If you asked Annabeth Chase why she smiled when Percy Jackson entered the room, she'd say that it's because of his stupidity.

If you asked her why her cheeks got red when he teased her, she'd say that it's because he's annoying.

If you asked her why she stares at him at times, she'd say that it's because she's thinking about the best way to prank him.

If you asked her why she had followed him into this particular coffee shop, she wouldn't be able to answer.

She had caught a glimpse at him as he walked around the corner and into the coffee shop. She had been automatically drawn to follow him, you know, just to make sure he didn't do anything reckless, obviously.

His jet black hair was as messy as usual.

When she walked into the coffee shop, she didn't know what to do. Should she just say hi? After all, Percy was her best friend. They'd been best friends since third grade. Or should she pretend not to have seen him? Or-

"Hey," a familiar voice to her left said. Looks like he'd already decided for her.

"Percy!" she said, hugging him and trying to sound like she hadn't seen him walking in. His green eyes were practically sparkling. "What're you doing here?"

He looked down at his coffee he'd just bought, then back at her. "Um, getting a coffee..?"

"Oh, right, obviously," she said, her cheeks turning red.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, checking his watch. "Aren't you usually at the library at this time?"

"Yeah," she said, "but I came to get a drink. It's kinda chilly outside today. The library's right around the corner anyways."

He nodded and smiled. He sat down at a table to the far right of the shop as Annabeth ordered her drink.

When she had her hot chocolate in hand, she went to sit down across from Percy.

"So," he asked. "May I ask why you refuse to drink coffee?"

She sighed. Did she really have to explain it all over again? "Because Seaweed Brain, it's bad for your health. It gives you energy for an hour or so, and then that energy goes away. So then, you'll want more because the energy feels good. And then soon enough, your body will be so used to the amount you usually have, that it won't be effective anymore and you'll need more caffeine in your body to spark the effect of energy in your body. And soon enough, you'll need more and more and more and more. It's a never-ending cycle! You're wasting money for an hour's worth of energy instead of just working out or eating healthy. It's absolutely ridiculous!"

When she looked up, he was smiling.

"What?" Annabeth asked.

"Nothing," he replied. "You're just cute when you talk about boring things."

She slapped his arm. "It's useful information, you know."

"Yeah, whatever," he said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm serious!" she said. "Knowledge is important."

"You're the smart one," he teased, "so I'll bet whatever you say is accurate."

She slapped him again, and he laughed.

"Okay, okay fine," Percy apologized, putting his hands into a surrendering position. "It is useful information and I will pay attention to the amount of caffeine I consume."

"That's better," she said, taking a sip of her hot chocolate. The warmth of the drink felt good.

Percy looked outside. Annabeth followed his gaze. Fall had just begun and the weather was getting colder by the day. The trees were somewhat losing their leaves.

"Can I take a sip of that?" he asked, eyeing her drink.

"I dunno, can you?" she asked, teasing. His eyes were dancing with excitement. Yikes. the caffeine was kicking in.

"Yes I can," he said, yanking the cup out of her hand.

"Hey!" she complained. He took a sip and set the cup back down.

"Ahh," he said, taking in the peaceful warmth of the drink.

"You're an idiot," Annabeth stated.

"I know."

She rolled her eyes. Seaweed Brain, she thought.

When she took another sip of her hot chocolate, Percy gasped.

"What? What is it, Percy?" she asked, worried.

"We technically just kissed," he said, pointing at the cup.

After a few moments, he said, "Why aren't you gasping? Why aren't you punching me? Are you okay? Usually, you would've punched me by now."

Thinking, am I really about to do this? she said, "what's so bad if we kissed?"

She looked down, embarrassed. Why was she so stupid sometimes? She didn't even know if he liked her as more than a friend. When she looked back up at him, he smiled. He leaned across the table and kissed her, for real this time. "You know," he said, turning red, "I've wanted to do that since sixth grade."

"But you were too much of a chicken?" she said, after getting over the initial shock of him kissing her.

"Hey! I am not a chicken."

Imitating a chicken, she went, "Bock, bock, bock."

Percy kissed her again to shut her up. And it worked.

Today, if you asked Annabeth Chase why she smiled when Percy Jackson entered the room, she'd say that it's because she loves the sight of him.

Today, if you asked her why her cheeks got red when he teased her, she'd say that it's because he makes her blush like crazy.

Today, if you asked why she stares at him at times, she'd say that it's because she's absolutely and hopelessly in love with him.

Today, if you asked her why she had followed him into the coffee shop, she wouldn't be able to answer, but she would say that it was the best decision she's ever made.

percabeth is the ultimate ship and no one can change my mind. :)

if you're reading this, thank you so much, I LOVE YOUUUU

-k