HI GUYSSS. *Hides behind imaginary door because I'm so sorry I have neglected you guys since November*.
School is just gross guys! When I come home it's no longer, go work on my story, it's go take a nap before you pass out.
So I'm very sorry. The next update however should be more prompt considering I went on a writing jig and finished this chapter AND half of the next one. Once again, sorry, i'll try better next time. :)

Previously on Layers...

He squeezed her hand, "You're perfect." He said looking into her eyes.

Annabeth stopped breathing for a second, but caught her breath when the moment was broken by a car passing by.

"Thank you for the ride, Percy."

"Thank you for today, Annabeth."

She smiled at him indulgently, "Goodnight."

"Night."

(...)

That night she dreampt about Percy Jackson for the second time.

(...)

"Come on Beth open up." Percy was laying next to her on the grass trying to temp her with a chocolate covered strawberry, a twinkle in his beautiful eyes.

Annabeth looked around herself. The two of them were laying in a large clearing. There were wildflowers surrounding them, the sun gleaming down.

Percy had the strawberry in his hand, waving it in front of her face, "You know you want to."

"Wha-? Where are we? How did we get here?"

Percy smiled teasingly, "Did I really bore you that much that you don't even remember where we are?"

"No, no it's not that," she stuttered.

"I just-"

"No no," he interrupted, "I see I've already been slacking on my first date duties."

"First date?" She choked.

He didn't seem to notice her outburst and started digging through the picnic basket that was lying next to him on the blanket.

He pulled out 3 large cheeseburgers and containers of fries.

"Bon appétit. Your lunch has been served." He said with a cheeky grin.

She still didn't know what was going on, but she figured she had food and a beautiful boy next to her, she shouldn't complain.

He sighed and laid down next to her, his arm propped up beneath him. "So as much as I know we need to talk about yesterday, I really don't want to ruin either of our good moods."

She just nodded hoping that he would explain further and not expect her to know what he was talking about.

"I get why you had to break up with Jason. He was a cheating asshole who didn't deserve you. But...I want to make sure you're with me for the right reasons, and not just as a rebound." He finished, looking up at her with a wistful expression.

What the hell?

What did he mean by breaking up with Jason?

And since when did he cheat?

And since when were her and Percy together?

Not knowing what to say to that at all, she made something up that seemed right.

"You aren't a rebound Percy. I was going to break up with Jason before everything happened. You've been on my mind since school started."

Whoa. Where did that come from?

None of it felt like a lie.

Percy beamed up at her, "Good. I've been dying to do this without everything hanging over our heads."

And with that, he pressed his lips to hers.

Her mouth was immediately on fire and her lips moved with his. Sparks were licking at her fingers and toes until it encompassed her whole body.

The intensity grew even more when she felt the tip of his tongue trailing along her bottom lip. She had to pull away for air, only for it to be coming out in short pants and gasps.

He leaned back with a smile on his face . "See now that," he said, his breathing labored, "Was totally worth the wait."

Annabeth couldn't help but smile with him, "It really was."

(...)

Annabeth woke up with a start. She looked around herself, to discover that she was in her bedroom.

She put a hand on her warm, tingly lips and sighed. So she really had dreamt about Percy.

(...)

"I don't care how lonely you think he is, Annabeth; I'm not talking to him anytime soon."

Annabeth sighed and walked faster to try and keep up with her annoyed friend.

"I'm not saying you guys have to be besties, I just think he's a little lonely right now." She pleaded on Jason's behalf.

"Yeah? Then why aren't you helping with his loneliness?" Thalia said as she made her way through the school doors.

Annabeth rubbed her forehead, she could feel the stirrings of a headache. Her and Jason hadn't talked since the whole Percy/Calypso debacle, four days ago. He was still on the receiving end of the cold shoulder.

Still, that didn't stop her from feeling guilty at the fact that he seemed put out and all alone.

Thalia still hadn't spoken more than two words to him after the blow up at lunch two weeks ago.

"I haven't spoken to him because he's been being a possessive asshole lately. But you... you still haven't told anyone why you're mad."

Thalia shrugged, "Jason knows."

"That doesn't count and you know it.

I think you two should make up, and then things at lunch wouldn't be so awkward."

Thalia let out a loud laugh.

"You think lunch is tense because of Jason and I? Umm, have you already forgotten that Calypso and Cami still sit at our table across from Percy? 'Cuz I haven't and apparently neither have they."

She was partially right, there was some tension between the three of them, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Two days after Annabeth caught them together, Percy talked to Calypso and they hugged it out...much to Annabeth's confusion and slight frustration.

"Honestly I think *we* make more tension then they do. They're all cool now." According to Percy, their friendship had started back up just as it had before they started dating.

Thalia let out a sad sigh, "Anna please, don't try to get us to make up. You don't understand so please bud out." She smiled weakly, "I say that in the most loving way possible."

Annabeth sighed, "Fine," she relented. "It's just that..." She thought about her dream she had that morning. "I just don't think Jason and I are going to work out."

Thalia's facial expression didn't change. No eyebrow lift, no dropped jaw, not even an eye twitch.

She knew something was wrong.

"Dang. I'm sorry. You guys were pretty cute together. I hope this doesn't effect your friendship."

Annabeth was dumbfounded. Thals had been their number one supporter since they got together. She actually put them together in the first place.

"What? Seriously that's all you have to say?"

Thalia shrugged, "Well yeah. You don't seem too heartbroken about it so obviously you have a legitimate reason for it."

Well damn. She thought. Thalia was being logical. This was so confusing. "You've been pro 'Jasobeth' from the beginning, what changed?"

"I don't know Annabeth. Some people are just not worth your time anymore." And with that Thalia walked down the hall with Annabeth staring at her shellshocked.

(...)

"I don't see why you're so concerned with her, Annabeth." Percy said as they walked to lunch together.

"Um, because she's my best friend?"

She said like it was obvious.

"I get that, but I don't see why you're so worried about her and Jason's fight." He shifted his backpack higher on his shoulder. "If it concerned you I'm pretty sure she would have told you...right?"

She waved her and away, "Yes, but that's not what has me worried. She said maybe I should just give up on Jason. Like she already had...they're the wonder twins! They don't have arguments that last days or weeks! I'm just worried about them."

Percy just sighed and rolled his eyes.

Annabeth smacked him. "And you as my friend are supposed to agree with me and ask how you can help."

He snorted, "No, that's not a friend, that's a dog or little sibling. Or maybe a Jason." He snickered.

She glared at him, but her usual heat was missing due to her subdued laughter.

"Whatever you know I'm right." He snapped his fingers, "Speaking of being right, my mom wants to know if you're coming in today."

She chuckled, "What does that have to do with you being right?"

"I don't know," he shrugged, "I just needed a transition. Answer the question."

"Yes, I'm coming in. I'm probably going to start coming everyday. The shop is a whole lot better than going home."

Percy looked at her with sympathy and with what she felt was pity. She looked away before she could say something mean.

"I'm going to need a ride though," she continued, "So it might not be everyday if Thalia has to do something."

Percy ran a hand through his hair, making it even more messy than it had been before. "Um, I could drive you. Today I mean. The rest of the days we can figure out."

She patted his arm, "That's sweet of you, but I have to stop by Thalia's house to get my laptop that I left yesterday."

"I can take you," he said quickly, "It's not really out of the way."

She knew it was, but she didn't say anything.

She smiled. "Thanks Percy. I'll owe you."

He nudged her and gave her a beautiful smile, all bright teeth, dimples, and twinkling eyes. "No you don't. That's what friends are for."

(...)

Annabeth was walking down the hall towards 6th period when Piper came to her side. "Hey Annabeth." She said with a pretty smile.

"Hey Ms. Piper, how can I help you?"

"Um so," she fidgeted, "I'm leaving school in a few minutes. My boyfriend and I are going on a date and I was wandering if you had something to offer up?"

Annabeth nodded, but was confused, "Why are you guys going on a date during school? Why not just wait?"

"We don't want any interruptions..." She trailed off.

Annabeth could feel her eyes grow wide, it was that kind of date.

"Okay. Now I get it. What kind of advice do you want? Sex?"

Piper immediately got red as her face scrunched up, "No I've got that covered. More like...what should I wear and how I should act."

"Wait wait," she put her hand out and stopped the smaller girl. "Is this you're first date?"

"No it's just more important than the others have been."

Annabeth sighed and continued walking. "Pipes I can't help you with that. You should be yourself, wear what you would on a normal date. Just because this date is really important doesn't mean you should change yourself or how you act." She paused, "Where are you guys going?"

Piper's eyes grew soft, "I'm not sure, he said it was a surprise."

"Well don't change anything, just be...Piper."

She reached over and hugged the girl. "I hope you have a great time."

Piper squeezed ber back. "Thank you! So, any plans for tonight?"

She shrugged, "Not really, I have work at the bookstore."

"Percy's mom's bookstore right?" Annabeth nodded, "What's it like working with him. I know you guys practically hated each other a few months ago."

She chuckled, "Yeah we did, but we're friends now. Good friends."

"That's good," Piper nodded.

By that point they had been standing in front of Annabeth's class.

"Well. Thanks for your help Annabeth. Have a good day!"

Annabeth gave her friend a hug. "And you, have a good night," she said with a little eyebrow wiggle that had Piper blushing 12 shades of red.

Piper just crossed her fingers and smiled.

(...)

30 minutes.

30 freaking minutes.

That's how long Annabeth had been standing by Percy's truck, waiting on him to come and take her to the Grace's.

Practically all the cars in the parking lot were gone with the exception of a few of the teachers.

Annabeth was cold, hungry, and she had a feeling nature was about to get back at her when the first few drops of rain hit her cheeks.

"That's it," she muttered as she stomped into the school and headed straight for the swimming pool which she knew was Percy's last period.

She could see the entrance to the pool when the door swung open, bathing her in humid, chlorine filled air.

Percy came running out of there like a bat out of hell while he tried to throw his shirt on over himself.

He had obviously gotten dressed on the walk over here.

He couldn't see where he was going and Annabeth didn't have time to move and he crashed right into her.

On the way down to the floor Percy managed to turn and take the brunt of the impact to the ground while Annabeth just landed lightly on his chest.

His naked chest.

Well, half naked.

Annabeth had slightly zoned out on the sight of Percy's still-wet front when she heard and felt him chuckle.

"Well this seems familiar."

Annabeth chocked out a laugh and rose to her feet, Percy following after.

"Well at least I don't have to attack you now."

Percy snorted, "Yeah you were like a wild bear."

She glared at him, "And you were the reason I got that way. You were being a douche nozzle of the high degree."

Percy's grin was replaced with a wince, "Yeah, I wasn't having the best of days."

"Neither was I, that's why you got the most heartfelt apology afterwards." She smirked while she went to pick up her fallen bag.

Percy's laugh was loud and hearty. "Oh yes! The apology. Funniest thing ever! I know I was mad at first that Mr. Brunner picked your side, but reading that after the fact? Fucking priceless."

She bowed which set Percy off again.

She laughed with him until she remembered why they were standing there.

"Hey! Why were you late? I've been waiting out by your truck for 30 minutes!" She might have even stomped her foot a little.

He frowned and sighed.

"I'm so sorry. Coach told us to run a few drills when class started. I got into the zone and the next thing I know, the pool is empty and it's 30 minutes after class."

He stepped close to her and pouted his lip out which immediately caught Annabeth's attention.

"I'm sorry. I will forever be punctual after this. Forgive me?" He said gazing down at her.

"S-sure," she stuttered like the sissy she was. Brought down by the lip.

Percy nudged her as he bent to get his own bag and throw his shirt on.

They drove to the Grace's in comfortable silence. Annabeth only talked when it was to give directions.

It was nice.

When they pulled up to the house, Annabeth waited for him to say something about how big it was, or that it looked like a castle.

Percy said nothing as he hopped out of the truck and walked alongside Annabeth to the door.

He looked over and caught her staring, "What?"

She shrugged, "Nothing, I'm just used to people having a dramatic reaction to their house."

"Yeah well," he chuckled awkwardly, "As much as I hate to admit it, my old house back home was about this size."

She gaped at him, "What did you say your dad did again?"

Percy chuckled, "He was a marine biologist. A pretty famous one."

"Damn." Was all she said.

Walking into the house, you could tell it didn't see very much action, although it was clean, it still seemed really vacant and dreary.

She turned to Percy, "I left my laptop in Thalia's room. Just up this staircase." She gestured for him to follow her.

She went into her friend's messy room and was out seconds later.

She walked out to find Percy looking around. She shivered as she got closer. "I try to stay put of that room as much as possible in case something-"

A loud thud from two rooms over caught Annabeth's attention.

She looked to Percy, "I think Thalia maybe home." She shrugged.

Without knocking she threw the door open and was met with a gag inducing sight.

A pale while ass was in the air. Moving back and forth between a pair of open legs draped over the side of the couch.

If the sight wasn't enough. The noises sure were.

Thalia was a screamer.

Annabeth had planned to to just back out quietly and forgot she had just seen Nico's emo booty. However, she had forgotten that Percy was right behind her.

"What the fuck!" He yelled.

The pair instantly froze and then tumbled off the couch in a bundle of limbs.

Annabeth was just about to turn around and give them privacy when she spotted a head of blonde hair.

No.

The pale ass did not belong to Nico.

It belonged to Jason.

Annabeth boyfriend.

And the long legs with the stripper heals, didn't belong to Thalia.

They belonged to...Piper.

That bitch!

SOOOOO what do you think?

And as always...please please review. :)

~TUTU