Annabeth nervously chewed her chicken nuggets as Piper pulled into her driveway.

She would have never for the life of her guessed that this would've been Piper's home. It was massive! She had heard rumours around the school that Piper was loaded, something to do with her dad, but this was next level rich.

Her eyes scanned the building as panic settled in her chest. She turned to stare at her friend, mascara still marking her cheeks.

'I'm nervous, what if they don't like me?'

Piper rolled her eyes and smiled at the girl, leaning over to rub the mascara away with her thumb.

'Don't worry! They will! And if they don't then they'll have to answer to me!'

They had agreed to come back to Piper's after she insisted Annabeth stayed the night at hers with her friends, who she had ditched earlier to go and pick her up. She refused to let the girl go home alone, worried that she would sit in her room and feel sad all night.

Annabeth sent a small smile to her friend, and Piper hopped out the car, running round to open Annabeths door for her.

'M'lady' she jokingly bowed as Annabeth stepped out the car, causing her to chuckle. Piper could see the nerves in her friends eyes, and grabbed her by the hand, pulling her into her home.

They entered the front door and took their shoes off, Piper sending Annabeth a reassuring smile before yelling out.

'We're home!'

Within a few seconds, a boy Annabeth recognised as Jason materialised in a door frame in front of then. He had a large grin on his face, that faltered slightly when he met Annabeth's eyes. He scanned her up and down, taking in her state, and watched her clutch her chicken nuggets to her chest, raising a questioning eyebrow at his girlfriend.

Annabeth thought he was going to ask why she was there. Anyone with eyes could clearly see she had been crying, and she was awaiting the questions that she was hoping to avoid tonight, fear that talking about Luke would make her break down into tears once more. So, you can imagine her surprise when Jason pointed accusingly at his partner.

'You went to McDonalds without me?'

Piper laughed and shoved her boyfriend playfully, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Annabeth relaxed slightly and smiled thankfully at the boy. He shot her a look, which she translated into 'I won't ask, but i hope you're okay,' and Annabeth was beyond grateful.

'Hey! You literally got Taco Bell without me earlier so don't even go there!'

The two grinned at each other and Annabeth couldn't help but smile as she watched the two interact, ignoring the pang in her chest.

'Cmon, everyone else is downstairs.'

He spun on his heels and walked further into the house, Piper following. She paused and glanced back at Annabeth, holding out her hand.

'Cmon, you got this!'

Annabeth hurried to catch up and grabbed her hand.

Piper led her through a hallway, turning right revealing a movie room. She took in the scene, and noticed that there were five other people scattered around the room. She recognised them as Nico, Leo, Frank, Hazel and (oh god) Percy.

She hesitated at the door, worried about facing him. But with a little tug from Piper she entered the room, and everyone's eyes turned to face her.

'Annabeth?' Percy sat up in his seat, glancing up and down her figure. He could tell she had been crying. She bit her lip, unsure of what to say, and thanked the gods when Piper chimed up for her.

'Hey! If you haven't met her, this is Annabeth. She's staying over tonight!'

The room was full of polite hellos and little waves, and Annabeth awkwardly waved back. Piper tugged her once more, and flopped on a seat next to Jason, leaving room for Annabeth next to her, in between Piper and Percy.

'So, what do you want to watch?' Leo asked, cutting the tension in the room.

'Whatever!' Piper replied, eyes darting to Annabeth, 'Just no rom coms please!'

Annabeth had the faintest of smiles on her face, and everyone looked at her sadly as she felt tears slowly enter her eyes again. She rapidly blinked to keep them at bay, and cursed herself when she felt one slowly drip down her cheek.

Piper flung an arm over her shoulder bringing her in for a side hug, and Hazel, surprisingly, jumped up from her seat and hurried over to the girl, wiping her tear away and joining the hug.

'Im really sorry. I probably ruined the vibes or whatever and I'm trying to not cr-'

Percy shut her up, shhing her and brushing her hair out of her face. Hazel returned to her seat, allowing Percy to shuffle closer and grab her hand.

'What happened?' Percy asked, worried plastered on his face.

Annabeth bit her lip slightly, contemplating sharing her life with these strangers. But as she glanced round the room and saw nothing but supportive stares, she crumbled slightly and held onto his hand tighter.

'I was right.' She admitted defeatedly, 'He was cheating on me. With Thalia.'

The whole room froze and Annabeth glanced around taking in their expressions. Shock, sadness, pity. She met Percy's eyes, and was surprised to see how angry he looked.

He shook his head, and he could see he was getting worked up about the situation, looking like he wanted to murder someone.

'Thats so fucked up.' He spat, shaking his head in disgust, 'honestly, I'm going to fucking kill him.'

Her heart melted slightly at how protective he was, and she squeezed his hand, seeing the anger slowly fade out of him in response. He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, the rest of the room clueless.

'What a dickhead.' Nico spoke, breaking the silence. 'I never liked him.'

Everyone muttered in agreement.

Jason coughed awkwardly, and grabbed the remote.

'Okay then,' he started, 'what about some horror film where the boyfriend ends up dying. That seems fitting!'

They all laughed slightly and Annabeth stared at Piper, so grateful for her for introducing her to these people, and being there for her. Piper grinned down at her, and nudged her shoulder lovingly, as Jason clicked on a film and the title started rolling.

Annabeth wasn't oblivious to Percy scooting closer, or the fact he was still stroking her hand. She felt his other arm brush her shoulder from where it was resting on the back of the couch, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear.

'I hope you're okay.' He said, giving her hand another squeeze. 'And i hope you hang out with us more. Everyone seems to really like you.'

Her eyes softened and glanced up to meet his.

'You think?' She asked nervously, seeing his eyes soften in response.

'For sure.'

She felt herself grinning properly for the first time tonight, and offered him a nugget from her box, to which he accepted with a smile.

As she glanced at the screen, Percys body heat keeping her warm as she was pressed into his side, and surrounded by new friends, Annabeth couldn't help but smile.

She was so thankful to them all, and her year had just gotten a lot better.

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She couldn't remember drifting off to sleep. But when she woke, the room was in darkness, a small lamp being the only source of light. Piper was missing from her side, and she scanned the room, seeing Leo crashed to the floor, drool coming from his mouth where he lay snoring. He had a blanket draped over him, Annabeth suspected Piper had done that, and she saw Nico also sprawled out, this time on a couch the other side of the room.

Hazel and Frank must've gone home, or at least are staying in a guest room, Annabeth concluded.

She went to move slightly, her side feeling numb, and froze when she felt a weight on her shoulder. She glanced her to side, seeing Percy snuggled into her chest where they lay on the connecting reclining movie seats. Piper must've also given them a blanket too before she left, because Annabeth was covered in a fluffy pink sheet.

She smiled down at the sleeping boy, pushing his hair slightly from his face. She twisted slightly so she was facing him, and hear him emit a little groan in response.

His eyes fluttered open slightly, and he looked incredibly dazed.

'Mm, go back to sleep Annabeth.' He spoke softly, burying his face into her hair.

She smiled softly, and let herself cuddle into him, gripping onto the front of his shirt like it was her lifeline.

She fell back into a blissful sleep, tangled up in Percy's arms.

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