HI GUYS! SO this chapter had been on my mind for a while now so it was much easier to write and a lot quicker too.
I'm already partly done with the chapter after this one because i'm SUPER excited for that one, but you'll have to figure out why later on. ;)

Without further adieu... here is the 12th chapter of Layers.

Everything Percy Jackson belongs to the oh so wonderful... Rick Riordan *applause*.

Previously on Layers...

"There are things in life we don't want to happen, but have to accept; things we don't want to know, but have to learn, and people we can't live without, but have to let go."

He took a deep breath. "I'm going to try to start letting go."

Annabeth held his gaze and nodded. "Me too."

(continued)

"I uh have to go pick Calypso up in an hour and I need to change and stuff." Percy said and heaved himself off the couch.

Annabeth got up too. "Yeah you should." She ran her hands through her hair. "Look Percy. Thank you for talking to me and." She trailed off, "I know how much I hated hearing this when dad died, because most people didn't really mean it. But...I'm truly sorry about your dad, Percy."

He looked at her and smiled a genuine smile.

It was beautiful.

"Thanks. And I'm really sorry about your dad too."

Annabeth nodded and followed him out when he left the room.

Percy told his mom that he needed to the back room to get his backpack.

When he was out of sight, Sally turned towards her and smiled softly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I am. Percy helped a lot actually."

"And he wasn't an ass about it was he?" She asked with an arched eyebrow.

Annabeth laughed, "No, he was surprisingly very nice about it all."

Sally nodded and straightened the papers on her desk. "That's good. He's a sweet boy."

"Okay I'm off mom." Percy said as he walked back. He kissed Sally's cheek and stepped back to look at Annabeth.

"You're not bad, Chase."

"Neither are you, Jackson."

He shook his head and smile, walking to the doors throwing a 'bye' over his shoulder as he left them.

The chimes were left ringing in the silence.

Sally sighed and came around the desk to hug Annabeth tightly. She didn't let go for about a minute.

"What was that for?"

The older lady looked up at her and smiled brightly.

"You guys are going to be the best of friends. I can tell already."

(Line break)

"Mom. I'm home." Annabeth called out as she tossed her house key into the bowl by the door.

"Mom's in her office." One of the twins called out.

Annabeth turned the corner to see Mathew and Bobby playing a racing game in front of the TV.

"How long has she been in there?"

"Few hours," Bobby answered, shrugging.

Annabeth nodded even though they couldn't see her and walked towards her Mother's den.

She decided that it was time to tell her that she had found a job. Not that Athena would care anyway. She hadn't been noticing Annabeth coming home late for almost a month now.

She wasn't sure why she expected her mother to wonder about her whereabouts.

Annabeth pressed her ear against the door and listened to see if she was talking to someone on the phone. It was quiet so she knocked softly.

"Come in." Her mother's bored voice answered.

Annabeth walked in to find her mother holding her outdated blackberry in one hand and a full glass of wine in the other.

Her mother didn't drink very often, but when she did, it usually meant that she had had an especially trying day. Which, to everyone at home, was a sign to stay away.

Annabeth contemplated just turning around and going upstairs, but instead, she squared her shoulders and stepped completely into the room.

She cleared her throat, "Mother I would just like to let you know that I've gotten a job."

"When did this happen?" Athena asked without looking up from her phone.

"About a month ago."

Her mother raised a brow, but not her eyes. "So that's where you've been. I figured you were just out with that boyfriend of yours." She said with distaste coloring her tone.

"Nice to see you've been paying attention. I'm surprised you noticed I was even gone." Annabeth murmured loud enough to make sure Athena heard.

"Where's the job at?" She asked, ignoring Annabeth's jibe.

"Athens Books, It's down the street from-,"

"I know where it is." Her mother interrupted.

Annabeth just huffed.

"Are you getting volunteer hours for working?"

"No."

"Is the owner writing a recommendation letter?"

"Nope."

"How much are you getting paid?"

"9.50 an hour."

Athena finally looked up, her expression annoyed. "That's practically minimum wage, Annabeth. If you aren't earning anything towards college or volunteer hours, I don't see why you're working there." She rolled her eyes. "And don't tell me it's for that meager salary."

Annabeth glared, "No, it's not for college or for money. I just want job. A job where I have responsibilities and make my own money for a change. That's something I'll have to get used to next year anyway."

"Why would you have a job while you're at Columbia?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. Athena was practically the poster child for her dad's favorite college and since Annabeth had started talking, her mother had it drilled it into her head that she was going to be one too one day. Athena used to think it would be so fun to have her husband teach their daughter, but then things changed.

Apparently not enough.

Honestly, if it was up to her mother, Annabeth wouldn't have had a choice in the matter.

"I haven't decided on a college yet, Mom."

"Well you need to figure it out. All the Ivy Leagues are getting ready to start their early admissions and you need to be apart of that."

"And besides," she started, completely disregarding her mother's words, "We can't afford four years, or maybe more, of any of those big schools. I'd have to get a job anyway."

"That's for me to worry about, not you."

"No, it includes me too! I'm the one that doesn't get to go college if we can't pay for it!" She whispered fiercely, aware that her brother were next door. She took a deep breath. "So yes, I think I should contribute to my fund."

"Well you won't be doing much of that with a dead end job at a crappy bookstore." Athena said and brought her eyes back down to her phone.

It was times was times like these where Annabeth wished Thalia's 'hit a bitch' policy included her mother.

Annabeth took a long deep breath in and let it out through her nose.

She had learned that from an anger management documentary.

"Look. I just came in here to tell you about the job." Annabeth walked out of the room.

"Wait." Athena called out.

She turned around and for a second, she thought that maybe her mother was going to apologize.

"Go down the street and pick up the Chinese food for you and the boys. I already ordered."

Annabeth stared at her mother and shook her head in disbelief. "Fine." She muttered and slammed the door when she left.

When she walked back into the living room Bobby was sitting on the arm of the couch waiting on her.

"What was that?" He asked, pointing to the closed door of the office.

"Your mother being your mother."

"She's your mom too you know." Mathew said from in front of the TV.

"It doesn't always feel like it." She mumbled

And like the 6 year olds they were, their minds immediately drifted.

"What's for dinner?"

"Chinese. I'm going down the street, you guys wanna come with me?"

"Yeah!" They both shouted and took off towards the door.

"Slow down and wait for me!" She called after them.

She grabbed their jackets and told them to put them on.

She threw a sweater over her head and grabbed her keys.

"Okay gang, let's go."

She opened the door and the boys sped past her to the stairs. They already knew the drill.

"Slow down and hold each others hands. I don't want to see anyone let go until we get back into the apartment, okay?"

"Okay!" They both cheered.

They made it outside and Annabeth was immediately regretting her sweater choice. It was freezing, but the boys didn't seem bothered by the cold in their bulky jackets.

She grabbed Mathew's hand and instructed him to to the same with his brother.

"Hands together. If I see you guys separated, no crab puffs for whoever let go first." She threatened knowing how serious they were about their crab puffs.

They walked about a block before they reached The Dragon Gong.

Annabeth let go of Mathew as they got into the line.

She was listening to Bobby and Mathew's conversation about his new project for school, when she caught a familiar voice speaking in front of her.

Apparently the line had been moving some. They were second in line to order and right in front of them, buying fried rice for two. Was Jason.

She tapped on his shoulder, smiling. "Jason?"

He whipped around and looked more than shocked to see Annabeth there.

"H-hey Anna. What are you doing here?"

She laughed, "We were sent on food duty." She said gesturing to her brothers.

Jason smiled at them. "Hey guys, how's it going?"

"Fine," Mathew answered. "Annie is making us hold hands until we get home or we don't get any crab puffs." He said sullenly.

"Well that's good. That means you won't get lost." Jason answered trying not to laugh.

"I guess."

She woman behind the counter cleared her throat and jade turned back around to pay.

"Is that for you and Thals?"

"Uh yeah," he said while he grabbed the food and moved to the side so Annabeth could order.

Annabeth told the lady about her mom calling in and turned back to her boyfriend.

"Well you know how Thalia is about her Chinese food. Maybe you should get going."
She offered. He was starting to look uncomfortable standing off to the side like that.

He nodded and leaned in to peck her lips briefly. "Bye. I'll see you tomorrow." He whispered and left the restaurant quietly.

Annabeth's name was called and she stepped forward to grab her bag and the drink she ordered. She paid and they all were walking to the door when she spotted a familiar face looking out the window.

She pointed for the boys to sit down and watch the food as she made her was over to the booth.

"Hey Pipes, are you waiting on someone?" She said, siting across from her.

"Oh hey. Yeah, I was, but he had to cancel."

"Your boyfriend?" She asked sympathetically.

"Yeah. But it's fine. I was getting ready to leave anyway."

She turned towards Annabeth, there were tear tracks on her face.

"Aw Pipes, have you been crying?" She said sadly.

"No, I-I just yawned." Piper said unconvincingly.

"Things will get better, I promise." She said and stood up to hug her friend.

The girl in her arms just nodded.

"Do you want some company?"

Piper shook her head. "No, my mom should be here any minute. Go. Go have fun with your brothers and thanks for talking to me."

Annabeth took that as her dismissal and started to walk back to the twins.

She grabbed their hands and walked out the door, but not before calling out to Piper and telling her bye.

(Line break)

The next day Annabeth was walking into the school with Thalia. "I think I'm gonna sit at the popular table with you today." She said with quotation fingers.

"Why? I thought they were too annoying for you."

Annabeth said, chuckling at the mental picture in her head. Thalia kicking Katie's ass.

"Yeah well, Piper's not at school today, Leo has a nerd competition, and Nico sits with you guys, so it looks like it's my turn to join." Thaila said, sounding like she was facing impending doom.

"It sounds like you're joining a cult."

"Those twig bitches are probably worse than a cult."

"And that, is not how you should start a conversation with them."

"Oh, I won't be talking. I don't need to get my blood pressure high over those hooligans." She said waving Annabeth away.

"You sound like my grandma." Annabeth laughed and then ducked away from Thalia's flying hand.

"Grandma Chase is a rickety old hag. Don't compare me to her."

"Well then stop acting like her and don't go into this already expecting a fight."

Thalia sighed dramatically, "Fine. I'll play nice."

"Good girl," she patted the small girl's head.

Thalia laughed and pushed Annabeth into her class room, "Go to class weirdo."

Annabeth stumbled into the room still chuckling and was met with the curious stares of her classmates.

She blushed and quickly went to her seat to sit next to Piper, who was smiling widely at her.

"You look happy." Piper commented when she Annabeth sat down.

"So do you."

"Thalia and I were playing around." Annabeth tested the waters. "You seem happier than when we saw each other last night."

"Yeah, I finished the night off nicely." She said with a small smile.

"Did your boyfriend come over?

Piper nodded and blushed.

Annabeth laughed evilly, "You got some didn't you." She said and nudged the embarrassed girl next to her.

Piper blushed even harder and let out a chuckle of her own. "No comment."

Annabeth had to rein in her squeal. "Well I'm glad you're in a happy mood again."

"Thanks, Annabeth."

"Now...what's his name?"

And that's how they spent the rest of the period talking about Piper's new boyfriend, David.

(Line break)

When Percy walked into class at the beginning of 2nd period. Not much had changed between them. He still came in after the bell, gave his signature salute to Mr. Brunner and then sat down beside Annabeth without a word.

"Okay class. Today you guys are going to do an assignment with your partners. I'm going to give you some ink blots. You look at them, write down what's the first thing you see, and then look at the charts to interpret what it means. Remember that you and your partner will probably not see the same things."

He walked around the desks and sat 10 ink blots on Percy's desk and a comparison chart and blank sheet of paper on Annabeth's.

"Write your findings on the sheet of paper. You may start."

Annabeth turned towards Percy and decided to get rid of any awkwardness.

"Hi."

"Hey."

Well that helped nothing, she thought.

"Okay so we'll take turns. You can hold the cards up for me. And then I'll hold them up for you."

"Okay." He said quietly.

Held up the first one.

"Lizard."

Annabeth wrote it down and Percy held up the next one.

"Cat."

He held up the next one.

"Fish."

She wrote it down.

"So is this just going to be awkward or are we going to go back to hating each other?" She asked when she finished writing.

He held up the next one and Annabeth just stared at him.

He put down the picture and grinned, "I was under the impression that we still hated each other."

Annabeth felt her face frown up, but she shouldn't have been surprised. This was Percy she was talking to.

He nudged her shoe with his foot. "Oh lighten up, I was just kidding, Chase. If you want to be mushy BFFs, that's not gonna work, but I don't hate you."

Annabeth laughed, "I don't need another best friend, I have Thalia for that. But yes I don't hate you anymore."

Percy reached for the cards again and held one up. "Oh come on, Chase, you know you never hated me."

"I see a Girl. And admit it, you never hated me either." She said with a smirk.

"No I didn't. But you're just so annoying sometimes."

"Don't you mean was?"

"Nope."

Annabeth glared at him halfheartedly.

"Scorpion."

"That was so not a scorpion, but okay." He said and grabbed another one.

She smacked his arm, "Percy you aren't supposed to look at them yet!"

He rubbed his arm, "Damn Chase. I tell you I don't hate you and now you're acting like my mom."

She rolled her eyes, "Hippo."

Annabeth had finished the rest of her cards and grabbed had her score sheet to interpret them, when Percy grabbed them out of her hands.

"Nope. Wait 'til I do mine then we can do each other's."

"That sounds dirty," Annabeth giggled.

Percy stared at her for a while, his face disbelieving. "Didn't know you had it in you, Chase."

"What that I could be dirty?" She said with a raised eyebrow.

"No, that you had a sense of humor."

That earned him another smack.

"Ow! You're worse than Calypso." He said while rubbing the bulging bicep that had caught Annabeth's attention for a little bit too long.

"Well that's not too bad, Calypso is awesome."

"Yeah. Yeah she is." Percy said lowly, his demeanor changing swiftly.

Annabeth took a quick peek over at his face to find any hints as to what he was thinking, but got his emotionless expression back.

"Are you and Caly okay?"

"Yeah. Why, did she say something?" His eyebrows coming together.

"No," Annabeth said as she shuffled the cards up, "You just sounded like you had something on your mind."

"Nah I'm good."

She nodded and held up a card.

"Penis."

Annabeth choked. (A.N- Hehe) Percy stared at her with a shiteating grin.

"Stop playing around!"

His smile grew, "I'm not. I see a penis." He leaned in and tapped on the picture. "See? Right there. A penis."

Annabeth looked, but all she saw was a turtle.

"I don't see it."

"Well of course you don't. Have you even ever seen one, Chase?"

She blushed, but chose not to dignify that with a response.

"You know what? I do see it. It's really tiny though, probably the reason why you could spot it."

His eyes narrowed, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well you know... If you have a history of seeing small things...well maybe that's why-."

"I'm gonna stop you now, before I'm forced to prove your theory wrong and embarrass you in front of the entire class."

"No thanks. I'll just ask Calypso," She said smugly.

"So that's what you guys do in your free time? Talk about my d-"

She cut him off, "I don't know about Calypso, but I only talk about my own boyfriend."

She should have known bringing Jason up would stop the conversation. It always did.

Percy's face dropped immediately, "Chicken."

She threw the cards down. "Spill it."

"Spill what?" He asked innocently.

"What is so bad about Jason?" She cried. "Why do you and Caly immediately tense up as soon as I mention his name?"

"Because he's not a good person, Annabeth."

He said sternly.

"You called me Annabeth." She said surprised.

"I'm pretty sure that's your name." He said, looking at her weirdly.

"You've never said my actual name before."

He rolled his eyes, "I'm pretty sure I have, but why does that matter?"

"Because that means you're serious."

"I am."

"So what makes you believe that?"

He shrugged almost apologetically, "It's not my place to say."

"Since when do you use discretion?" She asked incredulously.

"Since now."

"Ugh! Why are you being so difficult?"

"Look, I can tell you one thing." He leaned forward, his familiar green orbs penetrating her own. "Be careful with who you call your friends."

"Who? Friends like you?" She asked heatedly.

His eyes flashed for a second and he leaned back, his expression subdued. "Wow Chase, we're friends now?"

"Percy..." She said pleadingly.

He sighed. "Look. Even if I did tell you, you wouldn't believe me. You have to find out on your own."

"Why wouldn't I believe you?"

He chuckled, "Well for one, you don't trust me. Not yet anyway. And two. Well my...dad used to tell me something all the time: When someone puts their heart to something, nothing and no one is going to change their minds so you'd better not try. I think that's what's happening."

Annabeth softened considerably at the mention of Percy's father.

"Fine," she conceded softly.

Percy began to pack up his things, because the bell was about to ring at any minute.

"I didn't finish my half of the assignment, so I'll turn it in tomorrow."

"That's okay."

He chucked and looked at her in disbelief. "Wow."

The bell rang and they both stood up and walked out the door.

"Before we go, we need to figure out a time when we can work on our project for psych."

"Okay."

"I know you don't want-. Wait what?"

"I said okay," he chuckled.

"Has the Percy Jackson that I know died?"

"No. This Percy just happens to tolerate you a lot more than old me."

Annabeth laughed, "Okay. Can we work at the bookstore?"

"Yeah, mom should be fine with it."

"Good, okay. I'll see you at lunch." She said when they stopped in front of her next class.

"Ah yes. Caly told me about the spectacular take down of Katie. The little devil."

"I didn't beat her up or anything. She was just insinuating some things that I didn't appreciate so I handled it."

"You should have handled it with your fists. Girl fights are hot."

"I'm sure you think they are." She smiled as she pushed his shoulder lightly. "Go to class, Jackson."

"Later, Chase."

Annabeth turned around to go into her classroom when she caught the eye of Calypso, who was standing on the other side of the hallway, staring at her.

She didn't look mad. There wasn't an expression on her face at all. Annabeth tentatively raised her hand and waved and Calypso seemed to snap out of it enough to smile back.

Walking into the class room, Annabeth felt guilty, really guilty. She knew she and Percy weren't doing anything guilt worthy, but she just had to put herself in Caly's shoes. Seeing her boyfriend in a somewhat flirty atmosphere with another girl. No matter how platonic.

And that just made her feel even worse.

(Line break)

Lunch passed without a problem. The Lackies were no where to be seen so Thalia didn't have to be held back from shanking anyone. Jason wasn't at lunch because of some out of the blue football drills that he had to do. So Annabeth just talked to Calypso, Hazel, and Thalia. Turns out, Calypso and Thalia are more alike than anyone saw coming, so now, they're the best of friends.
After lunch Annabeth had to work by herself on a chemistry assignment that Cami and Calypso had already been paired up in, so that sucked. But the rest of the day passed seamlessly.

Until it was time to go home.

"What do you mean you got detention?" Annabeth cried.

"It means what I said. Me and Leo where playing around last period and we ended up getting paint all over our teacher. I'm sorry Annie, but I can't drive you to work, you'll have to find someone else." Her friend said irritably.

"But there is no one else Thalia!"

"I'm sorry. Just call Sally, you haven't missed a day yet, I'm sure she will let it slide today."

"I could give you a ride." A voice behind them spoke.

They both swirled around to find Percy and Calypso standing beside each other, hands interlocked, behind them.

"You're going to give me a ride?"

Percy shrugged and nodded, "Sure. I have to drop Caly off first, but then I'm going to the bookstore."

"It's fine. I'll find her a ride." Thalia said evenly.

Annabeth looked at her friend and shook her head. "It's fine, I'll go with them."

Thalia looked between the 3 of them and nodded. "I see things have changed between you two." She said pointing at Percy and Annabeth.

Annabeth only nodded.

Thalia sighed, "Just text me when you get there."

Percy chuckled, "I'm not going to kidnap her."

"I just want to know that she got there safely," she snapped.

Annabeth quickly grabbed her shoulders before she could move, "Alright Tiger, have fun in detention with Leo and i'll text you when I get to work. Okay?"

Thalia nodded and walked back down the hallway, looking over shoulder a few times to give Percy the evil eye.

Annabeth turned to the couple who were looking down the hall with grins on their faces. "Okay. Let's go."

Percy pulled Calypso outside and Annabeth followed. The walked through the parking lot until they stopped at a bright blue vintage pickup truck.

Annabeth climbed into the backseat while they both got into the front. She felt the worn, yet pristine condition the leather underneath her, was in.

"Woah Percy. How old is this car?"

"It's a 1965 Chevrolet Cameo. Mint condition."

She whistled, "I can tell. This is amazing."

"You know cars?" She could hear the surprise in his voice as he started up the car.

She shrugged, "Sort of. Well not much actually, but I do know a nice car when I see one." She took in the woodsy scent of the vehicle. "My dad used to teach me all about cars until I got old enough to tell him I wasn't interested." She chuckled.

She looked up to see Percy smiling at her from the rear view mirror.

Calypso turned around in her seat and smiled at Annabeth. "That's cool. What other things did you do with your dad, Annabeth? My dad and I haven't done much bonding stuff in a while."

"Uh well. We haven't done much of anything after that."

"Why." Calypso asked, her brow creasing.

"Caly don't pester her." Percy joined in, hoping to help out.

Calypso frowned at him.

"It's fine, Percy." She looked to the girl in front of her. "My dad passed away 5 years ago."

Calypso hands flew to her mouth in horror. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't even think about that when I asked the question. I'm so stupid!"

"You aren't stupid." Annabeth and Percy said together.

"Yes I am!" She cried. "I should have known! Percy tried to stop me. And I know how he gets when people ask about his dad."

Calypso froze, her eyes wide and looked over at Percy apologetically.

"Relax. Annabeth knows already." He said and grabbed her hand.

She let out a breath and looked back at Annabeth.

"No. Stop it. It's okay, that you didn't know." She said before Calypso could say anything else.

Calypso shook her head as the car stopped.

She looked out the window to her house, "This is me." She grabbed her bags, and leaned over the divider to kiss Percy. It lasted longer than Annabeth thought, and she found herself looking away from their personal moment.

They broke apart and Calypso turned to Annabeth once more. "I'm sorry." She got out before Annabeth could scold her and jumped out of the car.

Percy chuckled at his girlfriend and turned the car back on, but didn't move.

He looked back at Annabeth.

"Do you want to come up here?"

Annabeth hesitated for a minute, but quickly got out of the car and opened the passenger side door.

As Percy pulled off, Annabeth took one last look at the house beside her and could have sworn that she saw Calypso looking at them through the second story window.

And the guilt was back.

(Brief line break)

Neither of them talked during the ride to the bookstore. Annabeth just looked out the window while Percy drove.

When they got to the store they were greeted by Sally and forced to go their separate ways to work.

Annabeth stayed for a few hours before she had to go home. Percy offered to drive her and with the force of Sally and Percy's combined efforts, Annabeth gave in.

She gave Percy directions to her apartment and when he arrived they sat in awkward silence for a few seconds.

"Well thank you for the ride. Really, you didn't have to so I appreciate it."

Percy smiled at her, his cheeks full of handsome dimples. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"I was under the impression that we weren't friends, yet." She said with a raised brow and a playful voice.

He laughed, "You've been promoted to 'friend' now. Congratulations Chase."

Annabeth laughed with him as she opened her door.

"Seriously, thank you for the ride. Rides." She corrected herself.

"Goodnight Chase."

He said grinning.

"Goodnight Jackson."

(Line break)

That night when Annabeth went to bed, sleep came easily to her, for it was the first night that she'd dream of Percy Jackson.

How did you guys like that one? I know it might have been a bit confusing because of all the jumping around, but I tried to make the transitions pretty smooth.

QUESTION: What's going on with Calypso?

IF YOU GUYS DON'T WANT TO BE SEVERELY CONFUSED ON THE NEXT CHAPTER, I SUGGEST THAT YOU READ MY AUTHOR'S NOTES.

Until the next chapter..
~TUTU