Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson.
Nico's POV
"Nico, wake up man, we're here." Jason told me, while shaking me awake.
"Huh? What?" I asked groggily.
"We're here bro, we're at Friedman's house... The place with all the answers. One way or another, we're gonna find out exactly what happened at the party." Leo announced.
"That low-key, sounded ominous, I'm not gonna lie." Percy commented.
"Heh, yeah... That did, didn't it?" Leo answered. "Then again, we don't know what kind of shit happened at the party."
Everyone, except for Percy, gave Frank a pointed look.
He cleared his throat and said "Why, uhh, why don't we just ring the doorbell and find out?"
Annabeth's POV
"So... wait, let me get this straight," I started, giving the girls a pointed look, "you all called me here because of some suuuuper important emergency."
"That is correct." Piper answered.
"And this super important emergency turned out to be... that you guys were too cheap to call an Uber?" I deadpanned.
"Huh, I guess we could've just done that. Oooooopsy daisy." Thalia said, not looking all that apologetic.
I started muttering curses under my breath.
"Tut-tut, Annabeth. Such language is unbecoming of a lady." Hazel reprimanded me.
I was not amused. "You guys make me drive all the way here under the guise that there was some 'super duper' important emergency, which turned out to be a chauffeuring job. Lady or not, I don't give a fuck. You guys suck, for hoodwinking me."
"Aww, love you too babe." Piper answered, blowing me a kiss. Bitch.
"Who even says hoodwink anymore? Like, how old are you even?" Thalia wondered.
"Shut up. I do. Pick up a book, why don't you." I retorted. "Let's just go."
-Line Break-
"Hey look, the guys are here!" Hazel exclaimed happily.
She seemed to be the only person happy about that.
Thalia, well she looked like she was about to cry for a second there but when I blinked, she looked indifferent, cool, pissed.
Piper looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here, and as for me? I was torn between wanting to run for the hills from the awkwardness that was about to ensue and marching up there, grabbing that fucking Seaweed Brain by the hair and just give him a piece of mind, then maybe beat the living shit out of him. I was heavily contemplating whether I should go up there and confront them, or if it wasn't too late to ride off into the sunset when the choice was made for me.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go up there and say 'Hi'!" Hazel announced. "Y'all acting really weird." She muttered quietly. Oh, dear sweet Hazel, you don't know half of it.
Thalia's POV
It hurt.
Seeing him stand there.
I felt the tears well up.
I wanted to run away as fast as I could, as far as I could. I wanted to cry my heart out, cry until all my tears were gone. I wanted to scream at the sky, scream until I had no voice left. I wanted to punch the living daylights out of him, to punch him so hard that I got hurt in the process.
But most of all, I just wanted to be held by him. I wanted to be enveloped by his arms, by his smell, by his voice, by him.
My body ached for his embrace, my ears for his voice, my eyes for his eyes, my lips for his lips, my soul for his.
No. He doesn't deserve that. He said he wouldn't, and he fucking did. Nico Di Angelo doesn't deserve any of my tears. Not anymore. Not ever again.
"Yeah, what are we all waiting for? Let's go say hi!" I agreed.
Percy's POV
We were about to ring the doorbell, when we heard a car stop behind us. We stopped and turned around.
"Hey, it's the girls!" Derek exclaimed happily. "They're probably here for the same reason we are. Let's wait, that way we can find out what happened, together!"
"Yeaaaaah, how about no." Leo suggested. "The last thing, and I mean last thing, we should do is exactly that."
"Nonsense! We all have the same goal here. Besides, we're all friends here, now aren't we?" Derek countered.
We all shared uneasy looks, after last night, were we really? Before we could even think about running away, Thalia stepped out of the car and she looked ready to kill a person. Her glare pretty much said 'Run. I dare you to.' Yep. It's probably too late to run now.
"Hey guys!" Hazel greeted us. "Small world, huh?"
"And yet I never run into Beyoncé." Nico muttered. "Hey guys... Long time no see."
"Not long enough." Thalia commented icily.
Yeesh, what the hell happened between them?! Everyone shared uneasy looks, when the front door opened, saving us all from this awkward, painful situation.
"Huh? Who...What are you guys doing here?" Nicole asked groggily.
"Heeeeey Nicole! How's it going? How ya feeling? You look great by the way! Honestly, I am shocked by how you can pull of the bedhead look! It really suits you! You're like a morning angel, gracing us peasants with her presence." Leo announced, bowing for good measure.
Nico hit him with his elbow, "Dude, tone it down." He whispered.
Nicole however, ate it all up. She started running her hands through her hair, blushing. "Oh my, well... That's SO sweet of you! You guys wanna come in for some coffee or something?"
We all stared at each other, shocked that that actually worked. Meanwhile, Leo just gave us a smug look and winked. He gave her what probably should look like a charming smile, but to me just looked like he was constipated, and said "We'd love to! Lead the way princesa." and then he kissed her hand.
She just blushed harder and ushered in. Well I'll be damned. Leo's got some fire moves, no doubt about it… That's my boy!
-Line Break-
"So, let me get this straight... You guys drove all the way here, just to find out what happened last night?" She asked us.
"Pretty much." Jason agreed.
"We uhh… we don't quite remember what exactly happened." Piper confessed.
Nicole snorted. "Yeah, no shit. With how much you all drank, I'm not surprised. You all practically drank the house dry! But why come to me?"
"Well, we heard a rumor that you filmed the party." Grover said.
"And you were hoping to see the video." She surmised.
"Yeah, pretty much…Or you know... If we could get a copy, that would be better." Nico proposed.
"Hmm, well I don't know... If I let you guys have a copy, then everyone would want one, and that would just open up a whole new can of worms for a lot of people. Let's just say a lot happened yesterday that I'm sure a lot of people want to keep secret."
I grabbed her hand and gave her my best puppy dog stare. "Please, Nicole! I don't remember a single thing, and I need to know what I did! I mean, look at this, I woke up with a goddamn tattoo on my arm! Who knows what else I might've done!"
She blushed and looked dazed at being near me. Huh, I wonder why?
"I don't know..." She said.
"Leo will take you to prom!" Nico proposed suddenly.
"He will?" She asked excitedly.
"I will?" Leo said at the same time.
"Yeah, you will, won't you pal." I told him resolutely, putting an arm around him.
He cleared his throat. "I mean, yeah I will! Nothing, and I mean nothing, would make me happier than the idea of a beautiful lady like you by my side." He told her convincingly.
Her eyes lit up, together with the rest of her face. "Deal, but I'm only giving you guys a piece of the video."
"Deal."
-Line Break-
Well, here we are. I have the video, well part of it, right here in my hands. All the answers to all of my questions. Gods, why do I feel so nervous. We are currently all here in my living room, getting things ready, because I quote 'If we're gonna have a big reveal, we're gonna do this right! I'm talking popcorn, lights off, and a lovely lady on my lap.' Three guesses for whose words that could've been.
"All right Leo, we got the popcorn, the lights are turned off, but no lady wants to sit on your lap. Can we finally watch this thing and get it over with?" Nico grumbled.
Leo sighed, but conceded "All right, all right... I guess I've kept everyone waiting long enough."
I put the video in, and then…
I clicked play.
-VIDEO-
"Yo, so I all gathered all of you fine ladies and gentlemen, to play a game, a game of kings and queens, a game that has lasted the test of time- ", Leo started.
"Duuude, Leo, get on with it, just spit it out dude." Jason interrupted him.
Leo gave Jason a dirty look before finishing his announcement. "All right fine, I'll get straight to the point. We're playing: Spin the bottle y'aaaaall!"
Absolute. Silence.
"You know, this is the part where you guys are supposed to cheer! Come ooon, you can actually get a chance to kiss your secret crush, why isn't anyone cheering?" Leo whined.
"Ehh, I don't know dude, I mean isn't spin the bottle just a little bit childish?" Derek asked.
"Maybe you're a little bit childish, Derek!" Leo retorted.
"Woah dude, chillax, Derek didn't mean any harm with that, right?" Percy said, trying to diffuse the situation.
Everyone from the gang looked surprised at Percy, for jumping to Derek's defense.
Derek's eyes widened. "Oh, uh yeah, you know what, I'd love to play spin the bottle! What uhh, what are the rules again Leo?"
Leo shook off his surprise and started to explain the game. "Well, it's pretty simple, we got this bottle here in the middle, someone spins it and whoever it lands on, they have to kiss. Nothing to it, but to do it."
"Oh, but what if you or the other person refuses?" Hazel asked.
"Huh, I didn't think of that… Cause, you know, girls don't usually refuse soo..." Leo winked. "But that is a good question..."
"OH, I know, whoever refuses has to take 5 shots, of this." And then Piper produced a bottle of Soju out of thin air.
Everyone gasped. Well, except for Derek.
"Euhm, what's so bad with that Chinese bottle?" He asked.
"Dude, it's STRONG, and Korean not Chinese." Frank answered.
"Yeah, I remember the first time I tasted it. I swear, at first I thought I was drinking pure alcohol." Jason added.
"Soo, everyone in?" Piper asked with a devious smile.
"Ehh... I don't know-" Annabeth started.
"YESS, that's an excellent idea Piper! Come on Wise Girl, live a little! What? Scared ya might like kissing me?" Percy interrupted, raising his left eyebrow at the end.
Annabeth replied "Oh, you are so on Seaweed brain, I'm gonna kiss the crap out of you!"
Percy just brought his face closer to hers and said "I'm gonna kiss you so hard, your grandchildren will still feel it."
Annabeth narrowed her eyes and brought her face even closer to his. "I'm gonna kiss you so hard, you'll never be able to get the taste of me out of your mouth,"
Derek cleared his throat, breaking the building tension between Percy and Annabeth.
"As uhm fun as it is watching the both of you exchange weird, I mean really weird thrash talk, I think everyone else wants to start with the game." Piper announced.
"Yeah, you love birds, save it for the game." Nico added with a wink.
Percy and Annabeth became beet red after hearing that.
"Right, uhh, sorry." Percy said sheepishly.
-PAUSE-
Percy and Annabeth cringed hard while watching that scene.
"Ugh, I can't believe we actually said that..." Annabeth shuddered.
"Worse trash talk, ever. Instant regret to be honest." Percy agreed. "I am never drinking that much again." he vowed.
"Same here." Annabeth confirmed.
Everyone around them just laughed, which caused Percy's and Annabeth's indignant look.
"Hey, we're serious here!" Annabeth stated.
"Yeah, this is for the long run this time!" Percy affirmed.
"Listen guys, it's not that we think you're alcoholics or something, it's just that every single time any of us makes that vow, they always always always end up breaking that vow.." Piper said.
"Sometimes the next day even." Grover added.
"Yeah, well...This time is different!" Percy insisted.
"I think we can keep a promise this simple." Annabeth asserted.
"If you say so.." Frank muttered.
"We do. We mean it this time. Right Wise Girl?"
"You got that right Seaweed Brain!"
They promptly broke that promise the very next day.
-PLAY-
"Game on!" Jason whooped.
"Who goes first?" Hazel wondered.
Silence followed afterwards. Leo and Nico were shooting Percy looks, which he missed in his inebriated state.
"Well… If no one wants to go, then I'll go." Annabeth volunteered.
"Damn..." Leo muttered quietly.
"What was that?"
"Oh, uh nothing. Thanks for stepping up Annabeth." Leo stammered.
Annabeth looked confused but decided not to push it. "Uhm, okay then… Here I go."
The bottle kept on spinning before finally landing on Derek.
He smiled. "Well babe, guess this is fate huh? Bring them fine lips over here."
She laughed. "All right lover boy, here I come."
And so, she proceeded to give him a chaste peck on the lips.
"…Dude, that ended the moment it began!" Derek complained.
Annabeth simply smirked. "Well, if you want me to kiss you longer then you'll simply have to spin the bottle and hope it lands on me again. Shouldn't be too hard, right?"
Derek wore a look of determination. "Oh, you are so on babe."
And lo and behold, the bottle once more landed on Annabeth. Multiple times.
-PAUSE-
"Dayumn, you guys sure are going at it." Nico commented.
Annabeth blushed.
"Dude, don't blame us. I was just reaaally lucky that night. If ya know what I mean." Derek winked.
"…"
"Let's just keep watching, yeah?" Percy said with an overly cheerful tone.
-PLAY-
"Okay... Maaybe I didn't really think this through..." Leo admitted sheepishly.
"Gee... Ya think?" Nico retorted sarcastically.
"Well, I mean what were the odds of Annabeth and Derek getting each other, three consecutive times in a row?!" Leo exclaimed.
"Guys, we gotta do something, fast.. I don't know know about you, but it looks like Percy's gonna snap aaany minute now.." Jason whispered.
"Yeah, he looks like he's ready to kill someone.. and not in a good way.." Frank added quietly.
-PAUSE-
Frank paused the video, sweating bullets. "Uh, maybe we should skip this part."
"What? No way, it was just getting goood." Derek complained.
"Yeah, I'd love to know what happened next!" Hazel exclaimed
Frank, being a sucker for Hazel's puppy dog stared, could only sigh and relent. "Fine... but I just want to let everyone know, I didn't mean anything by it! I was probably drunk out of my mind even!"
"Dude, everyone was drunk out of their mind." Percy deadpanned.
"True that." Piper commented.
-PLAY-
"Yeah, but who's... " Leo started. "Wait, wait, wait. Hold up. Did you just say 'and not in a good way'?"
Frank looked like he was caught. "...Did I uhh.. Did I say that out loud?"
All the guys looked at him with wide eyes. "Umm, yeah. Yeah, you did. What the hell did you mean with that?!" Jason questioned him.
Frank looked like a trapped wild animal, ready to escape. "I... Guys I was just messing around..haha...Obviously, there's no good way to kill someone..."
"What are you trying to say though? Did you kill someone?" Grover asked him.
Before he could answer, Nico noticed Percy was trying to stand up, no doubt planning to storm off.
"Guys, we can cross-examine Frank's super dark and frankly now that I'm thinking about it sketchy past, in the future. But right now, we gotta do something, cause while we were arguing Percy was just sitting there all alone with his drunk thoughts.
"Oh shit... It happened again..." Leo exclaimed.
"Man we really gotta do something about how we handle these situations..." Jason said.
"Who's gonna do something?" Leo wondered.
All the guys stared at him. "What? Why are you guys staring at me like that?" He asked confusedly.
They kept staring at him, until he got it. "... What? Whaat? ... Wait.. Why me?!"
"Umm.. Cause you're the reason we're in this mess in the first place?" Nico told him.
"Yeah, but-" He started, until Jason shoved him toward Percy, saying "Bro, we do not have the time to argue anymore. We wasted enough time as it is."
Leo bumped into Percy, and put a hand on his chest. "Woah, bro. Hey, what's up? Where ya going?"
Percy just looked away and said "Gonna get a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery. If I stay here any longer, I think I'm gonna be sick."
"What? No way! Why would you go now, when it's uhhh, it's your turn to spin!" Leo exclaimed, giving Nico a pointed look.
Percy looked at him confusedly. "What are you-"
"Er, uhm yeah! Leo's right!" Nico interrupted him. "It's your turn to spin. Come on Annabeth, Derek, break it up you guys. Go make out in private like normal couples, and give us singles a chance for some action."
"Brooo, it was getting interesting." Derek protested.
"No, he's right. We should let other people play." Annabeth conceded.
"Exactly!" Leo shouted, and then blushed. "I mean, she's right. And I think, Percy should spin."
And suddenly, Annabeth wore a look of regret.
"I agree, I vote that Percy spins next." Nico agreed.
"Yeah, me too!" Jason added, together with Frank and Grover.
Percy, just looked shocked and then touched. "Wow, okay.. That's really cool of you guys, but that's not how-"
"Just spin the bottle, Aquaboy." Piper interrupted him.
Percy just scowled, muttering about how everyone seems to be interrupting him tonight.
"Fine, here I go."
And then, the bottle spun.
Round and round it went, before finally landing on...
Piper.
(FLASHBACK TO THAT EXACT MOMENT: ANNABETH'S POV)
No.
No no.
No no no.
Not her. Anyone but her. Why did it have to land on her?!
One kiss and he'll probably fall for her. And why wouldn't he? Piper's smart, funny, sweet and beautiful.. God why is she even single? Why couldn't she be taken? What's the matter with her?
...
What's the matter with me?!
Why do I even care?
I shouldn't care... But, I do...
Maybe he won't even choose her. Yeah, maybe he'll choose to drink 5 shots of Soju instead.
"Soo... Perce, Pipes, I think this is the part where you guys you know, kiss." Leo said awkwardly. I shot him a glare.
"Unless you don't want to." Jason added hastily. "I mean, Perce, you can always just refuse and just take the 5 shots, I'm sure Piper wouldn't be offended."
Piper shot him a weird look. "Uhm, yes, yes I am offended. And why are you speaking for me anyway? What, you don't think I'm kiss worthy Jason?"
He started sweating bullets. "No, God no. I mean yes.. I mean, ugh I..-"
"Nah it's ok, I'll kiss her," Percy interrupted.
What. The. Fuck.
Everyone looked at him, shocked. Except for Derek.
"All right, Perce! Get some!" Derek clapped him on the back.
Percy shot him a smile and a look of gratitude."Appreciate the support man."
"Really?" Nico asked him, perturbed.
Percy shrugged. "I mean, yeah, it's just a game and you know, Piper is pretty hot I guess. Why not? It's all just a bit of fun anyways, right? I mean, that is, if Piper wants to kiss me.."
I shot Piper a pleading look, hoping she'll understand what I'm trying to convey... What am I trying to convey actually?
Everyone else looked at Piper curiously.
"Ohh, well..." Piper started, looking at everyone, no doubt feeling the pressure on her. She looked at Thalia, Hazel and then at me, seemingly having made a decision. Phew, okay... Crisis averted. I hated myself for feeling relieved.
But then Derek put his arm around me, and she looked back at Percy. He looked... Kind of down.. In fact how did I not notice that? He kinda looked down all night now that I think about it...
She shot me an apologetic look.
No.
No no.
No no no.
"Yeah, sure I'd love to kiss you Aquaboy." Piper answered with a soft smile I've never seen her give anyone. Ever.
And then she kissed him.
She kissed Percy.
Percy.
MY Percy!
Wow, where did that come from?
What the hell is the matter with me? Why am I so angry?
Oh. My. God. Am I... Jealous?
God I am, aren't I? Why the hell am I jealous? What is wrong with me? Here I am, dating a perfectly nice guy, and I'm jealous of one of my best friends kissing Seaweed Brain, my other best FRIEND. God I really need to chill out..
After their kiss, which lasted way too long if you ask me, Percy and Piper looked dazed.
"Woah..." Percy said with a shocked look.
Piper looked at him, sporting the exact same look. "I know! I did not expect that..."
I narrowed my eyes at them.
"Expect what?" I asked, desperately hoping my jealousy couldn't be heard from my tone.
Apparently, Percy could detect the hostile energy coming from me, because he suddenly looked nervous. "Oh, uhh, just that the kiss wasn't...Terrible?"
I scowled at him. "Are you asking me or telling me?"
Percy gulped. "Umm... Depends, which answer will make you less angry?"
At the same time Piper said "Wasn't terrible? Please, that kiss was fucking fantastic and you know it! "
I was about to retort, a scathing remark at the tip of my tongue, but Piper beat me to the punch.
"Chill out Annabeth, it was just a kiss.I don't even know why you're getting so worked up about it, we're all friends here." She said with narrowed eyes at me.
Oh, it is on bitch.
But then Derek whispered in my ears "She's right babe, tonight's supposed to be fun. It's just a game."
All of my anger drained away after hearing that. He's right. What the hell am I doing? Percy and I aren't dating. So what if he wants to go around and kiss my best friend? He's allowed to.. I guess..
And Piper gets to kiss whoever she wants.
I'm with Derek now. It's about time I start giving me 110% percent to this relationship. I should give Derek my all. Tonight.
I should probably also talk to Percy after this game. Yeah, I'll grab him and talk to him quietly, away from prying eyes.
I sent Percy a look that said 'We have to talk later'.
I sighed. "All right, sorry guys for kinda being a little bit of a bitch."
"A little?" Leo muttered.
I shot him my best death glare. "Don't push your luck Valdez."
All the color drained from his face. "Right, gotcha babe."
(END FLAHSBACK IN ANNABETH'S POV: BACK TO THE VIDEO)
"All right, Piper your turn to spin." Jason said hastily, hoping to avoid bloodshed.
So she did.
"All riiight, Piper! You are the luckiest girl in the world, cause you get to kiss, me, Leo Valdez, bad boy supreme aaand the world's most sensual kisser." Leo tried to say sensually. It kinda got ruined by the fact that he was putting on chapstick. Not that sexy tbh.
"Gimme the shots." Piper deadpanned.
Leo wore a look of indignation. "You would rather drink 5 shots of soju, SOJU, than kiss me? Me?! Leo Valdez?!"
Piper looked him dead in the eyes when she drank her firs shot without flinching or gagging.
"Much rather. It's the least painful option."She stated after having downed the other shots.
Everyone laughed at the face Leo made.
"Hmph, well, there's no accounting for taste.. At least I get to spin now. Come oon universe, let it land on a girl." Leo pleaded.
It landed on Hazel.
Leo wiggled his eyebrows. "Sorry Frank, brother, but now it's Leo's time to shine! All right Hazel, pucker up."
"..I'll take the shots.." Hazel stated before promptly downing the shots.
"Dammit woman! We really need new girls in our circle guys, I'm getting like zero action here!" Leo wailed.
"Duly noted." Frank said with narrowed eyes.
Leo gulped. "All righty then.. Hazel spin, for the love of god, spin the bottle!"
And waddaya know, it landed on Frank!
One kiss later and Frank's anger subsided immensely, in fact he looked like the happiest guy on earth... until he realized it was his turn to spin.
"Aw man, there isn't anyone else I would want to kiss except Hazel!" Frank lamented.
"Aww, that's so sweet, I love you!" Hazel cooed.
"On the other hand, I don't want to get drunk either... No one's worth getting a hangover for..." Frank muttered.
"Oh, wow okay, not as sweet anymore.. Just spin it and see I guess, whatever." Hazel said.
"Oh, Hazel, I didn't mean... I'd get a hangover for you any day! Just, maybe not today, I'm not really in the mood." Frank said, trying to comfort his irritated girlfriend.
"I don't want to hear it Frank! Just spin the bottle and pucker up. Or not, I don't care." Hazel answered nonchalantly.
Frank sighed and spun the bottle.
It landed on Jason.
"..."
"Umm, how about I get your shots ready?" Jason proposed quickly.
"Yeah, thanks dude." Frank said with gratitude.
"Aww come on, you guys aren't gonna kiss?" Thalia teased." And here I thought you were comfortable with you masculinity little brother."
"I am comfortable with my masculinity!" Jason protested, "I just don't see why I can't be comfortable with my masculinity and not have to kiss one of my best friends at the same time."
"Well, actions speak louder than words dude." Nico commented.
"Well it doesn't matter cause Frank wants to down these shots, right buddy?" Jason asked him.
"Right!" Frank said, shooting Hazel a meaningful look. "There's no one else I'd rather kiss than my Hazelnut. See? I would so get a hangover for you! That's how much I love you!"
"Well I think you guys should kiss." Piper commented.
"Yeah, well no one asked you." Jason snapped.
"Besides, that is an awful idea, right Hazelnut?" Frank said.
"I don't know Frank... I think you and Jason should kiss." Hazel said slowly.
"WHAT?!" Jason and Frank shouted.
"Yesssss!" Thalia said, high five-ing Nico.
"I always shipped you guys." Leo commented.
"Yeah, they'd be a nice couple." Percy agreed.
"True true." Annabeth affirmed.
"I'm so confused babe." Derek admitted.
"It's pretty much the norm around here. You'll get used to it." Grover patted him on the back.
"Um, Hazel, sweetie are you sure you want me to kiss Jason? I mean, wouldn't that be weird for you? For me? For us?" Frank tried to reason.
"Oh please, Frank, if the tables were turned and I had to kiss let's say... Piper! Would you be against it?" Hazel queried.
"..."
-PAUSE-
"Oh my god, look at your faces on the video! You guys were totally picturing it!" Hazel gasped, scandalized.
"..."
"I was." Leo admitted proudly, until he saw Hazel's, Frank's, Nico's and Piper's reactions. "I mean, uhh... KIDDING! Got ya! Hahaha... What about Jason tho, I mean look at his face! He was SO picturing it!."
Jason started sweating. "What? No, I was definitely not picturing Piper... making out with Hazel... I would never do that... ever... In fact, I've never even thought about... those kind of...stuff.." He shot Leo a dirty look for trying to drag him down with him. "Anyway, look at Percy! Percy was totally picturing it!"
Percy's eyes widened. "Wait, what? No, I wasn't! I really wasn't!"
"Oh my god you totally were!" Piper gasped. "Look at your face here in the video!" She pointed at his dreamy expression on the screen.
"Dude, gross! That's my half sister!" Nico complained.
"What is the matter with you?" Annabeth asked crossly.
"Uhh... help?" Percy pleaded.
"Guys, guys, I don't think anyone was picturing it." Grover tried to reason, "I mean, Percy was probably still dazed from his kiss with Piper, Jason looks more horrified at the thought of kissing Frank, and Leo... Well, he probably was picturing it."
"Dude!" Leo exclaimed.
Grover just gave him a look that meant no nonsense.
"All right fine, I was." Leo admitted.
"All right, all right, there will be plenty of time to beat Leo up later. Let's get on with the video first." Thalia said.
"Phew, thanks Thals!" Leo said.
"Besides, knowing Leo, the more we watch the more reasons we'll all have to beat Leo up." Thalia continued.
"Wow, thank you so much Thalia." Leo said sarcastically.
"Anytime Valdez, anytime."
-PLAY-
"Well?" Hazel pressed.
"Uhhh.. I plead the fifth?" Frank stammered.
"Oh, ok... I see how it is, so it's fine if I have to kiss another girl, but if it's you and another guy, it's the end of the world!" Hazel said crossly.
"Ugh, that is so sexist." Thalia commented.
"Dude, it's just a game. Suck it up and do it." Percy advised.
"Bro!" Jason exclaimed.
"What? I'd do it." Percy answered.
"Uh-huh, sure you would. It's easy to say that when you aren't the one who has to kiss one of your bros. I bet you would never kiss let's say, Leo!" Jason countered.
In response Percy grabbed Leo's face and gave him a quick peck on the lips.
"Done." Percy said. "That wasn't so hard. Plus, now I can rest easy knowing me and him? Never gonna happen."
Everyone else just wore looks of astonishment.
"Wow. Sad to think this is the most action I've gotten from this game." Leo bemoaned.
"Did not see that coming." Grover commented.
"Ah screw it, if it'll make you happy Hazel..." Frank sighed right before grabbing Jason's head.
"Woah dude, wait a sec.-" Jason started.
And then Frank kissed him.
"There! Hazel, I want you to know there is nothing I wouldn't do for you! I love you!" Frank said, while letting go of Jason's face.
"Oh my god, Frank!" Hazel exclaimed right before giving him a passionate kiss.
"This evening sucks." Jason complained.
"Chin up dude, you get to spin now." Derek told him.
"Well... That is true..." Jason conceded.
And so, the game continued, until:
"All right Nico dude, your turn! ", Percy exclaimed. "Who's gonna be the lucky lady that gets to kiss my cousin?"
Nico laughed. "Dude, how are you this drunk? You haven't downed a single drop of soju, even when it landed on me."
"Yeah… Let's never speak of that again…"
"Agreed."
"Anyhow, come on man, I am pumped! Thalia mixed me up this totally rad cocktail and at first, I wanted to spit it out, but after like the 3rd one, it got gooood."
"Oh, Thalia made you a cocktail now, did she?" Nico asked, narrowing his eyes at Thalia.
"What? He looked so stressed, I thought it might calm him down!" She retorted.
"And you thought alcohol was the way to go? In the future ya might wanna try making him tea before giving him a cocktail with gods knows what." He answered sarcastically.
"Ooh, if you do, I know this really great tea place!" Piper commented.
"Oh, the one on fifth street?" Grover asked.
"No, I was talking about the one near our school… Why? Is the one on fifth better?"
"Yeah, you gotta try it! They've got this herbal tea mix that's out of this world!"
"Uhm… Are we still playing kiss the bottle? Cause, we're the only ones left, everyone else is off playing 7 minutes in heaven." Jason interrupted.
"Woah, there Jason, I'm very flattered. I know we shared a nice kiss and all, but I don't want to spend 7 minutes with you in a closet." Frank said.
"What? No! I didn't… I didn't mean we should play 7 minutes in heaven! I was just…- "Jason stammered, beet red.
"Ha, I'm just kidding dude." Frank winked, high-fiving Leo. "You were right, it is fun messing with people"
"Told you dude." Leo said.
"Ha ha, very funny." Jason deadpanned. "But for real, are we gonna keep playing?"
"Ehh, why not? At this point it feels like we've all kissed each other at least once..." Leo stated.
"Aight, then I should probably spin this bottle, yeah?" Nico proposed.
It landed on Thalia.
"Shit..." Nico muttered.
"What was that?" Thalia asked.
"Oh, uhh nothing, just that… I've been dying to try this Soju! I mean, damn look at it! I think I'm gonna take the 5 shots, no offence Thals."
Thalia narrowed her eyes. "Gee, why would I be offended?"
"Yeah, that's the spirit!"
"I hope you choke on those shots." She deadpanned.
"Duly noted."
"All right Thalia, spin that bottle! Let's see who you'll get!" Grover shouted, desperate to get rid of the awkwardness that followed.
Thalia shot Nico a glare. "Yeah, I'd love to kiss a real guy."
"Heh, no need for a bottle there, you can always just ask me chica! I'd be happy to do it any time, anywhere." Leo winked at her.
"Ha, you are funny. I said a real guy." Thalia said straight-faced.
"Hey! I'll have you know, I'm all man!"
"I'm sorry, did you say all man or small man?"
"Oh, wow… you're mean you know that?"
"Yeah, I take great pride in that."
And then she spun the bottle. Hard.
It landed on… Percy!
Both Thalia and Percy became wide-eyed, while Nico, well he and Annabeth both looked horrified. Everyone else just looked shocked.
(FLASHBACK TO THAT EXACT MOMENT: THALIA'S POV)
"Erm… Well… Let me get those shots for you Thals, I know you said you wanted to kiss a real guy so…" Percy said, hoping it'll diffuse the situation.
I wanted to kiss him, if only to spite Nico. And I immediately felt awful for that thought. I can't do that to Nico. Or Percy. Or Annabeth. God if he and I kissed, it would just cause the biggest shit storm ever. And yet…
"Eh, nah, I don't feel like having a hangover tomorrow." Is what I said.
"…"
"Thalia, are you sure that's a good idea?" Nico asked me with narrowed eyes.
I just raised one of my eyebrows and said "Why not? It's just a game, and we're all just friends here. You made that perfectly clear."
"Uhm, I don't know if I'm all that comfortable kissing you..." Percy told me.
"Ah, come one Kelp Head, it'll be fine! Besides, I will be very offended if you are willing to kiss Leo just to make a point, but not me. Leo."
"… Well… can't argue with that logic Perce." Leo commented.
Percy looked at Nico. "Huh, well... Is there a reason why I shouldn't kiss her?"
Nico shrugged. "Hey dude, it's your lips… If you wanna kiss Thalia, go for it...I sure as hell ain't stopping you."
"Well… Okay then dude, if you say so…"
"Yeah, I say so Perce, god."
Percy turned towards me. "Okay, bring it on Pinecone Face!"
"Ohh it is so on Kelp Head!"
"Are you guys gonna kiss, or fight?" Hazel wondered.
Percy and I shared a look before looking back at Hazel. "Both." God, it's so awesome how we can be on the same page sometimes.
"… Okay then… I will let you guys to it…"
"Aight, ready for the kiss of your life Thals?"
There's still time to back down, I can avoid all of the problems that'll come if I do this. I know that this is a mistake, but…
"No one's ever ready for the worst kiss of their life."
"Wow, you are mean today."
"Shut up and kiss me you idiot."
Right when he was about to kiss me, I changed my mind last second and turned my head. God, as pissed as I am at Nico, I can't do this to him. Or to Percy. Or to Annabeth. Not with the history Percy had with me.
"…Well… not exactly the best I've had tonight, but certainly not the worst." Percy commented.
"Hey, is that a dig at our kiss?" Leo said indignantly.
"What? No! Nono no no no... Never! I was talking about my kiss with…" Percy started.
"Don't you say dare say my name Aquaboy." Piper warned.
"Never! Your awesomeness! See? I remembered our deal from way back then!" Percy said, hoping to calm Piper down before she got too mad. It seemed to have worked. Your awesomeness? Now where did that come from?
"Well who'd you think was better at kissing? Me or Leo?" Piper asked him, both Leo and her were giving him hopeful looks.
He started to sweat. "Well… uhm… I mean…"
Well, I should help him out, after all he doesn't seem mad that I backed out of our kiss in the last second.
(END FLAHSBACK IN THALIA'S POV: BACK TO THE VIDEO)
"Hey Perce, wanna get those shots ready for me?" I asked him with a wink.
He shot me a look of gratitude. "Yeah, sure. Sorry Guys, as much as I would love to answer this question for the ages, I've gotta help Thals over here so… "
"This isn't over Fish boy!" Piper announced.
"Yeah, one way or another we're getting an answer out of you chico!" Leo affirmed.
"Well, as much as I'm looking forward to THAT conversation… I think I'm gonna go and look for a new bottle of Soju." Percy said.
"No need, got one right here." Juniper said, while she entered the room. She gave Thalia the bottle and looked at Grover and asked, "Hey do you guys mind if I steal Grover for a while?"
Grover's eyes widened. "Oh, well… I mean… That is…" he stammered.
Jason put his arm around Grover and said "Nah, no one minds, I'm sure Grover definitely doesn't mind, right pal?"
Grover shot him a look of gratitude. "Yeah, I'd let you steal me any time!"
She giggled and grabbed Grover by the arm. "Well, okay then. Glad to know you're excited! Don't worry, I promise to bring him back whole."
"Take all the time you need!" Leo winked.
"That's my boy!" Percy whooped.
Frank wiped away a non-existent tear, "They grow up so fast."
Nico sighed. "I know! It seems like it was just yesterday when he came home and told us about his first crush..."
"Maybe because it was yesterday." Jason speculated. "Right?"
"I don't know man, all I know is I think we should wrap this game up." Nico said.
"Yeah, how about one more spin and we wrap this up?" Annabeth proposed.
"Sounds good, I've got a bone to pick with some people." Thalia said, narrowing her eyes at Nico. Who promptly regretted his proposition.
"On the other hand, the night is still young…"
"No, you're right, I am getting a little bit tired." Hazel said with a yawn.
"Damn, my one weakness… My baby sister." Nico cursed.
"Who's turn was it again?" Derek wondered.
"Well, I had to drink 5 shots of soju cause I realized that I don't wanna get Kelp Head's cooties so…" Thalia recalled.
Percy was offended. "I do NOT have cooties! You know what it is? I think you were scared, cause I'm an amazing kisser!"
"Sure, that's what it was." Thalia said unconvincingly. She turned towards Piper and Leo and asked, "Tell me, was he an amazing kisser?"
Both just shrugged and said "Eh."
Thalia shot him a smug look. "At what point did you hear them say, yes?"
"What? Weren't you listening? They obviously said, yeh!"
"Ha, whatever you say Kelp head, whatever you say… Just spin the damn bottle so that we can all finally stop this accursed game."
"You're not the boss of me!"
Thalia shot him a look that promised death.
"… Maybe you are. Okay, spinning the bottle." Percy muttered.
The bottle spun round and round, before landing on its last victim of the night.
Annabeth.
(FLASHBACK TO THAT EXACT MOMENT: PERCY'S POV)
Ah shit!
Shit. Fuck. Damn it all to hell!
All night, all night long I survived spinning that damn bottle without it landing on Annabeth, so of course it had to land on her right at the end. Why must the fates curse me so?
I can't do it. I can kiss Leo no problem, Piper any day, Thalia if I had to, hell I could even kiss Derek right about now, but Annabeth? Annabeth's my kryptonite. I can't kiss her now, I just can't… Definitely not in front of everyone.
"Heh, well uhm… Thalia, wanna hand met that bottle of Soju? No shot glasses needed, I'll just drink it straight from the bottle." I said with an uncomfortable laugh at the end.
"Wait.. so you're saying you don't want to kiss me?"Annabeth asked sounding a little bit indignant. Just a little bit.
"Uhm... well... I mean, yeah pretty much..." I said uncomfortably.
"Why?!"
I can't tell her why. I just can't... Fuck, but I can't kiss her either. I just know, the moment our lips will meet, I'll be hooked for life. I'll be so far gone, for a girl who's in love with someone else. I can't I just can'T do that to myself.
Of course, I can't tell her all that either...
"Why can't you kiss me Seaweed Brain? You've kissed pretty much everyone else!"
"I can't tell you..." I whispered.
"What?"
Fuck, I can't hold it in anymore... I don't care anymore...
"I...I-" I started, the confession at the tip of my tongue, ready to spill out of my mouth like vomit when... actual vomit came out instead.
Well... That's one way to avoid that awkward conversation I suppose...
"Oh my god!"
(END FLAHSBACK IN PERCY'S POV: BACK TO THE VIDEO)
Absolute chaos.
Everyone was shouting, when Leo got a phone call. He shushed everyone loudly. "Guys, guys, GUYS, I'm getting a phone call, so will you all shut up! Thanks!"
He picked up the phone. "Hello, this is Leo Valdez, Bad Boy supreme, what can I do for you?"
"Oh hey chica, I knew you'd call me back!" Leo said excitedly.
"Uh-huh… Uh-huh… Uh-huh… Okay, great. Yeah, well wanna be my prom date? It's in two months!"
Loud shouting could be heard from the phone
"... So that's a soft maybe then?"
Even louder shouting could be heard from the phone.
"Uh-huh… Uh-huh… Uh-huh… Okay, well great… Thanks for calling me, I'll call you back!"
"Don't you dare ever call me back!" Could be heard being shrieked by a woman from the phone.
"I'll call you back tomorrow sweetie." Leo answered back lovingly before hanging up.
"Okay, you guys can go back to panicking." Leo announced before sitting down at the couch.
"Dude, who was that?" Jason asked, everyone else wondering the exact same thing.
"Yeah, and why'd she sound pissed?" Frank added.
"Her? Oh, that was just Khione, one of my many, many, many female admirers." Leo answered back smugly.
"Wait a sec… Khione, as in the girl we met at the club a while back… Khione as in Rachel's best friend, Rachel Dare?!" Percy shouted.
"The very same!" Leo shouted back.
"Oh, my god what did she say?!" Hazel shouted.
"Uhh.. Why are you guys shouting?" Grover asked, entering the room.
"Not now dude!" Frank shouted at him.
"No, no, wait, how'd things go with Juniper?" Leo asked him in a normal volume.
"Guys, I'm in love." Grover said seriously. "She said yes! She actually said yes!"
"Wait, what are we talking about now?" Piper asked.
"Juniper! Grover wanted to ask her to prom, and I'm assuming you succeeded?" Jason explained/asked.
"Oh, well... No! But, I did ask her out on a date, I was thinking I could ask her then." Grover said.
"That is so awesome dude! Congrats!" Percy said, clapping him on the back.
"Never doubted you for a second dude!" Nico winked.
"Man, you'Re so awesome! You didn't even need our help!" Leo exclaimed.
"Thank you, thank you all! But, what were you guys talking about before I came in?" Grover wondered.
"OH, right! Dude, Percy, so that was Khione and guess what she said!" Leo said excitedly.
"Uhm... I don't want to go to prom with you?" Percy guessed.
"No!... Well, yeah, but I meant something else." Leo retorted.
"Just tell us!" Thalia growled.
"Rachel's still here."
"..."
-END VIDEO-
Heh heh, uhm... Hey guys, what's up? Hope you all had a great life so far, and a happy holidays! I know I've been well... on an unexpected hiatus, and I'm really sorry, but honestly? My heart just wasn't in it, and that wasn't fair. I feel like it was reflected on my writing and that sucked. But, suddenly I was struck with this inspiration and I just KNOW it would've haunted me if I didn't finish this story after promising all of you I would. I don't want to be one of THOSE writers you know? I found my book with ideas for this story, and I realised I missed writing. I want to write again. So, even though I have even less time to write than before what with uni and EXAMS and all, I will write again. I'm planning on updating every Friday again. And if that doesn't work, then I'll just pick another day! But, I want to update this story at least once a week.
I can't promise that every chapter will be as long as this one tho... I've kinda been working on this chapter on and off for a while, but I'll try. Anyhow, tell me what you thought of this chapter! I seriously would appreciate the feedback! And hey, if you ever have any ideas or even thoughts, well.. Then voice it! And if you don't want to say it in public, you can always PM me ;)
Now onto the reviews:
To Thrawn13: Thanks! I try my best :)
To W12ytIL7: Thanks! It's uh, it's been a looong time since I've updated this heh... As for the main ship, uhm well at the moment, no not really... And as for the no inspiration or ideas, well, I've got some now, definitely more than before. And no. I am definitely not planning to add any of THOSE scenes... I've got enough problems with normal scenes, let's not add lemons in the mix. As for why I put that there, honestly I can't remember. It's been 2 years since I started this story, and when I look back on some of the things I wrote, I can't even remember what I was thinking! Wow... It's been 2 year... Maybe it is time I change that summary...
To NefariousAngels: I'm so sad I missed updating on the 1 year anniversary. Honestly, I felt like shit that day, I wrote a big chunk of this chapter that day, trying to get it done by then, but obviously I failed. After that, I wanted to update on Christmas, failed that too. Forget about New Year... But, hey I was able to do it 3 days after New Year, that's gotta count for something, right?
To RoyalFox89: Thank you!
To JamieValdez: Dude. Thanks for the blue cookies, they were delicious! As for me not dying, it was touch and go there for a moment in July, but I held on just for you! ;) And I thought I saw your tiger at my window, turns out it was my cat, so I still don't know where it is. I am worried.
To Pregnantnun227: Well, shiit dude. Your review was longer than my last chapter... If it helps, yes you had to wait even longer for this chapter, but, BUT, it's a helluva lot longer than the last one! In fact, I'm pretty sure this is the longest chapter of this story to date :D And nahh, don't worry about it, I too am an adult, at least technically. I've recently become 19, so yell away my man, yell away ;) Sorry for making you angry tho :/ I want you to know tho, that you will be getting your regular fix from now on, so, yayy! As for my cliffhanger skillz, well you tell me if I still have em or not heh. And I so am the type to be persuaded by money! I don't want to be hurt! I hate pain. Pain sucks, no pain. Seriously. Thanks for giving me an extension on the deadline to put out this chapter!
To InfernalHorror: *whispers* I hope this was long enough *awkward smile*
To SonOfHades1: Missed ya too ;) Please don't kill tho. Well, not yet at least..
To NONAME2002: Duuuude, noooooo, chill bro chill, I got you! I'm back, I'm back! Don't bring out the beast!
To .Ba: Will do!
To JayDuck: I will, I promised I was gonna finish this story and I just know it'll haunt me forever if I don't follow through!
To Yurmomiscanonking: Omg, I couldn't resist that face anymore. Here, here you go sweetie! I won't leave you anymore!
To Diamond: It was tempting sometimes, I'll admit, but I can't, I just can't give up on this story. This is part of my legacy! I can't give up on that! I've put in too much time on this baby just to give it away so flippantly! This is my baby! So, no matter how hard it'll get, I WILL finish this story!
To Guest: Fun fact: I wrote this story after a marathon of old teen movies, I don't know if I ever wrote that in an author's note. It's kind of reflected on some of the themes in this story. Now, obviously some of the things they taught in those movies are outdated, their views on virginity among others, but back then I didn't know any better. This story would've been a helluva lot more different if I had started now than 2 years ago. I don't agree with a lot of the things I wrote back then, but it'd take way too much time to change this story. Do I personally think it's a big deal if someone's a virgin at 16? Hell no! But, in the movies I watched back then, the movies that kinda gave me inspiration for this story in the first place, it was a big deal. Maybe one day, I'll rewrite this story to correspond with my views on the matter, but right now, I really want to finish it :)
You know, I've always wondered why my fans are so aggressive... Well, it's nice to know you're all so passionate about this story! Now, I know the flashbacks don't really make sense when they're watching a video, but I've been agonising over this issue for days. I had no idea how I had to write the video scenes and somehow work people's POV's in those scenes. I suppose I hope you'll all assume that when there's a flashback, only the character experiences that flashback, while the other characters just see everything in the video without the character's thoughts. This would've been a lot easier if this was an actual video instead of me writing it, but hey, waddaya gonna do? This is fanfiction after all. And yes, I know, I know, I could've just not put those POV's, but I dunno, it seemed kinda stupid to have the characters experience flashbacks of this video in the next chapter, when they've just seen it. I wanted to show how some of the characters reacted in the moment it happened, hence the flashbacks during the video. Tell me what you guys thought of that. Loved it. Hated it. didn't think much of it. Whatever comes to mind ;)
Whew, well that's it for this chapter! Once again, I'm really sorry for making you all wait this goddamn long! I'm planning on updating next week, probably Friday. It'll be touch and go for the last 2 weeks of January cause of my exams, but me being a chronic procrastinator might actually really help this story heh heh. Anyway, I've taken enough of your time already! I hope you have a nice -whatever time it is, wherever the hell you are-, and please take care! Thanks for reading and for reviewing! Oh and thanks for sticking by this story for this long, like seriously, thank you.
Joy