HI GUYS! So I know it's been a month, I'm sorry I really am. As a peace offering...I'm gracing you with the 15th chapter of Layers.

Percy Jackson and all of its characters belong to the oh so wonderful...Rick Riordan *Applause*

(PERCY POV)

"Percy, stop!" Annabeth sputtered while Percy splashed water in her face.

"Nope. Believe it or not I actually enjoy making your squirm."

He swept his arm and a wave of water drenched her.

"Percy," Calypso chuckled from beside a tree, her friend, Cami, had finally showed up. "Leave her alone."

Annabeth glared at her.

"You sound 'real convincing, Caly," she said sarcastically.

Calypso shrugged, "I tried."

Both Percy and Annabeth laughed at that.

As soon as Cami arrived, most of them decided to get in the water and play around. Percy especially, he had been needing a cool down ever since Annabeth graced them all with her bikini clad loveliness. Percy swore the minute she took her shirt off, the girls were gushing and the guys were trying to sneak inconspicuous peeks. Well, with the exception of Jason. He was too busy on the phone, pacing by his truck, to pay attention. Percy almost laughed at the irony of the situation, but reined it in when he announced to the guys that after some convincing, Piper would be joining them after all. She hadn't come in the first place because she felt like she was intruding on 'friend time'.

After that, Percy was bored, his girlfriend was hanging out with her new friend and everyone else was paired up doing coupley things. Leaving him all alone.

That is... Until a little blonde girl took pity on him and convinced her dick-wad of a boyfriend to go play with Emo 1 and 2.

"Percy I swear if you splash me one more time," she threatened.

He held his hands up in surrender, "Fine, I'll stop."

She sighed, "Okay, so what were we talking about earlier, about the-"

*splash*

"Arghhh! I swear to God!" Her hair was dripping and resembled the Grudge when she stood up.

Percy laughed and slowly started to back away.

"*Tsk tsk* Taking God's name in vain. How would your mother feel about that?"

Annabeth shook her head and let out a battle cry, lunging and grabbing Percy's head to push it underwater.

He shook with laughter as he grabbed her by the waist and threw her a few feet away, her arms flailing around her.

She swam over to him quickly and jumped on his back, Percy saw his chance.

He grabbed her calves started running out of the water with her on his back, running in circles, and trying, but failing, to ignore the fact that many parts of Annabeth, covered or not, were being pressed against him. Repeatedly.

"What the hell are you guys doing?"

Percy spun around quickly, making Annabeth grab him in a choke hold.

Piper was standing a few feet away from them. Keys in her fists and hands on her hips. She was grinning like a fucking clown.

Annabeth loosened her grip slightly allowing Percy to look around.

All of their friends were staring at them, all with different expressions.

Calypso looked almost relieved and was sporting a small grin.

Cami appeared constipated and slightly pained.

Jason looked irritated, but not nearly as angry as he could have been. Considering he was staring at the back of Piper's head.

Thalia seemed like she was up to something and the mischievous smile she was wearing, didn't help.

Frank and Hazel were just holding hands and grinning at each other.

And Nico, well, he was just watching Thalia, probably wondering why his girlfriend looked like she was ready to plan a heist.

"So...what's happening here?" Piper asked. "Not that I don't find it hilarious."

Annabeth's eyes bugged, "Piper! What are you doing here? Jason said you wouldn't show."

Piper shrugged, "I uh, got out of my previous engagement. Now stop trying to change the subject."

Percy shrugged, "Annabeth started it."

She slapped his chest.

"Excuse me, I'm pretty sure you were the one that was doing all the splashing."

"Yeah, but you were the one that jumped on my back," he smirked.

Jason's eyes went wide.

"Yes I did, but you didn't have to run around like a child."

"I didn't hear you complaining, Blondie."

Jason's eyebrows didn't look like they could go any higher.

Annabeth patted Percy on the shoulder and he gently let her off of his back.

She stood next to him and put her hands on her hips.

"Why are you guys just standing there?"

"Because we never thought this day would come. You guys are actually getting along!" Thalia said, flailing her arms around.

"That's not recent news." Annabeth droned.

Jason practically squeaked. "It's not?"

"No it's not. We meet up every week and talk about our feelings to each other."

Annabeth smacked Percy's arm, "Not the time." She looked back at Jason, "We've talked. We're amicable."

"Aw, Chase." He pressed his fist to his heart. "You don't wanna call me your friend in front of your boytoy?"

Annabeth ignored him and calmly walked over to Thalia and asked her when she planned on feeding them.

"I could go now if you want," She shrugged, she yelled over her shoulder. "Jace you're coming with me."

And with that, she grabbed her brother's hand and dragged him to the car.

Percy just shook his head and headed over to where Calypso was sitting next to Cami, her arms gesturing comically.

"...And so I told him that I didn't know the answer and he made me come to the front of the class and speak. He's such an asshole, I swear-" He plopped down next to them.

"Who is?" He asked.

They both turned around in surprise.

"Oh! Um...hey, Perce. I was just telling Cami about Mr. Capner. He was being an ass, trying to embarrass me."

He furrowed his eyebrows, he didn't remember her telling him about this.

"When did that happen? I'm not sure you told me."

Her eyes widened slightly, "Uh...um...it was yesterday. I think forgot to tell you."

"Oh."

The silence that went on after that was too long to pass for comfortable.

Cami cleared her throat, "So...Caly has told me a lot about you. You're on the swim team right?"

"Yeah, captain."

She nodded and that was where their conversation ended.

Luckily he was saved from the awkward stares and small talk that was soon to come.

"Perce! Come here!"

He turned to see Nico and Frank floating on their backs and waving him over.

Annabeth was on Piper's back while Piper tried to shake her off by throwing herself into the water and Hazel was just wading around on her back.

Percy glided into the water and stopped next to Nico.

"I want some Pizza."

"Why didn't you ask your fucking girlfriend to get you some pizza?" Percy splashed Nico in the face.

"Because my fucking girlfriend would probably get something else in spite of me."

Percy grinned up at him, "Lovers spat?"

"Nah," He shrugged his shoulders, "That's just Thalia."

"Sounds irritating."

"Speak for yourself."

"What are you talking about, Dumbass?"

"I'd watch out for Calypso's new friend if I were you. She might be your replacement; they're looking pretty cozy over there." He said chuckling.

Percy rolled his eyes.

"Oh, but I guess that wouldn't work. You'd probably love to see them goin' at it." Nico dunked his head under the water quickly, "Ah. Girl on girl. Gotta love it."

"See who going at it?" Annabeth and Piper asked as they made they're way over to them.

"Caly and Cami. Nico seems to think that it'd be hot." Percy smirked when he heard Nico's protests.

Piper's eyebrows raised and Annabeth got a thoughtful look on her face.

"I could see it."

"Nah, Calypso has Percy to do all the good stuff for her. Up against him, Cami would be inadequate," Piper chimed in.

Percy grimaced at their nonchalant talk about his sex life.

"Um...thanks. I guess..."

Piper winked, "Oh you're welcome. I have complete faith that you can throw it down when it's time."

"How would you say you are as a swimmer, Percy?" Annabeth started, "Smooth like an eagle or fierce like a tiger?"

Nico interrupted, "He's an eagle. Definitely an eagle."

Annabeth nodded sagely, "That's his sex animal."

Percy found himself mortified when his cheeks started to heat.

Nico gasped dramatically, "Is the Perseus Jackson blushing? Good job girls, I never thought I would see the day."

Percy was pretty sure he was glaring hard enough to melt the side of Nico's stupid skull.

"I will get you back. That's a promise."

Frank and Hazel swam over. "Why can't we all just be friends?"

"I was under the impression that we were friends."

"I mean friends that are actually nice to each other," Frank deadpanned.

Annabeth leaned down to wet her hair and came up, eyes closed, her face facing the sun's warmth. "With all this time we have, there's nothing to do but tease Percy about his sexual experiences."

Percy rolled his eyes. "Not that I'm agreeing with that fucked up logic, but I'm bored. We need to find something to do until the mighty twins get back with the food."

Annabeth's hand shot up like she was in 2nd grade. "What about chicken?"

"Who cares about what we're eating, Annie. We're bored."

The blonde reached out and smacked Nico upside the head.

"Not eating chicken you numnut! I meant the game. You know when one person gets on the other's shoulders and they toss a ball back in forth or something like that until someone falls off."

Nico's cheeks got pink. "Oh. Yeah I knew that."

Annabeth grinned slyly, "Okay, so we need to pick teams."

"I'm with Frank." Hazel said and jumped onto her boyfriend's shoulders.

"Annabeth is being evil so Piper, you're with me." Nico chuckled.

Percy smirked over at Annabeth and wiggled his eyebrows. "Looks like it's me and you, Chase."

"You and I."

Percy's brows furrowed

"Huh?"

"Exactly."

He rolled his eyes and squatted until his chin was slightly under the water. "Alright smartass. Get on."

Annabeth climbed on his shoulders and quickly dunked his head under.

"Yo! Stop playing around we need a ball." Frank called out.

Percy rolled his eyes and turned towards the shore.

"Hey, Caly! Throw me a beach ball!"

The pairs played for about 20 minutes and then Frank and Hazel claimed their victory and won first pick at the food.

Well if it ever showed up.

"I'm hungry," Nico moaned loudly as they spread out on the ground, sand sticking to every part of them. But they didn't care.

Annabeth snorted loudly, "Stop bitching everyone is hungry."

"Not as much as me! I didn't eat breakfast!"

"None of us ate breakfast!" They all shouted.

"If you're forgetting, let me jog your memory about the fact that we all had to get up at un-Godly hours for this." Percy said, waving his hand around.

Nico just pouted.

Hazel sighed.

"I've had fun guys."

"Me too."

"Yeah."

"Hhmm."

"I just wanna eat."

"Let's just agree," Frank started, "That it was a good idea to come here."

"The day's not over yet."

"Yeah, I know that, but we should be thinking happy thoughts. That's all."

Percy nodded slightly, "Sure. You dweebs aren't that awful."

"Yeah and you weren't that much of an annoying kelp head either." Annabeth nudged him with her shoulder.

"Right back at ya."

(Line break)

(Annabeth POV)

"I just don't see why it's even a word."

"It's a term of endearment...babe."

Thalia threw up her hands. "I don't care! It's weird and it makes me feel like you're calling me a pig."

Nico stuck a fry in his mouth.

"What about bae?"

"That's even worse, but only because it's made up. Call me my name or don't talk to me at all."

"Oh no, I'm not giving up on this. I'm gonna find a good name for you. What about honeybun?"

Annabeth, Jason, Percy, Calypso, and Frank were all watching the game of word hocky that Thalia and Nico were playing. This had been happening for the past few days and it was just as entertaining as the first time.

"What about dumpling?" Percy said, adding fuel to the fire.

Annabeth jabbed him, "Don't encourage them," she hissed.

Thalia shook her head, "No, it sounds like my grandma would call me that just to make me mad."

"Grandma wouldn't do that," Jason added, chuckling.

Thalia just glared at him.

"What about Lemon?" Nico's eyes danced with humor as he named Thalia's most hated fruit.

Yes, Thalia hated a fruit.

She narrowed her eyes.

"So you're basically telling me I'm sour, unappealing and fat."

Nico looked flabbergasted, "W-what? Lemons aren't fat."

"They're round."

Jason rolled his eyes, "Round doesn't equal fat."

Thalia glared at him. Again.

Annabeth sighed. "Does anyone ever wonder what it would be like to have a lunch with no talking. Just eating and relaxation."

They stared at her like she had grown a third eye.

"No, Anna. Lunch is like the only free time we have while we're in school. You can't take that away."

This time, Thalia glared and growled.

Jason sat his drink down on the table loudly.

"So you just don't want me to talk at all then. Is that it?" He narrowed his eyes at his sister.

"That would be much appreciated."

She crossed her arms.

"You can't stay pissed at me forever."

Thalia leaned in and sneered. "Well we'll see about that now won't we."

Percy and Annabeth looked at each other for a moment.

"Umm, Thalia?" He asked.

She raised her eyebrow.

"Are you PMSing?"

Annabeth immediately facepalmed and contemplated pushing Percy off of his seat.

She smacked the back of his head. Hard.

"You've been dating Calypso for around a year now and you still haven't learned that never ever never bring up periods or PMS? That is the number one way to get yourself killed or get your balls chopped off!" Annabeth hissed.

Nico patted Percy's back and grimaced.

"I can only help you hide from her for so long. I can't protect you when Thalia finally decides to kill you."

Percy rolled his eyes and shook off Nico's hand. "Stop being so fucking dramatic. I just wanna know what crawled up her ass the week.

All Thalia did was point to her brother.

Annabeth winced at how that sounded and Thalia let out a large sigh.

"Jason is being an asshole so I'm giving it back to him. Tenfold."

She said no more as turned to Nico and started talking about nicknames again, leaving he rest of the table wondering what was going on with the Wonder Twins.

They had been like this for a few days now. Ever since they finally got back to the beach on Saturday with the food.

The very cold food at that.

(Flashback)

Thalia's car pulled up to the beach and parked behind a tree. Everyone, -including Calypso and Cami who were secretly famished- ran up to meet them and hijack the food.

Before they could crowd around the car, Thalia stepped out, slamming her door and walked straight towards the water. Away from all of them.

Jason tried to follow her, calling her name. "Jesus, Thals! It's not a big deal I swear! It's not like that!"

"You made a commitment." She said, still storming away from them.

"Yeah, and I'm not gonna break it either! You know that, Thalia, so stop acting like it's the end of the world."

She spun around, hair spinning, eyes flashing. "If it's not a big deal then feel free to tell everyone!"

He shook his head and sighed, "You know I can't do that."

"Exactly. So stop fucking acting like I'm being dramatic. As much as you would rather not admit it, what with that constant "Holier than thou" attitude you have going on, this effects me just as much as you do." She jabbed her finger into her chest.

He ran a hand threw his hair and growled. "You don't even have the complete story."

"Then explain it to me."

Jason looked around hastily and did a double take when he realized all of their friends were watching, mouths wide and eyes bugged. Everyone except for Nico, who was digging into the cold pizza he had found in the backseat.

"Not now, Thals."

"You mean not ever."

"Stop putting words in my mouth," he spat.

"Stop giving me a reason to put them there."

Jason threw his hands up, "Fuck this."

Thalia's face hardened and she turned around, her back to him. "No," she whispered, "Fuck you."

Annabeth jumped when she heard Hazel and Cami gasp. When she looked back over at the siblings, Thalia was gone.

Jason walked back to his car quietly without saying a word.

"What. The hell. Just happened."

Nico had finally put down the pizza and was looking worriedly in the direction his girlfriend went.

"Don't they do this all the time?"

Percy said, who still looked a little shocked at their hostility.

Annabeth shook her head slowly.

"No, not like that. Never like that."

Calypso put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "Should we go find Thalia? Figure out what happened?"

"No," Frank started, "We should let them figure this out on their own. They're mature enough to handle it without our help."

Percy nodded, "Okay, so does this mean we can eat now?"

Calypso grinned and pushed him lightly on the shoulder. "Yeah guys. Let's eat."

(End of flashback)

They obviously never worked it out.

(Line break)

Percy sighed and smacked his head onto the desk. "Okay. As much as I hate to say this...we need to start working on the murder project thingy."

Annabeth smirked, "Aw look at you, Jackson. Talking the initiative, I like it."

"Yeah well, failng isn't as fun as it may sound."

She rolled her eyes, "Are we going to the store?"

Percy nodded. "Neither of us are working today so we can do what we want."

"Okay I need to see if Thalia can give me a ride and then-"

"I'll take you."

She paused and glanced at his face. He looked genuine enough so she nodded and kept writing notes. She felt Percy's eyes on her briefly and wondered what was going on in his brain. He had made a total 360 in terms of attitude...wel with her. He was still an asshole to the people that didn't know him. That weren't his firends.

Did he think of her as friend?

Sure they had been playful just a few days ago and Percy had stopped hating her with a passion, but that meant nothing.

Annabeth mentality scolded herself for the wave of irrational disappointment that rolled through her.

She must have zoned out a little because the next thing she knew, a pencil eraser was poking her in cheek, repeatedly. She waved it away and turned to Percy, who had a contemplative look on his face.

"Whatcha thinkin' about? From the looks of the scowl on your face, you weren't daydreaming about my devastatingly handsomeness."

She snorted, "You're right about one of those, devastating." She lied.

He merely ignored her and raised both brows, not letting her evade the question.

"I was thinking about our project." She fibbed smoothly. Or so she thought

His eyes stared at her hard, making her face warm at his scrutiny.

Which in turn just made him grin wickedly.

"Liar. But that's fine. I guess we aren't at that point in our friendship where we confide in each other," he pushed his lip out and placed a hand over his heart.

Annabeth tummy twisted.

"We've shared a lot deeper stuff than the random crap that goes through our brains."

He shrugged, "True, but good friends learn to do both."

And then he got up grabbed his bag and sauntered out of the room.

It was only then when Annabeth realized that class had let out minutes ago.

She scrambled to collect her things and ran out of the hallway, surprised to find Percy leaning up against the wall by the door.

"I can't believe you let me just sit there! I'm probably going to be late to class."

He rolled his eyes goodnaturedly, "No you won't. I stayed behind to tell you to wait for me in out front after school. I might be a few 'cuz of swim, but not too late."

She nodded, "Okay, thanks again," she pushed her hair behind her ear and smiled.

Percy just rolled his eyes and and shot her a beautiful grin.

(Line break)

Annabeth shoved her PE clothes in her locker and hightailed it out of the lockeroom before the bloodhounds tried to make conversation.

She scanned the lot for Percy's truck when she spotted it, in all of its bright blue beauty. Walking up to it she tried the passenger door on the off chance that it was unlocked, with no luck.

She leaned against the door and closed her eyes, taking in a breath of fresh air. She was strangely calm today. Athena hadn't been giving her any shit lately, the twins were being considerably less annoying, school work was simple, and she had acquired some new friends to keep her company. Life was good.

She swore under her breath.

She had totally just jinxed herself.

The crunch of gravel made its way over to her and she waved in the direction that Percy was standing without opening her eyes.

When the crunching stoped and she hadn't heard the doors unlock, she opened one eye slightly to see her boyfriend leaning against the car in front of her. A hard expression on his face.

She smiled, "Hey Jace. What are you doing here, I thought you had practice."

He glared, "I did, but I couldn't focus on that until I found out why people were telling me that Percy Jackson was giving my girlfriend a ride."

Her smiled dropped a little bit, but it was still there. "Oh. Yeah, we need to work on our project so he's giving me a ride to the book store."

"Why couldn't Thalia give you a ride."

Annabeth's smiled was gone completely by then. A scowl replacing it.

"It's not like she couldn't, but he offered. Kill two birds with one stone."

"What?"

"You know...getting multiple things done without actually having to-"

"I know what it means," he growled.

"Then why-"

He cut her off again.

"Why is another guy giving you a ride anywhere?"

She bristled and her tone suddenly matched his, "Because I needed one and this isn't the 17th century! You have no say in who gives me rides and who doesn't. I wasn't aware that the title "boyfriend" secretly meant "father".

Jason's eyes filled with slight pity, which angered Annabeth even more.

"Well yours isn't here so someone needs to watch over you."

She bearly had time to flinch before a voice silenced them both.

"Hey! Is there a problem?"

Percy stood off to the side next to Annabeth his tone fierce and his eyes hard.

Jason chuckled without humor. "Not until you came along."

Percy didn't even react, "That was a low blow, Grace, even for you."

"Jackson, shut the hell up, man. You don't know anything about this."

Percy smirked darkly, "I'm more informed than you think."

Annabeth moved passed Percy to look straight at Jason.

"What's been going on with you? First Thalia and now me, I feel like you're just looking for fights to pick, Jace."

Before he could respond and click resounded around them.

Percy reached over and opened the passenger door. Nodding at her to get in.

She did and as Percy got to the drivers side Jason called out to her. "We're talking about this later!"

She rolled her eyes, "No we aren't, you're being stupid and irrational so this conversation is over." She rolled up her window and tried to ignore Percy barked out laugh before they sped out of the parking lot.

As they turned out into the street, her phone chimed.

I dont like or trust him ~J

She rolled her eyes for what felt like the hundredth time today.

Good. You guys have something in common. ~A

(Line break)

"He was so adorable, Annabeth. I swear he was the cutest baby in the whole state of Chicago." Sally's eyes softened with pride.

"Mom."

"Oh gosh! And he had the roundest little cheeks, they fit right in your hands. His nickname used to be "Thickems" for the longest until he was old enough to chide me for using it."

"Moooooom." The embarrassed teenager groaned from behind his hands.

Annabeth giggled. "What about when he got older?"

Percy's groans got substantially louder.

"Toddler Percy and preteen Percy were the best." She shot a glare at her son. "He was certainly less moody."

He finally smacked his hands on the desk,"Mom, as much as we would all like to listen to your stories about baby me, we have to do some work to do."

Sally just giggled, "Annabeth already told me you guys finished most of it."

Percy glared down at the grinning blonde. "Damn harpy." He mumbled.

"What was that, Perce?" Annabeth leaned in, her hand on her ear.

"I said I'm darn happy." He said a teasing smirk.

"Mmhm."

Sally got a thoughtful look on her face. "Annabeth, what are you doing after you head home?"

"Oh um. I'm not sure. It's," She looked around for the clock, "Six forty, so the boys are already home and have eaten. So nothing I guess." She shrugged.

"Have you eaten anything sweety?"

Annabeth started to fidget when she felt Percy's stiffness beside her. "Uh, no. Not since lunch. But I can always find something at home."

Sally waved her away with a large smile on her face. "Nonsense! Come home with us. It's Percy's turn to cook tonight and it would would be wonderful if you could come with us."

Both Annabeth and Percy turned to each other quickly and she was amused to find that his face resembled astonishment than revulsion.

Sally seemed to sense her unease, "Don't worry, Percy can drive you home afterwards. We won't keep you long."

Annabeth thought it over for a little bit, slightly more at ease and found herself nodding, accepting Sally's offer. It couldn't be any worse than just going home to her mother and the devils.

"Oh this will be so much fun! Sweetie, make sure you call your mom and tell her where you'll be. Don't want her to think we're going to kidnap you."

Annabeth chuckled and held up her phone, "Yeah I should. She's probably wondering where I am." She lied.

Going to a friend's house for dinner. Don't wait up. ~A

She slid her phone into her pocket instead of waiting for a response.

This chapter was initially going to be a lot longer, but I decided to split them into two so you guys wouldn't be left out to rot.

Any questions? :)

~TUTU