Encounters

AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! It was definitely the hardest chapter, and the one I worked on the most, so thanks :)

Percy

The first time I saw Annabeth, I didn't know it was her. It was back in eighth grade, when Malcolm and I had met in camp over the summer. It was the last day, and it was time for pick up. And that's when I saw her. Malcolm got picked up before me, and I remember watching him walk away and to his family, where he met his dad, and a girl with a head full of blonde hair. Even from a distance, where I couldn't pick up all her details, I could tell that she was gorgeous. And now, three years and countless fights later, I had the privilege of saying that she was even more gorgeous than I could've ever imagined, in every possible way.

I could say I had the privilege of experiencing trivial things with her, like getting a Starbucks Frappuccino dumped on my head. I could say I had the privilege of experiencing fun things with her, like when we danced around the fountains handcuffed to each other. I could say I had the privilege of experiencing thought provoking conversations, like when she told me about her scars, or the time she assured me that my dad loved me. But, now I could say, that the strongest privilege I had, was being able to experience the heartwarming moments with her. All the little touches that burned the skin, or just sleeping next to each other, enveloped in each other's arms, and, of course, last night.

I don't think I ever actually slept. Maybe I floated in and out consciousness, but I know for sure I never reached deep sleep. I was still trying to process the fact that she'd kissed me in the bathroom when she'd fallen asleep next to me. I was still trying to process the fact that that had happened. That had been a thing. The entire night was not a figment of my imagination.

When I finally decided to give up on trying to sleep, I shifted back as every memory of every touch from the night before came flooding back. The adorable human being looked as adorable as she always did when she was sleeping, but there was something different about her sleeping form now.

Maybe it was her hair, which looked messier than usual, due to the fact that hands had been toying with it the entire night. Maybe it was her bare shoulders, which reminded me of the tender kisses my lips had pressed against them the night before. Maybe it was the sight of the scar on her abdomen peeking out from the corner of the blanket that was covering her at the moment, which brought back vivid memories of my hands brushing over it gently, trying to convey that I cared, and that I would never do anything to hurt her.

Whatever it was, it filled the air with change, but I couldn't tell if it was bad or not. But it didn't matter. It was too late to go back now, and if I was being honest, I wasn't completely sure I wanted to go back. The night before was more than I could ever imagine. It was something that, although I knew would have repercussions when Malcolm found out, I would never regret because the emotion behind Annabeth's lips were present every time they pressed against mine, every time her hands ran through my hair, every time her wide eyes met mine. It was a given, through those actions, that she felt something for me, even if it was minimal.

I looked down at her, quickly becoming overwhelmed with what I felt for her, and the letter that was left to me to watch over her, and Luke from the coffee shop. I shook my head and leaned down, planting a small kiss on her shoulder and relishing the contact. Annabeth's body stirred, and suddenly, hazy gray eyes met mine, one eyebrow raising in question.

"You having fun there?" She asked me as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. A smile tugged at my lips and I pulled her into my side. For a brief second, she tensed, and a sense of panic coursed through my body, wondering if maybe this was a one-time thing for her. Maybe she felt nothing towards me. Maybe she just wanted a good time. And then she melted into my side, fitting her head into the crook of my neck and setting her arms on my chest lightly. My breath of relief was almost impossible to disguise. I looked over at the clock on the side table and realized we still had some time before we needed to be down in the lobby to leave.

"Are you?" I shot back once she started running her fingers across my chest. She narrowed her eyes at me and then rolled them, setting her head down on my chest. I smiled at my small victory and relished our closeness. But then the air of pleasantness evaporated. Last night had come and go, and now I had to tell her. If I didn't I'd hate myself.

"Annabeth."

"Mm?" She hummed quietly, and after earning no response from me, she shifted her body to look up at me and I sucked in a small breath. She was so beautiful it hurt, with her big bright eyes and her small mischievous smirk.

"I… I just want to tell you that last night wasn't just sex to me. I mean, I'm sure I made that kind of clear, but after last night, I think I need to be honest with you. I don't know when it started, but for some time now, I've felt things for you that I didn't know I was capable of feeling towards someone who I presumed I hated. I got close to you, what with the English project, and always being around at your house because of Malcolm, and then the lock in. When I saw your scars that day when your parents were arguing… You couldn't even understand how angry I felt on the inside, and that was when we were first starting to be friends. And then that day when we were handcuffed together and we fell after we came out of the shower. I think something in me changed that day and after that it hit me like a ton of bricks. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I have feelings for you. But I get it if you don't feel the same way, and I don't want you to think that anything will change if you don't, and I didn't want you to think I just used you last night because I didn't, and I... yeah." I ended hastily, and I stared at the ceiling, feeling my face heat up like an oven. It was quiet for some time, and I tried to prepare myself for the worst. My heart was beating a thousand beats a minute and I felt like at some point it could just stop all together. And then,

"You're an idiot." Annabeth stated, and my eyes popped open as I felt her hand rest on the side of my face and bring it down to look at her, keeping her hand there and running her thumb over my cheek. She was smirking at me quietly, but there was a slight tint on her cheeks.

"Did you think last night was a one person job? Because last time I checked, I was participating just as much as you were." Her words caught me off guard and my eyes widened.

"I-"

"I have feelings for you too, you know. Did you think you were the only one who's been affected from all the time we spent together? I got hit with the same bricks you did, even though sometimes I wonder how it came to be this way because frankly, I wasn't sure I could ever feel the things I do for someone who I presumed I hated either." I tried to register her words while a small smile etched itself on her face, and once the words were understood, I couldn't stop a smile from spreading on my face. I felt like someone could shove me off a bridge and I'd fall down laughing.

"I am an idiot." I admitted.

"Yeah. But it's okay. You may be an idiot, but you're (my) idiot, and that's all that matters."

"Your idiot? Like in a relationship?" I waited for her reaction and was surprised when I didn't see the flinch I was expecting to at the word relationship. Considering the fact that she was the most wary of relationships, I was extremely shocked. Instead, I saw a thoughtful Annabeth, one of the many sides of her that I loved.

"I didn't mean it that way, but if you want me to mean it that way I can."

"Of course I want you to mean it that way. Obviously it can't happen though. What with the feud and your brother, I think the chances of a relationship between us is .0001."

"Hey, we'll figure it out. It's not like we have to tell anyone if we decide to start dating." My attention peeked at the word dating and I pushed some of her hair out of her face.

"What happened to the Annabeth that swore off dating, huh?" She rolled her eyes at me and let out a breath.

"Maybe she wants to take a chance. Look, I know I haven't been the best at breaking the rules. But, no one would need to know about this. For a relationship you need two people, not everyone. I really need someone to beat at video games. And I want that person to be you." She stated with a mock serious expression and I almost cracked because was Annabeth Chase seriously asking me out?

"Well when am I ever gonna get an offer like that again?" I asked her as she rolled her eyes at me and I smiled at her in the most sincere way I could without completely exploding. "But seriously. I'd be stupid to reject you. Even if you are a lot to handle" I said with a smirk, and I reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear as she stared at me for the longest, a slight smile on her face.

"Percy?" She asked me, never breaking eye contact, and I wondered what she could be thinking behind those huge gray eyes of hers.

"Yep?"

"You were right. I do let the feud control me. But I'm glad I was wrong."

"I'm glad you proved me wrong. God knows I'd be too scared to ever do anything if you didn't take the initiative." I said honestly, and she laughed quietly, shuffling from underneath me.

"Malcolm's gonna be pissed if he finds out."

"You mean when he finds out." I said clearly, and she looked up at me with her eyebrows drawn together.

"When?" I nodded as I rubbed my thumb over her shoulder.

"Think about how you felt when you found out that your best friend was dating your brother. It's going to be the same way Malcolm feels when he finds out. I know he has no right to be mad because he's done the same, but let's be real. Malcolm adores you. He cares about you so much, he'd shoot air molecules if he thought they were trying to hurt you. He's going to be upset when he finds out, but he'd be even more upset if he found out by himself instead of us telling him what's going."

"I guess you're right. I just don't know how I'd tell him though. I don't think I could handle it, he'd go insane."

"Hey, we'll figure it out. Don't stress, we don't have to tell him right away."

"Yeah. I guess it's just the thought about it, really. But that'll come at a later time." She paused and looked up at me, a mock pain expression on her face before she bunched up the blanket around herself and stood. "We have to get ready to leave." She said as she grabbed some clothes from her bag, gripping the blanket to her tightly. I smiled at her and nodded in understanding, leaning against the headboard and running a hand through my hair.

As she was walking to the bathroom, she stopped at the door frame and stood there, with her hair falling down her back and her hand on the door knob. And then, quietly, she set her clothes down on the desk that was in the room, turned around still gripping the blanket around her, and walked over to me with determination. I could feel my eyebrows drawing together in confusion as she approached me, but before I could get a word out, she stopped in front of me and stared me down.

And then she placed her hand on the back of my neck and met my lips quickly. My brain went into overdrive as I sat there, still stunned about this contact even after the previous night. And I got lost in the smell of her hair, and the feel of her lips, and the way she toyed with the ends of my hair with her delicate fingers. And then the brief seconds ended and she pulled back, her fingers on her lips and her eyes wide. Her cheeks were scarlet but she let out a breath and then turned around and, marched back to the bathroom, grabbing her clothes and shutting the door behind her.

And I sat there, staring at the door, and feeling winded because what was this. I was in more trouble than I thought because when Malcolm found out, I'd be a dead man, and I knew he'd give me a chance for redemption, and he'd ask me to cut it off with her and he'd forget it happened. But I'd fallen too hard to cut it off.

Who was she with all of her flaws that made her so great? Who was she to just knock me off my feet? Who was she to make me feel so strongly about her, where I had to worry about how she was and how some stranger at a coffee shop could hurt her? She was Annabeth Chase, sister of my best friend, expecting aunt, top 5 of her class, cheerleader, debater, and wonderful, stubborn, amazing, kind, confusing, troublesome, and every other positive adjective in the world. And now, she was my girlfriend.

"How was the trip really?" Malcom asked me as soon as we were in his room. Annabeth had left to see Thalia as soon as all her bags were in her room, and even though Malcolm had already heard Annabeth assure him that the trip was fine and it went smoothly, but he was convinced that she was distraught after flying in an airplane.

"It was fine, Malcolm." I responded, crashing on a bean bag and throwing my suitcase on the ground. He gave me a look and I rolled my eyes at him. "She was a little scared at first, of course, but she didn't completely break down or anything. She got through it, it was fine. She did well at the competition, and then we had a free day. It went well." He nodded as he sat down on his bed and leaned back.

"Alright. What'd you guys do on your free day?" His question threw me off balance, but I stopped the incoming shock and pinched myself. I could tell him. I could tell him right now, and get it completely over with. I could suffer the consequences, and still feel good about the fact that I told him.

"We went out for ice cream, walked around the town and stuff." I said after some consideration. I couldn't just tell him now, it wouldn't be fair to Annabeth because she wouldn't have seen it coming. I decided that when he found out, I wanted Annabeth to be aware that he was finding out. Malcolm nodded at me as he sat down on his bed.

"You know, I'm glad you went with her. You're like a second brother for her." I tried not to cringe at his words and instead chewed on the inside of my mouth and nodded stiffly.

"So, how did the doctor's appointment go? Did you figure out the sex?" Malcolm visibly rolled his eyes as he leaned back against his pillow and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Last minute, Thalia said she didn't want to know the gender until she gave birth. She says she wants to be surprised." He waved his hands in the air as if indicating she was crazy and then smiled.

"Trouble in paradise?" He sat up quickly at these words and turned to me.

"No, of course not. I love her. I mean she's carrying my child. I don't think I'll be capable of loving any other person as much as I love her. I just kind of wanted to know if we're having a boy or a girl." He said with a look in his eyes, and I was surprised at the fact that he was being completely sincere and honest. This was Malcolm, the one who didn't stick with one girl because he refused to be tied down. The one who wanted to widen his choices, the one who always laughed when someone said the word commitment. But here he was, telling me in the most sincere way, that he was in love with Thalia, and showing me that he was stepping up to the plate of being a father.

"Wow. She must be one hell of a girl to have you claiming responsibility for the things you do. I'm proud of you." He rolled his eyes at me, but I could tell that in some deep part of his soul, he was proud of himself too. I could tell that he was starting to feel excited for a kid, even if it meant that he'd have to give up his social life, even if it would be hard because he loved Thalia dearly, and he loved the kid just as much, even if he hadn't seen it yet. A sudden knock on the door caused us to look up, and there at the doorway, stood Helen. Her gaze was sharp and ice cold, and I tried not to visibly shrink away from her as she looked over us.

"Yes, Helen?" Malcolm asked with a strong voice, not showing any sign of fear for the woman who caused so much harm to both him and Annabeth.

"I need someone to come help me lift some boxes from my closet, I need to get them in my car so I can take them to the donation drop offs." Instantly, Malcolm shot up and the face he had twisted on his face looked like he was praying to god that what he was thinking wasn't true.

"What are you donating, Helen?"

"None of your business." She responded with her head held high, but a smile of satisfaction for his reaction made its way on to her face.

"Not Mom's things, right? Her jewelry?" Her smile widened and his worst fears were confirmed.

"Seems like Annabeth had some things of hers that she was hiding from me."

"Helen you can't-"

"You will not stand here in my house, and tell me what I can and can't do. That woman was a disgusting rat, good for nothing other than taking what wasn't hers and getting in everyone's way. When I became a part of this family, I made it clear that I despised that woman. Why should we sit there and praise her by letting her memory live on through her possession? I told you all, I told you that her presence needed to be eradicated from this household. I gave you and your sister everything. I provided you with what you needed to survive, I've been more than generous to you both. But of course, anyone who's related to that bitch can't help but have some downsides. I guess Annabeth's downside was greed. She didn't appreciate all that I gave her, and she just had to have her way, she had to stash the jewelry. That ends today. I'm tired of living in her shadow when I do so much for all of you. I'm getting rid of the rest of her things, and when your dear little sister gets home, I promise you that she will suffer the consequences." A profound feeling of anger surged through me and before Malcolm could get a word out, I sprung up.

"You can't treat them like that, you're not their mother, they deserve to be able to-"

"Who asked you?!" She paused and then laughed a little. And then, "It's like reliving that moment all over again."

"What moment?" I asked, chills running through me at the sense of insanity she was placing in the room.

"It's like I'm replaying what happened all over again. You and your stupidity, trying to act all heroic, trying to save the day, getting involved in things you shouldn't get involved in. It's exactly the same. I suggest you take a different road and change the story because if it happens the way it happened years ago there won't be much of a story tell." She said with a smile, so cynical that it chilled me to the bone.

"What are you talking about?" I asked utterly confused, but this question just made her burst into laughter. I risked a glance at Malcolm and found his face just as confused as mine.

"Oh, nothing. I just think that maybe, you shouldn't get involved in things that don't concern you. Now come help me move the boxes."

"I'm not helping you move the boxes." I said firmly, and her eyebrows raised in surprise.

"It wasn't a question. It was an order. Now come."

"Mrs-"

"Go, Percy. Just get it over with because I won't be able to do it." Malcolm croaked, and I could see that he was so disturbed by what was happening that he couldn't even speak clearly. And I stood my place for a couple minutes, staring Helen down because what kind of human tries to take someone's entire life away from them by destroying the memory of their mother? I wasn't even her kid, she had no control over me. But one more look from Malcolm pushed me to move, and I started walking, left in front of right, until I reached the closet where there were stock piles of boxes of jewelry. It felt like strips of my heart were tearing off as I stared down at the boxes full of jewelry, and finally the brown mahogany chest in the middle, with gleaming and sparkling necklaces, all of which I knew Annabeth would never wear, but that she wanted to treasure forever. In the boxes, I spotted some random pictures of the Chase's famous mother. She seemed strong and hard willed, and the look on her face on most of the pictures was determined. As I was gazing at the pictures, my eye caught on one for a split second before Helen yelled at me to pick up the boxes. In that split second I saw a green so bright it reminded me of the eyes that were in my head. But that couldn't be. Helen had never met me before.

Before I could elaborate on what I saw, I found myself moving to the drive way, putting the boxes in the car, and then backing away. And then I reacted. I couldn't let this happen. I couldn't let Annabeth and Malcolm lose some of the only things they had from their mother. So, quickly, before she could notice, I whipped my phone out, turned on location services, and threw it in one of the boxes, hiding it under a pile of photos.

AN: Eh. I didn't think it was my greatest writing, im not too proud of it. Let me know what you guys think, till next time- ShyGal