A/N Yes, I'm alive! Here is the delayed chapter. It's pretty bad I have to say. I kinda half-assed it(excuse the language). I've been super busy these days, but I won't bore you with my life.

Anyways, thanks to all you dedicated readers and I'm sincerely sorry for my unstable updating schedule. So that I won't leave you guys hanging, I'm going to say this now: there will be no update next week. I'm going to get my act together and come back with better chapters the week after. Thanks for being so understanding guys :)

Annabeth POV

I quickly unlock the door and burst into my apartment. It's already 6pm and I have to meet Dylan at 7. Sure, it only takes me 10 minutes to get there, but I want to be early.

I never thought I'd be going on a date, like ever again, especially with some random guy I met at a pho place.

I want to make sure I look presentable. We exchanged numbers and decided on a pizza place a few blocks away from my apartment. I know there's enough time to get ready and then head over, but I don't want to be late!

Three potential outfits are arranged on my bed. Option 1: A blouse with white jeans. Option 2: a casual dress. Option 3: A shirt and a skirt.

I decide to go with Option 3 because it's the most comfortable. After putting on the outfit, I head over to the bathroom and contemplate whether I should put on makeup or not. Percy always told me that I looked good without makeup on, so I never really wore it... wait why am I thinking of Percy?

Feeling rebellious, I apply some mascara and light blush. More like paranoid your thinking about your ex, a voice says in my head. I ignore it

It's 6:15 when I'm done getting ready and I realize that I've stressed for nothing. I'll probably leave around 6:45, so now I have 30 minutes to kill. Why am I like this?

Just as I'm about to flop onto the sofa, I hear my phone ding from the dining table. I barely text anyone anymore since there's no one I really keep in touch with, so it surprises me.

It's a long text from an unknown number with a different area code. "Hello! I'm the guy that your mom, Minerva, gave your number to. I hope this isn't too awkward for you, but since I know what you've been through, feel free to vent to me. Btw, I know this sounds a little psychotic, but then again, how do I introduce myself since we've never met, and you've probably never heard of me before and your mom gave me your number after spilling your secrets? Anyways, I totally understand if you don't feel comfortable reaching out, I mean tbh I might not be if I were you, but don't never fear, I'll keep your secrets safe! *imagine I said that in a deep knight/heroic voice* Regardless, I hope you are doing well, and have a good night(or day bc of the time difference)"

No way. Minerva wasn't joking. And how dare she tell him she's my mom! That old bitch...

Though I'm mad at Minerva, I can't help but feel a little happy to receive the text. He seems like a nice guy, and funny too. I laugh when I read the 'read it on a heroic voice' part. At there's someone who cares...

Seeing that I had nothing to do and time to kill, I decided to text him back. "Yeah... you do seem like a psychopath. But hey, at least you can be heroic at some times, right?" I send it before I change my mind, and I instantly regret it. He probably hates me now... but the more I think about it the more I realize that I have nothing to lose. I don't know who he is, he doesn't live around here, and he says he'll keep my secrets safe. So as long as I don't get on his bad side, I can have a little fun.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I jump when I hear my phone ding again. "Should I be flattered to be called a heroic psychopath or offended?"

I smile at my phone. "It's your choice."

"I'm gonna go with flattered because it makes me feel better, lol"

"Haha, whatever you say."

"So if I'm the psycho, what are you?"

"Hmmm... I'll be the owl perched on the roof, lol" I face palmed at the dumb answer.

"Wait! I didn't know we could be animals!"

"Lol, what animal would you be then?"

"Umm.. cookies."

"That's not an animal." I laughed. Who is this guy?

Time flew by and before I knew it the clock read 6:57. I was late, even after all that planning I was late. But strangely, I wasn't upset about it.

I had a really fun time talking to this mysterious guy. It almost made me want to ditch the date with Dylan.

By the time I get to the pizzeria it is 7:04. Damn.

Dylan is sitting in the corner at a booth and I wave at him. He waves back and smiles.

"Hey," he says.

"Hey," I reply.

This isn't awkward at all.

We both scan the menu and order. "So..." he starts.

My phone lights up again and I eagerly pick it up hoping it was the Cookie guy.

"Whatcha doin' rn?"

What should I say? "Nothing much, you?"

"I'm making ravioli, haha." My heart tightens becuase it reminds me of when Percy used to cook for us. He learned how to make pasta from Marco and had a phase where he made it every night for a week. A sad smile spread across my face.

"Hey, earth to Annabeth?" Dylan's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, sorry."

"I said how was your day?" he repeats.

"It was good. You?" I ask.

"Good as well."

The conversation dies after that and we end up turning towards our phones to make the silence less awkward.

Finally our pizzas come which give us something to talk about.

"It's pretty good, huh?" he comments.

My mouth is full but I nod.

I've been texting the Cookie guy on and off during the date and felt partially guilty for it. Dylan was putting in effort, but I just couldn't engage in coversation with him for very long.

My phone lights up again and I pick it up. "Who's that?" he asks.

"Ummm... a friend," I say.

"Oh, cool."

"Yeah."

The rest of the night consisted of Dylan attempting to make conversation but failing. To be honest, it wasn't a great night. The only thing that made me smile were the texts from the Cookie guy.

"Good-bye," Dylan waves to me as we part ways.

"Sorry the date didn't go over very well," I say with sympathy. He was a nice guy, but not my type.

"It's alright," he shrugs.

"Goodnight."

I walk home and flop onto my bed. It's been a long day but I feel good.

My phone lights up for the millionth time tonight and I get the giddy feeling I always do. I snatch up my phone, excited for the message when I realize it was just Dylan thanking me for the night.

I respond thanks back and throw my phone on the other end of the bed.

Why was I getting so caught up on this guy who I just met today? Heck, I didn't even meet him, but for some reason he makes me happy. It sometimes feels like we've known each other forever.

I decide to just screw it and text him back even though he didn't respond. I don't know why, but I tell him about my date with Dylan. I need to tell someone, and he's the only person who I can talk to, so my fingers kind of took control.

Of course I regretted it after I sent it. Why does this guy care about my petty problems anyways?

He responded a minute later with a heartfelt message about how he also has love life problems. I'm glad we're in the same boat.

We talked for a little longer, and that time stretched into hours.

A "Okay, it's getting late for me. I should probably go to sleep now. Goodnight Cookie Guy."

P "Cookie guy? Is that who I am now?"

A "Well, since you consider cookies to be your spirit animal, I thought you were pretty passionate about them."

P "I am pretty passionate about them. I guess I accept the nickname."

A "You guess?"

P "Ok, fine. I accept for real, Owl girl."

A "Is that who I am now?"

P "YeP. Goodnight."

A "Don't think you can get onto nickname status that easy, Cookie. This discussion isn't over!"

P "Haha, whatever you say... Owl."

I roll my eyes and turn off my phone.

Though I'm tired, I'm happy, and that's a rare feeling these days.

A/N I'm honestly too tired to write a summary, lol. Maybe one of you guys can write it in a review and I'll copy paste it in later?

As I've said, life is a mess. I'm going on haitus for a week, but I will be back for sure. Lately I've been losing motivation to continue this story... but never fear. I will NOT abandon it. Writer's blocks are all part of the process, but I'm a reader too and I know how it feels to read an abandoned story. I've made it this far and I'm not giving up.

Your guys' reviews motivate me and tbh that's how I've come this far. Couldn't have done it without you guys :)