I am SO sorry for not updating sooner. I really am. :(

V

Annabeth

Annabeth was finding it hard to be an architect. Her classes were interesting, and she was enjoying herself, but she was being pushed to work harder than she ever had before. Architecture had always come naturally to her, but it wasn't easy.

Still, Annabeth loved college in New Rome. She took a morning class three days a week in calculus, which was taught by a Roman demigod teacher who reminded her slightly of Chiron. He always believed that she could do better, which made her work harder. Annabeth had been in advanced geometry and trigonometry throughout high school, but it was nothing like this. The people here were the top of the top.

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, she learned linear programming, which she enjoyed more. It had more to do with thinking, rather than figuring out numbers. Annabeth could always picture the gears in her mind spinning like crazy when she was doing the work for this class.

The best part, however, was Percy. Even with his own college work, he always put Annabeth first, shoving aside his books the moment she walked in the door to greet her with a grin and a peck on the cheek. In fact, Annabeth was becoming suspicious. Percy seemed almost too willing to go out and get a snack at the bakery, and while Annabeth brought work with her to complete while they were there, Percy never brought any. He had to have homework to do.

"Percy, where's your homework?" she asked him one afternoon while they were sipping hot chocolate.

He made a face. "Back home," he said. "You're more important."

Annabeth snorted. "Thanks, Seaweed Brain, and I love you too. But you really can't just leave it sitting."

With that, Annabeth stood up and dragged Percy to his feet as well. He quickly downed the rest of his hot chocolate, spilling some down his chin. Annabeth laughed and wiped it away with a napkin. "Come on, let's go."

As it turned out, Percy didn't have as much homework as Annabeth had feared. He was in a subject he knew well and didn't need any help. Annabeth left him reading about fish and went to sit outside on the lawn, where she worked on finishing her own assignments.

Drawn in deeply to what she was doing, Annabeth didn't notice as it got dark outside. She was just figuring out why her graph was lopsided- it was a stupid mistake, she'd forgotten to factor in one of the variables- when she jumped at the feeling of arms wrapping around her from behind.

"You've been out here for a while," Percy said, resting his head on her shoulder. Annabeth leaned back into his chest.

"Did you do your homework?" she asked.

"Dyslexia started acting up." He frowned, then noticed Annabeth's expression and grinned. "Don't worry! I read most of it before I started getting distracted. Besides, there's not much I don't know about the ocean."

Annabeth nodded. She closed her eyes and rested for a moment before asking, "What were you getting distracted about?"

"I was wondering if we could go on a date."

Annabeth was surprised at the calm way Percy had brought it up. Usually his face turned the most adorable shade of red when he asked her out. She smiled. "Sure! Do you want to go to a restaurant somewhere here in New Rome?"

"I was actually thinking we could leave camp," he admitted. "It might be nice to get out for a bit."

Annabeth thought about it. She liked the idea. "Let's ask Reyna," she said. "I'm sure she'll let us."

Percy huffed. "Let us! We aren't kids."

Annabeth laughed. "It's the responsible thing to do to at least tell the owner of the camp that we're leaving," she chided him.

"You sound like my mom," Percy grumbled.

"That's not a bad thing," Annabeth said. "Your mom is one of the best people I know."

"Fine. Let's go ask Reyna."

Percy helped Annabeth to her feet. She ran to put her books inside, then grabbed Percy's hand as the two went off in search for Reyna.