Chapter 7

Baby, I've been here before ( I've seen this room and I've walked this floor)

Percy was staring. He wasn't a creep and he had tried to avert his eyes but to no avail. He blamed the person in front of him for his problem. She looked so adorable wearing that apron with her hair tied messily in a bun, while she prepared an order. It did not help that she was wearing glasses now as her lenses had broken, and her tongue was poking out a bit as she concentrated on her work. Percy had never seen anyone, including himself, have such dedication towards making coffee. Apparently, he was again "frolicking in Annabeth land" as Thalia put it when Grover cleared his throat and gave Percy a knowing smirk.

"Need some help focusing, Perce? You should try yoga, Juniper's got into it because of the pregnancy."

"Shut up G-man and focus on your work if you don't want to get fired." Percy shot back.

"Can't fire me, Jackson, you are not the boss."

"Why does everyone say that, I'll have you know-"

"Percy?" that soft voice interrupted whatever he was going to say and both he and Grover turned to address Annabeth.

"Yes?" he questioned, praying the warmth he felt on his cheeks wasn't visible.

"Can we talk? In private?" Annabeth asked, offering Grover a timid smile.

"Sure, let's go to the backroom." he gestured for her to follow him but not before flipping off Grover when he winked at Percy.

As they entered the room Percy turned towards Annabeth and cocked his head slightly, questioning what she wanted to talk about. She untied her apron and craned her neck to the side a bit and Percy knew his staring problem was back in full force.

"So, I remember you told me last week that Sally has her monthly check-up tomorrow and I was hoping that I could go with you this time? I mean, if you don't mind, of course, I wouldn't want to impose. I just want to be there, you know and I thought going with you might help and it's totally fine if you think- "

"Beth, breath, you're rambling." Percy put a hand on her shoulder offering her a smile. He was really touched by her gesture and he just wanted to wrap his around her to calm her down.

"I'd love it if you were there with us, I could always use the support."

"Phew, I'll be here for you Jackson and hopefully we won't have anything to worry about tomorrow." She grasped his hand that was on her shoulder and gave a tiny squeeze.

"Yeah, hopefully."

"Thank you for letting me tag along Percy," she said, offering him a blinding smile as they made their way out.

"You don't even have to ask, but why did you drag me back here for it?"

"Oh, uh, I don't know how comfortable you are talking about this with other people so it was just a precaution."

"You're right, thanks for being so considerate Beth, I really-"

"Oi Jackson, drag your ass here and help me at the counter, I don't get paid enough for doing all of this alone."

"Thalia, I am the boss, don't use that tone with me," Percy grumbled but moved to the counter nonetheless.

"You are not the boss." He heard both Grover and Annabeth mutter at the same time. Percy really needed to work on his position of authority.

A couple of minutes later, he was suddenly startled by a clatter. He looked up in the direction of the noise and saw a shocked Grover staring at the back door, with the broom lying on the floor. Did Auntie Barb finally make an appearance? As there were no new customers at the moment, he and Thalia rushed to Grover's side. Thalia let out a gasp and Percy's eyes widened when he saw Annabeth coming out of the room with her apron in her hand. She eyed them all wearily and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Uh- Do I have something on my face?"

Thalia was the first to recover. "Did you- Was the door open when you went in?"

"No, Percy locked it when we came out, why?"

"So-uh, you're telling me that you opened it on your own?"

"I did? Is everything okay? Grover, blink please, and Seaweed Brain you are freaking me out."

Thalia let out a loud whoop and left, screaming that she had to call Leo. Percy picked up the broom and elbowed Grover.

"Nothing, I think we saw Auntie Barb, but it was just you. Oh look Mr. Henderson just walked in, got to go, C'mon Grover, back to work."

Percy wanted to either throw Thalia out of the window or haul himself out. He wished he could get the time stone from Dr. Strange so that he could warn his past self about making that stupid bet with Leo.

"You gotta do it Perce, you gave me your word." Leo patted his shoulder, smiling way too smugly.

Jason, Thalia, and Leo had shown up at his house after the cafe was closed to make sure he followed through with his deal.

"I cannot ask her out man, not with our history."

"Don't be a wuss, I told you I would make you eat those words, you gotta do it."

"Guys, this is gonna blow up, I really don't want to mess up our friendship."

"So, you admit you want to ask her out but are scared?"

Percy stuttered through his response, "N-No, why would I want to ask her out? Stop twisting things, Leo."

"Subtlety isn't your strong suit, Perce." Jason butted in. Percy didn't like his friends ganging up on him, he really should have dumped them all these people years ago. He knew Annabeth wouldn't corner him like this, oh who was he kidding? Annabeth would never pass up any opportunity to tease him. Why did he start thinking about her suddenly?

"What do you guys want me to do? I can't just ask her to go on a date with me."

"Why not?" Thalia chirped.

"Because." he snapped back, glaring at her.

"Jeez, you are pathetic, why don't you ask her to go to the drive-in theatre with you?"

"The one in that town with the really weird name?"

"Firstly, that's hypocritical of you, we live in a town called Belt Buckle, and secondly, yes, take her out on the weekend. I mean even if you don't, she is still definitely going out, I would just rather it be with you."

"What do you mean?"

"Apparently, Mr. Wannabe-Gosling asked her to go with him, she told me that he wanted and I quote, 'to explore things together,' like pfft, how original." She said while rolling her eyes.

Percy did not know why his chest tightened at her words. "Ryan? Chiron's nephew asked her out?"

"He did."

"What did she say?", he questioned, dreading the answer.

"Nothing, yet ." Percy was still reeling from the thought of Ryan asking Annabeth out and the way Thalia implied that Annabeth was contemplating his offer did nothing to loosen the knot in his stomach.

"Bro, you gotta make your move, I can offer to sabotage his car for you but don't let him take Annabeth."

Percy smiled at Leo's generous offer and was tempted to let him do as he pleased. However, the stakes were higher now. Percy didn't know whether he could stand Annabeth directing that soft smile of hers to anyone that wasn't him and he wasn't too eager to find out. He didn't have the confidence to straight up ask her to go with him on a date but he could work something out.

"Fine, I'll ask her, but on one condition, you guys have to come with us too," all three of his friends opened their mouths to protest but he held up his hand and added, "In separate cars, please guys help me out a bit here."

"Fine." Jason acquiesced, "We all will go but you and Beth," Percy glared at him for calling her that "sorry, you and Annabeth will go together. Jesus, too chicken to ask her out but will give a look that can kill a lesser mortal to anyone who calls her that."

Percy was tapping his foot nervously as he waited for Annabeth to open the door to her house. He had, after listening to certain interesting words from Thalia, worked up the courage to ask her to go to the drive-in with him. Percy had been formulating the sentences to say and practicing the right words on his way over, but as soon as the door opened and Annabeth stepped out, his brain's ability to form any coherent thought vanished.

She was wearing a tank top with loose pyjama shorts and those damned glasses, he noticed a smudge on her forehead that made her look cuter. Percy had to pinch his wrist to keep it from reaching out and tugging at a stray curl that had escaped from her bun. She beamed at him and led him inside when he noticed that she was trying to bake something.

"What are you making?"

"Oh, I was bored and Sally gave me this simple recipe to try out."

"Mom gave you a recipe? She didn't tell me," he said, following her into the kitchen.

"Why would she tell you everything?"

"Touche."

"So, what brings you here?" Annabeth inquired, moving to stir the batter of the cookies.

"Was bored, so I thought I'd drop by to annoy you." Percy leaned against the counter and studied her as she moved across the kitchen, softly humming a tune, fully concentrated on the task at hand. Percy laughed silently as he watched her put aside some of the batter in a different bowl and accidentally slam it on the counter, getting her hands covered in the batter as she tried to salvage the situation.

"Hey, um, can you tie up my apron, my hands are messy."

"And they say I'm clumsy." Percy joked but moved behind her to tie her apron back. He probably imagined the intake of breath from her when she gently touched her waist but he was pretty sure that the close proximity was causing the neurons in his brain to burst.

He moved away and took a deep breath, trying to calm his beating heart. Though he was sure Annabeth had heard it with the way it was hammering in his chest.

"So," he cleared his throat, "There is this drive in this weekend in that town-"

"The one with the weird name? Yeah I know, Ryan asked me to go."

"Oh.. well, are you going?"

"No, I don't want to go with him, he is a great guy but not my type."

"Cool, that's nice, I don't think he is your type either, I mean you guys together would be way too much blond." Subtle Jackson.

Annabeth's laugh gave him the confidence he needed to ask the question he came to ask in the first place.

"So, how would you like to go with me instead?" Annabeth stopped washing her hands and turned towards him, a hesitant smile on her lips.

"With you?, Like uh-"

"I mean, we all are going, except for Grover and Juniper because she gets tired easily these days but the rest of us are going."

"Oh, so like a group trip?"

"I mean, yeah, but I can pick you up in my car and we can go together?" Percy asked, hoping she would not reject him. Her hesitant smile turned into a grin and she gave him a nod.

"I'd love that, it will be fun."

"Great! That's great, it will be fun."

"Can't wait, now please help me, these cookies are so hard to bake," Annabeth whined and Percy's heart soared at the excitement in her eyes. He hoped that he was the cause of that excitement and this "date" would give him some clarity on where they stood.

Percy's nerves were a mess. His palms were all sweaty and he was seconds away from a panic attack. He knew he was prepared for this but he couldn't help but wonder that what if due to his clumsiness he completely messed up, and what if that made Annabeth think her decision to run away 7 years ago was a good one? Would she be glad that she hadn't gotten the chance to hear this song that time?

He looked around the room which was filled with his friends and the girl who had the ability to make his heart stop with just a smile. They were all looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain why he had dragged them all into the cafe before they all headed out for the drive-in. Percy cleared his throat and practiced that relaxation mantra he had found in a yoga video.

"Okay, so, I'm just gonna cut to the chase." that earned him a snort from Annabeth and he felt a surge of confidence flow through him.

"I asked you guys to be here because it is finally time for me to fulfill a promise I made a couple of weeks ago to Wise girl. She literally begged me to play a song for her and you all wanted to hear me play too, so here goes, Leo stop recording please."

Percy went around the counter, pulled out the guitar, and sat on the stool. He closed his eyes and imagined himself as the 16-year-old boy who was so excited to play this song for Annabeth and began strumming. He hoped she remembered the song and was enjoying herself. When he finished and finally opened his eyes, he was sure that all his friends were looking at him intently but his eyes involuntarily sought out those grey ones. Percy couldn't decipher the look on Annabeth's face but the "thank you" she mouthed to him with a tremble of her lips made him feel like he had accomplished something great at that moment. He offered her a smile and their moment was broken by the loud claps from his friends who made his way over to him, slapping him on the back and fist-bumping. They all muttered praises but the only person whose response mattered stood in the back, silently watching him with a beautiful smile on her face.

When the excitement calmed down, they all made their way to head out to the cars, except for Percy and Annabeth.

"Was it so bad that you can't find words to curse me?" Percy joked, nervously scratching his neck.

"Shut up." Annabeth came up to him and put her arms around his neck, catching him in an embrace.

"That was so beautiful Percy, I loved it, thank you so much."

"Really?"

"Of course, I'm so overwhelmed right now I could cry, I'm so regretting not hearing this years ago."

"Well, I regret not playing it years ago, but if you loved it, then I'm glad I finally did play it."

"Now I don't want you to stop okay, I demand a new song from the maestro every now and then."

"You are so bossy, but I guess I can entertain you, I love the guitar too, playing in front of everyone was liberating in a way and I enjoyed it, so thank you for giving me the nudge."

"It was for purely selfish reasons."

"Likewise, now c'mon we should hit the road." Percy took Annabeth's hand and led her outside. He didn't want to let go of her hand but he had to lock up the cafe, so with great reluctance, he let go. As they made their way to the street where he had parked, he wanted to grasp her hand again but he was too nervous to make that move.

"That's not your car," Annabeth said when she saw the Toyota.

"Grover and Juniper aren't coming with us and this will give us a perfect view to lay back and relax." Percy was pretty proud of himself, he had borrowed Grover's car, which resembled a pick-up truck, and had stuffed the cargo bed with snacks and blankets. He hoped Annabeth liked this date, even though he hadn't explicitly mentioned this outing as a date.

Percy decided he loved traveling with Annabeth, then again, he loved doing anything with her, as long as he got to hear her laugh. He kept sneaking glances in her direction and had to pinch his hands again and again, lest he blurted out something embarrassing. The setting sun gave her face a soft glow as her hair fell around her shoulders, framing a side of her face, and the warm smile that adorned it made him feel grounded in a way he hadn't felt in a long time.

When they reached the drive-in, all of their friends had already arrived and were giving Percy knowing looks. Percy decidedly ignored them and began setting up the cargo bed as Annabeth went to chat with Thalia.

"This is so wrong, you guys have such a great view from there," Leo whined, gesturing to Percy's setup.

"I know Valdez, that's why I borrowed Grover's car."

"Any chance you wanna switch? My car will you guys more privacy, judging by the looks Annabeth is giving you, you might need it," he said while smirking.

Percy jerked his head to the side, where Thalia and Annabeth stood, and to his surprise, Annabeth was indeed looking at him but had quickly turned her head around. A proud smile appeared on his face but Leo's comments made his cheeks flame.

"Shut up, we will be fine."

"Dammit."

Once everyone got settled and the movie began, Annabeth who was curled up next to him, let out a squeal.

"We are watching Roman Holiday?! Percy, did you know?"

"Honestly, no, but seems like luck is on your side these days."

Annabeth didn't reply, already too engrossed in the movie and Percy let out a small chuckle, she was way too adorable. Sometime later, Annabeth shifted and moved closer to him and grasped his hand, giving it a light squeeze. Feeling brave, he tucked her into him and rested his chin on her head.

"It sure feels like that to me too." She muttered quietly, never letting go of his hand throughout the movie.

A/N: The song Percy plays is hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, see you next week. :)