I'm sorry for the hiatus everyone. I've been super busy with my play ending and softball season starting up, and the quarter ending and homework being relentless and clubs and this sentence is so grammatically incorrect it's ridiculous but that's okay. But don't worry! Things are calmer now and I'm on spring break right now, so I should be able to get back on a normal schedule. And I will be using spring break to catch up so stay tuned. ;). Now... without further ado...

Annabeth POV

"Seaweed Brain... are you wearing makeup?" Annabeth asked as she sat down across from Percy at their usual table in the library. It was 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, and they were meeting for the final time for their project. Annabeth's eyebrows shot in the air as soon as she saw him.

He had put foundation all over his face to cover up the bruises, but if you looked hard enough, you could still catch the green around his jaw and eye. He had on a white shirt with a printed collar and tie on it. She assumed it was the most formal thing he ownded. She had to give him credit for caring and destroying his manhood in the process. He had even colored on a mustache with eyeliner.

"Why, yes indeed Wise Girl," Percy replied, smirking at her and leaning forward in his seat.

"May I ask why?" she said, also leaning on the table, smirking.

"Well Nikola Tesla certaintly didn't have bruises on his jaw, now did he?" he smirked. "I figured I should look as convincing as possible."

"Ah. Well that must explain the hair then," she smirked as she leaned forward to touch it.

Percy quickly leaned back and gently touched his hair to make sure it was still intact.

"Careful! This took me like thirty minutes this morning!" he exlaimed.

His hair was on a whole new level. It was obvious that he had taken great care to make it exactly like Tesla's. He parted his hair right down the middle and gelled it until it had the consistency of cement.

Annabeth couldn't look at him without busting out laughing. It was funnier to her how different he looked and how when she first met him, she could have bet a million dollars that Percy would never act like the guy who sat before her.

"Alright I've let you have your laugh Wise Girl," Percy pretended to twirl his 'mustache'. "Now ask me your first question as I'm very busy with inventing electricity and beating Edison and other things."

By the time they had finished, it was 3:00 and raining. They had walked out to the parking lot, and Percy began to look around the parking lot.

"What? You didn't drive?" he asked.

"Well it was a nice day when I left, so I figured I would walk. I guess that wasn't such a good idea."

Percy gave a small laugh and put his hand out in front of him. "Well, lead the way."

"What? No, Percy it's fine. I can walk home by myself," Annabeth said a bit sternly.

"Hmm. Yes I'm quite sure you can. It looks as if you have two working legs, though I could be mistaken," he put his hand under his chin and began to stroke his jaw in a thinking motion.

Annabeth held a straight face for as long as she could, which didn't prove to be very long. Despite her efforts, she laughed and rolled her eyes.

"After you," Percy said as he once again put his hand out in front of him and bowed slightly.

"You're so full of it, Jackson," Annabeth smiled as she walked past him in the direction of her house.

She felt Percy's presence next to her, and she looked up to see him smiling down at her. The rain was starting to make his makeup run and his hair become more normal. He absentmindedly pushed a hand through his hair and when it fell back to his side, it brushed against her own hand. She felt her face heat up and she quickly looked in the other direction and grabbed ahold of the straps of her backpack.

"I love the rain," Percy said after an awkard silence.

"Ugh. I hate the rain. It gives me a headache," Annabeth replied.

"But it smells and tastes oh so good." Percy dipped his head back and stuck his tongue out.

Annabeth snickered and held her hand out to catch some raindrops. "Yeah, but you get drenched. Even my socks get wet, and I hate wet socks."

"Well I don't think anyone necessarily enjoys wet socks," Percy remarked with his face still facing the sky.

"So why do you like the rain then?" Annabeth asked, watching as his tongue slowly retreated back into his mouth and he looked down at her.

"Well, I like the sound of raindrops hitting my window. And I like how it feels when the drops slowly hit my skin until I'm drenched but it doesn't really feel like it, you know? Like I know my skin's wet but since everything else is wet too, I feel dry." Percy shrugged and smiled down at Annabeth.

"That makes absolutely no sense," Annabeth laughed, which caused Percy to laugh as well.

"You just need to stand in the rain, close your eyes, and let your mind leave your body."

Percy stopped on the sidewalk and gently grabbed her arm to stop her. Being honest, Percy really didn't need to grab her arm to stop her. She was pretty sure she would have stopped in her tracks if he simply touched her.

"Oh wow. We're doing this now, huh?" Annabeth asked, watching as Percy turned her to face him. He pulled her towards him until they were only a few feet apart. She felt her cheeks begin to heat up again as she stared at him and watched as he stared at her.

"Oh yes. I must teach you, young padawan," Percy smiled and continued, "Now lean your head back slightly and close your eyes."

He did just that, but Annabeth couldn't force her eyes closed. She was entranced by him.

"Are they closed?" he asked without opening his own eyes.

Annabeth took a deep breath before answering, "Yes."

He smiled and continued, "Good. Now, while keeping your eyes closed, tilt your head back until the drops hit your face. Feel the raindrops on your skin. Let your mind slip away from reality."

He paused before asking, "Is it working?"

"Mmhmm," Annabeth mumbled as she watched him. He looked at peace standing there, becoming drenched. Who was this boy standing before her? This boy was the farthest thing from the Percy Jackson she had met on her first day. He was snarky, annoying, and disturbing, but this Percy... well, he was someone she wanted to get to know.

Suddenly, Percy's voice became extremely articulate as he said, "This is your sleeping ASMR."

Annabeth busted out laughing, as did he. He swiped a wet piece of hair from his forehead and began walking again.

"We should probably get going," he said. "It's starting to rain harder."

They walked the last few blocks to her house. Soon, too soon for Annabeth, they were on her front porch. She was surprisingly pleased that her small porch forced them to stand close to each other.

"Thanks for walking me home. You really didn't have to do that," Annabeth said while fidgeting with her hands and her eyes looking everywhere but him. She couldn't explain it, but she was suddenly nervous.

"Of course, Wise Girl. You never know the dangers that lurk in this neighborhood." She could feel his eyes looking at her. She smiled and slowly raised her gaze to his eyes and they stayed like that for a moment.

She saw his hand slowly rise to her face. She definitely had time to pull away, but she found that she didn't want to. Her stomach cinched as his hand inched closer to her face. The moment his callused fingers brushed the skin at her temple, she felt an explosion of butterflies in her stomach.

He gently pushed a wet curl behind her ear and let his hand hestitate near her jaw. Was he going to kiss her? Did she want him to?

Suddenly the front door swung open and Helen stood there.

Percy cleared his throat and his hand shot to the back of his neck. His ears turned a vivid shade of red and he quickly said, "I'll, uh, see you Monday, Wise Girl."

She watched as he walked off her front steps and started down the street.

"Who was that?" Helen asked as she leaned against the door frame, smiling.

"I... I don't know," Annabeth said incredulously. She hastily went inside and up to her room and looked out her window to see Percy at the end of the block.

He was walking towards the next street and almost out of view, but before he rounded the corner, he turned around and looked at her house. She wasn't sure if he could see her, so she gave a small wave. He slowly gave a wave back, and promptly walked out of her sight.

Annabeth sighed and sat by the window, lost in her thoughts. What had just happened? She wasn't sure who this new Percy was, but she found that she desperately wanted him to stay.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed Piper's number.

"Hello?" Piper answered.

"Piper... I, uh, I think I have a crush on Percy Jackson."

Percy POV

Percy couldn't believe what he just did. Was he crazy? He hadn't acted that way since... well since he was 13.

He was about halfway between his house and Annabeth's, which actually weren't that far apart. Why did he touch her hair? She probably thought he was some creep who couldn't control himself. Though, on the other hand, she almost looked like she was going to kiss him before her mom opened the door. He must have read the situation wrong because there's no way she would've done that. She would never voluntarily kiss him, right?

Oh he was so confused. He took a step onto the street and lowered himself onto the curb. He stared at his reflection in the water rushing into the guters.

For the first time in a very, very long time, he finally felt like himself. He had missed the old him. He was torn between being glad that Annabeth brought that part of him back, and being worried about it. He knew this would come back to bite him later, but he couldn't help but grin at the thought of her. She really was just perfect.

She had looked so beautiful, standing there in the rain, he had to really force himself to leave. He could've spent an eternity staring into her eyes, feeling the electricity between them. Surely, she had to have felt it too.

He thought about how much he wanted to march back to her door and kiss her in the rain. Honestly, he would be just fine if he could just hear her voice. Her voice was music to his ears. He wasn't sure how he ever lived without it.

He sat there a little while longer, watching the rain drops pummel his blurred reflection. Eventually, he got up and continued the trek to his house.

When he opened the door, his good mood was immediately washed away. There he was, Smelly Gabe, angrily watching Tv while downing beer after beer. It was clear by the amount of cans on the floor that he was already drunk.

He had heard Percy come in, and he turned towards him. He immediately saw the anger set on his face.

"What are you wearing? Are you trying to make people ask questions?" he roared, standing up.

"It's for a project," Percy said, looking off into the distance.

"A project? I think you need a reminder of who you are," Gabe kept walking until his face was about a foot away from Percy's. While Percy towered a good three inches over him, Gabe didn't seem threatened by him.

Gabe pushed him backwards and began to take his belt off.

"We're gonna try something new. Take off your shirt and turn around," Gabe ordered, sliding his belt off of his pants. Percy stood there for a moment, hesitating.

"Do as I say!" Gabe yelled. Percy scrambled to take his shirt off and turn around. Was he about to whip him?

"You did this to yourself, Prissy," Gabe said. Percy stared at the beige wall while he waited. Gabe had never done this before, and Percy wasn't sure what to expect. If he was honest with himself, he was scared.

He heard the whoosh of air before the leather made contact with his back. He screamed in pain as the leather of the belt smacked his skin. He fell forwards onto his knees and breathed heavily.

"One."

Seconds later there was another whoosh and the Percy cried out once more. His back felt like it was aflame. He could feel his back muscles throbbing and he had to bite his lip so as not to cry. He wouldn't give the bastard the satisfaction.

By the eighth one, Percy could hardly see he was in so much pain. He couldn't feel the individual spot on his back that the belt struck; instead, when it hit, it felt like it hit his entire body. He could feel that his face was wet, but he was pretty sure it was the blood from the lip he was biting.

He heard that damned whoosh and felt the pain of another hit. He cried out and began to see black spots. He felt another lash and everything went dark.

He suddenly felt like he was drowning. He was drowning and he couldn't swim. Why couldn't he swim? He pushed his arms to move him upwards, but he wasn't moving. He saw the calm ripples of water above him, and a light shining down on him. He couldn't hold his breath any longer, and he slowly felt himself sink further and further away from the light.

Suddenly, he saw a hand reach down. He quickly grabbed it, and was pulled out of the water. His head reached the surface and he took an enormous breath. Finally... finally he could breathe.

"There you are Seaweed Brain." Percy looked up and saw Annabeth smiling at him from a dock. Her hair was down, and there was a slight breeze that pushed her curls out of her face. She had a flower crown perched in her hair, which matched her light blue dress.

"Annabeth?" he asked, bewildered, but relieved.

She giggled and responded, "Last time I checked."

He smiled and leaned his elbows on the edge of the dock. She pushed his hair back and he watched as she began to frown.

"What's wrong Percy?" she asked, leaning forwards.

Percy found that he couldn't lie, not to her, not right now. So, instead, he spilled.

"I just wish... I just wish I could be with you. I mean truly be with you, as my true self. Not in this facade that I'm constantly wearing. I just wish I could show you my true self. I think you'd like him. He certainly likes you."

Percy smiled at her and held her hand against his cheek that surprisingly wasn't wet.

"Then just show me," she replied, smiling warmly at him.

"But it's not that easy, you see. Gabe would kill me if I became myself. Too many questions." Percy looked into the distance and let anger slip into his voice.

"Hmm. That's a real predicament," she giggled again and Percy looked at her in surprise. Now that he thought about it, he hasn't heard Annabeth giggle before.

"Annabeth?" he asked, looking at her questioningly.

"But! While you certainly have a problem here. It seems like you know the answer," she said, turning serious once more.

"But I don't," he said, feeling confused.

"What is the one thing that doesn't fit, hmm? What is the one thing that has ruined the life you were supposed to have?"

"Gabe," Percy said immediately.

Annabeth giggled again and touched his nose, "Ding, ding, ding! You win!"

Percy touched his nose gingerly and asked, "This isn't real is it?"

"Oh of course not. But it's fun though, isn't it?" Annabeth smiled down at him and ran her fingers over his jaw.

"Where am I?" Percy asked, starting to become alarmed.

"Just relax. You'll be back in a moment. Just remember, Percy. You can't give up. Don't let Gabe win. He shouldn't get to control your life, Percy. It's your life. So live it. Don't shove down the real you. He needs to breathe too."

"I-" Percy began.

"Just breathe, Percy. Just breathe."

Percy heard her voice begin to fade, and everything became blurry.

"Annabeth?" he called out to her, reaching his hands out to touch her.

Suddenly he woke up laying face down on the floor. He stared at the wooden boards as he heard Gabe tell him to get up. Percy took a breath and slowly rose to his feet. His back felt like it was on fire, and he thought he might scream. Right when he thought he was about to sink back down to his knees, he heard Annabeth's soft voice tell him, "Breathe."

He set his face and rose to his feet, facing Gabe. He held his chin up high and used his height to his advantage.

"You're weak," Gabe spat.

Percy stood stoically silent as he stared at Gabe with as much hatred as he could muster. He wasn't going to be afraid of this sad little man any longer.

"Get me a beer and get out of my sight." Gabe went and sat down in his chair.

Percy slowly walked to the fridge and dropped the beer in his hand before slowly climbing the stairs. When he got there, he laid in his bed on his stomach. He stared at his closet where his fake clothes were. He reached under his bed and pulled out a box. His mom had gotten him a blue hoodie every year since Gabe showed up, hoping he would change back to his old self.

He took out the most recent one and hung it on his closet door. He laid back on his bed and stared at it.

He decided that he was done. He was done being Gabe's play thing, and he was done being someone he wasn't. Though he had a new resolve, he knew he couldn't change completely. He couldn't be who he wanted to be just yet. Soon, but not yet.

And if it was the last thing he would do, he would make Gabe pay for everything he had put him through.

Wowza that was intense. Lots of stuff going on in this chapter. Yay for Percy though, am I right? Please review and let me know what you think of Percy's new attitude XD.