Frank's P.O.V
Jason and I teased Percy for most of the day, and to be fair, he took it all in his stride. But both Jason and I knew this girl was different to any other Percy had even considered asking out, not that there were many.
I could probably count them on one hand, it was funny a lot of people assumed because he was popular, he was a player, but that couldn't be further from the truth. The truth was Percy had been hurt in the past, after putting his heart out there, and now, he was very guarded with who he let in.
So, to say Annabeth was someone he was interested in was an understatement. I was glad Percy was finally opening up his heart again, it was about time, and even if he wasn't aware of it, though I fully suspected he was, I knew he really liked Annabeth.
"So, what about you Frank, have you asked Hazel on a date yet?" Jason asked.
"Not yet, but I was thinking of asking her after class on Monday, we have a morning class together" I said, and I was actually really nervous about it.
"Frank that's great!" Percy said, "how are you going to do it?" he said.
"What do you mean? I was just going to ask her, face to face, why what should I be doing?" I asked.
"Nothing, that sounds good to me," Jason replied.
"I just wondered if you had a master plan or not, face to face is good! When she says yes, which I'm sure she will, where are you going to take her?" Percy asked.
"No grand plan, I'm nervous enough without making it more complicated than just asking her." I confessed, "But she likes riding horses, so I thought I'd take her to the ranch in Long Island, go horseback riding and then for a picnic."
Percy smiled and nodded approvingly as did Jason. I relaxed a little with their approval.
"Zhang my man!" Percy teased me, "she'll love that."
I suppose I should mention that Hazel, Jason and Percy are cousins, which makes asking her out, even more nerve racking. But I've known Hazel for three years now, she's my best friend, other than Percy, and I can't believe it's taken me so long to pluck up the courage to ask her out. But I was determined, Monday was the day.
Ψ
I had the early shift on Sundays at Jackson's coffee shop, normally I shared the shift with Leo, but he had the day off for something. So, Sally was helping out this morning, she didn't normally come in on the weekend because of Estelle but she didn't want to call in one of the others this close to Christmas and finals week.
I don't actually call Sally, Sally at work, but when I've been invited for dinner because of being Percy's friend she'd insisted on me calling her Sally. I think Leo is the only other one that knows she's Percy's mom, I didn't think Annabeth or Piper knew, it was going to be amusing when Annabeth put it all together though.
I'd just set up the coffee machines when the bell above the door chimed, it was only 8:30am so I wasn't really expecting anyone for another half an hour at least. Turned out it was Hazel.
"Hey Frank, how are you?" She said smiling at me, she looked amazing for 8:30am in the morning and she didn't even have to try hard. She was in a hoody and jeans and UGGs, she couldn't look more perfect if she tried.
"Hazel," I smiled "I'm okay, what brings you in so early?" I asked, setting about making her usual, a caramel latte.
"I've got a busy day ahead, going to do some shopping this morning for Christmas and then off to Annabeth and Piper's for a girls' afternoon, but I was out of coffee, hence the early trip here." She said smiling.
"Sounds like a good day to me." I said handing her, her coffee in a to-go cup.
"I hope so, thanks Frank" She said before heading out the door.
I sighed and thought to myself, 'I'm going to marry that girl one day.'
Ψ
Annabeth's P.O.V
Thalia came over earlier than planned so she helped Piper and I decorate the Christmas tree. Piper insisted on putting Christmas music on while we did so, like she does every year.
"Annie, your roommate is so cheery" Thalia complained, as Piper hummed along to: We Wish You a Merry Christmas, with a smile on her face.
"Don't call me Annie, and she loves Christmas, let her enjoy it." I said.
"Like you are?" She asked raising an eyebrow at me.
"Just because I spend Christmas on my own doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. You enjoy Christmas, I don't see the problem."
"I like Christmas yes, but Piper takes it to a whole new level – there's five boxes of decorations here and she's not even spending Christmas here." Thalia exclaimed.
"Just because I'm not spending Christmas here doesn't mean someone isn't" Piper said looking pointedly at me and I rolled my eyes.
"Why don't you spend Christmas with me and Jason this year? It's just going to be the two of us, as Dad is out of town for business until the New Year." Thalia asked me.
"Thank you, but I have a routine, I quite like, here, on my own for Christmas." I replied.
"You could always go home to see your dad" Piper chipped in and I shook my head.
"I'd just ruin the twin's Christmas, they're twelve now they understand that Dad, Helen and I are still a little uncomfortable around each other, they have no idea what to say to me, or me to them, it's better this way, trust me." I replied re-buffing the 'you should go home for Christmas' ploy she tried every year.
"Y'know Percy isn't going to let you spend Christmas alone once he finds out." Thalia said and Piper got a twinkle in her eye like she always did when an idea was forming.
"Exactly why he isn't going to find out, both of you promise me you won't mention it to him." I demanded.
"I promise I won't tell him." Thalia said like she was planning something.
"Promise" Piper yelled from behind the tree.
I was sceptical but I let it go.
Ψ
Hazel turned up at 1pm, like we'd arranged, we were just sitting down with bowls of popcorn to watch a film when there was a knock at the door. It was unexpected by all, as we hadn't ordered food, because it was too early, and we weren't expecting anyone else.
Piper got up to answer the door; it was Percy in his aquarium uniform holding his calculus text books. Oh Schist! I'd totally forgotten that I had said I'd help him today.
"Hi Piper, is Annabeth home?" He asked.
"Yeah, she is, come in" Piper replied.
I got up as Piper let him in, as she closed the door, she raised an eyebrow at me.
"Percy, I'm sorry, I totally forgot. Come through to the kitchen, we'll get started." I said feeling incredibly guilty.
"We can rain check if that's better for you?" He asked but I knew he had a test this week.
"No, no, I promised I'd help you with calculus, so..." I said holding the door to the kitchen open for Percy, ignoring Piper's suggestive eyebrow wiggling from across the room. I gestured for them to continue without before following Percy into the kitchen.
"So, what do you need help with specifically?" I asked taking a seat next to him at the table we had in the kitchen.
"Is 'all of it' too general?" he asked rubbing the back of his neck; I noticed he did that when he was nervous.
"Ok, what do you need to know for your test on Wednesday?" I asked instead, though if 'all of it' was needed we'd be here for a long time.
"Chapters 10-12" he replied opening his textbook.
"Let's start there then" I said taking a quick glance at the material, I realised he needed to understand chapters 4-7 for these to make sense. When I pointed this out to Percy, he admitted to me that he barely understood the syllabus. So instead of starting halfway through we started from the beginning to try and get him ready for his test. Looks like 'all of it' would be necessary after all.
An hour later...
"So now you've expanded that, and divided by x again, and you know that the cube root of x is 5, x equals?" I asked after going over the theory I'd started asking him questions to see if he understood it.
"125?" Percy asked in a nervous manner.
"Correct! Good job Percy, try this one" I said pointing to a more challenging problem.
"X equals 7, right?" he asked after a few minutes.
"Correct" I said again, and he smiled at me and I smiled back at him. It was like a light bulb had suddenly been turned on in his mind.
"I think I'm getting it. I mean I know you've made the problems easier, but I think I actually get it!" He exclaimed and the added "Frank's going to be so pissed," he chuckled.
I smiled because of how happy he was that he understood it before asking "Why's that?"
"He's been trying to get me to understand this stuff for years!" He smiled.
"Well, we all learn differently, you just needed the proper motivation. I still can't quite believe cookie rewards work for you." I laughed because I hadn't used that trick since high school, but it was an effective one.
Ψ
Percy put down his pen and faced me. "I'm sorry I interrupted your girl's day. I really appreciate your help."
"It's not a problem, really-" I was interrupted by his phone ringing.
"Sorry, I need to take this." He said before answering the phone, I started to get up to let him have some privacy, but he shook his head at me, so I stayed where I was.
"Hello? Hey Jennifer... yes... ok I'll be right there; can you stay until I get there? Great, Bye." He sighed as he ended the call and turned his attention to me, "Annabeth, I'm really sorry, but I've got to get back to the aquarium. Could we pick this up again tomorrow?" He asked.
"Sure, is everything okay?" I asked.
"Summer isn't responding to Jennifer; she wants me to come back in and see if I have better luck." He said standing up and picking up his books again.
"Good luck" I said as I walked him back to the front door, "I'll text you about tomorrow."
"Thanks" He said before taking off at a sprint, I closed the door, I hoped everything was okay.
"What was that about?" Hazel asked as I re-joined them in the living area after they'd witnessed Percy's quick exit. I sat in the armchair to the right of the sofa that I used to read.
"Something to do with the dolphin that got hurt the other day, she's not responding to the other worker, Jennifer. So, she called him back in." I replied and Thalia frowned.
"Of course, she did" Thalia said in an annoyed tone, from the sofa next to Hazel.
"What does that mean?" Piper asked before I could, she was sat in the other armchair opposite me.
"I've worked with Jennifer before, she's nice enough, but let's just say she takes advantage of how much Percy cares for the creatures in that place, and it really grates on me." She said and it was my turn to frown.
"Why doesn't he say something?" Piper asked.
"Because he cares more about the animals than his loss of time," I said before Thalia could and frowned harder because it's also putting his education at risk.
"Yeah...that, stupid Kelp Head" Thalia said nodding; I could tell she was angry; she cared a lot for the animals too, as well as Percy.
"Why didn't you offer to go with him Annabeth?" Hazel asked me, and I rolled my eyes.
"Because it's his job and it wouldn't have been appropriate." I replied.
"Who cares about appropriate, you could have had more alone time." Piper said wiggling her eyebrows at me.
I threw a cushion at her. "Summer needs his undivided attention and I care about whether or not it's appropriate." I replied.
"Who's Summer?" Hazel asked.
"The dolphin" Thalia told her cousin before turning to me, "You didn't say you didn't want to spend more alone time with him" she noted raising her eyebrows suggestively at me. I threw a cushion at her too.
"At the risk of having a cushion thrown at me, why would it be such a bad thing if you did spend more time together? I mean you've just spent over an hour with him in the kitchen and he sent you those beautiful flowers yesterday." Hazel said and I would have thrown a cushion at her too, but I was out.
"Contrary to popular opinion, Percy and I are just friends, and the last hour was spent studying." I replied.
"Sorry back up a moment, what flowers?" Thalia asked, Piper took her phone out and showed her the picture she took yesterday, she'd told me, yesterday that she'd sent to Hazel. "Who knew Kelp Head had such taste in flowers, where are they then?" she asked me.
"In my room" I replied, knowing I was opening a door I wouldn't be able to close.
Ψ
Piper's P.O.V
The three of us had grilled Annabeth for most of the afternoon yesterday and still she wouldn't admit that she liked Percy, it was infuriating! I mean they spent over an hour in the kitchen 'studying' while Hazel, Thalia and I watched the film the four of us were going to watch together, before Percy turned up. We didn't mind that she wasn't spending the time with us because we had all seen, how her eyes had lit up when I'd answered the door, and it turned out to be him. I was going to get them together by Christmas, that was my plan, and I'd already got Thalia and Hazel in on it.
I had had my web design class this morning, I wanted to set up my own business when I left college, a match making business, I know there are tonnes of apps out there that do it, but I have always had a particular gift for it, and I wanted to make others happy.
Today we'd learnt the coding required to collate similar information, I was hoping to adapt it to collate opposite and similar interests. I was already toying with an app design in my spare time. I would put money on, if Percy and Annabeth were on my app, that they'd be matched together and I hadn't even finished the app yet, that's how confident I was in them!
My phone buzzed in my pocket as I put my key in the door. I stopped and checked it hoping it would be Jason; it turned out to be Hazel.
Hazel: Frank just asked me out on a date! It's on Wednesday, I'm so excited!
I was so happy for her. I pushed the apartment door open and called out to Annabeth, I knew she'd be home.
"Hey Annabeth, you won't believe this! Frank finally asked Hazel out!" I called kicking the door closed behind me and looking up from my phone once I'd sent a reply to Hazel.
Annabeth and Percy were sitting side by side on the floor near the coffee table, textbooks open. Ugh! Again! How oblivious can two people be?
Percy fist pumped the air, "Zhang, my man!" He exclaimed "She said yes right?" He asked me.
"Yes, she did, they're going out on Wednesday" I replied and they both smiled.
"Good for them" Annabeth said, "Percy, try this equation next, and then we'll move on to the chapters you need for your test." He nodded and turned back to the book with a look of concentration as he worked through what Annabeth was trying to teach him.
Annabeth was looking over his shoulder as he wrote down his workings and the smile she had as he did it, clearly, he was getting it right. I wish she'd just tell him how she felt!
Knowing that wasn't going to happen I set my bag down and decided to take my laptop out and start the assignment I'd just been given to do over Christmas break. I wasn't one for doing assignments early normally, but I really disliked working on them over Christmas. There were only nine more days of college until the holidays began and then I was off home for Christmas. I couldn't wait.
"What are you working on Pipes?" Annabeth asked me as she marked Percy's work.
"Web coding assignment, I've got to apply the algorithms from today's lecture to an app that's in use today and write a comparative essay to show how I would have used them had it been my app." I replied.
"Correct Percy, good job" She said and handed Percy a cookie which I raised an eyebrow at. "It's a valid teaching method," she said noticing my eyebrow "you're trying to clear your assignments before you fly home?" She asked and it's the perfect window to try and get Percy to convince her to go home for Christmas.
"Yeah, you know I hate having to do them over Christmas break." She nodded.
"I get that, just wish I had more time to do what you do and finish them before the break" Percy said, "takes away from family time." He added.
"Are you going home for Christmas too?" I asked him, Annabeth seemed resigned to the fact they were going to take a break and sat back against the sofa.
"Well, I am home technically, as in here in New York, but yeah, I'll be at my mom's for Christmas with my stepdad and little sister. What about you Annabeth?" He asked, oh perfect! Thalia was going to love this, we'd exchanged numbers yesterday, so I texted her to tell her.
Piper: Percy and Annabeth are studying at the apartment. He's just asked her what's she's doing for Christmas.
Thalia: Yes Percy!
I smiled at her reply, I'd been trying to get Annabeth to go home for Christmas for years. Well, every year, actually, since we moved out here for college, but she never would. I was hoping Percy could talk some sense into her, because heaven knows we've all tried, she's just so stubborn.
"I'll be here" she said, and Percy frowned and closed his textbook.
"You aren't going home?" He asked.
"Nope" She said and reopened his textbook.
"Why?" He asked closing the book again, it was rather entertaining.
"It's complicated" She said, opening the text book once more. Percy frowned again but proceeded to let her explain the next chapter of equations to him while I tapped away on my keyboard. I could tell he hadn't let it go, though.
Ψ
After trying the next problem Annabeth set him and getting a cookie reward, Percy tried again.
"Can I ask why it's complicated?" He asked Annabeth and she sighed putting down her pen, she'd never given in on this topic so easily, it was just another reason to add to my list of proof that she had feelings for Percy!
"My mom died when I was three, she was hit by a drunk driver on her way home from work."
"I'm sorry" Percy said to her and he genuinely sounded sorry, Annabeth offered him a small smile and continued.
"Thanks, my dad got remarried when I was seven, to Helen, and two years later, they had the twins, Bobby and Matthew. Once the twins were born Christmas became all about the four of them as a family and I felt excluded, I still feel excluded. So, I send a gift every year, and every year my dad tries to get me to come home as do Piper, Thalia and Mrs. Blofis from the coffee shop. The twins are twelve now, they understand that things aren't all sunshine and rainbows when I'm home, I don't want to ruin their Christmas. Besides, I have a really chilled out day here on my own each year, it's perfect." She explained and Percy looked genuinely heartbroken.
"And what does this perfect day entail?" Percy asked her.
Piper: I think we're getting somewhere! Your cousin is like a dog with a bone!
Thalia: Told you! I hope this works!
"I sleep in, open presents, have a simple meal and spend the afternoon reading under a blanket on the sofa." She said and Percy's expression changed from heartbroken to outraged, I tried to hide my smile as I eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Annabeth! You can't be so Grinchy! It's Christmas it's a time for family and friends!" He said closing the textbook again; I could see Annabeth rolling her eyes as he did so.
"If you keep closing the textbook you really are going to flunk that test on Wednesday" Annabeth said re-opening the book for the gods only knows what time.
"You're avoiding the conversation." Percy pointed out.
"And you're avoiding studying" Annabeth pointed out in the same manner.
"I'll make you a deal" Percy said.
"Percy, it doesn't matter what your deal is; I'm not going home for Christmas." Annabeth said sighing.
"And I'm not going to try and make you" He replied, and Annabeth looked at him with a smile in her eyes, but it wasn't on her face. I felt my heart drop; he was supposed to be convincing her to go home for Christmas.
Ψ
Percy's P.O.V
As I listened to Annabeth's explanation as to why she didn't spend Christmas with her family, it genuinely broke my heart. Everyone deserved to have a family to go home to for Christmas. That was what Christmas was all about, maybe I couldn't convince her for this Christmas but maybe I could for next Christmas or even Easter. This was her family after all she couldn't just give up; I wasn't going to let her.
I had the feeling that Piper 'working on her assignment' while Annabeth helped me with my calculus was no accident either.
"I'll make a deal with you" I said to her and she looked at me doubtfully.
"Percy, it doesn't matter what your deal is; I'm not going home for Christmas." Annabeth said sighing.
"And I'm not going to try and make you" I promised, and I meant that, her expression brightened.
"What's your deal then?" She asked and I could see curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
"Piper," I said, and Piper looked up from her laptop, "Pick a passing grade percentage" both raised an eyebrow at me, but Piper did pick one.
"75%" Piper said, and I mentally face palmed, I hoped I could get a 75 on my calculus test.
"Okay, this is my deal," I said meeting Annabeth's eyes, "if I get 75% or more on my test on Wednesday, you have to fly home with me on Friday night and spend the weekend with your family." I said, "Bear in mind up to this point I've not scored above 60% and you're not allowed to stop tutoring me because of the deal." I added I was going to need all the help I could get.
"Percy, even if I agreed to the deal, I wouldn't be able to take the time off work, and neither would you at such short notice." She argued with me, and I could tell she was trying her hardest to come up with excuses not to go. I was ready for that.
One weekend could break the ice, start mending the rift and make her feel included. I know it seems like I'm being pushy with the issue, but I have the best mom in the world. My relationship with her is great, I want that for Annabeth with her family, more than anything, everyone deserves that.
"One: I'm off until after Christmas, as of Friday, so that I can finish the final week of term without work distracting me, I have four finals. Two: you'll be able to get the time off from the coffee shop; I can sort that right now." I said taking out my phone.
She looked like she was about to protest but I dialled mom's mobile before she could.
"Percy, how are you?" My mom asked once she'd answered the phone.
"Hi mom, I'm fine thanks, how are you?" I asked and Annabeth mouthed 'mom?' at me raising an eyebrow in question, I just smiled and nodded.
"I'm fine sweetheart" She replied leaving a pause for me to tell her why I called.
"Mom, hypothetically, if Annabeth was to ask for the weekend off to go home and visit her family, she'd be able to do that right?" I asked.
"Yes, sweetheart if that's what she wants to do, of course she can, gods knows Piper and I have been trying to convince her to go home for Christmas for years." She told me and a smile broke across my face as I looked at Annabeth.
"So, if she asked on Wednesday night say, that would be okay?" I double checked.
"Yes of course no problem."
"Thanks mom love you" I replied.
"I love you too" she said before I hung up.
"See, all you have to do now is book a flight home, which we'll do today just in case and then ask my mom for the weekend off, which you'll get by the way." I said.
"That's how you know Mrs. Blofis? She's your mom?" Annabeth asked me almost in disbelief.
"Yeah," I said, "It's called Jackson's for a reason." I smiled.
"Your mom told you to buy me flowers as an apology" She said piecing together the events from the weekend.
"She did" I replied with absolutely no shame.
"You're a really momma's boy, aren't you?" She asked and I could tell she was teasing me.
"Guilty as charged."
I saw Piper out of the corner of my eye watching us with keen interest and a smile on her face.
"That explains so much" Annabeth said, and I frowned, I had no idea what she was on about, "I wonder why Thalia never mentioned it" And I could see I was losing her to a different train of thought.
"Annabeth, do we have a deal?" I asked, trying to bring her back to the question in hand.
"I don't know Percy, I'm still not sure it's a good idea." She replied.
"Give it a chance Annabeth, I'll be there with you to help fill any awkward silences." I promised she glanced at Piper who nodded at her encouragingly.
"Ok" she said uncertainly, "but you're going to be filling a lot of time, and you have to take your textbooks to study for your finals next week."
"So, we have a deal?" I asked again sticking my hand out for her to shake.
Annabeth took a deep breath, like she might later regret what she was about to say, but I knew she was going to agree, I had a hunch. "Okay, deal" She said shaking my hand "but you have to get 75% or I'm not going." She said and I smiled triumphantly, now all I had to do was get a 75 on my test. I hoped I could pull it off.
"Piper, can you pull up flights for Friday night?" I asked pulling my wallet out to give her my credit card. I wasn't rich like Frank, but I had quite a lot of money saved up from working at the Aquarium.
"Percy, no" Annabeth said intercepting my card, "If I'm going to fly home, I'll pay for it, but thank you for the offer." She said going to her room and returning to pass Piper her card.
"Are you sure? I'm the one who proposed the deal; it seems only fair that it should be my card that's charged for a last-minute cancellation if I don't hold up my end." I said.
"I'm sure, now can we finish studying for this test?" She asked and I agreed, as I was going to need all the help I could get.
Ψ
~Author's Note~
Hi All, I really hope you liked this chapter, please let me know what you thought.
Bookaholic4ever – Thank you for your review, I'm glad you loved the part about the Lilies, and I hoped this chapter tied all that up for you. I'm aiming for a fairly slow burn yes – so please bear with me. Hope you liked this chapter please let me know.
SarcasmRocks – Thank you for your review, I'm glad you love Summer the dolphin – watch this space she'll be making more appearances! Flowers from Luke would definitely have been creepy, but you're catching on to my plan already! I hope you liked this chapter, please let me know.
Merendinoemiliano – Thank you for your review, I hope you also liked this chapter.
Anz2Fire – Thank you for your review, I hope this chapter answered your question. Please let me know what you thought.
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Happy reading all!