So sorry for the long wait! My computer was acting up and then I had so much stuff to do in between, but I am alive! This chapter is going to tell you guys a lot about Thalia's character and her beliefs…I'll leave it at that. Thanks to all those who followed, faved and reviewed!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series Rick Riordan does.
Annabeth's POV
"What the fuck is going on here?!" Thalia screamed at us as Percy and I continued to stare at her and each other in shock.
My brain and mouth weren't cooperating with each other leaving me to open and close my mouth like a fish. Percy was having the same issue as he looked back and forth between Thalia and I.
"Get off of her you doofus! That's my best friend!" Thalia yelled outraged. Her words finally clicked and my brain started working again. I tried to push Percy off the same time he let go of my hands and he lost his balance. With his legs entangled in mine he sent us both toppling to the ground. I was now on top of him…again!
"Get off each other!" Thalia was growing angrier by the second and hastily we tried to untangle ourselves. Once we did I went to the farthest side of the room, away from Percy. I couldn't look him or Thalia in the eyes.
"Thalia it's not what you think! We were just-"
"Shut the hell up Percy, I know what I saw! What are you two thinking?! You guys can not date let alone have sex! You guys are way too young and do you really want to give your virginities to someone you met four days ago? Four damn days ago! No! I forbid it! I fucking forbid it-"
"Thalia! We're not dating!" Percy yelled, but more out of embarrassment than anger.
"We were just fooling around-"
"Oh, there will be no fooling around between the two of you! That's just down right disgusting! No! My best friend and cousin will not be doing that friends with benefit shit! That's a form of incest!"
Still embarrassed I raised an eyebrow at her last sentence.
"Thalia I don't think you know the meaning of the word incest. Incest is when a family member has a sexual relationship with another family memb-"
"I don't have time for your blabbering Annabeth, this is serious! Why didn't you tell me you were seeing my cousin? How could you do that to me and in my own house! You two cannot be together okay? That's just insane and completely ridiculous!"
"Why?" I found myself asking. I didn't show it, but her rant was really getting to me.
"Why?" She asked incredulously, looking at me like I was stupid.
"Because he's my cousin and you're my best friend! Just that should keep you from even thinking of each other in a romantic way!"
I wanted to argue back, but I knew if I did she would only take it as me being defensive. I decided it was time to leave.
"It wasn't what it looked like Thalia." I attempted to convince her one last time. It didn't work as she continued to stare me down. I sighed.
"I've got to go, but I'll see you guys tomorrow where I'll explain everything."
I walked past Thalia, still refusing to make eye contact with Percy, and left the room. Jason passed by me giving me a questioning look, that I ignored. I could hear their arguing as I reached the bottom stair and I felt terrible. Not because I was guilty, I know I'm not! I'm just mad and disappointed at how Thalia reacted. I understand her frustration but…actually I don't understand her frustration!
What does it matter if Percy and I dated? I mean sure it might be a little awkward at times, but we'd get past it…why am I even thinking about this? Percy would never go out with m-I mean I would never go out with Percy!
I was half way home when I heard the faint call of my name.
"Annabeth!"
I turned around to see a tiny figure running towards me. Thinking it was Thalia I quickened my step. I didn't want to talk to her at all. My name was called yet again, but this time I refused to turn around.
A couple minutes later the shouting stopped and I slowed down knowing that she had finally left me alone. I was walking on my block when someone grabbed my arm. Startled I screamed, using my free arm to elbow the person in the stomach. The intruder grunted and their grip slacked. I yanked my arm free and turned around to face them.
"Shit Annabeth!" Percy grunted all hunched over.
"You couldn't just turn around-"
"Percy? What the hell are you doing? You scared me half to death!" I yelled at him. Who in their right mind sneaks up behind a person, grabs their arm and expects them to be okay with it?
"I came here to apologize, plus I didn't want you walking home alone…Damn that's one hell of an arm you got there!" Percy said still holding his stomach. My eyes softened and my heart warmed.
"Oh." I said helping him up.
"I called your name, but you didn't-"
"I thought it was Thalia calling me." I admitted sheepishly and Percy stared at me blankly.
"Do I sound like Thalia to you?"
"Look I'm sorry, but you were far away and I couldn't hear you that well-"
"How could you mistake me for a teenage girl…Maybe you sound like a dude." He mumbled that last part but I still heard it.
"I do not sound like guy!" I said bumping his shoulder with mine.
"Well, I don't sound like a girl!"
"I never said you did!"
"You implied it!" He said copying my words from our previous argument. I glared at him, tempted to elbow him in the stomach again.
"Well at least I didn't-"
"Annabeth?" A frail familiar voice called. I turned my head to see Rose, an elderly woman that lives on my street, on her front porch.
"Hi Rose." I said awkwardly knowing that she had heard everything.
"Come here." She said beckoning me towards her. She was an African American woman with, gray hair and she had the sweetest smile. She's the kindest lady I've ever met and her presence alone brightened up any room.
I walked over to her dreading the embarrassing conversation to come. She was always curious about my love life or lack thereof and now that she's caught me with a boy, which just had to be Percy of all people, she'll never let me live this down.
Percy followed behind me as I walked up her porch steps and gave her a hug.
"What are you doing out here this late? It's almost eight o'clock." Rose asked. She wasn't used to seeing me out this late.
"Your usually at home by now studying." I could feel Percy's eyes on me when she said this and I shook my head in embarrassment.
"I was at Thalia's house." I answered vaguely. Rose saw straight through me like she always does and gave me a look.
"This whole time?" She questioned her eyes flickering behind me at Percy.
"Cause I could've sworn I saw Thalia not too long ago walking with that blonde headed boy…" She let the statement hang in the air and I felt Percy shift behind me. That's when I remembered passing by Jason on my way out.
"Oh that was her brother Jason. He has lacrosse today." I said and heard Percy let out a small sigh of relief.
"So let's try this again Annabeth! Where have you been?" She cocked her head innocently, enjoying every second of this.
"Fine. I went to the movies then I-"
"With who?" She asked and I could see an amused smile desperately wanting to break out onto her lips.
"With him." I said pointing my head in Percy's direction. Rose looked behind me and pretended to be shocked.
"Oh I'm sorry I didn't see you there before. I'm Rose." She stuck her hand out and Percy moved pass me to shake it. His arm brushed against mine sending that incredible tingly feeling coursing through my veins again. A small shiver ran down my spine.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Rose, my names Percy." He said charmingly and gently shook her hand.
"Are you Annabeth's boyfriend?" She asked bluntly.
"Rose!" I yelped embarrassed. Percy turned to me his face red, as Rose waved me off.
"N-No me and Annabeth aren't dating." He said and Rose frowned.
"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's rain. I know you two are dating, I saw the way you were looking at each other. Annabeth's never looked at a boy that way before…in fact she's never looked at any boy before-"
"Rose it was nice seeing you but we have to go!"
"Fine." Rose grumbled pretending to be upset, but I could still see the teasing glint in her eyes.
"When you come on Thursday make sure to bring him with you! I'd like to get to know him better." Percy smiled at her while I shook my head at her from behind him.
"Fine, but we have to go now. It's getting dark…I also have some really exciting news to tell you on Thursday." I said, walking down her porch steps, thinking of my mom's pregnancy. She would be thrilled when I told her, but I also took this as an opportunity to get a little revenge.
"Why can't you tell me now?" She asked and knowing how much she hates surprises I smile innocently.
"I have to get home, I shouldn't be out at this time remember?"
Rose huffed and I called out
"Don't worry I'll tell you on Thursday!"
"What if I die on Wednesday?" She asked.
"Don't say that!"
"It could happen!"
I shook my head at her behavior. Why do I always hang out with such crazy people?
"Bye Rose."
"Bye Annabeth" she grumbled. I saw her get up to go inside as Percy and I started walking.
"Sorry about that," I said embarrassed.
"Rose can be a little..."
"Stubborn sometimes?" He suggests giving me a pointed look.
"I wondered where you got yours from!" He laughed and even I chuckled.
"I actually got my stubbornness from my mom, but I get Rose could've had a little influence on me...along with Thalia." I regretted those last words as Percy asked the dreaded question.
"Speaking of Thalia, what are we gonna do?"
I sighed not wanting to even think back to her reaction.
"I don't know…I'll just make up something tomorrow, as to why her idiot of a cousin decided to straddle me-"
"Hey! You got on top of me first!"
"No I didn't! You started this whole straddling fest when you straddled me first!"
"Well technically that first straddle wasn't really a straddle cause-"
"And how exactly would you know that?" I asked testing him. I felt a burning, queasy, feeling bubble at the pit of my stomach. I remember feeling the same way when I was five and my dad gave my cousin a new shirt for Christmas.
Percy stared at me before letting out a big laugh.
"Are you trying to imply that I'm a player?" Percy laughed and I scowled.
"I'm not implying anything, just asking a simple question."
"I can assure you Annabeth that I am the farthest thing from a player! I haven't even ki-" Percy paused before shaking his head, chuckling. The feeling vanished and his words left a surprisingly nice, bunch of tingles flowing through me.
"Anyway," I say changing the subject back to Thalia.
"I'll sort everything out tomorrow…just sleep with one eye open though."
"Trust me I will!"
We were at my front door and Percy was getting ready to leave when I finally got the courage to ask him
"Do you agree with Thalia?"
"What do you mea-"'
"Do you think it would be wrong if we ever…you know."
"If we ever what?" He asked, but I could see the corner of his lips turning up slightly. I shoved his shoulder and he broke out into that full gorgeous smile of his.
"Fine! If you and I were to ever date, do you think it would be wrong?" I held my breath as I waited for his answer.
"No." He answered as if it was a stupid question. I relaxed as Percy continued
"Sure it would be extremely awkward for her, but it shouldn't matter. What matters is that we're happy…I mean that we would be!"
"Wow," I teased, ignoring my fluttering heart.
"You actually said something intelligent for once!"
Percy gave me a look of disgust.
"You're right! I think some of your nerd germs are rubbing off on me!"
"Yeah well…you have cooties!" I retorted childishly and Percy paused before responding thoughtfully
"Cooties and nerd germs are the same thing, when you think about it."
"Only you would actually think about it-"
The door suddenly opened startling the both of us and I turned to see who it was. My mother stood in the door and let me tell you she was very happy to see me.
"Annabeth!" She cried throwing her arms around me. I was taken aback by her sudden burst of affection, but hugged her back. My mom pulled me back examining me.
"I was so worried about you, I thought something happened! Oh my gosh I was about to call the police, but you dad-"
"Why would you call the police?" I asked and she looked at me as if I was stupid.
"Because you weren't home!" Her eyes darted around my face still inspecting me until she looked behind me. Her eyes hardened.
"Who is this?" She asked harshly, eyeing Percy suspiciously.
"That's Percy." I said as he smiled at my mom uncomfortably.
"He's my friend."
"Friend?" She spat.
"But he's a boy, you never have any male friends-"
"Why don't we just go inside!" I said my face burning. Please stop talking mom!
"Are you the reason my Annabeth is home so late? Cause if you are I'm going to make sure you-"
"Mom!"
"You know boys these days want one thing and one thing only! They only want sex! It's always sex this, sex that! You see what sex did to me!" She yelled pointing to the tiny baby bump on her stomach.
"I am too damn young to be a grandmother and you young lady are saving yourself for marriage, just like I did!"
"We're not having sex mom!" I said completely mortified. This is the second time in the last hour that someone accused us of having sex and it's humiliating!
She did that weird 'I'm your mother so I'm gonna use my motherly powers to see if you're telling the truth our not by looking into your eyes' stare.
I guess I passed the test cause she let out a big sigh of relief.
"Alright…well than it's nice to meet you!" She cheered sticking her hand out to Percy.
I expected Percy to storm of and reject her greeting, but once again he surprised me.
"Nice to meet you too Mrs. Chase!" He smiled, shaking her hand. When they let go Percy said
"I just wanted to make sure she got home safely…see you tomorrow Annabeth." He said flashing his blinding smile at me.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow…"
I watched him turn around and walk away. My mom pulled me inside the house and closed the door.
"Honey come down here!" She yelled excitedly to my father who I assume was upstairs.
I gave her a questioning look but she just continued to stare at me excitedly. My dad came down the stairs a little fearful.
"You called darling?" He said and I heard his voice shake. I was scared too.
"Our baby has her first boyfriend!" She said jumping up and down.
"What?!" Dad and I shouted.
"Since when?!" he barked.
"Since tonight!" My mom squealed again.
"Oh Fredrick he's so charming! He walked our baby girl home to make sure she was okay-"
"Wait!" He interrupted her, which was never a good thing to do!
"You're allowing her to date a boy we've never met!" Uh oh!
He raised his voice at mom. You never raise your voice at mom! I ran up the stairs before things got ugly. When I closed the door, I could hear my mom yelling some…colorful words.
I threw all of my stuff down and took my clothes off. I took a long relaxing shower that calmed down my nerves a little bit. When I came out my mom was still raving and it didn't look like she was gonna stop anytime soon.
I heard my phone buzz and I walked over to it. It was a text from unknown number. Frowning I opened it.
Hey nerd-I mean Annabeth! It's Percy
In my room, alone I smiled at the text. I typed back
How did u get my number?
I made him a contact in my phone as I waited for him to respond. He texted back
I stole Thalia's phone.
I rolled my eyes at this replying
Of course u did! Btw, I'm really sorry about my mom! Her hormones r all over the place with the baby!
It's ok! U two look almost identical!
I felt myself feeling a little risky so I texted him
Is that a compliment?
I didn't get an answer right away and I started to regret sending the message when my phone vibrated.
I don't know how to answer that without it sounding like I'm digging your mom (which I'm totally not) but I think both of u r extremely beautiful! With that being said, I think I embarrassed myself enough today! Don't u? Good night…nerd
I laughed aloud at his text before I responded
Good night…jerk
I turned my phone off and got into bed, where I found myself dreaming of a sea green colored field surrounded by a pitch black sky.
Awww! Aren't they the cutest? Next chapter Annabeth and Thalia are going to talk about the little scene Thalia walked into which is going to be…interesting! Is it just me or is Annabeth and Percy getting really close? Tell me what you think! Don't forget to follow, fav and review! PERCABETH IS AWESOME!
See ya!