I see that you all want me to update soon, so I figured, eh, why not right now? :) You guys are so amazing, thanks a million for following/favoriting/reviewing, and even just reading this fanfiction. I know, I'm a suckup. Do you want the chapter or not? (And the confession will come, don't worry, I won't make you wait too much longer) We're going to make it through almost seven months this chapter, so we can get to the good part ;) And I get to introduce my favorite character in the HoO series in the next chappy! YAY! :) And was anyone SHOCKED at some of the stuff in House of Hades? I mean, REALLY Rick? REALLY? Don't worry, I'm not going to say anything, that would totally ruin reading the book, for all of you who aren't as lucky to have a Mom who's addicted to the series just as much as my brother and I. So anyhow, don't judge me at the slightly odd pairing that will be introduced in this chapter, it has to do with my confession that I'm STILL not telling you.. yet. Oh, and this chapter is going to be extra long because I'm so tired of waiting, but I still want to address everything, so, yay! Or no, if you don't like long chapters. And I am seriously going to start updating this fanfic more recently if you guys keep up the love! :)

July 4th

I'm dying inside. I hadn't heard a word from Percy, and tomorrow it will be a month since the last time we talked.

My phone is by my side every second of the day. I even take it into the bathroom with me, just to make sure I can reply as soon as he texts me. He has my number! Why isn't he using it!

Today, I'm hoping to see him. Everyone in this town, well, almost everyone, goes to the park for fireworks. Maybe he'll be there, and we'll finally get to talk.

"Get the stuff, Annabeth!" My dad rushes past me and into the car. I grab a sleeping bag and a bowl of popcorn and follow.

As we drive there, I realize that I like Percy a little more than I had thought. Every day I woke up missing him, every morning was spent checking my phone to see if he had texted. Half of me was worried that he had lost the booklet with the number in it, but the other half was just plain defeated.

It was obvious he didn't like me. Either he had been playing with me at the dance or just danced with me as a friend; but I don't care. I'm going to convince myself out of this pain.

We arrive at the park, spread out the sleeping bag, and wait for the lights to start sparking in the black sky. My attention is focused on the people passing us, and, to my dismay, I don't see him. In fact, I don't recognize any of these people.

The fireworks start and everyone goes 'ooh' and 'ahh.' I'm still not watching. I'm still looking.

The search proves fruitless. No matter how much I look, there's no Percy in sight.

The finale breaks across the sky.

"Wow, look at that!" Everyone is amazed as the colors splatter across the atmosphere. With a boom, the last of them are released. I finally look up, not impressed with the flashing light.

"Let's go, before traffic get's too bad" Dad leads me back to the car, and I try to hide my sadness, smiling and exclaiming over the pretty flashes.

When we go home, and I'm under my covers, I close my eyes and try not to cry. This is so hard for my heart to take.

August 3rd

I wake up and yawn, stretching. There's really nothing to do during the summer, so I get out of bed and just stare at the wall.

I can here noise upstairs, signalling I'm not the only one up. Still rubbing sleep from my eyes, I grab some clean clothes and get in the shower.

In the back of my mind, there's a small little tingle that's familiar to me. It's where I've shoved the part of me that's missing Percy. I have officially convinced myself I don't like him anymore, and so I just push the little spark back more and wash my hair with a little more energy than usual.

A bowl of cereal and a hair dryer later, I sit in my room, wondering if school will ever come. That's all I have to look forward to these days... school. I know, I have a great life.

Honestly, I've always liked school. Most people think I'm crazy, but really, am I alone? I'm sure someone out there loves it just as I do. I'm not really a big fan on homework, but we hardly ever get any... at least, in my past experience.

I reach for my phone almost lazily, expecting a text from Thalia about when she wants to meet later this week to hang out. I have a text, but it's an unkown number.

Hi

Confused, I message back, asking who it is. When I don't get an answer for thirty minutes, I give up and put the phone on my desk.

I do a little doodling, and then I do something I promised myself I wouldn't do. I went to my cabinet and took out two items. One is a piece of paper with signatures on it, and the other is a used glow stick.

I look them over for the hundreth time this summer, tracing PERCY JACKSON with my finger, smiling softly.

The glow stick is bent in the shape of a halo. I put it on my head, wishing I could bring myself back to the night that I originally wore it so I could tell my old self a few things about the guy I was dancing with.

Like he was NOT to be trusted, especially with my heart.

Luckily for me, he's not my crush anymore, so whatever. It doesn't matter, he's just a part of my past.

August 25

So this is it. Tonight, I'm going to Freshmen Forecasting, and then I'll be a high schooler.

I'm going with my younger brother and my dad. Matthew, the monkey, is two years younger than me and a complete wack-o in my opinion, but he wanted to come so I caved.

We pull into the high school and I allow my eyes to close for a second longer than usual, trying to capture the moment. Before I know it, I'll be a senior.

The building looms above us. I know I'm going to get lost, but, thank goodness, they've set up some arrows pointing towards the stadium.

When there, we're told to go up to some tables and get into lines, according to the first letter of our last name. I go into the C line and wait my turn, then look lazily around, half hoping to see Thalia. I find her easily, and I grin and wave. She doesn't see me, she's too busy having a discussion with a woman with curly black hair and a very stern look.

I let my gaze travel across the other lines, and then my heart stops.

It's...it's...Percy.

For some odd reason, the J line is right next to the C line. If I was brave enough, I could reach out my arm and touch him on the shoulder. He doesn't seem to see me, he's talking with Luke, who's right behind me.

Great.

Just great.

The emotions crash down on me like a tidal wave, and I'm torn between laughing, crying, sighing, and killing him. Maybe I'll do them all at once.

"Excuse me, what's you're last name?"

"Chase. Annabeth Chase." I return my attention to the person who's handing out the schedules. He stuffs a pink piece of paper in my hand and I turn to escape the large area.

"Let's go to your first class." Dad and Matt appear next to me. I nod numbly, letting them lead me out of the gym and into the hallways.

It's a huge building. There's two floors, which means I'm going to be double lost. But for the sake of the boys, I pretend I know where I'm going.

"First period, Comm." I turn left and head down what looks like an area for lockers. "This way, maybe."

"I'm going to go get a map." Dad turns around and head back to the gym area, leaving Matt and I alone.

"It says it's on the second floor." My little brother points. "That's what the two means."

"Hmph. I knew that." I let him lead me upstairs, and then towards a hallway with the numbers above them where mine is included.

I'm talking and laughing when I see someone coming out of the hallway we're walking towards. It's Percy and Luke, just my luck.

I look away immediately, continuing to pretend like I'm talking with Matt, even though I know that I'm watching Percy out of the corner of my eye.

He's taller than me by about two inches now, with less baby fat and more... muscles? I never though Percy Jackson would ever have muscles. The summer has given him a nice tan, and his messy hair is just as long and crazy as I remember it.

"Wise Girl." When we pass eachother, he teases me as he continues walking forward.

"Seaweed Brain." I call back.

"Hey Percy's girlfriend!" Luke smirks.

"Shut up, Luke."

The four of us continue in opposite directions, and Matt looks at me, slightly confused. I just shake my head, telling him not to talk about it.

All my walls have crashed down, and I'm struggling to breathe, as all the feelings I've pressed down over the summer are free and are rocketing back and forth in my being.

Okay, maybe I'm not as over Percy Jackson as I thought.

September 1

It's hard enough to eat lunch as a Freshman, it's even harder when we have different lunches depending on the day.

For me, every day I have second lunch. Some of my friends switch, so one day they have second and then the next they have first. It's hard to get used to this when we're used to the regular lunches at middle school.

I'm sitting down with Hazel, a girl I don't know that well, but at least I know. So far I haven't seen anyone else that I even know the name of in this lunch, so I'm sitting with her.

Someone approaches me from behind, making me jump.

"You're eating a sandwhich? You do know we're in high school now, and we can just leave the building to eat, right?"

P...p...p...PERCY? I swallow my bite and pray that there isn't any food in my teeth. "It's a good sandwhich."

Wow, Chase, that's all you can manage? You're pathetic.

He just laughs and walks off, leaving as soon as he comes. I realize that I'm resisting the urge to call out to him, to ask him to come back, tell him about my internal conflict with my emotions.

This is not cool.

September 30

"Come on, he said to wait right here." Me and Clarisse drag Thalia to over by the High School weight room.

"Why can't he just come over now?" Thalia whines.

"You know how Luke is, all mysterious and who knows what else." Clarrise grabs Thalia's arm when she try's to make a break for it.

"I'm sure it'll be worth it." Clarrise and I trade meaningful looks. We both have a pretty sure idea on what's going on, but Thalia seems clueless.

We wait for thirty minutes. Every Wednesday is shortened classes, and at the day we have BREAK, which is a period of time where students are allowed to roam the halls and go to classes they need work done, or leave early. Today is a Wednesday, and BREAK is almsot over when Luke comes running, breatheless, towards us. Percy is close behind, but he's taking his time.

My heart immediately starts beating faster at the sight of him. We only have lunch together every other day, and NO classes together, so I still don't understand how I still have a crush on the goofball. Ugh, it's killing me.

"Thalia!" Luke bends over, panting, then stands up straight and hands her a piece of paper.

She opens it and I peer over her shoulder.

"Awww." The exclamation makes Thalia blush hard. She looks at Luke and smiles, then nods.

I can feel Percy watching my reaction to her little note, which, if you haven't guessed yet, is an invitation to go to homecoming with Luke. I'm a bit suprised, it is, after all, 20 days away, but I'm really happy for my best friend.

A small flame of jealousy has started in my heart, but I stomp it out. Now is not the time to think about how I'm probably going single to Homecoming. Now is the time to celebrate with Thalia.

"I have to go, I'll talk to you about this later!" Luke calls to his Homecoming date, and then sprints away. Percy turns and heads down a different hallway, not even saying hello. I grit my teeth against the words bubbling from my throat, because I'm not going to say anything to him if he chooses to ignore me.

Thalia see's me looking at Percy, and grins evilly. She then runs after him and starts talking in a very fast voice to him while gesturing for me to follow.

With a loud groan, I jog after her, Clarisse grinning at my back.

"...anyways how have you been is there anything you want to tell me are you going to Homecoming I know someone who has a crush on you." Thalia is just finishing her sentence when I approach.

"You know someone who has a crush on me?" Percy looks at my best friend with a sparked interest in his eyes.

I send her a thousand warning looks, along with a mouthed death threat. When Percy looks at me, I pretend to look just as confused as him. "Yeah, Thalia, who?"

"It's..."

"Oh my gosh, I need to telll you something right now. Excuse us for a minute." I pull Thalia from Percy and into the girls restroom. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Just advertising that you're single." She shrugs, like she's not doing anything wrong.

"Well, stop. I don't need anyone to go to Homecoming with, so there." I march out of the restroom with her at my heels.

Percy raises his eyebrows. "So, did you tell her who likes me?" He asks Thalia.

"She already knew." Thalia sends me one last wink.

Okay, she might be my best friend, but I am going to kill her.

October 18

Tomorrow is the Homecoming Dance, and I'm still single. I'm sitting at a table with Clarrise, Drew, Silena, Drew's recent boyfriend (who's name I didn't bother learning seens how he'll probably be replaced by tomorrow) and, more recently, Luke and Percy. A week ago they decided to start sitting with us, who knows why.

"So, you guys going to homecoming together or what?" Silena points at Percy and I. There is one problem with being near him. Every time we're in the same room, we get a whole bunch of questions asking if we're dating yet and, this month, if we're going to homecoming together. I'm so sick of the question by now that I forget to watch what I say.

"If he wanted to go with me, he would ask!"

I want to cover my mouth and hit myself on the head with a cafeteria chair, but I keep my cool and avoid eye contact with Percy.

Everyone goes quiet, and then starts talking about how everyone at the table is going single to Homecoming except for, of course, Luke.

Luke uses the opportunity to lean towards me and whisper, "He would ask, but he doesn't have the money."

I raise my eyebrows in response, but inside I'm completely shocked by this new revelation. I'm torn between believing Luke or trusting my own instincts that Percy just doesn't have any interst in me. This is torture.

October 19

I do some last minute touches on my eye shadow, then lean back from the mirror to get a good look.

I have on a blue dress that has a delicate flower pattern etched onto the top half, with the skirt slightly poofed out and lacy, like a princess dress. My already wavy blonde hair is curled and hiked slightly up to frame my face, and I have blue eye makeup to match my outfit.

I was stubborn, and didn't let anyone put lipstick on me. My shoes are white and glitter in the light, and I have white tights underneath my dress just for the heck of it, as the dress goes down to my ankles.

I step out of the room and head to the car, careful not to trip in the heels.

"You look like a princess." Matt tells me when I get in, and I hide a pleased grin.

"Thank you."

The drive to the high school is quiet, as if my parents are mad at me or something, but I don't pay attention.

Homecoming.

I step inside the building and almost at once I'm surrounded by people.

"Wow Annabeth, you actually look like, a girl." Drew sounds shocked. I laugh at her facial expression, trying not to look smug.

All of my friend dresses are the same; short, strapless, and bizarly colored. I try not to act smug, seens how they're all oggling at my dress. At first I was worried about dressing different, but now I'm glad I did.

"Has anyone seen Thalia?" I yell over the music.

"I think she was near the pictures. Come on, guys!" Silena leads us away from the gym, where the dance is being held, and down the hallway towards the cafeteria, where pictures are being taken.

I spot Thalia immediately, and smile.

She's in a white dress that goes down to her knees. The neck part travels way lower than I would've been able to handle, but she seems perfectly at ease with the skin she's showing. At least she can pull it off.

She has a fluffy thing wrapped around her shoulders and her hair is straighter than usual, with a little flip at the end.

By her side is Luke of course, and I can't help but want to laugh when I see he's wearing black slacks and a black shirt; both too small for him.

"You look nice." I congratulate my best friend, smiling softly when her eyes brighten.

"Thanks, as do you, as always." She elbows me, grinning.

Over the summer, I grew, and she didn't. She's about three inches shorter than me, so it feels odd to have her eye to eye with me again, as her heels give her more heighth. Mine are only an inch, but hers? She's like a skyscraper in those things.

But she looks amazing.

"Shall we go get some pictures or are we just going to stand here?" Thalia leads the way to the booth, where we all smile for the pictures and then head back towards the music.

The rest of the dance was wonderful, but the whole time I was looking for Percy, even though I knew, with a sinking feeling, he wasn't there.

November 15

"Percy's girlfriend, get your butt over here!" Luke called, a bit farther down the hallway than me.

"Would you quit calling me that?" I grumble, but catch up to him anyways. Percy and him are having a discussion about some computer game. I don't know why he called me over.

About half way into the rates and stats of this weird game, I interupt. "Sorry to cut in, but I don't speek geek."

"You speak nerd." Percy points out.

"So? Being a nerd is awesome!"

"As is being a geek." Luke defends himself, pretending to be greatly offended.

"Whatever."

"Anyways." Percy interupts the arguement. "I want to ask you some questions." His green eyes burn into me.

"Sure. Ask away." I wonder what he's talking about.

"What's your favorite color?"

What kind of question is that? "Um, I like blue and yellow. Can I ask what these questions are for?"

He waves airly. "Doesn't matter. What's your favorite animal?"

"I don't know, I really like penguins..."

"Penguins? How typical." He scoffs.

"Is this a scheme to get more information on your future girlfriend?" Luke teases his best friend.

"No!" But the questions stop after that, and soon we're talking about parents. How the conversation got there, I have no idea, so don't ask.

"My mom wants me to get a girlfriend." Percy admits, glancing at me and then looking away.

"Oh." What was I supposed to say about that.

"Yeah, I can date whenever I want. When can you date?" He was asking when I can date? What? Is this a dream?

"I can date whenever I want. I could date right now if I wanted to." I pushed down my fears and looked him right in the eye as I said it. I don't exactly know how to flirt, but I know how to hint at things. And this was probably the biggest hint I've given him.

Percy looks shocked. "Really?"

"Really." I smile at his suprise. "What?"

"I thought your parents won't let you date until your 16."

Um, how did he know that? "Well, it's complicated. I can have a boyfriend, but I just can't go on dates with him until I'm sixteen."

"Oh."

What else was there to say on the topic? The bell rang, saving us both, and we went our seperate ways, my heart beating super fast.

December 19th

Today is the last day before winter break, and I'm still all hyped up over a text I got earlier this morning.

I'm sorry. It was from Luke. I asked him why he was sorry, and he replied:

Me and Percy agreed that if he asked you out, I would ask Thalia out.

When I read this text, I dropped my phone. What?

He texted me again only seconds later. JK

That was... odd, to say the least. Now it's lunch time, and I'm handing out the cookies I made to all my friends, and they're all acting really weird.

"So, when's it gonna be?" Silena looked at Percy, then at me. "Are you going to do it today? Or be a wuss like you were last time you had lunch with her?"

"What are you guys talking about?" I handed Percy a cookie when he held his hand out and tilted my head.

"Just ask her!" Clarisse crossed her arms. "Honestly, it's not that hard."

"What are they talking about?" I address Percy, seens how no one else will give me a straight answer, but he's very red and seems to be unable to say anything right now.

"Come on Percy, she's not going to bite." Drew winked. "Besides, think of all the good things that might come in the future."

"Huh?" I try to get someone's attention. "Hello? Confused person here!"

I put the cookies back in my backpack and fold my own arms. "Percy Jackson, tell me what they're talking about right now!"

He shakes his head.

"Fine." I reach over, and in one fluent movement I jerk his hat off his head (it's his favorite one, too) and start walking away.

"Hey!" He follows right behind me, only sealing the trap.

"I'm not giving this back until you tell me what's going on." I jerk my hand back when he moves suddenly and quickly. His finger brushes the bill, but he's not fast enough for me.

"Come on, I need that!" He whines.

"No!" I laugh at the pout he sends my way. He's so cute when he pouts.

"That's an expensive hat!"

"I don't care, I don't like being confused." I keep a firm grip on his prized possession and try not to laugh when his pout deepens. "Here, I'll start guessing in a second if you don't tell me."

He throws his hands up in defeat. "Guess away."

"Is this a school problem?"

He looks at me sideways, than nods. "Kind of. It's happening at school."

"Okay, does this have to do with your family life, friend life, or love life?"

He goes so red I already know the answer. Grinning widely, I say, "Percy, are you having a girl problem."

"Maybe." I smile. Now I know exactly what they want him to ask, and it's filling me with exhileration and anxiety. But I continue to play dumb.

"Are you breaking up with someone?" I know he's not in a relationship, and he glares at me because, well, he knows I know.

"No."

"Are you, um, breaking up with someone?" I re-ask the question, teasing him to death.

"No!"

"Are you..."

"...breaking up with someone? NO!" He finishes my question, and then answers it, making me grin.

"Okay, are you going out with someone?" I'm getting warmer to the truth.

He sighs. "No, I'm supposed to ask someone to go out with me."

"Oh!" I pretend to act suprised. "So, who? Silena?"

I laugh at the face he makes. "No."

"Thalia?"

"No."

"Drew?"

"No!" He looks horrified at that guess.

Just as I'm going to guess Clarisse, the bell rings. We're just passing my class, so I waltz in without even saying goodbye.

"What about my hat?" He calls from the hall.

"You still haven't told me what you're talking about." I tell him back, then wave that hat to show him I have it. "After school you might be able to get it back."

He frowns, then is lost in the crowd. I can't want for after class.

*Break*

Class took forever to end. We were doing presentations, and every time I would clap with Percy's hat in my hand, I would smell the shampoo he uses. I made me want to bury my nose in the hat and just smell forever, but I knew I wouldn't be able to do that without attracting way too much unwanted attention.

When the bell finally rung, I sprung up from my desk and ran outside towards the bus stop.

Confession; I don't ride the bus, I walk home. But I always go to the bus stop after school to say goodbye to my friends and Percy. Halfway there, I'm intercepted by the guy himself.

"Hey, so, are you going to tell me?" I wave his hat tantalizingly around.

"I need to go, my mom is waiting for me!" He makes a grab for the hat, but I jerk it out of the way.

"I don't care. It shouldn't take long." I look at him, and he glares at me, going pinker by the second.

"I...I...will..." He stops talking, then looks desperately around as if someone will save him.

"You aren't getting this back until you tell me!" The situation is making me breatheless. Is he going to do it? Should I just give his hat back and end his misery? Should I let him go?

No.

I am not going to let him walk away without asking me.

Percy looks at me with those green eyes, and there's a gleam in them suddenly.

"Come on!" He gestures for me to follow him, which I do, wondering where on earth he's taking me.

He comes to a stop next to Drew, and tells her something I can't hear. She then turns to me and smiles. "He's trying to ask you out."

I can't help the smile that stretches across my face, but I somehow manage not to jump up and scream I KNEW IT to all the high schoolers.

But I'm not going to let him get away with asking me out that way. I turn to him, a challenge in my grey eyes.

"Say it."

He looks like he's about to have a heart attack. "I... I want you to go out with me."

I look down at the hat, and take my time brushing it off, than looking back at the dork across from me.

"Yes."

YAYAH! I FINISHED! No, this is not the end of this fanfiction, don't assume that! This is only the beginning. And next chapter you get to here my confession! Goody for you! :)