Chapter 5

Percy

It was a few weeks after the night at the bar and Percy's thoughts still always fled back to Annabeth. He even went on a few dates with girls he met on Hinge and still, he wished they were all Annabeth. He was actually telling a story about his nonprofit work to a friend he was catching up with and accidentally said her name. It was almost embarrassing how often he thought about her.

It didn't seem as if she was ignoring him anymore, which he was happy about. Although he didn't see her around the office much, whenever he did get a glance she looked almost... sad. As if the lights draining out of her. Percy wondered often if it had to do with her boyfriend, Luke. After he and Annabeth left, Charlie hinted at him they they didn't like Luke much. Selena bluntly said he thinks Luke is too controlling and manipulates Annabeth. It didn't sound like a healthy environment but Annabeth was smart, if they knew this, hopefully she did too?

He was almost worried for her. Rachel's been in a fair amount of toxic relationships and they never turned out well.

Regardless, she was off limits for the time being and Percy was trying to accept that. He tried convincing himself it was lust, they've barely had a genuine conversation, how could he even like her if he barely knows her?

Although, they did speak briefly at the bar... Even her laugh made his heart skip a beat. He's never wanted anyone so bad.

"Earth to Percy, you still here?" Charlie waved his hand on front of Percy's face.

Percy pulled himself out of his thoughts, looking back at Charlie, "hm?"

The two were having lunch in the office lounge. Percy munched on a salad with an absurd amount of chicken with a sparkling water. Charlie was having a steak sandwich and a protein shake, he was definitely ready to hit the office gym afterwards.

"I was telling you about Selena's friend who I think Nico would like?" Charlie took a bite of his sandwich.

If Percy had ears, they would've perked up. "Ooh, really? Nico's a picky guy, you sure?"

He shrugged, "Selena just knows these things sometimes, she picks up small things from people and gets pretty good matches going."

"Like Cupid?"

"More like Aphrodite." He said firmly, making Percy smile.

"Good with these things like... trying to set me up with someone who's in a relationship?" Percy raised an eyebrow and grinned as Charlie groaned. "It joking, it's alright, I'm not upset."

"She still convinced it's a thing, if anyone's praying on their downfall, it's-"

"Hey Charlie, hi Percy," Selena suddenly walked into the lounge smiling widely at her boyfriend, who almost choked on his food.

Percy tried really hard not to laugh and covered his mouth casually, trying to keep the emotions to a minimum. She narrowed her eyes at the two, who tried to regain their composure. Percy turned his stifled laugh into a chuckle and leaned back into the leather couch. Then, Percy's stomach flipped as Annabeth strolled in, yogurt and sparkling water in hand. Her hair was in a low ponytail tail, with a few strands in front of her face. She wore glasses today, which after short conversations here and there with her, Percy figured she needed when she's having a busy day and the computer screens strained her eyes. It's a bit chillier now, she wore a long sleeve, square neck top tucked into black slouchy pants, gray sneakers and had a grey sweater draped over her shoulders.

Percy almost groaned, he couldn't believe how beautiful she was and how she managed to making his heart race every time he laid his eyes on her. She smiled at the group and walked over. Noticing Selena was sitting next to Charlie, she cleared her throat and sat next to Percy. Selena and Charlie started chatting about their plans for the weekend

Percy and Annabeth had few moments of silence before he decided to break the ice, "Busy day?"

She has a spoonful of yogurt in her mouth, and looked up at him, almost shocked he spoke to her. Percy noticed every time he spoke directly to her, she seemed to be surprised. "Oh, um, yeah, actually, how'd you know?"

"You always wear your glasses when you're stressed or busy. I know Malcolm is out this week, do you need help with anything?"

Annabeth smiled at him, "we're in the process of developing a new product, unfortunately not in it's testing stage just yet so I don't think you can help, but I appreciate the offer."

Percy smiled, ecstatic that she's being so friendly and open to him. "Then how about we take your mind of it with coffee? There's a cafe nearby that I'm a fan of."

Annabeth looked away, "Uh, I don't know, I have a lot of work... and..."

"Just one coffee. One... Platonic coffee. I read that taking your mind off of work for a bit actually has more benefits than trying to tackle an issue without a break. Free your mind. Or something like that."

"... You read?" She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips.

Percy rolled his eyes, "Ha ha. I only read on Sundays."

Annabeth laughed out loud then, and sighed, giving him a you won look. "Free me mind. Platonic coffee. Sure, let's do it."

He almost shocked that she agreed but hurriedly got up before she could change her mind. "We're gonna grab a coffee, chat later?" Percy grinned at Charlie, who raised an eyebrow.

"We have coffee here?"

"Coffee here sucks, bye Selena!" Percy hurriedly tossed his salad and Annabeth shrugged at the couple and followed him out.

It was a chilly day, thankfully the cafe was only a block away. The spot was almost like a hole in the wall. Percy's noticed It was very homey- warm low light, a fire place with a soft couch facing it. Books lined the brick walls. The couches were low and sinkable. There was only two other people there, both sitting in their own love seats, drinking a coffee and reading a book. The back of the cafe is where register and kitchen was. The two made their way to back. Percy glanced back at Annabeth, who looked around smiling amazed at the cafe's decor. She ran her fingers along a couple books lined on the walls. Percy laughed to himself when she stopped and saw a book she must've recognized, went to pull it off the shelve then thought twice about it and gently set it back.

"Take time" Percy said, she jumped.

"What?" She said, eyes wide.

He smiled at her and stepped closer, reaching over her and grabbing the book she had pulled out. He handed it to her and she gingerly took it, looking at him warily. "We can read while we have our coffee."

She grinned, "Alright, sure."

They head to the register, where a small lady with large glasses greets them and asks for their order. "I'll do a large iced americano." Percy said and glanced at Annabeth.

"Can I have a cappuccino?"

"Sure, honey. Is that all?"

Percy looked at Annabeth again, "cookie, croissant, brownie?"

She laughed lightly, Percy couldn't help but think about how much he loved making her laugh. She shook her head, "No, thank you though."

"That's all then, thank you," He handed the cashier his card before Annabeth could react.

"I'll get us next time, then." She said, flipping through the pages of the book as they waited for the drinks.

They sat on the couch in front of the fire place, feeling cozy and comfortable. Percy sat facing her leaning on the couch. He watched her flipped through a few pages. "So, there's going to be a next time?"

She rolled her eyes burying her face in her book, "You said platonic."

Percy laughed, "I meant it! A platonic next time. I like hanging out with you, seeing you. Even if it is just as friends."

She peaked at him from behind the book, looking wary yet again. "Yeah... they will be a next time. This is nice. I like this spot."

Their coffees were brought over to them and they thanked the waitress. They took they sips and both outwardly moaned, then looked at each other, slightly embarrassed, and laughed.

"This is amazing!" Annabeth said, taking sips.

Percy was just happy she loved it. "Okay, whats this book, read me a page."

She looked a bit taken back, but then got comfortable. She slid her sneakers off and crossed her legs and flipped a random page.

"Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us..."

She read on and Percy was mesmerized. Her voice as she read, the way her eyes drifted across the pages. Certain words that the book characters would say would make her smile while reading. She would take sips of her cappuccino every now and then, barely missing a beat as she read. Percy watched her and listened, quietly sitting his iced americano.

Mid sentence, Annabeth's phone rang, startling them both Their coffee's were both finished and the cups already taken and cleaned. Annabeth glanced at her phone and gasped, startling Percy again, who was suddenly drowsy.

"Oh, gods, it's been two hours," Annabeth hurriedly closed the book and Percy stretched. "I can't believe we've been here so long" She began to slide her sneakers on.

"Time flies when you're having fun," Percy said and she smiled lightly.

"Or when you're reading." She responded, saying goodbye to the barista.

Percy led her out the cafe, they were almost disturbed by the bright sunlight. "I'd like to think of it as having fun."

She laughed then, "Okay, yeah me too. Are you heading back to the office?"

Percy shook his head, "I was kind of done for the day. I'll walk you back?"

She nodded and the two walked in a comfortable silence. After a couple of moments, Annabeth spoke up.

"I keep forgetting to bring your travel mug." She sighed.

They arrived at the office. Percy shrugged, giving her a sly smile, "No worries, I said whenever you're ready. I meant it." She looked away, smiling. Percy cleared his throat, "Same time, same place, next week?"

"Maybe. This did clear my head. My might just stay in the office for the next few hours and work..." She furrowed her eyebrows, looking a bit sad again.

Percy had a feeling that this had more to do with just work. "Everything okay?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

She hesitated, looked at him, then bit her lip nervously. "It's just... Luke has been a lot lately. Sorry, I know you don't want to hear any of this." Percy shook his head and urged her to go on. "He's at my place almost every day now and he just gets a bit overwhelming sometimes. He's great... just, a lot, I guess."

Percy frowned, now very worried, "Listen, what if instead of going back, you come over?" Seeing her widened eyes Percy shook his hands, "Not like that! My friends and i are having a game and taco night. Charlie is actually come over. You can Selena to come and your other friend, Tammy?"

Annabeth laughed at Tammy, and looked at him, mulling it over. Finally, she sighed, "Sure, why not?"

Percy grinned and the two headed to his apartment.

Finito! Let me know what you think. Next chapter will for sure be extra long.