Happy New Years everybody! I hope this new year brings you guys prosperity and God bless! This story has been doing tremendously well and I love all the reviews! Keep it up you guys!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson series Rick Riordon does.

Annabeth POV

I probably should've expected it, but it seems like I've underestimated the stupidity of my fellow peers. As soon as Percy and I walked out of the library it was like a flashback of last year only much worse. Like wolves they seemed to sense Percy and I as their heads snapped in our direction. Nudging their friends the whispers started.

"Well shit." Percy muttered and I elbowed him.

"You really need to stop cursing! It's a terrible habit!" I glared at him, yet he just brushed me off.

"I'm so sorry mom." He muttered sarcastically.

I glared at him and he does a mock salute in return. I wondered how it was possible for one to be unbearably irritating one minute then sweet the next. He's like a sour patch kid.

We continued our walk down the hallway ignoring the stares. We were just walking pass my locker when a loud voice shouts.

"Annabeth!"

I stupidly turned around immediately regretting the action. A few feet away from me stood the electric blue eyed, dark haired girl I was trying to avoid. Thalia.

A handful of people kept walking as she made her way to me, most people waiting in anticipation to see the 'show'. I stiffened as she got closer and turned to Percy.

"You didn't tell her anything, right?" I asked and he shook his head, his dark hair moving with him. His eyes were trained on Thalia.

"Nope!" He said popping the 'p'. His care free attitude eased my nerves a little bit as Thalia reached us an annoyed expression on her face.

"Where have you been?" She asks me folding her arms. "I've been trying to reach you, but you wouldn't answer your phone."

I frown at her confrontational tone and fold my own arms. Percy notices and steps a little in between us. He shoots Thalia a scolding look.

"Why don't we do this at-"

"I don't want to talk you." I say flatly, narrowing my eyes at her as anger starts to bubble in my chest. She looks taken aback at my tone before she recomposes herself.

"What's your problem Annabeth?" She snaps and I blink. What was my problem? My problem!

The unapologetic look on her face makes my fingers clench into tight fists.

"What's your problem?! I'm not the one spreading rumors that Percy and I are dating!"

"I'm not spreading rumors! You did that on your own!"

I grit my teeth letting out a bitter laugh. I shake my head as she glared at me and Percy looks at her incredulously just as surprised by her attitude as I am. He points an accusing finger in her direction.

"You told me that Annabeth told Luke we were dating, but she didn't."

"Yeah she did." Thalia said and I felt like ripping my hair out.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about! I don't even talk to Luke-"

"Yes you did!" She insisted. "You told the whole entire school you two were dating. You shouted it and everybody heard! It's your fault! Stop trying to pin the blame on me!"

I was about to respond when Percy intervened.

"Okay let's just stop." He said. "You guys obviously aren't getting anywhere and we're starting to attract an audience."

I broke my stare down with Thalia and looked out to the side. He was right. We weren't loud, but a few nosy people were staring at the three of us. I glared at every single one of them as Percy continued

"We'll settle this at lunch, ok?"

"Fine." Thalia huffed and a strong look flashed through Percy's eyes. He stared at Thalia for what seemed like a second too long before taking a long exhale through his nose. Thalia quirked an eyebrow at him.

"What?" She asked and Percy shook his head at her, like one would do to a child.

"You're unbelievable." He mutters and I tried to keep my face neutral, cause to say I was shocked would be an understatement. I could tell by his eyes that wasn't angry, but he was trying his best to keep his cool.

"I honestly can't believe your acting like this Thalia, it's really disappointing."

Thalia scoffed again, but she let her mask fall for a second. That's when I saw it. I saw the hurt in her eyes as her gaze flickered from me to Percy. It quickly went away as she feigned to be uninterested with the situation.

"You've literally been here for four days Percy. The only thing you know about Annabeth is her name-"

"I know that you're acting like a terrible best friend." Percy snapped back and Thalia takes a step back. For a second her eyes looks at me to defend her, but I just shake my head. It was true. She wasn't a terrible best friend, but at this moment she sure was acting like it.

"Like Percy said, we'll settle this at lunch."

As soon as I was finished Thalia stormed off, angrily weaving her way through people. We watch her as she goes before she disappears into the crowds. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before turning to Percy. He had an indifferent expression on his face as he stared out into the hallway.

A wave of guilt washed over me. I shouldn't have gotten him involved with any of this. I fiddle with my thumbs as I try to form the right words. His attention shifts towards me.

"I-um…" My mind draws blank, with Percy still looking at me expectantly. My eyes wander to the hall where Thalia left.

"W-Why'd you d-do that? Now she's…y-you guys are…I didn't want to-"

"It's fine Annabeth." Percy cut me off a troubled look on his face. "Don't worry about us. We've been through worse."

His words don't reassure me like they're supposed to. Instead I'm left with a feeling of dread mixed with self-anger. I'm even more confused and don't know how I'm supposed to feel. A stressed sigh escapes me and Percy rests a hand on my shoulder. It's a friendly gesture that makes my heart warm the slightest bit.

"Let's go to class." He suggests and I give him a small smile. We start to walk down the hallway again. We attract stares since we're walking together, but luckily that's all they are. Stares.

"So this is what it's like to be popular." Percy commented and I couldn't tell if he was mad or amused.

"I guess." I say choosing my words carefully. I held on to the strap of my backpack tighter, shifting the weight of it between my shoulders. The awkwardness could be felt a mile away, as we walked together in sync.

It didn't help that I also felt like all eyes were on me. That I was under a microscope and everyone was examining me, dissecting every part of me bit by bit. Their eyes burned me and I could feel them probing at me, looking for flaws…Okay maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but that's how it feels!

"So..." Percy drags out after a deep sigh. "Detention on Friday? That should be fun, huh?"

I quirk an eyebrow at him, but can't help the small smile that creeps it's way to my face.

"You do know what detention is right? Sitting in a smelly classroom in complete silence, while you reflect on your life decisions. Ring any bells?" I tease him a little and he smiles rubbing his hands together.

"If there's anything that stays the same, it's detention. It's like coming back home again!" He jokes, but his laugh is a little too strained and his face a little too serious for my taste.

I bit my lip for a few seconds, contemplating whether to question him or not. His eyes got this slightly far away gaze to them that he tried to cover up by smiling, but I saw right through it. He was sad. Like really sad. The shine in his emerald eyes seemed to lose it's sparkle and his walking pace slowed down for just a fraction of a second.

I cleared my throat to catch his attention. He blinked a few times before turning his focus on me, his eyes still glazed.

"Where did you live before you moved here?" I finally asked before I lost my nerve.

We were approaching our separate classrooms, with a few minutes to spare. Part of me was expecting him to give me a curt one word answer before storming off into his classroom, but Percy surprised me.

"I lived in New York with my parents before I came to San Francisco." He answered, stopping at the side of my classrooms doorway. He leaned against the frame comfortably as he thought back to his home.

"New York?" I yelped surprised. "You mean the New York?"

Percy nodded his head a small smile tipping at the corners of his lips. "Yeah. Good ole New York City."

"New York City? The Big Apple!"

Percy broke out into a real genuine laugh, amused by my reaction. I was completely flabbergasted!

"Oh my gosh. I've been hanging out with a New Yorker all this time!" I cried and he rolled his eyes.

"You're acting as if we're not human Annabeth. We're not the nicest people in the world, but we're still apart of the human species. Well, most of us-"

"Are the buildings really as big as the pictures or is it just the angle it's shot at? I mean we have some pretty nice towers here, but New York is packed! Gosh the structure of the buildings and how they're placed so closely, yet they miraculously blend together is crazy! It's so busy yet peaceful at the same time." I gushed before hastily taking my backpack off. I got out my black architect binder, leaning closer to Percy, before pointing out the picture to him.

"Have you ever been to this theater? It's off Broadway, but it's just as good if not better than any theater out there. I mean look at the beautiful art on the walls and the way the top part kind of caves in-"

"Awww! Look at the two lovebirds!" A girl shouted as she walked past us. I stopped mid-sentence as those who were in the hallway looked in our direction. My happy glow evaporated and a few people snickered at the girls outburst. Fiery anger seemed to seep through every cell of my body as I trained my eyes at the back of the female dog's brown hair.

"At least I can get somebody to love me and not just some stupid one night stand you poltroon, loblolly, slu-"

The rest of my sentence was muffled by Percy, who hastily covered my mouth and pulled me into my classroom.

"Lemf meee go!" I attempt to yell at him, but my voice comes out muffled. Percy sighs as I contract my stomach, twisting and turning to try and pull his large hand off my mouth.

"Stop screaming." He said and I shouted with even more force. He pressed his hand harder against my mouth, muffling me. "Calm the hell down Annabeth!"

I screamed louder continuing to twist and turn. He pulled me closer and closer to him despite my futile efforts, until there was no space between us. My back pressed against his chest at an awkward angle as his other arm wrapped around my waist, keeping my arms still.

"If you calm down, I'll let you go." He promised. I tried to budge from his grip, but he was too strong. A moment later I stopped struggling. I was panting from all the screaming and anger.

Slowly, but surely he removed his hand from my mouth. He turned me around and let go of my hands. I slapped him.

"Ow! What the hell Annabeth?!" He whisper screamed clutching his cheek. I glowered at him pushing him away from me.

"Why would you do that?" I yell at him and he widens his eyes.

"Why did you slap me?" He shoots back swinging with his hand towards his right cheek. I could see the skin reddening, but couldn't find it in me to care. He deserved it!

"Because you didn't let me smack her!" I fire back referring to the stupid, slut outside. He looks at me incredulously, which only makes me want to smack him again.

"That doesn't mean you have to take it out on me! You fucking slapped me-"

"Oh shut up!" I snap at him. "Maybe that'll teach you to not get in my way next time. And if you ever put your hand over my mouth again, I'll bite it off!"

"Look at yourself!" He exclaims gesturing towards me and my fury sparks. "You're acting crazy! Don't let them have this control over you-"

"I'm perfectly fine!"

"No. You're not. 'Perfectly fine' people don't smack other people." He rolls his eyes, still rubbing his cheek.

"Just leave me alone. I have another idiot to deal with." I say brushing past him, but he grabs my arm.

"No." He says firmly. "You're only going to make things worse. Let's not forget I'm in this mess too! You can't just blurt things out about our nonexistent love affair-"

"Well don't worry! I'm usually very careful with my insults." I retort trying to take my arm away from his. "Let go!"

"No, just stay here and wait for your teacher to come. They should be back any minute." He said and that's when I noticed the Dunkin Donuts cup, along with a huge black binder on the table.

"Just stay in here." He continued almost pleadingly. His green eyes seemed to widen with desperation and the smallest of pouts was on his lips.

"But she-"

"I'll tell you all about New York if you stay!"

"That's what the internet is for-"

"I'll tell you everything you want to know about New York! Like how we never walk in the streets or how we say bacon, egg and cheese, like it's one word instead of four-"

"That's stupid."

"But it's true…and I bet you can't find that on the internet."

I pause for a second. As much as I hate to admit it, his offer does sound tempting. But I was still really angry. I wanted to knock that girl down a few pegs and show her what it was like to be embarrassed in front of people. Usually when I set my mind on something, no one can talk me out of it, but when I see the stupid hope in his eyes I get tongue tied. It's like part of me wanted to say no to his ridiculous offer, but part of me also wanted to say yes. That side seemed to have control of my mouth.

"Fine." I relented, my voice not sounding like my own. "I won't do anything, but you have to tell me everything."

Percy gave me a relieved sigh, a smile breaking out onto his face. "I promise I will…but only If you continue to keep your cool."

I roll my eyes at him annoyed. "I'm always cool, just at different temperatures sometimes."

Percy cocked his head to the side, thinking over what I said for a few seconds. "That makes no sense."

"Just let go of my arms. You really need to stop this 'holding me against my will' crap. It makes me even more angry."

"Well you're calm now." He points out smirking. He gently lets go of my hands and I give him another, but more gentle, slap on the cheek.

"Shut up."

Done. Yay! It feels so good to be back! Some drama went down in this chapter and I want to know what you guys think. Don't forget to follow, fav and review! PERCABETH IS ADORABLE!

See ya!