Hey guys! Thanks for all the favs and follows! I'm so glad that people like this. Here's a new chapter, it's a little shorter than the last one, but this is more of a filler chapter. But don't worry, the next chapter will have another letter and some more fluff. I got a review asking about my update schedule. Well, any schedule I set might change once school starts, but for now, I'll try to update once a week.
Now, enough of me talking (writing?), enjoy the story!
"Hey, so are you coming to the study session today? Because I need to know if you want me to drop you off at your house or not," Percy asked. His eyes flickered over to look at her before looking back at the road.
Annabeth turned to him with a frown before realization flashed across her face. Right, the study session. She almost completely forgot.
"Oh yeah, we can head straight to the library. I brought my laptop with me to school so I have everything I need," Annabeth replied.
"Cool," Percy nodded. "Are you going to come to Aunty Em's after? We were planning to get dinner there."
Annabeth shrugged, "Sure, why not. We haven't been to Aunty Em's in forever."
A few minutes later, Percy pulled into the library parking lot. The two exited the car and walked up to the building. Piper, Jason, and Leo were waiting inside.
"Hey, guys!" Piper waved them over and rushed forward to hug Annabeth. "I'm so glad you decided to come, Annabeth! We haven't hung out in forever."
Annabeth returned the hug with a smile, "Hey Pipes. But remember, this is a study session, not just an excuse to hang out."
Piper pulled back from the hug and winked, "Right, of course."
Annabeth fondly rolled her eyes before saying hi to Jason and Leo.
"Where's Thalia?" Percy asked, looking around for their punk friend.
Jason shrugged, "She said she was on her way. I guess she's running late."
They decided to go set up at their usual table and wait for Thalia. In the meantime, the gang caught up with each other, school has been so busy recently that this is the first time they all got to hang out (outside of lunch) in weeks.
Annabeth tried to stay engaged in the conversation, but her mind kept wandering back to the love letter she found in her locker.
It sent her mind reeling. How could she have a secret admirer? It's not like she knew anyone with a crush on her. And it wasn't like any guys had tried to approach her, she gave off a don't-come-near-me-or-I'll-skewer-you vibe to most people. At least, that's what Piper told her.
And what should she do? Her heart had been set on Percy for the last 4 years. She couldn't see herself moving on to a new guy any time soon. And even if she gave this secret admirer a chance, it wouldn't be fair to date someone when you had lingering feelings for someone else would it?
Maybe she should write him back and explain how she just wasn't ready for a relationship with another guy right now…
But then would she be giving up her only chance to find a guy who actually wants to date her?
She needed to get a second opinion…
Just then, the library doors opened to a panting Thalia who rushed over to their table. "Sorry guys! I was busy with some after-school stuff and lost track of time," she rushed out before plopping down in a seat next to Annabeth.
"Shush!" A young woman, probably part of the library staff, shushed Thalia as her loud entrance had caught the attention of quite a few library patrons. Thalia just flipped her off behind her back and smiled at the group. "So, what are we up to?"
"Well," Piper said, "We were about to start quizzing each other for midterms." She laid out some premade flashcards for their shared Physics class.
Thalia smirked, "Aha! I already took Physics so I don't have to worry about that anymore," she said triumphantly.
"Yes, but you still have just as many midterms to study for as the rest of us Miss Senior," Annabeth remarked. Thalia shrugged, "Yeah, that's true. But junior year is no joke. Some say it's the most difficult year of high school."
Piper snorted, "Ain't that the truth. I have four midterms all on the same day, which is ridiculous because they're supposed to be scheduled so that doesn't happen! I think my teachers just hate me."
Jason rubbed her shoulder in sympathy, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "Don't worry. I think they hate us all."
That made the whole table laugh before they decided to officially start the study session. Jason and Leo were studying for their Engineering class, Leo quizzing Jason as he was the best student in the class. Thalia and Annabeth were studying for their shared Organic Chemistry class while Percy and Piper proofread each other's English essays.
After a little while, Annabeth finally gathered up the courage to talk to Thalia about the secret admirer. She shuffled the flashcards in her hands before speaking softly, "Uh, hey, Thals?" she asked.
Thalia raised an eyebrow at her, confused about why Annabeth wouldn't meet her eyes. "Yes?" she asked, stretching out the word a little.
Annabeth glared at her a little but continued, "I, um, I found something at my locker… and I wanted to… talk to you about it." Annabeth said slowly with a meaningful glance at her friend.
Thalia nodded slowly, "Okay... then let's talk."
"Uh… I actually wanted to talk in a more... private setting." Annabeth's voice lilted up at the end of her sentence. Thalia nodded in understanding, "Ah, I see."
Thalia stood up suddenly and smiled at the group, "I need to use the bathroom, I'll be right back." She turned and aimed a wink at Annabeth before walking off.
After a few minutes of pretending to study her notes, Annabeth stood up as well, the squeak of her chair being pushed back causing the table to look up as they were once again distracted from their studying.
"Sorry," Annabeth smiled apologetically, "I just need to get a book, I'll be right back." And with that, she walked off wandering through the bookshelves until she got a text from Thalia.
Thals: Right behind you…
Annabeth turned around to see Thalia waving at her, a bookshelf away. She smiled and made a "come hither" motion with her finger. Annabeth rolled her eyes at her friend's antics but walked forward all the same.
Thalia chose a good spot for their talk, both of their forms were hidden from the view of the table, and far enough away from anyone that they shouldn't be heard. Plus, the books there were actually on Organic Chemistry so if anyone from their table walked by, they could easily pretend to have stopped there to look for a book.
Thalia grinned at Annabeth now that she was close enough that they could talk in hushed tones, "So, what did you find at your locker that has you so shaken up?"
"Um, well… There was a note..." Annabeth trailed off, suddenly feeling foolish for making such a big deal out of this.
Thalia raised an eyebrow, "A note?"
Annabeth bit her lip, "Yeah, well, more of a letter really."
"Okay," Thalia stretched out the word, prompting Annabeth to continue. "A letter about… what?"
Annabeth fidgeted, she didn't know why she was so nervous all of a sudden.
Come on, Annabeth. Just spit it out.
"It was a love letter, actually," Annabeth rushed out. "Addressed to… me."
Both of Thalia's eyebrows shot up, "Someone wrote you a love letter?"
"… Yes?"
"Who?"
"I don't know!" Annabeth snapped at her, "It was anonymous. Who even writes those anymore? It was probably just a prank." Annabeth folded her arms and looked away from Thalia's piercing eyes.
"Well?" Thalia waited for Annabeth to look back at her. "What?" she frowned.
"Did it seem like a prank?"
Annabeth thought back to the letter and despite how much she wanted to just pass it off as only a prank… she couldn't deny the authenticity of the letter. A prank letter wouldn't be so long, or as awkward. The letter she read was… a little too personal to be fake. Even if it was mostly awkward rambling.
That was kinda cute, Annabeth thought offhand.
"Hello? Earth to Annabeth?" Thalia waved her hand in front of her face.
Annabeth blinked, a blush rising in her cheeks as she realized she got a little lost in her head. "Sorry, I was just considering it. I don't think it was fake… but why would someone write me a love letter? It just doesn't make sense."
"Hey!" Thalia pointed at her. "You are a catch. I don't want to hear any self-deprecating words from you."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, "No, no. It's nothing like that. It's just… If someone likes me, why wouldn't they just go up to me and say so?"
Thalia gave her a blank look, "Annabeth, you punched the last guy who tried to hit on you in the face."
"Well, he was a douchebag! That doesn't count." Annabeth grumbled.
"And you give off a very strong, don't-come-near-me-or-I'll-gut-you vibe."
Annabeth tightened her grip on her arms and jut out her chin, feeling a little defensive. "So I've been told, but I doubt it's that bad."
"The last guy who tried to ask you for help on their math test you scared off with a glare."
"I didn't glare at him! He just caught me on a bad day and my face is just like that sometimes."
"Hey," Thalia raised her hands in a placating gesture. "You don't have to tell me about the hardships of having a resting bitch face. I'm just saying, maybe you can be a little intimidating."
Annabeth sighed, "I know, I know. But I just don't know who would write me a love letter?"
"I could make a guess," Annabeth gave her a look. "It's not Percy, Thalia."
Thalia huffed, "I'm just saying, you shouldn't rule him out yet. And right now, I think he's your best bet."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Yeah, except Percy isn't intimidated by me. We've been friends for too long for me to scare him."
When Thalia didn't respond, Annabeth narrowed her eyes at her. "Thalia, Percy isn't intimidated by me."
"Not to burst your bubble Annabeth, but I think everyone in our friend group is a little intimidated by you," Thalia remarked. "Well, except for me, of course."
Annabeth scoffed. "I'm not that scary, Thalia."
Thalia patted her shoulder, "Sure, honey. You're just a little ray of sunshine."
Annabeth shrugged her off. "Whatever, we're getting off-topic. The point is, I don't know what to do. I've never had someone write me love letters before, let alone be interested in me."
Thalia scoffed at that. "Plenty of boys have been interested in you Annabeth, it's just most of them were idiots that only wanted to sleep with you."
Annabeth's lips stretched in a light lipped smile. "Thanks Thalia," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That makes me feel so much better."
Thalia grinned. "Alright, alright. So you have this guy interested in you who seems genuine enough to get you flustered—"
"I'm not flustered!"
"—and you don't know what to do about it. Am I correct?" Thalia finished.
"Yeah, I guess so," Annabeth mumbled, her cheeks warming up in embarrassment.
"Well, how many letters has he written to you?" Thalia asked.
"I've only received one so far, but he said he would write a letter to me every week."
"Do you want to date him?" Thalia asked bluntly.
"What? No!" Annabeth shook her head. "I don't even know the guy!"
"Okay, but if you did know him, would you want to date him?"
"I don't know! I… I don't think so. I mean, I still like Percy. I can't just date someone else. And I'm not so desperate as to date the first person who shows a true interest in me," Annabeth frowned. "And I don't want to lead the guy on."
Thalia hummed, considering the situation. "Well, do you want to write him back and tell him that you already like someone? Or do you want to let it play out?"
Annabeth thought about it. She didn't want to shut him down so quickly. She'd feel bad, and not to mention she didn't even know how much or how long the guy had liked her. She could break his heart for all she knew.
Then again, she didn't want to accidentally lead him on and let him start to hope for a relationship with her when she wasn't even sure if she would be willing. She didn't want to date someone she barely knew, but she didn't want to give up what could be the only opportunity to be with someone who genuinely liked her.
And then there was her thing with Percy…
"I think, I think I'll wait for the next letter. Just to see if this guy truly wants to 'woo me.' It could still be a prank after all. And if I don't like the letter, I can write back and tell him I'm not interested." Annabeth nodded, determined to follow through with her decision, it sounded reasonable enough.
Thalia slowly nodded back, "Okay, that settles it." She smiled, "Now, let's go back to our table before they start to get suspicious of our whereabouts."
The two walked back to their table, Thalia got back first before Annabeth arrived a few minutes later with a random book she selected from the shelves.
When Annabeth sat down, the table was oddly silent. Everyone looked at her for a few seconds. Annabeth frowned, "What? Is there something on my face?"
Piper smiled innocently, "No, you're good."
That made Annabeth raise an eyebrow, but Piper's smile only grew.
Jason coughed into his hand, hiding a smile before the two started to talk as they resumed studying.
Annabeth turned to look at the rest of the table, a question in her eyes, but Leo immediately looked down and started reading through his book and Percy seemed to be looking anywhere but at her.
Weird.
Annabeth shrugged it off and went back to her studying, it probably wasn't important anyway.
After an hour of studying, the group decided to call it quits and left the Library.
"Ugh! I've been staring at my AP Chem book for too long. I have Planck's constant burned into my retinas," Piper complained as soon as they were outside and walking to the parking lot.
"That's technically impossible. For something to be burned into your retinas—"
"Ah, ah, ah! No more nerdy talk Annabeth," Thalia swooped in. "Time to relax."
Annabeth rolled her eyes, and Percy smiled, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, Annabeth. Studying is over for now. Try to let loose for once."
Annabeth scoffed, "Whatever Jackson. We're still heading to Aunty Em's for dinner right?"
Leo grinned wildly, "You know it! Those cheeseburgers are calling my name."
The group laughed before splitting up to go to their respective vehicles.
Thalia walked up to Annabeth just before she and Percy got in his car.
Percy raised an eyebrow at Thalia, but she waved him off with a smile, "Just have to talk to Annabeth here real quick. Don't worry, I won't keep her from you for too long."
Annabeth widened her eyes at her friend's teasing. "Thalia!" she whisper-yelled, urging her to stop.
Thalia's smile only widened. "Sorry, sorry. But I wanted to ask you," her tone turned serious as she lowered her voice so that only Annabeth could hear her, even though Percy was in the car already.
"Did you tell Percy, about you-know-what?"
Annabeth bit her lip, "No… not yet."
She expected Thalia to chastise her from keeping this a secret from Percy but instead, she was met with a soft smile and reassuring shoulder squeeze. "Okay, I just wanted to know if we could talk about it around him."
Annabeth was surprised, "You… you're okay with me not telling him?"
Thalia raised a judging eyebrow, "No, I definitely think you should tell him. He is a part of this, whether he knows it or not, but it's your decision."
Thalia patted her shoulder once more before stepping back. Annabeth was about to open the door, assuming the conversation was over, when Thalia spoke up again, "Just remember, he'll find out about it sooner or later. And I don't think he'd like to know that you didn't tell him."
And with that, Thalia started walking away to her bike, "See you at Em's!"
Annabeth blinked, before waving back as Thalia zoomed out of the parking lot.
She shook her head, deciding to think about all of this later, and finally got in the car.
"Hey, you good?" Percy asked once she buckled her seatbelt.
Annabeth tried for a reassuring smile, but it probably came out as more of an awkward grimace. "Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine."
Percy raised an eyebrow, "Okay…" and he started to pull out of the parking spot.
They sat in silence as Percy drove away from the Library. Percy tapping at the steering wheel and Annabeth try desperately to not think about her love letter.
"So, what did Thalia want to talk about?"
Annabeth turned to Percy, but his eyes flickered back to focus on the road, he gripped the steering wheel tighter.
"Oh, uh, nothing much." She didn't want to lie to him, she already lied earlier about her locker. Well, technically only withheld information, but that still counts as lying.
But it's not like she can just say, "Oh, we were just talking about this love letter that I got in my locker today, but I didn't tell you about it because I think I'm in love with you. Haha, isn't that funny?"
Yeah, no.
Percy didn't seem to buy it, but fortunately, he didn't ask any more questions.
Unfortunately, the rest of the car ride was paired with a heavy awkward silence.
Wow, I could cut the tension in here with a knife…
The silence was finally broken when they got to the restaurant and met up with their friends.
The place was set up like an old-school diner, it was kinda retro. Despite the old style, it was fairly popular, although that was most likely because it was the closest fast-food restaurant to Goode High School (the school they all attended). There was even a jukebox, although it mostly played pop songs.
Percy and Annabeth walked in to see that everyone else was already inside. Leo and Jason were ordering at the counter while Piper and Thalia were sitting at their usual booth (the only one that would seat them all).
"Hey losers, you're late," Thalia smirked at them from the table.
"What? Did Percy drive like a grandma?"
Percy went over and ruffled her hair before narrowly avoiding a punch, "Hey, pinecone face. At least I don't drive like a madman."
"Madwoman," Thalia corrected.
Annabeth smiled, "Alright, scoot over." Thalia moved over, sliding her cheese pizza with her, and Annabeth sat down next to her. She looked to Percy, expecting him to sit beside her like usual, but he remained standing.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you going to sit?"
Percy smiled, "I'll go order our food first. You want your usual right?"
Annabeth nodded and Percy walked off.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Thalia nudged her side, "So? Did you tell him in the car?"
Piper raised an eyebrow, sipping her soda before leaning forward. "Tell him what?"
Thalia looked to Annabeth and she explained. "Well, I was at my locker at the end of school and—"
"She found a love letter from her secret admirer," Thalia cut her off.
Annabeth glared at her, "What? You were over-explaining."
"I was literally about to tell her—"
"Wait, wait, wait. So what I'm hearing is, Annabeth has a secret admirer?" Piper looked between them, her eyes wide. "When did this happen!?"
Annabeth shrugged and fiddled with her scarf tassels, "Earlier today."
"Yep," Thalia smiled, taking a bite of her cheese pizza, chewing and swallowing in record speed before finishing her sentence, "and now she's freaking out about it because she's already head over heels in love with Percy."
"Thalia." Annabeth stressed, but Piper just laughed, "Sorry Annabeth but she's right."
Annabeth groaned, "You guys are terrible, I confide in you and you bully me," she put her head down in her arms.
"Aw, 'Beth. We're not trying to bully you—"
"I am," Thalia points out.
"I'm not trying to bully you," Piper continued in stride. "It's sweet that you have a secret admirer. But… you already like Percy so…" she trailed off, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Wait, are you going to try to date this secret admirer guy?"
Annabeth lifted her head "...No?"
Piper nodded slowly, "Okay, you don't sound sure about that."
"I mean, I don't want to date some random guy I don't even know… but he did have the courage to say he liked me and try to win me over with love letters. I don't want to just knock him down."
"But what about your crush on Percy?" Piper asked.
Annabeth snorted, "Isn't that the question I've been asking myself repeatedly ever since I read that letter." She shrugged, "I still like Percy, that's the one thing I'm sure about."
Piper only looked more confused, "So, what are you going to do?"
"She's just going to wait it out," Thalia spoke for her.
"Who's going to wait out what?" Percy asked, walking back to the table with their food: a classic cheeseburger with fries and a turkey club sandwich. Jason and Leo were following behind him. Leo was carrying a burger and cheese fries while Jason held BLT and a large Caesar salad.
The girls all gave each other a silent look, before turning back to face the boys.
"Oh nothing," they said, smiling innocently.
Leo raised an eyebrow, "Well, that was creepy."
Jason sat down next to Piper, handing the salad to her and Leo sat down next to him, immediately digging into his burger.
Percy sat down beside Annabeth and handed her the club sandwich, "Your usual."
Annabeth smiled, "Thanks."
As they all enjoyed their meal, Annabeth couldn't get the thought of her secret admirer out of her head.
She repeatedly caught herself imagining what he would be like, and if… if he'd be anything like Percy.
But that wasn't fair, she couldn't compare them like that. Heck, she didn't even know the other guy! At least, she doesn't think she knows him, but he seems to know her pretty well. So it must be someone she's talked to, right?
I guess I have to wait for the next letter to find out. Maybe they'll clue me in on their identity.
Percy laughed loudly beside her at something Leo said, and she smiled back at him.
Well, even if they end up being an amazing guy, they probably won't compare to him.
Aw! Annabeth's love for Percy is so sweet. I'll definitely have to write more scenes just between them in later chapters. Reviews are always appreciated! Until next time!
~PJOandHP4Life
