Uh, hi...

I'm so very sorry for not updating this sooner! And really, I have no reason other than school giving me loads of crap this past couple of months and a very, very bad case of writer's block. So again, I'm sorry.

Okay, I'm gonna stop here.

Disclaimer: PJO is NOT mine.

Percy was helping Sally setting the table when there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Percy immediately said. He walked to the door and opened it. And as soon as he did, his jaw dropped.

Yes, he was sure that the girl standing in front of him was Annabeth. He recognized her stormy gray eyes anywhere. But he had a hard time believing it was her. With the make up and the dress she was wearing, she looked really pretty.

"Um Perce?" Annabeth said, somewhat worriedly. "Are you okay?"
The raven haired boy mentally facepalmed at his dumb reaction. "Oh, um. Yeah. It's just you- You look so... Different." Annabeth looked down at what she was wearing, so Percy hurriedly said, "I mean in a good way of course. I mean, you look really beautiful right now. But of course, you always looked pretty, even with no make-ups on."

Realizing what he just said, he mentally smacked himself. Smooth Perseus, the voice in the back his head told him sarcastically. Real smooth.

Annabeth could feel the warmth creeping to her cheeks. "Oh," she said, quite dumbfounded. "Err, thanks."

Percy, who still tried to act cool, shrugged nonchalantly. "No problem," he said. Holding the door for Annabeth, Percy then stepped aside, "Why don't you come in?"

Annabeth smiled. "Thanks," she said as she walked in. Percy then closed the door.

Little did they know that Silena, Rachel, and Thalia were watching them from around the corner. Silena finally let out a little squeal. "They're so cute!"

"I know right!" Thalia said, grinning. "God, those two needs to get together, real ASAP."

Rachel rolled her eyes, even though she was smiling. "Now, now. Let's just leave," the redhead said. "Annabeth will kill us if she find us here."

"Definitely," Silena said, nodding in agreement. "Oh! Let's go to my place!"

Rachel shrugged. "Sure," she said. "My parents are away anyways, so they wouldn't mind."

Meanwhile Thalia looked at Silena, one of her eyebrows was raised. "Do you have food at your place?"

Silena frowned, slightly confused by Thalia's question. "Um, duh?"

The raven haired shrugged. "Then I'm in."

And so, the three girls left.

Meanwhile, inside the Jackson's apartment, Sally had just entered the dining room and smiled warmly as soon as she saw Annabeth. "Why hello Annabeth," she greeted the guest.

Annabeth smiled politely. "Hi Mrs. Jackson," she said. Only a few moments later she remembered what had said the first time they met and immediately corrected herself. "I mean Sally."

Percy snickered at Annabeth's awkwardness, which earned him a glare from the blonde girl and a warning look from his mother. He immediately cover it with a cough and grinned sheepishly them. "Sorry," he said, rubbing the back of head.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, but smile nonetheless. She smacked Percy's arm playfully. "Ow," the raven haired boy exclaimed, rubbing his arms as if Annabeth's punch really hurt.

Annabeth raised her eyebrow, somewhat amused. "Well, aren't you melodramatic."

Percy only shrugged nonchalantly. "I can be at times," he said. Then the boy turned to her mother. "Can we eat now? I'm starving! And I bet Annabeth is too."

Annabeth laughed. "I'm not starving," she said. "Hungry, yes. But not starving."

Percy grinned. "Then let's eat!" He exclaimed.

Sally laughed at her son's behavior. "Alright then," she said. "Come on." The woman then turned to Annabeth, "Oh and honey, just make yourself home."

Annabeth smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Sally made her way to her seat, while Annabeth began walking to her seat, across Sally's. She was about to pull the chair when suddenly a hand reached out for it. She turned her head to see Percy smiling at her charmingly, making her stomach flutters. "Here, let me get that for you," he said as he pulled the chair and hold it for Annabeth.

"Why thank you," Annabeth said, somewhat mockingly. "You're such a gentleman."

Percy grinned cheekily. "Always am, right?" This caused Annabeth to roll her eyes, a smile on her face. She sat down and Percy pushed the chair slightly. Then he took a seat, next to Annabeth.

"Go ahead Annabeth," Sally said kindly to the blonde girl. She gestured to the ravioli served in front of them: "Take as much as you like."

Smilig politely, Annabeth nodded, "Okay." She began to serve herself an amount of ravioli. When she was done, and after a few moments of Percy convincing her mom to serve her plate, Sally served her plate with the ravioli. Lastly, Percy served himself the ravioli, in quite a big amount. After that, the three of them started to eat.

"This is really good Sally," Annabeth said after she ate a spoonful of her ravioli. "I like it."

"Of course you would," Percy exclaimed with his mouth full. "My mom is the best cook ever!" This caused Annabeth to giggle. Whoa, wait. What?

Sally looking at her son, amused. "Now Percy," Sally said. "You know you're not supposed to talk with your mouth full like that."

Percy swallowed his food and smiled sheepishly at his mom. "Sorry," he said before he continued to eat his dinner.

Sally rolled her eyes at his son, clearly still amused. Then she turned to Annabeth and smiled. "Thank you Annabeh," she said. "I'm glad you do." Annabeth smiled and nodded. They continued eating in silence for a moment before Sally suddenly asked, "So Annabeth, I don't think Percy had ever mention you before you start tutoring him."

Annabeth glanced at Percy, who merely shrugged. "We weren't that close," he said nonchalantly.

Thinking back on how they treated each other in the past, Annabeth almost cringed. Yeah, that's an understatement.

The three of them continued to eat in silence. But after a while, Annabeth asked Sally, "So, um, Percy mentioned the other day that you're writing a novel."

"Yes I am," Sally said. "It's almost finished, actually. So maybe It will be released in a couple of weeks or so."

Annabeth nodded. "What's the novel about?"

Sally was about to open her mouth when Percy suddenly said, "Nu-uh. She's not giving any spoilers. Right, mom?"

Sally smiled. "No. I don't think the publisher will like the idea that much. I'm sorry dear. Although I can tell that it's going to be a romance novel."

Annabeth pursed her lips, but nodded. "It's okay," she said nonchalantly. "I can stand two weeks of waiting."

Sally smiled. "I think I can give you a free copy when it's out."

Annabeth grinned. "Really?"

"Sure," Sally said. "I'll just try to talk to them. But I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

The rest of the dinner was filled with silence. And after all the group of three had finished eating, Sally took the plates and smiled at Annabeth, "I'm going to get the dessert," she said. Smiling, the blonde girl nodded. So Sally walked to the kitchen, to drop the dirty plates and get the dessert.

Annabeth turned to Percy, a grin on her face. "So what's for dessert?"

The raven haired boy shrugged. "Not sure," he said. "Even my mom won't tell me what it is. She said it's a surprise." Annabeth nodded. "I hope it's blue blueberry cheesecake though," Percy added enthusiastically, "They're always the best." Seeing Annabeth staring confusedly at him, the raven haired boy only grin. "You'll see."

Annabeth opened her mouth to say something when Sally came into the room. "Here we go," she said as she set down the dessert: Blue blueberry cheesecake.

"Yes," Percy exclaimed excitedly. "Best dessert ever!" He was grabbed the knife and about to serve himself a slice of it when Sally cleared her throat. This caused the raven haired boy to look at the woman, "What?" He then remembered about the guest they had. "Oh," he said sheepishly, "Right."

Percy turned to Annabeth and about to hand the knife to her. But the blonde girl shook her head. "You go first," she said with a smirk on her face, "Since I can totally see that you just really want to stuff them in your mouth now."

Percy grinned cheekily. "Thanks," he said. Without further ado, he cut a (really big) slice of the cake and served it on his plate. Trying to stifle laugh, Annabeth took the knife from him and served a slice of the cake for herself.

After Sally had taken her slice, everybody began to eat. "So Annabeth, what are you interested in?" Sally asked. "I mean, do you play any sport? Or join any clubs in school?"

"Well, I joined the math club," Annabeth said. "And also the science club."

"Shesalsointerestedinarchitec ture."

Both Annabeth and Sally turned and stared at the raven haired boy quizzically. "Percy," Sally said, "You're not supposed to eat with your mouth open."

Percy swallowed his cake, "Sorry," he said sheepishly. Noticing the quizzical look on Annabeth's face, he repeated, "She's also interested in architecture."

Sally turned to the blonde girl. "Really?"

Annabeth's face lit up, like she always does whenever people starts a conversation about architecture. "Yes,," she said. "I am. Mainly the ancient Greek and Roman architecture. I mean, those temples are amazing, even now when most of them are only ruins. Imagine how majestic they were before-" Annabeth stopped when she saw the amused look on Percy face. "Sorry," she said as she looked down, her cheeks were getting warmer. "I tend to do that when it comes to architecture..."

"Don't apologize dear. I actually found it quite nice that you're interested in architecture," Sally said, which made Annabeth's cheek become warmer. "So, I'm guessing you're planning to be an architect one day?"

Annabeth nodded. "Yeah," she said. "I'm hoping I'll be able to design something as great as the Empire State one day."

"I'm sure you would some day," Sally said kindly. Annabeth grinned at the woman.

"And when you do," Percy said, "You have to invite us to the grand opening party!"

"Well, I would totally invitee you, Sally," Annabeth said. Then she turned to the raven-haired boy, a smirk plastered on her face, "But I might need some consideration on inviting you."

"Aw come on! Please," Percy pouted, which made his friend laughed.

In a couple of minutes, they finally finished their desserts. Standing up, Sally stood up and beegan gathering the plates. "Thanks again for inviting me to have dinner tonight, Sally," Annabeth said, smiling at the woman. "The food was lovely."

Sally smiled at Annabeth in return. "Why thank you Annabeth," she said before disappearing to the kitchen.

"So Annabeth," Percy said, "Are you going home now? Or...?"
Annabeth checked the clock on the wall. It showed 7:45. "I still have 15 minutes before I have to go home," she replied. "So, I guess I can hang around here for a while."

Percy grinned. "Awesome."

Sally then appeared from the kitchen and clapped her hands. "Right, so Annabeth," she said to the blonde girl. "I found an album full of Percy's baby pictures while I was cleaning the house yesterday. Do you want to see them."

That earned her a groan from her son. "Mom!"

"Sure," Annabeth said almost immediately. She shot Percy, who was glaring at her, a smug smile. Then she stood up and followed the brunette woman to the living room. With a sigh, Percy reluctantly followed her suit. God, he thought to himself. The next 15 minutes are going to be embarassing...