Annabeth's POV

"Cheers! To our new recruits!" Luke yelled as the rest of us held our cups high.

The room was filled with swim team members, some brandishing their new team jackets, as others held their chins high at being former members. I kept my head low as they all touched their beverages against each other.

"Let's dance!" One guy yelled as he dragged a girl, perhaps a year younger than me to the center of the room. I watched as the girl smiled at the boy before letting out a loud laugh as he started dancing, quite terribly.

A lot of people followed suit and in no time, more than half the room was crowded into a tight space as girls and boys dirty danced on top of one another. I sat back, watching the scene unfold. I knew I could never be that way.

I could never be cramped in such a tight space and enjoy the feeling of sweaty bodies colliding with mine. That and I hadn't an ounce of dancing skills in my body. I literally could not rotate my hips nor move my arms in any way that would look appealing.

I fidgeted uncomfortably with the sleeves of my dress. Luke had picked out the burgundy, floral patterned dress and the fabric was driving me nuts. My inner arms itched as the sleeves rubbed against me with each slight movement.

It's been a few days since Luke and I's latest incident and my bruises were beginning to fade for the most part. Walking without limping has become easier and his fingerprints on my wrist were gone. We were still in the honeymoon phase of our relationship, but the fear of what Luke was capable of never left my mind. I've learned to not get too comfortable during this phase or else time will speed by faster and the physical abuse will reappear quicker. The longest our 'honeymoon' has ever lasted would be two months, but after that we were back to our usual cycle of beat and repeat.

"I can't believe you dragged my ass here." A voice grumbled to the left of me snapping me out of my darkest, most inner thoughts. I glanced over for a second, only to look back down at my cup. Oh great.

"Can you please stop grouching?" The other voice replied. "You act as if you've never attended-"

"A gathering of a bunch of overprivileged, stuck up, snobs? Can't say I have." Thalia snorted. Standing next to her was like standing next to a familiar stranger. We grew up together, but we no longer knew each other. We lived in completely different worlds. She lived in the world she thought she knew and I lived in the real one. Whenever I saw her, an indescribable feeling stirred inside of me. I hated her but remembered the time when we were like sisters. Only sisters don't abandon each other. And just like that the bitterness kicks in. She betrayed me, not the other way around.

"Please, have you met our family?" Percy retorted as I made my way to the opposite side of the room. I needed to be far away from her. Just as I was about to pass them Percy shifts his body and our eyes meet for a split second.

He shoots me a small genuine smile and I faked the same. I was nearly past him when I heard him call out my name.

"Annabeth."

I internally cringed as I forced myself to awkwardly stop mid-step and pretended to be glad to see him. I glanced at Luke, who was preoccupied in a conversation taking place on the other side of the room. I knew it wouldn't be long before he would check up on me and felt my pulse quicken.

"Percy. Congratulations." I smiled, ignoring Thalia. Percy's eyes shined with modesty as he shot me a slightly cheeky smile.

"Thanks. I didn't think I'd see you tonight…" He let the sentence linger and it took me a second to realize the implication.

"Yeah." I shrugged forcing out a chuckle. "Parties aren't really my thing. I'm just here to support the team. They have these welcoming parties every year for the new recruits and I'm glad this is my last one." I don't know why I let that last part slip, but Percy laughed as he nodded his head in agreement.

"Yeah, I'm not too much of a party person either…"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Yet another thing we have in common.

A few seconds crawled by with the three of us standing in silence. I glanced over at Thalia to see her glaring at her shoes. Although she was looking at her shoes, I knew her attitude was directed towards me. Noticing my glance Percy looked over at Thalia and cleared his throat.

"You know, you can leave now Thalia."

Looking up from her shoes she turned her glare towards him before rolling her eyes. "Gee thanks, cuz." She sassed before storming off.

Once she was out of ear shot, Percy shot me a sheepish grin. "Sorry. I forgot about the whole…thing between you two. I shouldn't have-"

"It's okay, Percy." It was not okay."You have nothing to apologize for…So, how are you liking the move so far?"

What prompted me to ask such a conversation starting question like that? I haven't the slightest clue. The last thing I wanted to do was have a full on meeting with Percy in Luke's house. It was a recipe for disaster and as soon as the words left my mouth I wanted to go back in time and burn them to the ground.

"It's been good." He answered vaguely, leaving me unconvinced. "I like the community. Oh! You don't happen to know if there are any churches nearby, do you?"

The question threw me off guard and before I could stop myself I chuckled, "Why? Plan on repenting after tonight?"

I was shocked by my own words and neither of us said anything for a milli-second. What the hell was wrong with me? Backing away from him the slightest bit I put my hand over my mouth.

"I am so sorry, that was rude-"

"Wow!" Percy exclaimed. "Did you just make a joke? It must be my lucky day."

I was so relieved when he laughed and almost cracked a smile myself before I thought back to Luke. How compromising it would seem if he saw both of us together laughing… the mere thought sent a shiver down my spine and knocked the smile off my face. I shook my head, holding onto my cup tighter.

"No, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said that." I began to back away to create more distance between us.

"It's fine Annabeth. If you haven't noticed by now, it takes a lot to get under my skin. I just wanted to know if there were any churches or youth groups I could join. There used to be one in my old town and as weird as it sounds coming from a teenager I actually love going to church."

"There's a really nice one a few miles away from here that a lot of people go to. I can text you the address?"

"That would be great. Thank you."

He shot me a grateful look and I was attempting a sincere one back when I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist. I naturally jumped but did my best to hold in the grimace that threatened to escape as the person rubbed against the bruise on my stomach that didn't quite heal as yet.

"Chill babe, it's just me." Luke said, feeling my reaction. The irony of the statement was not lost on me as I feigned sheepishness. His lips pressed against my neck for a few seconds and my skin crawled. Was he angry?

He kissed my neck longer than necessary before acknowledging Percy.

"What's up man, so glad you could make it!" Luke exclaimed, letting me go to give Percy a man hug. I stood back and watched them greet each other with the standard small smile on my face. Nobody knew of the panic that skyrocketed inside of my heart as soon as Luke touched me. His mere touch made every bone in my body want to break on its own before he got the chance to.

They pulled away from each other and Luke returned his hand to my waist. He tugged me closer to him and I complied, pushing my shoulder against his chest.

"Thanks for having me." Percy replied eyes sparkling. "We didn't have a swim team at my old school but I always wanted to be a part of one, so really thanks."

I was surprised by the fact and knew Luke was too. Percy was way too talented to have never competed and at his rate, he could become a prodigy if he worked hard enough.

"Well, I gotta say you'll be a strong asset to the team. When'd you start swimming?" Luke asked, trying to suppress his jealousy.

Percy shrugged his shoulders, sighing. "I must've been maybe four or five when I had my first swim class…been swimming ever since."

He was holding something back. His slight hesitation and vagueness threw me off. I doubt Luke noticed it as he doesn't know him as I did…Hell, I don't even know him that well! But regardless, Percy usually answers with such precision as if he knew what he was going to say weeks in advance. Interesting.

Luke whistled. "Damn. That's a long time-"

"Luke!" A voice shouted from the other side of the room. Our heads snapped in its direction and I saw one of Luke's friends standing on top of a chair. I recognized him as one of their teammates as he beckoned him over.

"It's time!" The guy shouted, and Luke nodded his head.

"Excuse me." He said in Percy and I's direction, slipping his hands off of me.

Luke walked off in the guy's direction and I awkwardly followed him, leaving Percy behind. I could feel his burning gaze on me as I walked away, but ignored it. All I cared about right now was making sure Luke was okay, because if he's okay I'mokay.

By the time Luke reached the guy, another chair was set up for him and the music cut out. Someone let out a ear piercing whistle that got everybody's attention, as Luke stood on his chair.

"Hey everyone, thanks for coming! I just wanted to say a few words and make a little announcement."

Everybody gathered around in a huge, clumpy semi-circle and I cringed, gently removing myself. I walked to the outside of the circle as Luke continued to speak.

"This season's gonna be great, we have a lot returning members on the team and some new faces. I'm looking forward to another year as captain." A round of applause sounded at that and Luke smiled bashfully. "However, there's going to be a few changes. As most of you guys know, senioritis is real. I love being captain but there's gonna be days when I don't feel like having all the pressure and dealing with some of you dumbasses. So…I've installed a new position."

My stomach flopped and I got a feeling something really bad was about to happen. Luke made eye contact with me, smiling a victorious, proud smile in my direction.

"I've decided to split my responsibilities in half by creating the position of a co-captain." A series of whispers started and Luke held up his hand. "Please, wait. I know it's a bit of a surprise and it was a last minute decision on my part but I think this will really benefit us as a team. I've already chosen the person and it's nothing personal you guys! I need someone who has a strong personality, good technique and quite honestly the best time. So, without further ado I would like to congratulate and call up my co-captain…Percy Jackson."

My heart stopped.

Everyone paused in silent confusion before a round of applause broke out. From the corner of my eye I aware of everyone's heads searching Percy out from among the crowd, but my eyes remained fixed on Luke's figure. I took deep slow breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth.

Once again Luke was trying to redeem himself by doing something that would piss him off in the near future. And who would that rage be taken out on? Me.

I stared for longer than I realized because in a flash Percy was at his side. Luke stepped down from the chair and gave Percy a pat on the back as Percy, looking very surprised, stepped up to stand on the chair.

An awkwardness filled the air as most people didn't know Percy and when I finally tore my eyes away I could see many of Luke's teammates who were thoroughly pissed. I guess they had a good reason to be, considering that a new member was just given authority over some members who've been on the team for all four years.

"Wow. I can't say I was expecting this…I was just glad I made the team!" Percy chuckled breaking some of the tension in the room.

"Thank you Luke for this opportunity. For those of you who don't know, I'm Percy Jackson and I moved here quite recently. This was my first week of school and to be honest I don't know where I am half the time. I'm pretty sure I'll get lost on my way to practice on Monday and be late so as your new co-captain that should be interesting."

A few girls laughed and let out a holler which set the whole room off. Everyone let out a chuckle or a laugh, including Luke who was trying hard to show off the undivided attention he was giving to the soul he just blessed. He knew I was surprised by his stunt and wanted me to believe he was genuinely happy, generous, loving boyfriend everyone thought him to be.

"I look forward to working with you all…Yeah, so thanks!" A round of applause followed Percy as he stepped down from the chair. As Luke gave Percy a celebratory man hug, he whispered something in his ear. Percy and Luke took a glance in my direction, before Percy said something back. I couldn't tell what was being said but after exchanging a few more words Luke gestured to the chair again.

"And I'm back!" Percy laughed mounting onto the chair again. "One more announcement! The team manager is no other than…Annabeth Chase."

My eyes widened at the sound of my name, but I quickly put on a smile. That has to be one of the most illogical, irresponsible decisions a swim captain could make. I'm not even on the god damn swim team. I can't even fucking swim. Everyone's eyes were on me and I didn't know what to say or do.

"Luke wanted me to add in that his decision was completely unbiased." I heard Percy say and the whole room erupted in laughter, taking some of the attention off of me.

In the midst of the laughter I could see him studying my reaction. Sea green eyes met my grey ones, if only for a second, before I looked away. I was angry. Pissed beyond belief but I couldn't show it, I could never show it.

Feeling angry and helpless, I accepted the position with a gentle smile. Just like I always do. Luckily I wasn't asked to go up and speak, but Luke quickly dismissed everyone to party to their heart's content. I quickly made my way back to the edge of the room where I sat down in the same chair all night. All night I watched as my peers had the time of their life and all night I felt the burning gaze of two pairs of eyes on me. One icy blue, the other sea green. I didn't dare meet either.

Aiiiiii! YAS! I gotta say I am mighty proud of this chapter! In the following chapters we are going to learn a lot more about the mysterious Percy Jackson and how he seems to know so much! Just as a heads up, there will be a time skip! Hopefully the next time we see Luke he's changed for the better…or maybe not. Who knows?

PERCABETH IS COOLITUDE!