Hey dudes! So I told you it wouldn't be as long of a wait until the next update and here it is! I had such inspiration for this chapter that I literally wrote 90% of it in one day and stayed up till 2am. That's never happened to me before but I think you guys are really going to like this chapter because of…things. It's a big chapter for sure and definitely one of my longest. Enjoy!

Review Responses:

Book. : Glad you liked it! Yeah I'm sorry if the change in Percy came across too fast. I just really need to get stuff moving along so he needed to come to his senses! Haha

Livelaughloveandread: Your review literally describes me! I'm so done with high school at this point it's a pain and I am definitely tired of all the BS lol. The fact that you said my story is very accurate means a lot too.

Disclaimer: Don't own

Annabeth cheered with the others when Leo was able to block a shot on goal and prevent the other team from scoring. She saw the familiar jersey-number 1; take the opportunity to steal the hockey puck from the opposing team and skate effortlessly down the ice. A player wearing a green and white jersey from the other team tried his best to keep up with the puck but he failed to. The crowd cheered loudly as number 1 got closer and closer to the goal, passing the other team as if it was nothing. He took his shot, the goalie moving to block the shot as fast as he could. The incredibly loud buzzer went off in the arena and the little red light above the goal lit up, signifying that a goal had been scored. Annabeth and the rest of the crowd got up on their feet, cheering in happiness.

And number 1, Percy Jackson scores the first goal of the game for the Tridents! What an exciting start! The intercom announced to the audience in the stands watching.

The game had started not even fifteen minutes ago and Percy had already scored for the Tridents. Annabeth smiled as the boy got surrounded and patted on the back by his teammates. She could see a brief smile on Coach Hedge's face as well.

She sat back down as the next play started, Piper and Calypso followed suit, each sitting down on either side of her. The bleachers were completely full with students from Goode and parents supporting their kids. Hockey was a big sport at their school. Annabeth considered it to be tied with football for the most popular sport to watch at Goode. Since the stands were completely full there were people standing all around the perimeter of the rink to watch the game. Annabeth was glad Christina had made them get there a bit early so they got pretty good seats.

"Wow Percy is really good." Calypso commented. She turned to face the two girls next to her. Annabeth was concentrated on the gameplay while Piper turned and nodded in agreement.

"I know. Oh look, here comes Jason!" Piper shouted excitedly. Annabeth peeled her eyes away from the game to laugh at the girl's clear pride towards her boyfriend.

Piper was wearing Jason's blue hockey jersey since the Tridents team was told to wear their black jerseys that night. It was definitely too big for her but she knew Piper didn't care. It must have been warm considering that was all she was wearing and it was pretty cold in the stands. Annabeth herself had on a black zip up hoodie with a plain blue shirt underneath representing the Tridents colors. It was a well-known fact that whenever a girl was wearing one of the hockey player's jerseys to a game it was for one of three reasons. Either they were together, it was the guy's way of asking her to be his girlfriend, or the guy wanted to show the girl that he liked her. In Piper and Jason's case it was for all three of these reasons. Annabeth had noticed that Piper's face literally glowed with happiness after she'd received the jersey with the number 5 and the last name Grace on it. She was happy for the two of them, they were a good pair even if Thalia had taken an entire day to process the idea of one of her closest friends dating her brother.

Annabeth turned back to the game. Hockey was definitely not a boring sport to watch. It was so fast paced and the crowds at hockey games were so lively. She'd been to a few of the Trident's games in the past years but she never really took the time to appreciate just how much energy and speed was needed to play the sport. Percy made it look like it was so easy. She knew it wasn't though considering how many times she nearly fell that day at practice when the hockey players and figure skaters had switched skates for a day.

She would never say it out loud much less to his face but Percy really was amazing on the ice. She understood why everyone considered him the star player. During the break the score was 3-0 two of the goals being scored by Percy and Jason scoring the other which Percy had assisted with. None of the players could keep up with him. He was fast.

He didn't even seem the least bit out of breath after all that skating. He took his helmet off while they waited for the second half to start. His hair was slightly sweaty, some of the ends sticking to his forehead as he tried to brush them aside. His hair was messy but that wasn't unusual, it was always like that. His cheeks held a reddish color because of the cold as he drank water from a plastic bottle. Annabeth could hear a ton of the female Goode students whispering and giggling amongst themselves over the boy.

"He's so hot!"

"I know right. I want a hockey player!"

"You know I heard he broke up with Drew so he's available. If only he'd notice me." She heard one of the girls above her say dreamily.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. Percy didn't even have to try half the time and he still had pretty much every girl in school wishing she were his girlfriend. She was brought out of her thoughts as someone shouted her name.

"Annabeth!" Calypso called, slightly shaking her.

"Yeah, huh? What?" She said confusedly. Piper and Calypso looked at each other knowingly.

"Well, sorry to interrupt you checking out Jackson but-"

"I was not checking him out!" She argued immediately, cutting her off. Annabeth stared at her intimidatingly, to which Calypso gave her a disbelieving look but didn't say anything.

"Alright, well I was just going to ask if you wanted anything from the concessions. I'm gonna grab some water." She offered. Annabeth nodded her head no and then the girl was gone after she and Piper had promised to save her seat.

"Oh, Annabeth I forgot to tell you. Jason told me he, Leo and Percy are going out for a celebratory meal if they win the game. Considering how it's going I'm pretty sure they'll be going out. Jason invited us to go. If you want to that is." Piper spoke up, not turning away from the rink as the second half of the game was starting.

"Who's us? You, me and Callie?" The blonde asked curiously. Piper nodded in confirmation and Annabeth turned her attention back to the ice also, thinking over the offer. It seemed like a pretty good offer. She hadn't eaten dinner yet anyway so she could use some food.

"Ok. Why not?" She decided. Calypso came back a couple minutes later with a bottle of water in her hand. Annabeth filled her in on what Piper had said.

"I'm always up for food, sounds good. It's just going to be a challenge to get through the whole meal without strangling Leo."

Piper and Annabeth laughed. "I thought you two had settled your differences."

"Yeah but that doesn't mean I find him less annoying." She argued.

Annabeth shook her head and the three of them continued to watch the game excitedly. Percy had the puck again and was shuffling down to the goal. Piper, Calypso and her all stood up with the rest of the audience. Annabeth screamed as he took a shot on goal. Making it for the third time during the game. Everyone clapped in approval and some guy in front of them just randomly turned around to give them all high fives. She thought that was kind of odd but complied nonetheless.

About an hour later the game was over and the Tridents team had won by a landslide. The final score had been 6-2 with Percy having scored four of those goals. As the crowd cheered the winning team on before they exited to the locker room, Percy caught Annabeth's eye in the stands. He smiled cockily and Annabeth returned it with a small smile of her own. A couple of the girls behind her had squealed excitedly because they had apparently thought he was looking at them.

"Well I have to admit Jackson. You're not half as bad as I thought you were." Annabeth teased when the three guys had come out of the locker room with all their equipment off. They still had their black jerseys on but now with jeans.

"Why thank you. I aim to impress." The boy with the huge ego replied, smiling at her genuinely.

"Perce you were seriously on fire tonight. I mean four goals in one game! Usually it's been like two or three in the past years, which is still great but four tonight! Whatever you did keep doing it." Leo complimented, adjusting the heavy duffle bag on his shoulder.

"He's right. You skated great tonight man." Jason agreed. His arm wrapped around Piper as she leaned into his side.

"I think I know why." Calypso said mockingly. She caught Annabeth's eye and sent her a teasing wink. Annabeth glared at her after having gotten the message. The boys shared a confused look and let it go.

"So, what's this about a celebratory meal I hear?" Annabeth changed the topic. It worked as Jason started to explain.

"Oh yeah. Guys I invited the girls to come with us. That alright?"

Percy shrugged, not having a problem with it. Leo on the other hand sighed but eventually gave in.

"As long as Calypso promises not to kill me." He negotiated. The others turned to the eleventh grade girl.

"I'm sorry I can't make that promise. But I'll try my very best." She replied. That seemed to be enough for the rest of the group as they started to talk about where to eat.

"How about the diner?" Piper suggested. She didn't even have to explain which diner. They all knew she was referring to Luna's. The 50's style diner that was practically everyone's go to place to eat.

Annabeth remembered when she had gone out with her friends just a couple weeks ago to eat there. You could never get tired of that place. It was inexpensive and the food was to die for. Everyone agreed to the option almost instantly.

When they got to the diner they found it to be only semi-crowded. It was almost nine o'clock so that was probably why. They found a booth in the corner of the restaurant and took their seats. Piper was next to Jason while Annabeth had been seated in between Calypso and Percy. Leo was on Percy's other side. Annabeth ordered a burger with fries and then gave her menu to the waitress after everyone had ordered. Percy stared at her curiously after she ordered.

"What?"

"Nothing it's just, I pegged you as the type of girl to order like a salad or something not a burger." He blurted out. Annabeth looked at him incredulously.

"Well you thought wrong." Was all she said in response. She did enjoy an occasional salad here and there but when she went out to eat she would never waste her time on leafy greens when she could have a burger instead.

"It seems so." He had the nerve to smile at her.

When the food came it was mayhem. Everyone dug into their food especially the guys who must have been really hungry after using all that energy in the game. Percy ate more than anyone she'd ever seen, clearing his plate in less than ten minutes. Leo came in second, finishing only a couple minutes after him. When Jason had finished Piper had offered him some of her fries, which he gladly took after kissing her forehead.

"Gods did you three even come up for air?" Calypso said shocked. Her plate was still half full.

"Hockey makes you hungry." Was all Leo said, wiping his face with a napkin. Calypso gave Annabeth a look as if to say 'yeah, no kidding'.

What happened next Annabeth had no control over. She was in the middle of finishing off her burger when Percy had burped loudly next to her. But that wasn't the bad part. The bad part was that he had purposely blown the air into her face. Annabeth stopped mid-bite, disgusted by the boy's actions.

"You did not just do that." She said half in shock and half in complete anger. Percy didn't hear her. He was too busy laughing his ass off from the spot right next to her. The others at the table were watching them amusedly.

She let go of her burger and not finding any other solution, punched him hard in the shoulder all in one motion. Percy's laughs became shouts of protest as he grabbed his arm.

"Ow! Gods you've got a strong ass punch Chase." He shouted in pain.

"You deserved it." Annabeth shrugged, not feeling at all guilty for her actions.

Jason laughed. "You two are funny."

Not really knowing how to respond to that, the two stayed silent. A minute later Leo's phone vibrated to show he'd gotten a text message from someone. He checked his phone and Annabeth saw his eyes light up.

"Looks like there's an after party being held at Matt's place. Anyone's invited. You guys wanna go?" He asked. Annabeth noticed Calypso suddenly look up from her almost empty plate in interest.

"I should probably stay away from parties for a while. I'm grounded and I could barely get permission to come here tonight after the game. My mom would kill me if I went to a party." Percy explained.

"I should get home soon too plus, parties aren't really my scene." Was all Annabeth said. A couple here and there was alright but she found herself to just not like them much.

"Yeah and Pipes and I were planning to catch a movie or stay in for the night after we eat." Jason added. Piper confirmed his explanation and leaned back against his arm.

"I'll go. I'm always up for a good party." Calypso spoke up. It was true. Annabeth had known Callie to be quite the social butterfly. If there was a party she usually went to it unless she had a prior commitment.

Leo grinned and replied to the text, probably to tell Matt that he would be there. When everyone was finished eating they paid the check and then there was the issue of how they were going to leave. There were two cars and six of them.

"I only live a few blocks from here so I can walk." Annabeth offered.

"At nearly eleven o'clock at night by yourself? I don't think so Princess." Percy argued.

"Well what do you suggest we do Jackson?"

He paused, trying to think it over. He looked up a minute later after coming up with an idea. Everyone around the booth turned to look at him.

"Jason and Piper can take one car. Leo and Calypso can take the other to the party. I'll walk you home." He suggested. Annabeth reviewed the idea in her head.

"Well how are you supposed to get home?" She asked.

"I know a shortcut." Was all he said. Annabeth didn't question him and instead nodded in response to the plan. The others all agreed as well. They exited the small diner and said their goodbyes for the night. Percy had grabbed his duffle from Jason's car and then the others had left, leaving Annabeth alone with Percy…perfect.

"You really didn't have to walk me home you know. I would've been fine on my own." Annabeth started as they began the trek to her house.

"Oh trust me, based on how hard you can punch I'm sure you would be but you know, just in case." Percy explained. Annabeth tried to hide her smile. Half of her was annoyed that he had felt the need to come but the other half of her was thinking about how sweet it was of him.

"Well don't think this makes up for you burping in my face Hockey Boy. I hope you know you've got a lot coming to you because of that stunt."

He laughed. "It was worth it."

Annabeth nudged his side with her own as they continued walking. It was a brisk night and the only light was provided from the streetlights as they walked along the sidewalk. Percy was the one to break the comfortable silence.

"So, honest opinion, how did I do tonight?" He asked cockily. Annabeth laughed as they walked together in synch.

"You were quite impressive tonight Hockey Boy I'll give you that. It looks like all those years playing hockey paid off." She saw him quietly fist pump to himself causing her to laugh lightly.

"How long have you been playing anyway?" She asked, finding herself genuinely curious as she looked up at him for an answer. It must have been for a long time considering how skilled he was.

"Well that depends. I've been skating since I could walk practically but I didn't really start playing hockey until I was six."

"Six years old? Wow, I didn't start skating till I was nine."

"Nine? No way. You look like you've been skating all your life at least that's what it looked like every time I've seen you on the ice."

"Yup, I was nine. Skating pretty much became my life after that. It was all I ever thought about and it saved me a few times as well."

"How do you mean?"

Annabeth sighed uneasily. She hadn't meant to blurt that last part out but maybe she should talk about it. It had been years since she had even thought about it. Besides, she was learning to trust Percy and realize he wasn't such a bad guy.

"My dad. He uh…left. I was fourteen at the time. Not too much to the story really. One day I came home from practice and started on my homework while I waited for my parents to get home. My mom came home from work but my dad never showed up. I thought maybe he'd needed to stay at the office late but when I went up into my parents bedroom and saw that a lot of his things were gone I knew something was wrong. I didn't want to believe that he'd left at first even though my mom had tried explaining it to me countless times. I waited for him but as weeks turned into months and months turned into years I finally woke up and realized he wasn't coming back for me. He was the one who really encouraged me to start skating after I'd gone to a friend's skating birthday party. He actually supported my skating interest while my mother saw it as a pointless hobby. Anyway, skating was the only thing I did for the years following. I put all my energy, all my feelings into skating and sure I won a lot of competitions because of it but that's not why I did it. Skating was the only thing that kept me sane, kept me from thinking that my dad left because something was wrong with me."

When she was finished Percy had stopped in his tracks. Annabeth stopped too as he turned to face her. She felt a hot stinging in her eyes and realized that she had been tearing up while recounting her story.

"Uh…sorry you uh, probably didn't need to hear all that." She spoke, nervously looking down embarrassed.

"Annabeth…I had no idea. I know this is probably the last thing you want to hear but I'm so sorry." He said sadly. She could see it in his eyes that he truly was sorry for her. She surprised herself by taking his hand from his side and giving it a squeeze. She felt a slight tingle in her hand but didn't think much of it.

"Thank you."

They walked in silence for a little while longer before Percy spoke again.

"You know, while we're sharing stories, you're not the only one with daddy issues."

"Oh?" She said lightly as Percy nodded.

"My dad was the person who took me to my very first hockey game. I'm pretty sure I already told you at Silena's party that night but that's what pretty much started my hockey career." Annabeth nodded, remembering their short conversation from the party that night.

"Anyway, he was the person I looked up to the most in the world. I thought just about everything he did was amazing when I was little. He worked for a ship company near the pier. We had a really close relationship but that all changed the summer before freshman year. I got home early one day because practice had been cancelled. It was the same day my dad was supposed to be leaving for one of his fishing trips with friends. When I walked through the door I heard two voices. One obviously belonged to my father but the other I didn't recognize, all I knew was that it was female. I heard laughter coming from the living room and then it was silent. I took off my shoes and walked into the living room of our small place and what I saw made me the angriest I'd ever been in my entire life. My dad was on our couch lip locked with some woman I'd never seen before. She looked like she was closer to my age than his and I stood there for a second trying to take it all in. My dad, the person I had always seen as this sort of hero was cheating on my mother right in front of me."

Percy paused for a second and then continued shakily. Annabeth listened intently.

"I'll never forget the look on his face when he saw that I'd caught them. He looked so guilty but not once did he give me a proper explanation. When my mom came home I told her all about it and she and my dad fought for hours. The worst part was he was still planning to go on that stupid fishing trip with his friends that day. He'd packed up some things for the trip and said when he got back we would sort it all out. What I didn't know was that the ship he was on was going to get in the middle of a terrible storm. We found out a week later that they'd found him dead in the shipwreck. The last thing I had said to him before he left was that I hated him and I wouldn't care if he never came back."

When she thought he was finished Annabeth had started to say something but Percy continued before she could.

"I was in a pretty messed up state of mind as you can imagine after that. I wanted to change everything about myself and start over. High school was starting soon and I saw that as the perfect opportunity. I reinvented myself. I stopped doing my homework and started going to more parties. I had somehow moved up the social ladder until I was apparently one of the most popular people in school. I'm not proud of everything I did throughout the years. I'm especially not proud of how I acted around girls. I treated them like they were objects and I couldn't hate myself more for that. When I tried to change back into the person I used to be I thought it was too late. I was already stuck with everyone having this image of me so I kept with it. It took me until just recently to realize how stupid I was and well you know the rest."

When he finished no one said anything for a good minute. Annabeth was trying to process all the information he'd just given her. She now knew the reason to why he had always acted the way he had. Why he used to be such a jerk and a player.

"Percy…wha-…I-"

"I know. It's a lot to process. But at least now you know I haven't always been this horrible person." He said.

"You're not a horrible person. You're better now and you don't realize it. Trust me, I know." She smiled encouragingly at him and he smiled shyly back.

They continued walking, a little closer in proximity now as the reached the final block. Their shoulders brushed against each other after every pace but neither one of them seemed to mind it. Annabeth actually found it comforting to have someone to talk to who could relate to her situation in a way.

"So where does Luke and this whole rivalry come into play?" Annabeth asked out of nowhere. She cursed herself for being so nosy. Percy didn't seem bothered though, he laughed at her adorable curiosity.

"Ah, Princess well that's a story for another time." He said as they turned the corner to her house. She laughed; glad they were able to lighten the mood.

"Oh so there's going to be another time?" She teased.

"Well I sure hope so." He said shortly.

"Me too." She whispered lowly, smiling up at him as they stood in front of the porch to her house.

What she did next surprised the both of them. Without a second's hesitation, she lurched forward and pulled him into a hug. Her arms wrapped securely around his neck as she hugged him tightly, feeling the thick material of his hockey jersey. It took him a second but he hugged her back just as snugly, his arms hugging her around the waist. Annabeth felt small jolts of electricity all throughout her body as they hugged. She wondered if he felt it too. She noticed that he smelled strangely of sea salt but it was a nice scent.

"Thanks Jackson." She said quietly.

"For what?" He asked, not letting go of her just yet.

The hug didn't last too long after that as they pulled out of the embrace a moment later. Annabeth stayed within an arms reach of him.

"Walking me home, listening to my story, telling yours. Thank you." She listed. She knew there was a slight blush on her face but she hoped that the darkness of the night would cover it up.

"Anytime Chase."

"I should get inside. Goodnight Percy."

"Goodnight Annabeth." He said. They'd used each other's actual names more than once that night which was a record for them.

With a final wave she disappeared behind the door. Percy turned around and started on his own route home. His skin tingled with an unknown feeling and he smiled the whole way back.

Chapter 15 complete! A Percabeth hug! What did you all think? Love it? Hate it? Review and let me know. Percy and Annabeth are finally getting somewhere! How did you like the hockey game? I've only been to one hockey game in person that I haven't watched on TV (I know, I really wish I could go to more but they're expensive) so hopefully I did a decent job explaining things. Fun fact: the sentence when I mentioned a guy turning around and high fiving the girls at the game actually happened to me when I went to a game. It was so random but who am I to deny a high five? Lol. Love you guys!

REVIEW, REVIEW AND REVIEW!

-M