Disclaimer: Don't own
AN: PLEASE NOTE: Not related to the first chapter what-so-ever. Whole new story.
Annabeth was lying on her bed, in the dorms of a New York boarding school. Unfortunately, it wasn't Goode High School, which was where Percy went, as apparently all the classes were full (though Percy insisted that there was room for one more). It was rather disappointing, after finally convincing her parents and being able to live in New York but not go to the same school as her boyfriend.
But despite that small disappointment, her new school had been pretty good by her standards. It was only occasionally that she had to turn someone down after asking her out on a date and she managed to make a few friends who didn't mind about how much more male attention she had than others. Much better than her previous school in San Francisco.
Said friends were all her roommates. It was hard to live with people and not get along so being friends helped the situation a lot. But they all disapproved of Percy.
She could even understand where they were coming from though. It had happened enough in real life, advertised all over social media and in TV shows.
The smooth, charming, devilishly handsome guy who played girls like instruments. The date-and-dump kind of guy. The one-night-stand type (or keep them until they get bored). Of course they didn't know that Percy was also a demigod like her, that she knew him since they was twelve and that he literally fell into hell with her. For her.
And year after year, ever since they were twelve when they met at Camp Half-Blood, they went on so many adventures together, bonding and becoming closer to each other. She doubted anything could split them apart. Not even the gods. Especially not the gods, Aphrodite would smite anyone who tried (She put too much effort into finally getting them together).
But her friends didn't understand. They only saw the 'bad boy' in Percy. To be honest, it's easily seen at first glance. And second too, when you think of it. The multitude of 'criminal' cases (i.e. blowing up band rooms) a country-wide manhunt on his first quest, his 'getting-kick-out-of-every-school' reputation, not to mention the SPQR tattoo on his forearm from his visit to the Romans.
Yes, it was very easy to see the 'bad boy' in Percy.
But Annabeth knew it was simply his public appearance. Inside, just below the surface, if you took even just a second to know him, there was a caring, selfless man that was so sweet he would melt your heart. He turned down godhood to be with her, and that was before they were even dating.
Annabeth remembered when her friends first met Percy a few weeks ago.
|-| Flashback
"Annabeth!"
She turned around to see one of her roommates, Tamara Rethus. She was a rather short girl, auburn hair done in a loose braid, hanging over her shoulder, a questioning look in her chocolate brown eyes.
"Are you going to Reece's party on the weekend?"
"No, sorry. I'm going away for this weekend." Annabeth replied with a soft smile.
"What! Annabeth! Come on, like, our entire year is going to be there. You have to go." Tamara said in shock, no one in their right state of mind would miss out on this party. "Where are you going that could be more important than going to Reece's?"
"My boyfriend is taking me to Montauk for a little vacation and relaxation."
Tamara responded before Annabeth could even finish, as if no matter what she was doing, it wasn't as important as going to the party.
"That's nice and all but Re-" She stopped suddenly, her eyes widened comically. "Wait… BOYFRIEND?!" she almost screamed out. Annabeth merely raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you so surprised? Am I that undesirable?" Annabeth joked.
"How did I not know of this before though? I thought we were friends Annabeth. Friends!" Tamara looked like a kicked puppy, a look of betrayal in her warm trusting eyes. But Annabeth wasn't affected… much. She's experienced much better and more effective 'guilt-tripping' expressions from Percy. She just shrugged.
"It just never came up."
"Girl, that's like, the first thing you say to your friends. But anyway, when am I gonna meet this lucky guy? And he's taking you to Montauk… That's so romantic…" Tamara said dreamily.
"He's picking me up on Friday when classes are over. You can meet him then if you want."
Tamara gave a girlish squeal. "Can't wait to meet the person who caught the eye of the infamous 'never-ever-dating' Annabeth."
Annabeth looked flabbergasted. "People actually call me the 'never-ever-dating' Annabeth? What the Hades!"
|-| Scene break (within flashback)
Tamara was so excited. She wanted to find out just who had managed to take and hold the heart of Annabeth in their hands. She really hoped he was a nice guy. She knew Annabeth didn't really have the nicest of childhoods. The whole afternoon, she couldn't concentrate on the lessons. The clock above the whiteboard ticked aggravatingly slow.
BRRRRNGGGGG
Finally! The last bell! Tamara shoved all her books into her bag and almost sprinted out of her class, determined to meet Annabeth's boyfriend, as if getting outside would make him appear faster. She had told the rest of her roommates about the visiting boyfriend and they were all just as excited to meet him.
Sitting in the car drop off/pick-up bay next to the school building, she quickly looked for her other roommates. Soon enough, Ashley Mortel and Rebecca Holgate were sitting with her, chatting amicably about Annabeth's mystery boyfriend, Reece's upcoming party and regular school gossip.
Ashley was a tallish girl (although not as tall as Annabeth) long silky black hair that flowed like a river, tied up in a simple ponytail. She had warm hazel eyes and was usually the first person to volunteer to help with anything.
Rebecca was a little shorter than Ashley, her strawberry blond hair in a half up half down fashion. Her light blue eyes screamed mischievousness, she loved the occasional prank. Or five.
A few more minutes passed until finally she saw Annabeth walking towards them, talking and laughing with Elena Neo, carrying a duffel bag. Elena was a bit of an outcast at the school. She had bright sapphire blue eyes and a curious (but pretty) shade of light pale blue hair which made her the subject of bullying and torment from a select few of her peers. Tamara herself never really cared, but she didn't do anything to stop the bullying like the many other bystanders, even though she was well aware of what was going on.
She felt a little shameful when Annabeth came to the school and put a stop to the bullying. When she actually got to know Elena, she was a quiet and withdrawn girl, probably made worse by the bullying but she was very sweet and caring. And of course Annabeth, with her honey blonde princess curls and striking grey eyes. She was the subject of envy from quite a few females in the school and of attention from the males (although she now knew there was a particular male that Annabeth had eyes for).
Tamara waved them over to where she, Ashley and Rebecca were sitting.
"Hey Annabeth, Elena."
The roommates greeted each other warmly, before Tamara asked the question that was on all of their minds.
"So, when is he going to arrive?" she said with a knowing smile.
But just as she asked her question, a sleek grey Mercedes pulled up beside them. People stopped and stared at the beautiful car, a decal of an owl gripping a trident in its claws spray painted on the sides. Annabeth smiled widely.
"That's him."
The engine switched off and the door opened. And out stepped a ridiculously handsome young man with his tousled black hair, sunglasses over his eyes, chiselled jaw and a tall, muscular but lean build. He was wearing a plain white shirt and faded blue jeans, but he managed to make it look impressive on him. She was sure she had to scrape her jaw off the floor, along with Ashley and Rebecca and even Elena. And Annabeth calmly walked up to him.
"Hey Seaweed Brain." she smiled brightly
The man, 'Seaweed Brain', smiled back at her, taking off his sunglasses, revealing gorgeous sea-green eyes.
"Sup Wise Girl." He wrapped Annabeth in a hug and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
Annabeth looked back at her friends, whom were still gaping at Percy, and cleared her throat. They instantly realised they were staring and suddenly looked away, blushing.
"Percy, these are my friends, Tamara, Elena, Rebecca and Ashley." She said, pointing to each one of them as she said their name. "Guys, this is my boyfriend, Percy Jackson."
"Hi-hey-hello." they said simultaneously.
Tamara narrowed her eyes slightly. Percy Jackson... the name sounded so familiar for some reason.
"You ready to go?" Percy asked.
Annabeth adjusted her hold on her duffel bag she was carrying, bring Percy's attention to it. "Yup, all packed and ready to go."
"Here. Let me get that." He reached out to take the bag, and though Annabeth offered no physical resistance, she still complained about it vocally.
"Seaweed Brain, I can carry it myself you know." She said, slightly exasperated.
Percy smiled winningly at her. "Of course I know. But it's a gentlemanly thing to do isn't it?" He said, swinging the bag into his own shoulder.
Tamara's eyes narrowed further when she stopped a black tattoo on his forearm. She was getting and 'off' feeling about this Percy. And she didn't like it.
Percy put Annabeth's bag in the back whilst she was saying goodbye to her friends. Tamara snapped out of her speculation of Percy when Annabeth stepping in front of her.
"See you Annabeth. Have fun." She pulled her into a hug, whispering into her ear, "be careful, I'm getting a weird feeling from Percy."
Tamara released Annabeth from the hug, who stepped back and looked at her quizzically with a raised eyebrow. She shrugged regardless.
"I'll be careful, don't worry."
She got into the car and Tamara watched it drive away.
|-| End flashback
Annabeth was brought out of her thoughts when she heard the door to her room open. Tamara poked her head in.
"Hey Annabeth, I'm meeting up with Rebecca, Ashley and Elena for some coffee down the street, do you want to come?"
"Umm, sure, but you go on ahead, I'll be there in, maybe 10 minutes. I'm just going to rest a bit. It's been a hectic week for me." Annabeth replied smiling.
Tamara rolled her eyes. "Yeah no kidding. You were snapping at everyone these past few days."
Annabeth grimaced. "Sorry."
"Well, you have a rest, take your time and come meet up whenever you feel like it."
"Sure, thanks Tamara."
"See you in a bit."
Tamara walked down and out onto the street to the little cafe a short way down the street. Entering into the quaint building, she spotted her friends sitting in the corner, giggling and laughing.
She went over to join them. "Hey girls!"
"Heya Tamara. Where's Annabeth?"
"She's worn out, so she's resting for a bit before joining us."
Ashley leaned forward, a serious look on her face. "Since she isn't here, let's discuss about Percy. What are we going to do?"
Tamara remembered the discussion they had in their room after they had just met him, watching Annabeth speeding away with him in the Mercedes.
|-| Flashback
"Did any of you feel something weird with Percy? Like there was wrong with him or something."
"Yeah, I felt it too, it was really strange."
"Me too."
Elena kept silent, but she nodded her head as well.
"And did you see his tattoo? It kinda worries me." Rebecca
"It's almost as if it was burnt into his skin rather than inked." Ashley agreed.
"And he's really attractive too. But his personality is a huge turn off." Elena added.
"Percy Jackson..." Tamara rolled the name off her tongue. She was almost certain she had heard that name before.
"Hey, wasn't he the guy on the news a few years back! About vandalising The Arch or something?"
Everyone's eyes widened in realisation.
Tamara quickly jumped to the laptop at her desk and googled 'Percy Jackson'. The rest of the girls crowding around her, staring at the screen.
All of the searches came up with Percy Jackson and his misadventures.
"Country wide man-hunt for criminal on the run, Percy Jackson..."
"Crazy student, Percy Jackson, blows up band room..."
"Percy Jackson, high school delinquent, kicked out of every school he's been to..."
They stared in silence, shocked at the results.
"This raises so many questions. Does Annabeth know this? How did he get together with her in the first place with this kind of reputation?" Tamara asked no one in particular.
"What are his intentions towards Annabeth?" That question stopped the girls short.
It was Elena who voiced their concerns. "Do you think that's he just... trying to... you know... get into Annabeth's pants?"
"We have to tell her."
|-| End flashback
"But how are we going to make Annabeth see that he's just considers her like a 'conquest'?" Tamara asked.
"I know! She completely disregarded all those news articles." Elena said glumly.
"We need solid evidence that Percy is just trying to-" Tamara stopped short when she saw none other than Percy Jackson standing across the street from the cafe they were in.
And he seemed to be flirting with another girl!
"What the hell!"
The other girls looked with shocked eyes, staring disbelievingly, as they hugged, and together they walked into the burger joint they were standing in front of.
Tamara recovered the quickest. "Someone take a picture and send it to me, I'll go get Annabeth and show her the real side of Percy."
She all but sprinted back to the school, racing up the stairs to their dorms. A little vibration in her pocket told her that someone managed to snap incriminating evidence of Percy and sent it to her.
Quickly checking her phone, she saw the image. Percy with the other girl, sitting at their table in the burger joint, laughing together. If Annabeth didn't believe them now, nothing would convince her. And Tamara would then be sure that she was brain-washed or something. She hated those kinds of people, and would never willingly date one.
Looking down at her phone whilst running wasn't the smartest idea Tamara had. But luckily Annabeth was already on her way to meet up with them and her reflexes were scarily fast. Tamara almost smashed into Annabeth, but she managed to catch her and swing her around to lose her momentum. The phone slipped out of her hands but Annabeth managed to snatch it right out of the air, screen still displaying the image.
"Woah, Tamara, slow down. I wasn't dying or anything, I was just coming down now."
Tamara took a moment to breathe, back hunched and hands resting on her knees. She really needed to get more fit.
"Look… on the phone…" she said breathlessly, whilst gesturing to the phone in Annabeth's hand.
Annabeth frowned and glanced at the screen in her hand. Her grey eyes widened in shock at what she saw.
Tamara didn't want to play the whole, 'told you so', but, "See, we told you he wasn't good for you." Tamara said sadly, catching her expression.
Annabeth's eyes narrowed in anger.
"Where is this?" She asked in a dangerously quiet voice.
"It's right across the cafe where we usually meet."
Annabeth handed her phone back to her and stormed off, down the stairs to the street, silent but determined steps.
Tamara followed almost timidly. She had seen Annabeth angry once, when she stopped the bullying towards Elena, and she did not want to ever see that anger directed at her.
Ashley, Rebecca and Elena were waiting outside the cafe, across the road from Percy, not wanted to draw attention that they had seen him with another girl and potentially scare him off before Annabeth could see.
Annabeth burst into the burger joint, surprising the few patrons within and drawing attention to her. Including Percy and the girl, her friends trailing behind her.
Tamara could see Percy's expression clearly. One of confusion, which swiftly morphed into shocked realisation and then guilt and panic. Tamara couldn't help but feel vindictive satisfaction at finally bringing down Percy Jackson and protecting Annabeth from him.
Annabeth stormed up to them, directly facing Percy.
"Perseus Jackson," Percy winced at the use of his full name. Her tone was quiet, but it was laced with anger. "Why did you not tell me Thalia was here?"
"I'm sorry, there were mon- I mean, problems and Thalia was there to help me and it just kinda slipped my mind…" he babbled.
"Annabeth," the girl laughed slightly, "Lay off him. He'll always be a Kelp Head."
Wait what.
Tamara took time to study the girl, Thalia. She had spiky dark hair with blue highlights, thick, heavy eyeliner which brought out her startling electric blue eyes. Her outfit screamed 'goth' although the silver tiara detracted from that theme.
But Tamara was more shocked when she got up and hugged Annabeth.
"Hey Annie. It's been a while" she said.
Tamara literally couldn't even anymore. No one could get away with calling Annabeth 'Annie'.
"Wait, you guys know each other?" Rebecca asked astonished.
"Of course, we're all childhood friends." Thalia said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Wait, so Percy isn't actually trying to get into your pants?" Elena blurted out. When she realised what she'd said, she blushed bright red, trying to hide her face behind the long sleeves of her sweater.
There was a sudden silence, before Thalia burst out laughing. Annabeth quickly joined in whilst Percy just looked put out. Tamara and the rest of the girls felt a little out of depth. Realisation dawned on Annabeth's face.
"So that's why you brought up Percy's criminal record? Because you thought he was some douchebag trying to get into my pants?"
"We-we thought..." Ashley stopped, flustered at the mistake.
"Hey wait, what! I have a criminal record?" was Percy's surprised outcry.
Annabeth smiled and continued as if Percy never said anything. "We've known each other since we were twelve. He's awfully patient if he just wants to get into my pants. And I've known Thalia since I was seven if you were curious."
Now Percy was blushing in embarrassment and Thalia was laughing merrily at him.
Tamara herself was becoming a little embarrassed. Here she thought Percy was a typical 'bad boy', and then she discovers he's not at all like that and that he's childhood friends with Annabeth. It made a lot more sense in her mind regarding their relationship. Annabeth would never allow someone without integrity to date her.
Thalia smiled at her. "You have nice friends Annie, they look out for you. Even if their concerns are misplaced."
Tamara felt a little proud at the compliment, and she could feel Ashley, Rebecca and even Elena stand just a little straighter.
Annabeth smiled at them too. "Yeah, you guys are great."
"Could you tell me what my criminal record is please?" Percy chipped in.
Before any of them could reply, Annabeth responded. "Surely you know your own criminal record and reputation, you bad boy." She winked teasingly at him.
"Annabeth!" came the indignant answer.
They all laughed together, even Percy after a few moments.
Writing super slow due to school and laziness and stuff.
Write a review and/or favourite if you liked.
~Matanator