Recap: Percy and Annabeth are semi-forced to be in a pretend relationship to bring their attention to their upcoming movie. Both are unhappy merely because they think the other's unhappy. Thalia and Grover meet once again (where had the met before?) and things are awkward. Thalia is oblivious, but something's definitely going on with Grover. They're going to be filming in NYC.
Ophelia turned the doorknob slowly, carefully, as to not make a sound –
Annabeth perched on the coffee shop sofa, reading a novel she found lying on one of the tables. It was a shabby place, but one where the windows overlooking the street and the shops on either side of them were so large that they basically only had to turn on their lights after the sun went down. It was right in the middle of downtown LA, which was the main reason Thalia had directed them to the place. As soon as school let out teenagers would be streaming into this place – and lo and behold there they would be. 'They' being Annabeth and Percy, who was playing some sort of space shooting game on his phone. Passing photographers wouldn't even have to strain themselves to take pictures through the limpid windows. Anyone who didn't already think they were dating would definitely by the time they were through with their little publicity stunt. Great.
With difficulty she drew her attention out of her thoughts and focused back on the book.
Stepping into the room, she found herself in almost complete darkness. She fumbled along the wall next to the doorframe for a light switch. When at last her hand caught against something, a dim lamp at the far end of the commodious room slowly brightened, bringing a dull glow to the decadently decorated bedroom. Immediately following, another in the opposite side of the room began to lighten as well, until three lamps threw the entire room into brightness –
Beside her Percy was cursing up a storm.
There were several intricately carved wardrobes lining the scarlet walls –
"I will fucking destroy you, okay?" Percy swore, thumbs punching angrily at his screen. "You will not fucking live past this day. I swear to God -" He groaned as the screen faded to black and blinking red letters appeared announcing his loss. Annabeth raised a finely plucked auburn eyebrow.
"Do you mind losing more quietly?" She sighed. "I'm trying to read and there's going to be children here any second, whose poor innocent ears do not need to be desecrated by your squalid tongue."
Percy frowned, flushing slightly. He ran a hand through his hair, which of course only made the bedhead worse.
"I don't normally lose," He retorted defensively. She rolled her eyes. Of course, out of everything she just said, that's what he picked up on.
Sometimes, Percy, you're just so…
Annabeth smiled to herself and opened her book back up again.
A large bed lay in the middle of the room, matching scarlet and oak. Breath heavy in the dull silence, she took a few tepid steps until the detailed wooden footboard was running along her fingertips. "Ophelia?"
A rapid succession of pew-pew's emitted from Percy's phone.
Percy was too involved in his game of space monkeys or whatever the hell it was to notice the looks Annabeth was giving him. Were they really about to get kicked out of another restaurant?
However, even Annabeth knew that the likelihood of that happening was low. Their very presence was a neon sign for good business. Even weeks after they left tourists and local schoolchildren alike would still be coming here hoping for a glimpse of them, hoping to sit in the same spots they had. Even the waiter had been by there twice in the last half hour, refilling Annabeth's mocha latte (she was fairly certain that you didn't refill lattes) and sweeping away imaginary crumbs. She considered just giving the guy an autograph and being done with it.
It was only five minutes later that the rickety 'vintage' grandfather clock sitting in the corner chimed to three. Annabeth threw her book back onto the table, reminding herself to tell Thalia to check it out for her at the library. She arranged mussed scarlet locks, carefully smoothing them down. The color was still odd to her, but she was getting used to it. The whole grey eyes thing didn't help much, though. Why couldn't she have been born with green ones, like Percy? Gorgeous green ones, that reminded her of the Meditteranean sea, and hammocks swaying lazily in the wind – not that we're talking about Percy's anymore, of course.
"Showtime," She muttered to Percy, who straightened up at her reminder. The couple – however fake – settled back onto the couch with a practiced nonchalance (this wasn't their first public outing as a couple) just as the first group of students came strolling in.
They were all in navy and white uniforms, a mixed group of five or so guys and girls. They looked about fifteen, sixteen, only a couple years younger than them. The chattered all the way up the ordering counter.
Annabeth caught little bits of their conversation.
"Did you see New Break, yet? Oh my God, it's so great."
"You're just saying that because of Alex Jacob's abs."
"So very true. Well, his abs and Annabeth Chase. She's like, super great."
Percy's cough sounded like a well-hidden laugh.
"You say that about everyone of her movies."
"That's 'cause she is, dipshit. Can't believe she's going to be starring in that movie next fall." The brunette let out a squeal, returned by her friend.
Percy's 'coughing' was growing worse.
"And Percy Jackson! God, he's so freaking hot, I physically can't. They make such a cute couple." Her Asian friend squealed back. These fangirls and their squealing. Oh, Christ.
And of course, Percy being Percy, decided to butt in at this very moment. "Well, I don't know, I guess he's alright. I wouldn't say he was hot though." He called out loudly, smirking as every eye in the shop turned to face him.
The girls glanced away almost immediately in irritation before double taking, eyes widening. One by one the entire group fell to a hush, a vibrating hum of 'isn't that…?' and 'go ask!'s and her personal favorite, 'but why's she like, ginger?'.
With some prodding, a girl stumbled away from the group and towards them. She was pale – maybe just from seeing them – with dark wavy hair Annabeth immediately coveted. "Uhm, hi, I'm sorry, but…" She hesitated, eyes dancing back and forth. "Are you Annabeth Chase and Percy Jackson?"
The next thing Annabeth knew she was signing autographs for a line that stretched outside the door. "These kids sure get the info out there fast," She murmured to Percy, who laughed.
"Damned technology," He teased. "Does this happen every where you go?" He asked in wonder. Annabeth sometimes forgot this was all new to him.
"Basically. You get used to it,"
Percy mumbled something beneath his breath.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Nothing," He said quickly as the next person stepped up.
"Hi, Percy!" The girl bounded forward, wrapping him into a hug like she knew him personally. "Can you sign my boob?" She moved aside her jacket and flashed a bit more skin than Annabeth would bet her mother knew about. Behind her was a mixture of gasps and snickers.
Percy's eyebrows went so far up they nearly disappeared into his hair. "Uhhhhh..." His entire face got rather pink, green eyes dancing around like he wasn't entirely where to look. "I, uhm – uh…" He stuttered. He caught Annabeth's glance out of the corner of his eye. He looked completely and utterly frightened. And for some reason, like he was almost… asking for permission? Whatever. She scoffed, reaching down to cross her 't'. Whatever. It wasn't like she was his mother, for fucks sake. He could make his own decisions. Like not signing trashy sixteen-year-old girls' random body parts and getting so disgusted that he just grabs Annabeth and walks out of there. Not that that's what she secretly wished or anything. Well, she would definitely be behind it. You know, if that's what he wanted.
She watched out of the corner of her eye as he gulped and visibly pushed back his nervousness. Actor!Percy was coming out, the one who barged into her audition all insolence and daring. Blushing, sweet Boyfriend!Percy was gone. He ran a hand through his hair and flashed a quick grin. "Sure thing," He replied cooly. Still, Annabeth noticed a slight tremor in his hand as he removed the cap from the sharpie.
She stared, her own line of admirers forgotten as he chuckled nervously and reached forward, sharpie in hand. She watched as he carefully etched his signature onto her skin, hand on her waist to steady himself. She watched until the girl beamed and covered herself up again, the signature disappearing beneath the cloth. "Thanks!" She fluttered her eyelashes at him, and before either Percy or Annabeth knew it was about to happen, she had bounded forward and pecked a soft kiss on his cheek. His ears turned a bright shade of red beneath his hair as he stared after her as she strutted away, hips swaying. When she looked back and blew him a kiss, he blushed harder and mimed catching it. It was a move that would have been cheesy and adorable any other time, but now Annabeth thought he looked ridiculous. Utterly and completely ridiculous. Stupid. Idiotic. Childish.
"Oooh, do me, do me!" Shrieked the next one, leaning over to reveal the tops of her bra.
Honestly? She felt like snapping. Way to make all teenage girls look ridiculous.
She grit her teeth and focused on the poor girl in front of her who'd been kept waiting by Annabeth's… moment.
Whatever it was.
She didn't care where Percy put that ridiculous pen. Didn't care at all.
X
A/N: Hey! Sorry for the lateness, it wouldn't let me upload for ages. But hey, better late than never! ... Right?
Whatever.
Hey, shoutout to Maddie who's like the best person ever, and helped me rewrite a good chunk of this chapter.
I apologize for the shortness and lack of plot here, but I needed a filler chapter to help smooth later transitions. The next chapter will be up in the next few... days? So stick around.
Love,
Anna.
BUT ALSO: REVIEWS ARE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES SO.
GOGOGOGO.
