A moment,

a smile;

a single burst

of laughter

that sounds exactly like

the rest

of my life.

~Tyler Knott Gregson


4.

Piper woke up at 5:30 in the morning to the chime of her phone.

Grouchily, she lifted her hand from the covers' warm embrace and snatched her phone off the bedside table. If Percy was texting her at five fucking thirty in the morning, he better have a damn good reason.

Looking at her phone was like staring directly into the sun, and Piper had to blink a couple times before finding the brightness level adjuster. Once her vision finally cleared, her heart skipped a beat… or a few.

Annabeth: Hey! Sorry about the nickname, but I never caught your name. You liked the book, I hope?

Piper's fingers were typing faster than her brain could think. Her thumb was hovering over the 'send' button before the teen started doubting herself. Is it weird to respond that quickly to a text? Would it seem like she stayed up all night waiting for Annabeth to text back? Not that she did, of course, that would be weird. Like turning up your ringtone so that it would wake you up, no matter how deep of a sleep you were in so you could text back the pretty girl you met in a random bookshop about poetry. Well, shit.

Before Piper could come to a conclusion, her thumb betrayed her by slipping down and tapping 'send message'.

Piper: Yes! Yes, I loved it. Also, I like the nickname. It is cool.

Rereading what she wrote, Piper was horrified. Changes had to be made.

Piper: I mean, I like nicknames.

Piper: Do you have a nickname?

Oh, now she's done it. Annabeth is going to never speak to her again. Also, Piper just realized that she never gave Annabeth her name, but there is no way that she is sending another text. She put her phone back down on her table and sunk back into the covers. She wished the bed would swallow her whole to save her from the terrible embarrassment she was now experiencing. Before she knew it, her 6:15 alarm was going off and it was time to start getting ready for hell, sorry, school.

Today was about two weeks before the Senior Prom, and Silena Beauregard insisted on a Prom shopping extravaganza after school. With that in mind, Piper slipped on a loose pair of navy pants, and a black silk camisole. Simple, but enough that she wouldn't stand out too much in the high-end stores Silena will no doubt drag them to. Also, it was easy to take on and off. Piper covered her shoulders with a fuzzy camel-colored coat and slipped on a pair of black designer loafers her Mom brought her from Italy. Maybe this was a little more effort on her outfit than usual, but what if she saw Annabeth while shopping? Annabeth did look to be about her age, and Piper was willing to bet she went to the other high school.

A sudden realization struck Piper like an egg to the face (it's a long story involving Leo and a very unfortunately placed Thalia). What if Annabeth went to the Prom? She was suddenly very glad Silena was taking her dress shopping, hopefully Piper could pull some advice from Silena without seeming too… strange. The last time Piper talked to Silena about a crush had to be all the way back in middle school, not for lack of trying on Silena's part.

Piper didn't even know if Silena knew she is attracted to both boys and girls, but she wouldn't be surprised if Silena knew. Her friend seemed to have a sixth sense for all things involving romance, or lust. Or lack, therefore. It was weird, but sometimes oddly helpful.

Piper swung her bag onto her back, brushed her teeth, and was out the door.


During third period English, Annabeth finally texted her back. Piper knew the instant her phone buzzed in her back pocket, it was the other girl. Her stomach did a backflip, and she pinched Percy's leg to her left. Phone usage was strictly forbidden in second period, but there were ways to get around it,

"Ouch," he whined and glared at her.

"Cover for me," she hissed back, and discretely pulled out her phone.

"This better be important," he grumbled, and leaned back in his chair, and fake yawned, before losing his balance and falling into the aisle. He frantically clawed at the surrounding desks on the way down, pulling textbooks and anything else down with him. Immediate chaos.

At least six girls lunged at Percy, with the intent to help (or possibly feel him up). Piper turned around and quickly checked her phone:

Annabeth: I am so happy you liked the book! It really is one of my absolute favorites. Also, no, I don't have a nickname, but you are welcome to give me one if you want ;)

Was she flirting, or simply being friendly. Piper tried to remain calm, but her stomach was doing elaborate gymnastics moves.

Piper: I'll have to think on that one, but I'll get back to you when I have a good one.

The classroom disorder was finally winding down, and Percy was peeling the last girl off of him. Piper slipped her phone back into her pocket, and helped Percy back into his chair,

"Nice one. Thanks, babe."

Percy scowled at her, before miming strangling her.


After class, Percy turned to Piper on their way to the lunchroom,

"You owe me big time,"

"I'll buy you a chai on the way to school tomorrow."

"What size?"

"Venti."

"With?"

"Extra whipped cream?"

"Done."

The two shook hands before Piper wrinkled her nose,

"You smell like Victoria's Secret threw up on you."

He pushed her,

"My nose will never be the same, and I'm pretty sure I have some scratch marks."

"Yeah you do, your arms are covered in them"

It looked like Percy got into a fight with an angry weasel… and lost.

"I'm never gonna live this down."

They arrived at the lunch table, and Leo immediately started laughing. Piper's phone buzzed, and she glanced at the text before going speechless.

Annabeth: Am I ever going to get your name, or will I have to keep calling you 'pretty girl'. Not that it's inaccurate, of course, but I feel a bit strange with you knowing my name but me not knowing yours.

Okay, Annabeth was definitely flirting with her. This is unreal, and Piper must be dreaming. Well, Piper liked being called 'pretty' by Annabeth.. perhaps a bit too much. Well, a little drawn out game never hurt anybody.

Piper: Well, that top secret information. Guess you'll just have to figure it out or wait until I'm in the mood to tell you.

Her response came seconds later:

Annabeth: Game on.

Piper was grinning like a maniac for the rest of lunch.


A/N: Hello to my lovely readers! We are more than halfway done with this cute little story, and I would love to hear how you are liking it so far! Also, to my wonderful reviewers:

CresentMoonShadowhunter: Thank you, and it's all good, I love your support so much! Also, thanks for your condolences about my wreck of a love life, and your review really made me feel better (it brought a smile to my face). I hope you enjoy this chapter, love!

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MusicalsandMordred: Thank you so much for your review, and I laughed outloud when reading the line in your review about "revitalizing your soul". Best of luck with that guy, and thank you for listening to my complaining about my math class girl.

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LaxandBooks: First things first, I get so excited when I see your name under reviews because I know I'm going to love it! I love my green-eyed child, and in this fic would never put him through that because I just want this whole thing to be pretty positive so don't worry! Also, you rock at giving advice! I saw your review right as I was about to put this chapter up, and I am so glad that I did! You are so amazing, and I am so thankful for your continued support.

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Thank you to all who reviewed, and I hope you had a good weekend! I only have a half a week of school left, so expect more (and faster) updates coming up soon! Also I have a poll in my profile, so if you want, you can go answer that! Until my next update!