Hey guys! So this chapter is going up a little earlier than expected and my beta CupcakeQueen57, (who is not an official beta, she's my best friend and I'm her beta) told me that it was time to post the chapter and that it was good to go, so here it is. Any feedback is appreciated, so review, it always helps (motivation, writers block, etc.). Enjoy! :)

Chapter 2: Mending the Cracks

Annabeth's POV

..."And don't EVER come back!"

I woke up in a cold sweat. I looked around disoriented, I heard footsteps running down the stairs. 'Oh crap,' I thought, 'I'd probably been screaming my head off.'

I looked around. I was laying on the couch at Andromeda's house. The footsteps on the stairs stopped and padded across the carpet. I saw the person who had been running down the stairs. It was Percy. His black hair was a mess and from his stance, I could tell that he was ready for a fight.

"What's wrong? What happened? Annabeth, are you okay? Percy asked frantically.

"Shh," I said putting a finger to my lips because Andromeda was still sleeping. "I'm fine, now let's go to the kitchen so we don't wake up your sister."

Percy turned and started to the kitchen, and I followed. I looked at the microwave clock, 2:36. Great, I'd only gotten like 3 hours of sleep.

"So, what happened? And don't tell me nothing because you were screaming your head off." Percy said as I sat down at the counter.

"I had a nightmare about Luke. About him hitting me again and yelling at me. And I just...couldn't handle it...a secon-," I started to explain but then my voice broke and I started crying again.

Percy came around the counter, gently pulled me off my chair, pulled me into a hug. He rubbed my back and whispered to me soothingly. When he pulled away, I almost wished that he hadn't. 'Whoa,' I thought to myself. 'Where did that come from?'

"Are you sure you're okay?" Percy asked, his eyes searching my face.

"I'm fine now," I said, taking a deep breath.

"Alright," Percy was still looking at me with that caring concern look. "Do you want me to sleep downstairs on the floor?"

I blushed and looked at the counter. "Maybe, if you wouldn't mind," I said sheepishly. "just in case I have another nightmare."

"Okay, I'll go get a sleeping bag and a pillow," Percy said as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

I sat back down in my chair at the counter. 'What am I playing at? And why did I blush?' I thought to myself. 'He's just a friend helping out a friend, right?'

My thoughts were interrupted when Percy walked back into the kitchen. I looked up at him to find him staring at me.

"You okay?" He asked for like the third time, but I wasn't getting annoyed by it for some reason that I couldn't explain at the time.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I was just thinking."

"Ah, the good old WiseGirl, always thinking."

"Oh shut up, SeaweedBrain." I retorted, though I was smiling.

I stood up and walked past him into the living room. I sat down on the couch while Percy laid out his sleeping bag.

I was staring at my hands trying to decide something. I wanted to ask Percy a question, but I wasn't sure I should ask it. Finally, I decided to just go ahead and ask it.

"Hey, Percy," I started, willing my voice not to shake.

Percy looked up. "Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"Shut up, now yes or no."

"Go ahead, ask your all important question, oh inquiring one." Percy said, smirking.

"Why do you think that Luke broke up with me?" I asked, my voice catching on Luke's name.

Percy's expression went from humor to deep thought with a little concern masking slight anger.

Percy got up from his makeshift bed on the floor and sat down next to me on the couch. He put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer.

"I don't know why, but I do that any guy who would break up with you would be making a huge mistake." Percy said, squeezing my shoulder gently.

It felt like my cheeks were on fire. It's a good thing that the lights in the room were dim because I was probably as red as a tomato.

I looked up at Percy. He was staring at me intently with an adoring look in his eyes.

"Really?" I asked. I was wondering how he came up with that, I wasn't that great, was I?

"I'm absolutely sure of it." Percy replied smiling. "You're something special that no one would want to give up."

"I don't feel like it though." I said, which was perfectly honest.

"Don't let Luke or Ethan or any of the other guys get you down like that. You are special, if not to Luke, then to someone else." Percy replied, sounding, was that - dare I say it- hopeful when he said 'someone'?

"Who?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Oh, you'll find out soon, maybe." Percy said, a little mysteriously and a little sadly. Was I missing something?

"You should try to get a little bit more sleep. Goodnight, WiseGirl." Percy said.

Then he leaned over and kissed my forehead. After that, without another word, he climbed into his sleeping bag and was softly snoring within minutes.

I sat on the couch for a moment thinking 'What just happened? Does Percy like me?'

The place where his lips had been was still tingling. Warmth spread through my body, like when you take that first sip of warm hot chocolate on a cold day. It felt wonderful.

'Whoa,' I thought to myself. 'Where did that come from? Do I like Percy?'

I laid down with these thoughts swimming around in my head. Pretty soon, I too was asleep.

So it was kind of a short chapter but the next one will be better. Reviews are always appreciated. I don't know when my next chapter will be up, I'm in the process of moving so…...it may be awhile, I will try to write though.

-LB