Hey guys, back with another update! I can't believe we passed 400 reviews! You guys are amazing seriously! If you haven't noticed, I've been trying to upload a chapter every Friday afternoon/evening for you guys and I've been keeping up with it which I'm proud of. I think you guys are going to hate me when you read the first part of this chapter but just know everything is going to work itself out haha. This chapter was very challenging for me for some reason so I hope it's ok. Alright, enjoy!

Review Responses:

WiseGirl1609: Love the enthusiasm for my story! Thanks for reading!

WisePhoenix: That's coming up very soon I promise!

PeriwinkleLuv9: That's my goal! I want my story to move at a realistic pace you know? Everyone's asking about a Percabeth kiss you'll just have to wait and see for when it happens!

Disclaimer: Don't own

Annabeth walked carefully up to the wooden picnic table with a stack of math books in her arms. As she approached the table she saw the back of a familiar person already seated. He was looking down at something on his phone but he looked up when she set her stuff down and took a seat across from him. He smiled at her but she didn't return it. Instead, she looked at him curiously and confusedly. Her thoughts were filled with everything Percy had told her two nights before.

"Hey Blondie. I was a little surprised I managed to get here before you." He joked, putting his phone in the back pocket of his jeans.

Annabeth sighed. "Listen Luke, we need to talk."

He knew something was bothering her by her tone of voice. The air around them was serious and unsettling instead of the usual joking and carefree environment of their normal tutoring sessions.

"About?" He questioned. The fact that she wasn't even making eye contact with him made Luke worried. They sat in silence for a minute before Annabeth got the courage to speak.

"Percy told me…about everything."

She noticed Luke's expression change from worried to confused to realization. His pupils widened slightly and this time it was him who couldn't look her in the eye. His reaction confirmed that everything Percy had told her was true. A few seconds passed of the two of them just sitting there. Luke looked like he was figuring out how to reply.

"Annabe-"

"So it's all true then? Were you ever planning on telling me?" She cut him off, a wave of anger washing over her.

She couldn't believe that he would do something like that. She was angry but she was also a bit disappointed. A tiny part of her had wished Luke would've denied it but after seeing his guilt stricken face she knew he was admitting to it. For years Annabeth had the biggest crush on him and the one year where that crush could have turned into something more she found out how much of a player he was. Her life just didn't seem fair.

"Annabeth please-"

"I cared about you Luke! I thought you were different! But if I'm just another girl you're planning to put in your book then you can forget it." She said harshly.

She started to get up but Luke stopped her, grabbing her hand softly. For some stupid reason, Annabeth couldn't find it in her to yank her hand away. She looked at him with an expression of disappointment and he stared dejectedly back at her. She broke out of the trance, standing up and taking her hand out of his. Luke stood up as well, stopping her again by turning her shoulder to him.

"I threw the book away a long time ago! Annabeth you have to believe me, it's different with you." He tried desperately. He saw that he'd gotten her attention so he continued.

"I was in a dark place Blondie. Imagine one day you're in a relationship and everything is going so well but then the next you find out the girl you're in love with is moving and doesn't even want to try to make long distance work. After everything with Reyna I wanted nothing more than to be myself again but I couldn't. She destroyed my life Annabeth. The term heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how I felt. I wanted a distraction so that's why I made the book and I promise you, it's my biggest regret."

"And why should I trust you?"

"I told you, it's different with you. Being with you has changed me Annabeth, more than you'll ever know. I never want to go back to being that guy again and I swear to you I would never treat you like that."

Despite everything he had done, Annabeth felt a part of her that wanted to forgive him. She hated that she could never just walk away from him. Luke saw the thoughtful look on her face. He took a step closer towards her cautiously. He slowly lifted up one of his hands to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear and she looked at him.

"I really like you Annabeth. You can't tell me you don't feel anything between us because we both know something's there. Listen I've tried, I really have but I don't think I can just be your friend."

"Luke-"

"I know you're upset with me and that's the last thing you want to hear right now but I just had to tell you. If you were to never speak to me again I would want you to know." He said in a hushed tone. His hand rested on her cheek as he looked at her intensely. She saw him mentally decide on something. He took another step towards her and Annabeth didn't move.

"Just say no if you want me to stop." He whispered lowly, lowering his head slowly towards her.

She could feel his breath on her face as she stayed quiet. Her logic was telling her to walk away but her emotions were going haywire. Why the hell couldn't she say no? She didn't have any more time to think it over because suddenly his lips were on hers.

The kiss was short, only lasting about four to five seconds. His lips were warm and he kept his hand on her cheek gently. She was the one to pull away. They stayed at a close proximity for a beat but then Annabeth took a step back, removing his hand from her cheek.

"…I-I don't know what I feel. I just need some time to figure everything out." She admitted honestly, now more confused than ever about her feelings. Luke nodded understandingly.

"Take all the time you need. I'll be here."

"Wow" Thalia said.

Annabeth groaned, burying her head in her hands. She readjusted her position on the bed so she was sitting up. Thalia was sitting next to her with her legs hanging over the side of the bed. The blonde had gone over to her best friend's house after practice and just finished explaining everything that happened in Central Park with Luke that morning and her realization when she was with Percy on the rooftop. She left out some of the details involving the super specific factors of who Reyna was. She'd promised Percy she wouldn't tell and she intended to keep that promise.

"So I guess Will was right. There's a Team Percy and a Team Luke after all." Thalia joked. Annabeth responded by grabbing a pillow from behind her and smacking her over the head with it.

"What am I going to do Thals?"

"Well do you want to be with Luke?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want to be with Percy?"

"I don't know!" She screamed annoyed. Thalia stuck her hands up in surrender.

"Jeez it was just a question Annie."

"Sorry I just, I'm so confused and frustrated." She sighed in annoyance. Thalia placed a hand on Annabeth's shoulder comfortingly.

"Well I have no experience in these kinds of situations but since you're my best friends and I love you I'll try. I've heard it's good to list the reasons why you like each person. Lets start with Luke. What do you like about him?" Thalia began.

"Well…I like that he's bold. He's not afraid to tell you how he feels. He's got a great personality not to mention he's not exactly bad looking. He's friendly and considerate. During our tutoring sessions he brings me coffee sometimes before getting to work, which is another reason I like him, he's determined and hardworking. We have a lot of things in common and even though he's had a rough past he seems like someone you can rely on."

"And Percy?" Thalia asked once she had finished.

Annabeth sighed. "Percy's a different story. He never fails to make me laugh even when I'm really upset. From the outside he doesn't show it but he's got a vulnerable side. He's sweet and trustworthy and he's got these gorgeous sea green eyes that can put you into a trance. Again in terms of physical appearance, he's very attractive. He's strong both mentally and physically. I feel like when I'm with him I can tell him anything and he'll just listen. He's loyal and even though we're almost complete opposites we have similar family issues so I can relate to him on a level I can't with anyone else."

Thalia was about to say something when Annabeth cut off the silence that had surrounded them, still not done with what she was going to say.

"But a part of me feels like being with Luke would be simpler and easier."

"Why?" Thalia said confused. If anything she thought her friend would have said that about Luke and not Percy.

"Well for starters Percy and I disagree on a lot of things and we haven't exactly had the best history. And then there's the whole thing about not knowing if he feels the same way-"

"Okay let me stop you right there. Now we both know I'm not the most observant person on the planet but I've seen the way Percy acts around you. He generally smiles more around you and he stares at you with this look I've never seen him use before. Trust me, it's really weird considering he's my cousin for Gods sake but he likes you no question about it."

Annabeth smiled a little after hearing her friend's explanation. She was glad she had confided in Thalia. She always tried to help even when she had no experience with the subject. No one else knew about her and Luke or her and Percy except Thalia now.

Annabeth laughed light heartedly. "I didn't even realize how weird it must be since he's your cousin. Not to mention, Piper's dating your brother."

Thalia smiled, happy that she'd managed to somehow cheer up her best friend. She punched the blonde girl in the shoulder as she laughed.

"Shut up"

They sat in a comfortable silence as Annabeth went over everything in her head. She still had no idea what she was going to do. She thought everything was going to be easier once she'd acknowledged that she liked Percy but it just got ten times harder once Luke had admitted his feelings to her and then kissed her. She didn't even have time to process how she felt when he kissed her, it was so sudden and she was supposed to be mad at him. Having to see them at school everyday was going to be hard enough but then she also had tutoring sessions with Luke and practice every night at the same time as Percy's hockey practice.

"Annabeth… if it helps you should know that Percy really is a great guy. If you want to be with him be sure that you want to. He's always been my annoying cousin but I love him and he's been through a lot in his life. I'd hate to see him get hurt again." Thalia said truthfully.

Annabeth nodded slowly, taking her friend's hand and giving it a small squeeze. Thalia knew what happened with Percy and his father and she figured Percy must've told her at least something about Reyna as well. Still, something in her tone of voice made it sound like there was even more to Percy's back story then just that but she didn't bring it up.

"I never realized how close you guys were."

Thalia nodded. "Nico, Percy and I were practically inseparable when we were younger. We did everything together and then we just kind of all made friends and grew apart. Nico and I stayed pretty close but once high school hit Percy became part of the popular group. I never thought I'd get a glimpse of the old him again but whenever he's with you I see it." Annabeth felt her face flush at the last sentence but smiled at her friend.

"Now I can't say much for Luke because I don't know him that well but from what you've told me he's already managed to break your trust twice. I'm not going to tell you who you should be with because it's your decision but be careful. I just hope that whoever it is they make you happy Annie."

Annabeth leaned over and hugged Thalia tightly. The choppy haired girl returned the embrace just as tightly. "Thanks Thals."

They stayed like that for a while but then the grey-eyed girl became curious about something Thalia had mentioned. They pulled out of the embrace.

"What was Percy like before he changed?"

Thalia smiled. "Like he is with you now. Funny, easy-going and caring."

Thalia grinned. "I remember this one time when we were kids our families got together for a dinner. After we ate Nico, Percy and I walked to the park around the block from his house. It was Percy's idea to play Marco polo so we spent two hours climbing all over the playground equipment. When Nico was it, for some stupid reason I climbed on top of the plastic play tunnel, which was pretty high and when I went to move away from Nico I slipped and fell. I landed pretty hard on the mulch and when I tried to get up my left ankle hurt like hell. I started crying because I couldn't walk and that's when we stopped playing the game. Percy and Nico knew I hardly ever cried so they rushed over to help me and when I told them I couldn't put weight on my ankle Percy was the first one to act."

Annabeth listened intently to the story. Thalia smiled as she remembered the memory before continuing.

"He let me get on his back and for the whole walk home he carried me piggyback style. He asked me several times if I was doing ok even after I'd stopped crying. He kept blaming himself for the whole thing because it had been his idea to play Marco polo even though it was me who'd decided to get on top of the tunnel in the first place. When we got home he insisted on helping to get me ice and a bandage for my sprained ankle and he didn't leave my side for the rest of the evening."

Annabeth couldn't help it. She smiled widely after Thalia had finished the story.

"That's so sweet." She complimented, her heart warming at the cute childhood story. She tried to imagine a young Percy acting like a caring older brother towards Thalia and she found it to be pretty easy to picture.

The two girls spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and catching up about anything and everything. It had been a while since they'd had an afternoon together just the two of them. Annabeth was grateful to have a friend like her.

"I can't get her out of my head man." Percy sighed deeply.

Jason looked at him sympathetically as he finished typing up something on his laptop. Percy was laid down on his bed currently throwing a small rubber ball against the wall repeatedly after catching it each time. The two of them were taking a break from working on their school project at Percy's house. Being the kind of students they were, they'd procrastinated on the project and now had one day to finish the assignment.

Jason placed his computer on the desk nearby before turning to the green-eyed boy. "I'm guessing this is about Annabeth?"

When Percy didn't say anything Jason knew the answer was yes. Percy explained his night with Annabeth on the roof of the ice rink and Jason listened closely. He knew his friend was developing feelings for the girl but he didn't know how much they had progressed.

"Seeing her with Luke at the game, I just kind of…snapped." Percy began.

"That's called jealousy Perce." Percy glared in his direction before resuming his action of throwing the ball against the wall.

"And then when we were up on the roof and I convinced her to sit on the ledge I couldn't, for the life of me, stop staring at her. It was like I was in some sort of trace or something." He chose to leave out the details of when he and Annabeth talked about the feud with Luke and she'd grabbed his hand comfortingly.

Jason chuckled. "I don't get you dude."

Percy looked at him, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "What?"

"Well clearly you really like her yet you haven't asked her out yet. Why?"

Percy groaned. "It's not that simple I told you."

"Sure it is. So what if Castellan's also got a thing for her? You don't know that she likes him back."

"I also don't know if she sees me that way." Percy pointed out.

"That kind of thing has never stopped you before. I'm starting to think this is a lot bigger than just Luke liking her too." Jason said, grabbing Percy's attention. It was silent for a beat and then Percy sighed.

"Let's just say I've had my heart broken before and I don't know if I can go through that kind of thing again." He mumbled. Jason decided not to question him about it anymore.

"You can't live with that fear forever Perce. Annabeth's a great girl and she makes you happy so go for it."

Percy thought carefully over his friend's words. He knew Jason was right. He couldn't live with the fear of getting his heart broken forever. Eventually he was going to have to get over it and a good way to start was to tell Annabeth how he felt. He had no idea how or when he was going to tell her but it had to be sooner rather than later. The competition's weekend was coming up next weekend and since the Trident's team had qualified they were all going together. Two days filled with skating and no Luke. It would be the perfect time to tell her how he felt. That is, if he didn't chicken out at the last second like he usually did around her.

Chapter 21 done! What did you all think about the confrontation with Luke? I know you probably hate me right now because they kissed but I promise you it's for a reason that will be explained later. What about the best friend talks? I thought it'd be cute to have both Percy and Annabeth confide in one of the Grace siblings haha. The next few chapters will consist of the competition's weekend so stay tuned! Please review I love reading them and they make my day! Love you guys!

REVIEW, REVIEW AND REVIEW!

-M