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Ch.12 The Double Date

Disclaimer - I don't claim PJO, okay?

As of this moment, I don't have any problems with girls.

It'd been three days since my amazing date with Annabeth, and I still couldn't stop thinking about it. On the other hand, it'd also been a while since I'd spoken to Rachel, and I was wondering if she was okay. I didn't think she knew at the time, but I heard what she said at the end of our last phone call…'I love you.' I felt awful because I knew that I had hurt her. I decided to call her.

"Hello?" I heard on the other end of the phone.

"Hey, Rachel," I said. "It's me, Percy."

"Yeah, I have to keep reminding you that there is this little thing called caller id," she said and laughed. It was good to hear her laugh. It made me feel like I didn't totally crush her. "Anyway, so what's up? How's Annabeth?" She sounded as normal as ever.

"Annabeth's good. How 'bout you?" I asked.

"Peachy," she replied. I sensed no sourness in her tone. "So, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I just was wondering if you wanted to hang out or anything. 'Cause, you know, we haven't in a while."

"Yeah," she said. "Not since the empousa attack. Ever since then it's been IM's and phone calls." She laughed more. "So, what did you have in mind?"

"Um." I thought about the idea of going without Annabeth; it seemed like a horrible idea. "Whatever you want to do," I started. "Oh, and I'll be bringing Annabeth. I mean, if that's cool."

"Oh, of course. And is it okay if I bring someone?"

I was taken by surprise. "Oh, yeah, sure. Who?"

"My friend, Ryan," she answered. "He and I are really close."

"Oh. I mean, really? 'Cause you've never talked about him before." There was no response.

"So, can I bring him?" she asked finally.

"Yeah, of course."

"Hey Ryan, do you want to go out somewhere with me and my friends? You know, the ones that I was telling you about," I heard her say.

"Sure, why not?" came a guy's voice through the phone.

"Yeah, we'll go. So what are we doing and when?" Rachel asked.

"I don't know. I was thinking tonight. Dinner and a movie."

"Uh, uh, nope," she said. "Way too formal. A movie, then we'll have fine dining a Hungry Hogo's Hotdog Shack. Good?"

I laughed. "Perfect. See you," I said, "and Ryan at six o'clock." I can, err, my mom can give you a ride."

She laughed. "As tempting as that is, I think I'll just take one of my dad's limos."

"Yeah, 'cause that's not formal or anything," I teased.

"Fine, have your mom come get us at six."

"So it's a date," I said. Crap, I thought, why did I say that?

"Actually, it's a double date," she countered. Dial tone.

Double date, I pondered on that. Who was this Ryan? Wait, I thought. Why should you care, Percy? Annabeth, Annabeth, Annabeth. Double date, though. Was Ryan more than a friend?

I called Annabeth. "Hey, Annabeth."

"Hey, Percy." Her voice was smiling. "How are you?"

"Great. Hey, how would you like to go somewhere with me tonight?"

She laughed. "Another amazing date?"

I laughed, too. "Sort of. I'm thinking more of a double date, with Rachel."

"Oh," she said. "That's cool, too," her enthusiasm all but faded.

"Yeah, like to Hungry Hogo's and a movie. Rachel's bringing a friend, too."

Her tone lightened a bit. "Rachel has friends?" She chuckled. "Well, I guess stranger things have happened," she muttered.

I had to laugh with her. "So, Wise Girl, what do you say?"

"What time should I be there?" she asked, jokingly.

"Good, you're on board!" I exclaimed. "And don't worry about it, my mom and I will pick you up at camp right before we go to get Rachel and Ryan--"

"Wait," she interrupted. "Sorry, but, this friend is a guy?" she asked. "Sorry, ADHD."

"Well, see you soon. I love you," I said.

"Love you, too. Later."

Well, then I had four hours to kill. I went downstairs to see if my mom needed anything.

"Hey, babe," said my mom. "Got any plans tonight with Annabeth?"

"Actually, I was just about to talk to you about that. Can you pick up Annabeth and Rachel today around six. We're all going to see a movie."

She looked up at me from the lunch she was making. "Sure, honey. What movie are you guys seeing?"

"No idea. Anyway, thanks a lot, Mom."

"No problem. Hey Percy," she said. "Do you think you could run to the store for me when you get a chance?"

"Yeah, I'm not doing anything now. Be right back."

"Okay, thanks. See you." She waved.

I waved back. I walked to the store and bought everything on my mom's list: blue food coloring, blueberries, cake mix, blue frosting, milk, and glue. I didn't even try to question the list. I went up to the check-out counter.

"Cash or charge, sir?" the cashier asked.

"Cash." I handed the guy the money. Just as I was walking out, this guy tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around. I was facing a guy with dark skin, hair, and eyes that I'd never seen before. For an instant, I thought he was Beckendorf, but I snapped out of that.

"Are you Percy?" he asked.

I was caught way off guard. I pulled Riptide out of my pocket and put my hand on the cap. The guy had his eye intently on my pen. I uncapped Riptide and he jumped back. This made me suspicious. He shouldn't be able to see the sword.

He quickly introduced himself. "My name is Ryan. I'm Rachel's boyfriend." I recapped Riptide and slid him back into my pocket.

"Boyfriend?" I let the words slip and felt embarrassed.

"Yes. You are Percy, though, right?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah," I answered.

"I thought so. Rachel showed me a picture of you and your girlfriend. Annabeth, is it?"

"Yeah," I said, "That's us."

He held out his hand, and I shook it. "Well, I've got to go, but nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to tonight."

"Yeah," I said. I walked out of the store and walked home. I gave my mom the groceries and went upstairs. I could not get the word boyfriend out of my mind. I could not fathom the fact that Rachel moved on so quickly. I went to the bathroom to wash my face. In the sink, a rainbow appeared. I threw in a golden trachma. "Iris, goddess of the rainbow, accept my offering."

"Percy." It was Nico. "I can't talk long, but I have to warn you about a person."

"What person?" I asked. "Nico, what are you talking about?"

"Just don't trust him. I have to go." He was gone. My sink was empty. I wondered what he was talking about. Who was he talking about? I put it out of my mind for the moment. I started to read Odyssey for the seventh time (in Ancient Greek, of course) to pass the time.

At quarter to six, I set down my book and headed off in the car with my mom to pick up Annabeth.

I walked up to the hill to find Annabeth waiting for me. Her outfit was a bit more casual, but she looked beautiful.

"Hey Seaweed Brain," she threw herself at me in a bear hug.

"Hi, Wise Girl. I kissed her cheek. She grabbed my face and pressed her lips to mine.

"Hi." She smirked. We loaded ourselves into my mom's car and drove off.

When we arrived at Rachel's mansion, she and Ryan were already waiting for us. They were holding hands, great. They got into the car. Annabeth and I were in the back seat so Rachel slid in beside Annabeth, and Ryan sat up front with my mom.

"Hi, kids," my mom said.

"Hello, Mrs. Jackson," said Rachel and Ryan.

She dropped us off in front of the movie theater. "Hey, mom, we're going to stop at Hungry Hogo's before the movie, okay?"

She nodded and drove off.

We walked to Hungry Hogo's Hotdog Shack. I was holding Annabeth's hand; Rachel was holding Ryan's. I couldn't help but stare at their intertwined fingers. Annabeth noticed.

She glared at me. "What is your problem?" Annabeth asked.

"Nothing," I answered.

By this time, we were at the shack and ready to order.

Rachel approached the counter. "Tell Hogo that the Red-Headed Nightmare will have two of her usual. Thanks." She smiled and sat down with Ryan.

I was next in line. "Uh, I'd like a corndog with a side of ketchup and a Pepsi, please."

"Okay," the guy said. "And you, miss?" He gestured towards Annabeth.

"The same, please."

Annabeth and I took our seats by Ryan and Rachel. We ate and headed for the movie theater.

"So, Percy," Rachel said. "You planned this event. What are we seeing?"

"How about 'The Lightning Thief.' It's about the fall of a dynasty after parts of their culture were stolen. Significantly, it was the architectural plans for their most sacred temple. It got four stars," Annabeth suggested.

"Sorry, Annabeth, but I didn't come to fall asleep," Rachel said.

Annabeth shook it off. "We can see that one on our own time," she murmured to me. "What would you like to see, Rachel?"

Rachel grinned. "I'm up for anything., except 'The Lightning Sleep' and 'The Hannah Montana Movie.'"

"Can we see 'Dance Flick'? The previews looked hilarious," Ryan suggested.

We all agreed that it was a safe choice. It ended up being hilarious, after all.

"Well, my dad sent a limo for me and Ryan," Rachel said.

"My mom could have taken you and Ryan home. I mean, I don't know where he lives, or even where he came from, but he could give us directions." Di immortales, I thought. I really said that out loud. I felt Annabeth tighten by my side.

"Well," Ryan said. "I'm sleeping over at Rachel's tonight. We have a lot of catching up to do." He turned to kiss her.

"Oh," I said. I could not control myself. "Phone calls aren't good enough?"

Rachel shot me a quick glare. "Well, the limo is here. We'd better get going. Bye, guys. Talk to you later." They went into the limo and drove off.

I felt awful. "Annabeth," I started.

She surprised me by laughing instead of being totally ticked. "So what was all of that?" she asked.

"So, you aren't mad?"

"Oh, no. Just amused. Let's get me home. 'Kay?" She smiled and kissed me just as my mom pulled up.

"Did you kids have fun?" she asked.

"Yeah, tons of it," I answered.

"Where is Rachel and her friend?" she asked.

"Rachel's dad sent them a limo."

"Oh, okay."

We dropped off Annabeth and headed home. I went upstairs as soon as I got home. I had to think about a few things.

First, what were Ryan and Rachel doing right now, I put that out of my mind.

Okay, real first, did Ryan see Riptide in the store today? Only demigods and such can see through the Mist. Wait, Rachel can see through it. Maybe that is why they're so close, I thought. Maybe they could both see through the Mist. That would explain a lot.

Second, what was Nico talking about? A warning not to trust a person. As a demigod, I already don't trust people so that isn't of the most importance.

Third, what was Nico doing when he Iris messaged me? Was he in trouble? No, I thought. He would have said something. He would have said he was in trouble. Wouldn't he have?

So, without any real answers, I just sat there. Sat there on my bed, staring at my beautiful moonlace.

Okay, that was the longest chapter yet, so appreciate by giving me 13 reviews!!! Also, give me some of your answers to the questions that Percy is trying to answer that you think are right. For example, do you think that Ryan saw Riptide, if so, how? And so on! In 13 reviews, I update!