Firstly, I'm sorry... I know it's been a long time. But I am having my exams, in fact I'm still having them. And yeah, I was on a major writer's block! My first one ever and it was super frustrating when the only thing that comes to your mind is... "Banana!" Yeah, I'm in love with minions.

Anyway, this chapter is more of a link chapter with less Percabeth. But it's a VERY IMPORTANT LINK!

"He said what?" Layla said shooting Annabeth an incredulous look.

Annabeth pulled her sheets up and hugged it to her chest as she looked over at her friend and then at Percy who was smirking by the doorway. "He said," she muttered, "that he undressed me."

Layla rolled her eyes. "Now why would he do that?" she said looking back and forth between Percy and Annabeth.

"For the hundredth time, I was kidding. I didn't know Annabeth was going to whine and cry about it," Percy said. He had confessed to Annabeth that it was Layla who had come back and had changed her clothes and not him after Annabeth started hyperventilating. He'd been pretty surprised when her body started wracking with deep and broken breaths and he had decided to call it off.

Annabeth glared at him across the room and expertly threw a pillow at his face. "That wasn't funny you arse!"

"It was pretty funny when you were crying," Percy replied with a small smile.

"I did not cry!" Annabeth cried.

Layla laughed and stood up. "Okay you two, don't start fighting. I only came up to check on Annabeth. Come down soon. Um, Edith and Cecilia would like a word with you!" she said.

Annabeth immediately stiffened as her heart began to hammer. Layla didn't notice as she walked out, shutting the door softly behind her. Annabeth looked over at Percy and found him scrutinising her looking concerned.

"Are you alright?" he murmured softly as he sat beside her on her bed.

Annabeth tried a smile but it came out like a wince. "I'm in deep trouble, huh? Edith will have my head," she said drawing her knees to her chin and placing them on her knees. She looked up at Percy with her storm grey eyes.

Percy sighed. "Annabeth, since when did you care about what others think of you? I'm technically your boss since you're designing for me and you don't care about how you act with me," he said.

Annabeth bit her lip but smiled slightly. "You're different. Edith is scary...and Thalia must be having a hard time," she said shaking her head.

Percy slowly reached out and covered her hand with his. "Don't over think things, Annabeth. Edith needed that and we both know it. Stop worrying because people who don't love you are seriously nuts," he said.

Annabeth beamed and squeezed his hand that covered hers. She felt her heart beat a little faster when she heard him speak. He had said that she was lovable, right? That was amazing and she felt herself glow with happiness.

"I'll keep that in mind," Annabeth said and before she could stop herself she kissed his cheek and hugged him before slipping off the bed and heading to the bathroom.

"Hey, Annabeth?" Percy called after her.

Annabeth stuck her head out from the bathroom and raised a brow. "Yes?"

Percy shifted uncomfortably as he pondered his question. He didn't know if he should ask her but he was going mad thinking and mulling over it. "Do you remember what you told me yesterday night? You wanted something from me?"

Annabeth frowned as she thought about it. "Yes!" she brightened sending a hopeful spasm through Percy. "no, thats not it... Can't be. Damn, I don't remember. I'll let you know when I remember," she said and disappeared into the bathroom. Percy sighed and slumped back on the bed cursing Annabeth for not remembering. And then he cursed himself for wanting to kiss her so badly. He cursed his stupid heart that always seemmed to perform somersaults in his ribcage when he looked at her. He cursed Sal for he knew Annabeth had a major crush on him. But mostly he cursed himself for cursing and thinking about it all because he was pretty sure it was irrelevant. At least, that's what he told himself. That it was irrelevant.

...

After Annabeth had got ready she went down with Percy to Cecilia's room. She was surprised to find Edith and Cecilia with Thalia and Luke.

"Finally decided to grace us with your presence, Miss Chase?" Edith said her voice cold with unbridled dislike.

Annabeth swallowed and went over to stand beside Thalia. "I'm really sorry," she began but Thalia shushed her.

"That is fine, Annie. Yesterday was a mistake and you don't have to worry about it," Thalia said squeezing Annabeth's hand even as she glared at Edith. Apparently Thalia had already had a conversation with Edith.

"Seriously Cecilia! What is wrong with your granddaughter and her good for nothing maid of honour? I disapprove," Edith cried tutting at Thalia and glaring at Annabeth.

Thalia laughed like she was hearing something extremely funny. "You know what Edith? I don't care if you disapprove of Annabeth! She is my Maid of honour, not yours. Grandma, I'm going out with Annabeth and the girls, we all need a day off," Thalia said.

Cecilia looked calmly at Thalia and then nodded. "I think you need a day off. You can go to my cottage down by the river," she said.

Thalia smiled gratefully and hugged Cecilia and kissed Luke before taking Annabeth by the hand and dragging her out. "Wait, Thals. This is not right. I should go back and apologise to Edith properly," Annabeth protested.

Thalia threw her an eye roll and planted a hand on her waist. "Shut up, Annie! Just let it go and come with me. We're having a girls day out. We need to take some time off," she said.

Annabeth began to form another protest but Thalia wouldn't hear it as she skipped away to tell her other bridesmaids about their plan.

...

Annabeth whistled softly when the car stopped outside a gorgeous white and pink cottage. The walls were adorned with tiny red rose buds and honeysuckle perfumed the air with a delicious smell. Annabeth heard a vague bubble of the river somewhere near as she stepped out and stretched. Cecilia's cottage was a total french beauty.

"Mi casa Su casa," Haley msaid brightly.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "That's Spanish, not French," she corrected.

"Oh, well! Like I care! This place is beautiful," Haley cried grabbing Annabeth's hand and twirling her around. Annabeth laughed as she felt Layla and Thalia join them in them twirling. She honestly missed spending time with the girls.

"Hey, guys! Come on in, I've opened the door," Kristen cried holding up a key. Annabeth immediately followed Kristen in and stared around. The cottage was small but cosy. A pretty furnace was in the corner by which a few soft pluch couches were lined. Oriental carpet spread across the floor and a rosewood coffee desk sat in the middle. A pretty little rocking chair was pushed opposite the couches. It looked like the cottage that Annabeth always dreamed of living in when she was old... With her future husband.

"Ohmigawd," Haley gasped tossing her blonde locks behind her shoulder.

"I'm so glad we came," Trisha cried jumping up and down.

"Me too!" Rachel said smiling around at the little place.

All the thirtten girls quickly put away their stuff and sat down in the tiny living room. Annabeth sat on the floor beside Layla and Alice below Thalia who had hogged an entire sofa for herself.

"I'm going to get some water," Rachel said going into the kitchen.

Annabeth stood up. "I think I want some water too. Be back," she mumbled as she left her friends chattering. She found Rachel by the mini fridge drinking from a black tupperwate bottle. Annabeth waited for her to finish drinking, which Rachel did after a couple of seconds. "What?" Rachel said.

Annabeth pointed at the bottle. "Water," she said trying to avoid any conversation with the red haired girl.

"Oh," Rachel said and passed the bottle to Annabeth.

Annabeth drank some water and put the bottle back into the fridge wondering how she had got herself into this situation with Rachel. "Look, Rachel," she started. She didn't know why she was starting this conversation with Rachel. It wasn't going to end well. "I really don't want to fight with you," she said.

Rachel smirked and leaned back against the kitchen counter. "Sure," she said.

Annabeth sighed but continued. "I know you are upset with the Maid of honour thing. If it matters so much to you, then I'll talk to Thalia. But fighting about it is crazy."

For a moment Rachel softened as if she didn't mind being Annabeth's friend. She even smiled sadly at Annabeth. "You still don't get it, do you?" she said.

Annabeth shrugged. She didn't know what Rachel was taking about. "Um, no?"

Rachel sighed and smiled at Annabeth like she was sorry for the blonde. "It started about the Maid of honour. But it isn't that anymore. No, Annabeth this is about something else and you are totally clueless," Rachel said.

Annabeth raised her brows in surprise. "Wait, are we cool or not?"

"No. I don't think so, Annabeth. But maybe some day. You will figure out what it is pretty soon," Rachel said.

And then just like that, her smile disappeared and she was back to being bitter. Rachel gave Annabeth a last long look before walking out. Annabeth leaned against the fridge as she tried to comprehend what Rachel had said. When she ran out of reasons for Rachel hating her, she finally went back to the living room and sat down in her place on the floor.

"You like him, admit it," Kristen said winking at Layla. Annabeth focussed on the conversation that was unfolding between her friends and reached for a barbecue flavoured potato chip from the bowl that Thalia had on her lap.

"No!" Layla protested. But interestingly enough she began to blush.

"Layla likes who?" Annabeth asked looking around. Haley turned around and gave her a look of amazement.

"You don't know? Like, it's so obvious Annabeth," she said animatedly.

Annabeth shrugged. "No, help me here! I'm lost," she said.

"Where have you been, living in a cave?" Haley said as she delicately put a manicured finger to her lip li,e she was thinking.

Layla giggled. "Oh, she's just been around...with Percy. Right Annabeth?" Layla winked.

Annabeth blushed pink. "Yeah, well. Thalia made me share a room with him. So, it's not my fault I spend a lot of time with him," she said.

Alice leaned forward and pushed a few chips into her mouth. "Annabeth, please. You guys do spend a lot of time together because you're roomies. But I would think you two would stay away otherwise," she said.

"True. If I was forced to live with someone I disliked then I'd try to stay away from him. I wouldn't spend every other second doing something with him," Thalia said.

Annabeth groaned. "You too, Thals? FYI, I don't spend all my time with him," she said.

Jess whooped. "FYI, you do my friend!" she said.

Haley who had been silent all this time looked up, her baby blue eyes screwed in confusion. "Wait, like, you're telling me Annabeth and Percy are NOT a couple? Man, that's news."

"Where did you get such crazy ideas? Of course we're not a couple," Annabeth snapped trying to hide her pink cheeks.

"Yet," Layla corrected with a devilish smile. "You're so clueless, Annabeth."

Annabeth huffed in annoyance. She hated being called clueless and she'd heard it twice in the last half hour. "Whatever. Anyway, we were talking about someone Layla liked," she said.

Haley squealed as she got ready to tell Annabeth the story. "Layla, totally likes Dave!"

"I do not!" Layla exclaimed.

Haley ignored her. "Trust me she does. I know a love story when I see one," she said bouncing excitedly.

"We all know it!" Thalia said with a laugh.

Annabeth knew Dave was Luke's college friend. She liked Dave, he was a cute guy with soft brown eyes and short brown hair and dimples that you could swim in. But she didn't understand how she had missed the vibes between Layla and Dave when everyone else had noticed it, especially since she was supposed to be very attentive.

Wow, she thought, I really must ne spending too much time with Percy! She was surprised that even Thalia had noticed given she was the bride who was supposed to be completely oblivious.

Layla threw her hands up in frustration. "Please, can we just go for a swim or something in the river?"

"That sounds fun, I'm in," Rachel said standing up.

Soon everybody was up and had stripped down to their bikinis. Annabeth had worn her yellow bikini and a grey sarong around her slim hips. The girls locked the front door after them and walked to the river all the while talking and laughing. Annabeth hung back with Thalia and Layla and they were at the rear end of the group.

"Do you like Dave?" Annabeth asked Layla softly.

Layla closed her eyes and squeezed them shut. "A lot...only it's never going to happen," he said her voice breaking a little.

"Why not?" Thalia said.

"Well, I have known Dave forever. I've always been in love with him but he didn't know that because he was in love with this girl call Jia. Jia was nice but it turned out she was a cheat and it broke his heart. He's never been ready to move on. I tried... But he didn't want to spoil our friendship," Layla said as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Annabeth immediately rubbed her tears away and wrapped her arm around Layla. "Lay, honey. This is called the village of love. If you are going to find your true love it's here. If Dave was meant to be yours, he will be yours. Don't give up," she said.

Thalia threw an arm around Layla's other shoulder. "Blondie is right. You're awesome and Dave will see it," she said.

Layla laughed and hugged her friends. "Thank you guys. This girls day out is the best," she said.

"Hey!" Haley called out. She was already in the water.

"We better go," Annabeth said and the three girls waded into the crystal clear, cold river water. Annabeth gasped as the coldness hit her warm skin. A few minutes later everyone was splashing and laughing.

Thalia finally swam back to shore. "I'm taking a break," she called.

Annabeth too waded out and dropped down next to Thalia and sighed as the sun started drying her wet skin. "That was great! I wish Percy was here, he'd love the water..." Annabeth began but trailed off wjen she realised she was talking about Percy again.

Thalia laughed hysterically. "You just can't stop thinking about him, can you?" she muttered as she reached for her phone.

Annabeth blushed and stuck her tongue out at Thalia who was reading something on her phone. Annabeth frowned when she saw Thalia's face contort in fear and anger even as her eyes began to fill with tears. "Thals, what happened?"

Thalia extended her phone so Annabeth could read the message on her phone. Annabeth squinted at the screen and read aloud. "Baby, I'm back for you! Love you loads, hon" Annabeth's eyes fell on the senders name and she gasped aloud in shock.

"He is here," Thalia cried and Annabeth stred back numbly. He was here in France.

Oh yeah! Cliffhanger baby! Guess who sent the text! Special mention if you get it right!

And Review! Like, seriously! If I get reviews then I might have Percy and Annabeth's first kiss in the next chapter! So all you guys... REVIEW!

And as usual, check out my other story, "FAKE GIRLFRIEND, TRUE LOVE," got great plans for it...

I'm a little corny now, so Bye! Review!