Chapter Five

"I dunno, I like Doritos better."

"But pita chips are amazing! Look, they even have the garlic kind -"

"Ooh, how about the party mix?"

"Yeah, okay. Maybe we should look for more than chips, Percy."

"Yeah, yeah, in a sec. How about we get party mix, pita chips, tortilla chips and a jar of salsa?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. Percy ignored her and piled the bags in the grocery cart before adding spicy salsa, going for the big jar. He was going to need it.

The entire process of planning the trip was already driving them both insane.

Only a few hours earlier, they'd finally figured out their route to LA, printed out maps, directions and set up points on Percy's GPS. They booked a couple of hotels, but Percy was honestly pretty sure they wouldn't get to the points the way they planned.

They went their separate ways (finally) after that, packing their things before loading up the back seat of his car. To his frustration, Annabeth had no idea how to pack light. He was just lucky both of their guitars fit in the trunk, because he had a loud and lengthy argument with her about guitar cases.

It was nearly midnight when they finally finished packing. There were always grocery stores open for twenty-four hours in Boston, and Percy had come to appreciate that fact over the last couple of years at college. Until now.

They definitely should've waited until morning to buy snacks.

Annabeth rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands. "Fine, whatever. Let's just get some fruit and maybe some nuts and raisins."

"Which is basically just dried fruit."

"Whatever," Annabeth said, yawning. Percy raised an eyebrow, but kept pushing the cart after her, choosing not to point out that she'd just let him win an argument.

Maybe she really was tired.

After getting grapes, apples and what Percy thought was a few too many strawberries, they picked up a box of cookies and headed to the cash registers to split the bill. The drive back to the dorms wasn't far at all, but it only took seconds for Annabeth to fall asleep in the car, curled up against the door. As much as Percy disliked her, he had to admit she was kind of cute.

If only she was like this sometimes, Percy thought to himself as he drove. He'd nearly bickered himself hoarse, and he was pretty sure Annabeth bickered more than he did. He didn't even really know why they weren't getting along.

She had saved him from her clingy roommate. She liked his favourite band. She didn't even peek at his penis that morning. Percy wondered if all they were going to do for those two weeks was argue when really... they could be having fun.

Percy parked his car and turned off the ignition before turning to Annabeth. Her head was on the window and her feet were tucked underneath her. He leaned over to shake her arm. "Annabeth."

She didn't move.

Percy got out of his car and went around to the other side to open the door. He'd expected her to catch herself, which is why he was confused when a second later, his reflexes had apparently kicked in and he caught her.

"Whagoinon?" Annabeth mumbled. Percy was frozen, still half-holding her. He was holding her. He was touching her. And he didn't mind. A moment later, she'd blinked into consciousness, scooted away from him and looked away. "Thanks."

Percy's mouth was dry. "No problem."

"Percy?"

"Yeah?"

"You're blocking the door."

He stumbled backwards, face turning red. To be fair, he could see the blush on Annabeth's face as well. It was a good thing it was dark.

"I'll just keep the fruit in my fridge," Annabeth said awkwardly, reaching into the back to grab the bag of fruits. She hopped out of the car and shut the door. "Bring them in a cooler tomorrow."

"I've got ice packs," Percy said, locking his car and shoving his hands in his pockets. "Bring the cooler to my place tomorrow morning."

"Sure."

They walked silently out of the parking lot and into the building. Percy was trying not to let his brain's arguments show on his face, but it was really hard to keep a straight expression. As they reached Percy's floor, he turned to her in the stairwell gave her a somewhat forced smile.

"You don't need me to walk you back, right?" he asked, trying not to make it obvious that he was wiping his hands on his jeans. He was sweating, for some reason. "You're not going to fall asleep on the stairs, right?"

"Doubt it," Annabeth retorted, but her sarcasm seemed half-hearted. She cleared her throat. "Thanks for helping me plan the trip."

"No problem." He was staring at her, he knew he was, but for some reason, he just kept noticing how cute she was when she was sleepy and her hair was a little messy. "See you tomorrow."

"See you." And just to prove Annabeth was as deliriously sleepy as he thought she was, she squeezed him quickly around the middle and began heading up the stairs to her floor. "Good night."

"Night."

Percy swung the door open to his floor and got out of there was quickly as he could. Maybe he was also deliriously tired for being that awkward and thinking Annabeth was cute, but hugging her and feeling her boobs on his chest had caused an entirely different reaction than sleepy.

He supposed it was probably a good thing he hadn't showered yet.

A/N: Haha, what'd you think? Let me know in a review :)