Annabeth was a good fighter, but it angered him how Annabeth said all his fighting skills came from his father. He was a little worried that he was depending too much on his water powers, and Annabeth pointing that out for him was not pleasant. Silena Beauregard noticed how they were fighting, and forced Percy to spill. She got all girly about it, and told Percy he had to show her how strong he was by entering this tournament. Silena was now determined to prove to Annabeth about Percy's 'manliness.'

So here he was, showing off his sword skills for a stupid girl. Well, hardly stupid.

He scanned the crowd, and saw Silena waving to him. He raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking if he did well. She nodded enthusiastically and gave him two thumbs-up. Percy blushed a little, because he felt awkward trying to consciously show off to a girl. Especially Annabeth.

He sneaked another glance at Annabeth, while resting and getting ready for the next match, which was also the final match. He was up against a burly Ares kid, but he had to win. And Annabeth now looked angry. Well, he wanted to prove her wrong, but he didn't want to anger her more. He was hoping more that he would just impress her. Percy shook it off, and headed off to start the next match. He'll be satisfied only when he wins.

xxx

When did Percy get so close to Silena Beauregard? Annabeth knew Percy learned how to fly pegasi with her, and now he was sword fighting for her too? Did Percy have a crush on Silena? And why would Annabeth care about that? That was their business, right? She knew it, but something burned inside Annabeth when she saw Percy staring at Silena and seeing her smile and cheer him on back.

She wanted to know if there was anything going on between Percy and Silena, but she couldn'tjust ask. Annabeth and Percy were fighting at the moment, kind of. She told him how he could fight well only because of his dad, and things went sour from there. Even if they weren't, Annabeth would rather be eaten alive by harpies than ask him something like that. She watched as Percy downed a water bottle, and splashed the excess water onto himself. Percy sighed as the water cooled him, and he shook his hair. Annabeth tried not to stare at him too long. Annabeth felt something weird. Like something was fluttering.

She ignored it, and saw the fighters get ready for the next match. Annabeth would have entered herself, but she was more comfortable fighting with her knife. She saw Percy enter the ring with an Ares kid. His name might have been Matt or something. Annabeth didn't really care much for Ares' children, although she would put her life on the line for them. She would for anyone at camp. Percy and Matt stood at ready stance, and there was an air of tension between them.

Chiron blew his horn to start the battle. Percy struck immediately, surprising Matt. Matt was a skilled fighter though, he dodged at the last second, and swung back with full force. Percy held his ground, and they had a battle of strength for a moment. Annabeth looked at Percy's face again, completely determined. They met eyes, and Percy looked away quickly, slightly blushing.

That only meant Annabeth's face flushed red, although she didn't know why. Well, there was an explanation for why she was acting like this… But no. That can't be it.

She focused back onto the fight, and was surprised. Percy lost his balance, and Matt pushed him to the ground. Matt slashed down, but Percy rolled out of the way and jumped back up to his feet. Percy parried, and Matt's arm recoiled back into an uncomfortable angle from the force. Matt doubled over, and Percy took the chance to knock him down with his sword hilt. Matt crumpled, and it was over. The crowd cheered, and chanted Percy's name. Happiness surged in her heart. Seeing Percy win so easily and plaster that stupid smile on his face just made Annabeth kiss him.

Did she just think that? No… Annabeth's stomach lurched. It can't be. She looked at Percy one more time, who was grinning at the crowd. No, not the crowd. Silena. She suddenly felt a fiery jealousy piercing her heart, and Annabeth realized.

Oh no no no.

She had a crush on Perseus Jackson.

She put her head into her hands, despite everyone around her standing and cheering. She tried to think. It might not be a crush. It could be just… infatuation because Percy won, making him look attractive or something.

She looked up, and saw Silena squealing and hugged Percy. Silena quickly looked uncomfortable, and pulled away. Silena looked at Annabeth, and realized Annabeth was watching.

Annabeth had to sort things out.

She abruptly got up, and swiftly walked out of the colosseum.

xxx

Percy saw Annabeth leave the colosseum without saying anything to him. What happened?

"Is something wrong with Annabeth?" he whispered to Silena.

"I don't know! You won now, you proved her wrong, and you should have stolen her heart! What went wrong?" Silena exclaimed.

"I thought you said this plan was flawless!"

"Well, it should be! Annabeth's just weird! Dude, she probably doesn't like you that much. Or… Is it because she saw me hug you! THAT'S IT! GO AFTER HER!" Silena shrieked.

"What do you mean? How do you know?" Percy asked, dumbfounded.

"Just go! You'll lose her!"

"But the trophy…"

"GO! Atta boy!" Silena pushed Percy away. Percy looked back at her one more time, only to see her widen her eyes and wave her hands to shoo him away. Percy sighed, and jogged after Annabeth's direction.

He finally found her sitting in the mess hall, staring at nothing. Even with a blank expression, Annabeth looked so pretty. Little blond strands framed her face, and her stormy gray eyes were slightly unfocused. He slowed, and wasn't sure if he should really talk to her first. His heart was pounding, and his legs felt a little wobbly. But Annabeth noticed him, and Percy stared back like an idiot.

Percy now had to go up to her. He meekly smiled, and went to sit next to her.

"Uh...hey." Percy greeted awkwardly. Annabeth glared at him, and looked down.

"Annabeth. What's wrong?" he pushed. Annabeth avoided his gaze. He got a little frustrated, because he just went and won a tournament for her to go and ignore him like this. Well, she didn't exactly ask him to do all that, but still.

"Hey. There's no need to ignore me, you know. And the reason we're fighting was your fault, anyways." Percy said.

At that, Annabeth sharply turned around and practically snarled. "My fault? Oh, so now this is my fault?"

"What are you saying? You're the one who told me my skills were pretty much from my dad!" Percy countered.

"Because you did!" Annabeth shouted.

"That doesn't mean I can't fight without it! You saw me just now!" Percy yelled back.

"What?"

"Oh, my gods. I can't believe I just went and won a tournament like that just to prove that to you."

"To prove it to me? Did I ask you to do that? And, you obviously did that just to show off to Silena."

Silena? Percy thought. Oh, I see. Wait, What? That was for you! He clenched his fists in frustration. Things were not supposed to go this way.

"Ugh, you are so stupid. You were being an obvious flirt. Like, you should at least try to hide it."

"No! That was- That was supposed to be.." Percy sighed. It would defeat the purpose to outright tell her he was showing off for her. This was all so complicated. He gave up. "You know, why do you care anyway?"

"Because… Because…" she sputtered. Her cheeks colored.

"It's really none of your business, whether we were flirting or not. Why are you getting angry over something like that?" Percy continued.

Annabeth suddenly screamed in exasperation. She put her hands to her head for a few moments. Slowly, she looked back up, face red from shouting and arguing.

"You really want to know why I care?" she calmly said. Now this scared Percy.

"Go ahead, tell me." Percy challenged. The way she was handling was creeping him out a lot. What was she thinking?

Annabeth fisted the front of his shirt, and he embraced himself for the punch about to hit his face.

Instead, he felt something soft crush his lips.

Annabeth kissed him.

She pulled away as quick as she kissed him, and she abruptly stood up. She was panting, now with her face as bright as a tomato.

Percy was dazed, and mumbled something unintelligible.

Annabeth glared at him a little longer, and stormed off, swearing a string of Ancient Greek curses into the sky.

She kissed him. Percy still felt the tingle on his lips. Percy couldn't think straight. What was going on?

Ah, he realized after a while. She likes me.

Wait, she liked him!?

This was so complicated. Percy sighed, and agreed with Beckendorf. He would take a haywire dragon over dealing with girls any day.