Guys, calm down! Anything could happen in this story; I wouldn't want it to be predictable. *Smiles evilly* Percy and the gang still have the rest of the school year to go through, and of course high school never goes smoothly. So, bear with me, alright? Thank you (:

Chapter 10

The Homecoming dance was fun. They next weekend was blur and Annabeth looked messed up. Whenever I went to talk to her, I'd get distracted, so I planned to hang out with her Friday. But, I was doing something with Calypso that day, and the next. So, really, we didn't get to talk until two weeks after Homecoming, on Friday. Calypso was totally cool with it.

"Hey, Annabeth!" I called out right before she escaped the school.

She turned, although slightly hesitant. She looked pretty. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore a simple red hoodie and jeans. Her bag hung low on her shoulders and she had a large binder pressed into her chest. "Yeah?"

"Come over today." I said, as we walked out the school together.

She bit her lip, looking nervous, "Um, now? You sure? Is Cal-"

"She's cool," I chuckled, "Yes, now. You doing anything today?"

She shook her head, "Nah, but… Why?" She looked suspicious.

I smiled at her, shaking my head a little, "I can't hang out with my best friend? Come on, Annabeth, we haven't talked in weeks. I'd like to change that," I shrugged.

She grinned, "Alright, alright, no need to get mushy about it."

Once at my house, we dropped out bags and sat on the floor in front of the couch, like we always do. My mom was home so she made cookies, of which I mostly ate. We watched a movie and just talked about everything, until I finally got the courage to ask her what was wrong.

"Nothing." She shrugged.

They lights were off and the TV was muted, but on, putting a glow on us. She wrapped the blanket around herself tighter and refused to meet my eyes, "Tell me right now. What happened Homecoming night? Did you and Luke break up? What did he do?" I asked, growing angry.

She shook her head, "Percy, let it go, please." She pleaded, lifting her knees up to her chest.

"Tell me." I demanded. She stayed quiet. "Annabeth!" I whined, turning to her and poking her face. "Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me. Tell me."

"Fine! My god, you're annoying!" She swore, glaring at me.

I smiled, "Okay, so do it."

She sighed, "'Luke and I were dancing. Then, he refused to, um, kiss me, so I asked what was wrong. He told me someone told him that I was cheating on him. I wasn't! I really wasn't! He though I was cheating on him… with you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. So, of course I told him I wasn't, and he believed me, but then he started saying how I don't want to be with him anymore and he knows I'm interested in someone else. I tried to tell him I wasn't, but I couldn't exactly tell him that because it would be half lying. So, he broke up with me…" She took a deep breath and looked at me expectantly.

I stayed quiet for a few seconds, and then sighed, "When can I beat him up?"

"Percy!" Annabeth warned, slapping me in the arm.

I chuckled, "I was joking. But, seriously, do you want me to talk to him?"

She frowned, shaking her head, "No, no. That's the last thing I want you to do. He already has it out for you." She sighed.

I frowned, "Me? Why? I thought you said he knew you weren't with me. He knows I was with Calypso."

"Yeah, that's exactly why he knew I wasn't cheating on him. He just wanted to talk to me about it first. But, he has it out for you, because the person he thinks I'm interested in… is you." She looked down suddenly; she looked everywhere but at me.

I stared at her, surprised. My head was spinning. She's… interested in me? She had said she tried telling him she wasn't interested in me, but it was partly a lie. So, a part of her likes me? I tried racking my brain around that, but I couldn't grasp the concept.

"Are you?" I suddenly asked.

She got up, "I don't know, Percy. I really don't. I should go." She said.

I jumped up, grabbing her arm, "No, Annabeth talk to me! You don't have to leave." I told her, frowning.

She bit her lip. "I don't think it's a good idea…"

"I need you to explain this to me." I know I was making her incredibly uncomfortable, but we settled on the floor. "Why didn't you say anything?"

She rubbed her eyes, "Because, Percy! You have a girlfriend! A pretty, sweet, awesome girlfriend! You have a great relationship, much better than me and Luke had. He was always so serious."

I randomly smiled, "So… you were jealous of mine and Cal's relationship?" I asked, grinning.

She laughed, "Oh, don't get a big head Seaweed Brain."

"You know that's impossible, Wise Girl." I replied, making her smile even more.

She groaned, "See? That's exactly why Luke knew I liked you! You smile and I just lose it a little. It's so annoying! I hate you Percy." She crossed her arms stubbornly, glaring at the floor.

I laughed, "Sorry for being totally amazing and handsome!" I said sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes, "You're full of it."

"Hey, you're the one who just expressed her love for me. How can I not get a little cocky?" I chuckled, having a swell time at the moment.

"Percy!" She exclaimed, turning red, "You're so not helping!"

I swallowed down a laugh and looked at her. She was frowning, and looked fairly flushed. "Annabeth… What exactly do you expect me to do? I'm sorry, but I really like Calypso, and I want to give us a chance to work." I said quietly, on a more serious note. I tried not making it obvious that we had really just started the relationship.

"I don't expect you to do anything!" She almost yelled, making me jump. "Sorry. Okay, look, I admit it, I like you, Percy. I know you don't see me that way, you have a girlfriend. I expect you to do absolutely nothing. I shouldn't even told you this, oh my god. I'm so sorry!"

"Annabeth, it's alright. It's nice actually knowing what's going on with you." I told her.

"This is different though. I'm telling you I like you. I really don't want things to be weird between us." She turned to me, determined.

"Of course not!" I said, and tried not feeling weird as I gave her a hug, but that was probably the only weird moment I had with her.

She looked relived and leaned back against the couch. "Good. If I see you acting weird, I'll punch you." She warned, turning her attention to the TV and grabbing the remote.

"No, you won't. I'm too gorgeous. You like me too much." Pause. "Ow!" I rubbed my arm, where she punched me.

She smirked, "Let's watch The Blob!" She squealed.

I scrunched up my face, "Ew, why is it in black and white?" I asked.

"It's a classic, shut up. We're watching it."

Our conversation bothered me a little. I really didn't want feelings for Annabeth popping up again, I do like Calypso, and I don't want to hurt her. Annabeth telling me this was definitely going to affect me and Calypso.

I jumped as my phone vibrated half-way through the movie. Annabeth was watching the screen intensively, I was happy for a distraction. It was Nico.

"Nico, what's up? I asked, getting up.

"Open your fucking door right now." He said, sounding excited.

"Watch the profanity." I sand, going to the front door. I hung up as I opened, and Nico came rushing in. "Why couldn't you just ring the doorbell."

He was grinning, "I was running here and didn't want to stop."

He opened my fridge and took out a Gatorade, and then walked to the living room. He raised an eyebrow at me as he saw Annabeth watching the movie. "Don't." I told him.

He shrugged, and then smirked. He sneaked up behind Annabeth, silently. "Boo!" He yelled, as he grabbed her shoulders.

She screamed and jumped up and then tripped and fell on her back. I burst out laughing as she groaned, Nico did, too. "Nico, you asshole!" Annabeth yelled, getting up and hitting him multiple times.

I laughed as I neared them, "Annabeth, are you alright?" I asked, still laughing.

"No!" She yelled, shrilled.

"Oh, calm down, I'm sorry." Nico said. I turned on the lights as Nico rubbed Annabeth's back. "I need to tell you guys the reason I am here right now." He said, trying to sound superior.

I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms, "Why are you here, Nico?"

Annabeth was practically sleeping as Nico massaged her. He grinned, "Guess who broke up!"

"Who broke up, Nico?" I asked.

"Thalia and Nathan!" He replied.

"Knew that!" Annabeth jumped in.

"Thanks for telling me, princess. But, did you know they broke up because she liked someone else?" He challenged.

"Yep."

"Did you know that someone was me."

"I believe so."

"Did you know she has a new boyfriend?"

"What?"

"Did you know that new boyfriend is me?"

"What?"

"Seriously, man?" I asked, grinning.

Nico did a little dance, "Hell yeah! I'm taken, by the one and only, Thalia Grace!"

"I happy for you, bro!" I said, slapping him on the shoulder.

Annabeth shook her head, smiling, "It's about time anyway."

Nico was still doing his weird dance. "I've got the greatest girlfriend ever." He sang.

"Ha! You're joking right? I think you forgot about Calypso and me!" I exclaimed, chuckling. Nico rolled his eyes, he was too happy to say anything. I suddenly quieted down and looked at Annabeth, waiting for her reaction.

"Aw, you guys are cute." Annabeth said, setting a hand on her waist and grinning. She looked unaffected.

"Double date, bro!" Nico pointed a finger gun at me and shot.

Could he make Annabeth any more uncomfortable? "So that Cal and I could watch you and Thalia go at it? No, thanks." I told him.

"Come on!" Nico pleaded, flicking me on the head annoyingly.

"Fine, fine!" I slapped his hand away.

"Now I see where you get your annoying habits from." Annabeth laughed.

We laughed, and then Nico sat on the couch, "What movie we watching?" He asked.

Annabeth and I rolled out eyes and sat on either side of him.