Chapter 15: Best Friends
Annabeth
I had a dream.
A dream where nothing made sense: I was standing a few feet away from the edge of a decorated balcony overlooking something resembling a town square, more than a thousand people were gathered. The smell of rose and other scents of flowers permeated the whole area.
There was a boy my age at the front. He turned to me, offering his left hand. Dressed in a white tuxedo, I reached out and let him held me. He pulled me forward, taking me close until I was standing inches before him. My heart beating and racing beyond the normal speed. There was also a soft and transparent veil over my face. Distorting my vision, a boy with messy black hair stood before me. He smiled, dazzling me with his green eyes. He pulled the veil from my face…
"Annn-nabeth?" Someone called on my name with a way too long emphasis.
A pointed look was shot across the table at me when I didn't respond, "Oyye… Annabeth? Are you still alive?"
I had a dream, but it was gone now.
"Huh?" I replied as someone waved their hand right in front of my face.
I eventually noticed the two companions sitting at the same table as me. It was my best friend and the good-looking boy I befriended since the start of my new school year. The gorgeous girl with brown, braided hair sat opposite of me. The boy with messy onyx hair and green eyes sat next to me. Both of them had a quizzed look on their faces as they stared at me. Curiosity took hold of their gazes, but I was confused why they would look at me like that.
"What?" I asked my best friend.
"Thank God! You are finally back on earth." Piper said. Her exasperated smirk couldn't be clearer when she looked at me, "Percy's been calling you and asking for your help, and you were totally ignoring him and daydreaming like crazy."
Oh. It wasn't a dream, but a random daydream during… Oh right! I was in the middle of my tutoring lesson with Percy and my annoying plus-one. I was just about to start my homework when that happened out of nowhere.
What the hell was that? Was that really Percy who appear in my daydream?
I shivered uncomfortably at that mental image in my head.
"Ahem… Sorry," I cleared my throat.
Percy was still staring at me with a concerned expression. I turned to reassure him, "I am fine."
His features relaxed, "Okay, and sorry for staring…"
I was glad when he didn't poke into the subject any longer, but Percy also didn't ask me to help him with whatever it was that Piper said he needed help with. He looked away sheepishly.
More or less relieved that he didn't ask why I had a daydream in the middle of studying, something else was bothering me at the same time. The subtle or imaginative distance he kept from me made me feel abnormally weird. It's almost like I wanted him to ask me why even though I didn't want him to. If there was one thing I noticed now, Percy was being unusually quiet and timid with me right now. Huh? Why does it feel so strange?
"Jeez! You two are really not making it easy for me." Piper groaned.
For the first time, I- Annabeth Chase- had never been more confused than my entire life. The way Piper spilled out her words, she made it sound like something happened between me and Percy.
"When are you guys going to make up?" She sighed in despair, "Wait? Is it because I am-"
Piper looked at Percy, a lightbulb clearly went up in her head. Unaware of the reason why nor what they were going on about, I saw Percy avoided her gaze and looked down sideways at his homework. Again, he looked sheepish, more than usual by his standard.
"Ohh! It finally made sense." Piper grinned, "Well, I'm gonna get something to drink. I'll get some soda for you two too. Of course, I'll take my time so don't worry."
I mumbled, "Wait, Piper-rr…"
I couldn't finish asking because she pushed her seat back and got up, "Oh! And try not to argue like that again. I would hate to smack both of you in the head."
Argue? Did Percy and I had a fight? Is that why he's acting all weird?
What did we fight about? And how come I didn't remember any of it? In fact, what the heck was I doing before I came to the library and had a studying session with them? Given that it's the latter part of the day, I must have finished my last class before coming here, but what was it? What was the class I was taking?
… Decomposition. Cylinder. Chemicals…
Racking my brain for any recollection, I genuinely couldn't remember when nor why we had a fight, but the feeling was definitely there. The uncomfortable nervousness when I was with him right now made perfect sense as to what Piper was talking about. Yet, it bothered me greatly that I couldn't figure out what it was about.
When did I get so forgetful?
Piper was gone now. Her work was scattered on the table before us, much messier than the neatly organized stacks of our homework piles. Given the chance to be alone with Percy, I decide I would broach the topic first.
"What is she going on ab—" I tried to ask, but Percy beat me to it.
With a sort of haste in his motion, Percy turned his body around the chair. Facing me head-on, he caught my attention and stared at me with an intensity in his green eyes that instantly made air stuck in my throat. I gulped and sucked in a short breath, not knowing what's going on with his sudden serious demeanor. What's more, I felt flustered by his sudden display.
Really? What's going on?
"Look, Annabeth. I am sorry about what I said before." Percy said his apology in a way that sounded like he rehearsed his words a thousand times in his head, "I know I shouldn't have-"
"Wait wait wait!" I blurted out before he could confess and everything would get out of control.
I was ready to blush if I wasn't already, "W-What are we talking about again?"
Avoiding his sparkling green eyes fully, I couldn't look at him when he was just seconds away from spilling his confession. Growing different shades of red and pink, I hoped he was making a joke. After all, there was no way I could accept when he was being so abrupt with his feelings, not to mention the fact that we have barely known each other for longer than a week.
… But there was another part of me-
In any case, this was so out of the blue that I really hoped it was just a stupid misunderstanding of some sort.
Turned out, I was right.
"Huh?" Percy caught his words, "I- I thought- I…"
I couldn't look at him. Instead of holding my pen and doing my work, I let go of it the moment Percy got all serious. I placed them above my thighs and on top of my skirt, fidgeting with my fingers and squirming my body nervously. It was the only thing I could do to keep my composure in check.
"Are you… you are not trying to- c-con-fess… right?"
Unconsciously throwing my words with a bit of a shy demeanor, Percy watched me in rapt attention which made the whole situation even more uncomfortable for me to handle. Confusion took hold of him, and I wasn't sure if he understood what I was saying either. Not until-
"Eehhh? What?! No! Of course not… I wasn't talking about that at all!" Percy almost screamed.
His abrupt outburst earned him the wrath of the librarian. Her designated table was just a few feet away from ours, which meant that any outcry like that was surely going to get her attention. Acting swiftly to silence us, she stared over here at Percy with an ice cold gaze and shush him.
It didn't seem to have mattered, because Percy followed up with an awkward chuckle which was just as loud as his previous outcry, "W-Why would you even think that?"
The stern reminder from the middle age lady didn't seem to have bothered Percy though, not one bit as he looked on at me with wild surprise. Something about what I said seemed to have shocked him to the core, leaving him with very little processing power to keep going. I was just as confused as he was now.
"I- I don't know— I mean, you were getting all serious, so I thought you were-" I blurted out with a completely sheepish expression. The heat rising behind my cheeks created a cherry blossom color.
Thrown into totally uncharted territory here, I wasn't sure how I should react. Though I've been in many difficult and really cringe confession situations with other boys in our school, none of them had ever made me feel like this. It was Percy who got me all flustered, blushing bright pink, and even struggling to say anything concrete back.
"I- I wasn't…" Percy responded quickly to dispel the utter confusion surrounding what we were talking about. As relief as I was, I couldn't help but feel a small aching disappointment in my heart from the truth, "I mean, I just want to apologize for upsetting you."
After clearing the air which was still awkward to a degree, I decided to broach the topic again, "Yeah? About that… why are you apologizing? I- I don't remember what happened earlier? Piper said we had a fight? When?"
"Huh?" I surprised Percy again, though this time it wasn't out of misunderstanding, "Wait? You don't remember anything?"
I shook my head, "No. Actually, I don't even remember what my last class was nor what I was doing before I ended up here in the library with you and Piper…"
Getting a little scared all of a sudden, I pointlessly wondered if I was abruptly thrust into a simulation of sort and my brain was playing some cruel joke on me. Maybe someone from the outside was taking bits and pieces of my memory and blocking me from accessing them.
Setting aside the silly and illogical imagination in my head, I laughed at how creative my brain could be sometimes. But the problem was still there, and it didn't make any sense why I would forget something that I shouldn't have in the first place. A brief moment of sudden partial amnesia, perhaps?
Easing the tension I felt in Percy, I decided to make a stupid joke and chuckled at him, "Maybe I am losing my memories…"
Again, his abruptness surprised me a great deal. His next move left my mind in shambles and my mouth stuttering. I didn't know Percy could be so bold, and knowing him for a full week, I've yet to see him actually take the initiative with me. This time though, something made him took action first and our dynamic was very different from before.
"Not funny…" Percy said seriously in the same manner as before, "Are you sure you are okay?"
I nodded, feeling nothing out of the ordinary, "Yeah. I feel perfectly fine and okay."
"But that's not normal, Annabeth. Are you having a fever?" Percy shifted closer to me on his seat. He pulled himself in front of me and reached forward to check up on me, "People don't just lose their memories suddenly. You don't feel sick or anything, do you?"
Percy leaned toward me.
"W-Wut…" I began, but by then it was already too late for me to recoil away.
No Way! Oh my God! He's- He's— Holy shit, Holy Shit, Absolutely Holy Fucking Shit!
It felt warm… soo warm and welcoming and pleasant and… I felt hot, too hot, too cozy, very toasty, and more than a little comfy… Is this how it's supposed to feel like? The affection and caring nature of the boy in front of me, his worried green eyes checking me thoroughly and his brows furrowed in deep concern.
This was completely new to me…
Eekkk! What the heck is going on? P-Percy-y's right hand is on my forehead?
I couldn't react nor do anything to reply to his question. The moment Percy placed the back of his hand on my forehead without warning me whatsoever, I felt literal steam coming out of my ears and my face burned bright red without slowing down. Besides how fluster I was getting, I wasn't feeling fine and okay anymore. I was actually lightheaded and more than ready to faint. My body melted in a thorough daze and I was about to get a real fever from it.
"No...nooo..oo…" I barely got that out of me.
Staring back into his green eyes, I felt like I should pull away but I couldn't. Every time I tried, it was all in vain. His warmth and closeness made it so hard to avert my own eyes away. Stuck in place; both my body and my mind were refusing to cooperate with each other, everything was out of sync and trying to do its own thing. I stayed frozen.
"Well, the good thing is: you don't have a fever," Percy confirmed with just a brief touch on my forehead that lasted less than a minute. I wondered how he could tell with such confidence, "Though you were definitely getting warmer…"
He withdrew his right hand from my face, "I wonder why…"
Immediately, I threw both my hands up in front of my body, waving no for more than a few times and stared at his direction without fully staring at him, then I began to babble in a completely anxious manner, "N-No reason. Hahah… absolutely no reason at all!"
Percy noticed my struggling responses and his concern for me only raised a little more, "Huh? Why are you blushing like— that…? Ohh…"
The concerns in his green eyes faded away from the corners of his eyes, replaced with frozen emotions I couldn't understand, but at the very least, I could tell he knew what's going on now.
"…" Percy looked stunned at me, even though I wasn't the one who was bold enough to do that. I honestly didn't know if I had it in me to do what he just did if the roles were reversed.
"…" I shrunk back further into my seat, ready to hide away if I wasn't already hiding my eyes and every little emotions I had from Percy. The moment of silence was intense, filled with awkwardness and so much more.
In any case, I was relieved that he finally realized why, but that only meant even more embarrassment for us. His eyes widen in less than a minute, then his gaze fixed on different corners behind me and grew even more slack jaw and red. I knew what he was seeing because I saw the same thing when I was looking past him, the murmuring crowds gathered on either side of the library and staring at our awkward and just about intimate interaction.
"Did you see that?" Some said gleefully behind me.
Many whistled when Percy leaned over and placed his right hand over me.
"OMG! They are so much of a couple right now!" Some others gasped with gossiping smiles on their faces in front of me.
The whispers and intriguing stares were just subtle enough that I couldn't make out their exact meaning, but it's actually not that difficult to figure out what everyone was saying at that point. Hiding within the bookshelves, how I wished I could glare at each and every one of them all until they'd be forced to scramble.
"Ahhh!" Percy fumbled back, screeching his seat so abruptly away from me and almost stumbled on the tippy edge of the chair when it tilted over.
"That's not what I was— I mean… I wasn't going to- I- I am not…" He said hurriedly after catching himself with the help of the table.
Throwing so many explanations at me, I knew what he was saying with every one of them, but it didn't make me feel any better in terms of the blushes on my burning cheeks. I looked down at the table, unable to face him.
Still, his right hand was gone- and truth be told, I sort of missed the warmth of him touching my forehead caringly. Ever since we separated, I didn't feel like my head was going to explode anymore, nor the feeling like every single neuron in my head was about to be fried to a crisp.
Able to think a bit clearer, I worked up my courage and blurted out softly.
"It's okay." I mumbled so softly and played with my fingers.
Still staring between our table and my pleated grey skirt, I hoped Percy could do something to get rid of the huge awkwardness between us. Or better yet, doing something just as bold that might help get the dozens of eager-looking eyes away from us.
While my first wish didn't come true, the latter part did. It was from the most unlikely of places, but the librarian lady saved us when she shouted in our direction, though not at us specifically.
"Hey! You kids down there by the bookshelves! Stop hiding in there! Unless you are here to study, then scramble off!"
Filing the whole library with giggles, everyone actually scrambled off from the bookshelves and left the library at a running pace. Escaping her wrath, everyone was laughing one way or another while she was fuming in anger that the dozen more people in here weren't even here to study at all. She was apparently angry enough that she actually threw a medium-size book at the large group causing a wild scene in the middle of the two-level library. No doubt, it was distracting the students who were actually here to study.
How come I am not surprised? I sighed in defeat.
When the onlookers left, I found the library to be just as empty as the first two days of school where I tutored Percy. A shocking revelation on its own, but now I realized that everyone who was in the library in the past three days was only there because of me and Percy. No wonder why the rumors and gossips spread so fast like a wildfire.
How come I am not surprised by that either? I sighed another time.
Left truly alone- there were only the two of us now, literally no one else was in the middle of the library where the studying tables were at- I heard both Percy and I sighed. It's not hard to tell that our chest felt lighter without the many eyes staring at our every moment.
Then a long time passed- about ten minutes or so- where nothing was happening between me and Percy. We were just sitting there side by side, not doing our work, not studying, not brave enough to make a conversation after the little out of nowhere affection when he put his hand on my head.
"…" I kept quiet.
Just when I couldn't take the heat anymore and force a lame excuse, something like I need to use the restroom, Percy prevented me from getting up when he finally spoke up at the perfect moment.
It's not like I need to use it anyway.
"I am sorry," Percy brought up another apology, "I didn't mean to do that. It's sort of like an innate instinct with me, so I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable when I- I uh—."
I don't doubt you were feeling any more comfortable than I am, idiot! I thought sarcastically and rolled my actual eyes.
I let out a puff of air and let my confidence find me. It was barely keeping me from breaking down, but I managed to form a question and asked, "What do you mean: an innate instinct…?"
I didn't expect Percy's gaze to freeze again, but I was too intrigued by that point.
"And how come you can tell I don't have a fever just from that?" I followed up.
There was an uneasy and uncomfortable aura coming from Percy the moment I asked him those specific questions. I thought it was pretty harmless, but for whatever reason, Percy didn't seem like he wanted to reveal it. I must have crossed a fine line that Percy kept and I didn't know about— Oh crap… Is he going to hate me for it?
"You shouldn't blame yourself." I suddenly remember small bits of a conversation, but from where?
As I sat there for a moment in silence, I tried to hold my anxiety and gave him some time, waiting to see if he wanted to say anything about that. It didn't happen for the longest time, and just when I was going to give up and withdraw my questions, Percy let out a deep sober sighed and told me exactly why. It wasn't what I was expecting one bit…
"My little brother…" Percy spoke softly.
I paused at the tip of my tongue. I wanted to say something in acknowledgment, but his handsome and good-looking face suddenly grew grim. There was something in how his mood changed that made me stop in the middle, the deep solemn look on his face gave me a strange sensation that I shouldn't interrupt him.
"Tyson was his name. I- uh… I mean, he was more than four years younger than me, so I've always had to take care of him one way or another."
Wait… Did he says-
"He always gets sick all the time, and back then, I was always the one who took care of him because my parents had to work, so they have no time whatsoever. Whenever he starts getting sick, I always checked to see if he has a fever first, so that's why I can tell. I've done it too many times since then that I've gotten really good at it."
He forced a smile at me, "I guess that's why… It's just come over me suddenly. I didn't really mean to- you know? I hope you aren't mad at me?"
I wasn't… Not at the slightest. More importantly-
"I am not." I shook my head, "But when you said your little brother, Tyson, w-was- Did you mean-?"
It was the first time I saw a dead look in Percy's emerald eyes, confirming what I was suspecting. He seemed like he was prepared for the question though, and as much as I wanted to put it aside before I could poke my nose where it didn't belong, some part of me wanted to find out more. More likely than not, I expected that he was going to stay tight lip about this. Instead, he began to reveal more and more about his life to me, surprising me a great deal with how much detail he was putting into his explanation.
"Yeah." Percy said, "He passed away when I was twelve years old."
The sorrow and grief hiding in his words after he revealed the truth made me feel a strange and subtle pain in my chest. My heart froze as I realize what happened in his childhood. There were no words I could say, nor did I want to say them after his revelation. His sadden expression put me on a halt and I barely held it together. To know that Percy had suffered a terrible tragedy like this, I wondered how much of it had affected him since growing up.
"I am sorry," I managed to say softly, "D-Did he had a serious illness?"
It almost seemed like Percy was expecting this question from me, but what he said next shocked me.
"No." Percy replied, "He didn't have any terminal illness like that. But all his life, he had been dealing with severe depressive symptoms. I- I wasn't really aware of what it meant back then. I just thought that how he was, always sad and getting angry with sudden outbursts. Besides getting sick all the time, his mental health wasn't doing any better even with therapy and medication."
I blinked, not expecting where this might be going so I listened intently. Everything was far from what I was expecting, and his story was taking another dark turn that I didn't know if I could handle anymore.
"I eventually found out that he was blaming himself," Percy revealed, and at that moment, I heard a small bitterness growing in his voice until I saw a remorseful look on him.
Percy's gaze took a dip downward toward the desk, "He kept blamed himself for getting sick all the time, for making me take care of him, for being a burden on me and my parents, and for small and tiny things that-"
He couldn't finish his words, but I already picked up on his frustration and guilt.
"In any case, he was blaming himself way too much, throwing all these negative responsibilities on himself." He bit his lips, "And because I didn't know how to help him, I just left him alone… in a dark place by himself."
I couldn't speak when he revealed what happened next. It was way darker than I had originally imagined.
"At some point, I guess he was dealing with too many negative thoughts that overwhelmed him, so he- he committed suicide when we weren't home and he was all alone by himself."
After hearing his story, my mouth went completely dry and I was wordless. Percy didn't say anything beyond that point either, his melancholy gaze turned toward the windows and fixed itself on the orange horizon. Unable to meet him fully, I kept my eyes on him and felt a stinging pang in my heart when I noticed his eyes welling up with small tears.
"Percy, I'm..."
I didn't know what to say, and for the longest time, I left my word hanging at the tip of my tongue without having any idea how to approach it. I should have just said that I am sorry about his brother, but after hearing his whole story, some unknown force in this universe decided that's when I should recall what's missing from my memory. The events that led up to this moment right now.
I finally remembered everything… The fight that I had with Percy. The mean things I've said-
"I am sorry." I barely got it out of me and looked away.
I knew I should have been the one to comfort him after he revealed something so personal and heartbreaking, but Percy shook his head out of the corner of my eyes before I could even say another thing. Instead, he reassured me with a small smile even though he was the one who was hurting, his pensive expression hiding underneath the surface and he even pushed his tears back for me, "It's okay, Annabeth. It was in the past already. I am fine."
"No." I repeated and got really upset, not at Percy, but more so at myself, "I am so sorry. I didn't know why before- that you were just trying to— I am sorry about everything…"
I felt my own tears pooling up in my eyes, but I couldn't push them back like how Percy was doing. After knowing the full story, I finally realized what he's been saying back then and I hated myself even more than before. I only wished that I could travel back in time and take back what I've said to him, but that's impossible. I could only hope that he won't hold a grudge against me.
Percy stayed silent on me.
"I remembered now," I said with downcast eyes, "… what happened at chemistry class- I have said mean things to you when you were only trying to help me, and I didn't realize how you were affected by what I said either. I thought you were trying to pick a fight with me at first, but now... I am really sorry for getting angry at you."
I gulped fearfully as I admit my mistake, "That wasn't right of me."
Percy listened thoroughly, yet his silences spoke more volume than actually speaking out loud. He kept his gaze on his open books and on the warm glow of the setting sun, but he never tried to turn to me nor respond in any way.
Oh. I guess that's it then… Damn it. I am such a stupid idiot, but I can't stop him from h-hating— I can't stop him from disliking me from now on. Just don't cry about it, Annabeth… don't cry.
I didn't dare to look at him; not least to prevent him from seeing a few fresh tears rolling down my cheeks, but I knew what fate awaited me now. As unintentional as it was, I knew my relationship with him was about to come to an end. This new and enjoyable friendship I've shared with him would fall apart like a sand castle built too close to shore.
In the end, Percy had been nothing but a sweet and kindhearted person to me. He helped me find some worthwhile meanings in my life when I was least expecting to. He helped keep me on my feet countlessly since I've met him that faithful day. He made me laugh, smile, feeling delightfully annoyed, and so many other emotions when I thought I never would anymore. And more importantly, he never was trying to pick a fight with me. I was the stupid one who misunderstood everything which led us to this state.
It sucked that I've done this to myself again. I didn't want him to hate me, and I really wanted to keep being friends with him.
I wanted to keep my hopes up, to keep wishing, until he exhaled and move his lips. I held my breath in place…
"Annabeth." Percy finally spoke, his voice softer than normal which helped cushion the fall I was about to receive, "You know I don't hate you, right?"
Huh?
"To be honest, I am sorry about what I did too." Percy spoke when I thought he wouldn't want to talk to me anymore, "I know you are not my little brother, and the frustration I felt… I shouldn't have spring my own ideals on you so forcefully, so I wasn't surprised that you reacted the way you did. I deserve all of it."
Yeah… you kinda did, but still-
"I was a real jerk back then…" Percy admitted, "I wasn't caring about your feelings whatsoever when I said all that stuff to you and got you upset. I can see that now, and I am sorry for it."
Any lingering anger holding my heart in stasis melted away soon after. I tried my best to reply, "It's-"
Percy continued before I could, "Even though what you said still hurt a bit, I don't want that to be the only thing I remember from this. I think it's too silly of a thing to go hate someone for it. Plus, you were right. I didn't know much about you and I shouldn't have assumed whatever it is that you are feeling."
I gulped at all that he was saying. Any tears in my eyes were dried up from the way he spoke, the way he left me feeling, leaving behind only a few wet trails down my cheeks. Then he finally turned and gave me brief hints of a gentle smile.
"While that's true, I do want that part to change between us, Annabeth. I want to get to know you better, as your friend and help out with your troubles too. Just like the way you've helped me with mine."
Gulping nervously many times over, my eyes automatically traveled over his figure in search of something that I'd been longing for. Instead, I began to stare aimlessly. The way his school uniform fit him so well, wearing it in a slightly dishevel manner which complimented his silly and idiotic nature, the way his always messy hair made me feel a strong thumping in my chest whenever I looked at them, his charm and mesmerizing smiles that always managed to catch me off guard every time and could light up the whole room…
He wanted to be friends with me… He wanted us to be real friends… Eekk! Am I am blushing? No, I am not blushing! Stop it! Am I lighting up? My cheeks are turning pink, isn't it? Gosh, I feel so delighted right now! Why can't I stop thinking in exclamation?! Why am I screaming so happily in my head?! Aahhh-
It might not be the confession that would 'change my life' in that sense, but this friendly gesture was way better than anything else in my opinion. The way he could honestly communicate his feelings, I wanted to be like him, to be able to say what I felt without hiding my feelings behind my words.
… And I might as well start now.
I finally looked at Percy fully without drawing my gaze sideways, my grey eyes staring directly into his green ones. It took my lips a few tries to really get moving, playing with the words that had been stuck in my throat for a while now. Finally, just when the intensity between us felt right for me, I spoke up and told him my true feelings softly, "Me too. I want to get to know you better, Percy."
Once the flood gates opened up, I couldn't stop the words from flowing, "I know what I said hurt you too, and I can't take back what I've said. But I hope you'll forgive me. I hope you'll give me another chance to try again, to be a better friend than that, to try and get to know you more and not be such a jerk to you."
I've said what I need to say and to be honest, it felt so much better. It's almost like another boulder was lifted off my chest. Waiting for his reply now, Percy suddenly let out a small snicker, a funny look on his face just when I was just being real serious with him, "Hehe… That last part might be too tall of an order for you, Annabeth."
An abrupt gasp ensured after he threw that out from the left field, teasing me at a moment like this when I was just being wholehearted and honest with him. Timing wise, it was the worst moment for something like this, but at the same time, it felt perfectly natural for him, for us…
Ahh! He's such a hopeless and awful idiot! Ugh! Why do I even like him so much?
I smacked his arms and glared, "I was being serious, jerk!"
"Oww! Okay-okay." He slapped his hands together and bowed forward apologetically, "Sorry, sorry… that wasn't great, I know."
"Humph!" I turned from him and crossed my arms together.
More or less, I could only pout when his laughing amusement smiles grew increasingly wider, then I bit my lips a few times before I could find my words once more. I huffed at him, "Anyway, I owe you an apology for what happened in class, so you get one free pass from me. Just so you know, I'd have to agree with it first, so don't you go and get any wrong and weirdly perverted ideas."
"Wow… I can't believe you think so little of me, Annabeth." A humorous Percy grumbled in defeat.
In response, I stuck my tongue out at him, making silly sounds with my mouth. He pretty much got my message from that, an even more amused look on his face. Gosh! What am I? A five years old? That was probably the silliest thing I've done with anyone, and it made me sheepishly hide away to prevent him from seeing any of my embarrassment.
"You are such a child, Annabeth." Percy laughed in earnest.
I bit my lip and smiled to myself too.
Instead of ending up in the worst possible scenario I had imagined, where everything would go wrong between us and we'd never speak to each other again, I would be lying if I said I wasn't glad that our connections were strengthened through this small little conflict. Even more so, I was a lot happier than I thought I'd be, that we were able to get through this misunderstanding while still being ourselves. I wanted to keep building on it with him, to make our friendship as solid as possible so even the strongest of waves couldn't wash away our sand castle.
Through my peripheral vision, I saw him smile back at me, "Well, since I am equally at fault, I guess I owe you a free pass too, huh? Well, same rules apply, and I'd also have to agree with it first."
"Good." I agreed with an extra emphasis on it.
Percy replied in the same manner, "Great."
Meanwhile, we've totally ignored our work on the table as we talked more and more, leading us to places where I would have never imagined. For instance, right after we just sorted out our feelings for each other and made up for what happened in class, Percy did something really, really stupid.
… So stupid in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if his head was filled with grains of sand, or rather, because of the resemblance to his messy hairstyle, a head filled with literal seaweed.
"Well, first order of business as your new best friend..." Percy grinned.
I rolled my eyes at him, but inside I was listening intently, even looking forward to what he wanted to say. He calls me his best friend… and now I feel butterflies flying in my stomach. Is this how it's supposed to feel?
"We've got to talk about that thing." He hinted.
I narrowed my eyes, "That thing?"
"Yeah, you know, that thing that you want to talk about..."
"I don't know what thing you are talking about, Percy."
Percy gasped in shock, "What? How can you not? That's the thing that you wanted to- Wait! It's right there! Behind you!"
I flinched at his suddenness, promptly turning around at his command and halfway scare for my life.
"Ahh!" I even screamed a bit.
But when I turned around, I saw nothing but the empty lanes of bookshelves beside other bookshelves. I was expecting something scary to happen, but nothing… absolutely nothing… Just the warm orange glow of the sun shining through smalls gaps between each books, leaving a steady ray of light behind.
"Are you high?" I furiously turned around to meet Percy again, "What the hell are you e-even talking—"
Bonk!
I couldn't finish and blinked in surprise when I turned around fully to face him. Before me, Percy's right hand was in front of my face, his index finger halfway forward after he flicked his finger at me. I couldn't move my eyes away because they were frozen in place, "Wut?"
There was a small post sensation on my forehead, like something hit it softly. Finally, I realized what had happened and stared at him even though his right hand didn't move away at all. He had the wildest knowing grin on his face, and whatever reaction I was making only seemed to spur him on even more.
"That's for all the times you've hit me for no reason at all." He grinned.
I finally figured it out. The elaborated acting… The fake jump scare… All for a dumb joke!
"Don't you fucking do that again, Percy! You scare the living crap out of me! Gosh!" I shouted, "And it's not even a funny joke! It's totally dumb and absolutely s-stupi-"
"Shushhh!" The librarian called us out again. The stern expression in her eyes could match no others after a day where almost everyone, including us, was being rude and loud in her studying hall.
I paused, blushing a small apology back to the librarian lady whose cold gaze could be enough to silence an entire stadium of rowdy people. Satisfied even though her tolerance jar was most likely ready to overflow, I blinked away without catching her annoyed gaze anymore.
Percy smirked when I got caught instead of him. He quickly withdrew his hand from me with a satisfying smugness, "I got you though…"
Part of me wanted to smack him right away, but out of nowhere- a gift from the almighty anime God, perhaps- I thought of a great idea that only I alone could achieve. It didn't involve smacking him in the back of his head, nor did it involve hiding away in embarrassment until I couldn't handle the pressure and run away from the situation.
All I needed was some mental encouragement…
In the end, I got exactly what I was looking for when I reached over and pulled on his white button-up shirt, grabbing it slightly by his sleeves but not looking at him.
"I-Idiot, you are embarrassing me…" I mumbled.
"Huh?" Percy got confused really quickly, exactly what I was hoping for, "Wait? You are not mad?"
Hehe… Thank you so much! Who would have thought that a scene from my favorite anime would come to be so useful in a real life situation?
I tugged on his shirt, "Stop it, Percy… You are not funny."
Using the powerful spell of being a girl to my advantage; I really hoped I have a least a few attractive qualities about me that Percy would- you know what? Never mind… In any case, in order for my joke to go as planned, I couldn't deviate from what I was doing whatsoever, even if it was taking all of me to keep the whole thing going.
It actually went quite well with all things considered. After all, rose-colored blushes naturally came as soon as I scooch myself closer to his seat, while I still hung my head down on my skirt with a totally shy pretense. Of course, Percy naturally recoiled a little away in response, but not enough to stop me from advancing on his position. Now we were side by side, our shoulders touching before I let go of his sleeves, reaching down for his left hand.
"Huhh? A-Annabeth? You okay?" Percy tried to be as calm and composed as possible once I held him in my grasp which kept his figure from stumbling away.
Heating up for real and really quickly, I did my best to put up a childish pout, puffing out my cheeks and giving myself the undeniably cute look that most guys would no doubt fall for.
"I am fine, Percy. But…"
I finally looked up at him, tilting my head to my right so I could stare into his green eyes. Of course, I didn't fail to bring out the girly charm in me and threw my cute gaze at him with a bit of an allure in my grey eyes too. The amusing sparkles in his wavy orbs were gone, replaced with confusion and a small fear. Savoring the sweet taste of how evil I was being with him, I smirked in my head and continued as if nothing was wrong with my abrupt change in demeanor.
"You can be so mean sometimes, Percy…" I purred, leaning into his face with a soft and playful look.
Percy almost fell off his seat and I barely held back my laughers, but I couldn't let that deter me now. I needed to make him suffer just as equally as I did, or else it wouldn't be fair.
I leaned even closer until we were only two inches apart.
"Annabeth!? Wait… wait just a minute…" Percy pleaded, but he wasn't going to run away from this. I won't let him.
Even breathing became just hard for me, but it was all for a joke so I managed to keep going despite all of the wild feelings shooting fireworks in my heart. Maybe deep inside, I was hoping for this to be more than just a joke, or else, I wouldn't have done any of this in the first place.
I was just literally about to kiss him when I whispered with a smirk, yet I was doing my best to hide the fact that my mental confidences were wavering wildly, "Why?"
Percy tried to look anywhere but at me, but with such close distance between us, it was impossible to pull his glances sideways because they always came back to me. His awkwardness was exactly what I wanted, except now I could barely hold myself together either.
It's only for a joke! Oh my God, Annabeth… Don't even think about it! Don't you dare kiss him!
Everything would have gone as planned if only I didn't leave one inch apart between us. Now my brain was frozen in place and I couldn't think straight. It took all of my willpower to not lean in for that last inch before our lips would connect. Still, I couldn't stop my imaginations from running wild, wondering how his lips would taste on mine, dreaming of how soft he would be when we kiss...
No! Stop it! Stop it right now!
"B-Because-ee…" Percy ran his hands through his hair and leaned as far back from me as possible.
I was lucky that he pulled back more because I wouldn't have been able to resist the wild desire in my heart if that continued any longer. Playing a joke that had gone way too far and way too long, I had to pull myself back together or else this whole thing would fall apart.
Given the golden opportunity, I was able to pull away abruptly and give him a smirk that revealed what I've been up to since this whole thing started. Percy looked more than a little stunned as soon as I moved away and put a more than comfortable distance between us, our chairs still pressing against each other though.
Still leaning backward, his right hand was all that's keeping him on the seat. I let go of his left hand at the same time too, and right away he stumbled for balance. Of course, his godlike steadiness helped him find his 'seating' again, though I wouldn't mind seeing him falling on his butt though. The amusement would be out of this world.
"Hehe…" I giggled at his impassive look, "Did you see that look on your face?"
Getting all the hints he needed to figure this out, Percy's perplexed response lasted less than a minute before his eyes widen in jarring surprise. I couldn't do much after that but laughed out loud and snicker at him for falling right into my trap.
"Hahah… That's for—"
-making me want to kiss you more than a few times since I've met you…
"- being a stupid idiot all the time." I finished.
I didn't expect he could talk after my very evil deed, and I was right. Savoring everything little bit of his reaction, it was so perfect I could enjoy this moment forever.
"Hmm, revenge is so sweet!"
Percy couldn't formulate words, "I- I… you were… Is- w-wat…"
Delighted to the point where even my stomach began to hurt from laughing with joy, I couldn't let it end on such a wimpy note for him. It's only right that I should give him some comfort for being an absolute tease to him.
"Aww…" I reached for him again, though I was only brave enough to pat his shoulder this time, "Don't feel too bad, Percy…"
Just when he began to relax, I turned pale like a ghost and turned my cold, evil gaze at him, "Just know that the next time you decide to tease or scare me like that, I won't hold back… because that's not the worst thing I could do to you."
Percy stared at me like I was the devil incarnate of some sort and he looked ready to cry, fear gripping him still before he mumbled in a pleading manner, "Ehh…"
It was way too much. His scared shitless reaction and the way his body trembled at my threat were just too much for me to handle. I just burst out laughing, then again and again until I couldn't stop. Flipped over completely, I smiled at his answer, "And besides, I get the feeling that you like that, didn't you?"
Oh my God! When did I become so bold with him? I almost yeep myself when I said that out loud without actually meaning to, causing Percy to wobble slightly on his seat, making a sharp screeching sound against the wooden floorboard.
His original pale-like figure after my cold stare grew even more until there was a ghost-like look on his expression, confused and devoid of any necessary emotions to respond.
"I- I…" Percy finally found some of his words, "I'm-"
Snap!
It was just when I thought Percy would say something genuine, but that camera shutter click interrupted everything and ruined the moment I was having with him.
"W…What?" We both turned our heads.
Unbeknownst to us, we were so absorbed in our little bubble, I didn't even see Piper literally one table away from us. She held up her phone, the back camera pointing directly at me and Percy. Hiding her full expression behind it, I could only see the sparkling joy in her hazel eyes above the phone, anything else was just left to my imagination. Though honestly, I could figure out the rest pretty easily.
"Mmm! I am going to treasure these!" Piper said gleefully as she shot me a smirk, "By the way, princess, that was pretty bold of you, and a really mean thing for you to do that to your new best friend…"
Piper laughed, totally unaware that my embarrassment had reached beyond the point of no return, crossing the threshold and giving way for real anger to take control. Infuriated that she always had to interfere in my relationship with Percy, I couldn't take it anymore.
I was going to kill her this time!
"Piper? You were watching?" Percy asked with severe red blushes on his cheeks.
Piper shot him another knowing smirk, "Sorry, Percy, but I've got to run before Annabeth could catch me, if you know what I mean."
"Huh?"
Piper promptly jumped from her seat, leaving behind three aluminum cans with the one in middle opened up. Either way, I wasn't going to let her get away so easily.
I stormed up from my seat and chased after her, "Come back here! Piper! I swear to God!"
Making a total scene in the library, we were turning not just the heads of the lady Liberian, but everyone else who was in between the bookshelves as they came out to catch what's happening. Making it a race with me, I desperately tried to catch up to her lightning-speed pace. Of course, she made sure to slow me down by drifting corners on the study table. I slowed down, not wanting to hit the edge of any desk and cause any injuries. My only goal was the stupid phone on her right hand…
"Girls! Don't make me-"
I couldn't care much less about that right now. Laser-focused on Piper's figure, I narrowed my eyes when she dared to tease me even more.
"You are too slow, Annabeth!" She laughed and giggled for the whole library to hear.
I had enough and rushed like a demon at her.
"Piper! Give me that phone right now!"
Running up to the second level through the spiral stairs, I raced her in between the bookshelves and almost lost sight of her slippery and sneaky figure. Luckily, my deduction and smarts paid off and I found her easily again and again.
"Give up already, Pipes! I am not kidding!"
Her only response was more laughers, "You are going to have to catch me first!"
We were playing a game of cat and mouse, and as I hear the joyous laughs in her voice, it made me feel a bit playful too. Despite everything leading up to this, I wasn't sure if the boiling anger inside me was boiling anymore. Sure, I was going to get that phone no matter what, but the way we were running around the library, acting like total kids. It felt… strangely welcoming.
I felt a smile moved across my lips when I chased her back down to the first level. Piper led us back to the study area, and from the right side of the library, she had me chased her down in a straight line, passing right by our desk. This was my one and only chance!
I jumped and tackled her, totally successful in my attempt before we both tumbled forward. Piper was laughing and giggled while we fell, and similarly, I had the widest grin on my face, "Ha! I got you!"
Out of the corner of my eyes and just for a brief moment, I saw the stupidest silly smirk on Percy's face as he watched us run around and causing a scene, the comical exasperation on his smiling face made me feel even more delighted.
I snatched the phone away from her hand, "I'm deleting it, Pipes!"
Just one small problem, I didn't even think beforehand about her passcode. Gripping at this new reality, I blushed and looked at her smiling face. She knew all along, and she smirked knowingly after playing me for a fool.
Ugh! How stupid could I be!
"Oops… guess that was all for nothing, huh princess?" Piper's laughs grew until the entire library could hear her. I glared at her, having little to no effect whatsoever.
Footsteps soon came over until I saw a shadow overhead. I looked up hesitantly.
"Eeewk!" I gulped and gasped when I saw a fiery gaze behind her blue eyes.
"Girls…" The librarian lady called us out with a livid expression, burning flames enveloping her core as she cracked her knuckles and even began to look menacingly at us, ready to unleash her powerful combo until we were utterly destroyed.
I flinched and pull back…
"W-Wait…"
Behind us, Percy shook his head in mocking despair.
