I had writer's block for a while. You won't believe how many times I wrote and rewrote this chapter. But the important thing is, it's here now, after an eight-day absence, so enjoy!

Percy Jackson POV

I clambered out of the swimming pool, drying my hair with a towel and towelling off the rest of my body. I loved swimming – I felt calm when underwater. Swimming was my time to think and contemplate.

I walked back to the changing room. A cute girl noticed me, winked and grinned. I smiled back, but didn't head over like I would've done – before I met Annabeth.

I sighed. I didn't even know what was going on with my emotions. I thought about Annabeth all the time now. My feelings for her were growing stronger, even though I'd tried to suppress them, knowing that she had a boyfriend. She was in my head as I did homework, as I showered, as I drifted off to sleep. I imagined her face laughing as I told some funny joke, or rolling her eyes in exasperation as I sang a song. I couldn't even understand why I felt this way about her – I just knew that I now had a huge, enormous crush on her.

I need to jog, I thought. That's what I need. Jogging will help me keep my mind off Annabeth.

I changed out of my swim trunks and into jogging clothes, and then I set off for my favourite jogging spot: Central Park.

I hadn't been jogging for long when I saw a familiar figure sitting on a park bench.

Annabeth.

Of course.

My heart sped up involuntarily, and I cursed myself. I jogged until I was right beside her.

She looked absolutely miserable. Her face wore such a gloomy expression, her shoulders sagged, and she stared at the ground. She looked so sad that it was all I could do to lean forward and give her a comforting peck on the cheek – but I knew that wouldn't be appreciated.

"Annabeth?" I said, and she looked up.

"Percy!" She stood up, trying to put on a friendly grin. "What're you doing here?"

"I was just jogging through the park," I said. "Is something wrong?"

Annabeth's shadow of a smile faded. "That obvious, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Huh." She sat down on the bench with a thud. "I should've known it would be."

I sat down beside her, careful not to touch her because I was pretty sweaty. "What's wrong, Annabeth?"

She sighed, and looked at me. "I broke up with Luke," she said, and for a moment it looked like she was really going to cry.

"Oh, Annabeth. I'm so sorry."

Was I? I was, in a way – I was sorry that she was so unhappy. But at the same time, there was a monster in my chest that seemed to be roaring with triumph, because the girl I liked was available.

"Yeah." Annabeth gave me a watery smile. "Me too, Percy."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No," she sighed. "That's okay, Percy. Sweet of you to ask, but no."

My heart pounded faster when I heard her call me sweet.

"You sure there's not anything I can do?"

"Yeah, Percy. I'm sure."

"Okay." I was about to stand up, but then hesitated. "Listen, Annabeth – I'm not going to ask you why you broke up with Luke, but I want you to know. If ever there's anything you want to talk about, I'm ready to listen and talk. If you don't want to, that's okay too. I just want you to know that, if you need me, I'm here to listen. I'm willing to be there for you."

Annabeth looked up. "Thanks, Percy." She grinned, a genuine smile now, and reached forward, her arms open. I reached out too, and we hugged, and I smelled the sweetness of her hair and felt her arms around me, and I was clasping her too, hugging her back.

And then, of course, we had to pull away.

"Thank you, Percy," Annabeth repeated.

"No problem, Annabeth." I grinned at her. "I'm here for you."

There was a short silence, and then Annabeth said, "It was a strained relationship anyway. I think we both saw it coming, really – it'd been coming for months."

"It's good that it's over, then," I responded. "That's the way I felt with Rachel when we broke up – it felt like the relationship had gone on way longer than it should have."

There was another silence, and then Annabeth got to her feet. "I'd best be going."

I stood up too. "See you at school, then."

We hugged again, and then I was watching as she walked away. I waited till she was out of sight, and then resumed jogging.

Just because she's available now doesn't mean you can make your move now, a voice in my head told me. She just got through a very difficult break-up. Give her some time to recover – otherwise you'll ruin your chances forever by asking too soon.

I knew the voice was right, but my heart didn't lie. It was still beating way too fast from just hugging her.

I finished the rest of the jog with a grin on my face.

Not the longest chapter I've ever written, but I haven't really had time to write anything longer...what do you guys think?