I sat idly in my homeroom on Monday morning daydreaming of Saturday - a perfect day. Brunch and an incredible evening in Coney Island with my crush. And to top it all off, I'm starting to suspect he shares the same feelings. We held hands for the first time that night too.

FLASHBACK

"This place reminds me of the Santa Monica pier." Percy commented as we got out of his car.

"I guess you'll have to take me there someday." I replied. "So, where to?"

"You're the one that invited me. Lead the way."

I decided on watching the sunset. Nervously, I took Percy's hand in mine, glancing up at his eyes to see his reaction. He smiled and squeezed my hand reassuringly. We walked down the boardwalk until we found a nice secluded spot. Well, as secluded as you can get at Coney Island.

We sat next to each other in silence, enjoying each other's presence and the beautiful view. The waves were calm; typical for April in New York. I felt bad knowing Percy was a surfer, and there was no way you could catch anything this time of year. You had to wait until hurricane season for any resemblance of a west coast wave.

The sun set faster than I would've thought possible; I guess that's what happens when you're having the time of your life.

FLASHFORWARD

I was oblivious to the chatter around me. I was oblivious to my homeroom teacher's monotone reading of the upcoming school events and attendance. I was too spaced out to say "Here" during attendance. That earned me weird looks from more than a few of my classmates considering it's never happened before. Thankfully none of the Vagabonds witnessed this, they would've definitely asked some questions. I felt my phone vibrate.

Percy: Hey, what do you have 4th period? (8:04 am)

Annabeth: Math, why? (8:04 am)

Percy: Perfect, meet me behind the library ;) (8:05 am)

Annabeth: No! I have class. (8:05 am)

Percy: Pleeeeeease, just this once? (8:05 am)

Annabeth: Maybe. (8:06 am)

Percy: I'll be there either way. (8:06 am)

Our high school is like a college campus but in the middle of the city. There's an open quad in the middle with 5 buildings lining 3 sides, the last side opens out onto the street. I quietly snuck through the small alleyway between the library and the theater building. There is a small grove of trees within the property's fence back there. As I parted my way through the trees, a hand grabbed me from a bush, pulling me out of view. I had to do everything I could not to scream, that would've definitely given us away.

I came face to face with Percy, twigs tangled in my hair. "Are you insane?" I asked him.

"Probably. But there's something I wanted to do on Saturday but chickened out of, and I can't really bring myself to wait any longer."

"Percy, we've known each other for a week, what could possibl-"

I was cut off by Percy lips crashing on mine. Instinctively, I stepped backwards. Woah, that caught me off guard. Percy looked hurt for a moment before I regained composure.

"Sorry" he mumbled, clearly embarrassed by my reaction. Horrified by what I'd just done, I threw my arms around Percy's neck and kissed him back, passionately. There was no way I would mess this up.

Words can't possibly describe the blissful union we were sharing, but I'll try my best. I was in heaven. His salty lips wrestled with mine. He was gentle for his size. Compassionate. One of his hands cupped the small of my back, the other my left cheek. I ran my fingers through his hair. I let out a soft moan as he pulled me closer. I felt his tongue move forward, asking for entrance - I obliged. Everything was Percy.

I heard the trees rustle behind us but it was too late to break apart, we'd been made.

"What. The. Fuck." I heard a familiar voice state. I whipped around to see Ryan and Rachel standing there with flabbergasted looks painted across their faces. I glanced at Percy, who was laughing. Gods he was annoying sometimes.

"How long has this been, you know, a thing?" Rachel asked, still barely able to speak. I've never seen Rachel shocked into silence before. This was definitely a first.

"A couple of days." I muttered back.

"Any reason you haven't, erm, what's the word I'm looking for here, SAID ANYTHING?" Rachel asked, raising her voice. She was my best friend, even more so than the other vagabonds. I probably should've told her. I would've eventually, but I hadn't found the time yet; everything with Percy just happened so fast.

I was at a loss for words. I didn't know how to respond. Luckily, Percy did for me "We're kind of keeping it a secret." he explained.

"Why?"

"Well, Percy's starring in-" I began before Percy clasped his hand over my mouth.

"Are you insane you can't tell her that."

"She can keep a secret better than anyone I know. She won't tell anyone." I promised Percy. Rachel mimed locking her mouth with a key and throwing it away, urging Ryan to do the same. Percy nodded his approval.

"Percy was cast as Donovan in The Domino Trials," I began. Rachel's jaw hit the floor. If there's anyone more obsessed with The Domino Trials than I am, it's her. "And since he's going to be famous, if he's not already, I want to stay out of the spotlight. Hence the secret." For the second time today and ever, Rachel was stunned into silence. Ryan also looked as if he'd been hit over the head. Percy and I both started laughing. "Say something, this is getting uncomfortable."

"Wow." was all Rachel managed.

"Are you going to tell the other girls about this?" Ryan asked, speaking for the first time.

"Probably not. It's a secret, remember?"

"You'll have to eventually. They'll start noticing things. Like the fact that you're skipping class right now for the first time in history." Rachel explained. "Not to mention you were nowhere to be seen this weekend and friend group rights."

"Okay, okay I get it. I'll tell them at lunch… maybe."

Lunch directly follows 4th period. Rachel and I walked over together. We sat at our regular table; Hunter, Colette, and Amanda were already waiting for us. They were gossiping about the usual - the newest fashions, pop culture, and of course, Percy Jackson.

"I've got the newest, full-proof plan to get Percy's snapchat…" Amanda was explaining.

Rachel gave me a sideways glance, expecting me to divulge my secret. She'd told me on the walk over that she'd tell everyone if I didn't. I hoped to all the gods that it was a bluff.

"I believe Annabeth has something to say on the matter." Rachel commented. Fuck I muttered to myself. The rest of the girls turned towards me. There was no holding back now.

"I, erm, I got Percy's snapchat." I mumbled quietly. The last thing I needed was for someone outside of the Vagabonds to hear.

"You what?" Amanda spat out maliciously. She stood up and stormed off. I turned towards Hunter, she looked like she wanted to murder me. I didn't get a chance to read Colette as she quickly followed Amanda.

I put my head in my hands and started sobbing. "I knew this would happen." I told Rachel between breaths. "This is the worst-case scenario. I didn't ask for this."

"But you did," Hunter snidely remarked. "You did ask for this when you asked for his snapchat."

"But I didn't ask for it, he just gave it to me."

"Bullshit."

"Go and ask him." I sobbed. "Why can't you guys just be happy for me? This is the first time I've ever won a friend group rights competition and now my entire friend group hates me."

This seemed to strum a chord with Hunter. Her mood turned from agitated to almost sympathetic. She seemed as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it. "I'll see you around." was all she managed.

"I'm going home." I told Rachel. I got up before she could respond and ran out. Today took a turn for the worse, to say the least. And it was all going so well up until an hour ago.