Chapter 7
Annabeth hated Luke. She hated the stupid scar that ran down his face from when he tried to save Thalia and her from an unruly cat when they were younger. She hated his sky-blue eyes that once made her fall for him. But most importantly, she hated the fact that he found her, and returned to turn her life to hell once more.
She hated that she felt weak against him. She hated feeling weak towards anyone to be honest. She liked the power that came from her position, as no one could hurt her. She was slowly accepting her life, making more friends and learning to trust, when it all broke with this person's arrival.
After Zeus introduced him to the staff, Luke made a bee-line for her.
"So, Annie", Luke began, "Miss me?"
Annabeth wanted to retch when she smelled his all too familiar cologne. "You? I'd rather barf."
Luke's easy-going facade changed in an instant, and he had that threatening look on his face, until it became the lazy arrogant expression he always wore. "Be careful Annie. We don't want another accident do we?"
Annabeth glared at him. She opened her mouth to retort something back, when she saw Percy stand in front of her. "Excuse me Luke, but I need to borrow Annabeth to revise our lines."
Without another word, Percy grabbed her wrist and pulled her along. Once they were a safe distance away, Percy dropped her wrist and scratch his neck, a sign that he was nervous.
"I hope you don't mind", he started, "I know you can handle arrogant jerks like him, but you seemed a little pale. Plus, I really do want to practice lines with you, honest."
Annabeth couldn't help it, and started laughing. She loved that Percy was both concerned and nervous about her. "Were you really that worried that I'd tell you off for this?"
Percy looked at her as though she was crazy, "Are you kidding? You seem so strong, that if our lives were a fairytale, you'd be the Prince Charming saving my Princess ass!"
That was all Annabeth needed to realize that she actually and truly loved Perseus Jackson. She loved his humor, quick-wit and humble nature. He was her permanent. So, when he asked her, albeit a little hesitantly, about her situation with Luke, she dragged him to the roof of the school where they were shooting, and told him everything. She told him her true feelings regarding her situation, her mom and most importantly Luke.
She knew that she was making a huge gamble here, but she trusted Percy. After all, he was the cute guy who offered to sleep on the couch when they crashed at his place. The one who made no moves on her when they slept together and held her when she cried like a baby. He was the one who cracked jokes with her on set and boasted about his culinary skills.
He was the Ryan to her Liza. No question in her mind.
Once she bared her soul to him, she realized that she was trembling, but she felt this satisfaction that she hadn't felt in so long. Was this what it meant to share her problems with others? Sure, she told Piper, but that didn't feel as good as telling Percy. Maybe it was because Percy connected with her on a whole new level. Whatever it may be, she had to admit that being under Percy's embrace (he hugged her after she narrated the incident) was way better than Piper's.
"Oh, my gods Annabeth! I'm so sorry. I hate what that son of a bitch did to you. But more importantly, I hate that you had to go through all of that. I knew I heard something about this in the papers, but that was around the same time my dad died, and I was facing some of my own demons. So, I didn't really pay much close attention to it. I wish I met you then."
"No", Annabeth began, "I'm glad I didn't meet you then. If I did, then I wouldn't have trusted you completely and I would've been rude and snarky. Plus, if I did, we wouldn't have had made this amazing bond we've made during this shooting. I'm truly glad we became friends Percy. But there's something that's been on my mind that I want to say. I- "
"I love you Annabeth. Truly and forever. Will you go out with me?"
Annabeth froze. This wonderful and amazing person liked her? Even after hearing about her pathetic past? "Are you sure? I mean I know I was going to ask you out myself but- "
Warm lips and the faint lingering smell of the ocean. That's all Annabeth could think of at that moment. The sea and Percy Jackson. Her two most favourite things in her world now. As she responded to Percy's kiss, she wrapped her arms tightly around his frame, and prayed to anyone who'd listen, to not ruin this for her. For the first time since Luke, she wanted to trust and believe this raven haired actor so much. If she thought she liked Luke, she probably loves Percy.
He made her feel save and warm. Like sunbathing on a beach with the sun falling gently on her skin, and the waves lapping around her feet. In other words, perfect.
"Do you still not believe me?"
"Shut up and kiss me Jackson."
Perfectly perfect.
