Thank you rain! That's all I can say. I was struggling to come up with how to start this chapter, but then I was walking my dog and it started pouring down, and BAM! the idea came to me. I used the chorus of 'One Call Away' by Charlie Puth in this chappie. Hope you like the chapter!
Annabeth's POV
There was a knock at the door, so I got off the sofa and opened it. "Percy!" I exclaimed, surprised when I opened the door to see him standing there, dripping from head to toe. "What happened?"
"Well, I decided not to where a jacket, because the weather looked fine and it wasn't too cold. But, when I was halfway here, suddenly the skies decided to open up and drench me." He said, as I ushered him into the apartment.
"Oh, your hair's all wet." I complained, running my fingers through his soaking locks. I grabbed a tea towel from where it was hanging on the kitchen door, and placed it on his head, rubbing his hair with it. "You can't stay in that hoodie, take it off." I instructed, gently pulling at the bottom of his very wet hoody.
"Okay." He agreed, slipping it off over his head. The t-shirt he was wearing underneath was soaked as well.
"Take that off too." I told him, taking the hoodie and hanging it on the radiator.
"Happy?" He was now standing, in the middle of my apartment, without a shirt on. I glanced down at his abs, and my cheeks started to heat up.
"Uh, yes." I said, avoiding his eyes. "I'll be back in a second." I walked to Piper's room. Her and Jason had gone to the cinema, so the room was empty. I went into her chest of drawers, where I knew Jason kept a change of clothes, for when he stayed here overnight. I grabbed a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, before going back out into the living room.
"Here. I got you some new jeans as well."
"Why do you have men's clothes in your apartment?"
"They're Jason's - he leaves them here.
"Oh, well, thanks." He smiled, gratefully excepting the clothes. "I'll just go change in the bathroom."
"Yeah, go ahead." I said awkwardly, moving aside so that he could access the bathroom.
He came out a minute later, wearing Jason's purple shirt and jeans. "I am dry and ready to bake!" He announced, making me laugh.
"Great! Let's go then." We walked to the kitchen, and I got all the ingredients out of the cupboard, while Percy grabbed a bowl. "What do I do first?"
"Mix the flour, sugar, and baking powder together."
"Okay." I did as I was told, and mixed the powders together, carefully weighing out each one, according to the ingredient list Percy had texted me earlier, so I could buy them all. "Done! What next?"
"Rub the butter in until it resembles breadcrumbs."
"What?" I asked, confused by the command. "How do I do that?"
"Like this." He put his hands in the bowl and started rubbing the butter in with his fingers. "Now you try."
"Yes sir." I tried to copy what he did, but I wasn't sure if I was doing it correctly. "Am I doing this right?"
"Not at all." He laughed, and so did I. "Do it like this." He put his arms around me and took my hands in his, surprising me. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck, sending shivers through my body. He smells so good. And he's so warm. Gently, he showed me what to do, and after a while I had it. He moved away from me, and the absence of his body heat chilled me. Neither of us said anything for about a minute, so I coughed, trying to break the silence.
"Estelle was still talking about you when I left earlier." He said, helping in my effort to make it less awkward.
"Awe really?"
"Yeah, she already misses you." He laughed, and I joined in, I missed that cutie too.
"Well, you'll have to bring her here sometime, I'd love to see her again."
"I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that."
"Awesome. What next?"
Percy's POV
"These are amazing!" Annabeth laughed, after swallowing her bite of scone.
"Yes they are." I agreed, impressed with her baking skills. I smiled at her, taking in all of her beauty. I like her. I really, really, like her. Not just because she's pretty, but because she's kind, and because she put up with, and listened to me talk about Gabe. I think...I am going to tell her. "Annabeth I-"
"ANNABETH!" Hazel burst into the kitchen, waving her phone wildly around in the air. "I need your help!" Guess I'm not saying anything today.
The blonde turned to her friend, incredibly concerned. "With what?"
"Frank."
"What did he do?"
"Well, we were just texting, when suddenly he decides to ask me if I want to go to the movies, completely out of the blue!"
"Alright, give me your phone." Annabeth instructed, taking the phone from her mental friend. "This wasn't out of the blue! You were talking about movies!"
"Yeah, but then he just randomly asks me if I want to go to one with him!"
"No he doesn't! You-" Annabeth sighed in frustration. "Ugh, Percy read these texts and then tell her she's crazy."
"I don't think-" I started to protest but Annabeth cut me off.
"Read. Them." She grabbed my hand and shoved the phone into it, open on Hazel and Frank's texts. "From here." She said, pointing to the top of the screen.
Frank
So what's your favourite movie?
Hazel
I love Guardians of the Galaxy
Because of all the music
I pretty much just like all of the Marvel movies
I'm really excited for Black Widow to come out tomorrow
Frank
Are you going to see it?
Hazel
Probably
But I don't know when
Frank
Do you want to go see it tomorrow?
A few minutes later, at a lack of a reply from Hazel, Frank had sent another two messages.
It was clear I meant with me right?
Like, on a date?
"Hazel you're crazy." I told her, per Annabeth's order and my own opinion.
"No I'm not!" She protested, taking her phone back.
"You were talking about going to see a movie, and then he asked if you wanted to go with him to see it. That's not out of the blue."
"But-"
"But nothing!" Annabeth interrupted, "Text him back!"
"What do I say?"
"Well do you want to go with him?"
"Obviously."
"Then say that! Say: Yes, I'd love to go with you."
"But how do I do that?"
"By typing!" She yelled, tapping the phone.
"Right, yes, that makes sense." Hazel agreed, turning her phone back on and opening the messages app. She typed out the sentence, then turned the phone to show me and Annabeth the screen. "Done."
"Oooh he's texting back!" Annabeth said excitedly, Hazel immediately snatching the phone back around to face her. "What did he say?"
"He said great!" She quickly typed a reply. "We're going tomorrow at 7!" She celebrated, before a look of dread settled on her face. "Oh my God we're going tomorrow at 7!"
"What's wrong? You've wanted this for months!" Annabeth asked, gently pulling Hazel's arms down.
"What am I gonna do? What am I gonna say? What am I gonna wear? Ugh, why isn't Piper here?" She groaned, making Annabeth frown.
"Piper's not here because she already has a boyfriend, and she is at the movies with him. But you need to stop freaking out! And you don't need Piper because you have me - I can help."
"Really?" Hazel asked sceptically, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes really, and Percy's here - he can help too."
Hazel looked up at me, as if just realising for the first time that I was here. "You're a guy!" She exclaimed, a smile breaking out across her face.
"Have you only just realised?"
"This is not the time for sarcasm young man."
"Aren't I older than you?"
"Shut up." She glared at me, and for the first time ever, Hazel scared me, so I did as I was told. "Are those scones?" She asked, getting distracted by the tray of baked goods on top of the oven.
"Yes."
"Raspberry jam?"
"Right here." I handed her the jar that was sitting next to the scones, already open.
"Thanks." She grabbed a scone and cut it open, before spreading jam across it. She took a bite, "These are really good! Did you make them?"
"I just told Annabeth what to do."
"Annabeth made these?" She asked, incredibly surprised, earning her a smack on the the arm from the blonde. "Sorry, it's just, you're not a great baker."
"I am now! Percy's been teaching me."
"Oh I bet he has." She said suggestively, earning another smack. "Anyway, back to Frank."
"Yes, Frank. What are you freaking out about?"
"Everything!"
"Specify everything."
"Okay fine, what do I wear?"
"That is the one thing we need Piper for. Next question."
"What am I going to do?"
"Whatever you normally do on dates."
"Yeah but this is Frank. I've liked him for ages, and I like him a hell of a lot more than any of the other guys who have asked me out. Plus he's so hard to read. I can never tell what he's thinking."
"There's a very simple way to solve that."
"What? How?"
"Ask Percy."
"Hm?" I looked up at the mention of my name, having only been vaguely listening to the conversation.
"Has Frank said anything to you about Hazel?"
"Oh! Um, yeah."
"Well? What has he said?"
"That he liked her a lot, and that he never knew what to say to her, and that he didn't know how he was ever going to get up the courage to ask her out." A feeling I know only too well.
"He said he liked me a lot?" Hazel said in surprise, joy on her face.
"Oh he likes you more than just a lot."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Great! Is the freakout over?" Annabeth asked, grabbing her friend by the shoulders.
"No I-"
"Awesome! I'm glad you're feeling better about it! I'll talk to you later Hazel!" She drowned the brunette's protests out, steering her out of the kitchen. "Bye!" She pushed her through the door, and slammed it shut, before leaning against it. "Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it." I laughed, it was fun.
"So what were you going to say before Hazel appeared?" Crap. She heard that? I can't tell her now! I've lost all of my confidence!
"I uh...can't remember."
"Oh okay. Well, what do you wanna do now?"
"I'm not sure - what do you want to do?"
"We could...play a game?"
"What kind of game?" I asked, the only games I've played in this apartment are spin the bottle and truth or dare, so forgive me for not jumping at the opportunity to play another.
Sensing my tension, she laughed. "Relax, I mean a board game."
"Oh, uh, sure!" I sighed in relief, boardgames are good.
"Let's go then!" Annabeth grabbed a couple of scones and chucked them on a plate, before grabbing the jam and walking out of the room. I followed her and sat down on the sofa as she grabbed a game from the cabinet that the TV sits on. "Is the Game of Life alright?"
"Of course."
"Cool." She dumped the box on the coffee table and started setting the game up, humming as she did.
I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me
I'm only one call away
She has a beautiful voice, but I don't recognise the lyrics. "What's that song called?" I asked curiously, since I've never heard it before.
"Um, it doesn't really have a name."
"What?"
"I wrote it." She said shyly, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Do you remember how I said I always wanted to be a songwriter, but I was never any good at it? Well, yesterday, after hearing your song, I was sort of...motivated I suppose, and I came up with that." She explained, trying to downplay it.
"It's really good."
"It's fine, you don't have to-"
"No I mean it, it's amazing."
"Yeah well, it's not like anything will ever come of it. It's not like I can write music, or even anymore lyrics." She shrugged, as she separated out the game cards.
"I can help you, if you want."
"What?" She looked up, confusion evident in her expression.
"I mean, I could help you write the song." I offered, hoping she would say yes and that I didn't just make a fool of myself.
"Wow, yeah, thanks Percy, that would be really fun."
"Cool, so next time you're at mine or something so you want to work on it?"
"Definitely." She smiled, "Anyway, I finished setting up the game, what coloured car do you want?"
"Blue."
"Okay, I'm yellow. College or career path?"
"College, they always get higher paying jobs."
"True. Right, you can go first, spin the wheel thingy." I did as I was told, then moved my car forward seven spaces.
"Your turn." I watched her take her turn, before something occurred to me. "So what was your inspiration?"
"What do you mean?"
"For your song. I always have inspiration, something to write about. What was yours?"
"Oh, well, it was...you, actually."
"Me?" What does she mean me? I don't see myself as particularly inspiring - I'm just a broke college student.
"It was kind of your mum's speech, how she said that you guys have been through a lot together. And your song, and how it was all about support and whatnot. That's what the lyrics I wrote are about - how you can always call me if you ever need someone to talk to, or if you're ever feeling depressed again." She looked down and shook her head, "It's stupid really."
"No it's not." I put my hand over hers. "Thank you, it...it means a lot." This just makes me like her even more. I'm going to tell her. Soon. Not today. But soon.
"You're welcome. But anyway, it's your shot." She said, pulling her hand away to organise her money. I was about to spin the wheel, but the front door opened and I looked up.
"Hey guys!" Piper said, walking into the apartment with Jason behind her.
"Hi Piper!" Annabeth greeted her friend, before yelling, "Hazel! Piper's back!"
"Piper!" Hazel came sprinting out of her room. "Frank asked me out!"
"Seriously?" Piper said, grabbing Hazel's hands.
"Yes!"
"Woohoo!" She laughed happily, jumping up and down with Hazel.
"Hey Jason." I waved to my cousin, who was still standing by the door.
"Hi Perce. What are you guys doing?"
"Playing the Game of Life."
"Oooh can I join? I love that game!"
"Sure, we've only just started."
"Awesome. Pipes, wanna play?"
"Sure!" She smiled, letting go of Hazel. "Can I be the green car?"
"But I want to be the green car!" Jason whined, sitting on a beanbag next to the table.
"Tough, you can be the pink one."
"Hmph." Jason crossed his arms and sank into his seat, a frown on his face.
"Hazel do you want to play too?" Annabeth asked, looking up at Hazel.
"Nah I'm fine, I've got homework to get back to anyway."
"But it's a holiday, why do you have homework?"
"Because Ms. Khione is a frosty ass bitch."
"Truer words have never been spoken." Piper agreed, sitting down. "Have fun!"
"I won't!" Hazel grimaced, walking back to her room.
"So," Piper began, spinning the wheel, "Percy, Annabeth, any news to report?" She eyed me suspiciously, making me nervous. What news is she talking about? Is this her way of asking if I've confessed to Annabeth yet?
"No..." I replied, hoping she wouldn't say anything else in front of Annabeth. Piper slumped her shoulders, whereas Jason broke out in a grin. Why is he happy? Doesn't he want me to ask Annabeth out? Maybe the 'news' Piper wants to hear is something different. "Your shot Jason."
That's the end! I would have gotten this up yesterday, but it wasn't finished yesterday, so yeah. Thank you to MANation for the suggestion to have Percy and Annabeth sing a duet! Also, I know, so many of you have suggested songs, and I haven't used them, but it's hard to use all of them, and I heard One Call Away for like, the first time in forever today and just had to use it. But, there is something coming up where I should be able to use some more of your songs, hopefully. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter, please review!
Replies to Reviews:
ya6789: Awesome! Glad you liked the chapter!
SuperPotatoMan: Estelle's my favourite character too!
Krutarth: Thank you! I'm happy you found it so funny.
Kaden Flores: I love all the songs you suggested, and Perfect is definitely going to get used, I already know when. I'm glad you love the story so much!
DaughterofBlueFood: I'm glad you found it so funny!
NoAccount: Thanks!
MANation: No problem! I hate stories like that - there's one fanfic than I love so much, but it's been like a year since it was last updated. There is definitely going to be a girls/guys night post-confession, I'm super excited to write it. I've never heard that song, but I do love Owl City, and I love their song Fireflies. I haven't exactly been going for a 'style' with Percy, (at least, not intentionally) I just use whatever songs I like, so hopefully I can use that one. Thanks for the other songs too, hopefully I can include them. Once again, thanks for the duet idea, I already had in my head that they would sing something together at some point, I already have the plan for that, but you gave me the idea for them to write a song together, so thank you.
Carrot Lord: I'm glad you liked the chapters, and don't worry, I'm in love with a load of fictional characters too :-) Lol yes I know, I could never make that decision as fast as Annabeth did, I'm pretty much the most indecisive person on the planet. I hope you liked the Percy embarrassing!
dodoking666: Something's happening soon, don't you worry!
MaddieJackson: I'm glad you liked it.
LukeBoy23: No problem! I'm glad you liked the song.
SeaMaster: I'm happy you found it so funny!
Pandas Are Squishy: Oh my God yes, parents can be so annoying, my mum never keeps anything secret! I'm glad you like the songs, hope you liked this chapter!
Leo070909: Thank you so much!
LeobadboyValdez0: Yeah it's great! :-)
KotlcFAN: Thanks!
Banana: Thank you!