Hey guys! I would like to thank the guest who reviewed my story, and really pushed me to continue this story. After a long wait here I am!

Just wanted to clear up a few things first though. It was mentioned that Jason is taller than Percy, and I was aware, I just wanted to get rid of their 'fight for dominance' in this story, so I evened it out :)

A few weeks had passed since the whole incident with Percy. I didn't do much aside from work.

Even after I made that huge promise to myself, I was still depressed about it.

Now I was more annoyed over the fact that I didn't stand up to Rachel. I made myself look like an idiot over some "love" for a guy I just met. And though the wound still hurt, the disappointment in myself fueled me to run from it.

As I sat at my desk mindlessly sketching a building design, a soft ping emanated from my phone. I scooped some ice cream into my mouth and leaned over, running my eyes over the notification.

Thalia: Annabeth Chase! I haven't seen you in three freaking months. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN. I'm driving to your apartment NOW.

I chuckled to myself and didn't bother replying.

But soon enough there was loud banging on my door, so I got up and opened it.

"ANNABETH WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? I'M KIND OF PISSED BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T EVEN MADE AN ATTEMPT TO CALL ME-" Thalia's words died in her throat as she saw me.

I was wearing sweatpants and a scraggly tank top, my hair was pulled into a messy bun, and I was holding an ice cream tub to my hip.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern in her voice

I blinked once, then twice, then started to break down.

Thalia just engulfed me in a hug as I explained everything.

"I was so stupid Thalia! I reacted like that when I had just met him, and I even let this girl push me around." the words rushed out as I tried to hold back unnecessary tears.

Why so emotional lately Annabeth? Pull yourself together!

"You had me worried that it was going to be another Luke incident." Thalia chuckled.

I drew in a sharp breath. We had wordlessly promised never to speak of those events. Even the thought of them was terrifying.

Thalia must of noticed my sudden change, because she pulled away from the hug.

"You know what? We have a ton of catching up to do. How about I make you lunch, we find out the rest of the things that have happened during these few months, then go hang out with a few new friends I made! Sound good? Alrighty let's get started."

I giggled. Thalia always had a way of cheering me up, and she also often took her own initiative. The thoughts of Luke melted away and I sat down in the kitchen, waiting for lunch to be served.

We sat at my measly dining table. Thalia had prepared some grilled cheese, with extra cheese.

As we were munching away i summed up the past few months.

"Work. That guy. That's about it."

Thalia laughed. Gods, I missed her.

"Well, my life seems to have been more interesting. Nico and i got together!"

"Oh my goodness Thalia that's awesome!"

"Anyways he has a large friend group, and so I've made some friends. Piper, Hazel, and then Reyna and Calypso sometimes join us."

"We're going shopping later." She grumbled.

I laughed. Thalia never was a girly girl- preferring black and and band shirts, among other things.

That's how, thirty minutes later I found myself in the mall chatting with Thalia and two other girls I had just met.

We clicked instantly.

Piper had the prettiest eyes, they seemed to change colours as you looked at them. She had choppy brown hair, and her skin was tanned to go with it. She had a way with words, and was a very passionate person. Less logical and more emotional.

Hazel had curly dark hair, and her skin was the colour of cocoa. She had golden eyes, and if you looked closely they looks light brown and flecked with real gold. She was artistic, and I learned she had a knack for horse riding.

We walked along looking at different shops and putting together random outfits for each other to try on. It felt nice, getting out of my anti-social bubble. I just never had very many friends growing up.

Somehow we ended up in Sephora, attempting to do makeup looks on each other when I saw her.

She had black booties paired with a deep teal A-line skirt, and a white blouse tucked into it. Above her plunging neckline she wore a chunky white necklace. Her hair was artificially curled this time and she had a neutral makeup look. She was carrying a mountain of bags, no doubt from all her shopping.

I clenched my fists as she made eye contact with me.

Gliding over, she stopped in front of Piper and smiled sweetly.

"Piper, darling, glad to see your disguise is still holding up with the media," she turned and looked at Hazel, "and Hazel, how are you and Frankie doing? Past the love-sick puppy stage I hope." Her smile was sickening.

She glared at me for one moment before passing on, and I got the idea that If she knew these girls- I did not play my cards just yet.

I feigned confusion.

"Screw off Rachel," Piper snarled.

"Oh catty now aren't we?" Rachel pouted.

Circling us like a shark, she pushed Piper slightly on the shoulder. Piper scowled and Rachel smiled one last time and left.

"Who was that?" I asked, hoping they didn't catch my reaction at the start.

Piper narrowed her eyes at me, "Our friends girlfriend. She used to be nice but something changed after they started dating. Percy is too nice to dump her; always saying that she isn't so bad when they're alone," Piper snorted, "Yeah right!"

My throat closed up.

"That's not fun."

The rest of the shopping experience felt forced, and I had to excuse myself early. I hugged Thalia goodbye, and rushed home.

How did I connect myself with Percy's friend group? What a coincidence.

The plot is thickening! Tee Hee! Do you like how many connections I've made between Percy and Annabeth? It's as if fate wanted them to be together!

P.S. It's also the single handed reason I made Nico straight besides maybe making him more open.