Chapter 10: Being a Moron

Percy's POV

I groggily opened my eyes, groaning. My head was pounding harshly and I felt slightly shaky, rubbing my eyes I sat up and glanced around me, talking in the scene.

I was in my room; my shoes were lined up nicely at the side of my bed, what the hell? I was shirtless; my shirt I wore last night was folded perfectly and smelled strongly of alcohol and fruity perfume. I was relieved to find that I was still in my jeans. I glanced over at the bedside table; there was a bottle of Advil and a glass of water. Upon further observation I saw a white slip of paper I picked it up and read,

Percy,

Please take the Advil, it will help the hang over and drink plenty of water.

Session is at 12, Don't be late.

-Annabeth

Oh yeah... Annabeth. He sort of remembered seeing her and taking to her, he remembered wanted to kiss her, I wondered if I did…no I would remember something like that.

After that my memory was mostly blank, I guessed she had taken me home and put me to bed, gods that embarrassing, I'm never gonna live that down…

"Perce?" Frank was at his door, groaning again I dragged myself to a standing position and opened the door. "Wow you look like crap! Have a good time last night?"

"Yeah from what I can remember that is, were you here last night?" maybe he knew what happened.

"Nope, just got home, I was at Hazel's," I goofy smile spread over his face. "Why?"

"Cause last night after I left um someone's house I ran into Annabeth and I think she brought me home and put me to bed, I got this note," I handed over the note.

Frank raised his eyebrows, "wow and you don't remember?"

I shook my head, "Little flashes but no, not really," I said, scratching the back on my neck, blushing slightly.

"Well that's sweet of her, I thought she disliked you," Frank said, me too…. "You hungry? I was gonna make some pasta, you want?"

"Yeah that sounds-" I checked my watch, "no, no shoot! If I'm late Annabeth really will kill me!" I grabbed my favorite dark green shirt, pulling it on in record time.

"Good luck bro," Frank called laughing as I ran out shoes in hand, backpack open, half on my back.

I took a gulp of air, as I walked out of the library more confused then before. I don't want to gloat but over the years I have gotten pretty good at understanding the strange and complicated creatures we call 'females'. I have had my fair share of them, all kinds of them, the artsy ones, the needy ones, the despite ones, the overachievers, the sassy ones, ones with daddy issues and mommy issues, depressed ones and fun ones, party girls and druggy ones, from the insecure to the overly confident, but I have never meet anyone quite like Annabeth.

Annabeth was the smartest person I have ever meet and she knows it too, she is probably the most beautiful one as well with her long blonde tendrils, tan smooth skin, stormy piercing grey eyes, pretty gentle pink lips and delicate features, add in her slim athletic body and you have one beautiful girl. She can be cold and distant, snappy, sassy and sarcastic, passion and angry, even the occasional relaxed moment, she could change to any one of these at a moments notice without any rhyme or reason I could see. I knew there must be a trigger but I didn't know what it was and it was driving me crazy.

Today was a good example:

I walked up to the large dark wooden table where she was already sitting, leaning over a book studying it with such intensity that if a three headed dragon set the library on fire she probably wouldn't have noticed.

I came closer watching her carefully, one of her blonde curls had escaped from behind her ear but she didn't seem to notice, her eyes were a wed of complex thoughts, facts, problems, and numbers as she studied the page, she had a soft long sweater on similar to the last one it was dark blue, it was rapped tightly around her as if it were armor, that protected her from my prying eyes, her jeans, clear favorites were worn and a soft light blue with a obviously natural rip at the knee.

"Are you just going to stand there like an idiot because I have places to be and people to see and you are wasting my time," she said without looking up from her large book.

I grinned, "popular are we?" I mocked, my heart beating harder when she looked up me, eyebrows raised.

"Here." She abruptly, all playfulness gone, handing over a packet of paper, Annabeth loved packets.

"Why thank you kind lady," I said, trying for a smile but none was found only a look to the sky as if to say 'gods please me'.

"Get started," she ordered, turning back to her book.

I watched her, debating weather or not to bring up last night and thank her for bring me home and putting me to sleep. I imagined Annabeth taking my shirt off, I wished the thought disgusted me…but it didn't. I liked the idea of Annabeth and removing clothes, I hoped it was just because she was hot not because I was falling for her because I will never fall again, even for someone as beautiful, smart and sassy as Annabeth.

"Hey Annabeth?" I asked trying to sound more confident then I felt, but I failed, well what else is new I mean that's how I got in this position in the first place.

"What!" she sounded like a mom talking to her eight year old after he has been whining for treats for hours.

I swallowed, "thanks for… you know last night…it was really sweet of you and I appreciate it so thank you." I couldn't look at her reaction so I started to work on her stupid packet, it was hard and complicated but actually doable, I swelled with pride after finishing a particularly difficult problem and checking it to see if it was correct just how Annabeth taught me.

I must have been working half an hour, and I was starting to fell very antsy when Annabeth said quietly, "did you even know her name?" I was startled by the anger-laced tone.

I looked up at her eyes were still glued to her book, her brow were frowned with anger or concentration I wasn't sure which, most likely both. "Who's name?" I played innocent but I knew she was asking about my one night stand.

"You know exactly who, that idiotic low self esteem girl you took advantage of. Do you know her name?" she seemed to be spitting the words at like a cannon shooting out heavy dangerous metal balls.

"You don't even know her, what makes you think she is stupid and is uncertain of herself, and did not take advantage of her she was willing." I defended, hoping the bullets.

"She has to be more of a moron then you to even consider sleeping with you," she snapped.

I have to admit that stung but even so I shouldn't have said what I did, "you are just bitter because nobody loves you!" I know, I know I'm horrible but my head was still throbbing and being called a moron, brought back bad memories.

"I hate you," she voice was acid, a look backing up her statement clouded her features.

Guilt swept through me as soon as the words were out of my mouth, but it was too late to take them back. "Look I'm sorry I didn't mean that…" I stuttered, "that was out of line, I didn't mean that, the hangover it's making me…I'm sorry."

Her eyes were filled with angry tears and she was shaking, "I hate you…" she paused before saying the last bit, "idiot."

Oooooooh…. Fight! Fight! Fight!

This chapter didn't really turn out the way I wanted it to but oh well.

Hope you all are well!

-pm