The Seal and The Owl Chapter 6: Can I get a 75?, a percy jackson and the olympians fanfic

Annabeth's P.O.V

I didn't know how I felt about agreeing to Percy's deal. I wasn't even sure what possessed me to agree to it.

Going home, it was a large price for his 75%, which I was quite sure he'd get, it wasn't like I didn't miss my dad, Helen and the twins, because I did, I just didn't really feel like part of their family.

It wasn't going home for Christmas like my dad was hoping for, but it was just going home for the weekend. Baby steps, right? And if it motivated Percy to do well on his test, well I suppose an awkward weekend at home was worth it.

Still, I hadn't really put up much of a fight about going home, even though I'm now really nervous about it. I hadn't seen my family more than a handful of times since I had left for college. I had never flown home for the summer, always taking on internships and the like to improve my CV.

I wanted to have a good relationship with my dad, I was envious of the relationship the twins had with him, they loved him, and he loved them. I loved my dad, and I knew he loved me, but it wasn't the same. I reminded him of mom, there was nothing I could do about it, I looked like my mom a lot of girls did and I was no exception. That was part of the problem.

I kept returning to one thought, as I sat on the sofa, Percy had long since gone home and I should have been finishing a design for my class on Wednesday morning but all I could come back to, was why hadn't I fought Percy more on his deal.

And the answer I kept coming back to, was I wanted a better relationship with my dad. I just didn't know how to break the ice after so long.

Percy was really good with people, I hadn't really known him that long, but he'd already broken through so many of my walls that I had up to protect myself. I don't think he was even really trying to break them down, he just had.

I guess I was going to have to wait until Wednesday to know whether or not I needed to phone home to give them a heads up. I could just imagine Helen's face when I knocked on the door at dinner time, if she hadn't known beforehand, she'd be horrified. Lots of thoughts of home plagued my head as I sat on the sofa in the dim light from the moon.

I spent most of my time, the following day, in classes and the library finishing projects to turn in this week and studying for my finals next week. I didn't have as many as Percy or Piper, but that didn't mean I had any more time to study just because I had less. I knew my history of architecture final was going to be the toughest, it could be on literally anything within the last century. I was hoping to use the plane ride to study if we went.

The plane ride, it had hit me at about 2am this morning that I had agreed to let Percy fly home with me. I was taking a guy home to my family. To say my cheeks were tomato red was an understatement, Percy was only a friend, but I knew how it would look to dad, Helen and probably even the twins.

I needed Percy's support though, I couldn't deny that. If I flew home on Friday on my own there was a high chance, that I would just get on the first plane to New York, high tail it back and chicken out.

I needed Percy's support, the thought kept floating around in my mind and it felt ridiculous. We hadn't known each other long and yet in some ways it felt as if we'd known each other forever. He was so easy to be around, so easy to talk to, it was comforting in a way I'd not had before.

Piper laughed at me when I told her my concerns about Percy flying home with me, said I was overreacting. But she didn't understand, I'd never brought a boyfriend home to meet my family before, not that Percy was my boyfriend, but that was how they'd see him. I was sure of that and they'd make a huge deal out of it.

What exactly had I got myself into with this deal?

Piper's P.O.V

I was at Jason's apartment, just spending time with him, gods I really loved spending time with him. I was updating him on Percy and Annabeth's deal because he didn't know about it.

"Really? He offered to fly with her?" He asked me.

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

Jason let out a low whistle, "he really has it bad. I mean I knew he liked her, but to offer to fly to San Francisco with her..."

"Why's that such a big deal? Other than y'know meeting her family etc." I asked.

"Percy's afraid of flying, he has only ever set foot on a plane twice in his life, and that was when he was ten. They had to sedate him to get him on the plane, Aunt Sally isn't much better."

"Aunt Sally... Mrs. Blofis? I still can't believe she likes the boss' son." I replied thinking about what he'd just told me.

Percy was afraid of flying, so afraid that when he last went on a plane, they'd had to sedate him to get him to fly, and yet he'd offered to fly home with Annabeth without a second thought about it.

Jason was right, Percy did really like her, and I was really happy about that, because I was positive, she, really liked him too.

When Percy and Annabeth were debating the terms of the deal, I wasn't sure she was going to cave. But when she'd insisted on him studying for his finals on the trip, I knew she was going to take the deal. I was surprised, pleasantly surprised, but still surprised. Annabeth had never agreed to go home unless it was essential. Annabeth went home for the twin's birthday and her dad's birthday and that was only really because she felt she had too. She didn't go for Helen's as it always fell in finals week in the summer term, she never went for the summer and of course, she never went home for Christmas.

The fact she was even going for the weekend was a massive step forward. I really hoped, more than anything, that Percy got the 75 on his test, that he required, to get her to go. Had I have known that's what he was trying to do, I'd have picked a lower passing grade, but then Annabeth was tutoring him, it was almost guaranteed.

"Yeah, I forget you all call her that at the shop" Jason said. We were on the sofa. His arm was wrapped around my shoulders as I snuggled into his chest it was really comfortable. His roommate was at a lecture, Jason and I had had a free afternoon after business. Originally, the plan had been to study for our business final next week, but I was too distracted by the Percy, Annabeth, thing.

Annabeth was pacing the apartment when I got home, which is how I knew she was anxious.

"Piper, you're home, thank the gods, if there are any, this deal was a really bad idea. I can't just go home for the weekend, what would we talk about? When will Percy and I find time to study for our finals? What if they think we're together? What if this weekend just makes everything worse than it is already?" She was rambling and spiralling like she always did before she flew home.

"Annabeth," I said standing in front of her to hold her still, "Everything is going to be fine. Talk about school or use Percy as something to talk about. You can study on the plane and when you're there, that's one thing you know your dad will understand. So what if they think you're together? Annabeth you should be together, and I'm not the only one to think that FYI. And it won't make it worse."

"How can you possibly know that? And how many times do I have to tell you that Percy and I are- "

"Just friends, I know, I know!" I said and she rolled her eyes at me. "Just trust me it's going to be okay."

Percy's P.O.V

I was at mom and Paul's the night before my calculus test. Estelle needed someone to watch her while mom worked at the coffee shop and Paul had parent's evening. Truthfully, I didn't mind, I picked up Estelle and provided the new password, this week it was 'tinsel', this time I mentioned it to the receptionist when I got to the school. She said I was being paranoid, excuse me, for worrying about my sister's safety!

Anyway, I picked up Estelle, and took her for ice cream as a treat. We'd both gone for bubble gum because it was the only blue coloured ice cream the parlour had. The parlour was fairly empty as it usually was in December, but it had never stopped me, or Estelle for that matter, from wanting ice cream, even if it was freezing outside.

After ice cream, we did her reading homework, today she had a more advanced book, that the teacher had told her to try. This one, we did only read a few pages of, but she was really enjoying the story. It was called The Secret Seven. It was about secret society that solved mysteries together. Just like before, I had signed her reading diary and put that and the book back in her bag for school the following day.

She hadn't wanted to play princesses tonight. She'd wanted her hair braiding. To say I was under prepared for it, was understating it. I had never braided hair in my entire life, so I turned to the internet as a source of help, and I'd found a tutorial for the braid she asked for. She wanted her hair to look like Elsa's, y'know from frozen? Well, it took me a while but fortunately for me, a mom had posted a fairly in depth set of instructions on how to do a side French braid like Elsa's.

I'd like to say I got it right on the first try, but I can't, or the second, but on the third try I got it. Estelle liked it so much she'd gone to bed with the braid still in, so she could keep it for school tomorrow. I had to admit, I was rather proud of that.

I was sat at the kitchen table studying when mom got back from the coffee shop.

"Hi Percy, thanks so much for watching your sister tonight" she said as she entered the kitchen.

"No problem mom, you know I'm happy to do it, she was an angel, as always." I said.

"What have you got there?" she asked pointing to my textbooks.

"Calculus, I've got a test tomorrow, and I need to get a 75 or Annabeth won't fly home for the weekend to visit her family."

"Percy, you can't make her go home. I know Piper and I try to get her to go for Christmas each year, but it has to be her choice." My mom said taking a seat opposite me.

"I know that mom, we made a deal, which she agreed to, and my end was to get a 75 on my test tomorrow. Annabeth's been helping me study. I just really hope I can do it." I told her, she smiled at me from across the table. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing, I've just never seen you so determined to raise your grade in calculus before, I'm not complaining, it's just nice to see." She said. The way she said it, made me think she had more to say on the matter, but I decided to let it go and continue my practice test.

"This is your five-minute warning, you have five minutes left to finish your test, if you haven't already." Mrs. Anderson called, and I looked at my paper, I had one more question to answer, I might actually get to the end of the paper and have attempted to answer all of the questions for about the first time ever.

I tried to forget about the time limit and continued on with the last problem on the test.

"Ok, pens down, I'm going to come and collect your papers, once I have your paper, you may pack up and leave. Marks will be posted online tomorrow afternoon." She said and then proceeded to make her way around the room, I was sat in the middle as 'J' was in the middle of the alphabet, I was always in the middle for a test or exam.

I put my pen down and I'll admit I was a little worried. I'd only managed to score a 70 on my practise test last night, so to say I'd entered the classroom today a little nervous was an understatement. I stayed behind until everyone else had left and approached Mrs. Anderson's desk.

"Percy, is everything alright?" She asked and she was probably a bit confused because I was normally the first out of the door after class.

"Yes Mrs. Anderson, I was wondering, well, hoping actually, if you'd mark my test now. It's just, I got a tutor, and we made a deal, but I need a 75, I was hoping to tell her later if I'd managed it or not. I know you're not marking them until tonight but I well-" I was rambling, I knew it, she knew it, but she smiled at me and nodded.

"Very well Percy, it's nice to see you trying to better yourself in my course, it'll make for a nice Christmas present if you pass your final next week with a 75." She said.

"I'm sure my mom would agree" I said as she sat back down behind her desk and took my paper from the file and began to mark it. I stood in front of her desk more nervous than I have ever been staring at the ground as I waited.

"Well, I'm sorry to inform you Percy but you didn't get a 75," She said to me and my heart fell into my stomach. It must have shown on my face too because she laughed. "You got a 78, well done!"

"A 78? Really?" I asked and she nodded handing me the paper so I could see for myself. I looked at the top of my paper and there in red pen was the number 78. I smiled so wide my face hurt, not just because I'd passed my test or that I understood the material. I couldn't wait to show Annabeth, and it had nothing to do with the deal either. I wanted to show her because I wanted her to be proud that I'd managed to pass to test with, not just a 75, but a 78! I couldn't' believe it!

"Thanks Mrs. Anderson!" I said before practically running to the door.

"Oh, and Percy," she called out as I reached it.

"Yes Mrs. Anderson?" I asked turning back from the door.

"I'm expecting this level of effort to continue, don't let yourself down, now you know you can achieve it." She said to me.

"I'll try my best" I said, and she nodded before I left, high tailing it to Jackson's where I knew Annabeth had the afternoon shift.

Annabeth's P.O.V

I started my afternoon shift at Jackson's and to say I was nervous about how Percy's test went this morning was an understatement. I had the 12 noon-6pm shift with Piper and Mrs. Blofis was also in. I think they both knew I was a bit distracted.

I really hoped he got his 75% mark, it had nothing to do with the deal, I just really wanted him to do well. His test ended at noon it was now 12:15 I knew he probably wouldn't know what he got until tomorrow. But I knew he'd have an idea of how it went, and I really hoped it was well.

"Annabeth, stop watching the clock, we've only just started." Piper said to me.

"Sorry" I mumbled and went to clear table five that, a group of students, had just vacated.

I cleared the mugs and plates on to the tray and wiped the tabletop down. Before taking the dirty plates and mugs into the back, when the bell above the door rang again. I paid little attention to it, knowing Piper would serve whoever it was, while I stacked the plates and mugs in the dishwasher.

"Annabeth!" I heard Piper call me, and went to go and help, a larger group must have come in. I closed the washer and headed out to the counter. Piper and I had a system when the larger groups came in Piper took the order and then called it out to me to make.

"What's the order Piper?" I asked, only to find there was no large group, she'd called me because Percy had come in.

"Annabeth!" He called smiling and waved a paper at me, which must be his test.

"Percy," I greeted him with a smile, "how did you do?" though I had an idea by his smile that he'd done well.

"See for yourself" he said and slid the paper across the counter to me. I saw the number on the front, but I went through the whole test to see his work. It was good, it was really good, he'd truly taken in what we'd gone over in the last couple of days, and he'd scored a 78. I was really proud of him.

"Percy, this is great, I'm so proud of you, well done!" I exclaimed, "Your mom is in the back you should tell her." I said and he nodded taking his paper back and making his way to the office at the back.

"Looks like you need to pack." Piper said to me smiling.

"Apparently so" I said smiling, not because I was looking forward to going home, but because Percy had achieved a good grade.

"Anyone would think you were looking forward to going and not burning holes in floor with your pacing last night with that smile." She said and raised an eyebrow at me.

"I'm still nervous about the trip, I'm just really glad he did well on his test." I said to her.

"uh-huh" she replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, she didn't answer she just shook her head and smiled at me, before going to serve a customer.

About halfway through my shift the door chimed and in walked a man with short salt and pepper coloured hair with a little girl who had similar coloured hair and who could only be his daughter.

"Dad, it's fallen out, it's ruined" the little girl said to him.

"I'm sure mom will be able to fix it, let's not panic hey?" he said in a reassuring tone as he made his way to the counter.

"Hi," He said to me, "Is Mrs. Blofis in the back office?" he asked.

"I'll get her" Piper called from behind me, and the man nodded his thanks as he lifted his daughter up onto one of the counter stools.

"I like your hair" I said to her and I noticed her dad winced a little, at my comment.

"But it's ruined" the little girl said to me.

"How so?" I asked, it looked really pretty to me, she had a really pretty side French braid, it showed off the silver and the black of her hair really well, almost as if it had been highlighted. Before she could tell me, Mrs. Blofis greeted the man with a kiss on the cheek. Immediately I realised, why I had noticed them as they walked in, I had seen him before, he was Mrs. Blofis' husband.

"Hey hunny, what's wrong?" She asked him and I realised that with Mrs. Blofis being Percy's mom that this must be his stepdad and little sister.

"Her hair bobble snapped on the way home from school and now apparently it's ruined, and you know how well I braid hair. I brought her straight to you because if anyone can put it back to how it was, it's you." He said to his wife, who was wearing a rather amused look on her face.

"I'm sure we can manage something" She said, "Estelle, come with me, and let's see if we can't solve the problem."

The little girl, Estelle, immediately jumped down from the stool at the counter and followed Mrs. Blofis back into her office. Mr. Blofis took his daughter's empty stool at the counter.

"Can I get you something to drink Mr. Blofis?" I asked.

"A large black coffee, please" he replied.

I made him a large black coffee and he thanked me when I set it down on the counter in front of him.

Piper's P.O.V

I was emptying the dishwasher when I heard Mrs. Blofis and her daughter discussing her hair problem in her office.

"How's that Estelle?" Mrs. Blofis asked.

"Thanks mom" Estelle replied but she sounded disappointed.

"It's not the same I know. You'll have to ask your brother to do your hair again when he's home." Mrs. Blofis said.

Percy? Can braid hair? Wait until I tell Annabeth!

Annabeth and I walked home from the coffee shop just after six.

"I'm telling you Annabeth, Mrs. Blofis said she'd have to ask her brother to do her hair again, and Percy said the other day, that she was his mom, so unless they have another brother, that Percy hasn't told you about, he braided her hair!" I exclaimed.

"I'm failing to see why it's such a big deal Piper." She said to me.

"Annabeth! Come on! He braids his sister's hair, he decorates the shop for his mom, admittedly with your help, and he sends apology flowers because him mom tells him too! It's one more thing that would make him a really good boyfriend." I tell her.

"Then why don't you date him Piper." She said and I could tell she didn't mean it. She was just nervous about phoning her dad when we got home.

"First off I'm already seeing Jason and he's amazing, second I meant a really good boyfriend for you!"

"I know what you meant Piper," She said distractedly as we reached home, she sighed as she opened the door to our apartment. "I'm sorry Piper, I'm just nervous about calling my dad, I know you're just trying to help." She said and before I could respond she disappeared into her room.

Trying to help? She really must be distracted. I would have to find another way to help Annabeth see how good Percy was, for her.

I left Annabeth to phone home in her room and turned on the TV while texting Jason to see if we were still on for our date tonight.

"I had a really great time tonight." I said to Jason as he walked me to the door of the apartment, he didn't need to, but he had insisted even though he'd parked his car in front of the building.

"Me too, you're still coming to the game tomorrow night, right?" He asked me.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it, I'm meeting up with Hazel and we're dragging Annabeth along too." I told him.

"Annabeth doesn't like basketball?" he asked.

"I don't really know whether she likes it or not, I've never asked. She's been so distracted by her weekend trip, I thought it might give her a break from worrying about it."

"I still can't believe Percy managed to get a 78 on his exam, y'know Thalia calls him Kelp Head for a reason." He said.

"I thought it was to do with working at the aquarium." I confessed and he smiled and shook his head, apparently not.

"I'll see you tomorrow" he said before he leaned down and kissed me, butterflies erupted in my stomach.

"Yeah," I said breathlessly "I'll see you tomorrow" I smiled.

I put the key in the door and opened it as he wandered back down the hallway, when I heard Annabeth laughing "Percy, stop it!"

Jason clearly heard it too because he stopped in his tracks and returned to my side, pressing a finger to my lips in a 'shush' motion, I opened the door further, as quietly as I could.

Jason and I didn't move, we stood silently in the doorway. Percy held Annabeth by the waist with one hand and he was tickling her with the other as she tried to wriggle out of his grasp. Could they be any more obvious? I looked to Jason and rolled my eyes, he smiled and shook his head, then kissed my check, and whispered, "text me how it ends." Before departing once again from the front of the apartment.

"Not until you say it!" Percy declared and he resumed tickling Annabeth.

"Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed and it was really nice to see her smile again, she'd been so nervous before I left on my date, I was glad that, at least, had subsided.

"Say it Annabeth, and I'll let go" He said again, she was really stubborn though, I didn't think she'd give in anytime soon.

I closed the door, as quietly as I could and turned back to face the pair of them. They'd broken apart, unfortunately I hadn't been as quiet as I had hoped.

"Hey Piper, how was your date?" Annabeth asked a little breathlessly.

"It was great, I wasn't aware we were expecting company?" I said questioningly as I raised an eyebrow at her. I was only teasing though.

"Sorry," Percy said, "I really was just leaving, I was just dropping off a thank you gift."

"Oh no, I didn't mean-" I started.

"I know" He smiled "But I have an early morning class, so I do need to get going, goodnight." He said to Annabeth who said goodnight in turn before he left.

"Sorry Annabeth" I said taking off my coat.

"Piper, it's fine really" She said smiling at me.

"He certainly brightened up your mood, what did he give you a thank you kiss?" I teased and got a cushion to the head for my troubles.

"No, he brought cookies" She said gesturing the tin on the coffee table.

"Are they good?" I asked.

"I don't know I haven't had one yet."

"Well let's try them and you can tell me how your phone call went and what that was all about." I said opening the tin on the table and offering it to Annabeth.

Percy's P.O.V

After I told Annabeth and my mom about my grade, both of whom were really pleased, I headed home to bake Annabeth some cookies to say thank you. It was the least I could do.

"Hey Perce, what do you reckon the button-down shirt or a t-shirt?" Frank asked as I made the cookie dough.

"I'm going to say t-shirt, I'm not sure how effective riding a horse will be in a button-down shirt." I replied, not that I knew much about riding horses.

"Good call – which one do you think Hazel will like most?" He asked and I could tell he was nervous.

"Frank you've been friends with Hazel for years she's probably seen most of your t-shirts. Pick one that you remember she made a comment about." I tell him.

"Should I have bought a new one?" He asked, and I stopped what I was doing.

"No Frank, come on you'll be late to pick her up at this rate." I said, going into his room and picking up his purple super dry shirt from his bed. "Here, put this one on, and get going you said you'd pick her up at three, you've got ten minutes to get there."

"Thanks, Perce" He said hurriedly pulling his shirt over his head and grabbing his keys.

"Have fun!" I called just before the door closed. I really did hope that they both had fun, as I went back to making the cookies for Annabeth.

I was packing my suitcase for Friday because I had a full-on day tomorrow and I knew I wouldn't have time to pack it in the morning on Friday either, when my phone buzzed.

Annabeth: Cookies are delicious thank you! Why are they blue?

I smiled. I knew she'd ask.

Percy: Family tradition. I'll explain on the plane! Glad you liked them :)

I would have explained via text, but it was probably too long a story to tell, and I had to finish packing. Annabeth told me she had two twin brothers that were twelve and my mom had always taught me not to turn up to someone's house without a gift. I had planned on staying in a hotel, but Annabeth said her dad had insisted that her friend would stay with them. I wondered if he knew his daughter's friend was a guy. Not that we were more than friends, but in my experience that doesn't normally matter, and I wanted to make a good impression.

I was going to pick up a set of NYU hoodies for them all, as a thank you for letting me stay. I hoped that they liked them. I debated getting them something from the aquarium, but thought, as Annabeth actually attended NYU, it would be better to go with the hoodies.

I didn't really know what Annabeth's family liked to do, so I packed a smart outfit in case we ate at a restaurant, I packed mostly t-shirts, a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of hoodies. I had looked up the weather forecast with Annabeth earlier and she had said although it wasn't as cold in San Francisco as New York, it was still cold. I also packed a pair of swimming shorts because you never know. As well as the books I wouldn't need for classes tomorrow that I promised Annabeth I would take to study for my finals. I ended up with a pretty large duffel bag – thankfully, I was also allowed a carryon bag. I'd pack that Friday morning with the essentials like my passport and what not.

It was after ten when Frank returned from his date and he had the biggest smile on his face.

"So, how'd it go?" I asked in a teasing manner, but I did genuinely want to know how it went.

"It was great" he said beaming from ear to ear.

I gestured for him to carry on and he did.

"So, I was really nervous when I got to her door, but it was all worth it when she opened the door." He said his eyes glazed over as he got lost in the memory. "She was wearing jodhpurs and riding boots and then a hoody on top, she looked great."

"Okay Frank remembering she's still my cousin let's move it on" I teased, and he blushed bright red, but he knew I was teasing.

"We went up to the ranch in long island as you know, it took about an hour to get there and I was really nervous, so Hazel started most of the conversations. But she didn't seem to mind, it actually worked out really well. She's brilliant on a horse. I knew she rode but I didn't realise how well she did. Any way I caught up with her and we'd rode for a couple of hours before we made our way back to the ranch. There's a large oak tree, not far from the stables, where I had set up the picnic with candles earlier and we sat ate and then I drove her home." He told me.

"And?" I asked getting the impression the story was incomplete.

"I might have kissed her after walking her to her door." He confessed.

"Zhang! My man! I bet she had a great time!" I said and I know Hazel will have had an amazing time.

Hazel and I are pretty close, well, all the cousins were, even Hazel's brother Nico, who was studying in Los Angeles for the semester on a student exchange thing, that his course offers. We'd had a cousin chat group that we kept in touch on before we all found ourselves in New York. We still use it.

I'd always lived here, Thalia and Jason used to live in Virginia until we were five, then their parents separated, and Jason and Thalia were separated for a while, and then they found each other again here. Hazel and Nico used to live in LA with their dad before they applied for college here in New York. It was pretty cool having them all here, in the same city. We'd all reconnected, Thalia had obviously graduated last year being a year older than the rest of us, but it was great to be in touch with them all.

Because of all of that, I knew Hazel would have had a great time on her date with Frank. Frank wasn't wrong the other day when he said she liked horses, she used to ride when she was younger, but life took her away from it. Getting to reconnect with that hobby would have been great for her and the picnic sounded good too. I was happy for them. I couldn't wait to know, how Hazel thought the date went, I hoped she used the cousin chat for that.

~Author's Note~

Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know!

SarcasmRocks – Thank you for your review, as always! I'm glad you loved the last chapter! You'll have answers to your question soon! I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations! Let me know!

Bookaholic4ever – Thank you for your review as always! I hope you enjoyed this chapter please let me know!

348986076 – Thank you for your review! I hope you also enjoyed this chapter, please let me know!

Anz2KFire – Thank you for your review as always! I'm sorry the chapter didn't go the way you thought – let me know what you thought of this chapter!

Merendinoemiliano – Thank you for your review as always! I'm glad you're enjoying please let me know what you thought of this chapter!

Jimfink1234 – Thank you for your review, I'm glad you enjoy my work, please let me know what you thought of this chapter!