Chapter 6 here! I'm sorry I couldn't update earlier!

From the next chapter, the story will move faster with loads of Percabeth! You will know why at the end of this chapter... And REVIEW!

Percy paced outside his room feeling completely bored and annoyed. It had been over an hour since Annabeth had gone to change for the family dinner and she still wasn't ready. He knew girls needed time, but Annabeth was very slow. It didn't help that a lot of his cousins had already headed down to the outdoor buffet and the smell of roasted brisket and chicken was so enticing either.

"Annabeth!" Percy wailed.

"I'm done, sorry!"

The door finally opened and out walked Annabeth. Percy's jaws dropped open at the sight of her. She was magnificent... Suddenly all the time he'd spent waiting for her seemed worth it. She wore a pearl pink off shoulder dress that fluttered just above her knees, her blonde princess curls were free to frame her beautiful face and her eyes were stormier than ever.

"You look..."

Annabeth smiled lightly. She didn't usually render people speechless and seeing Percy gawk at her was nice. "Come on, Seaweed Brain. Let's go feed your hunger, huh?"

Without waiting for Percy to reply, she swept past him and skipped downstairs leaving a dazed Percy to follow her down.

Down in the dining pavilion, many tables were set up in the garden, covered in purple and white sheets. A buffet table was set up in the side from where delightful aroma arose. Twinkle lights decorated the outside of the Victorian mansion making the place look surreal. People of all ages were already about, milling around-eating and trying to socialise. Annabeth hesitated. She wasn't much of a prep and the fact that she was pretending to be Percy's girlfriend was enough to send her head reeling.

"You okay?" Percy had come to stand next to her silently.

Annabeth looked up and smiled nervously at him. "I don't know."

Percy's green eyes found her grey ones in the dark and he could tell how worried she was. He almost felt guilty for bringing her into all this drama. "Come with me, Annabeth. You'll have a blast." Percy held out a hand to her.

Annabeth looked down at his extended hand and hesitantly slipped hers into his. Percy squeezed her fingers reassuringly and lead her out.

No sooner did they step out, Drew who was sitting with her friends looked up and sneered at Annabeth. Annabeth turned away knowing that paying attention to Drew would only aggravate her nastiness. Instead she focussed on the people who were around her. Annabeth wondered how big Percy's family was exactly. It seemed there were relatives of almost all origins, from Asians to Australians. She even saw a pretty woman in a saree.

"Annabeth, hey!"

Annabeth turned to see Katie standing by a water fountain with Travis. Katie rushed forward and hugged Annabeth. "You look amazing."

"I'm starving!" Travis complained walking up behind Katie. "Katie-Kat wouldn't let me eat without you arriving."

"Well, we're here. Go on and eat," Annabeth said.

Travis flashed Annabeth a grateful smile and within seconds he and Percy had joined the long buffet queue. Katie rolled her eyes and began to tug Annabeth to join them when two girls came towards them. One girl was dressed in punk style and had short, spiky black hair. Her eyes were a brilliant electric blue. A few freckles were splattered across her nose. She was the kind of girl who could look both scary and friendly. The other girl was easily one of the most beautiful girls. She had a rich complexion, the colour of caramel and choppy chocolate brown hair with a white feather braided in. Her eyes seemed to change colour by the second.

"Hey! I'm Thalia," the punk girl said.

"I'm Piper!" the cherokee girl said.

Judging from their accent, Annabeth could tell they were from America too.

"I'm Annabeth Chase," she said smiling.

"Katie Gardner," Katie said.

Thalia gave Annabeth an appraising look. "Um, are you here with Percy Jackson?"

Annabeth nodded nervously. "I'm his girlfriend," she put in.

At this, both Thalia and Piper exchanged a surprised look. Piper turned to Annabeth looking slightly suspicious. "Percy's girlfriend?"

"Yes." Annabeth winced when she sounded too defensive. "Got a problem with that?"

"No," Piper said. "Not at all. We're just really surprised that Percy has a girlfriend! "

Katie and Annabeth looked at each other. "Uh, why?"

"It's been five years since Percy stopped bringing a girlfriend to the reunion, since he stopped having a girlfriend. Ever since Darlene, all he has had are flings," Thalia explained.

Suddenly Annabeth felt extremely uncomfortable. She suspected that Percy had a past with a girl called Darlene and somehow she had ended up hurting him, but discussing it with someone else was not exactly on her wish list.

"So, you must be pretty special to Percy," Piper said smiling warmly at Annabeth.

"I guess."

"Is anyone else hungry? I'm famished," Katie said cutting in. Thalia and Piper grinned and the four girls walked to the buffet. Annabeth shot a grateful smile to Katie for saving her from further conversation.

"Are you guys cousins?" Katie asked Thalia and Piper as the girls picked up a plate.

"No. I'm Percy's first cousin amd Piper is my best friend. She's been here to the reunion with me every year," Thalia said serving french fries onto her plate.

"Katie, is Travis your boyfriend?" Piper asked looking up from the tureen of spaghetti.

Katie dropped the brisket that she'd picked up and began to cough violently. "Excuse me? No, we're not even friends. Eww!"

Thalia began laughing like a hyena. "Okay, chill. Don't be offended," she said.

Katie shook her head looking like a ripe cherry.

Annabeth smiled a little. "Hey, guys? Is Drew close to you?"

"Heavens, no! She's a brat," Piper said wrinkling her nose.

"Good, because I think she already hates me," Annabeth said.

Thalia grinned at Annabeth. "Anybody Drew hates is welcome here," she said.

Annabeth grinned back. The girls loaded their plates with food and walked to the table where Percy and Travis were sitting and eating like pigs. Annabeth slipped next to Percy who gave her a smile.

"You eat like you have never seen meatballs," Katie grumbled to Travis who smirked and pushed more meatballs into his already stuffed mouth.

"Pig!" Katie said shaking her head in disgust.

"Ohmygawd!" Piper squeaked suddenly. Annabeth gave her a concerned look but Piper looked like she was going to be sick. Before she could question though, Thalia spoke up.

"It's just Jason, Piper. My brother is not a scythian dracenae. Calm down."

"No he isn't. But you know how nervous he makes me," Piper said. Her eyes were fixed on someone walking towards their table. It was a handsome guy, blonde hair, blue eyes and a nice smile. A small white scar cut his perfect eyebrows. Annabeth thought he looked like a blonde superman. Annabeth looked between Thalia and Jason. She couldn't see the family resemblance.

"Hello everyone!" Jason said putting his own plate down on their table and sliding into the empty chair next to Piper. The poor brunette looked just about ready to pass out from hyperventilation. "Gods, it's so good to see you all again."

Annabeth raised her brow. Jason had a charming British accent. Nothing at all like his sister.

"Yeah, Jase! Good to see you man!" Percy said fist bumping with Jason. Percy turned to Katie and Annabeth.

"Jason is an American by birth, but he has lived year since he was three years old. Thalia lived in America. Don't even ask me why."

"You look taller Jase," Thalia said.

Jason grinned. "You look more punk sister!"

The two shared a grin before Jason turned to Piper. "Hey, Pipes. You look smashing as always."

Piper blushed a bright red and looked down at her pasta. She made a strangled sound that seemed suspiciously like an 'Ohmygawd'.

Thalia elbowed Piper hard. Piper finally looked up and gave a weak smile. "Um, yeah. Thanks," she managed.

Jason smiled at her and turned to Annabeth and Katie, noticing them for the first time.

"She's Annabeth, my girlfriend." Percy piped up immediately. Annabeth shot him a grateful smile, her chest expanding with warmth.

"And that's Katie. Annabeth's best friend," Travis added.

Jason smiled and shook hands with the two girls. "What pleasure, to finally meet Percy's girlfriend and her charming lady friend."

Katie blushed and ducked her head. Jason was charming, no doubt. His British accent was killer too. Travis noticed Katie blushing and raised his brows at her. Katie stuck out her tongue at him.

The rest of the 'supper' was filled with bickering and joking around. Annabeth really liked Thalia and Piper. Jason was fine too. She felt like she could actually belong there, except for Percy's relations who'd keep staring at Annabeth and whisper. They thought she was special because Percy never brought another girl except Darlene to the reunion and it was obviously a big deal.

...

Annabeth finished her meal and went to get desserts for herself and her friends. She was filling the plate with scones, butter, brownies and ice creams when Drew walked towards her. Beside Drew was another Asian girl, just as pretty. Annabeth thought they were sisters.

"Well, well, well. So the blonde poodle is here," Drew said looking at Annabeth like she was a clown.

Annabeth ignored Drew and continued filling the platter.

The other girl smirked and crossed her arms. "Urgh! Like, I totally hate poodles. Or dogs in general. Or any animal, really!"

Drew gave the girl a glare. "I know Ria. Shut up when I'm talking, okay?"

"You shut up, why should I?"

"Because I'm you're sister."

"And I'm your sister, right?" Ria mumbled angrily.

"I'm elder to you. Now, shut up!" Drew cried.

Ria stamped her foot angrily but Drew ignored her. Annabeth pressed her lips together to keep herself from laughing. She turned around with her loaded plate and began to walk off.

"That's right, run away with your tail down, poodle!" Drew said.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Geez Drew! I know you're a bitch, you don't have to prove it to me." with that, Annabeth whirled around and stalked off.

When Annabeth took her place at the table, Thalia and Travis whistled in admiration.

"I'm really liking your girlfriend, Percy!" Piper said grinning.

"She is awesome," Percy agreed smiling at Annabeth. He threw an arm around her and squeezed her shoulders. Annabeth blushed at the contact. Percy saw her coloured cheeks and removed his hands from around her immediately. He knew Annabeth wasn't comfortable with touching and things and Percy didn't blame her. After all, he did use girls and toss them around like icecream sticks. But he wouldn't do that to Annabeth. To him, she was a very nice person. Someone he admired and respected, he didn't think of her as an object of desire, though she was easily hot and sexy and beautiful.

"What?" Annabeth said suddenly looking up at him.

"What?" Percy repeated stupidly.

"You were staring at me Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said. She gave him a funny look.

"Oh." Percy gave her an embarrassed smile and turned away. "Nothing. Are you ready to meet my Grandmother?"

"No."

"Come on. We're going," Percy said. He stood up, pulling Annabeth up with him. Annabeth looked slightly panicked.

"No Percy, please."

"It will be fine. Grandma and her two sisters, Jane, Elizabeth and Leena are not bad. Once you get on their good side, you may even have chances of winning Ms. Perfect," Percy said.

Annabeth tagged behind him glumly. "I don't care, you know."

"I know. But you might finally have a chance of breaking Drew's five years of winning streak," Percy cajoled.

Annabeth had to admit, it was tempting. But it was the least of her worries. She looked at Percy through the corner of her eyes, a sudden thought striking her. "Five years? And before that, who won?"

As expected, the question caught Percy off guard. He stiffened, his eyes a dark green. Annabeth could practically see the walls go up around him. "I don't remember."

Annabeth didn't believe that one bit. She suspected that it was Darlene, the mystery girl. But she didn't want to bring her name up and upset Percy. Thankfully, before she had to reply, Percy and Annabeth reached the table where His Grandmother Jane and her sisters, Elizabeth and Leena sat.

They were ancient.

All three had snow white hair that was piled on their head in a bun. Wise, knowing eyes. Withered bony hands. Annabeth shuddered a little, they looked timeless and they had an aura of power and wisdom... Almost like the three fates in the Greek legends and myths that she had heard.

"Come, Perseus!" Jane said. Her voice was soft and commanding, yet old and mysterious.

"Grandmother, hello," Percy said smiling. He knelt by her side and hugged her and planted a kiss on her pale cheek. He repeated the same with Elizabeth and Leena.

"This is Annabeth, my girlfriend," Percy introduced.

Three sets of ancient eyes turned on Annabeth, studying her closely. "Annabeth. Come close dear, we would like to know about you," Leena said.

Annabeth stepped closer to them hesitantly. She sat awkwardly in between Jane and Elizabeth where they wanted her. "We'd like to talk to her. Alone, if you will."

Percy looked at Annabeth and then the three old ladies. He looked like he wanted to protest and say more, but he didn't. Instead he gave a grim nod and an encouraging smile at Annabeth and left. He didn't wander too far though.

"Um, hello. I'm Annabeth Chase, Percy's girlfriend," Annabeth said awkwardly.

Jane raised a silver brow. "Girlfriend?"

Annabeth might have imagined it, but she thought she heard suspicion. Like, the old ladies knew that Annabeth was a pauper. "Yeah. I mean yes."

"Interesting," Elizabeth muttered. Annabeth knew that they didn't believe her. That they saw right through the facade.

Leena smiled sadly. "My dear, I hope you know what you are playing at," she said.

"I... I don't understand what you are talking about," Annabeth stuttered. But she did know what they meant. At least that's what they could have meant. It was like the sisters knew about Percy and Annabeth.

"Don't you?" Jane asked. Her brow was so high up in her forehead that it disappeared into her white hair.

"We'd still like to warn you Annabeth. Love is a dangerous game," Elizabeth said.

"You never know when the tables will turn against you," Leena continued.

Wow! These women are crazy! Annabeth thought.

"The course of true love is never smooth."

And now they are spouting greeting card messages!

"You can't fool love. In the end, you'll be too deep in the game. It'll be late, when you realise love has fooled you," Jane said.

A frisson of fear went through Annabeth. The sisters weren't crazy. Heck, they were way too wise.

"Oka...Okay" Annabeth mumbled.

"Good. You can leave now, Percy is waiting for you."

Annabeth stood up, her legs shaking like jello. She moved towards Percy like an automaton, slow and dull. Sje told herself that the sisters had meant something else. The truth was the words that the sisters had spoken were ringing in her ears.

Love is a dangerous game.

You'll be too deep in the game.

You realise love has fooled you.

With a chill Annabeth realised the meaning of those phrases. It meant that Annabeth was going to fall in love with Percy... And it was going to hurt.

A lot.

This game they were playing, it would turn to reality not before long.

Holy Hephaestus! I'm royally screwed. I can't love Percy. I won't fall in love with him...! I won't get hurt again... Especially not after Luke...

Yes!

Look forward to Percabeth-ness in the next updates! Until then show me your love and support and review review REVIEW!