Annabeth all but skidded to a stop in front of the restaurant, a fancy establishment that served rich people brunch, lunch, and dinner, complete with craft cocktails and a dress code, one Annabeth was just barely within the parameters of with her slacks and blouse– generally they expected the women to wear dresses and skirts, which she found backwards for many reasons, and nice pants were only accepted before 2 pm.

Luckily, it wasn't even 11 yet.

Trying not to dwell too much on how her parents would react to her tardiness, Annabeth smoothed down the flyaways of her ponytail and adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, before striding inside, mustering all the confidence she could fake as she found them seated on the back patio.

Bobby and Matthew were the first to spot her, and matching grins spread on their faces, Bobby hopping up to meet her, already towering over her at his big age of seventeen. "Hey sis! We saved you a spot!" He went in for a hug, turning his head to whisper in her ear, "Mom is piiiiiissed."

"I'm not surprised." She murmured back, her own smile plastered on her face when they pulled away and she was led to her seat between the twins.

She took a breath, bracing herself for the inevitable as she began to speak, "So sorry about being late, I got on the wrong bus and–"

"Which bus?" Helen, her step-mother, asked with mock interest, her head adorned with a colorful silk scarf and her perfectly manicured hands folded neatly on the table.

"Um… the six?"

"From your apartment, Annabeth? I thought the six only ran downtown."

"Not always–"

"And which did you transfer to?"

"The eight." She answered with more confidence.

"Isn't the closest intersection of the six and the eight 12 blocks from each other? Wouldn't it have been more prudent to walk to the three? Or perhaps you should have called a Lyft."

Annabeth wasn't sure where her step-mother's near encyclopedic knowledge of public transportation had come from, but it was clear she intended to catch her in some sort of fib. She didn't plan on giving her the satisfaction. A glance at her father looking far too interested in his phone confirmed he would not now (or ever) come to her rescue.

"I probably remembered wrong then." She forced her smile to remain in place.

"Perhaps. Well, we'll expect better next time." Helen leaned back in her seat, sipping at ice cold water as her dark eyes smoldered with unspoken resentment that Annabeth was far too familiar with.

She didn't remember the first time she noticed the way Helen treated her and how her father stood by. Perhaps it was when she was four and had accidentally shaved some of her hair off using her father's razor. Her Step-Mother declared there was nothing to do but to shave the rest, and had buzzed down Annabeth's golden locks even as she sniffled. Or maybe when she was seven and had tried to run away. After a few hours of wandering around the neighborhood with a suitcase, she'd come back to the house just in time to overhear Helen telling her father, "Don't be silly, the police don't need to get involved, she'll be back soon enough."

Annabeth had wished she hadn't proved her right.

And then, of course, there was the countless snide comments, the passive aggression, the way she wouldn't let Annabeth hold or play with Matthew and Bobby, the way her father would shut himself in his study and didn't have the time of day for her.

Annabeth once asked if she could live with her mother instead. Frederick had given a vacant smile as he said, "You know she's too busy for that."

And as for her mother herself? Annabeth hadn't seen her in two years. There was little time for daughters when one was in public office.

She couldn't be certain, but Annabeth had a feeling that the custody battle after her parents' divorce was less about fighting over who got to keep her, and more about who got stuck with her.

She was shaken from her thoughts as her father finally put his phone down and addressed the table, "As everyone knows, today is a very special day."

Helen beams at him, taking his hand.

"Today we're celebrating my beautiful wife, her health, her life," He raised his glass, indicating for everyone else to do the same, "Here's to one year, cancer free."

"Cheers!" Bobby and Matthew bellow, drowning out Annabeth's own meek "cheers" as their glasses clinked together and everyone took a sip.

The rest of the brunch was about as tolerable as Annabeth had imagined. She focused on asking the twins lots of questions, about Senior year of Highschool, about the various sports they participated in, about what colleges they were looking at and what they wanted to study.

"I'm thinking about going into Physics," Bobby had said.

"A sensible career choice." Helen had commended, but Annabeth could hear the unspoken end to that sentence– "Far more sensible than classics."

"I didn't even Major in Classics," She argued in her head with Helen's thoughts, "I have my Masters in Architecture, remember?"

Not that it mattered. "You are not currently working in that field now, are you?" Came imaginary Helen's reply.

Because of you. But even in her own thoughts, Annabeth wouldn't dare say such a thing.

She managed to avoid any further conversation with her parents, at least until goodbyes were being said in front of the restaurant. She accepted hugs from her brothers easily, and awkwardly waved to Helen and her father, "I need to catch the bus back home, so I suppose I'll–" she gestured vaguely.

Helen nodded, "Of course dear. Though we can give you a ride, if you'd like." She nudged Frederick, engrossed in his phone once more.

"Hmm? What?"

"Would you like to give your daughter a lift home?"

"Oh, no, it's really okay!" Annabeth balked. Being in an enclosed space with her family for too long sounded like a nightmare, and as much as she loved the twins, being squished between their lanky figures in the backseat sounded less appealing than the bus.

"If you insist." Helen gestured to the family to follow as they made their way back to their car. Annabeth bit back yet another sigh bubbling up in her chest. They hadn't tried very hard to convince her, and that stung, even if she would have continued to turn them down.

She turned and began the walk to the bus stop.

The weekend was about as eventful as most. She graded papers. She read. She wandered her tiny apartment and debated going out for drinks with Thalia (she didn't). When Monday came, it was almost a relief. Almost.

She had nearly forgotten about Perseus Jackson, but as she walked into her office, there he was, just as annoyingly present as ever. She sighed heavily, making sure she was loud enough for him to hear as she dropped into her chair and pointedly ignored him. Of course, that wouldn't work.

"Hey." He casually strolled up, leaning back against the side of her desk and looking down at her. She ignored him.

"Annabeth." He persisted.

"What?" She sighed.

He raised an eyebrow, "I want a truce."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "We aren't fighting."

"Yes we are. Constantly."

"Professor Jackson–"

"It's Perseus– I mean, Percy."

"If I shouldn't have a problem with you messing with the syllabus, talking about me behind my back, taking the best students for research–"

"Now hang on–"

" And interrupting me, then please, by all means, give me a reason why I have been in the wrong."

Perseus-I-Mean-Percy blinked, "Look, clearly you have issues with me. But you haven't exactly been the warmest welcoming committee."

"Should I be?" She practically snapped, finally lifting her head to face him only to find his brilliant green eyes inches from her own. Annabeth swallowed, trying to regain her train of thought, trying not to think of how intensely he was staring at her or how she could see so much detail from this close– a freckle on his upper lip, the remnants of sleep in the corners of this eyes, the tiny smile lines already etched into his otherwise smooth face. She cleared her throat, raising her eyebrow in question, "Well?"

"I think," He almost looked as if he might lean in closer for a moment, before continuing, "I think you overreacted."

" I over–?! "

He held up a hand, "And I could have been nicer. We're both in the wrong."

Annabeth huffed, swiveling away in her chair.

"Come on," Percy reasoned, coming to the her other side so he can obnoxiously continue to invade her line of sight, "Don't you think this is a little dumb? We're coworkers, we don't have to–"

"I have papers to grade."

"But–"

"I don't have time for this." She avoided his eyes. For some reason looking directly at him made her feel… weird. Uncomfortable.

Perseus sighed, evidently giving up as he moved back to his own desk, "Fine. Have it your way."

Annabeth felt a pang of guilt. Maybe… maybe she was being unreasonable. And stubborn. But… for some reason she wanted to keep away from Perseus Jackson. Something about him felt… dangerous. He was so unguarded, so honest, and she knew why everyone seemed to like him. Students, teachers, staff. But she didn't fully trust it. How could anyone be that open without hiding something beneath it? How could anyone be that kind without expecting something in return?

The answer was, no one was like that. Not really. So she would continue to keep him at more than arm's length, would continue to guard herself, because if she slipped up? She couldn't even imagine what might happen.

Even so, she glanced into her desk mirror and watched his back as he busied himself with whatever it was he did when he wasn't annoying her. Annabeth couldn't help herself. He was magnetic. And handsome. It wasn't really a surprise that so many students talked about how good-looking he was, Annabeth had to admit that much.

She wouldn't mind him so much if he wasn't so utterly insufferable.

To: perseusjackson
From: annabethchase
Subject: Driving
1 Attachment

Perseus,

I could not help but notice that your car was in front of my bus this morning, and that you stopped for a total of 3 minutes and 22 seconds, holding up the vehicles behind you. Please refrain in the future from doing so, as you made me late for my 9AM class. Attached is a photo of your car blocking traffic, which will be forwarded to the Dean if this continues to be a problem.

Sincerely,

Annabeth Chase
Classics Department, NAU

To: annabethchase
From: perseusjackson
Subject: re: Driving

Hey Annabeth,

First of all, would you rather I run over the family of ducks that was trying to cross the street? Very evil queen of you, I must say. Second, maybe if you left for work on time you wouldn't be late for classes. Third, it's kind of weird that you know what car I drive. Have you been stalking me, Chase?

By the way, it's Percy.

All my love,
Percy Jackson

To: perseusjackson
From: annabethchase
Subject: re: Driving

Professor Jackson,

Obviously had I known that was the case, I wouldn't have emailed you about it. I resent being called an "evil queen," as well as the implications that I don't leave for work on time or that I've been following you– I've merely witnessed you leaving and entering your car. Don't read into things that aren't there.

Sincerely,

Annabeth Chase
Classics Department, NAU

To: annabethchase
From: perseusjackson
Subject: re: Driving

Hi again!

Well then it's a simple misunderstanding, no harm, no foul. But do be careful about watching people and their cars; some might find it creepy, unnerving, stalkerish, etc. I could find more synonyms for you if that doesn't get the point across.

With best wishes,
Percy Jackson

P.S. It's still just Percy!

To: perseusjackson
From: annabethchase
Subject: re: Driving

Perseus Jackson,

Per my last email, it was just a simple observation, my behavior is far from creepy, and you're being annoying.

Sincerely,

Annabeth Chase
Classics Department, NAU

To: annabethchase
From: perseusjackson
Subject: re: Driving
1 Attachment

What's up Annabeth!

Annoying? Me? You wound me. Deeply. I may never recover.

In any case, I attached a step-by-step worksheet that you might find helpful in working through your stalker-ish tendencies.

Yours,
Percy Jackson

P.S. I get that it's a bit at this point, but you WILL call me Percy before the end of the semester. I'll get to you eventually!

To: perseusjackson
From: annabethchase
Subject: re: Driving

Hi.

Your sarcasm is noted and not appreciated.

Sincerely,

Annabeth Chase
Classics Department, NAU

By Thursday, Annabeth was ready to pull her hair out. Between Perseus, her students, her family, and the workload piling up, it just felt like too much for one person to handle. On top of that, Luke had asked her to hang some signs for the welcome back social in the halls, no easy feat with their vaulted ceilings and stone fixtures. She stood atop the ladder, cursing herself under her breath for wearing heels today of all days, thinking back to the conversation.

"Why can't maintenance do it? Where's Leo?"

"There's a busted boiler in the engineering building. It's a bit more important." Luke sounded apologetic, holding the fancy printed fabric signs out in his arms, "Please 'Beth? I'll make it up to you."

So there she was, stretching up on a ladder in the middle of the halls. Thankfully they weren't particularly busy, but students still passed by and Annabeth hated being seen like this.

"Hi Professor Chase!" A couple of students giggled out as they passed below her.

"Hello girls." Annabeth grumbled, closing her eyes and counting to ten.

When her frustration ebbed, she opened them once more and resumed trying to stretch to hang the fabric from an antique gas lamp that adorned the wall. It was just out of reach, and no matter how close she moved the ladder, she just wasn't tall enough. She leaned further out, biting her lip, "Almost… there…!"

She should have known better. The ladder tipped dangerously, and she gasped, losing her footing, falling from that top rung, her eyes squeezing shut yet again as she prepared for impact–

The impact did come, but it was slightly softer than expected. It was accompanied by a deep "Oof", a crash to the floor, bodies entangled, and strong arms around her. Annabeth heard someone groan beneath her, and her body stiffened at the familiar voice. She kept her eyes shut tight, willing it to be anyone, anyone but–

"You ought to be more careful." Perseus chuckled. Annabeth wanted to disappear.

She didn't answer at first, her heart nearly beating from her chest, and she felt him shift, speaking again, this time his voice laced with something she'd never heard from him before: concern, "Annabeth…?"

"I-I'm… fine." She finally managed, forcing her eyes open to find her cheek plastered to his sweater vest. She sat up quickly, forgetting her hate for a moment, forgetting how annoying he had been, what a jerk he was, "W-what about you? You didn't hit your head did you?! Why were you walking there?! You could have been seriously hurt!"

"No more hurt than you would have been had I not ran to catch you." He groaned again, "I'm fine, I'm fine."

She clambered off of Perseus quickly, realizing with a blush she'd been straddling him, "Catch– you did that on purpose?! "

" Duh. " He sat up, rubbing his ribs.

" Why?! "

Perseus' eyebrows shot up, "Why not?"

"Well because… because… Because we… you and I, we're… we don't like each other!" She huffed.

His eyebrows raised, and before he could respond, she was already tugging him to his feet.

"You should go see the nurse, make sure you don't have a concussion." She continued.

"I didn't hit my head– and what about you? Shouldn't you get checked out too, then?"

"I am not the one who ran to catch a whole person with my body!" Annabeth insisted, already shoving him down back down the hall, "Go, please."

He looked genuinely surprised, but relented after a moment with a nod, "Fine. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes! I'm fine!"

With a backwards glance he started back down towards the main building and Annabeth heaved a sigh, leaning heavily against a pillar and raising a shaking hand to cover her eyes. Her heart was still beating a million miles an hour, and she tried to convince herself it was solely from the fall. Nothing more.

But as she closed her eyes, all she could see was Perseus' expression from beneath her, his green eyes filled with concern and something she couldn't quite place. His hair was messy from the crash, his lips parted, his own face tinged with pink.

Annabeth smacked herself in the face lightly, trying to snap out of it. There was no reason to think of him that way. He did what anyone would do. That was all. It's not like she'd be able to just stand by if he was in a precarious situation, no matter how much she claimed– no, no matter how much she did loathe him.

With a sigh, she tugged the fabric banner back down. She would insist that Luke get someone else to hang them, and that would be the end of it.

When Annabeth finally made her way back to the shared office, she poked her head in nervously. To her relief, no one was there, and she quickly gathered her things and headed to her next class, then from there she could go straight home. She wouldn't have to see Perseus Jackson until Monday, assuming he wasn't going to the faculty Halloween party, and from there they could proceed as usual. Bickering, Ignoring each other.

She wouldn't let her heart melt. She couldn't.

Because if she admitted this new teacher wasn't so bad, then that meant she was the one who had been a jerk. And somehow, that seemed harder than any other trial she had to endure in her day to day life.

No, it was more bearable this way. In a year and a half, she'd be able to leave and never look back, and she could easily spend that time holding a grudge. Because God forbid she actually started liking him… well. Annabeth simply wouldn't let that happen.