Chapter 10

I do not own anything except the plot, which came from my genius brain.

Credit for assistance and support: my friend from school, Ruby.

So, technically, not all of it came from MY brain. Ehh...whatever. ;P

My friends will be the death of me.

After Victoria's great debut at Goode, I was in a mood. An irritable, no-nonsense mood. I went straight to Piper and Silena's after school.

After I completed my rant about Victoria's atrocious persona and irritating attitude ("It's only Monday! I can't believe I have to spend a whole week with that freak!"), I turned to look at friends. They were staring at a spot behind me. I whirled around to see…Aphrodite.

"Hey mom," Silena and Piper said in unison.

"Hey Aphrodite," I said.

She smiled.

"Annabeth, dear, I couldn't help but overhear your issues in school. I can help. I have an offer for you."

"An offer?" Silena asked.

"Well, Teen Vogue is doing a cover shoot for Silena and Piper in a couple days. They don't have a choice, they have to go. The twins have very strong opinions on this yearly event," Aphrodite paused to glance at her daughters. I followed her example.

Silena's eyes were shining excitedly. Piper wore a grimace on her face. I suppressed a smile.

"I frankly don't understand why Piper seems to dislike it so much," Aphrodite continued. "Anyway, you are practically my daughter Annabeth. Athena and I are such great friends. And I'm sure Piper would appreciate your presence."

I looked at Piper. She nodded enthusiastically.

I wasn't pretty. I wasn't photogenic. I barely even brushed my hair. "Why do you want me on your shoot?" I asked bluntly.

Aphrodite smiled, "I like you. The camera will love you."

I sighed. "Okay."

"I'm going to go work on your outfits. This is going to be so much fun! I've always wanted a smart daughter," she said excitedly, giving me a hug and rushing out of the basement.

She missed the indignant looks on her daughter's faces.

"So we aren't smart?" Piper muttered. "Thanks mom."

I laughed. "Aphrodite has another reason for making me do this right?"

"Because she thinks it'll get your mind off Veronica. She also thinks you're pretty. And she wants a smart daughter," Piper answered with a wink.

Suddenly, Aphrodite rushed back into the room.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Oscar's boys will be there too," she said in a sing-song voice, giving her daughters a look before dashing up the stairs.

"And that," Silena finished. "The biggest reason of all."

"She wants me to befriend Spencer and Damian?" I asked.

"She wants you to date either Spencer or Damian," Silena corrected.

I never knew I looked funny when I was mortified, but judging from my friend's laughter, you'd think I was a professional comedian.

The other joined us in the basement shortly after. I ignored most of the conversation, I was too busy thinking.

I don't like Percy. He's cute, but I don't like him like that. We could have been friends again, but the chances were slim. And now Victoria's shown up. It will never happen. Percy and I will be high school enemies, and will graduate with mutual hatred towards one another. And all will be well.

"Well, Annie, we've decided that this'll be a good experience for you," Silena said happily.

"Why?"

"Well, it'll be a distraction. Victoria annoying you at school, Percy being your project partner, it all must be taking a toll on you," Reyna answered.

"Yeah, and with all the hormones and emotions you're dealing with regarding Percy, you really need a break," Silena added.

Hormones? Do they think I'm in love with Percy or something? Where do these people even get these ideas?

"Guys I need to clarify something here," I interjected.

"What?" Katie asked.

"I said Percy is cute. He is. But that does not mean I like him. That does not mean I want to be his friend. That does not, by any means, indicate that I would like to date him," I said slowly, as if slowing the rate at which words came out of my mouth would help them understand.

"That doesn't make sense," Reyna mused.

"I wouldn't be able to tell. This relationship stuff is way over my head," Zoe muttered.

Thalia gave her a fist bump. "Same here," she said.

"Guys! I find owls cute, for the gods' sake! That doesn't mean I'd date one!" I exclaimed, trying to prove my point.

"Riiiight," Piper said.

I rolled my eyes. "You guys are frustrating."

"And you aren't?" Silena asked incredulously.

I turned to Thalia. "I don't get you."

"Hmmm?" she asked.

"You want me to be friends with Percy," I said.

"I wanted you to be friends with Percy. Past tense," she responded casually.

"Sorry?" I asked.

"Well, I realized that you and Percy could never possibly get along, what you had 5 years ago is now over, and that you have both moved on from that incident. He got a girlfriend, and you…well…you… don't like him."

I raised an eyebrow, unable to believe my good luck. "Thank you," I said genuinely.

"No problem," she said with a wink.

"So none of you will be bothering me about Percy now on?" I asked the group.

"Nope," Thalia answered. Zoe nodded.

They were the only ones who responded.

"Guys?" I prodded.

Rachel coughed awkwardly.

"So, back to the shoot, Spencer and Damian will be there," Piper said, evidently trying to change the subject.

"Yes. And your mom wants me to date one of them," I said sarcastically.

"Well…it wouldn't hurt to be friendly, Annabeth. They aren't bad looking. And they are nice," Rachel said reasonably.

"Fine. I'll be nice."

"Good."

I told my family about my new job as soon as I got home. Their responses were typical. Bobby and Matthew shrugged indifferently. Helen thought it was a wonderful opportunity to help me "view my beauty and gain confidence". My dad reassured me by reminding me that I would get paid. I took a small amount of comfort in that fact.

It was Wednesday, and I had had plenty of time to accustom myself to the fact that I would be a model. I had also accustomed myself to the fact that I would look like a derp next to Piper and Silena.

At least this modeling gig diverted my attention from the cocky attitude of the one-and-only Perseus Jackson.

Percy and I had gotten back to routine. We'd ignore each other until he did something stupid. I'd snort/smirk at his idiocy, he'd object, we'd argue, I'd win, he'd smirk, do something to mess with my head, and then leave with his friends.

The rumors about a romance during our time of less hostility had been refuted. The website, which had been buzzing with updates on our friendly relationship, was back to reporting arguments.

Everything was back to normal. At least if you don't Victoria.

"She's making my life a living hell!" I exclaimed to Thalia and Jason as we walked to school.

She grimaced. "It's not just your life she's turning into hell. We're lab partners."

"I sympathize."

She smiled ruefully, and turned to Jason.

"As much of an idiot as Percy is, does he really like Victoria? I find it hard to believe," she asked him.

"Well, he's pretty happy around her," Jason replied with a shrug.

It was only when Thalia gave me a strange look that I realized I was scowling.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

"It's Piper. She's asking if any of us have money. She's thirsty and wants to buy a drink from the high school store," I said, catching Thalia's eye.

Jason liked Piper, and she liked him back. I figured it was about time for them to confront each other, and Thalia agreed. Perfect chance to start a spark.

We looked at Jason with wide grins.

"I'm sure Jason would love to accompany her to the high school store for a drink. And I'm sure he'd love to pay. And then he'd declare his undying love for Piper," Thalia said with a smirk towards her brother.

Jason tried to glare, but the attempt failed as he blushed profusely.

I cracked up.

"Awww, is wittle Jason embawassed?" she cooed, laughing.

"So, should I text her that Jason's offering to provide money, as long as he gets to go buy it with her?" I asked through my laughter.

"NO," Jason squeaked, horrified.

I smirked. "Too late," I said, showing him my phone.

The message had been sent.

"So, I heard you're gonna model, Chase," Victoria said, leering over me.

I had a free period, and I was seated in my usual cushy armchair in the library, reading a book. It was peaceful. Until she interrupted.

Who told her?

"So?" I replied, choosing to go with an indifferent, above-it-all attitude.

"Who'd want you?"

"Aphrodite Mclean."

"Oh. Pippa's mom?"

"It's Piper," I corrected.

"Yeah, same thing," she conceded, with a wave of her perfectly manicured hand.

I tried going back to my book, but the brat wouldn't leave me alone.

"So, who else is gonna be modeling?"

"Piper and Silena. And Spencer and Damian. Oscar's kids," I replied, not really paying attention. .

Her eyes widened. "Spencer and Damian?" she asked in a high-pitched voice.

I looked up at her change in tone. "Yes. Spencer and Damian," I affirmed.

Was her expression changing from contempt to…jealousy?

I didn't have time to find out because Percy Jackson showed up, chewing bubblegum.

"Hey Vicki," he said, completely ignoring my presence.

Which was totally fine. It's not like I minded. Or felt hurt. Why would I feel hurt? We're enemies.

While they were exchanging greetings (and saliva), I took the time to yank my laptop out of my bag and get to work.

After I had signed in, I looked up to see that they weren't done. Gross.

I cleared my throat. "As much I hate to break up this reunion," I said, gesturing towards their intimate interaction, "I have to work on a project."

I shot Percy a look. He looked back vacantly, blowing a bubble.

"Have you been working, Jackson?" I asked.

"Oh so we're back to last names?" he asked, with a smirk.

Was it just me, or was there a glimmer of sadness in his eyes? I shook it off. After all, this is Percy Jackson. And he hates me.

He plopped into a chair across from me.

"We have to talk," he said. I shrugged. But Victoria was furious.

"What do you have to talk to her about?" she asked Percy.

"Stuff," he answered.

"Tell me," she insisted.

"It doesn't concern you," Percy said.

"Perseus Jackson."

"I hate that name," Percy said flatly.

"He hates that name," I said without thinking.

Percy and I looked at each other in shock. His eyes twinkled. I bit my tongue and cursed inwardly. Percy bit back a grin, and turned to Victoria.

"Victoria, I need to talk to Annabeth about our project. Why don't you go find your friends?" Percy said.

"Brooklyn and Tiffany have class right now. Why can't I sit here, Perce?" she pouted.

I resisted the urge to puke.

"Victoria, seriously. Please leave."

"Why?"

"I said leave," he said authoritatively,like an order.

She stared at him in shock, and then glared at me. As if him wanting to talk to me was somehow my fault. She turned on her heels and stalked out of the library.

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Constructive criticism, plot suggestions, etc.

Thanks for all the support! Sorry this chap took so long!