Yay I reached 211 reviews! Thanks to Totally me123321, SeaweedBrain-WiseGirl22, demigod90210, Riley Coyote, jahfreenalam, percy'shellokitty32, summergirl881, klydo, C-Nuggets N.L, tridentguy23676, buzzlessbee, kellypr, The Olympian Scribe, ASRFTW, DaughterOfPoseidonxD, Damon-salvatore-lover15, GothicNicoLuver, LeoV44, 18, and GleekPJOFreak for reviewing. Well except for whoever tridentguy23676 is cause apparently that person doesn't know that in fanfiction, you can do whatever you want :P
Now to the next story I'm writing the poll results are Friends or Love-6 Heroes-5 Rules of Attraction-2. I know a lot of you reviewed and wanted Rules of Attraction, but you gotta vote in the poll for it to count. Don't worry I will write all 3 of those stories just not at the same time and I want you guys to decide which I should write first.
Now read! You're not getting anymore chapters for a while!
Percy
I went straight home after I dropped Annabeth off in front of her building. It was a silent ride home and she went straight inside her building without even a glance back at me. When I opened the door to my apartment, I noticed Jason sitting on the couch, holding something in his hand.
"Hey, Jason. Whatcha got there?" I asked lightly. I walked towards him and knelt so I was up to his height. He opened up his hand and a silver chain bracelet glittered dimly.
"Is it yours?" I asked. He shook his head. "Well, whose is it?"
He looked away, his eyebrows scrunched up slightly as if he were trying to remember.
"I...I don't remember," he admitted sadly, his blue eyes looking so lost and helpless. "I just woke up and all I remembered was that my name is Jason and I'm twelve. The doctor says I have amnesia."
I felt bad for the poor kid. Nico was an orphan, but at least he knew who he was and who his sister was.
"You don't know anything else?" I asked. He looked down for a few minutes and I waited patiently even if it was hard for my ADHD mind. Finally, he looked back at me with an uncertain expression.
"I...I only remember a girl with blue eyes. That's it," he said quietly, looking back at the bracelet in his hand. "Percy, I'm scared."
"Hey, it's going to be alright," I tried to assure him, hugging the little blond-haired, blue-eyed boy I've grown fond of in only ten minutes. I suddenly wanted to protect him and I wanted to be sure he'd never end up like me.
After telling Jason a couple of Greek myths to make him feel better, he fell asleep and I carried him to our room. As I was approaching the door, I heard Nico hiding something under his bed. I went inside and saw him with his Mythomagic cards in his hand, trying to look as if that was all he was doing the entire time.
"What was that?" I demanded.
"Kanénas tis epicheírisís sas (none of your business)," he said hurriedly. I lay Jason on my bed and quickly grabbed Nico by his collar.
"What did you say?"
"It's none of your business," he said, looking tough but his dark eyes quivered in fear.
"Are you hangin' out with Mark again?"
Mark's a fifteen-year-old Half-Blood, just a year older than Nico. Mark's the son of Ares and he often hangs with other fifteen-year-olds to recruit them in the gang. But he sometimes hangs with the younger brothers of Half-Bloods. I'm gonna have to keep Jason away from him.
"Like I said: kanénas tis epicheírisís sas."
"If you know Greek so well, listen up: Eímai o adelfós sas kai ótan sas léo na meínoun makriá apó aftón , eseís kalýtera na meínete makriá (I'm your brother and when I tell you to stay away from him, you better stay away). Understand?"
"You gotta remember that I'm not your little brother."
"It doesn't matter. Me and mamá mou (my mom) are lookin' after you so I have a right to tell you who to stay away from."
I dropped him on his bed and reached under his bed. I pulled out a loaded Beretta, remindin' me I can't always protect those I lo- I mean care about.
"This is why you need to stay away from him," I said, pointing the gun to his forehead, just to show him that being in a gang isn't as great as it'd seem. I've learned that the hard way. He knew I wouldn't dare shoot him, yet his eyes widened in fear. Grinning, I withdrew the gun and put it in the waistband of my jeans.
"Damn, Percy, you seem out of it," Grover pointed out, thrusting his small pocket knife, under my arm. I blocked it but the blade was too close for comfort. We've been practicing our fighting but today, my fighting reflexes were running slow.
"I know," I agreed. I thrust and he sidestepped easily, but I still managed to graze Riptide against his ribs. Our practices always end in whoever's blood spills first. "But I'm still able to beat you, G-man."
Grover sighed wearily and headed to the cooler. I followed him and he tossed me a cool water bottle. We both gulped down half of our bottles in a few minutes.
"So, what's screwin' your mind this time?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" I asked, pouring a bit of water down my head. I flicked water droplets out of my hair, the cool October wind refreshing against my hot skin.
"It's Annabeh. Isn't it?" he grinned.
"No," I scowled. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay, maybe. She's just so... different from what I expected."
"Aw, don't tell me your fallin' for her."
"Fysiká , den (Course not). But if I'm gonna win this bet, I gotta make her fall for me and it's not gonna be easy."
"Oh well, you've got 'til November to figure it out," Grover reminded, recycling his finished bottle. "Speakin' of romance, I'm thinkin' about askin' Juniper out."
"Like on an actual date?" I choked out.
You see, Grover has always had commitment problems. Both his parents left him when he was little and he was left to live with his three uncles. It might've been okay if they could manage to have stable jobs and spend their money wisely. But no, they got kicked outta most of their jobs, they come home drunk, and beat the shit outta the poor guy practically every day. When I first met him, he was bleeding on a sidewalk and I took him to the other Half-Bloods. They offered Grover to be in the gang and now, Grover looked at everyone in the gang as his family. But because of his uncles, he's scared of getting anyone close to him in case they manage to hurt him or vice versa.
"Yeah," Grover responded confidently. "I like Juniper a lot. Sure it's been fun foolin' around with her but I wanna try settlin' down to a girl for once."
"I'm proud of you, G-man," I said, pounding him on the back.
Now if only I could learn from him and settle down someday.
Annabeth
I lay in my bed with the Iliad in hand, but I couldn't keep my mind off Percy. That kiss definitely meant something yet I don't regret it one bit. For a guy known to be in countless fights, a ruthless killer, and a drug dealer, he handled me carefully and gently. Luke's kisses were hot, but they're often tainted by lust. On the other hand, Percy kissed me slowly yet I could sense there was a desire for more. I knew he was just going slow for me, but I wanted more as well. I haven't had a kiss like that since the June before Luke left for the summer. I didn't realize it before, but looking back, I felt content by that kiss because somebody gave me what I've been missing in my relationship with Luke.
The doorbell rang and I stood up to get it. Before I was halfway through the hallway, my mom opened the door to find a grinning Luke. He had apologized Tuesday for what happened last Friday and now it was Friday night.
"Hi, Mrs. Chase. I was just wondering where Annabeth is," he said, smiling when he saw me.
"I'm here," I spoke up. My mom moved so Luke walked up to me and kissed my cheek.
"Hey, aren't we going to Travis' party tonight?" he reminded as he looked at my plain tank top and shorts.
"Oh sorry. I forgot about it. I'll go to my room and change."
Somehow, in half an hour, I managed to take a quick shower, re-curl my hair, apply some make-up, and dress in a silver minidress and silver flats. When I came out to the living room, my mom inspected my appearance.
"Did you condition?"
"Yes Mom."
"I think she looks perfect," Luke commented, making me blush. My mom smiled at him.
"Yes, I agree," she said. You can easily tell how much she adores Luke.
"Well, we'll go now," Luke said, holding my hand as he led me to the door.
"Bring her back by eleven."
"Yes ma'am."
We weren't too late. Katie was already there along with Silena, Michael Yew, and some other people. After hearing a bunch of compliments on my outfit, Katie pulled me over to where Silena was sitting with a bunch of other girls.
"Now that Annabeth's here, let's play Who Would You Rather Kiss?"
"Finally!" exclaimed Silena. "Okay. Mr. Apollo or Mr. Brunner?"
"Apollo!"
"Beckendorf or Michael?" asked Katie, everyone looking at Silena. She laughed nervously.
"Michael, of course. Now, Luke Castellan or Percy Jackson?"
Great, now the attention's all on me. Katie nudged me and I noticed Luke was behind us.
"Oh, everyone knows Annabeth would pick Luke," assured Katie.
"Well, just making sure," Silena shrugged.
"Silena, that's so uncool."
"What? It's just a game."
"With that question, it's no longer a game."
I got up and went to look for Luke. He was outside with a bottle of beer in his hand.
"Crap, Luke, I'm so sorry."
"You made me look like a fool, Annabeth," he slurred. Damn it, he's drunk.
"It's not my fault Silena asked that stupid question."
"It's your fault for hesitating."
"Luke, you know I love you." But did I? If so, why did I hesitate?
He didn't answer; instead, he grabbed my hand and dragged me inside. He weaved us through dancing couples and he led me inside Travis' room.
"I feel like this summer changed you," I admitted. He sat on the bed and shrugged.
"Maybe it has," he simply said. He began to kiss my neck and pull me closer to him. When he started pulling down my dress, I pushed him away.
"I don't want our relationship to be based on sex."
"Damn it, Annabeth, what's wrong with doing it now? Everyone else thinks we did it. We've been together for two years and I want to take it further."
I didn't say anything and he took it as a cue to keep going. He lay on the bed and I decided to lie on top of him. It was true what he said and I did want to take it further. Then what was holding me back? Maybe it was Percy, but that's ridiculous. I can't fall for someone I'm supposed to hate.
Luke began to kiss me and the kiss was the same as the others these days: hot and lustful. Sliding down my dress and bra, he began rubbing my breast with his hand. Trying to get in the mood, I unbuttoned his shirt and started feeling him through his pants. He got up and unzipped his pants.
"Did you lock the door?"
"Yeah," he said, more focused on taking his pants off.
He laid on the bed again. As I was starting to lie on top of him again, I noticed a picture of Luke and Travis at the beach this summer. Luke's arm wrapped intimately around the waist of a cute brunette and they were both smiling as if they shared a secret.
"Who's she?" I asked, my voice shaking a little.
"Some girl we met on the beach," he said casually as if this wasn't supposed to bother me.
"What was her name?"
"Think it was Mia or something," he said, kissing my neck again, probably trying to get my mind off of it. "C'mon, Annabeth, you're the one I want now."
Now? What did he mean now?
The door opened and a laughing Travis stumbled inside.
"Damn, where's a camera when you need one?" he laughed.
"I thought you locked the door!" I exclaimed, trying to hide myself under my dress and bra.
"Travis, get out of here. Annabeth, stop freaking out," Luke said calmly, as if this was normal.
"For the record, this is my room."
"Get out!" I said, pushing him out of the room. I huffed angrily and glared at Luke. He seemed unfazed as if it was normal for people to walk in when people are about to have sex. As if it was normal for his best friend to see me half-naked. I dressed up quickly and was about to leave until Luke's hand grabbed my arm.
"Annabeth, I'm sorry. I got caught up in the moment. Blame it on the alcohol for it."
I shrugged away from his hold.
"Well, now I'm caught up in the act of leaving. And I'm going to blame it on you."
Haha Glee reference at the end. I was listening to "Blame It (On the Alcohol)" Glee version while writing Annabeth's POV. Well, I've got a prayer retreat to go to so no updates for a week at least. I'll try to update ASAP. Keep reviewing and voting! :)