PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE READING!
In the very first chapter of this story, I said that Annabeth and Percy are 17 and 11th graders in high school.
However, after a lot of thought, I have considered changing it so that they are seniors in high school. Which do you guys think I should do? Stick with junior or change to seniors?
ALSO, Do you think the incident with Percy missing and Camp Jupiter and Mark of Athena should already have happened?
Also, after reading a ton of Thalico fanfictions, I am a thalico shipper I decided to incorporate them into my story, as well. Tell me if you like it or not, please.
Nico's POV
Thalia and I were walking silently in Central Park. To be honest, I don't know why we didn't just go home once the Stoll and Katie had cancelled. We (Connor, Travis, Katie, Thalia, and I) were supposed to meet in Central Park afterschool to hang out. Normally, the others (Percy, Annabeth, and their mortal friends) would have been invited, but we decided to just keep this small. Besides, there was a swim meet today, so they were all there. Katie tripped and broke her leg, so Travis had to stay in the hospital with her, and Connor was going somewhere with his girlfriend.
Thalia and I…. I don't know what we are. We are cousins, for sure, but apart from that, I don't know where we stand. We yell at each other, fight with each other, argue with each other, but at the end of the day, we are closer than ever. It's weird, but in a good way. I thought we were enemies, but then that turned into half-friends-half-enemies (frenemies, I guess you could call it), and that turned into best friends who can't live without pestering each other.
Over the last couple of years, Thalia and I had grown extremely close. She's the only person I really open up to, and she helped me move on from Bianca's death. She became like my second Bianca, but a little different, considering the fact that Bianca was more thoughtful, and respectful of other people's feelings, unlike Thalia, who is headstrong, bold, and brutally honest. That's what I love about Thalia, though.
For years, my friends just kept telling me 'I'm so sorry about Bianca.' or 'It'll get better, Nico.' or 'She's in a better place now, Nico.' Thalia, on the other hand, walked up to me, slapped my head and said, "Nico di Angelo, quit your damn moping. Bianca's gone, but she loves you and you know that. She doesn't want you to be this half-dead zombie, now move your ass, and get a life. I swear, every plant you go next to dies from your deadness. If I see that depressed look on your face one more time, I will shock you so hard you won't have feeling in your body for a year." It sounds harsh, but that was exactly what I needed. I didn't need sympathetic comments or pitiful looks- I needed a slap in the face and a reality check.
I looked at Thalia as we continued walking. She had suggested we just hang out for a little while, so I agreed.
Ever since Thalia had joined the hunters, one question was nagging me constantly, and I decided to take advantage of this alone time to ask her.
"Hey, Thalia?" I asked, and she glanced over at me, showing me her beautiful electric-blue eyes.
"Yes, Death Breath," she said playfully.
I rolled my eyes and continued. "Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why did you join the hunters?" I prepared myself for any anger or lightning she would shoot my way, but surprisingly, neither came.
She diverted her gaze to the ground, and a sad look came over her eyes.
"I don't know," she said softly. "I…I guess I was scared. Scared of being the child of the great prophecy, and I didn't want that kind of responsibility. I didn't want to take the risk of being the one who lets down her loved ones. Luke did that, and it hurt me a lot, Nico. I think it hurt me the worst because I was so close to him and I looked up to him. Everyone thinks I was hurt the most because I loved him, but that's not true. I didn't love him like that. I looked at him like Annabeth did- like a brother."
I felt a wave of relief come over me when she told me she only loved him like a brother. She was going to continue and I opened my mouth to say something, but she glared at me.
"Shut your mouth, di Angelo. You asked me the question. Now listen to my answer."
I immediately closed my mouth and motioned for her to continue.
"I became a hunter because I was scared of being the reason why everyone I loved dies. My mother didn't give a shit about me, my father probably couldn't have cared less if I died, I lost Luke and Annabeth when I became a tree, I turned back into a human, only to find that Luke betrayed us, and I felt like I lost everything. I didn't want to see more people die, and I thought being a hunter would give me some distance. I especially didn't want people I cared about to die because of a wrong decision that I make. I was a coward, I know, but I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. When Luke was fighting me, begging me to join him, I could barely restrain myself. I knew Percy could, though, because his fatal flaw is loyalty. And when we found out that you were a son of Hades, I prayed every night that Percy wouldn't die."
"Why did me being a son of Hades have to do with anything?" I thought she barely tolerated me back then.
"Because I didn't want you to be in Percy's position. You just lost Bianca and I knew it would be beyond hell if you had to add the fate of Olympus to your worries, Nico. I don't know why I was so scared for you, but I just was."
I looked at her, shocked that she had cared so much about me back then. "I thought you hated me," I mumbled.
She looked at me and sighed. "It was a façade Nico. I was trying to convince myself that I hated you, so that if you got hurt or died, I wouldn't be hurt. I didn't want to lose someone else. But deep down, I knew that I didn't hate you, no matter how much I tried to."
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret joining the hunters?"
I nodded.
"I don't know. They're like my family, but sometimes it just doesn't feel right. I'm falling for someone and it's like I'm playing tug-of-war with my heart. I'm going crazy. Because of love. I'm scared to love because in the end, I know I'll be let down, but I can't stop myself. Every time I look into his eyes, it's like I fall harder and faster. I want to be loved. I want to grow up. I don't want to be stuck in a cycle of immortality where I'm forced to watch the people I love die. But if love just ends in heartbreak, what's the point?" She laughed humorlessly. "Look at where it got me now. I'm pouring my heart out to the Prince of the Underworld."
I felt my heart deflate as she talked about the guy she was falling for. Over the years, I had grown to like Thalia more than a best friend. Love even. I swallowed and met her gaze. I can give her the love she wants. I can be there for her. I can be the person in her life who doesn't let her down.
"Tell me more about him," I asked, trying to bring happiness back into her eyes.
"He's kind and reserved, but I like that about him. He sits with his friends when they need someone to talk to, and he's the absolute best at keeping secrets."
"Well that narrows it down to, oh, half the guys on this planet," I said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes and continued. "He's tall. He has the palest skin. His eyes are the darkest I've ever seen and make me feel like I've gotten lost in them. But not lost with desperation and nothingness- Lost with hope and eagerness."
I felt angered at the way she described him with so much love. "Who is it? Tell me," I pleaded.
She gave me a look of disbelief. "Seriously, di Angelo? Are you that dense? Even Percy isn't this bad."
I glared at her, and she sighed. "Fine, but if you don't get it after this, I swear I'll punch you so hard that you'll wish you were still stuck in the Lotus Casino."
I gulped nervously and ran my fingers through my hair, a habit I picked up from Percy.
"We fight a lot, but can never stay mad at each other. He is the best at holding grudges. He's my best friend," she finished quietly.
I racked my brain for anyone who fit her description but came up with a blank. "I still don't know who it is!" I said, frustrated, trailing behind her as she continued walking.
She whirled around and glared at me. Her eyes were watering and she looked torn.
"It you, you idiot!" she yelled, as she jabbed a finger at my chest.
I stared at her, dumbfounded, and just stared at her for the next minute. She gave me an expectant look and misinterpreted my silence.
"I can't help but fall in love with you! I can't believe I just told you this, and you don't even have the decency to reject me nicely!"
Crap. She thought I was silent because I didn't like her back.
Tears were flowing from her eyes and now, and my heart hurt at the sight. She turned around and began to run faster than I'd ever seen her.
"Thalia!" I yelled after her, trying to catch up with her, but damn, she was fast.
She kept running and I lost track of her. I sprinted through Central Park like a maniac, looking for any signs of her, bumping into strangers. I turned a corner and heard muffled sobs. I crept forward slowly and saw her sitting by the edge of the pond, crying, her knees pulled up to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them. Her head was ducked into her knees and she was shaking from the tears. I hated seeing her like this.
I walked next to her, silently and sat down. She still hadn't noticed my presence so I wrapped one arm around her. She immediately shot up and glared at me.
"What are you doing here?" she snarled at me. "Go away. If you're here to reject me again, it's ok. Don't waste your breath. I got the message," she spat at me.
I sighed. "No, Thalia, you didn't. You didn't get the message. You ran away before I could tell you I love you."
Her eyes flew up to meet mine. "Don't. You're just trying to make me stop crying."
"Just listen to me. When you were describing the guy you liked, I felt like I was breaking, Thalia. I wanted you to be describing me, but I thought that would never even be possible. You're beautiful, smart, amazing, and funny. I thought 'why would you fall for a guy like me?' For god's sake, I'm the freaking son of Hades! I don't think it's possible to even like me! But when you said you were talking about me, I swear I felt like I was flying. I love you, Thalia. I've loved you for a long time, but I was willing to set aside that love to be what you wanted me to be. A friend, a shoulder to cry on, a best friend, an enemy. But I want to be more than that. I want to be the one in your life who never lets you down, who stands by your side, who loves you no matter what. And I promise I can do that. I love you and even if you don't believe me, you should know that I do."
Her expression showed me that she still didn't believe me. I cupper her chin in my hand and put my lips against hers. I pulled back and looked at her.
"Believe me now? I don't just go randomly kissing heartbroken girls."
She cracked a smile and nodded, her electric blue eyes sparkling. We both leaned in to kiss again, and I rested my hands on her hips, while she wrapped her arms around my neck.
We parted for air, and she looked into my eyes. "Hey, Nico?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you, too," she said, grinning.
- NOW THIS THE STORY IS SWITCHING TO ANNABETH'S POV AT THE GOODE SWIM TRYOUTS-
"I still cannot believe you're real. Is he paying you are something?" Amber asked me.
We (Amber, Jacob, Masen, Claire, Sophie, Austin, Percy, and I), were sitting in the Goode pool room. We all headed here after school, since all of the guys were trying out for the team. The guys had just gotten up to change into their swim suits.
Out of all of Percy's friends, I got along best with Amber. We were becoming extremely close in the two days that we've known each other. Maybe it's because both of us had a similar past. Her mother left her when she was a baby, her dad remarried, she doesn't like her step-mom, and she's in love with her best friend (though she hasn't admitted it yet).
"Amber, he's not paying me. Here, test me about him. We know each other inside-out."
"Favorite color?"
"Blue."
"Favorite food?"
"His mom's blue cookies. Don't ask about the blue." She raised an eyebrow at me, but continued.
"Least favorite person?"
"Luke Castellan, or his ex-stepdad, Gabe Ugliano."
"His past and any other information?'
"Born to Sally Jackson on August 18th. His dad left before he was born. His mother is the sweetest person ever. He's dyslexic and ADHD. He loves the ocean and water in general. He's been kicked out of countless schools, he's been accused of blowing up many, many things, he's protective of his friends, and he is the most loyal person I've ever met. " Oh, and he's a demigod, son of Poseidon, has amazing water powers, saved the world, and fought and defeated hundreds of monsters.
But I couldn't exactly say that, so I settled for the basics.
She looked at me, and nodded, indicating that she believed I wasn't being paid.
"Hey Amber?"
"Yeah?"
"You do realize that none of those questions that you asked me actually prove that he's not paying me to be his girlfriend, right?"
She sighed. "Yeah, but I can't think of any that would. Oh well. Anyways, who's Luke Castellan?"
I felt memories of Luke flood me, and my eyes teared up. "He was a really close friend of mine. When I ran away from home, he and Thalia helped me, and I looked up to him like a brother. He made some bad choices and betrayed all of his friends, but in the end, he was a hero, who died to protect his family. Percy hasn't forgiven him much, though."
"Oh. You don't really want to talk about this, do u?" Amber asked me, a look of sympathy in her eyes.
"No, I don't. You know, Amber, I don't know why, but I feel really close to you. We're so alike."
"Thanks, Annabeth, me too."
The guys walked out of the locker rooms in their swim trunks. I looked at Percy and tried my best not to blush. He was wearing grey swim trunks and no shirt. I've seen him shirtless countess times, but still. I noticed he has a lot of grey clothing. Grey sweatshirts grey hats, grey t-shirts, grey shorts, grey swim trunks. He had his towel hanging from his shoulder and he was laughing with the guys. Masen, however, was red-faced and glaring at them.
"Hey, Wise Girl," Percy greeted me as he sat down on the bleacher seat in front of me.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain," I said as he rested his head in my lap. My hands instinctively moved to his hair and I ran my fingers through his thick raven locks.
He closed his eyes in contentment and I felt the urge to mess with him. Even though we were dating, we still bickered. A lot. But it was never serious- only playful. And bickering included messing with each other just for the fun of it. Most people would see that as weird, but that's what I love about us- we don't forget our best friend relationship.
I grinned mischievously, and moved of my hands the small of his back, where Achilles Spot is was. I pinched it ever so slightly and he immediately yelped and shot up. The others, who were previously engaged in conversation, looked at him immediately.
I started laughing, and he glared at me. "Why'd you do that?" he asked me, still glaring. I knew he wasn't really mad at me, but he was probably annoyed.
"I don't know. Just felt like it."
"Great excuse, Annabeth."
"Thanks, I know," I said, grinning.
He rolled his eyes.
"Geez, Perce. Why'd you shoot up like that?" Masen asked.
"Uh, she touched this one spot on my back where I'm really, really, really sensitive."
Masen looked at Percy weirdly, but shrugged it off and continued talking to Amber.
I looked at Percy innocently and he stuck his tongue out at me. Being the bigger, better, mature Person I was, I stuck mine out, right back at him.
He sat back down on the bleachers, but this time held my hands so I couldn't do my little trick again.
"Percy, I'm not going to do it again. It's no fun if you expect it."
"Yeah, well how do I know you're not just trying to trick me into not expecting it and then you'll do it again?" he challenged me.
Wow. That was actually a pretty good plan that I hadn't even thought of.
"I didn't even think of that, Percy," I said, rolling my eyes. "But I'll keep it in mind for next time."
"Great," he muttered sarcastically.
I laughed and bent down to kiss him.
"Oh, look at the time. Gotta go, Wise Girl. Coach is calling," he said before I could reach his lips.
So this was his form of revenge, huh? That devious Seaweed Brain,
I rolled my eyes and he winked as he did laps in the pool with the other guys.
- LINE BREAK-Percy's POV
Tryouts just ended and I was made captain. The rest of the guys made the team and some tenth graders , as well.
We were all heading back home, and I wrapped my arm around Annabeth's waist. Sophie invited us all over for dinner tonight, so we were heading over to her house.
All of the sudden, I heard a deep growl, and whirled around, placing myself in front of Annabeth.
-IMPORTANT PLEASE READ:
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO SKIPPED THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BEGINNING, I REALLY NEED YOUR FEEDBACK, SO PLEASE READ THIS!
In the very first chapter of this story, I said that Annabeth and Percy are 17 and 11th graders in high school.
However, after a lot of thought, I have considered changing it so that they are seniors in high school. Which do you guys think I should do? Stick with junior or change to seniors?
ALSO, Do you think the incident with Percy missing and Camp Jupiter and Mark of Athena should already have happened?
Thanks to the following for reviewing:
everett2
Mila-is-a-bookworm-101
allen r
Tmanrice
PercabethFan1
T-tex
Mplunkett
RaphaelofTheDarkness
bpender18
gmsnumber1percabethfan
kimsterdestroy
sadiekanetheevilmarshmallow
Poopoo
iloveanisokastoriesineedmore
PERCABETHLURVER
I THINK THIS WAS MY LONGEST CHAPTER, SO FAR!