Im Not Scared To Jump If You Want To

by Mka1098

Annabeth Chase was never the type of girl that guys fell for. She was rarely the center of attention. Percy Jackson was the new kid in school. He was loud and charmed everyone in a matter of days. Somewhere and somehow, they became friends... close friends and maybe more than friends A slow burn oneshot of Percabeth in a high school AU

I'm Not Scared To Jump If You Want To

AN: Oh my lord. This is so long. I spent a whole month trying to write this thing. Honestly, it's so wack and the idea came to me really late at night. I don't know why but I really liked the idea and just ran with it. This is the end product I guess. I actually like it. It's so wild I just like it. Also there is definitely some OOC because I just kept writing and not thinking

I don't own Percy Jackson or any of the songs mentioned. I just love them very much.

Like a movie star

From the silver screen

One of a kind living in a world gone plastic

Baby you're so classic

To say the least, Annabeth Chase was not, that girl. You know. That girl. The one that commands everyone's attention when they walk into a room. The one who guys or even girls can't help fall for. Yeah well, Annabeth was not that girl. Her friends, they were those girls, yes. The one everyone wanted to envy but just couldn't because they were just too wonderful. Their lives were spotlighted, not hers.

Annabeth was the photographer for their insta pictures. The girl who recorded the wild late night snaps. She wasn't the one on the front page of the school news for bringing the cheerleading team to finals, nor was she the one the article was dedicated to because her art had gone to a museum. No, rather she was the one who had a perfect ACT score and in all the APs she could be in. Annabeth was the background nerd friend, so to speak. Not that she resented that, she liked learning and most things interested her. And no one really called her that in a patronizing way, people liked her and she was popular by association.

That was Annabeth Chase. A relatively quiet person, smart as hell and could always be counted on. Her mien was always delightful, small smiles tossed to everyone around her. She may not be that girl who's voice brings energy and joy to those around her, but she could make people smile at the very least.

"I don't like Mrs. Dodds." Rachel huffed, slamming her lunch tray onto the table. Annabeth raised her eyebrow at her friend.

"Wow, I can't tell. I thought she was your favorite." Annabeth said sarcastically with a smirk. Rachel promptly flipped her off.

"The only good thing, is that I met the new kid. And oh my god, you guys, he's insanely and hot as hell." The redhead burbled. Piper and Silena had yet to say a word but were very intrigued. But Annabeth took a bite of her sandwich, not really caring, she rarely made friends with the new kids at first. Annabeth had stone grey eyes that were equal parts intense and terrifying and a resting bitch face that seemed to scare most people off. For the record, she had tried smiling more in her 8th grade; it just got annoying.

"What's his name?" Piper asked.

"Percy Jackson. I guarantee you he's gonna be all the talk for the next week or something. Apparently he's a swimmer. Also he's made friends with Jason and Leo and Grover and then." Rachel explained and pretended to fan herself with her hand.

"He's gonna be shirtless and dear god, I pray he has abs." Rachel said with a laugh. Annabeth rolled her eyes and hit her friend's arm.

"That's weird." Silena laughed along.

Now, these were the, those girls. Not like they were the ones getting 1,000s and 1,000s of likes on Instagram or nor did they rule the school or something, that's not how life worked. Rather, they were the ones everyone just, knew the name of. Bring up Silena Beauregard, Piper Mclean and Rachel Elizabeth Dare and everyone in school knew what you were talking about. Most guys wanted to date, all for different reasons and most girls just loved the girls supporting girls type of energy they gave off.

Silena Beauregard was a dark-haired beauty. With silky black hair that flowed like a river and warm foxy-like eyes, she turned heads everywhere she went and looked a hell of a lot older than just 16. She was the definition of balanced femininity. With a delicate softness that could earn her a medal in bedside manners, and the almost floating like way she held herself, she was like an ancient queen who came back to earth. Being co-captain for the cheerleading squad certainly helped her almost cliche in the best type type persona. Silena was always pleasant and was never one for harsh words. Soft pinks and purple were her aesthetic.

Piper Mclean was almost on the other side of the spectrum. She was the 'cool girl.' That term from Gone Girl fits very well. Piper was a tomboy through as through but her physical appearance made it that much for enticing. If you wanted a girl who would burp and laugh and shove pizza into her face, you have a clean winner. Even as she tried to hide her features and tone down her appearance, even with ragged hair cut Piper kept the boys on their toes. She didn't care about most things happening around her, giving off chill and passive vibes. With perfect and healthy chocolate rich brown hair weaved with feathers, and warm hazel eyes, the Cherokee descent was a beautiful sight to see. After all, every guy wanted to say they dated a 'cool girl'.

Last but certainly not least, Rachel Elizabeth Dare was a redhead spitfire. She was cute and artsy, her frizzy red curls and splatters of freckles added to the notion. She was perhaps the easiest to get along with, as her life consists of painting and her friends. Her eyes were bright green and could probably knock a male down if she so much as winked. With more talent than a 16-year-old should really have, everyone knew in school she was going to do off and be great. Boys couldn't take their eyes off her or stop sighing at her bright laughter. There was something special about dating a wallflower like girl with artsy aesthetics . She fit into the, she's not like other girls, category. Didn't all boys love that?

Annabeth smiled at her friends, there were times they pushed each other around and acted like kids. To say the least, it makes Annabeth beyond happy.

"Well if he's nice then that's all that matters." The blonde girl stated and went to snatch one of Piper's fries. Mind you, the brunette tried to swat her hand away but didn't do so in time. In her head, Annabeth thought about Percy Jackson for a second. Huh, his name went rather smoothly on the tongue. She eyed Rachel, who was still blabbering about her conversation with the kid. Rachel and Percy would probably end up dating, Annabeth decided she was rather sure of it.

↞ມ↠

It had only been a week into school but Annabeth was really feeling the pride of being right. Percy and Rachel had indeed become close friends. And Percy was a nice person, though he was strangely awkward around girls as she had noticed in the halls. Admittedly she had yet to have a real conversation with him but Silena had mentioned he was sweet as candy. Annabeth had nodded and definitely saw his kindness when sticking up for one of the freshmans in the halls. If there was one thing Annabeth could respect, it was knowing what to do and how to make things right.

As of now though, Annabeth wasn't out dancing with her friends. No, she was sitting in the trunk of Rachel's truck curled up in a blanket with a nice book. Technically, she was at a beginning of the year party put up at Drew Tanaka at the beach. But Annabeth had already taken her pictures and put together blushing couples and decided she deserved a treat and retreated to the truck with her book. Annabeth lightly turned to the next page of her book, and ooooo it was getting real good. The noise of the party was rather soft from this far away, but the buzzing and cheers were serving as background noise and made for great ambiance.

"Hey!" A voice called, genuinely surprising her. Annabeth lifted her head to search for the voice and saw a darkened figure towards the left side of the trunk. She tilted her head to the left. What was this person doing here? Did they not realize there was a literal party going on not too far away from them? In the darkness but slight moonlight, Annabeth's eyes barely caught a smile.

"Hey!" They said again. Annabeth this time decided to reply with a very confused and slightly unsure, hello? It probably sounded more like a question to the figure but they seemed to ignore that.

"Are you Annabeth Chase?" They asked with slight nervous undetones. That got her Annabeth to slam her book close and nearly jump up. Why was there someone asking for specifically her? What had happened? Did Silena get hurt? Did Rachel get thrown into the ocean? Did Piper punch a guy?

"What happened?" Annabeth said frantically but the figure drawled out a, uhhhhhh nothing? She looked at them, her eyes somewhere between annoyance and confusion.

"Then why are you asking if I'm Annabeth Chase?" The blonde leaned her head back against the front of the truck.

Whoever this figure is, they were not coordinated. For they had literally stumbled onto the back of the trunk in trying to get on. They nearly face planted and Annabeth had to hold back her laughter.

"Sorry." They muttered coming up closer to her. Now she could see who the person was and honestly it surprised her. In front of her face, was Percy Jackson. The new kid in school, the apparent swimmer, the actually decent human being and Rachel's future boyfriend because dammit Annabeth would always be right.

"Oh, you're Percy right?" Annabeth said with only the slightest bit of malice in her voice. For the record, he had just scared her into thinking something happened to her friends and she did not appreciate that. The black-haired boy gave her a lopsided and almost awkward smile.

"Yep, that's me." He said with a smile, popping the P. Annabeth looked him over as best she could in the low lighting.

Percy wore a Naracat shirt with what Annabeth believed to be blue swim trunks. His hair looked as if it was slightly damp and in his hand he held a soda can.

"What are you doing here?" Annabeth knew she was sounding accusatory but she had been looking forward to her book and really wanted to get back to reading it.

"I just, wanted to talk to you." Percy said, rubbing the back of his neck with a hand. Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him.

"Why?" She said with almost a laugh. No anwer, just a shrug from the black-haired boy.

"I- I don't know. Just wanted to. I guess." He said nonchalantly, a total 180 from his awkward speech from mere seconds before. Annabeth looked at him with a suspicious look. She decided to add another descriptive sentence to the existing mental list she's had going.

Percy Jackson was a weird ass person.

Truth be told Annabeth was not yet sure if that was a good or bad thing. She had been one to not shy away from the weird kids, after all Piper was her best friend. But Percy was clearly odd in a different way. Rather than going against all social norms like Piper, again it was a good and bad thing, Percy seemed to be stranger and so much more than that. He had no clue why he had walked all the way to the cars to find a specific person and why he wanted to talk to her. Strange indeed, this Percy Jackson.

"So why aren't you at the party?" Percy's question snapped Annabeth out of her reverie.

"Why aren't you?" She shot back with a raised brow. Percy's arms go up in a surrender.

"Technically, I asked you first." He continued smoothly. Annabeth made a sound of approval, so he wasn't a complete pushover. That's always nice.

"I like to read in peace. What's your excuse?" Her lips turn up a smirk. Percy settled his arms back by his side and shrugged.

"Don't have one."

"Oh so you ditched?"
"Maybe I did?"

"Tsk, tsk. Bad reputation you just gave yourself."

"Aren't you doing the same thing though?" Okay, so suddenly Percy was kinda smart. Well, Annabeth did not expect this.

"I prefer to think of it as an escape to Wonderland." Annabeth said, not giving her words a thought. No, she just wanted to keep up the smooth banter they were having.

"Then I guess you're my white rabbit." Percy said with a grin, walking closer to her. Annabeth crosses her arms over her chest and arches a brow up.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Annabeth questioned, changing the subject rather smoothly though not from under Percy's nose.

"Don't you?" Percy shot back with a smirk. Annabeth hummed a note but didn't say any more. Instead, she picked her book and opened it up to the last page she was on.

"YO PERCY!" A voice called from the direction of the party. Annaveth and Percy both turned their heads to see Jason Grace sprinting towards them.

"I think that's your calling." Annabeth said with a teasing grin. Percy though, looked back and pouted at her.

"Not coming?" Annabeth shook her head. Nope, she had held off this book long enough and she was seriously dying to read the next parts. His eyes gave almost a sad look as he ultimately slid down the back of the truck bed and back onto the ground.

"See ya Alice!" He called with a wave. Annabeth rolled her eyes but put her reading on hold for another minute.

"I thought I was the rabbit?"

"You don't seem like one to ever be late."

"Touche. But would I drink random potions and eat random cakes?"

"With that tone of voice? No way."

With that, Percy began to run back to the party, boisterous laughter erupting from him that made Annabeth smile a bit. Strange, he still was, but Annabeth decided it was a good thing. Besides, anyone who could keep up with her snippy words and get a hold of her in a matter of minutes couldn't be all that bad. Annabeth snuggled back into her blanket, though there was more screaming, and this time of a high-pitch, that rang out calling out for her.

With a sigh, Annabeth put her book down, mourning the loss of a peaceful night reading under the moon and stars. "Annie!" Silena jumped up onto the trunk bed and hugged her tight. The black-haired girl had the aroma of a sweet cocktail and was definitely drunk.

"Were you talking to Percy!?" She grinned and giggled. Annabeth shook her head but smiled fondly. Even when drunk off her ass, which she doubted Silena was at the point of but wherever, Silena never slurred and still had the lily soft voice she had sober.

"I was, for about 2 minutes and I was kinda confused during most of it." Annabeth explained as she gently patted Silelna's hair; she threw her head into the blonde's lap.

"He really liked talking to you." Piper smiled and poked her friend in the cheek. Annabeth thus swatted her finger away. Rachel stood by with a smirk of her own.

"She's not wrong." The redhead saif in a sing-song voice. Annabeth smiled at her friend.

"Mm, you better watch out, I might steal your future boyfriend." The blonde joked.

Rachel gave her a confused look. Annabeth shook her head laughing.

"Oh don't try that with me. It's so obvious he's into you. You guys will surely date." Annabeth said, pointing a finger at the green-eyed girl. The redhead scoffed at that notion.

"Girl, no way. We're just friends, I don't wanna date him." Rachel said defensively. Annabeth tsked thrice and turned back saying, sureeeeee. Piper squished herself between the trunk's side and Annabeth and yawned. Rachel shook her head.

"Seriously. Not interested and he's really not into me either." Annabeth ignored Rachel's sentence. To say the least, Annabeth had a habit of ignoring anything that didn't align with her thought process. Rachel clapped her hands in front of Annabeth's face, she nearly jumped and rolled her eyes.

"As if. I'm sure he's dying to get his hands tangled in that red hair of yours." Annabeth waved her hand around her best friend's head. Rachel smirked at her and forced her hands down.

"And yet he seemed to have a thing for blondes." Rachel's voice had a mock tone of innocence but her cunning eyes told all. The blonde flicked a hair band at the chuckling ginger.

"If they dyed their hair cinnabar maybe." She snorted. Rachel made an unsure sound and sat down, leaning against Piper who was watching the sky.

"It's so peaceful." The brunette said, hand reaching out as if it could grasp the stars. Annabeth sighed in agreement. She was surrounded by her best friends, her heart was content, they always brought her heartsease.

"Too quiet." Silena muttered, lifting her head from Annabeth's blanket covered legs.

"We should go back to the party." Silena still looked perfect as ever, Annabeth had the slightest bit of envy. Whenever she set her head down, it resulted in a knotty frizzy mess and not cute in the way Rachel's curls were. Silena's hair stayed sleek even as she ran around and danced wildly.

"We are at a party." Annabeth said, her friends stick their tongues out at her sassy tone. Silena clumsily got up and hopped off the truck bed, before turning around and motioning for her friends to join her.

Annabeth stayed put as Piper and Rachel got off. "Please Annabeth!" Silena put her puppy eyes to good use but Annabeth had the tactic of looking away.

"I just wanna read, you guys. And I already went, Drew has all the pictures." Annabeth explained, flickering her eyes back at her friends every once in a while to avoid being sucked into Silena's baby eyes that made her feel so guilty.

"You could still dance and take a shot." Rachel offered but Annabeth again shook her head.

"I like it just here. Go have fun and live your life like a movie." Annabeth said, shooing her friends away with a hand gesture. PIper rolled her eyes and shook the truck bed.

"For once, please come join us in our 'movie lives' that you keep talking about. You can have fun too and be crazy. There's no rule against. And I know you follow them rules." Piper said. Annabeth laughed slightly but shook her head.

"I know. But I had lots of fun before making sure everyone had a good time. Now, this is my time." through there were more whines from her friends, Annabeth was able to get them to go back.

"You have to stop being the 'background character'." Rachel said with air quotes, using the label Annabeth liked to give herself.

The blonde rolled her eyes and finally, was able to read. She was one hell of a bibliophile. The blaring party music provided background noise for her. It was comfortable.

You know I talk too much

Honey, come put your lips on mine and shut me up

We could blame it all on human nature

Stay cool, it's just a kiss

Oh, why you gotta be so talkative?

I talk too much, we talk too much

↞ມ↠

That following Monday, Annabeth realized that Percy was actually in her Greek Mythology class. And that he sat rather close by her. This was strange because Annabeth had fully sure no one was sitting in that back corner spot last Friday. However, didn't seem to notice so Percy was probably sitting there the whole time. Hm, it was like a low-lighted version of the Mandela effect. Annabeth paid it no mind after the first ten minutes, she had no time to worry if a person was sitting in a certain spot days before or not. No, she was far too busy for that.

That Tuesday, Rachel had convinced Percy and his friends to eat lunch with them. The boys were fun to be around, loud yes more than Annabeth was used to but they were outside so it didn't so much matter. The blonde kept nudging Rachel to Percy with a shit-eating smirk. This ship was about to sail and she wanted to be the one to send it off. Yet, Rachel continued to be annoyed and deny everything.

"God, stop it." The redhead hissed when Annabeth elbowed her. The blonde shrugged and took a bite of her noodles. Rachel glared at her and gray eyes bore back, though it only lasted 5 seconds as they burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Leo asked with a grin. Piper smacks him up the head. "I know exactly what you're going to say." She snapped at him but grinned as well because she, unlike him, actually knew that Rachel and Annabeth could rarely be serious around each other.

"Piper, your birthday is tomorrow?" Jason asked incredulously. The brunette looked panicked for a second. "Uh, yeah?" She more or less asked. Jason walked over and gave her a hug,

"Damn, I'm gonna be gone tomorrow during 5th period. Happy early birthday though." He said kindly and Piper nearly fainted. For the record, everyone but her was expecting this reaction. Silena looked very proud of herself, it was clear she was the one to bring up Piper's birthday. Annabeth sent her friend a wink when she had noticed that Percy was looking at her. She leaned back and tapped him on the shoulder, he also leaned back so they could talk face to face without Rachel in between.

"Do you need something?" Annabeth asked. Percy's face went red, which was kinda surprising because he was rather tan to begin with.

"Nope." He said quickly. Blonde eyebrows crinkled together in confusion. "Okay…" She said unsure and looked back forward. Piper still looked like she was going to melt. Rachel nudged Annabeth back, smirked and mouthed the word, crush? Annabeth replied with, hm thinking of stealing yours, in a low voice.

"By all means go ahead." Rachel nearly groaned. Annabeth laughed and patted her shoulder.

"Never. I'll leave you the picture perfect relationship." She said, making Rachel slam her head on the table. Percy looked at the redhead with a confused look and sent one to Annabeth that read, what?

Wednesday went by as expected. Piper got many gifts, from her friends and people around school. A fair amount of guys came up to tell her some sorta happy birthday line but by the 5th person, the rest had been scared off by a glaring Jason. For a guy not even dating her, Jason had some over-protectiveness. Or maybe he just had a hero-complex. That was always on the table. They called him Superman for a reason. Whatever the reason, he made it clear he wanted no guys around while he was out during 5th and oh yes it made Piper blush hard. Annabeth closed her locked quite loudly, the locker rattled and the sound reverberated around the mostly empty hallway. She didn't love math but she was good at it, however there were times she was so freaking tired of Calc. It made enough sense to her that she could do it without help but it was exhausting. Annabeth's smokey grey eyes scanned around and landed on Percy's for a specific reason; his eyes were already on her.

"Can I help you?" Annabeth asked him, walking up and perhaps sounding harsher than she meant to. It seemed to be a habit around him. Percy shook his head, sable locks flying around messily.

"Okay, well you were looking at me. Is there something in my hair?" Annabeth reached up to feel her ponytail. There were many a times she was so frazzled there was something stuck in her hair, whether it be a leaf or snow.

"No, you're good." Cue the sentence of Percy Jackson being a strange person popping back into Annabeth's mind. With an unsure look, Annabeth floated away quickly to her next class. Never could she be late.

Now, Annabeth was not the type of girl who turned heads. When she walked into the room, the anecdoche continued and her role was to join in. Unlike her friends but not to her envy, she melted into the crowd. Therefore, she was not used to eyes being on her. Her friends may be fine with walking into a room and having the spotlight on them but not her, she adjusted the light. That's very different from being in it. That's what bothered her about Percy. He for some reason would not stop looking at her and it's not like it made her nervous. It more so made her confused. And Annabeth Chase did not like being confused.

It was Thursday when she decided to tell him to please keep his eyes off of her and instead on his future girlfriend if he really wanted to stare. But when she told him that, he was lost as can be.

"Uhhhh." He droned out. Annabeth stepped back and sighed.

"Look, I know grey eyes aren't common. But that doesn't merit staring, okay?" Percy nodded silently and Annabeth turned to walk away. She was volunteering for the girl's swim team tonight and wanted to get her homework done before she timed for their meet.

"Wait!" Percy call from behind her, causing Annabeth to spin on her heel and tilt her head in question.

"So, I can stare at my future girlfriend?" He asked, nearly running into her. Annaneth stepped back for her own safety and nodded slowly.

"I mean yeah? It doesn't bother me." Why ever should it matter if he looked at Rachel? Percy looked even more confused, somehow, what was he not getting?

"That makes no sense." He deadpanned, looking down at the floor. Annabeth opened her mouth but then shut it. Somehow, he had rendered her speechless which truly was a sight to be seen. Annabeth always had a quick tongue and words glore yet, none, nothing.

"I don't know even what to tell you. Just, stop looking me at during lunch and class. And do whatever you want, stare at your future GF if you so well please." With, Annabeth smoothly turned away and stalked on. She was very much confused and completely ignoring Percy who was left dwaling in the hall.

Friday came quickly. And by quickly, she meant as quickly as an olympic runner that was stuck in mud. The party was loud downstairs and one of the few times Annabeth had skipped the whole, let's try and be around humans for at least an hour thing. Her friends unsurprisingly, tried to get her to stay and dance. No, she had said. You guys are the main characters, not me. And without another look back she went upstairs to the empty room Calypso had told her she could vibe in. The beat of the bass vibrated even up here and as of now, the song was bothering. EDM was not in her taste though most of the time she could deal with it. Today, though she was trying to focus and the sharp climaxes of the music was more than annoying.

Finally the music switched to a pop song that was less bothersome and Annabeth went to work sketching out an apartment building. She always loved sketching them, they were always so basic and plain in the real world but in pulling from her own mind, Annabeth made them interesting and intriguing to look at. She sketched out different layouts and shapes to secret the building, rectangular buildings were so basic. After completing the sketch, Annabeth smiled and hummed in approval. She dragged out the other sketchbook, the one that was more closer guarded. That was one filled with her guilty pleasure.

Designing dresses . Now Annabeth was in no way a girly-girl. Not at all, she had no clue how to do makeup and her nail polish always peeled up. But oh my god, was she a sucker for a pretty dress. When she was age 13, she began to sew, and sewing did she do for years. Now 4 years later, Annabeth had a nice machine, dress form, box full of threads and piles of fabrics. She could practically recreate any dress at this point. She was always the one to do something to the best of her abilities after all. After 3 years of making dresses she found online, she grew bored of making other people's designs and started to sketch out her own. The switch to sketching her own dresses was a real game changer, she knew exactly what she wanted them to look like and could tailor them to her friend's styles. Sometimes, she'd make a custom dress for girls around school from prom and to say the least, they paid well. Not that she was in it for the money but it did help with getting more supplies.

Annabeth flipped to the dress she had been working on. Everyone and their mother knew that Charlie Beckendorf was going to ask Silena to homecoming and to hell if Annabeth was going to let her go without a custom dress that was tailor just to be perfection on her. The color was going to be mauve pink, perfect for Silena's feminune style. Mermaid cut, as the black-haired girl had always raved about how pretty they were but it was always either too loose on the bodice or too tight on her. There would be some sparkling lace up top to make her feel like a princess as it perfectly hugged her curves.

Suddenly, the door swung open with an insane amount of force and in her shock, Annabeth slammed the book close and swung around, jumped up and grabbed the arm of whoever was in the doorway and threw them onto the floor.

"OW SHIT!" The voice cried. Annabeth's eyes finally registered Percy Jackson moaning in pain on the floor.

"Oh. Oh! Oh my god, sorry." Annabeth said, dropping his arm and leaning over him on the floor.

"Is that how you welcome people?" Percy groaned and sat up, rubbing his back pitifully. Annabeth shook her head and sat down next to him.

"Instinct. I think so at least. If I'm alone in a room and the door swings open my first thought is that it's a murderer. Hence, judo flip." She explained with an apologetic smile and slight jazz hands. Percy shook his head and winced in pain. She rolled her eyes at that. "Don't be such a baby."

"Damn, so if you weren't such a suspicious person we wouldn't be in this situation?" Percy said with a grin. Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"I'm not suspiciou. I'm just prepared." She corrected him. Percy stuck his tongue out at her.

"Yeah well next time be less prepared because my back hurts."

"Damn, you've never been thrown to the ground before? Also, there is not going to be a next time, you will knock if you wanna come in "

"Okay 1. No one should be that rough. 2. I will knock."

"Aw, has no one been satisfying enough for you?'

"Yeah all zero of them were lame."

Annabeth smiled at him before getting up to collect her sketchbooks. She opened the one for architecture and kept adding to her sketch of the apartment building. She liked the idea of having little window ledges, her friend Juniper was a huge plant mom and her window ledge was overflowing with plants. Percy watched her sketch quietly and there was the occasional scream coming from downstairs. Annabeth flickered her eyes at Percy every so often to find that he was watching her more than her pencil. At that she stopped and turned to face him.

"I didn't ask before. But what do you need? Or does someone else need something?" Annabeth asked him. Percy shook his head.

"Nah, no one need anything." Percy waved off. Annabeh raised a brow up in confusion.

"So why are you here then?" The blonde asked. Percy looked at her with a crinkled expression.

"To talk to you..?" She was not expecting that answer.

"Why?" She inquired and Percy went red.

"I don't know. I just did." He mumbled, looking down at his hands as they fiddled around each other.

It genuinely baffled Annabeth how easily Percy could go from the cool, smirking troublemaker, because if one was wondering Percy did not know how to shut his mouth in class but sometimes it could be entertaining, to a flustered gauche little baby. Case in point now, one minute before he was bantering with Annabeth about literally sex and then the next, he was red as a lobster. Where he normally would not stop watching her now he couldn't even look at her face full stop.

"So, what's in your sketchbook?" Percy asked, a bit awkwardly. Annabeth raised a brow at him.

"Buildings." She deadpanned. Now it was Percy's turn to roll his eyes.

"Wow, I didn't realize that." He said, voice dripping with sarcasm. Annabeth laughed lightly.

"Why did you ask then?" She said elbowing him in the side. The black-haired boy fell over, though in a dramatized way.

"You have two books. Is the other building too?" He pointed to the grey faux leather binding. Annabeth subconsciously held it closer to herself.

"Yeah, it has buildings too."

"Can I see them?"

"No."

"...Okay then." Percy gave her a strange look but let it be, which Annabeth really did appreciate. They were silent for another minute or two, this time more awkward because Annabeth wasn't drawing and Percy was more or less looking at the wall while trying to sneakily look at her without her noticing. It was safe to say, he was really bad at being discrete.

"How could you weren't downstairs at all?" Percy blurted out. Annabeth gave him a slightly weirded out look but responded to his question.

"Loud EDM music and parties aren't really my calling." She said with a slight smile. He nodded.

"I noticed." He said with a grin, sounding almost proud. Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest.

"It's not like I try to make people think I enjoy that sorta stuff. I mean, I like parties and all, but just not these." She explained. Percy nodded in an understanding manner.

"Soooo, how down would you be with me maybe dragging you to a rock concert next week?" Percy asked with the troublemaker's smile Annabeth often saw at school when he was testing a teacher's patience. The blonde-haired girl let out a sharp humorless laugh and shoved Percy's side.

"Don't you dare." She said fiercely but not without a smile. Percy raised his arms in surrender.

"But like… maybe. How mad would you be, like on a scale from 1 to 10?" He playfully pushed it.

"Don't be an idiot."

"If I'm an idiot what does that make you?"

"A wise 16-year-old girl."

"...I backed myself into a corner didn't I?"

"Yep."

"...Wise girl. I like it. That's your name. That's your new nickname. I have decided that. And I will be the only one to use it."

"Oh my god."

"Great isn't it?" Percy said with wide eyes and a smile. Annabeth leaned forward. There was already a dry tone in her breath alone.

"Sure."

↞ມ↠

The dress was beautiful, if Annabeth was to say so honestly. It was one of the best she had ever made. The vision was perfectly captured into a physical creation and Annabeth couldn't have been more proud. She held it out in front of her and hugged the material to her body and stared at herself in the mirror. Idly her mind began to roam, roaming to a world where she was that girl. She was the girl who everyone knew was going to be asked to homecoming by a great guy.

In that world, Annabeth had a dress the color of cerulean. It had a wrap top and flowy skirt that flared out when she spun around in a princess twirl or when her date spun her gently. In a different dream world, Annabeth would draw the attention of people rather than scaring them with her stone-cold expression. In her dream world, people wanted to be around her and never once thought about leaving her. People smiled at the sight of her rather than migrating to someone else. In another world, she was that girl she imagined to be.

Maybe she'd be a cheerleader like Silena. Or a free for all rebel like Piper who possibly had been kicked out of more than one school, but shhhh you didn't hear that from her. Perhaps she'd become a deep and artsy person like Rachel. At the very least, whoever she'd be in that sweven, she'd be fun loving, rantipole and the main character of her own movie, as disgustingly cheesy as that sounded.

With a sharp laugh, Annabeth broke herself out of her own thoughts. What a ridiculous notion, being the main character? That was silly of her to think of and oh goodness thinking she could be like Silena or Piper or Rachel? God, Silena's endless adoring uplifting messages had gotten to her in somehow a bad way. Annabeth wasn't made for a picture perfect movie life. Reiterating that, she hung up Silena's dress and sat down at her desk. It was time to study, because that's what was in store for her, not a silly like fantasy.

↞ມ↠

"Oh my god, YES!" Piper shouted! She hugged Jason tight who was overjoyed and relieved. Annabeth cheered excitedly with the rest of the crowd of teens who witnessed the ask after school.

"I've been waiting three years for this." Leo said, dramatically sniffling and wiping his eyes. He pretended to be a proud mother whose son apparently just now grew up, which promptly made everyone laugh.

"Haven't we all?" Silena laughed, sounding like silvery bells.

"That is my idiot son you're talking about. He has been talking about this since 8th grade." Leo narrowed his eyes and pointed at Silena harshly, though in a playful manner. It did add to the comedic effect that Leo was so much shorter than Silena. With her standing at 5'7 on a normal day and 5'10 with heels, 5'2 Leo had no chance to really intimidate her even as a joke.

"Dude." Jason drawled, landing his head onto Piper's shoulder, making her blush as they were still hugging.

Annabeth went off to the side and opened up her design book. She had already come up with a few different designs for Piper and all she needed was an okay from the girl. On a personal bias, Annabeth was partial to the 2nd dress she came up with. A simple and classically pretty short homecoming dress. There was going to be a tulle skirt and sweetheart neckline in a solid colored sarcoline fabric. Perfectly simple, just as Piper liked her dresses to be when it was the rare occasion where she wore them.

"Were you expecting Jason's ask or were you as surprised as Piper." Percy came up towards her and Annabeth slammed closed her book and looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Surprised? Please, I would have punched him if he didn't finally ask her. 8th grade he kept coming on and on about how he was going to ask her to homecoming in high school and for two years he didn't and those two years I had to listen to the complaints." Annabeth said with a small smile. Percy chuckled and leaned against the tree next to her.

"Well being the new kid, Jason took it upon himself to tell me who Piper was and then proceeded to make me promise not to go after her because of bro code." Percy explained, kicking a rock with his left foot. It went rather far for his lack of effort. Annabeth opened her mouth and shook her finger a bit.

"Why am not surprised?" She said sarcastically with a grin. Percy returned one back to her. Annabeth nodded and then traced her eyes around the crowd, there people frowning at the so called PDA of hugging and some cooing over the adorableness.

"What are you doing for homecoming?"P Percy asked out of the blue. She turned back to him. "Oh, me and my friends are going as a group with dates." She said, and by dates she meant theirs. People didn't ask her when they could ask her friends.

Percy nodded slowly, his eyes looking like they were retreating into sadness. This made Annabeth frown, she was disappointed when not Percy but Kaden asked Rachel to Homecoming. Not for nothing, Kaden was a very nice guy and just barely good enough for the insane expectation Annabeth had set for her friend's romantic partners . Kaden was very good to Rachel and asked her with a sign and candy last week and it was safe to say Rachel was overjoyed. Percy looked away from Annabeth and gave her a wordless wave as he began to walk away. His posture seemed to have slumped.

"Percy." She called after him, he turned around to face her. Annabeth walked over to him and patted his shoulder. "What's up?" She said, already knowing but hey, asking was a part of solving problems. Percy gave her a sad smile.

"I was kinda gonna ask a girl, but then I chickened out." He looked away from her. Yep, just as she thought, he was gonna ask Rachel, waited too long and Kaden snatched her up. Annbeth snapped her fingers to get him to look at her again.

"Hey, it's okay. I know it's disappointing and it's okay to be sad about it. But You also have next year to ask her. And this year you can go with your friends. Next time you'll get the opportunity to ask someone to a dance, you're fine and not nervous and be able to do it." Annabeth told him kindly. Percy smiled at her, though it didn't completely reach his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm going with my friends this year." He explained. She nodded. "That's good. See you still have them. And between you and me, I like you over Kaden." Annabeth said in a low voice, using a hand to block one side of her mouth. Her lips pulled up in what she hoped was a comforting smirk. Percy however, looked so utterly confused.

"Kaden? I thought he asked Rachel?" Percy sputtered out. Annabeth wrinkled her eyes and nodded slowly.

"He- he did. That's why...that's why I'm saying I like you better because I know you better." She explained slowly but Percy shook his head rapidly.

"No-no-no. When did we start talking about Rachel?" Percy asked, sounding completely lost.

Quite honestly, Annabeth was perplexed as well.

"I thought we've been talking about her the whole time. Weren't you gonna ask her?" She said. Percy shook his head.

"No?" Okay, well that was not what Annabeth was expecting. Who was he gonna ask then? If not Rachel, she had no idea. Annabeth already didn't pay attention to who he talked to so she didn't even have a guess as to who the object of his affection was.

"Does she already have a date?"

"I think so."

"...In that case the same applies. I'm sure she's not going to start dating that person immediately and there's next year." She said, trying to give him a comforting smile. He nodded and smiled sadly again before walking away.

Genuinely, Annabeth felt terrible for him. Percy was a nice guy, definitely the type girls would say yes to but him being nervous made him miss his chance to ask the girl he liked. She had the faintest idea that maybe he wanted to ask Silena but doubted her own mind. For one, they never talked and Beckendorf had made it clear he would be the only one to ask her and had done so, way before Percy started looking kinda sad. But truly she didn't know who else he'd want to ask. Percy Jackson was the type of guy to go after girls like her friends, that girls, and actually end up dating them because he was also well-known and a good person. So who else was like her friends? Annabeth didn't know. She sighed and sat down, leaning against the tree. She had no time to worry about Percy right now She had a dress to make.

"You girls look so pretty!" Annabeth cried, taking a polaroid for her friends. They giggled and blushed, posing in a different way.

"All thanks to you, Annie. You're a magic worker." Piper said, fluffing the skirt of her dress around. Their dresses were all unique but also had a cohesive theme to tie them all together. They were all complementing colors and had the same glitter overlay up on the bodice. Being tailor to each girl, they loved it beyond words could describe. For the record, Silena had almost cried when Annabeth presented her with her dress.
"Your dates are going to faint." Annabeth grinned, taking lots of pictures for their later hoco picture. She was good with a camera and had a knack for finding the best angle to get good lighting, even in a dim unevenly lit room. Somehow, even her phone camera seemed comparable to a real DSLR camera.

"They are so gonna wonder how they got whole-ass goddesses as their dates." Annabeth kept hyping up her friends. They sighed and Piper stepped forward and snapped her phone.

"Come on, get in one picture." She said, hiding her phone from the blonde.

"I will! There is going to be a group photo sooner or later." Annabeth pouted, running around Piper to grab her phone back. The brunette began to pass it to Rachel and Silena and Annabeth huffed in annoyance.

"One here with just us. Please." Silena said, using her puppy dog eyes. Annabeth caved and nodded making her friends squeal happily. Rachel's parents were able to get 3 pictures before Annabeth made her move to get back behind the camera.

"That's that. Now, your dates are on their way." She said, looking at the text she got from Jason that said he was nervous. Her friends sighed.

"I wish you had a date. I mean, I'm 100% sure you could have gotten one." Silena said mournfully. Annabeth shook her head and laughed it off.

"Sure, sure."

KNOCK KNOCK! The sound echoed through the house and Annabeth grinned excitedly at her friends before going to open the door.

"They're here." She said in a sing-song voice. To say the least, her friends quickly followed her towards the door.

"Hello you guys, looking great." Annabeth said with a smile when she opened the door to come face to face with the three boys. They filed in and Annabeth made them all pose for a group with dates picture. Afterwards they all headed out to the photo place before dinner.

"This is the best day of my life." Annabeth cooed as she took candids of her friends and their dates at dinner. Jason and Piper were red with a blush and Silena looked photogenic as always. Rachel and Kaden were way too busy immersed in a conversation about painting to notice or care about the shutter clicks.

It was safe to say Annabeth was the best 7th wheel to ever exist and she was very proud of that fact. She was excitedly taking pictures like a mom whose freshman child had just asked their first date to the dance, which to be fair was partially true. With a jolt, Annabeth felt someone tapping her on the shoulder and she whirled around to see who it was. It was Percy, smirking clad in his tux, which was unsurprising and surprising at the same time. For one, him being at the same place wasn't planned, but secondly it was such a Percy thing to do to just come up to her in a restaurant while she was busy cooing over her friends.

"Percy, hey! Oh! Grover. It's nice to see you guys?" She said with a smile, for once putting her phone down.

"Bro, I literally didn't tell you where our dinner reservations were and you still show up." Jason said, shaking his head. Percy laughed at his friend and told him that he was never getting rid of him.

"I don't doubt that. Percy, you're really clingy." Annabeth said with a light-hearted laugh. Percy seemed to beam rather than be offended.

"Why, thank you Wise Girl."

"My god." Annabeth smacked her forehead.

Decidedly, the two groups joined together, via pushing their neighboring tables together to form a big table where everyone could sit and laugh. Percy took the seat next to Annabeth and took a sip of his water. It was a good thing they were at the far end of the restaurant where there were less people because they were getting loud.

Annabeth looked over Percy's group, it seemed there were two single guys, Leo and Percy respectively. Grover sat by Juniper, surprising since they had always flirted last year in writing. Frank Zhang was sitting with a girl that Annabeth didn't know but seemed very sweet. She made a mental note to meet the girl after dinner or at the dance. Nico was sitting and in return blushing, which was something no one thought was possible, next to a tall blonde guy named Will Solace. He was the guy that dreamed of being a doctor and was known for being the brightest person around. Annabeth nearly squealed like a fan girl and barely stopped herself from taking her phone out and taking 1 million pictures of them. Nico would probably get embarrassed and shrink into the shadows if she was to do that. So instead, she silently took 2 and sent them to Will. Will heard his phone ping and upon opening the text, looked at Annabeth who gave him a thumbs up. Nico went red when he saw the pictures. They were pretty good considering the amount of people they were around and awful lighting.

"So, where's your date? Did he get sick?" Percy nudged Annabeth. She looked at him with an amused and slightly confused expression.

"Don't have one." She said. Percy looked very surprised.

"Seriously?"

"Yep."

"...why not?"

Annabeth gave him an incredulous look. He looked so genuinely shocked. What a new kid, haha.

"Why would I have one?" She asked in a teasing but underlyingly bitter tone. The black-haired boy shrugged and ran hand over top his hair, as if he had forgotten he had it styled but remembered last second, which was what probably happened.

"Your friends have one. You said you were going in a group with dates."

"I mean, yeah of course they do. And I meant their dates, not my nonexistent one."

"...you should have gotten a date." He said not thinking. Then realizing how rude that could have sounded and began to apologize profusely. Annabeth raised a brow and watched him get red with embarrassment with an amused expression. She cut off his ramblings with a wave of her hand and a light laugh.

"It's okay, you're fine. But you are starting to sound like my friends. They were pressed over the fact that I'm going solo too." She said with a smile.

"I just don't know how you didn't get asked." Percy admitted and Annabeth really did think it was cute how much of a naive little baby he was being.

"Why ask me if you could ask my friends?" Annabeth said knowingly, lightly tapping his forehead with her finger twice. Turning away from a now speechless Percy, Annabeth introduced herself to Frank's date, a sophomore named Hazel who was more of a darling than she looked, if that was somehow possible. The blonde decided she would adopt Hazel as her high school underclassmen as she was new to the school, like Percy.

At the actual homecoming dance, Annabeth was about to burst from pride. Her friends had been getting compliments on their dresses all night and every time, they had informed her she smiled so widely her cheeks hurt. Hanging back by the pillars by the walls, Annabeth watched as people shrieked with joy and attempted to dance. One kid, she had no idea who they were, started to break dance. Everyone began to move around them and cheer them on in a wide circle.

GO! GO! GO! They all cheered. She sighed, knowing that these were the memories to last a lifetime. It took a couple of minutes but the DJ stopped playing the late 2000s clean party songs and switched to a slow love song, signalling the slow dance. Couples made their way onto the center of the dance floor and the singles weaved their way out, only a few stayed to find their friend to mock the couples. Case in point, Reyna and Thalia, the total I do not wanna date type, stayed on and pretended to make delusional high school promises to each other. The whole, I will loooove you foreverrrrr. That sorta stuff that made Annabeth crack up. Though there was a pair of freshmen who didn't appreciate the teasing, but they were freshmans so whatever.

"Wise girl." A voice called from her left and Annabeth turned to smile as a greeting.

"You know, I still need a nickname for you." Annabeth thought out loud. Percy looked smug.

"Take your time, I know it wouldn't be as awesome as Wise Girl." He said, acting like an entitled rich boy, which was probably the opposite of Percy. He was anything but entitled. And considering the fact that she had to work with an entitled, daddy's money rich boy named Ethan last year, she really appreciated it.

"I'm pretty sure I came up with it and you just began to use it." Annabeth said with a laugh. Percy began to swat the air and announced that that was besides the point.

"So what do you need? Or do you still not know why you keep coming up to talk to me."

"Believe it or not, I actually do know this time."

"Wow, impressive."

"Hehe, I know but you don't need to sound so sarcastic. I was gonna asked if you have danced yet." Percy said with a shy smile. Annabeth tilted her head to the side and nodded slowly. Did he not see Silena dragging her onto the floor screaming the words to single ladies even Silena herself was in no way a single lady?

"Yeah, my friends made me." She said slowly but Percy shook his head.

"No, I mean, like slow dance." He said, motioning to the dance floor.

Annabeth stared out at the floor and then back to him. Wow. Just wow. Percy Jackson was really freaking bad at figuring out obvious stuff. For one, she wasn't one the dance floor and two, she didn't have anyone to dance with if she wanted to. The blonde blinked one, raised her wrist and pointed to the lack of corsage. There wasn't even a bracelet to hold its place.

"What do you think?" Annabeth said, her voice snippy but kept enough of a smile on her face to make it feel light-hearted. Percy laughed awkwardly, saying oh right that makes sense. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and looked down. Annabeth nodded but let him know it was all good.

The black-haired boy opened his mouth, seemingly nervous but before he could say a word, Annabeth was dragged out by her friends to the dance floor the moment the song changed back to an upbeat party song. She smiled apologetically at him, knowing there was no fighting her friends and allowed them to force her to dance as best she could. Annabeth felt very bad, considering how defeated he looked. In truth, the curious side of Annabeth wanted to go back and ask him but the other side of her brain said to have fun with her friends and that was the side she listened to.

↞ມ↠

It was late at night when Annabeth's mind wandered back to that dream world where she lived a perfect life. She danced all night long, including a slow dance with her date. She was the homecoming queen and people cheered as she was announced to get her crown. It was getting ridiculous, really. As much as she was a noceur, she also wanted to sleep rather than imagine what it would be like to be in her friend's shoes. She didn't need to party to be happy, nor did she need a perfect loving boyfriend who held her hand everyday.

She was happy enough making everyone smile and making sure everyone else had memories to last a lifetime. The blonde turned on the floor and wrapped the blankets tighter around her. She was really happy as she was. And besides, the more people she let into her life in that, the more people would leave her again. Main characters, those girls always had something taken from them, whether it be a boy or their privacy. Annabeth had enough taking for a 16-year-old girl.

She was content the way she was now, melting into the background. It was less crazy. More dependable. It was safer. It was better.

This is where I belong.

Sardonic as ever.

↞ມ↠

Despite the fact that the first couple of times they had talked, where Annabeth was worlds beyond snippy; Percy and her ended up becoming great friends. It was inevitable that they befriended, since their groups were linked with couples and merged into one giant group. But no one except maybe Rachel had expected them to be so close. The redhead was perhaps smirking thrumpiahly at her blonde friend everytime someone brought up Percy. Annabeth would swat her face away of course. It got to the point where only after the girls, Annabeth spoke to Percy the most.

One such occasion where everyone was surprised by how well the pair got along, was at a pumpkin patch mid-October. They were having a competition to find the biggest pumpkin and it didn't take long to split everyone into pairs. Though, putting together Reyna and Leo proved to be possibly dangerous as she threatened to slam a pumpkin on his head if he didn't stop flirting with her. Annabeth shook her head and laughed, dragging Percy through the fields by his wrist.

"Oh my gods, chill you're like cutting my circulation." Percy complained as he practically jogged to keep up with Annabeth. She snorted and stopped them suddenly and tapped his beanie clad head. "Or maybe it's just cold and you're trying to blame me." Annabeth teased him, kneeling down to inspect the sizes of pumpkins.

Percy scoffed. "Wow, I didn't even realize it was cold. Gods forbid I thought it was summer." He said saractially. Annabeth rolled her eyes at him. It didn't take long to realize how sarcastic he really was but it did surprise her. Only for a second though, it all clicked when he snapped at and earned himself a detention. As much as Annabeth was a stickler for the rules, some had expectations.

"Shut up and help me look for a big pumpkin." Annabeth shot back with a smile. Her gray eyes spotted a rather large one and went over to pick it up and inspect it for any imperfections. If they were to win, the blonde knew she was gonna make Percy hold it for a picture and therefore it had to be a good looking pumpkin. She turned it over only to find a huge scaly patch on the pumpkin that looked ophiomorus. Frowning, she set it back down.

"Wow, that one looks pre-" Percy started to walk towards her but low and behold, he tripped on one of the long stems of the pumpkins. His arms flailed and upon landing on top of Annabeth, who gave a screech, groaned. "Aw, shit sorry." He said, his voice was muffled into her hair.

Now this was a situation Annabeth never thought she'd be in. "It...okay." She said awkwardly. It wasn't like she had the ability to get up even though she was actually stronger than most people her age. Percy was rather heavy, which surprised her since he was rather lean but then again if he was a swimmer it would make sense since muscle weighs more. It took a second but Percy pushed himself up onto his forearms and stood, extending a hand to her to help her up. Ignoring it though, Annabeth stood and brushed the dirt off her sweater and jeans. God, there was probably dirt on her ass but it wasn't like she was gonna ask him if there was or not. For the record, Percy's face was really red and the blush spread to the tips of his ears which were previously covered by his beanie.

Coughing awkwardly and looking away Percy smiled at her with apologeticness. "Uh, sorry. I'm so sorry. That was so my fault for not watching where I went." He said, getting more and more disheveled as he spoke. Annabeth shook her head and laughed it out. Luckily as Percy stumbled over his words and refused to look Annabeth in the face, he noticed a large punkcim and together they lifted it back to the meeting place they and their friends had decided on.

"Damn, that was heavy." Annabeth said, settling the winter squash onto the ground. She shook her arms out and then hugged herself tight because, right it was fall and chilly.

"Yeah it was." Percy agreed, letting out a breath.

Annabeth raised a brow and pinched his arm. "What? No swimmer muscles to be found?" She teased him, because for some reason that was just so fun to do. And quite honestly she didn't know when she had gotten into the habit of bantering with him.

"For your information, they will come when season starts in like 2 weeks." Percy stuck his tongue out at her. That made Annabeth laugh. She sat down next to the pumpkin and pulled out her phone to look at Instagram. Not a second later did it get snatched up and Annabeth looked up to see a pouting Percy who at the very least gave her her phone back. Annabeth sighed, shook her head and asked what he wanted, not without a smile though.

"I'm more interesting than that phone of yours."

"Really? So you wanna compete with Youtube?"

"I provide entertainment."

"Do you?"

"Yes! Percy entertainment."

"Does that entail you landing on top of me again."

"...I tripped." He said with a childish sad pout.

When their friends came back with their monster orange winter fruits, Annabeth was laughing hysterically while Percy was shouting as he waved his arms around like a madman. Most everyone was confused but Rachel was just smirking and winking at Annabeth. Needless to say, Rachel got a pie to the face that night and Annabeth got the crust in her hair.

November was rather quiet for Annabeth. It was the same old same old and the only real difference from the year before was that Annabeth now went to the boy's swim team meets to cheer on Percy. He was incredibly fast in the water.

"I'm going to call you seaweed brain." Annabeth said when she walked into his practice to find his swim cap has a design of seaweed on it. Mind you, he pouted before his coach, who was actually , yelled at him to do a 100 fly for flirting during practice. His face was red from that accusation if anyone was wondering.

To put it lightly, Annabeth was very much scared of Percy in the water and considering the fact she could probably beat him up blindfolded with one hand that was saying something. Also she was the only one that knew he still had a dolphin stuffie on his bed so that kinda brought down the terror factor. However, Percy was a fucking shark in the water. For a 17-year-old, his birthday was mid-August, he went insanely fast and was one of the top swimmers in the state. With a PR of 25.09, even Annabeth who was not scared of anyone other than Thalia, was terrified of him in the water. With his bouts of clumsiness on land, one would think he could never be agile in the water yet here he was, shooting off like a torpedo.

There was one meet where Percy was swimming the 100 fly and had won by literally .2 second. Everyone was screaming so loudly and Percy was practically jumping up and down in the water. Annabeth for once allowed him to hug her, and though she didn't appreciate getting doused in chlorinated water, she was extremely happy for him and hugged him back. Rachel took a picture of that and made sure it was everywhere. That redhead kept singing in her ear about how Percy was into her, especially after that meet. Annabeth was playfully shoving her away every time.

Aside from those November Percy swim adventures, Annabeth did a whole lot of studying. Calc was still annoying as ever and her taking AP Bio may have been a bad idea but she was stuck with it. She was pretty stressed and alamort all month, only looking forward to December and the sheer amounts of holiday breaks she'd get. Even thanksgiving break wasn't enough for her and with the extended family coming over, Annabeth was more or less discreetly exiled to her room.

Annabeth was like a ghost in her own home, existing but not really there, not wanted but had nowhere else to go to. Her father and step-mom didn't really pay attention to her but didn't do anything to her. The only people in the house during Thanksgiving that actually wanted her to eat with then were her younger twin brothers Mathew and Bobby. Even as they begged her to eat with them, she fixed herself a plate quietly and retreated back to her room, sighing all alone.

If this wasn't an example about how Annabeth would never have that dream life of high-school movie teens lived, then truly she didn't know what was. She was like that sad loser girl in all the movies. Because of course, that was her trope instead.

As expected and to her delight, December was a much better month. The holiday cheer had melted it's way into her ice protected heart, or maybe just Percy Jackson's childlike love of Christmas.

"Come onnnnnn, you have toooo!" He begged. To set the scene, Annabeth was driving Percy to Jason and Thalia's Christmas party and he had taken it upon himself to hook his phone up to her AUX and blast christmas tunes.

He was singing merrily. "Oh the weather outside is frightful." With a much better singing voice than Annabeth had actually expected. Breathy yeah but not hard to listen to. "And the fire is so delightful." He continued, waving his arms to try and get Annabeth to sing along. She only laughed and kept on driving, only stopping once to show that she was indeed Annabeth Chase. Ah, country clubs were so finicky sometimes.

"And since we've no place to go. Let it snow, let it snow, it let snow." Percy sang in practically her ear. Pulling up into the driveway, Annabeth shoved Percy away from her.

"Seaweed brain." She said fondly.

"Wise girl." He replied.

Getting out of the car, the blond-haired girl retrieved all of the presents from her car trunk and carried them into the house, Thalia having gotten the notification on her phone, already had the door open and was shouting at her to hurry before she froze to death. Annabeth rolled her eyes but quickly walked through the threshold and tossed her presents into a pile under the tree. Soon everyone came, as they were coming from family Christmas dinners and the living room was alive with talk and lights. The air was vim as can be.

Of course the new couples stuck by each other close, Jason and Piper, Silena and Beckendorf, Will and Nico, Grover and Juniper. Kaden and Rachel ended up staying friends and Rachel claimed it was because she was way too busy for a boyfriend as the museum had commissioned her to paint a new piece that would be large and complicated. Looking around, Annabeth smiled at her friends and took candids. Reyna and Thalia were throwing garlen at each other, Rachel, Grover and Juniper discussed some artist that drew endangered species to bring awareness, Jason and Piper were talking quietly but with wide grins, Silena and Beckendorf were cuddling on a loveseat. This truly was the Christmas spirit. Out of the corner of her eyes, Annabeth spotted Percy talking to Calypso. Annabeth secretly took a picture of them.

Though it had been a while since Jason asked Piper to Homecoming, Annabeth was still stuck on trying to figure out who Percy was going to ask. At that point, he did know Calypso so maybe it was her? After all, she did go with a boy from a different school that she met in her stargazing club.

"Okay, heads up everyone." Annabeth called, clapping her hands thrice. "It's getting colder as the night goes on… soooo I want everyone to find your name in that pile of presents and open your gifts!" She said excitedly. Everyone scrambled to find their name in the pile of virid and madder wrapped presents. Thalia was the first to rip it open and gasped.

"Oh my god, you're fucking crazy." The punk girl cried out, holding a mostly black themed Christmas onesies. Leo had a similar reaction to his fire themed one and so on and so forth.

"You're the best." Silena cried, jumping up and hugging Annabeth tightly. Annabeth smiled and patted her head.

Percy looked at her with the most unbelieving look she had ever seen. "...h-h-How?!" He gasped out. Annabeth gave him a smile and shrug. Everyone was overjoyed with their onesies, asking her where the hell she had found them. Annabeth told them she ordered them online...which in reality she ordered all the fabric online so she technically was telling the truth. Piper, Rachel, Thalia and Silena though were tossing around knowing smirks.

"Well fuck, you beat us all on the gifts." Thalia groaned, hugging the onesies close to her chest, glaring at Leo who wanted to see how soft the hood was. Annabeth laughed.

"I'm sure everyone else has good gifts too." Annabeth said. Unsure groans went around the room. Despite that, Annabeth laughed their compliments away and called for them to play a game that Silena BEGGED to play. It was safe to say that Annabeth had heard and wanted no part in the playing of it.

The blonde girl had set up the game by herself; she wanted to avoid any awkward situations. In short, there were many different pairs of mistletoe hung up in the room. They each had, well a matching pair of some way. The goal of the game was for you and your partner to get under the same pair of mistletoe without telling each other which one it was. The thing was, you always had to be moving until told otherwise. If both people were single or dating, it was an official kiss, if one person or both people were seeing someone else, a kiss on the cheek was allowed. These rules had to be set in place to avoid cheating of course. If one couldn't already tell, Annabeth did not want to participate nor did she come up with the game.

Once she had explained all the rules, with Silena cutting in every once in a while to add something or to clear things up. Thalia had groaned about the, dumbass game, but after Silena heard that, the punk girl's arm was seized and she was forced to play the first round. Much to her dismay and Reyna's amusement.

"Ready? Start!" Annabeth called into the room, turning up the Christmas music.

Presents, what a beautiful sight

Don't mean a thing if you ain't holding me tight

You're all that I need

Underneath the tree

Annabeth paused the song quickly and everyone froze or scrambled to get under a plant. Grover and Juniper had gotten paired, so did Jason and Leo. Leo was more than joyful to give Jason a loving kiss on the cheek and Grover and Juniper, well they were dating weren't they?

"God, why are you so weird." Jason groaned as he wiped away Leo's kiss. The little Latino boy frowned and complained that Jason never wiped Piper's kisses away. The brunette girl laughed and pulled her boyfriend into a hug after he left the room.

"Because I'm special." Piper said smugly as Jason rested his head on hers.

Leo rolled his eyes. "Sure but he's loved me longer." He said looking at Jason to hopefully back him up. The glasses wearing blonde only turned away and acted deaf. The cued dramatized screeching from the little Latino. Annabeth rolled her eyes but started the next round. That time, Thaila got Piper, who she was more than happy to kiss on the cheek, much to her brother's annoyance, and Silena and Will. the third round. During the 4th fourth round, Percy and Jason were under the same pair, Nico and Will, Piper and Rachel. And during the 5th round, Annabeth called for it to be a couples round. They all ran around excitedly, watching their significant other closer and what mistletoe they were close by.

"Don't you wanna join in?" Percy asked, coming up to Annabeth's side. The blonde turned to look at him with a smile before turning back to watch her friends run around. Her phone had been set up in a timelapse, capturing the insane chaos that was and had been happening in the room.

"It's a couples round Perce. Have you not met my nonexistent boyfriend yet?" Annabeth joked, still watching her friends. Percy chuckled at her reply.

"Well we could do a singles only round." He offered and Annabeth thought that that was a surprisingly smart idea coming from him. She paused the song, making everyone cheer excitedly when they found out they matched with their actual partner or just no one at all.

After announcing a singles round, Thalia tugged on Annabeth's ponytail as she walked into the room throwing her a mock irate glare. Leo was more than ready to play this round and Renya just looked tired.

"Come one, you're single too!" Percy attempted to drag her into the room, though he underestimated her stubbornness. Even with the rest of the party backing him up, Annabeth still shook her head and refused. Percy tried once more to drag her in by the wrist but she pried his vice-like grip off.

"I'm MC. You can't make me leave my job." She said with a smile, pushing him. She turned back with a pout but still Annabeth didn't cave. As she expected, the single's round was way more interesting. Percy and Rachel were paired, making Annabeth smirk, Leo and Reyna who only expected a cheek kiss and nothing more, much to his dismay, Calypso and and Thalia lucked, the latter looking so relieved. Annabeth laughed and decided that that would be the last round, closing the door and making a mental note to get the mistletoe back down later. Thalia called that it was time to snack and talk and so everyone filed back to the living room.

Settling onto the couch, Annabeth plugged in her headphones and went to find a song when she felt a tap on her shoulder. To her left side, Percy sat down and opened his mouth to say something.

"Why didn't you play with us? It was relatively fun." He asked.

The blue-clad girl shrugged. "Eh, this is like the movie magic stuff. Not really my thing. I make it happen, not experience it." She said, giving this type of speech for the millionth time, though not to Rachel, Silena or Piper for a change.

To say the least, Percy was very confused. "...what?" Annabeth laughed a bit and explained.

"You know those high school movies? Like the one where the main character is secretly attractive and the popular guy who broke up with his on and off again mean ex-girlfriend is actually really nice? Mistletoe games are made for those main character type people. That's not me." Annabeth laughed at Percy's still bamboozled expression. "There are girls like that though, like Silena, Piper and Rachel. They're all those girls, the ones everyone can't help but love. The center of attention, the one to get the guy, serendipity just comes to them. All that cliche stuff. I'm not one of those girls, clearly so I don't really even bother. I prefer to come up with things like this, movie-like tropes come to life, it's what I'm good at and it makes me happy."

Percy was still confused. And quite honestly Annabeth didn't blame him. Instead, she flipped his hair and smirked at his even more surprised expression.

"Anyways, I'm glad you had fun during the game." She said with a smile and Percy nodded.

"Thanks for putting it on." He looked around, green eyes seemingly scanning for something. They landed on the room filled with mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. A playful troublemaking smirk makes its way on his face and Annabeth raised a brow in anticipation.

He turned to her with a falsely innocent look in his eyes. "Do you think I should grab one of those and put it out here? No one can avoid it here. Maybe I'll steal a kiss" Percy said, wiggling his eyebrows. Annabeth laughed, the idiot was probably just salty he missed the chance to kiss Calypso.

"Sureee." Annabeth draws out, finally finding a playlist that she could just vibe to. She pointed to Calypso, who she knew was sitting behind her talking to Reyna.

"She veers left." Annabeth says with a wink and triumph smile. Percy looked so shocked, probably thinking that he hid his forming crush really well. The blonde leaned back into the couch and closed her eyes, allowing the music to be a form of catharsis for her. And before long, Annabeth drifted into sleep.

↞ມ↠

It was the first Saturday of the month and Annabeth was so happy about it. The past week had been finals, and Annabeth had been a zombie all week. All of her free time had been dedicated to studying, preparing for the rigorous testing and now she was finally free from it all. Literally the moment the last class let out, Annabeth sighed and slid down the wall of lockers, barely functioning. It was truly exhausting and any high schooler and over could vouch for such a thing. Percy, however, had an alarming amount of energy during the week and spent a good portion talking excitedly to Annabeth who snapped and snarled at him every 5 seconds, not that he stopped or anything. He seemed to take her death threats in stride and grinned every time.
"I will literally chop your dick off."

"Awww, but I want kids in my twenties!

That was only a snippet of one of their milder conversations. But after the week had ended, Annabeth had calmed down her insults, only slightly though. That Saturday, Piper had invited everyone over for a, we fucking made it, party as she called it. As per usual, Annabeth stayed in the background, sitting on the couch thoughtful and watching everywhere with her hawk-like gaze and intense grey eyes. Drink in hand, she divulged herself for once, feeling the buzz of a peach vodka in iced tea. Where as everyone let loose and screamed, Annabeth found herself more quiet than she had been in the past week and in turn, relaxed.

Piper was very much past drunk and giggling like a schoolgirl as Jason procanded grandiose words to her. Silena and Beckendorf were making out in a corner, no surprise there, Annabeth avoided her gaze from there though. Rachel was attempting to pole dance, at least without a pole and more so running around a pillar with Renya and Thalia on her tail. It was comedic nonetheless. Leo dossed somewhere, Nico and Will were nowhere to be found and Hazel and Frank were the sober one's having a real conversation. Annabeth had no idea how though, she was never one to drink and even she needed to at least get a bit buzzed after hell week.

"You look like you're planning a murder." Percy observed, walking over to her. Annabeth didn't even spare him a glance.

"When am I not planning a murder?
"Touche."

The corner of her lips quirked up but Annabeth didn't allow the full smile to form. Percy was one of the few to really understand her darker sense of humor and dry liners. As much as she appeared to be a happy-go-lucky I'm fine with anything person, she had her rougher days where she was dying to let off some steam, by threatening bodily harm to those around her in the most loving way. Normally, they were reserved for only Piper and Thalia but now Percy topped the rather short list.

"It's disgusting how sweet they all are onto each other." Percy commented, shaking his head and sipping his drink. Apparently his gaze has landed on Grover and Juniper, cuddling on a loveseat together. Annabeth snorted.

"Ain't that the fucking truth." She muttered. Apparently, she got snippier and more brash when she was less than sober. Percy seemed to notice and chuckled a bit.

"What about you? Any disturbingly adorable relationships?" He asked. Annabeth finally turned to look at him, only to release he had sat next to her on the couch and rather closely.

Even though she opened her mouth, Annabeth couldn't respond. Instead she looked at Percy's eyes, now that he was closer to her eye level and she realized something that she hadn't noticed before. Perhaps if she was sober she wouldn't have focused on it so much but she wasn't at the time.

Percy's eyes weren't emerald green, the way Rachel's were. She had always known his eyes were green, it was obvious and people knew that, however she had thought they were sarcoline, never actually checking. But now Annabeth realized they were and don't you dare repeat that she even thought this, the most beautiful shade of sea-green she had ever seen. They looked like cool ocean waves splashing and with the little mischievous glint in his eyes, it looked like there was a sun shining down. His eyes were an entire intrancing movie. However, the opia was quickly shut down with a smirk from Percy.

"Lost your speaking abilities? Never thought I'd live to see the day." He said with a lopsided smirk, leaning back into the cool leather of the couch. Annabeth frowned deeply.

"No. I didn't. And also yes if you count nonexistent boyfriends." Annabeth snapped. Percy looked rather surprised.

"Really? No guys? No nothing? Not even a dared kiss?" Percy asked her.

Annabeth gave almost a bitter laugh, no it was a bitter laugh. She was 17 and hadn't even had her first kiss yet. God, she was practically a devoted nillist and cynical as hell when she drank.

"Why would people go for me if they could go for my friends. I haven't had more than an unrequited crush." She said in a more or less dead voice. Percy was quiet.

"I'm sure some guys would rather go for you over your friends." He said optimistically. Annabeth smiled a bit but rolled her eyes at his naivety.

"It's fine." She brushed it off with a familiar smile and laugh, though more sloppily forced than usual and Percy noticed it. "They may not like me but guys make the greatest friends." Annabeth said, bumping into Percy's shoulder.

He gives her an almost awkward laugh that she didn't quite catch. Running a hand through his jet black hair, Percy took another drink and scanned his eyes around the room. Decidedly, Annabeth downs the rest of her drink, barely feeling the burn down her throat. She was no lightweight, not by any means, but she just didn't drink often, for a multitude of reasons.

"How'd you do finals? You seemed so offhandedly chill the whole week. It was so annoying." Annabeth said suddenly. Percy gave her a smile.
"Wow, you didn't make that clear with all of the threats."

"I'll say it now. You're annoying."

"And yet you still talk to me. I hope I passed. It was hard. I tried to prepare but my nerves just makes me talkative." Percy explained, slowly nursing his drink. Annabeth nodded.

"I don't know why." She admitted. "You're a strange person. That's the first thing I thought of when I met you, that you were strange." Percy raised his eyebrows at her ramblings.

"Why thank you?" Decidedly he took it as a compliment and Annabeth didn't bother to correct him; it was more of an observation. Instead, she pointed to the lovat colored liquid in the glass that admitted matched his eyes, that Percy was holding.

"What's that?" She said, tilting her head and looking like a curious little owl. Percy shook the glass a bit, making the space ice cubes rattle.

"Blue coke cola." He said. Annabeth raised her brows up in surprise.

"No alcohol?"

"Nope. I don't drink."

"Why?"

Percy sent her a pained and tired smile that she understood all too well. It was the smile she wore when people asked to have a sleepover at her house. Behind it, hid pains and arcanes.

"It's a long story. Maybe I'll tell you one day." Percy said, looking away from Annabeth's piercing gaze. She nodded understandingly and idly wished for her own drink but didn't feel like actually getting up and getting a new one. Humming Annabeth yawned and slumped onto Percy's shoulder. She felt his tense up but was just not in the head space to care. Sighing, she closed her eyes and snuggled into his shoulder.

"You're tired, aren't you?" He said, slightly awkwardly. She could hear the nervous smile that was 100% on his face.

"No, I'm wide awake." She muttered out, became apparently, Annabeth was doomed to be snarky at all levels of consciousness. He let out a rumbling laugh. His whole body shook, her included.

Thankfully, he didn't say anymore. Percy allowed her to just stay on his shoulder, somewhere between sleeping and not. Occasionally, he'd lift the opposite arm and take a sip of his drink, she could feel that but still didn't move from his side. At times she could hear a shutter click. Annabeth guessed it was Silena taking pictures but when Percy groaned, she had a good idea of who was taking the picture and it was not of the girls being besties. A stifled snarkling giggle was heard in front of her. Immediately, her eyes opened and she spotted Rachel, phone in hand.

"Oh, don't mind me." The redhead waved off with a shit-eating grin. Annabeth flipped her off, which earned a dramatically offended sound from her friend.

"You're getting a little snarky, young lady." Rachel said with a laugh, still snapping picture after picture. Annabeth rolled her eyes, meaning to get up and off of Percy's shoulder but just didn't find the strength too. It was weirdly comfortable, one would not expect that though with the bone and muscle.

"Do piss off."

Rachel did in fact leave, not without a couple snickers though. Percy turned his head towards her and raised the closer eyebrow.

"What was that about?" He asked.

Annabeth shrugged. "In the beginning of the year, I was convinced that you and Rachel were going to date. She always denied it and I liked pushing it. It ended up falling back on me though, she started saying you wanted to date me which is a ridiculous thought. You are most definitely not going for me." She explained lazily. Percy looked to the side, she could only see one half of his face from her position, no matter how high up she brought her eyes, and she was not doing a good job actually regjestring the half making her unable to read inbetween the lines of his words.

"And why are you so sure?" He asked with what Annabeth tiredly guessed with a playful undertone.

"Guys like you don't go for girls like me. You go for Rachel's."

"And what does that mean?"

"Rachel is that girl. You know? Main character, writes her own story. Guys would kill to date her? I told you this stuff right? That's the kinda girl that you go for. Not cynical borderline wallflower nerds like me." Annabeth closed her eyes and sighed. She was feeling bitter and decided to cut herself off before she could even begin to sprout about how secretly jealous she was of her best friends.

It just didn't come to her, the way it did to them. She could do exactly what they did, act the same as them, dress the same way, heck she was in their group and all that. But she still didn't draw people in the way they did, she didn't bring the energy they did. No matter how she did her makeup and to the best of her abilities, it couldn't compare to her friend's natural beauty. Normally she whelved the feelings but apparently they spurred out when not sober. She didn't resent her friends, no they tried to push her out and give her the life she'd always wanted. But with her sheer amount of pride of doing things on her own; avoidance of anything that could create a less than appealing situation. And her lack of that special aura, she just stayed in the background, doing safe things, feeling less than fulfilled. In short, Annabeth was envious yes, but not angry.

"How are you so sure about it." Percy said lightly.

A blonde eyebrow was raised up high. "I'm always right, why wouldn't I be sure about this? It's been tested before." She sighed.

"Explain?"

"Once I liked this guy and we were like pretty good friends and he wanted to ask me something and honestly I thought he was gonna ask me out or something and all my friends were like yes totally he's going to so they got me all dressed up and pretty but then he asked me if I could match him with Silena instead. It was a bad night." Annabeth shuddered, she hadn't ever cried in front of people. She only ever cried in the quiet and lonely comfort of her room. But that day, the waterworks came and to even her present day only Thalia, Luke, her parents, Silena, Piper and Rachel had been the only ones to see her actually.

"So you're sure a 'guy like me' can't like a 'girl like you'?" Percy asked.

"Yeah."

Percy was quiet, only taking a silent sip and breathing deeply. "Okay." He said blankly.

Annabeth closed her eyes again and fell back into that weird, kinda sleeping and kinda not sleeping state she was in before.

↞ມ↠

Sally Jackson was a lot younger than Annabeth had expected. She had heard stories from Percy about his mother and all she had accomplished. It seemed like things a wise woman did, rather than a 36 year old woman. Quite honestly, she did not want to think about the fact that her father and Helen had the twins a year older than Percy's mother was now. Pushing that from her mind, Annabeth saw where Percy got his caring nature. The moment Annabeth stepped through the door and introduced herself, Sally had immediately decided herself Annabeth's maternal figure, which to be fair, Annabeth was in desperate shortage of. It took 3 more seconds for her to be claimed as daughter.

"Oh my gods, mom." Percy groaned, his head was as far as it could go into the wooden dinner table as Annabeth and his mother conversed. Annabeth nor his mother paid him any mind.

"Percy, dear please do shut up." His mother said with the same twinkle in her eyes as Annabeth so often saw in her son's. Percy groaned again and another thump was heard. Annabeth decided that she loved Sally Jackson a lot, she was fun, loving, playful and warm. All of the things Annabeth wanted in a parent but never got.

As Annabeth told Sally about her plans for collage, Percy moped around his house eating cookies as he went from room to room, louding complaining that this was a horrible idea and he had just gotten his own mother stolen from him and his said mother didn't even try to break out. Annabeth rolled her eyes at his dramatics and saw Sally do the same.

"I like to think he got his drama from his father." Sally said in a low voice.

"Don't like you don't cry over literally leaves not being crunchy." Percy accused her from the kitchen. Sally only happily smiled innocently.

Annabeth smiled at their playful banter. She had always wanted a parental relationship like this and if she was being really deep and angsty, a mother. Helen had gotten used to her, yes but being accustomed to someone didn't mean you automagically loved them, even after a decade.

"What about you Annabeth? Any traits you picked up from your parents?" Sally asked with a genuinely interested expression. Annabeth felt her though going dry.

"Oh, uh. I guess I'm kinda a workaholic." She offered with a weak smile. Sally's bright expression dropped that.

For the record, Annabeth's father threw himself into his work the moment her mother left them. She can hardly remember her childhood as most of it was blacked out but what she did remember was the loneliness that persisted to this day. Annabeth was no chef but she could fend for herself and could make full meals at age 8. She learned to do homework with no help, make up parent answers for classes that asked for family discussion and how to be okay with her parents not loving her. Growing up, her father would practically barricade himself in his office, leaving his barely first-grade aged daughter confused and lost in her own house.

"Oh sweetie." Sally Jackson said, having read inbetween the lines and hugged Annabeth tightly.

Truth be told, Annabeth had no idea what she had read but accepted the tight motherly hug anyways. That was what she had always wanted growing up and even now. Her mother comforting her and hugging her tight. Not for nothing, she knew her name. Athena Wison-Domma, lived somewhere in California. She had run off after a big fight her Annabeth's father. Apparently, Annabeth was the result of a one-night-stand, as terrible as it was to think about. Her parents had tried to share custody btu after a heavy fight about god knows what because her father never spoke of her mother, she stormed out of the house to literally never be seen again. Years later, they get wind she's in California and that was the end of it.

"I, uh. I have my mom's eyes too. I think." Annabeth trailed off. That was yet another reason her father never so much as looked her way. Though he was in love with Athena, she never so much cared an ounce for him and with her unique and dangerous looking eyes being passed on to their offspring, well that was a recipe for neglect now wasn't it?

"If you ever want a hug, our door is always open." Sally whispered in her ear. Annabeth patted her back thankfully though awkwardly to say the least. At the same time, the blonde avoided the gaze of the black-haired boy practically gaping at the scene. She didn't like pity and his face was full of it.

"Thank you." Annabeth said gratefully as she pulled away.

"But, life isn't a picture perfect movie. It's okay." Annabeth said with a forced smile, making Sally's eyes droop even more.

"You're so strong." The brown-haired woman said, pushing back Annabeth's hair gently. "But you are not alone."

And somehow, Annabeth found herself crying and knocking on the door of the Jackson's residence at the time she knew Percy was out for swim practice.

"Coming!" The bubbly voice of his mother called, it somehow made Annabeth cry harder. The moment the door opened, Sally gasped and pulled Annabeth in through a hug and closed the door tight. Annabeth sobbed in Sally's hair, shaking hard.

Should it be reinstated, Annabeth did not cry in front of people, especially not those she had met only a week before. However, there was something about Sally that made Annabeth just feel safe, something that did really make her feel for once in her life, protected. Never once before had she had the comfort of a mother's arms when she cried and damned it if she didn't feel the love for once. Annabeth's sobbed cried high pitches and even stung at Sally's ears. They were sharp and breathy, sounding tortured almost. Annabeth gasped for breath through the cries but they came out sharp and barely there. Truly, they were heart wrenching.

The worst of sobs were over, finally calming down with Sally's gentle hold and motherly warmth. They slowed to quiet sniffles, though the river of tears had yet to completely vanish, Sally wiped them away with a nimble hand. In ragged breaths, Annabeth regained her ability to talk.

"They- they were t-talk about. About my brothers's basketball...g-game." The words were hard to get out and the reason for her breakdowns were truly, comically… insignificant. "My- my father said… he was taking off work to watch. A-and all… a-all I could think about. Was how he l-loved my- my brothers enough to put, set aside his work. But, he… he never loved… me. Not enough t-t-o." Annabeth choked on her words.

Sally didn't say anything. She only held Annabeth tighter.

"I'm sorry." Annabeth said, pulling back. She prided herself on being polite, knocking on someone's door and wanting them to comfort your tears wasn't the definition of polite.

"No, dear. You don't ever need to be sorry." Sally told her. "My door is always open for you." Annabeth sobbed out a thank you.

Sally handed her a bright blue cookie with a kind smile. "Percy likes his cookies after practice but I think we can spare a couple." Sally said with a smile as Annabeth gingerly took it and took a bite and ohmyfreakinggodddddd it was so good.

"Thank you." Annabeth said again and when she saw Sally's smile and motherly love, the floodgates opened.

There were two times that Annabeth Chase rambled without thinking. One, when she was talking about a subject she loved, like architecture. Or just any topic she knew a lot about and found even remoting interesting. She could go on for days, talking about new words she had learned or about the designing of some ancient structure. The second situation where she rambled was when she was not sober. Case in point, the other Jackson had experienced the bitter girl that came out to play during those times. Now, there was a third situation added. Whenever she was talking to Sally Jackson.

Suddenly, she had a mother. One who wasn't leaving at the first sign of trouble or when there was something better. Even as Percy got home, opened the door and nearly screamed upon seeing Annabeth in his house, half covered in tears, Sally waved her biological son away to go shower and continued to listen as Annabeth told her the sob story that was her life. It was a relief to finally talk about it all, she felt relieved in a way and Sally was truly the most understanding person she had ever met. The Jackson household had become Annabeth's lar in the matter of hours.

"You're not alone. Not anymore. You don't need to fight alone either. I can tell you'll never let your emotions cloud your judgement but it is okay to have them." Sally told her when Annabeth had finally calmed down. Annabeth thanked her again.

About 30 minutes later, she was still at Percy's house; he was genuinely confused and concerned for her and what she was doing at his house. She wasn't surprised, for say, she was more shocked he didn't attempt to get her to leave.

"Hey are you okay?" Percy asked. Annabeth smiled at him.

"Better now, thanks to your mom. She's a miracle worker by the way." She said.

"Oh definitely. I will say, I have never seen a person become her child as quickly as you did." He pointed out, somehow devouring the huge cookie that was in his hand in one bite.

"Mm, jealous?"

"Very, it took me 9 months."

Annabeth snorted at the terrible joke. "She's wonderful, you are very lucky." She said a bit sadly. Percy's face melted into one of concern, a shared trait between his mother and him.

"I tried to to listen but I couldn't help but overhear-"

"Eavesdropper!" Annabeth cried, throwing the 3 throw pillows at her side at him. He laughed as he dodged the first 2 but was hit with the third.

"You're in my house! But, my mom wasn't kidding when she said you're not alone. I'm here to talk too and you can't tell me you like my mother more than me." Percy said with a smile.

As much as Annabeth tried to stop the words from coming out of her mouth, she couldn't. "I do like your mother better." She said with a grin as Percy groaned and turned around, hollering at his mom making dinner.

"MOM! YOU KEEP TAKING MY FRIENDS!"

"Well dear, they could use a better one than you."

The two were hysterical, really. Sally insisted that Annabeth stay and with Percy practically barricading the door with his body, well she really had no choice now did she? As his mom made dinner, Annabeth and Percy talked, most of her walls were down anyways and she didn't have the energy to bring them back up. She didn't share her whole life's story the way she did with his mom, but for the first time since 8th grade, Annabeth was letting someone in. Percy told her about his life too and honestly, it made her heart ache for Sally.

If Annabeth thought she was the queen of acting happy-go-lucky, then clearly she had never met Sally, which was true up until a week ago. She learned about Gabe, Sally ex-husband and how truly terrible he was. Percy looked seriously ready to punch someone and they had to speak in hushed voices so Sally wouldn't over hear. It appeared that Percy had his own stories to tell too and maybe it made her feel just the slightest bit better than he understood her in some way, with his father having died when he was a baby.

By the end of the night, Annabeth went home, having bared her soul enough for the next 4 years. But Sally gave her a squeeze before she left and a bag of bright blue cookies to take with her. Percy gave her a salute, admiring her soldier like strength as he said and waved goodbye. She felt different when she came home, suddenly her house was just a house, Percy's seemingly became her home. At this residence though, her only source of love, were her 13-year-old brothers, bless them. For some reason, that was okay, one more year and she would be off to college, only speaking to her brothers and no one else in the family for the rest of her life. That was okay, because she had a whole new family. And a real parent.

↞ມ↠

"-and I wanted to ask you to be my Valentine? What do you say?" Annabeth practically screamed with her eyes for Percy to say yes but… that idiot freaking said no.

"Sorry, you're really nice but I'm kinda interested in someone else." The black-haired netherwal said with a sympathetic smile and awkward neck scratch. Luckily, Kelli, the girl took it in stride and though disappointed, walked away without any pushing.

Immediately, Annabeth swatted the back of Percy's head, somehow the fool had gotten taller in the 6 months she'd known him and though she grew too, he was starting to surpass her.

"Why'd you say no?" She asked. Percy glared at her for smacking him upside the head.

"I'm interested in someone else. As you may know if you were standing next to me as I said it...oh wait, you were." He said with a snarky smirk. Annabeth rolled her eyes at him.

"I know that." She drawled. "But like, Kelli's a nice girl. She's funny and spontaneous like you." The blonde said with a smile, bumping her shoulder into his. They were walking to her house and then to his as his mother invited Annabeth over for dinner and a movie night. Rachel had a whole ass field day with the screaming when she found out.

"You guys could sneak out at like 2 AM and go and I don't know kiss under the stars or something." Annabeth said, genuinely not sure what spontaneous people did. She was a planner, through and through, although she could deal with the occasional spring of plans; Piper was her friend for god's sake. "You two would like, break into Waterland and kiss in that Thrill Ride O' Love or something for Valentines. I can totally see it happening, no plans just happening."

Percy looked at her with almost a fond look in his eyes. "I don't want a Valentines like that." He admitted, looking away from her. Annabeth tilted her head to the side, intrigued.
"Then what do you want?"

"A quiet, well planned peaceful night and dinner with the girl I like. Maybe we'd cuddle up and watch movies, or I'd watch the movie and eat popcorn while she reads all night." He said almost wistfully. Annabeth snorted.

"Reading? All night? Percy, you're dyslexic and have ADHD." Annaveth said, completely amused. Percy's face flushed but he nodded in confirmation.

"The girl I like likes to read."

"Well then that actually makes it kinda cute. Are you going to ask her?"

Percy didn't say anything more than, hopefully, before turning away and looking straight forward. Annabeth thought about it for a minute, she had nothing to do for Valentine's day, because face it no one was gonna ask her. So she was devoting all of her time creating the most wonderful Valentine's days, for her friends, possible. And maybe she could add another one to her list, if she could find just the right girl.

"I have an idea. I'm gonna get you a girl for the 14th." Annabeth said, completely determined. Percy stopped in his tracks and made a bunch of sputtering noises that had her very concerned.

"It's- you're fine. Don't, you don't need to." He eventually choked out, accepting the water that Annabeth handed him. She however, was determined and didn't want to listen.

"No, I will."

"You really don-"

"No, shut up, I will."

It was Valentine's day and Annabeth was beyond angry and annoyed at herself. The past two weeks, she had been asking around friends for a girl that would fit Percy's category. Lowkey, likes reading and is calm. And though she got many names, every time she brought one up to his, he would fervently shake his head and say no repeatedly. Now, she was out of time and thoroughly disappointed in herself. Though not from lack of effort.

She had offered Calypso, remembering how well the two got along during Christmas, and well Percy shut it down real quick. Which for the record, surprised Annabeth, Calypso was sweet and funny and coolly collected, she'd love a night in. Annabeth gave Katie, same personality type of sweet and low key but Percy still said no. Jojo, nope, Brynne, she was taken off the list, Maddie, nope Percy wasn't interested. Annabeth was pulling out her hair at her wits end and nearly offered up Clarisse when he said he liked a girl with fire. Clarisse would probably enjoy lighting him up on fire and at that moment Annabeth kinda understood why.

"I said it was fine, don't beat yourself over this." Percy said while they were eating lunch. Annabeth slammed her head onto the table.

"Fine, I'll beat you up." She said, her voice was slightly muffled through her cardigan.

"Okay, don't do that. But really, it's just a day. I'm fine being single." Percy sighed. Annabeth lifted her head in time to see Percy eating his mother's cookies, only they were blue swirled with pink.

"And you never did end up asking the girl? You don't have to be embarrassed if she said no." Annabeth prodded at him. Percy tightly smiled.

"Yeah no I didn't ask her. It's fine though." He shoved another cookie in his mouth, though his mood was going down. "I'll be less of a coward some day."

Annabeth rubbed his shoulder in a comforting manner. "It's okay. I'm single today too. We're in it together." She smiled at him kindly. "So long as we don't get stuck 7th and 8th wheeling our friends today can still be a good day."

Percy looked at her and slammed his head on the table, leaving Annabeth very confused and mildly amused.

"You really didn't need to go around to find a girl." Percy said. Annabeth sighed and shook her head, disagreeing.

"I did! I wanted and still want you to have fun today!" She explained. Percy lifted his head and looked at her dead in the eye.

"I know exactly what would be fun today but I'm apparently too much of an idiot to make it happen." He said blankly. Annabeth patted his head the way one would pet a dog.

"You may be a seaweed brain but you're not an idiot all of the time." And somehow, Percy found that comforting, even though Annabeth didn't get why, and gave her a smile.

He then offered her a cookie, which Annabeth gratefully took. Percy watched her as she took a bite, which admittedly was mildly creepy.

"Do you think she'd say yes to me? If I asked." Percy said thoughtfully. Annabeth scanned him, his expression, his posture everything. Her mind floated back to memories of him being the most caring and allegiant friend; more than she thought a human was possible of being.

"Yeah-" She said with a smile, feeling something weird familiar in her chest, god, the romantic music was getting to her. "-I think she'd be a fool not too."

I'd climb every mountain

And swim every ocean

Just to be with you

And fix what I've broken

Oh, 'cause I need you to see

That you are the reason

↞ມ↠

Technically, seniors were the ones to take trips during Spring Break, but apparently all of those high school rules got thrown out the freaking window when Piper's movie star father offered to get their friend group an AirBnB for the week. Piper had no idea if it was him genuinely trying to give her a gift for the fact that she was his daughter or if it was a make up for running off with his assistant for 3 months not too long ago. Whichever it was, Piper didn't ask any questions and accepted gratefully.

The trip started with an early wakeup call at a time that was too cimmerian to be legal. Annabeth, who had for an entire season woken up at 4:30 for XC, was insanely pissed about waking at 4 on the dot to quietly leave her house without waking her father, step-mother or brothers. But when the flight was at 5:45, she didn't really have a choice. Piper's driver came right at 4:15 and Annabeth trudged herself into the car.

"I'm half excited and half ready to die." Annabeth said; she had made her coffee but hadn't drunk it just yet. Piper, however, was half way down with her caffeine fix.

"Mm, I totally feel that."

They stopped at Silena's first to pick up the girl with millon bags and then Rachel. Rachel's hair was in the most wild top knot Annabeth had seen in a very long time but Silena looked way too perfect for this early in the morning. The drive to the airport was filled with excited chatter as Annabeth woke up thanks to coffee and Silena's insane level of energy. Quickly, the girls got out of the car when the driver pulled up to the airport. It took a couple minutes and screaming texts but eventually they met up with the rest of their friends.

Jason and Thalia, pro-flyers looked ready as hell. They always traveled to visit their mother, who admittedly was terrible at mothering, but in general they both enjoyed flying. Piper, Rachel, Silena, Annabeth and Leo were pretty calm. Hazel was in awe and wonder, sometimes Annabeth wondered if she grew up amish as she was in such shock from even remotely electric. The young girl did after all foster in with the Di Angelo's after their eldest daughter passed away in the military. Speaking of that family, Nico was the little darkling that he was at any other time of day and Will was happily talking to Frank; with one air slung over Nico's shoulder, of course.

Perhaps the only person who was warying of the trip to come was Percy. He was chatting a lot, mostly to Annabeth and was overthinking everything and asking a lot of questions. Annabeth didn't know he had such a thing against flying but decided to keep quiet about it, after all she was absolutely terrified of spiders so she couldn't judge. Besides, sometimes she felt like Percy lived in the water so it made sense he hated the air.

"I'm scared." Percy said, leaning his head onto Annabeth's shoulder as they waited at the gate. She snorted.

"Wow, I didn't notice." She said, her filter was not working when she was only half-awake. If their flight was delayed one more time, Annabeth decided she may just scream.

"No, like I don't like flying." Percy said, slightly jittery. With a sigh, Annabeth wrapped her arm under his head and patted him on the cheek thrice.

"I know, you'll be okay though. I won't let you die and I doubt Grover would either. Or Jason, kid wants to be a hero." She said tiredly. She could feel him relax just the slightest bit.

Thankfully for Annabeth's energy levels and probably the airport in general, boarding started and Annabeth dragged her carry on behind her. Technically the trip wouldn't be long, a flight from New York to California was about 5.5 hours but the length of time didn't seem to do anything to Percy's nerves. For one, he practically refused to sit by anyone but her, much to Rachel's amusement. Annabeth didn't really argue, she didn't want to for once, and just took her spot and leaned her head, stretched out a bit. Annabeth was a rather tall girl and she liked to have extra leg space. Her legs were where most of her height was from after all.

"I'm nervous." Percy blurted out, next to her. She had taken window seat since he didn't like looking out and over the solid ground; it reminded him he was no longer on it. Annabeth looked like him and smiled softly.

"I know." She handed him headphones that he skeptically took. She rolled her eyes, it wasn't like she was going to strangle him with them. "Here, music. Catharsis is a thing."

Percy plugged in the earpod, looking mystified. "...what does that mean." He asked. Annabeth laughed but didn't bother to explain.

Though he was tapping his fingers impatiently, Percy was doing a pretty good job of keeping himself together as the plane took off. At some point, Annabeth took hold of his mildly shaking hand and squeezed it one, so he knew he wasn't alone. It made him tense for a couple of seconds and then relax. He gave her a nervous but still bright and thankful smile. Annabeth mouthed, you're welcome before closing her eyes and allowing herself to fall back asleep.

Annabeth awoke when she felt gentle shaking on her side, which was strange because her father nor Helen came into her room to wake her if she was late, her brothers would just jump on top of her and scream and her friends would have just pulled her out of the bed and talk about their plans for the day. Opening her eyes and blinking a couple of times to adjust them to the light, Annabeth was able to register the bright sea-green eyes in front of her.

"We're here!" Percy said excitedly, grinning ear from ear. She looked out the window and raised a blonde brow in surprise. They were on land, she didn't feel the landing. Annabeth turned to Percy with a questioning look.

"You didn't sleep."

"Sleeping requires relaxing."

"Hm, not a relaxing flight?"

"No, I felt so at peace being so high up in the air with the ability to plummet at any moment without warning."

"Damn, shut your sass." Annabeth teased, unbuckling and stretching up, her limbs were squished in the little airplane chair.

When they were allowed to leave, Percy jumped up and bolted out of the aircraft, maybe coming close to trampling someone. Annabeth found it amusing, the other passengers who nearly got ran over did not and so she apologized and explained that Percy did not like airplanes. One of them was completely understanding; the other snarled at her to keep her boyfriend on a better leash and how young people had no manner. Annabeth was very much taken aback and told them two things.

"One, he is not my boyfriend-" Annabeth could feel Rachel's goddamn smirk on her, even while yelling at this woman. "-two, I am sorry he nearly ran into you but people have fears, it's normal. And it is okay to want to get away from them, maybe he should have been careful, no yes he should have. But that doesn't make him disrespectful. Yes, an idiot but not rude. So please the next time a person tries to apologize for their or a friend's actions, just take it and breath." Most people on the plane were on her side anyways and she left without so much as hearing another tut from the passenger.

"You're an idiot and I had to clean your mess." Annabeth pointed when she found Percy who predictably was sitting at the fountain in the middle of the airport. He was watching the streams of water spray and looked so close that the mist was spraying his face and hair.

"Sorry." He said with a small smile. "I just needed to get off." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"Wow, I didn't realize."

"You're so meannnnnnnnnnnnnn."

"Only to you." Annabeth said, shoving his shoulder to the side affectionately. As much as she wanted to shove him into the fountain, that was probably not a good idea and god knows Annabeth did not follow through with bad ideas.

Everyone had gotten off the plane and into the limo that Piper's father ordered for them. The driver was a bit gruff, practically snarling at them that the house was their destination.

"Sweet, he got enough cars." Jason said with a grin, counting up the convertibles. Piper sighed and clasped his hand with hers.

"Of course he did. He pays attention to me only when it can give him best dad award for 4 fucking seconds." Piper spit out bitterly. Annabeth went over to her side and rubbed her shoulder consolingly. Tristan Mclean had been trying, or at least more than before and really Piper apperatied it. But it would forever stay with her till the end that it took 16 years for him to start being a parent for even 10% of the time. And Annabeth knew all of it but really couldn't help but feel jealous at times. At the very least, everyone in the world knew Tristan loved his daughter, though he was not good at parenting her.

"Where do we wanna go first?" Annabeth asked, looking around the rather large group.

"I say beach." Percy shouted, jumping up. Everyone muttered their agreements.

"Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day where Percy's idea is chosen-wow…thanks- but here we are. Beach, here we New Yorker's come!" Admittedly, they had to put everything away and get rooms but in no time, to the beach they'd hit.

Annabeth lugged her bags up the stairs of the insanely nice house with the best modern architecture she had seen in a while in person. There was glass everywhere and everything was so clean and white and sharpened. Annabeth had always been a more ancient architecture girl, because yes there were of course categories, but she could appreciate a good modern when she saw it. Oftentimes, modern houses were just weirdly shaped ones with a slapped on title. It was annoying, truly, those houses had no meaning. Clearly this one did though, vibes of beach and contemporary styles and art designs were clearly woven throughout to create a beautiful house.

She and Piper had decided to share a room, and god, Annabeth couldn't stop walking in circles to admire it. There was a balcony and it had a gorgeous view. Truly Annabeth was in awe.

"And too think we thought we could take Annabeth Chase to a nice looking house and expect her not to go wild over the beauty of said house. What fools we are." Percy joked from behind her. Annabeth turned around and rolled her eyes, grabbing a beach towel from her bed and throwing it over her shoulder. Piper already grabbed her bag, letting Annabeth look at the house for a bit longer.

"Do shut up."

"Never." Percy said with a cheeky grin. Annabeth walked past him, not before squeeze one of his puffed up cheeks though and went down to stairs to figure out car situations.

Car 1, the bright red one, was going to be Frank driving, with Hazel, Grover, Juniper and Leo. The second car that was all black was Jason driving with Piper, Thalia, Will and Nico. Finally Annabeth took the white car and got Percy, Rachel, Silena and Beckendorf.

"See ya fuckers later." Thalia said flipping everyone off and sticking out her tongue as her brother drove off. Annabeth shook her head in laughter and got into the driver seat, adjusting the mirrors and smiling.

"I love the beach!" Percy said excitedly, almost falling into the passenger's seat from going so fast.

Annabeth rolled her eyes playfully. Percy was so wildly childish it was kinda endearing to her. "That is such a surprise to me and everyone else in the entire world." She teased playfully. Turning the key, she started up the car and began to drive towards the beach, thankfully it wasn't too far from the house. Getting out onto the roads, Annabeth noticed that there were very few cars out. Lack of traffic was perhaps a virtue of small towns but Annabeth was far more used to the bustling hectic streets of New York.

"Turn up the radio, I love this song." Rachel cried and Percy turned the knob to the point of blasting the song out of the car speakers. Silena and Rachel began to sing, er scream the lyrics to the song.

"Wow, what musicians." Percy said, leaning towards Annabeth as Rachel and Silena missed a line and began to laugh hysterically over the mistake. Annabeth snorted.

"Like you could do any better." She teased him. Percy made an offended noise and she could see him clutching his chest even though she couldn't actually turn her head and sight off of the road.

I think I might push my luck with you

Does another night feel alright to you?

If I ask right now, would you think it through? (Hey)

I think I might push my luck with you

Did you say that you got nothing else to do?

Is it okay if I stay? 'Cause I'm dying to

Yeah, I'm dying too

"Movie magic." Annabeth muttered as the song ended, a bittersweet smile on her face. No doubt Silena was taking a video for snap with terribly audio, there was wind whipping around them after all, and her and Rachel were of course looking like stars of a show.

"What was that?" Percy nearly shouted in her ear over the music and bass that was blarin.

Annabeth allowed her eyes to flicker towards him as she reached a stoplight. "You know, in movies the protagonists are driving down an open road playing music and having the time of their lives. That's happening." She said, motioning back to her friends. Percy looked back and let out a loud laugh.

"Singing is a rather generous term for that."

"I don't disagree but it looks fun doesn't it?"

"Want me to drive on the way back?" Percy offered as the light turned green. Annabeth shook her head, blonde hair swishing it's it's ponytail holder but smiled.

"It's fine, thanks for offering though." She said with a sigh.

"You sure?" Percy pressed on.

Annabeth nodded. "As ever." She muttered.

The beach was supringinly empty, but that was nice. Though there were crowded spaces, their group was able to find a place that was mostly people free. Jason, as superman does, set up a bunch of umbrellas for shade and Frank helped by grabbing the chairs. Annabeth laid out her beach towel and moved her sunglasses from their place on her nose to the top of her head. The sound of waves crashing were soothing and honestly, where was a better place to get a tan and get into a book than a sunny beach while your friends were running around like maniacs? Annabeth digressed. She inhaled, the scent of sea salty air was nice and smelled weirdly familiar, considering the fact that Annabeth hadn't been to the beach since the beginning of the school year and even then the air was scented of alcohol, sweat and motor oil from Rachel's truck. The psithurism of the palm trees were a lulling sound though, mixing in with the shrieks of Piper and Leo as they shoved each other into the water.

Annabeth opened her book and immersed herself into the fictional word. Occasionally, she'd look up the way a mother would watch her kids, and fondly smile at her friends that were somehow 16-17 years of age. It genuinely seemed dangerous to let them off on their own at times.

"HEY WISE GIRL!" Percy cried, getting her attention immediately. "LOOK AT ME GO!" The black-haired boy shouted again before diving into the waves. She could barely see the blue of his swim trunks as he swam deeper and deeper into the ocean. But before she could panic and scold him, he emerged back by the shoreline. Impressive, she shouted back with a lack of enthusiasm, making him pout.

"Aren't you going to come swim with us?" Piper said, appearing by her side suddenly and laying perpendicular on her stomach. Annabeth squirmed when all the sea water began to soak through her t-shirt.

"Later, I have a very nice book in my hands." Annabeth said with a smile as Piper groaned that she was not playing with her.

"I don't like you."

"Yes you do, Pipes."

"...yeah I do." Piper said with a mischievous smile. Without warning, she hugged Annabeth tight, avoiding her book because she wanted to avoid death, and quickly ran away laughing. Annabeth sighed at the wet spots on her shirt and went back to her book. Mmmm, one could just say she was in love with one of the three love interests.

Eventually, Silena, Rachel and Piper convinced Annabeth to put down her book, in a safe place… of course no it would not get ruined or wet. Leo had bet her into a sand-building competition and she'd be damned if she lost to Leo.

"Leo, you're a dumbass, this is crazy architect Annabeth we're talking about." Thalia had said, shaking her head when he proposed the idea. Annabeth brought a hand to silence her though, a sly smile on her face.

"No, no. I wanna do this. Anyone else wanna join?" Begrudgingly, Jason and Piper offered to compete, Frank and Hazel joined with vigor, Will dragged Nico in to play, Grover and Juniper shrugged in and Thalia, Silena, Rachel, Beckendorf did the wise thing of not trying to compete against Annabeth. Percy had called judging, which in turn everyone else called bullshit on.

"Awe, man. You're so fucking biased though." Leo whined. Thalia gawuffed at that.

"You know she'd win whether or not he's the judge. But yeah, Percy is going to pick Annabeth and we all know it's not because of her skills." Thalia said with a smirk, aimed at Percy. Annabeth turned to look at him to find that he was facing away, but the tips of his ears were pink.

"Uh, let's start." Annabeth clapped her hands thrice, making everyone find a spot and Thalia mutter to her, fucking competitve bitch, but in a very fond manner. The punk girl put on a 30 minute timer and shouted to start building.

Annabeth's mind made a game plan, thinking of how she was going to make this sandcastle special. Perhaps if there was clay at the bottom of this beach, she could create an arc. With the plasticity of the clay, it would have sound structure. Mapping out how she was going to create it, Annabeth got to work, reveling in the joy building she brought her. One day she'll make a castle like this, only it would never wash away with the waves of the ocean. It would stay standing forever, never crumbling. Till the end of time and past Annabeth herself, it would never break.

"Oh my god, who thought it was a good idea to let her compete!"

"Take a look in the mirror, idiot."

Leo groaned in defeat as everyone unanimously pronounced Annabeth the winner. The blonde smiled and clapped in joy, because who didn't like to win? Annabeth certainly was a fan.

"Now we need a picture of the winner." Silena said in a sing-song voice, brandishing her phone camera. Annabeth practically squawked and jumped to hide behind Piper. The brunette laughed and attempted to get Annabeth into frame. Annabeth shrieked no, sounding like a child that didn't want to eat their veggies, and ran back to their set up of umbrellas.

"Wow, I did not expect to ever see her like this." Grover deadpanned, Juniper hummed her agreement. Percy through, chuckled.

"Yeah, it's unexpected. One time my mom tried to get a picture of us on the couch watching a movie and she screamed and covered herself with a blanket. And then slammed a pillow over my face very aggressively." Percy explained as he watched Silena and Annabeth run around trying to take pictures and the other avoiding it. It truly was a sight to be seen. Annabeth, being normally a level-headed person was wildly running and shouting.

A clicker sounded from the right of the group of the scene. Thalia grinned wickedly, turning her phone back to sleeping mode.

"What she doesn't know can't hurt her. Or me." The black-haired girl said, shrugging as everyone gaped at her.

Eventually, Silena and Annabeth stopped running, they were out of breath from laughing at their own madness. Piper and Rachel had met up with them and together they hounded the blonde into finally going swimming. After all, Silena had dragged her to 5 stores at the mall to find a cute enough swimsuit to fit the black-haired beauty's standards. Annabeth was overjoyed to find the flattering plain black suit, surprising herself and Piper. She was never one for fashion, less said fashion were gorgeous gowns.

"Girlie you look hot!" Silena squealed when Annabeth finally took off the oversized shirt. Annabeth rolled her eyes but kept the smile on her face.

"You picked this out for me."

"And I did a damn good job of it."

SMACK!

"FUCK! Shit dude, I'm sorry!" A voice cried from their girl's left. Annabeth's head whipped to see Jason running towards a lump on the ground. Said lump had a black mess at the top. Oh god, it was Percy! What was he doing on the ground?

"Percy!" Annabeth cried, running towards him. She kneeled down by his side and leaned over him slightly. "Are you okay."

Percy had his eyes closed, or at least she guessed he did as his hand was also over his face.

"I'm good." He croaked out. Annabeth looked at him skeptically.

"You don't seem fine. Here let me take a look at you. Jason, what happened?" Annabeth looked at the glasses clad boy. He scratched his head sheepishly.

"We were playing volleyball and I setted it toward Percy. I guess I either hit it too hard or he didn't pay attention, because it hit him right in the head." Jason explained, who was just as worried as Annabeth was. Grover though, began to laugh hysterically.

"Sure, sure. That's why he's messed up in the head." Grover snorted. Annabeth gave him a weird look but looked back down at Percy who's eyes were still closed but hands were off his face. There was a pink patch nearing the top of his forehead.

"Did he hit you really hard?" Annabeth asked. Percy shook his head, making the sand fly onto her legs.

"I'm fine. Swear."

"Then open your eyes, seaweed brain."

"...I'd rather not."

"Why?"

"...no...reason?"

Annabeth pulled a face, huffed and stood up. She kicked sand over Percy, making him cry out. "I'm going swimming. When you decide to open your eyes come join." She said with an eye roll and laugh. At that, Annabeth made her way into the ocean, lighting splashing around with Rachel, Piper, Silena, Thalia and Hazel.

Rachel was shooting her lot's of sly looks that for once, Annabeth couldn't figure out. She truly had no idea why Rachel was laughing like a madman and insinuating that she knew something. Ignoring that, Annabeth dived at her ankle and pulled her redhead friend under the water. She squealed as the cold water washed over her and Annabeth laughed triumpiahly. Rachel jumped at her and they playfully wrestled in the vad waves.

For just a second, Annabeth smiled at how similar Percy and the ocean waves really were. Admittedly it was a weird comparison, but an accurate one. Percy was a wild and spontaneous person, one could never guess what he would do next. Just as ocean waves were, they came and went as they pleased. Sometimes crashing upon the sand with intense force or calmly swaying along. Percy was probably going to be one of those frat boys who wouldn't be tied down till age 35. Water could never truly be captured, for it would always escape eventually.

As it got later, the ocean waves became a bit wintrous for Annabeth; so she dried off, slipped the shirt back on and layed out with her book once more. Though as fate would have it, she could only read in peace for so long before one of her friends bothered her.

"Did you have fun today?" Percy asked, coming up to her and laying flush to her side. She nearly jumped at his cold skin.

"You're all wet."

"Hm, it's almost like I just was in the ocean." Percy said, eye shining with mischief and lips laughing in mirth. Annabeth rolled her eyes but smiled at him.

"Yeah, I did have fun. Other than when you got hit in the head and basically played dead." Annabeth said. Percy weirdly smiled brightly.

"Aw! You care about me! I died and you cared! I feel so honored." Percy said. Annabeth raised a brow at him.

"Why are you so dramatic?" She said in a, I'm not getting paid enough for this shit, type of voice. Percy pouted at her.

"My dramatics make your life fun though. Your life would be so boring without me. Everyone needs a dramatic friend to make their lives like a movie, where every little thing in high school is crazy important and will define the rest of their lives." Percy announced, poking Annabeth in the cheek. Annabeth turned her face away and swatted Percy back with her hand. She had to bite her lip to stifle her laughs because god, Percy was such a child but in the best way.

"This is real life, Percy, not a movie. Don't be so ridiculous." She said with a grin and eye roll. Percy cocked his head to the side and flickered his eyes to their friends running to the left of them.

"You keep saying their lives are a movie." He objected.

"Yes but that's different."

"How so? You're on this vacation with them. Doesn't that make your life a perfect movie by associating?"

Annabeth clicked her tongue thrice and shook her head. He really didn't get it did he? "It's just different. They are they. I am me. I'm not that girl who's life is a picture perfect movie, you know that though." She said, turning back to her book. She was nearly done with the book. It wasn't really her favorite, she'd read other books that made her anxious to turn the page and read faster to see what happened, but it was good. It kept her entrained in a different world, and after all wasn't that the main reasons he read books? Other than to actually gain knowledge that is, but Silena, Piper, Rachel and Thalia would have an entire fit if she brought along a book about buildings.

"So because, and according to your words not mine, you're not the type of girl that every guy falls in love with after 3 seconds and is the wild fun one at the party that lights the room up, you can't have a happy fun life that feels like it came straight out of a high school movie? You can't feel like your floating and that life is so good it's unreal?" Percy asked.

Annabeth gave him a smile, though it was resentful. It was a long time ago the fates decided that good things didn't happen to her. They decided that when her mother walked out. They decided her father wouldn't love her and her step-mother would see her only as a reminder of her father's past relationship. They decided that every person she'd liked wouldn't ever like her because god why would they when she had friends as beautiful as Silena, special and irreplaceable as Rachel or as fun-loving and bright as Piper? The fates gave her all of the joker cards in the deck and said figure it out. Annabeth was in no way an idiot, she was logical and calculated. If that was what fate had given her, if that was what her life was. It was better to accept it and make the most of it and most importantly, not wish too hard on delusional things. Her life wasn't ever going to be so good she felt like she was walking on clouds. No, it just wouldn't and she knew that. Patterns were easy to follow and the pattern said she'd never live that kind of life.

"Now you're getting it." Annabeth said in a tone that was much brighter and cheerful than Percy was expecting. She ruffled his head, that was already messy to begin with and still the slightest bit damp, and went back to her book. Never mind that fact that it was nice sitting here peaceful with Percy of all people by her side. Never mind the fact that Percy Jackson was silent. Never mind the fact that the faintest sound of a shutter had clicked.

"OoOooOOOooooOOOo-"

"Rachel, shut up."

↞ມ↠

"Happy birthday!" Annabeth, Grover, Percy and Paul cried together! Sally had just came back from work, a shorter shift than usual to be added and of course, the four had decided to surprise her the moment she opened the apartment door.

"Oh my goodness! You darlings!" Sally said, wrapping everyone in a big hug before affectionately kissing the teengers on the cheek. And then she promptly kissed Paul on the lips, making Percy cry out and cover his eyes.

"THEY BURN!" Percy said dramatically, shoving his hands over his face. Sally laughed and shook her head at her son's dramatics.

"Perce, you're fine." Grover said in a bored tone.

"Easy for you to say!" Percy retorted, running around the living room with his eyes still covered. Every couple of minutes, as they let it go on for quite a while, Percy would run into the couch or a chair and cry out.

Eventually, the black-haired lovable fool uncovered his eyes and came to join them for cake cutting. Annabeth was cutting the blue cake up into equal slices, as they all decided that she was the best choice.

"Awe, thank you so much. You've always made this day so perfect! Especially you, Annabeth, I'm so glad you're here." Sally said, squeezing her into a tight hug. She pulled out her phone and began to take pictures of Annabeth cutting the cake.

"No, please. I don't need pictures." Annabeth said with a laugh, covering her face.

"Oh but you look so cute! Percy, Grover, go by her side. I want a picture of all of you." Sally cooed, her eyes twinkling. In a swift motion, Annabeth jumped behind Percy and hid. He tried to move to get her in frame but the blonde moved right with him, almost playing a strangely choreographed dance. Sally laughed as she watched the scene and Paul secretly took pictures.

Eventually everyone calmed down and Annabeth was able to slice the cake up and serve it. For the record, the cake was delicious. Annabeth enjoyed talking to Paul and Sally, she never had Paul as a teacher but not a kid in school didn't know him. He was that teacher that would be there for you and actually care for you, whether you were a delinquent or had a 4.0 GPA. He and had a father or wise great uncle reputation around school.

"You guys need a family picture." Annabeth decided, pushing Percy to stand, er kneel, behind his mother who was seated.

"Annabeth, we can grab the tripole so you can join." Sally offered but Annabeth shook her head, blond curls bouncing around.

"It's okay. Everyone smile!" She said, snapping pictures. They all looked so happy. "These are so cute." The grey-eyed girl cooed, handing Sally's phone back to her. The brunette woman gave her another welcoming smile.

"It's not a huge trouble to get the old thing."

"Oh don't worry about it. I'm always behind the camera, I mean that's why I took photography my freshman year. Now I'm a dabster at it!" Annabeth said with a laugh. Sally looked skeptical but didn't push on. She stayed for another couple hours before it was time to go.

"Bye, I hope your day was wonderful." Annabeth said, hugging Sally goodbye.

"Oh it was amazing." Sally smiled back at her, waving till she was out of the driveway. Annabeth smiled the whole way home. She finally knew what it was like to have a mother, to celebrate your parent's birthday with hugs and love. It was wonderful. Annabeth was a stubborn person, but grudgingly, these changes in her life were welcome.

↞ມ↠

"Come onnnnn. I've never seen two people so connected!" Silena whined. Annabed rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at her. She was at the monthly sleepover and her friends were begging her to date Percy. As if he'd want to date her! The notion was ridiculous.

"Stop with the whole. I'm the type of girl he'd like." Rachel said before Annabeth could speak. Annabeth scowled at her. "When are you going to learn your, that girl talk is all bullshit."

"You guys would be so happy together. We just want you to be happy." Piper said tenderly.

Annabeth sighed and rolled her eyes yet again. It was annoying, really. She wasn't going to date Percy for a plethora of reasons.

For one, he didn't even like her.

Second of all, even if he magically did. According to past patterns and her own love luck, it would end badly. She wasn't a girl made for a happy ending. They'd probably end in a huge fight that loses her friends for some stupid reason. And Annabeth being herself, would be too prideful to correct anything she did wrong. It was just better not to prod the bear. She couldn't fall down into the pits of misery and Tarturus if she never put herself on that cliff in the first place. Happiness for her wouldn't last forever.

The third reason was that Annabeth didn't even know what to do in a relationship. Much less one with someone like Percy.

Fourth reason, she didn't need a relationship. Annabeth was worlds beyond happy with her friends! Whoever needed a boyfriend to be happy? Yes, it did seem nice to have someone to cuddle with at night. And go on dates with, talking about the most random things. Or to have someone look at her with only love in their eyes and no sign of leaving… BUT that stuff wasn't necessary! A girl could be happy on her own. Forever… maybe… yeah. She had accepted the fact that she was gonna be alone. But no one could leave if you were alone.

"I'm happy being a single lady and chilling with you guys. I have no boy problems. Let me live without them." Annabeth said with a smile, though it was kinda forced. Her friends looked at her suspiciously.

RING!

And there was the pizza.

↞ມ↠

Now, if you looked at Rachel's house, you'd be able to understand why she turned out the way she did. Most of the walls were painted in murals by her family members and it was what one could call, organized chaos. It was June, which was peak summer of course. Unsurprisingly, Rachel decided to organize a huge pool party with all of their friends. With help from Annabeth though, Rachel was also the definition of organized chaos. Maybe just the latter.

"SHARK KINGGGGGG!" Leo screamed as he jumped into the pool. He was small, not making a huge splash but he did raise laughter all around. Annabeth shielded her face from the water on instinct. The blonde had made herself comfortable by the pool ledge on one of the lounge chairs. She was chatting with Piper but as soon as Leo jumped in, the brunette wanted to join in on the fun.

Annabeth laughed and adjusted her sunglasses. "Whose bright idea was it to bring sugar to this party." She muttered to herself, sipping on iced tea.

"Yours." A dripping wet Percy snickered. Annabeth turned to stick her tongue out at him. "Just saying." He replied in a sing-song voice.

Annabeth leaned back and folded her arms. She noted that with the light, Percy was standing right where the sun was, he looked like he was glowing the way, say a.. greek god would. "Just wanted people to have fun." She defended herself. Percy quirked a brow up.

"Yeah, we're all gonna have so much fun when Leo strips down and starts pole dancing." He said sarcastically. Annebeth cringed at the idea but didn't doubt his words when Leo was swinging around the swing poles, thankfully covered.

"Bleh, don't put that image in my mind."

"It's not that bad."

"Why am I not surprised you're so chill with this. Do you all compare in the locker rooms."

"...well-"

"No. Don't. I'm fine. Don't need to tell me."

Percy grinned and shook his head, spraying her with chlorinated water. She raised her arms up to block it but quite honestly, that did nothing. "God, are you part dog or something?" She sighed, trying to act irritated, but failed miserably.

"I like to think dolphin." He said, playing along. Annabeth let out a sharp laugh.

"Your swim team probably says shark."

"Roar, roar killer shark."

Annabeth blinked once. Percy looked so utterly pleased with him, "... why are you like?" She deadpanned. Percy laughed and seated himself on her chair, next to her hips where there was lot's of room.

"You still love me though." Percy pouted, using his big seal eyes that nearly broke Annabeth's blank expression.

"Keep telling yourself that." She said, pushing his shoulders lightly. He looked at her with a hard to read expression, but the glint in his eyes that said he was about to do something was anything but unclear.

In one easy motion, Percy scooped her up bridal style, causing her to shrink but good lord did anything ever expect stuff like this? "Oh my god, put me down." Annabeth hissed. Silena, Piper and Rachel looked way too pleased… as did their phone cameras. Percy ignored her words and stepped into the pool. Annabeth practically hovered over it, still in Percy arms and was ready to get out, even if it meant falling into the pool. Her face was going red, everyone was quietly watching as Percy just walked into the pool and wadded around like this was normal. The only sounds were the water splashing and everyone's breathing.

"You wanna get down?" Percy whispered into her ear unexpectedly. Annabeth, though she'd never admit it, literally shivered as a reaction to his voice.

"Don't you da-"

SPLASH!

It was safe to say that Percy dared. And did. When Annabeth got her head out of the water, the air was no longer quiet. Everyone was instead laughing hysterically. Piper was quick with the towel and laid it on Annabeth's claimed chair. Rachel had the most shit-eating grin on her face and was waving her phone as if to say I got it. Which, well… she did get the shots. Annabeth just knew there were a hundred pictures on that redhead's phone of the short scene.

With a growl, Annabeth yanked on Percy's arm, making him slip off the bottom and land sideways into the water with another loud splash. Annabeth giggled and swam away quickly to the pool ledge. She motions for Piper to jump in and the brunette did so with a splash.

"Come on! One by one, the rest of their friends leapt into the pool, laughing and jumping around. Amongst the chaos, Annabeth leaned off and pulled herself up to sit on the pool deck, kicking her feet in the water. She laughed at her friends, Jason, Leo, Frank and Nico were having a chicken fight; Nico looked like he wanted to drown.

"What are you doing on the ledge again?" Percy asked as he walked up to her, slowly though as water resistant was still a thing, even for him. Annabeth kicked water up to his face.

"What does it look like?" She said snarkily.

"It looks like you're enot enjoying the pool correctly. You're supposed to be in it. And you call yourself wise girl." He said with a laugh, acting all proud of the mocking one. Percy pointed a finger at her, to which she pushed away.

Annabeth rolled her eyes but smiled. "For the record, you're the one that calls me that."

"You never told me to stop."

"And risk losing the ego boost? No way."

"Tch, I knew you had a god complex."

"What a good observation! Would like a gold star? Or a happy sticker. Sorry we're out of glitter whales."

Perhaps to an outsider, it seemed like they hated each other. With Annabeth speaking with more snark than one should and Percy stone-faced listening with a slight scowl. He matched her on caustic remarks and the both of them were intimidating enough when resting it looked like a fight. But truly that couldn't be farther from the truth. Annabeth had to work hard to conceal her smile and Percy always had a sense of halcyon in his eyes. You had to know them to see it though, looking from a different view; they could be perceived to be enemies. In reality, Annabeth lived for these conversations; they were like verbal duels and spares that only he could match her by level. On the outside, Annabeth explained no one got her biting remarks the way he did.

On the inside- and don't you dare repeat this- no one got her the Percy did, point blank.

Percy gasped dramatically. "That's horrifying!" He said, acting like he was in a soap opera.

"Very." Annabeth replied dryly.

"Oh well." Percy shrugged. "I guess I'll have to settle for something else."

In a flash and before Annabeth could register it. Percy lunged forward, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her standing in the water. Surprised, she shrieked.

"Oh my god." She said as everyone laughed. Annabeth slapped his arm. "Would it kill you to stop pulling me into the water." She said but not even fighting the smile.

Percy looked at her and smiled brightly. That wasn't really an answer but Annabeth settled for it. And yes, she covered him with wave after wave of water as pay back.

Slowly but surely, the sky got dark and the air chillier. Everyone decided to get out of the pool and huddled around in a circle on the patio. There was a large fire pit/table but it wasn't lit. Rachel had brought out the snacks and everyone was munching on them happily. There was music blaring, she had made a party playlist and everyone was enjoying it.

I feel glorious, glorious

Got a chance to start again

I was born for this, born for this

It's who I am, how could I forget?

I made it through the darkest part of the night

And now I see the sunrise

Now I feel glorious, glorious

I feel glorious, glorious

Annabeth sat by Percy on one of the loveseats and was showing Piper, who was leaning against it with Jason, a couple new dresses she wanted to make. They were ambitious, crushed velvet was one hell of a fabric to work with but if it worked, it would be the prettiest evening gown she'd ever make. Piper would be the receiver, as she made them in rotations.

"So. Let's talk about our year. We're gonna be seniors! That's wild." Leo announced, face stuffed with chocolate. Everyone muttered around agreeing.

"What do we remember from this year? I'm happy to say I finally asked Piper out." Jason said, giving his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek. Annabeth smiled at seeing her friends so happy and mouthed fools to Percy. God, they were so in love it was gross.

"Well, I'm glad Percy came! He's a great addition to our group." Grover said. Percy pretended to cry tears of joy because that kid was a goddamn drama queen.

Juniper said she enjoyed the wildlife volunteer work she had done over the year and Thalia was still pumped about bringing the Archery team to state. Piper had the same highlight as Jason, cue the fond retching. And Silena was excited for the new modeling opportunities her mom had gotten her in the coming year.

"And we have to think about college. Wow, that's scary." Rachel exclaimed.

"Not me!" Will said happily, an arm over his boyfriend's shoulders.

He flashed a grin at the other sophomore in the group, Hazel who was cuddled up with Frank. The girl sent back a smile but worried said something to her boyfriend. Annabeth frowned, she knew Hazel was worried about her relationship. She had told her it would all work out, there was no way she was gonna promise something to the cute little brunette that she couldn't keep.

"Percy, what about you?" Rachel asked, sounding oddly knowing. Emerald green eyes flickered towards her. Annabeth narrowed her eyes at the redhead. "What are you planning?" She sent to Rachel with just a silent look.

Percy seemed to blush and grow nervous. "I'm- well I'm just happy I moved. This is the best place ever. And I got to meet all of you!" He said.

"We love you too bro." Jason said, raising a hand up with Percy who caught it.

"Thanks bro." Percy replied. Annabeth and Piper rolled their eyes. Idiots, those two were; loveable yes but still idiots.

Everyone then turned to Annabeth. Shifting under the gaze and attention, Annabeth gave an awkward smile. "Um… I'm just happy we're all here. We have a ton of memories now that will last us a lifetime. This is what we'll remember when we're old and grey right?" Annabeth looked around in a tense silence.

"Damn Annie, didn't need to get all poetic and shit on us." Thalia cut through. Annabeth threw a pillow at her.

"You're turn, senior girl." Annabeth said playfully.

Well-" Thalia looked around at everyone carefully. "The world is shit. Life is shit. But you guys aren't so this is fun." She ended up saying. Piper snorted at the nihilistic remark.

Eventually, they decided to put on a movie. It was mindless and mostly ignored as everyone has split off into conversations. Still the background noise of dialogue was comfortable and kept the air from being too silent. Annabeth whiled away in her sketchbook. She was redrawing the Pantheon again. At this point, she could probably draw it with her eyes closed. Or maybe make a book of her sketches of it. Either way, it was calming and mindless.

She noticed that Percy liked to look over her shoulder while she worked. Mostly, he was preoccupied with talking to someone or eating food but his eyes weren't missed as he swept them on her drawings. Percy was not a pawky one. Occasionally, Piper would take pictures of her. Annabeth rotated between covering her face, smiling or pulling a silly look. Sometimes, Percy would stick his face next to her and they'd be cheek to cheek smiling. Piper cooed at that.

By the time the movie ended, most everyone was asleep. Piper and Jason had migrated to a chair and they slept tangled in each other's limbs. Rachel was snoring away with a blanket curled up around her. Leo had crashed first, and Thalia seemed to have a fighting dream, judging by her mouth twitching into a smile. Annabeth smiled at her friends, they all looked so calm and peaceful, things that they most definitely were not. Annabeth stood up and stretched, slowly though since Percy was still asleep on the other side and she didn't want to wake him. Spotting the mess that was the tables, Annabeth frowned and began to carefully pick them up. She grabbed a bag from the house and began to dispose of the paper plates and some of the empty soda cans. When everything was cleared, she went to go toss it in the trash.

"Most people clean up after the party, not at 1:19 AM." A voice said in the dark. Annabeth jumped and threw a nearby branch at them. It speared. "OW!" They howled. Annabeth raised another branch and turned on her phone flashlight. She had a sneaking suspicion that it was Percy and well… when was she ever wrong.

"Jesus christ woman. Is your first move to stab me when I surprise you?" Percy cried.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "You could have been a murderer. It's dark out here. At… what is it? 1 AM?"

"Uh, actually 1:20 AM." He said like a smartass. He rubbed his arm, probably where the branch had hit him. "It hurts like hell." He complained.

Annabeth snorted. She began to walk back into the house and Percy followed her. "Why were you cleaning up anyways? We would all pitch in and help in the morning." Percy asked. He picked up one of the blankets that she was collecting and she promptly took it from him.

"Thanks for the help but it's okay. I was up anyways and not trying to wake anyone. Though apparently my efforts have all been a waste." Annabeth said, side eyeing him. "You can go back to sleep." She continued, throwing a pillow at him.

Percy frowned. "I can help you know. I'm up too." He said but Annabeth waved him off.

"I've got it."

After laying out the blankets on her friends like a concerned and good mother, which she kinda was, Annabeth made herself comfortable on the loveseat again. Percy, who was just following her as she made her rounds, also sat down.

"Are you sleepy?" Percy asked. Annabeth raised a brow.

"Not really, no."

"Wanna talk?"

"Is that not what we're doing?" She asked with amusement in her voice. Percy laughed and attempted to muffle it to not wake their friends. Luckily, they were all pretty heavy sleepers.

"Well. What was your favorite part of this year?" He asked.

Annabeth bit her lip, trying to think of something. Quite honestly, nothing major came to mind. It was a rather normal year, she hung out with her best friends, made some new ones, got amazing grades and created the best memories for her friends to remember for the rest of their lives.

"Being with my friends." She settled for. Percy raised a brow at her.

"Not even a specific memory." He questioned. The answer was no, there wasn't any specific time. All of them melted into one. Or else that's how it felt documenting everything. She could probably pull something up in her snap memories if she really wanted to. But lord knows her pride wouldn't allow her.

"They were all too good to choose." She covered smoothly. Percy looked surprisingly unsure that was the full answer but let it be.

"Well, I definitely liked moving back here. My old school was hell." Percy said. "There was this really mean girl, Nancy whatever and all she wanted to do was toture me." He explained with a groan. Annabeth laughed a bit.

"Why ever would she want to do that." She said innocently and looked up. Percy shot her a scowl.

"Seriously though. It was pick on Percy day, everyday. For most of the grade at least." He let out a bitter laugh, one that surprised her. Percy was normally so light-hearted; it was a shock whenever he let out a more darkened sullen worldview. Not that she resented him for doing so, no that would be her a huge hypocrite. More so, she liked that he was aware the world wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, while still being bright and happy. A skill she had managed well but hadn't perfected. Perhaps it was the better parent? Or being parented overall?

"That's shitty of the kids." Annabeth commented. Percy looked at her as if to say, you think?

Percy sighed. "I mean, it's not like I don't get why. Young kids can be assholes." He swirled the glass of water in his hands; watching the liquid crash onto the sides of the glass. Clearly, he was transfixed by it, staying silent for longer than necessary. "I was stupid. Could never sit still. Had the body of a twig. Unattractive to hell. And the most freakish a person could be at age 10." He reminsused bitterly.

Annabeth was surprised. None of that matched the description of the Percy Jackson she knew. "Percy, you're not stupid. Idiot and thick as hell yeah, but you have a great head when you use it." Annabeth cut through his resentment. "And sitting still is so overrated." She added in to make him smile. It worked, the right of Percy's lips raised. She poked him in the arm, where it was all muscle.

"This certainly doesn't seem like twig material to me." She joked, hiding her blush from the sentence. Annabeth wasn't the type to actually admit when she found people attractive, at least not out loud and not to anyone but Silena, Rachel, Piper or Thalia. Saying something even remotely close to admitting to the person in question? Well, even Annabeth self-assurance had problems with doing that.

"What about the unattractive part?" Percy prodded with a shit-eating grin. Annabeth rolled her eyes, putting on the calm mask that slipped for only a second.

"Look who's mister cocky now." She drawled, pushing his side into the loveseat's arm. Percy laughed heartily.

"And look who's not saying no."

"No one likes a fisher for compliments."

"Sucks for you though. Being a fisher is in my blood and you're stuck with me." Percy said leaning in close. Very close. Annabeth could see the different shades of blue and green in his eyes, they moved like lights.

She had to admit to just herself, they were beautiful. Mesmerizing in the same way paint moved. "Fuck off." She pushed him away again. "And tell me about how being a fisher in 'in your blood' and what do you mean moved back here?"

"Let me tell you a story…" Percy said excitedly, looking more awake than he should have at 2 AM. Annabeth sat up against the loveseat's arm and listened to him explain where he had grown up and lived and who his dad was.

By the time he finished, Annabeth was reeling from the information. "Wow." she said, completely stunned. Percy gave her a coy smile.

"So yeah moving here was the best thing to ever happen to me." Percy said. Annabeth blinked.

"Clearly."

He let out a laugh before looking away quickly and then back at her. "Actually, the best part of the year is meeting all of you guys." He looked around at their friends. "Everyone has made my life better and way happier." He hummed, satisfied. Annabeth nodded. Percy opened his mouth again, like he was going to say something. But when closed without even a breath or word.

"Did I ever tell you about the time I jumped into a penguin exhibit?" He said suddenly. The quick topic change made Annabeth's head go spinning. "I-uh… ahll- what?" Percy gave her a mischievous grin.

"Wanna hear about it?" Oh hell yeah, she had to know about this.

Needless to say, they talked all night and were fast asleep by the time everyone else woke up. Completely unaware of the coos and pictures being taken because somehow, they had fallen asleep with their hands close enough to be touching. And that was too cute to pass up.

↞ມ↠

Most teenagers liked their room. They loved spending time in it. Many would barricade themselves in and shut out the world. It was their safe space.

Similar to others, Annabeth was in her room for most of the day. But unlike her fellow peers, it was her entire home. Sure she lived in a house, but it was her room that was truly her home. A place she could feel comfortable in. Considering the fact that her step-mother liked to mill around in the kitchen and living room; she never really entertained the idea of leaving her safe space in favor of an awkward environment.

BUZZZZZZ. BUZZZZ. BUZZZZZZ. The loud sounds the sewing machine was spitting out were barely registered to Annabeth. She had been sewing all day and the noise was lulling her to sleep. Though no doubt was it annoying her step-mother. Annabeth sighed as her stomach growled again. Blonde hair swished as she checked the clock, 12:57. Helen was probably out of the house by now. She had some bookclub at 1:30 every Tuesday. Flipping the switch, Annabeth got up to finally go make lunch.

Today was nothing elaborate. Actually, never were her meals big and fancy. Nothing like Helen's which takes hours of literal meal prepping. Annabeth fixed herself some pasta and sat down at the counter to each quietly. She looked at more dress ideas and snapped funny faces to Percy.

"And none for us?" A mocking voice said from behind her. Annbeth rolled her eyes and threw her twin brothers a look.

"Don't act like you haven't eaten yet." She said as they sat in the chairs next to her. Moving them close in to lock her in place.

"Come on. We're family. We eat together." Mathew said. Though his tone was playful; the words were true. Annabeth smiled at them gratefully. Though they were insufferable and annoying, they were the best brothers she could ask her.

"We promised you 10 minutes. We're not breaking it." Bobby said tenderly. Annabeth smiled and nudged them both away. She never ate dinner with the family, it was too weird for her step-mom. Even though she'd act like it was fine. Annabeth knew Helen rathered her stay in her room. Matthew and Bobby had decided to sit with her during any other meals, so she didn't need to feel so alone.

"Yeah, yeah go have fun." She said to them, though smiling that they were sitting with her. Most pre-teen boys would ognore their big sister less they had 'hot friends' or something like that. Her brothers… they cared about her and it made Annabeth just a hell of a lot better.

Matthew's eyes widened like gold coins when he spotted Percy's name flashing on her phone. "Ooo, who's that?" He cried out, causing Bobby to lean in to see. Annabeth turned off her phone but it was only a hair too late. Bobby and Matthew exchanged shit-eating smirks. They cooed about her 'boyfriend' like absolute buffoons.

"Damn, I can have guy friends, you know?" Annabeth said with a snarling tone. She glared harshly at her brothers. Not that they were bothered, no they had grown up with that look.

"Sure. show us the texts then." Bobby said cooly. Annabeth crinkled her eyebrows at him. Though she was a blonde, her brothers had dark brown hair that surprised people when they found out that they were her siblings.

"Excuse me?" Annabeth said, shocked.

They gave her smug looks. "Show us your texts and then we'll let it go. If you're so protective then maybe there is something." Mathew shrugged.

"Like a crushhhhhhhhhh" Bobby said in a sing-song voice. Annabeth scowled at them.

"Out, go play football or something." She said, pushing them over in their chairs. The twins laughed maniacally and got up.

"So you do have a cr-"

"Out you cretins."

Her brothers stuck their tongues out at her and ran outside laughing. Annabeth rolled her eyes fondly at them. God, they were so annoying, such little brothers. But in the best way.

Idly, Annabeth pulled up Percy's text contact. They texted a lot, no surprise there, but she had never really looked back at them. Her eyebrows furrowed when she began to scroll. The texts, the exchanges. They were borderline flirty. On her end and his! She tried to rationalize it. Percy was friendly! She knew he was. Of course, his normal speech came off flirty. Yeah, that was why. But why did she respond in the same way? Annabeth's gut twisted. She didn't intend for her brother's antics to end in her learning something new, not like this at least. She liked learning, yeah but not about things like this.

The banters. Annabeth had always viewed them as friendly and in a totally platonic way. Though the rest of her friends seemed to think differently. Now looking at them from an outside perspective. Annabeth begrudgingly admitted in her head, that she understood why. These texts were mackling the lines of friends and lovers. There were so many big eyes pouting emojis from him. And she had sent a lot of playful kissy faced ones. Albeit, they came after she burned him in a game. Annabeth huffed and turned off her phone. No, no entertaining stupid thoughts like dating Percy. She didn't need anything like a relationship. Not when it would eventually crash and burn. Nah, Annabeth couldn't dig herself into a hole by thinking these thoughts for veen a second longer. Immediately, Annabeth stood up, cleared her plate and put everything in the dishwasher.

Back to sewing, because god knows what things would come to mind if she didn't distract herself.

↞ມ↠

Nothing felt different, yet something big had changed. Her age. How crazy was it that she was finally 17?! She was going to be a senior in high school. God, everything was happening and it was wild. Annabeth had just stepped foot in the mall when Silena, Rachel and Piper attacked her with a crushing hug.

"Uphm- you're crushing my windpipes." Annabeth gasped out. They all giggled and squeezed her harder.

"Our little baby is finally our age." Silena said when she pulled back. The black-haired girl pretended to wipe a tear from her eyes and sniffled. Annabeth rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatics.

They dragged her to all types of clothing stores. And by they, Silena. She was determined to find 3 new outfits that flattered her figure by the end of the day. Annabeth felt it was like a whirlwind. Normally she was in Piper's place, sitting in the fitting room creating the clothes rather than trying them on. Silena shoved a falling heap of clothes into everyone's awaiting arms.

"My god. This is a lot." Annabeth said when she eyed all the clothes that were for her. Silena waved her hand to brush it off.

"There are many different clothing styles. We need to try them all. Shopping is a whole thing."

"Shocker." Annabeth replied drily. Rachel snorted at that.

4 stores and lot's of changes later, Annabeth found herself with 4 new outfits that even squealed over. As much as she tried to act unbothered by them, she couldn't help but grin widely at how much she liked the new clothes. They really did flatter her figure. She had an athletic build, wide shoulders, strong legs and as flat of a stomach as she could have while eating ice cream every other day- abs were so overrated- she didn't have the biggest of butts and sure, random catcallers on the street said she was too small up top when she denied their advances. But Silena had picked out great outfits for her to look more hourglass. Not that she cared much about it but it was nice to look at her reflection and at least feel like a pretty woman.

The first outfit was high-waisted dark red legging and a knotted cropped cami. Definitely out of her style but it made use of her legs, as Silena put it so eloquently. Damn girl, some guy's gonna want those legs wrapped around his waist. She said with excitement. Annabeth threw three wadded up t-shirts at her after that. Piper and Rachel died laughing. The leggings compressed her waist and the slight sniching in of the top made her look a bit more curvy.

The second outfit was a faux leather mini skirt and a black mock neck sweater. Before she had put in on, Annabeth almost fainted. But when it was on, she couldn't help but feel like a damn good dangerous bitch. She looked like a spy or assassin, two things she liked the vibe of. Whatever that meant about her, Annabeth really liked the outfit. Silena had insured that she knew to wear knee high boots with the outfit. You know, the one's she didn't yet own because her shoe closet was nothing like Silena's. Her mother was a fashion magazine editor, for the record.

The third outfit was an off the shoulder jumpsuit. It was a lot more in Annabeth's normal style of clothing. After all, she had a fair amount of pantsuits for a just 17-year-old and band tees and sweatshirts were her go-tos.

The final outfit was perhaps the most unexpected one in the pile. And somehow the one she was most excited for. It was a satin, light blue ruched mini dress. Annabeth's jaw had dropped when she put it on.

"Sexy." Rachel had deadpanded when the blonde revealed herself. Silena was prinking with excitement and Annabeth was trying to figure out how she could wear it in public. It was very extra and more of a party dress, but a small part of her was screaming to put a jacket over it and wear it to school. God, the dress obsessed part of her was growing fast.

"How do you wear a dress like that? I mean, I feel like I'd take one step and flash my whole vagina." Piper asked incredulously. Yeah… that was a concern. Silena snorted.

"There are cute boyshorts on the internet that you can wear under it." She explained. Then, it seemed that an idea struck her because she clapped her hands together quickly. "Ooooo, you should wear it tonight." She said.

Annabeth gaped at her and shook her head rapidly. "No." The blonde said firm and loudly. Silena pouted at her but it got her nowhere.

Hours later, Annabeth and company were in the food court, munching on fries and ice cream. Piper and Rachel had given her their gifts. Rachel gave her new fabric, sketchbooks, needles and a dress form. Piper went all out and got the actual prop dagger from Annaebth's favorite movie. The blonde nearly cried in the middle of the food court.

"You guys are the best." Annabeth hummed and she snuck a bite of Rachel's ice cream.

"Glad you finally noticed." Piper said with a playfully cocky smirk. Annabeth stuck her tongue out at her friends.

"And tonight is going to be even more fun! A party with all of our friends." Silena said brightly. Annabeth nodded.

"So as long as you guys don't mention my birthday." She said, eyeing them all carefully. They mumbled yeahs, we won't and similar speeches. "Promiseee…" Annabeth pushed again. Her friends groaned out, yessssssss. Then Annabeth settled, satisfied.

Later that night, Annabeth found herself laughing hysterically as Leo and Grover had a singing competition. Grover, an infamously unmusically talented person despite his attempts at windpipes VS Leo who had the voice that rivaled only sandpaper on a chalkboard. As treacherous as the sound was, it was comedy gold. She and Percy were about to choke; Juniper was red-faced musing to Thalia about why she had chosen an idiot for a boyfriend. Annabeth smiled to herself, this would forever be what she would think of whenever she looked back on her 17th birthday. Good or bad, it was.

Or maybe she'd remember her friends being fucking liars.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU~!" Annabeth gasped when Silena, Piper and Rachel walked towards her with a birthday cake. Her stony eyes narrowed. Oh hell no, they did not. Everyone else gave her a puzzled look, well everyone but Thalia. She already knew and didn't really care.

"We had too." Silena said with an apologetic smile. Annabeth didn't say a word to them. No, she crossed her arms and scowled. "I'm sorry."

Rachel laughed hard. "I'm not." She said in a sing-song voice. Piper seconded her. Annabeth didn't even make a move to blow out the candles. She didn't want a birthday party. She didn't want it to be a big deal. And here her friends were… with a cake.

(Though there was a part of her that felt a warm feeling rise in her chest. It wasn't like she'd gotten a birthday cake before, for the matter.)

But her point still stood. Annabeth was still mad. Kinda… Silena's puppy dog eyes were very dangerous. With a sigh and begrudging smile, she blew out her candles, which invoked cheering from the girls, a drawl from Thalia and shocked clapping from everyone else.

"It's your birthday?" Hazel asked incredulously. Annabeth nodded.

"I didn't wanna do anything. But apparently those bitches can't hear." She said, shooting her friends another glare. She was sooooo holding back on those new dresses. See how they like that.

"You're 17 now. That's pretty cool." Jason said nicely. Annabeth shrugged.

"Yeah. I think I should feel different but I really don't." Annabeth admitted. Thalia snorted.

"That shit don't make you feel old til your 21st. And that's just cause you get blackout drunk." Thalia said, sounding strangely bitter. It was as if she had lived a much longer life than a regular human and was sick of it. Then again, she always sounded that cynical. There really was no surprise.

At some point, everyone had recovered and said their well wishes. And then it was back to as the party was before. Juniper and Hazel promised her a late gift; she said they didn't need to. Leo started blasting Mamma mia, because as he said 'why the hell not? You're 17 now.'

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet

Only seventeen

The highlight was when Leo tried to put a newly and shittily made paper crown on her head. Annabeth smacked him so hard, the sound reverberated. She apologized, albeit but very well. Leo seemed to take it in stride though.

"Damn girl, you got a good hit." The little Latinx said with an impressed expression. Annabeth shrugged but smiled, appreciating his unbothered reaction.

She felt a tap on her shoulder, turning around she came face to face with Percy. He had an odd expression that she couldn't really read. That was mildly annoying. "So… it's your birthday." He started out, voice quiet. Annabeth nodded. "Why didn't you tell us?" He asked with sadness. She shrugged.

"It's not that big of a deal. I don't wanna make it a huge thing where you guys have to get a gift and cake and party and all of these things." She explained. Percy tilted his head to the side and gave her a strange look.

"But what if we want to?" He inquired.

She shrugged. "I mean like. Yeah, but I don't think it's a big enough deal. It's just a birthday."

Percy sputtered. If he was drinking water, it would have sprayed out like a waterfall the way it did in movies. "You went all out for Rachel's birthday." He objected. "And my moms." He added after a second.

"I know. I just think it's kinda the top for me. Like it's a lot of work, I can acknowledge that."

"...I wish you had told me at the very least. I could have gotten you a gift." Annabeth rolled her eyes. Did he still not get it? She literally did not care or need a gift.

"You don't have to. It's not a big deal."

Something in Percy shifted. Within a second, the child-like confusion in his eyes was replaced by something more akin to angry. "Oh my gods, I can't believe you sometimes." He snapped at her. Annabeth almost jumped from shock. As much as they bickered and poked each other, he'd never so much raise his voice at her. Annabeth felt like a little girl who's nicer parent had just reprimanded her. And she did not like the feeling.

"Excuse me?" She said mildly offended, looking to see if their friends noticed Percy's outburst. They didn'.t

"You've never even once even thought of it?"

"Thought of what!?" Annabeth snarled back.

"Something for you!" Percy pointed at her.

The blonde gave a humorless laugh. "What? So you're mad I'm not selfish enough? Sorry." She raised her arms up in mock surrender. Percy gritted his teeth.

"You're making excuses. You don't want a birthday because you don't think it's important enough! Every time you have an opportunity to have fun or get something that you probably really want. You push it away! You never do anything for yourself. I bet if pure happiness jumped into your lap; you wouldn't even take it." Percy seethed. Annabeth flared back. Was he seriously mad that she was trying hard to be a selfless person. ARGH.

"I am happy enough." She defended herself. "I am so happy! More than anyone else I'm sure. I have the best friends and best life. Why wouldn't I be happy?!" Perhaps she was going overboard. But goddamnit, her pride was not taking shit.

"Sure, I totally believe that."

"You better. It's true."

"Of course. You definitely have never before pushed away chances of being happy. Not at all." His voice was oozing spiteful sarcasm. Annabeth glared at him fiercely.

"You can fuck off." She snapped. Percy gripped the cup tightly. His jaw was tightened and eyes dangerously dark green. He stood up stiffly and began to stalk away.

"Will do."

She continued to glare at him until it was far enough away. He returned the angry look and they engaged in a 3 second staring contest. Annabeth groaned and rubbed her temples. She kept her vision away from him. God, today was her birthday and Percy had pissed her off beyond words.

↞ມ↠

"I'm sorry."

Annabeth squinted at the messy-haired boy in front of her. It was 8:29 in the morning and as much as Annabeth woke up early, she was very confused as to why she was doing it so now. Percy was holding out a small wrapped gift to her with a shy and apologetic look on his face.

When she had woken up today, Annabeth hadn't expected to open the door at a time like this. She was not prepared in the slightest. Her blonde curls were not brushed in the slightest and still in the messy bun that she had put it in the night before. It was barely holding onto the hair tie. Perhaps if she was more awake, she'd be more conscious of the fact that the shorts she were wearing were being covered by the oversized t-shirt. And that this was making Percy blush. However, Annabeth was yet to fully come out of sleep.

"What?" She said, also too tired to be angry. Percy shoved the gift at her; it narrowly fell out of her hands.

"For last night." He said, avoiding her gaze. Annabeth bit her lip, not sure what to say. "I shouldn't have gotten mad."

Annabeth quirked an eyebrow up and crossed her arms, leaning against the frame of the door. "Yeah, I don't know why you got mad." She said flatly. Percy shyly smiled at her and shugged.

"I'm sorry for that."

"Glad to know you apologize. Some people are too prideful to do that." Namely, her. At the very least, Annabeth could see her own faults. There were many times where she knew things were her fault but she was too prideful and stubborn to fix things.

"Like you?"

"Shut up."

Percy laughed, it was as bright as the sun behind him. Annabeth smiled a bit; through her hazy mind, she registered that she liked the sound of his laugh, maybe a bit too much? Percy poked the gift that Annabeth now had in her hand.

"Open it."

Carefully Annabeth untied the ribbon and began to peel up the tape. Percy urged her to hurry up.

"Gods, you're going to slowwwww." Percy whined.

"I'm trying not to rip the paper."

"Chill, it's just paper. You don't need to save it."

"Be quiet." Annabeth snapped playfully. When she did unwrap it- finally- it was a blank, heliotrope box. She wrinkled her eyebrows at it before opening the lid. It was… oh my god.

Annabeth gasped. "I-when-I… oh my god- this- I- I-" Annabeth stuttered. Percy began to cackle.

"I rendered you speechless. Damn, I never thought that could happen. You always have a bite back." He snickered. Annabeth swatted his head.

Percy had gifted her a beautiful, silver necklace. It had a simple thin chain and an owl pendant. It was more of a cartoon style, and very cute. Annabeth's brain immediately flew to how much it could have cost.

"Percy… I love it. It's beautiful. I- it must be a lot. You… you didn't have to." She said. Percy laughed a bit shyly.

"I know." He said, looking at her with bright eyes. His expression was so soft on her. Annabeth felt her face get warm. She prayed it wasn't too pink. "But I wanted to." Something squeezed her heart tightly.

"Thank you. I love it." She said. Percy smiled widely at her. Annabeth unclasped the necklaced, or at least tried to. Percy laughed at her, that earned him a hit in the arm, and did it for her.

"Can I?" He asked and made a turning motion with his hands. Annabeth lifted her hair and turned around so he could clasp it behind her. His fingers lightly brushed the back of her neck and a shudder nearly went through her. When Percy moved back, Annabeth let her hair fall back in the barely staying together bun and fingered the pendent.

"Thanks, again." He smiled at her again. With a wave, Percy turned back to his car and drove off. Annabeth watched the car go until it left her vision. Going back to her room, she picked up the pendent between her fingers again.

Originally, she had intended to go back to sleep. But Annabeth couldn't. The world had vivified. Too much so that she couldn't just knock back into slumber. With a goofy smile, Annabeth squeened the owl.

On the necklace. Tha Percy got for her.

↞ມ↠

It was safe to say that Annabeth had to do some reviewing with her feelings and life after she caught herself holding onto the pendant. It had only been a week but there was a mental note in her head that she could never take it off. And solely for the reason that Percy had given her the necklace. Whatever that tight feeling she had gotten, it had only gone since there. Or maybe it had always been there. Annabeth recalled a warm and special feeling whenever she was with Percy, one she always pushed away.

Annabeth wasn't a stupid person. Cynical as hell? Sure. Pessimistic and snarky as can be? One could say that. More sardonic than a 17-year old should be? Well… perhaps. But she wasn't stupid. She liked Percy and in a less than platonic way. And probably had for way longer than she was letting herself think. She groaned and face planted into her bed.

This was not good.

↞ມ↠

When Annabeth slipped into Percy's room on the day of his 18th birthday, it was 11:45. And yet the kid was still snoring away in bed. Annabeth smiled fondly at him. He was drooling into his pillow. The blonde barely stifled her giggles. He was 18 now, but was still drooling like a baby. Gently, Annabeth began to shake him awake. He groaned before eyes fluttered open to reveal the stunning green.

"Mhubjba?" He said. Annabeth laughed and brushed her hand over his hair.

"You drool in your sleep." She said affectionately. He pushed himself into a sitting position and rubbed his eyes like a young child would. He pouted at her.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his morning voice low and grumbling. Annabeth raised a brow at him.

"It's your birthday." She said drily.

Percy's brain seemingly didn't compute that for a second. But when it did, a huge grin spread across his face. He silently screamed in excitement.

"It's my birthday!" He reiterated. Annabeth laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, it is." She said in a teasing voice.

At the moment, Sally walked into the room, in her hands a tray with breakfast/lunch on it. "Good morning." She said excitedly placing the tray in front of him. On it, was a plate of bright blue pancakes. They were soaked in sticky sweet maple syrup and topped with fluffy whipped cream. The blueberries were falling off the top and rolling to the sides of the tray. "Eat quickly, you're going down to the lakehouse today with your friends, remember?" Sally said, stroking Percy's cheek lovingly. He smiled back at her. Sally sighed. "You're still a baby to me." She said softly.

Annabeth smiled at the two and slipped out of the room, giving them the mother-son time she knew they wanted.

By the time Percy had eaten, got out of bed, and driven them to Montauk, it was 3:30 PM. Annabeth had nagged him to go faster but in true Percy fashion, he was disastrous.

They were the last ones to get to the house, much to the amusement of everyone else. The first thing they did was give him his gifts. To say the least, Percy had a got of candy and Annabeth was mildly concerned. Annabeth grabbed her second and more special gift from her bag and hid it behind her. Percy was crying over a photobook their friends had gifted him. Annabeth smiled so widely from seeing him happy, she had to bite her lip.

"He's still a kid, I swear." Piper muttered to her, downing half of her soda. Annabeth agreed wholeheartedly, though she wouldn't change that part of him. His kid-like behavior was enduring and rare in the real world. She knew what he had gone through, from abusive step-fathers to bullies, and with all of that, Percy was able to stay relatively optimistic. It was quite a feat, Annabeth admired it.

When everyone went to go change into swimsuits (because goddammit it was swimmer Percy Jackson's birthday and they were by a lake of all things) Annabeth and Percy had already changed so she took the time to give him his other gift.

"I wanted to get one that is a bit more personal than candy." Annabeth said, giving it to him. His gift was a kickboard. She wanted to give him something useful, and well… swimmer. But it was special in that, she had it engraved. Lasered in were the words…

Swim Fast My Seaweed Brain 3 - Wise Girl

To say the least, Percy almost sobbed. He flung himself onto Annabeth and hugged her tight. She nearly slipped off of the dock they were on.

"I take it you like it?'

"I love it! So much!" He practically shouted. Annabeth smiled widely at him, ignoring her lungs crying out for more air. She softly said, I'm glad, to him and he pulled back to look at her directly.

Percy took in a shaky breath. "I have something to tell you." He blurted out. Annabeth raised a brow and put her hands to her sides.

"Go ahead." She said, motioning for him to start talking. He bit his lip and seemed to have a short intrual struggle. Annabeth looked at him confused. Percy kept taking in breaths and running his hand through his hair and Annabeth genuinely wondered if he would ever get to what the heck he was trying to tell he-

"I like you."

Annabeth froze, her eyes went wide and her brain melted. Did- did he just? Percy just said… hold up… h-hold up. He- Percy… WHAT THE FUCK!?

"I'm sorry what now?" Annabeth said, her mind completely fried. Percy looked at her and attempted a big smile but it slipped into one that was more nervous and shy.

"I can't keep pretending anymore. I really really really like you. And I've been trying to act like I'm fine with just being friends but… I don't think I can do this anymore. On the first day of school… I saw you. You- you were with Silena and Piper and Rachel and I thought 'wow I transferred to a school with a princess attending it'. And I asked people who you were and they said 'that's Annabeth Chase'. All I heard about how nice you were, how funny you were, how sassily and snarky you were. Everyone they- they adored you and half the guys talked about how they wished they had the guts to ask you out. They said you were super intimidating and all I was, was intrigued. From day 1, I just… I just couldn't take my eyes off you."

Well. If Annabeth thought she was shocked before. Now she had been struck lighting. And not by the cardboard cutout of a lighting bolt that Thalia had kept in her room for 3 years and did hit her in the head with. Annabeth began to shake her head and opened her mouth to say… something? Something about how unreal he was being. Something about how surprised she was. Something about how this couldn't be happening. But Percy didn't even give her the time to get even a word out.

"I- I didn't know if you even tolerated me. Especially after… after trying to talk to you during that party where- when you were reading in the truck. But it was such a never-ending crush, and… when Rachel asked me if I wanted to eat lunch with you guys. I jumped at the chance to even possibly be your friend."

Percy kept on spilling stuff.

"There were so many times where I tried to say or do or make a move or… something. I tried to ask you to Homecoming. Or I tried to make myself do it. I was so nervous. But I thought someone had asked you when you said your group was going with dates and I literally went home and bawled. I mean, it's embarrassing for me to admit but I thought I lost my chance. During Christmas, I wanted to... beg you to play that mistletoe game with us because… I really, really, really wanted to kiss you. But you thought I wanted to kiss Calypso for… some... reason? And Valentine's day. Oh my gods, I chickened out when I told myself I'd ask you. That's why I- I- didn't say yes to Kelli. That's why I said you didn't need to go find my dream girl. Because I already knew who she was and she was standing right in front of me but I didn't have the guts to tell you."

At this point, Annabeth's jaw was on the ground and she felt like she was floating. She had pinched herself three… four times! And Percy was still going.

"I got so mad at you on your- your birthday of all days. And I'm sorry, I really am. But I was so mad… at the fact that you never thought of yourself. Even in the slightest way. It was always about everyone else. You never- you never felt like you were allowed to have all this blissful happiness that you gave everyone else. And I just- I was so mad about it. I wanted to do something really special for you and you brushed off your big day and thought it was unimportant. But it's so important. Because it's a day where we can celebrate you. And I wanted to do that. I really wanted to celebrate you."

Percy wiped away tears that were on Ananbeth's face that she didn't even know was there. Her hands were covering her mouth and nose. Some whimpers let out but mostly the cries were silent. "I- just. Why? Like why me? Out of everyone else." Any normal person would have taken the win by now. A sweet, caring, attractive guy was professing his feelings for her? One she had finally admitted to herself that she liked back? Well… this was probably a good time to mention that Annabeth was anything but normal. With all her baggage, her first instincts were to question.

"Why wouldn't it be you out of everyone else?" Percy threw back at her. She noticed his eyes were shining with tears as well, though this was like the 3rd time he'd cried just on this day so it wasn't much of a shocker. "You're so smart and caring and pretty. I've never met a person more selfless than you. You love so hard. You do so much for everyone else. You're the funniest person I've ever met, the only person who can keep up with my sarcasm and the only person to really get me. I know you feel like you don't deserve love. But you do. You really do. You're always trying to make a 'movie and picture perfect' life for everyone else. I wanna give you that. I want to make you happier than you ever thought was even possible."

Somehow, their faces had gotten really close and if Annabeth just pushed in a little but, her lips would meet his. He took in a breath, it felt like he had stolen hers.

"I like you too but... I'm not that girl though. The one that guys like you fall for." She said, barely holding onto her philosophy. God, she was about to get what she had always wanted and in true Annabeth fashion, she was pushing it away. She felt his body shake from laughter.

"But I did. I did fall for you. I still don't get your whole, movie thing. And the stuff about 'guys like me' and 'girls like you' or whatever. And no offense, but I don't care. I like you. Out of everyone in the world. I like you and I am so happy about it." Percy said, putting his hands on her cheeks, pulling them together infinitesimally closer. Annabeth smiled, wider than she ever thought she could.

"Really?"

"Gods, have I not made it clear?" He said sarcastically. Annabeth had half a mind to smack him but the other and more dominating part said no, kiss him.

"Shut up and kiss me."

He tasted like blue jelly beans, which was odd but perfect. His lips were chapped but it was perfect. It was a bit awkward, she didn't really know what to do as this was her first kiss yet somehow it was perfect.

They pulled apart when they both ran out of breath but didn't stray too far.

"FINALLY!" Their friends shouted behind them. Percy and Annabeth broke apart and looked at their smirking faces long enough to see them running. In one big push, their friends had thrown them into the lake. Annabeth hit the cold water with a sharp feeling on her skin and loud splash. Her body moved by instinet and she began to tread to stay afloat. Her grey eyes looked around for Percy and found that he wasn't more than a foot away.

They smiled at each other, unbelieving their own luck.

"That was way harder than it needed to be." Percy complained. Annabeth laughed and in a bout of courage or maybe adrenaline, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I'll never make this easy." Annabeth said. She was damaged, had baggage and was too smart for her own good.

"Just as I like it." Percy replied. He was a child at heart, the loudest person in the room and had his own hidden demons.

When he pulled them down into the water and pressed his lips against hers again. It was strange, kissing underwater. But just like they were together, it was perfect the way it was. And Annabeth had to admit. All of those teen rom-com movies?

They had nothing on her life.

AN: I was thinking of retelling the story but from Percy's POV. Also I decided to put a lot of random uncommon words into the story because isn't it such an Annnabeth thing to do to know and use all these worlds that mere mortals don't know?