Hi again :] Firstly, I do not like this chapter so much. But every writer has their ups and downs, am I right? Okay I know valentines day was like, a couple days ago, but a) I wrote this on valentines day so technically it counts, and b) I'm up until my neck in homework. So enjoy the late valentines day chapter (:{ ) - Look, mustache man!

Presents.

Percy strolled uncomfortably around the mall, his hands shoved self-consciously into his pockets, and his mom scurrying along a few feet away. It was raining out. Odd for a February, but Percy decided he needed to get out of the house; so, there he was.

The mall was really busy. It was jam-packed with people buying presents. Why? Because it was Valentines day. The day where single people spend their time indoors on computers or sulking, and couples, or hot people who have tons of crushes, stuff their faces with heart shaped candy, and read mushy love cards until their eyes glaze over.

Percy wouldn't have even remembered valentines day if it weren't for the Aphrodite campers, who had ran around camp squealing about how many short days were left until then. His mom had dragged him over to the mall to buy an outfit for her date with Mr. Blowfis, his English teacher. When he felt like he needed to get out, this was not what he had in mind.

They entered a store, which Percy noted, smelled like lemons, and played that boring jazz music that made his eyes heavy. "Stay right here Percy. I found something, and I'm going to go try it out." Sally said, holding up a blue dress, and waltzing away to the fitting rooms.

He let his mind wander, to camp, and his friends, and-Annabeth. They had started dating last summer at camp, and he couldn't be happier. So, he thought, does dating her entitle me to go and get her a Valentines day present?

He saw a bunch of other guys around here and there, while walking with his mom. They were all holding these animated cards, or a bundle of roses, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

"Okay," he muttered to himself, "I'll go get her something." he got up from the chair he was sitting on, and strolled out of the store.

… … … …

He dashed into a random clothing store and scanned the area. This was NOT how girls did their shopping, but he wanted to hurry. Luckily, something caught his eye…

"It's perfect." he said, fingering the smooth cloth of a fantastic looking gray dress that just screamed, "daughter of Athena". He looked up at the price, and his jaw fell open, "What the Hades…" he murmured, "for a dress?"

He quickly marched out of that store. He would most definitely get Annabeth anything. No matter how much. But he was on a tight budget of about…he reached into his pocket and fished out a five dollar bill, and four ones. Yep. Nine dollars.

… … …

He walked into a gift shop, brightly decorated with flashy red, and rosy pink. His mom was sure to come looking for him soon. Buzz. He received a text from her right then. Not bothering to look, he walked farther into the store. He was almost done. If I were Annabeth…what would I want for Valentines day? he wondered, scanning the rack for something interesting.

"THERE!" he called out to no one in particular, jogging toward a heart shaped box of candy. He picked it up, turned it around in his hands, and walked up to the cashier.

"Six ninety nine." the lady said in a thick New Jersey accent, chewing gum loudly, pressing whatever buttons she needed to with her long French tipped nails. He shoved the money onto the checkout counter and walked outside into the rain, smiling in satisfaction.

He quickly sent a text message to his mom while walking, telling her to meet him outside. His head was bent into his phone, so he didn't realize there was someone in front of him until he crashed into her. "Ah damnit!" she cursed, picking up her purse from the wet ground.

"Oh um sorry!" Percy mumbled, his cheeks tainted pink, as she strutted away. It was a few seconds before he realized that the box of chocolate he was holding was no longer in his hands. "Oh Poseidon." he groaned, staring at the soaking wet box, that sat in the middle of a muddy puddle, mocking him.

… … …

His mom would have to wait, with about two dollars left, he didn't know what he could buy. He swaggered around the parking lot, until he saw a cart.

It wasn't some NYC style hotdog stand; no, it was a flower stand. The pudgy man was selling flowers. Valentines day. Typical.

He walked up to the guy, "How much?" the man scratched his head, "Dollar per flower. Pick whichever."

Well, it was in his limit, so he picked two tulips, roses were too cliché, and went to sit on a bench. "Oh percy, finally. I was looking for you. Ready to go?" Sally said, standing beside him. He smiled at her, "Sure."

Finally, he had gotten Annabeth a present, and he was all set. He quickly called her and told her to come over to his house later if she could, and she would be there soon.

"Mom, it's getting kinda stuffy in here, can I open the window?" Percy whined, glancing around the car. Curse you ADHD, he thought. She shrugged nonchalantly, and he rolled it down. The wind was strong. Too strong.

The tulips in his lap rustled, and the petals started blowing around. He held the tops firmly with his other hand, to keep them from ruining. No way was he destroying another present. They pulled up in a parking space, and Percy got out of the car.

He let go of the tulips, and wanted to yell. Apparently, he's held them too tightly. They were shriveled.

… … …

"Come in!" Percy called, as Annabeth knocked the door. She pecked him on the cheek. "Hey Percy." she said, smiling. He put an arm around her shoulders, "Hi."

They sat on his bed, and Annabeth nudged his shoulder, "Hey… you know what day it is today?" she asked, feigning innocence. Percy decided to play dumb, "Um no?" he muttered, kissing her neck.

"Are you serious?" she said blankly, sitting upright. "Yeah…anything special?" he asked again, putting on the most confused face he could. He must have been laying it on too thick, because she noticed something was up.

She sighed, "Okay Percy. What's the matter?"

He glanced at the garbage in the corner of his room. The tulips stuck out slightly, and he wanted nothing more than to shove them deeper in.

"Well, I wanted to get you a Valentines gift but then the dress was too much and the chocolate fell in some dumb ass puddle and then it was totally my fault about the tulips! I didn't mean to shrivel them up I guess I held on to them too tightly but I'm sorry about not getting you anything." he rambled, not stopping to breathe.

She kissed him, locking her arms around his neck. He sighed against her mouth, "So you're not mad?" he asked, as soon as they stopped for air. "Maybe." she said, contemplating her options, "But you can make it up to me…" she muttered, kissing him again.