Chapter 6: Scarlet

When Jason finally arrived, in a white stretch limo, he was wearing a black suit and black shoes as he said he would. His hair was slightly gelled and oddly his baby blue eyes that reminded me of the sky reminded me off cool pepper mints. He grinned at me, a nice toothy grin. I walked over to him and he stared at me. "Scarlet, you look gorgeous,"

"Thank you," I replied. I was going to make a snarky comeback like "I know," but I decided to keep it in. At least for today.

He took my hand and kissed my knuckles, "Shall we?"

I smiled, "We shall," he opened the door and I stepped in the limo and sat down. Jason walked around the limo, around the back not the front, that would've been stupid. He walked around and took a seat next to me while putting a thumbs up sign out the window. I heard the engine shutter and the limo began to move.

I looked around the limo and then back at Jason to notice he was still staring at me. I stared back until he looked down, chuckling. "Sorry, you just look really pretty. Like extra pretty,"

I blushed and said, "Yeah, you already acknowledged that,"

He smiled and said, "I know, sorry,"

I looked into his eyes, "No, don't be sorry," I smiled back and he put his hand on mine. I was about to hold his hand when I pulled away so fast I could've given him hand burn. What am I doing? He is not dateable. I mean he is dateable but not an option for me. Definitely not, not after what he did. I couldn't betray myself like that.

His smile lowered a little but he still kept it present. I looked down and started gripping my purse as hard as I can to stop myself from looking at his sad face. I tried to re-engage conversation but it was too late, I had made it too awkward. We stayed quiet for the rest of the ride and I decided to start rehearsing again. I started humming the song and Jason looked over at me. After about two verses, he hummed along and I smiled at him. He pretended like he was never humming, looking out the window when I looked at him. I grinned at continued humming and then after a second or two he started humming again.

We hummed the rest of the ride and when the limo came to a stop in front of Drew's mansion, I took the gift from Jason's side and smiled at him, holding his hand. He squeezed it reassuringly, we could pull this off right? The driver came out of the limo and opened the door for us. As soon as the door opened, the cameras in front of her house started snapping pictures of Jason coming out of the car. He smiled at the camera as he held my hand, helping me out of the car. As soon as I got out of the limo and our hands were intertwined, the camera snapping somehow got faster and louder. I smiled at the cameras and Jason did the same. We walked towards Drew's front door, hand in hand while pictures were being took. Right before we started walking up the divine and elegant stair case that lead to her four story house, Jason held me by my chin and kissed my cheek. Now I was definitely sure the snapping got faster.

Right when we reached the door, I grinned at Jason, "Good job,"

He grinned back, "You too,"

Jason rang the doorbell and I swear it was the most ridiculous bell I'd ever heard. It was like, "Ding dong, welcome! Ding dong, welcome!" I looked at Jason and we both burst out laughing. We kept laughing till the door opened and there stood Drew herself. She was obviously drunk, smiling lopsided and swaying.

"Welcome! I'm so glad you made it!" She slurred every word.

"Happy birthday," Jason said politely. Drew smirked and practically threw herself at Jason, hugging him.

"Why thank you! " Jason was obviously uncomfortable because he kind of shoved her back to her spot.

Drew almost fell over, wearing such high hot pink heels to match her short shoulder less dress. Her hair was in a bun and she wore a tiara but her bun was starting to fall apart.

Drew looked over at me, "Scarlet," she sneered.

"Drew," I said half politely and half sneering.

She held her chin up, "It's nice to see you made it and brought your hot," tracing Jason's jaw line with her index finger, "boyfriend with you."

Jason still looked uncomfortable but he didn't move Drew's hand. So I did. "The pleasure is all mine Drew. Say, when am I going to perform?" I asked walking in behind her, Jason's hand locked in mine.

"In a bit, why don't you get some drinks with this honey," Drew said staring at Jason. Uh, hello? Ever heard of a thing called the law? Yeah, I'm definitely underage. In fact I've never drank in my life, could I even handle it?

"It's Jason," Jason said to her.

"Jason huh? Nice name, perfect to suit a hot tie like you," Drew purred at him.

I felt myself turn red, "I agree," pulling him closer to me. You know what, to hell with the law. It's a party, we're supposed to drink and be wild. "Let's go get drinks Jason," I pulled him away, still glaring at Drew.

When we reached the bar, Jason smirked at me. "Jealous much?"

I look him in the eye, "Say again?" I give him one of my world famous cold stares but he doesn't seem to be affected.

"I said," he pauses, "'Jealous much?'" he repeats.

I scoff, "I was not jealous,"

"Oh yeah," he says scoffing, "Then why was your face look like you just got off the Titanic?"

"Now that is rude," I say to him. He raises a brow and I continue, "A lot of people died on the Titanic, I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate you comparing my mood or facial expression to their suffering,"

I look anywhere but his face but he cups my chin and says, "Look at me,"

So I do. But when I face him, I see a familiar face and smile widely. "What?" Jason asks.

"Percy!" I get out of my seat and speed walk towards Percy. "Percy!" I call. I can hear Jason scurrying behind me.

Percy looks at me and he's looking as handsome as ever. His messy black hair is still messy but it's in a rogue manner that looks, well, hot. His green eyes are as vivid as ever and his lips are a pink shade. His skin is also even and his complexion is clear. He's wearing a suit like Jason and he looks great. Healthier than when I saw him before.

"Scarlet! I've missed you," I hug Percy tightly and he hugs me back. I smile so hard my face hurts. But how can I help it, it's Percy! Cute as a baby seal my dad used to say to him. He's one of the people who know about, erm, Piper. He used to be my neighbor, and also happened to be my bestest friend in the world beside Leo.

"I missed you too Perce," I feel tears coming along, "It's been so long,"

"So long," he agrees. When I pull back I see he's grinning from ear to ear. I bet I am too but again, IT'S PERCY!

"So Scarlet, how have you been? I've missed you all this time," Percy asks.

"I've been okay, what about you? You look, well, great!" I exclaim.

Percy smirks, "Just great?"

I blush at his stupid antics, "Yes, great,"

"Just great?" he repeats.

I sigh, "Fine, you look hot, are you happy?"

He smiles smugly,"Yes."

"Ahem," Jason says behind me,

I turn around and almost laugh, "Oh yeah, sorry. You probably haven't met Percy yet," I turn to Percy. "Percy, this is Jason Grace. Jason, this is Percy Jackson," They shake hands firmly and it's weird. Like I can see electricity between them, and not the good kind. Blue against green.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Percy says politely.

"Hello," Jason said like since he said the full word, he was better,"it's nice to meet you too,"

Now it was just a silent stare off, the ice was building faster than I could handle.

"Okay you too," I stood between Percy and Jason and turned to Percy. "So, hey. It's not possible that you came here alone is it?" From behind me, I could hear Jason tread off.

Percy smiles that whole hearted Percy smile, "Nope. Brought my girlfriend,"

"Ooo, girlfriend huh?" I tease. I poke him in his most vulnerable place, his left rib and he cringes.

"Stop Pipes!" he says. I stiffen and he says, "Oops, sorry Scarlet,"

I sigh, "It's okay, it was an accident,"

Percy grabbed my hand, in apology, "No, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it," He held both of my hands to his chest.

I squeezed his hands in reply, "I'm serious," I assured him. "It's okay, really,"

Far off, I heard a snap but chose to ignore it. Obviously there would be snaps, it's DREW TANAKA'S BIRTHDAY!

Percy exhaled and smiled, "Thanks. So you want to meet my gorgeous girlfriend?" Percy asks with a playful tone.

I laugh, "Sure, let me just get Jason. You go get her, I'll meet you here,"

He laughs too, "Okay, sure."

I nod and turn around, searching the crowd for Jason. I looked for a boy with close-cropped blond hair and blue eyes. After a minute or so, I spotted him by the staircase leading up to the second floor, talking to another guy who's name I can't remember right now.

In my heels, I speed walk towards him, pushing through people. When I reach him, I loop my arm through his and greet the person he's talking to. "Hi, I'm Scarlet,"

Jason looks at me a little surprised, like he didn't expect to see me. The boy he was talking to smiled dazzingly, "Hi, I'm Jake, Jake Mason," I shaked his hand and I squinted my eyes a little, he looked familiar.

"Have," I paused to think, "Have I met you before? You look so familiar," I started snapping my fingers, it was on the tip of my tongue.

He smiled a little uncertainly, "I'm Leo's cousin," he replied.

I smiled in triumph, "Yes! That's where I've seen you, a photo of you and Leo in Leo's office,"

He grinned, "Yup,"

I grinned back. Then I realized why I came here. "Uh, you don't mind if I borrow Jason for a bit do you?" I asked.

He stepped back, "No, of course not, go ahead," he used his hand to gesture to the crowd.

"Thank you," I said quickly before pulling Jason away. After a few steps, he stopped. I looked at him, his face showed confusion and a little bitterness. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, I just thought you were hanging out with Percy. You know, because you know him so well and he knows you so well," he said bitterly.

I stared at him in awe. Was, was that jealousy I heard in his voice? "You also seem to know Jake too. You kept smiling at him, like you guys knew something I didn't," he continued pouting. I'll admit, he looked kind of cute with his pouty face.

I kept a straight face before bursting into laughter. "Look who's jealous now," I said after laughing.

He burned pink but didn't reply. I grabbed his hand, "Let's go dummy," before pulling him through the crowd.

I spotted Percy still in the spot he was before but this time he was talking to a blonde. Presumably his girlfriend. He was right about her, she was gorgeous. She wore a black waterfall style dress that had black sequin around her hips and the hem of her dress. The dress itself was sleeveless but she wore a see-through grey cardigan which complimented the dress nicely.

Her honey blonde hair was in a bun on the side of her head but her side bangs were out and curly. She had black smokey eye make up with thin eye-liner which made her grey eyes stand out nicely.

Her posture was honestly perfect and she looked like a leader. I wonder how Percy ever landed a girl like her, being the goofball he is.

"Percy!" I called. He was currently laughing at the blonde, who blushed at a probable innopropriate comment Percy made. Yeah, I knew what he was like and how he was so I could perdict his behavior,. It was also evident by his facial expressions. I grinned at their cuteness.

"Percy, over here!" He looked back at me and waved, gesturing for us to come over there.

I grabbed Jason's hand, intertwining our fingers, and pulled him towards Percy.

He smiled widely, pulling his girlfriend towards us. She spilled some of the drink she had in her hand, glaring at Percy.

"Percy, look what you made me do!" The blonde exclaimed.

Percy smiled lopsided, amused at his girlfriend's predicament. "It's okay Wise Girl, don't be such a downer,"

She rolled her eyes and held back a smile, but the smile still made it's way to her face, "Shut up Seaweed Brain, you are so obnoxious,"

I bit my lower lip, trying not to squeal at their intense cuteness. What? I'm still a girl, no matter what.

"Hi, I'm Scarlet Hues," I greeted the blonde. She smiled back and held out her hand. I grasped it, "Percy and I go way back,"

"I bet you do," Jason muttered next to me. I don't think anyone heard but I squeezed his hand, tight.

She nodded, "He's told me about you, I'm Annabeth. Annabeth Chase."

We shook hands and I withdrew mine. Then I grabbed Jason's arm and kind of just held on to it, "This is Jason, my boyfriend," I said.

Jason smiled and shook Annabeth's hand. "Jason," he said.

"Annabeth," Annabeth said smiling.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Annabeth," Jason replied. He said her name very slowly, like he wasn't sure about how to pronounce it.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine," Annabeth replied. Percy groaned and so did I but not as loud as Percy.

"If you guys are going to do these formalities, go over there!" Percy whined. "You guys are so boring," Percy said pouting.

"And you are so immature," Annabeth said sighing frustrated, "What's wrong with greeting someone politely?" she asked.

"You're taking too long," Percy said quietly, afraid of his girlfriend.

I giggled into my hand, not willing to make a sound. Jason elbowed me to shut up and I elbowed him back harder. I heard all the air come out of Jason's lungs. I could've laughed. Again.

Annabeth sighed, pitying her boyfriend's current state. She then turned to me, "Would you like a drink?" she asked.

Like I said before, I was underaged. I also didn't really have any interest with drinking, it was just Drew grilling me up. [Bleep!]. I forced a smile, "Sure! Why not?"

We both walked away from both boys who went back to their intense staring contest from before. Dorks.

Annabeth and I didn't speak till we reached the bar. It was both awkward but strangely not awkward. Maybe I'm just making it awkward. I guess I'm not good at making friends. But what are friends really? Hm. Let me look it up. I took out my phone from my purse as we sat and typed into Google search: What are friends?

Almost instantaneously, 1,800,000,000 results came up. The first one was the actual Google meaning:

Friend.

/frend/

noun.

a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations

Well Annabeth and I weren't sexual friends and we didn't have family relations. But we were the same sex, is that the same thing? So does that mean Leo and Percy aren't my friends? No, that's not possible. Maybe that's why people say "You're like family to me." So then it fits the friend definition. But Will isn't family. Well he does act sexual but not in the way I think this means...right?

I was in the midst of thought when Annabeth snapped her fingers in front of my face twice. "Scarlet!"

I looked up. "Huh?" I said a little confused.

Annabeth only laughed. "What happened? Were you texting someone?"

My face reddened, way to make friends. "No, just Googled something."

She smiled, "Seems like you were really thinking about it, what did you Google?"

Annabeth wasn't trying to look at my phone or pry at all but I still had the sudden urge to put my phone in my purse. Instead, I just turned it off and put it in my lap. "Oh nothing important,"

Annabeth rose a brow but didn't say anything in return. Instead, she said, "So what would you like to drink?"

I didn't know what to say so I just shrugged, "Whatever you want."

This time, Annabeth reddened. "Actually, the thing is," she started, "I don't drink. I was going to get some water."

I let out a long breath, "That's great!"

She turned her head slightly, "What?"

I smiled, "I don't drink either. I just didn't know how to say it exactly." So far, Annabeth has proven to be an awesome "friend." I hope I won't be proven wrong.

Annabeth grinned, "Well that's just awesome. Hey, you think they serve ginger ale here?"

I shrugged, "I dunno, want me to ask?" She nodded. "Hey, um, sir?"

The bar tender looked at me expectantly, holding two glasses in his hands.

I smiled sheepishly, "Do you have any ginger-ale?"

He pursed his lips a little then got a little spray hose thingy from the soda fountain and poured into the two glasses a dark yellow fizzy drink, ginger-ale. "Thank you."

I gave Annabeth her glass and smiled, "Here's to a new, um, "friendship," I said with air-quotes.

Annabeth brought her eyebrows together, "Why the air quotes?"

"Uh..." I didn't know how to explain so I didn't, "Never mind. Cheers?"

She smiled warmly, "Definitely. Cheers."

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