Chapter 11: Happiness

Author's Note: Alrightyyyyy so I know I haven't updated in literally a month, and it's not even update day. I apologize for my hiatus, but I just got really busy. Winter break is rolling around soon, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to write more. Also, I would like to mention that Jason curses a lot. We're also getting into Percy and Annabeth's relationship a bit more than before because we've got the mental situation a bit more figured out more. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

The purpose of our lives is to be happy - Dalai Lama

They managed to meander back to the house. When they got to the door, they hesitated. What now? Annabeth wondered. They were holding hands, but relationships went further than that. People kissed, and did corny relationship stuff. Like feeding each other bites of their food. Annabeth always cringed when people did that.

But then the thought abruptly changed. They weren't even in a relationship. Why would Annabeth even think of that? She chided herself, it doesn't go any further than this. This is where it ends.

She took a deep breath, let go of his hand, and opened the door. Inside was absolute chaos. People were screaming and yelling. Annabeth could clearly see a bunch of people she didn't know.

Some of the people were sitting on the couch and others were just up and walking around. The TV was loudly blaring a Christmas movie. And it was just a little early because they hadn't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet. Annabeth swore she saw food flying around. Walking in a little further, she saw Piper, Jason, and Thalia on the couch. On the floor, the pale boy was leaning against the wall looking bored. Annabeth also saw the two girls with Percy from earlier were sitting on the floor whispering.

She felt a little intimidated to walk in with all the people, but Percy headed in, so Annabeth went too. They looked around for a place to sit, but before Annabeth got the chance to sit down she saw a look from Thalia. Percy sat down on the couch, next to Jason and Piper.

She mumbled a goodbye to Percy. "I'll see you later Percy, I need to talk to someone." Then Thalia came over and dragged her away.

"What's going on with you and him?" Thalia asked, heading towards the kitchen.

"We just…" Annabeth trailed off.

Thaila gave her a knowing look but said nothing. Annabeth knew he was probably having an internal battle with herself, figuring out how to react. They said nothing for a few minutes, both of them standing, leaning against the wall.

"You guys don't even have that much history, why are you so against it?"

Thalia didn't respond, and Annabeth sighed exasperatedly. "Fine don't respond."

"Wait I just-"

"Who are you to be meddling in my relationships anyway." Annabeth scoffed.

"Annie, wait!"

"Don't call me Annie! I told you to stop."

"Annabeth, I'm-" Then Thalia stopped. "I'll see you later," she muttered.

Annabeth pursed her lips and fiddled with the hair tie around her wrist. A few moments later she heard footsteps approaching.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Hm?" Annabeth removed her hands to see who was talking to her. "Yeah I'm doing fine, me and Thals just got into a fight. It happens sometimes with us."

"You guys are best friends right?"

"Yeah? How'd you know?" Annabeth asked.

"Just a hunch."

Piper moved past Annabeth to get some food. Annabeth looked at it all, and her mouth watered. Buttered popcorn, chips, soda, and some vegetables. Movie food.

"Do you know if we are watching a movie?"

"I think so. That's why Jason invited us all here."

"Oh."

Annabeth had forgotten the last time, she watched a movie. It felt like a different life. She had been fifteen, her family and Thalia were all on the couch waiting for the movie to start. Her dad dimmed the lights and the movie started playing. Her brother had picked Home Alone since it was Christmas. It was a classic, and Annabeth loved it. It was the last movie they watched as a family. After that Christmas, was when things started changing. Her mother became cold and distant, and she started to hear arguing. They weren't home as much and they started to drift apart.

She grabbed a plate and started to put some potato chips and carrots on it. Her brother and her had still been close until the actual divorce. Her mom had taken her brother, she was stuck with her dad. She wasn't exactly sure who got the short end of the stick. How was her brother?

In her thoughts walking back, she tripped over the carpet. Her carrots and chips fly off the plate and onto the floor.

"Oh geez," she muttered. Then Annabeth heard a shout from the back of the room.

"You're such a klutz Annabeth!" Jason shouted.

Annabeth was about to tell him to shut up but Piper beat her to it.

"You best shut your mouth Jason Grace, or we'll be having issues!" Piper hollered back at him.

Percy stood up, but then sat back down. Whenever he was in the room, Annabeth became hyper-aware of his presence. Any small movement that was made, Annabeth noticed. What Annabeth didn't know is that Jason and Percy were having a conversation about her.

"Don't bother. She already has help." Jason told Percy. Jason pointed to Piper helping Annabeth pick them up.

"Do you know her?" Percy asked. Jason's eyes were still fixed forward on the TV as the blared Christmas music, a little too loud for Percy's taste.

"Yeah, of course. She's my sister's friend." Jason responded. He paused for a moment then turned towards Percy. "Why do you care?"

Another moment passed, then a look of realization hit Jason.

"Oh bro, you're fucked"

"Why..?"

"Well, let's see. In short, she hates everybody, and wants them to fuck off."

Jason grabbed the pitcher off the table next to the couch and poured himself a refill of lemonade.

Sure enough, Annabeth was headed in their direction. She stopped in front of Jason, looked him in the eye, and declared to him.

"Jason, you are a piece of shit." Annabeth then proceeded to plop down next to Percy.

Percy smirked and went back to selectively picking at the potato chips trying to decide which ones were the best.

So the blue eyed boy and Annabeth weren't dating. But she liked someone that wasn't Percy. Then why did she accept his offer to walk, and hold hands with him? Percy had given Annabeth every opportunity to reject him if him, and didn't. It made Percy's head hurt just thinking about it. Percy was interrupted by a small hand on his plate of chips. He didn't have to look at the face to know that it was Annabeth's hand.

"Hey, those are mine," Percy pouted.

"I dropped mine on the floor! Be a gentleman and share some with me, I promise I won't eat many." Annabeth told him.

Percy begrudgingly agreed, and let her have some. She kept her promise. She didn't eat many. Every so often her hand would snake over and take one single chip from the plate. Percy thought it was strange and was willing to offer her some more. But she didn't take more.

The movie wore on, and as people started to get tired they sat down and actually paid attention. As Percy grew tired, he didn't feel the weight on his shoulder. He turned his head and almost hit Annabeth in the head with his chin. Her head was gently perched atop Percy's shoulder.