I tried updating last night, but in the last two days I read a book series (The Mediator-six books) and my brain is fried. I finished with it yesterday (great series-hot guys, humor, drama, and romance) and I was so tired and loopy (like I said, fried brain), it was really hard to focus on anything. But, after about twelve hours of sleep, I feel refreshed!

You will all hate me for this chapter. I can (almost) guarantee it. Yup, Rachel's in this one, but it's the last time she'll be medling with Percy and Annabeth.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO!

Shocking Sights Can Cause Heartaches

"Annabeth?"

Silence.

"Annabeth, please let me talk to you."

"Go away."

Percy sighed from outside Annabeth's room. He was still wet from his quick swim, and he was dripping onto the carpet, creating a small puddle around his feet.

After Annabeth had gotten out of the tank at the carnival, she had stomped home, leaving a trail of water on the sidewalk and leaving Percy with Rachel. He had ditched Rachel and ran home to find Annabeth locked in her room.

And so now, he was trying to get her out so he could apologize (even though it really wasn't his fault).

"Look, I'm sorry—"

"It's not your fault, Percy," Annabeth cut in. "This is all Rachel's fault. All she does is flirt with you, even though you're engaged."

"But this isn't a real engagement…"

Annabeth bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from saying something stupid.

"Annabeth, are you jealous of Rachel?"

She felt herself get mad, even though, truth be told, she was a bit jealous. "Why would I be jealous of some frizzy, red-head idiot?"

Percy remained silent. Why was he disappointed about her answer? Why did he want her to be jealous of Rachel? It was really weird, and it only confused him greatly.

He heard her sigh. "Percy, I just want to be alone for a while."

Percy just said "okay" and then he went into the living room and sat on the couch despite his wet apparel.

Are you in love with Annabeth?

That damn question popped in his head again, angering him slightly. How could he be in love with Annabeth? How could you fall in love with someone after only two months?

Besides, she was stubborn and sarcastic and witty and smart and beautiful…

Dammit all!

No, Percy thought stubbornly. I'm not in love with her, and that's it!

The weekend passed by and things only got even worse between the two. Annabeth fell into a sort of tense/snappy state. Whenever Percy tried to talk to her, she just brushed him off or snapped at him. Percy tried to be nice to her so he could figure out what was going on, but he was confused himself about his own feelings. So, to sum it all up, the two tried to stay away from each other.

Then Monday came, and it was back to work. They were going to work with Mike and Poseidon today, which only made it worse on their part.

After getting ready in the morning, the two got a cab that would take them to Swanson Architectural Company. In the cab, it was tense as hell. The cab driver was aware of it and he was mildly afraid they would break out into a fight. He was relieved when they arrived at their destination unscathed.

The two stepped into the building, and it seemed like everyone was aware of the tension between them because they steered clear of them. It was kind of like the first day they started working together after they found out they were engaged: they tried to keep the talking to a minimum, and they really just wanted be by themselves.

For Annabeth, it was Rachel that was bothering her. She obviously wasn't trying to be "just friends." Annabeth could tell Rachel was trying to get him back. Anyone could see that. Except for Percy.

Percy was more or less dwelling on his feelings right now. He was trying to figure out what he was feeling, because it was definitely not love. No, it had to be something else. But what?

The two stepped into the elevator, and the awkward silence ensued when the doors shut. It felt like the tension between them was being trapped inside the elevator, making it more evident.

Percy sighed. "Annabeth—"

Percy didn't get a chance to say what he wanted to say because the doors opened and she abruptly walked away from him. Percy blinked and sighed again, only this time it was done in anger. He followed her into Mike's office, where he and Poseidon were waiting.

Right away, the two older men noticed how Annabeth glared at anything and everything and Percy's angry expression. They exchanged worried glances. They felt like they could just whip out a pocket knife and cut the anxiety between them because it was so obvious. They didn't even make an attempt to seem fine, and that was bad.

"Uh," Poseidon started. "Are you guys alright?"

"Perfect," Annabeth snapped.

Poseidon swallowed. Well this is going to be a fun day…

After a few hours of working (more like suggesting something, glaring, writing it down, glaring some more, and snapping at someone), they decided to take a lunch break.

When Annabeth and Percy left, Mike sighed. "Thank God," he said. "I thought I was going to choke on the anger between them."

"Yeah…" Poseidon mumbled, staring out the window. "But the question is why are they angry at each other?"

"I bet it had something to do with Rachel."

"You're probably right."

"So what do we do?"

Poseidon sighed. "Honestly, I don't think there's anything we can do. I think they have to sort this one out on their own."

"And what if they can't? What if they end up hating each other for the rest of their lives?"

"Then…our plan goes to waste."

"I'm going to meet up with Thalia and Luke," Annabeth announced to Percy before starting to walk down the street.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Percy protested, grabbing her wrist and spinning her around. "You can't just write me off like that."

She glared at him. "Let go of me, Percy."

"Not until you tell me why you're so angry today."

"I already told you yesterday."

"This is still about Rachel?"

"So what? And what's up with you today? Why are you acting like a complete asshole?"

Percy clamped his mouth shut. He wasn't about to admit that he was having a serious 'what am I feeling?' crisis.

The two continued to stare each other down as Annabeth waited for Percy to answer, but he never did.

She rolled her eyes. "You can't even tell me why you're mad, and yet you're yelling at me?" She shook her head and yanked her wrist out of his grip. "I'll see you later, Percy."

Percy growled in frustration and turned to stomp back into the building. He got a few scared and worried glances from workers and secretaries. He went to the elevator and punched the button with more force than was necessary.

That woman…He growled again. She just knows how to rub me the wrong way.

Annabeth walked down the street, her heels clicking against the sidewalk. She actually wasn't going to see Thalia and Luke. She just wanted to get away from Percy. Heck, anywhere was better than being with Percy right now. So maybe she loved him, but right now he was annoying as hell.

Annabeth decided to just grab a cookie and a coffee from the coffee shop down the block. She sat down in a booth and sighed. She actually was curious to know why Percy was acting strange today. Plus, it was weird how he shut up like a clam when they had their little fight earlier.

She sighed again. Damn, things were getting complicated.

Annabeth went back to work about fifteen minutes later and found Mike, Poseidon, and Percy waiting for her in the office. Percy glared at her when she walked in, and Annabeth glared back with equal force.

The four continued to work, but they didn't get very far because Percy and Annabeth kept fighting over stupid things like "that's a dumb idea" and "why put it out that far?" It was really time consuming when they had their spats, and Poseidon could only worry more while Mike sighed.

Finally, after many hours of "hard" work, the four called it a day.

Meanwhile, Percy quickly went downstairs to use the copy machine so he could make a few copies of an important paper. After getting his copies, Percy went to the elevator, but when they opened, he found himself face to face with Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

Goddamn…he thought. It's like she's stalking me…

"Rachel? What are you doing here?" he asked, a hint of anger marring his voice.

"I came to talk to you," she replied as he stepped into the elevator.

"About what?"

"Annabeth."

Percy immediately became defensive. "What about her?"

"I just think she overreacted to the whole water thing on Saturday."

"Um, you pushed her into a tank of water. I think she has a right to be mad."

Rachel sighed. "I really miss your sarcasm, Percy."

Percy shifted uncomfortably. "Uh…"

She suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck. "I really want you back, Percy."

"Rachel, I've told you before—"

He was cut off by her lips on his. He was too shocked to do anything at first, but then when he did want to do something, it was too late.

The elevator dinged open, and standing before the doors was Annabeth.

She looked up in shock. Sadness washed over her like a hurricane and it felt like someone just punched her in the gut.

Percy shoved Rachel away. "Annabeth, it's not what it looks like!"

"I'll just…take the stairs…" Annabeth mumbled pathetically. She quickly turned and rushed towards the stairs, wiping away the few tears that had fallen.

"Dammit, Rachel!" Percy growled. He quickly left to follow Annabeth, missing the way Rachel smirked at his retreating form.

"Annabeth! Wait!" he yelled running down the stairs, two steps at a time. When he got out of the stairwell, he saw Annabeth rushing outside. "Annabeth!" he yelled again.

He caught up to her outside. He snagged her around the waist. "Annabeth, stop!"

"Percy, leave me alone!" she yelled back, struggling to get free from his grip. Tears dripped down her face slowly.

"Listen to me! It's not what it seems like!"

"What, like she really didn't have her tongue shoved down your throat? Don't lie to me, Percy!"

"She forced herself on me!"

"You didn't even try to fight her off!"

Annabeth finally shoved him off. "If you want to be with her, Percy, fine. Go ahead. But don't lie to me in the process," she demanded, her voice trembling. Percy was shocked to hear this. Did she really think he wanted Rachel over her?

"Annabeth—!"

"Whatever, Percy. I don't even care. For once, just leave. Me. Alone."

She stomped away, rubbing her eyes, and Percy, feeling helpless like the world was crashing down on him, stood there on the sidewalk, watching her walk away.

So do you hate me or what?

I realized something a few minutes ago...for the sequel, my guess is it won't come out for a while. I want to have it all written out before I post anything. It's the same thing I did with this story (I told you guys everything was written out, but I don't think anyone was listening to me...D:) and that took me a couple months, and with school starting in a month, it's going to be a little tricky to get it written out. All I'm saying is: don't expect the sequel to come out so soon.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor's to get my physical, and I can't even explain to you how much I wished it was Carlisle Cullen checking me. Sigh.

Anyways, REVIEW please. Try not to be too harsh...for my mental stability's sake...

-raises pillow as shield-

-Akatsuki Child