Thanks for the reviews! Here is chapter 2...
Chapter 2
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone
Annabeth POV
I got out of bed, remembering that today was the day I would find out weather or not I got into the movie. I quickly got dressed, praying that I would get a role, and walked out of my apartment and grabbing an apple on my way out. When I exited the building, I saw the usual : typical Los Angeles. Luxury cars whizzed past me, leaving a trail of the new pop songs behind. The Starbucks opposite my building welcomed customer after customer who were ready for a nice cup of morning coffee. Women strutted past me in their designer outfits and classy handbags. The sky was a lovely shade of baby blue, and white fluffy clouds lazily moved around in the sky.
I started walking, just thinking about bumping into Percy Jackson last night. He was so unbelievably handsome with his dark messy hair and beautiful green orbs. I should've given him my number I thought to myself angrily. I hadn't noticed that I was scowling until a sleek black Maserati pulled up on the pavement. "Don't frown Blondie, it ruins your face."
Oh my gods.
It's him.
Oh gods.
What should I do?!
"Don't call me Blondie, Percy," I replied, happy that my voice didn't sound as nervous as I felt.
"Jump in, you look lonely."
I almost fainted
"In your car?" I asked stupidly
"No, my Pegasus." He replied sarcastically, "Of course my car!"
"Don't you have some girlfriend who would get jel-"
"I don't have a girlfriend, Annabeth." Percy said, raising an eyebrow.
"But-"
"I can go if you want." Percy said. I rolled my eyes at him but climbed into his car anyway. It was gorgeous. The paint job was smooth and immaculately perfect. When I climbed in, I got a whiff of the sea. The leather was plush, and smelled of - well - newly bought leather. Ellie Goulding's 'on my mind' was blasting from the radio and I tried not to look to impressed at his ride. "Nice wheels." I told him, in which he grinned cheekily in response.
"Annabeth, meet Blackjack. Blackjack, Annabeth."
"You named your car Blackjack?" I asked, looking at him wierdly
"Yes I did, Annie." He replied, "Now where are you off to?"
"Lions gate offices, where we met the other day." I told him. He smiled real big,
"I'm heading there too!" Percy said, "That's great, convenient actually."
"Thanks for the ride Percy."
"No problem Annie," He replied. We rode in silence, just listening to Ellie Goulding's melodic voice fill the car. The song stopped and suddenly Taylor Swift came on and started playing 'Wildest Dreams'. Percy put up the volume and started singing to the radio, causing me to just burst into laughter at him.
"That's not very nice," He said, smiling, "Taylor is my jam,"
"You like listening to Taylor Swift?" I asked incredulously,
"Hey, don't diss Taylor!"
"No, no I've got nothing against her, it's just that you're not someone who would strike me as a person who listens to Taylor Swift!"
"Well then, Wise Girl, if you have nothing against her, then sing with me!" He started singing to the lyrics again, and I laughed but joined him anyway. We probably sounded like lunatics, as the car was a convertible. Passer-byes stared at us, smiles playing on their lips and I felt a mix between embarrassed and crazy, but these were the days that I loved Los Angeles the most. As the song finished, we pulled up at Lions gate offices, where David was walking out whilst talking on his cell phone. When he saw us, he muttered something, put his phone away and smiled at us. "Hey guys!" He said
"Hey David." Percy said
"Hi."
"Annabeth are you here to find out which part you got?"
"Bingo." I replied. David got out his phone and scrolled through until he found something.
"Ah!" He said, "Annabeth we've chosen for you to play the part of Evie!" I racked my brain to remember who Evie was, then it came to me. Evie was the girl Alex was having an affair with. To be honest, I was surprised. I didn't realize I was going to do that well, of course I never thought that I would get the lead role of Julia, but getting Evie was satisfying. "Wait, Annie, you're Evie?" Percy said. I nodded happily, "Oh my gods, I'm playing Alex!" My eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yeah!" He replied, "Now you'll see me everyday and I'll get to annoy you!" David laughed at us.
"That's great, you two can hang out and get to know one another. I'm afraid we haven't decided on who will play Julia, but you'll be the first to know, Perce. David said, "Well I've got to run, but I'll see you guys later." He winked at me and walked off, getting into a small blue car and driving off.
"Now Annabeth, I think this calls for some victory pancakes!" Percy said, and I raised my eyebrows at him, "Come on, you'll love it.".
Together, we got into his car and drove off singing along to whatever now was playing on the radio. I looked at Percy, and noticed things I had never noticed before. The dimple on his left cheek. His shaggy hair that blew around as we drove out in the open. His emerald eyes sparkled playfully as he danced along to the song. He caught my eye, and wriggled his eyebrows.
"Checking me out Annabeth?" Percy gloated. I turned red, but tried to hide it by giving him a snort,
"You wish Jackson!"
Percy parked Blackjack outside a small cafe called Mama G's. He got out and grabbed my arm, dragging me inside. The interior was warm, and homely. Various tables and low-set couches with coffee tables were set around the cafe and a crackling fire stood in the right were a few people here are there, and Percy was right. I loved it. It smelled amazing. Freshly cooked pancakes and sweet syrup wafted up my nose, making my mouth water. We sat down, as a large jolly-looking lady walked out the the kitchen through a small door. When she saw Percy, her whole face lit up and she rushed over. "Percy!" She cried, "Oh my gods, Percy why I haven't seen you in ages!"
"Sup Mama G!" Percy replied, grinning from ear to ear.
"You've grown so tall!" The woman - Mama G - cooed, patting his hair," Oh and you've brought a young lady!" At this, me and Percy turned red stuttering out denials.
"We're not dating." He said, going a deep shade of red.
"Just friends." I agreed, but Mama G only chuckled.
"That's what all of them say at first." She said, "So Percy, the usual?"
"Yep, two plates please."
"Two plates coming up!" Mama G chirped, walking away. I smiled at her back.
"She's nice." I told Percy
"Yeah, she's my old mate's aunt." He replied, "We used to come here before I started acting." Lots of other couples were sitting on the tables, and couches cuddling up. Which got me thinking about scooting up to Percy. But the sane part of my mind slapped me back into reality. He would think you're so weird! It told me. "And there it is again," Percy said, knocking me out of my thoughts,
"What?" I replied, frowning.
"There!" He shouted, pointing at my face, "There it is. You keep frowning. Stop it."
"Why does it concern you if I'm frowning?"
"It ruins your pretty face."
"I'm just thinking." I grumbled
"Yeah, yeah always thinking like a Wise Girl." Percy said. I recoiled.
"Wise girl?" I replied, raising an eyebrow
"You're always thinking." He said, shrugging.
"Well you've got to be a seaweed brain to notice so much about me." I shot back
"Seaweed brain?" He joked, "What made you think of that?"
"Well," I muttered, going a little bit red, "When I climbed into your car the first thing that hit me was the ocean, and your head is full of kelp. So add one and one, you get a seaweed brain."
"Such a wise girl. Thinking about things such as the smell of my car." He said, smiling
"Stop!" I whined, "It was just the first thing that came to my mind! Do you like the ocean?"
Percy's eyes softened and his eyes went out of focus, as if he were recalling a memory.
"Yeah, it reminds me of my dad." He said, "That's where he met my mom."
"Was he a good dad?" I asked,
"Yeah," He said smiling, and he looked away. Indicating the end of the conversation
My father had never agreed to me moving to Los Angeles. He said that he'd prefer that I get a more stable job, but I ignored him and moved anyway.
"I'm back lovelies!" I heard a happy voice call.
"Looks wonderful, as always Mama G." Percy said, grinning ear to ear, "Thanks."
"No worries, you can come by anytime. And bring Grover next time as well!" Mama G replied, "Enjoy!"
I looked at my plate. Percy was right, they looked amazing, like the gods' gift to earth. The pancakes were thick and soft, cooked to perfection to a golden-brown color. Heat steamed of them and when I sniffed it, it felt like doing drugs. A square slice of butter oozed hypnotically down the side, and juicy blueberries rested on the side of the plate. I then took the bottle of syrup and drizzled my pancakes, covering them in a sweet blanket. I looked over at Percy and my jaw dropped. I hadn't been paying attention, but his plate of pancakes were the most peculiar shade of blue. He caught me staring at his pancakes and shrugged. "It's a family thing." He said,
"My mom and old stepdad had a fight, and he said that not everything can be the color blue. My mom has been going out of the way ever since, even now when he's gone. Mama G knows that I like my pancakes to be blue, she's known me for so long that she can't forget."
"Do they taste different?" I asked
"Not at all." Percy said, "Try it.". I picked up my knife, and cut a big piece. Using my fork, I picked the piece up and gingerly lifted it to my mouth, knowing very well that Percy was watching me. The first flavor to to unfold on my tongue was the sweetness of the syrup, quickly followed by the delicate, buttery flavor of the pancake itself. The coolness of the syrup and heat of the pancake complemented one another perfectly and only served to bring out the subtle flavor of the pancake itself.
"Oh wow." I said, my eyes widening at the godly taste.
I scooped up another bite to replace the one which was quickly dissolving in my mouth, but Percy swatted my hand away, "You've got your own plate!" he complained, "Stop taking mine!"
I didn't even talk back at him. I took a big bite out of my pancakes, and then another. Before I knew it, all that remained on my plate was dribbles of syrup.
I didn't realize that I was staring at my plate with a longing expression. But Percy did, and he laughed. "I'll take you out again some other time for some more, but we've had more than enough." He paid Mama G, and took my elbow to guide me out of the cafe.
Together, we climbed into Blackjack and Percy turned on the motor, making it roar into life. He turned his head towards me. "So what did you think?" He asked. Without a doubt, I answered,
"When can I go again?"
Thanks guys! I hope you enjoyed it, and please review!
Thegirlnextdoor4702