A/N: I'm bad at updating. For any of those who are actually reading this right now after weeks of being left with a short prologue, bless your heart.

Hope you like the chapter!(:

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. All of them belong to Rick Riordan.

Annabeth's POV

"So, let me get this straight," Silena started, her eyebrows furrowing as if she couldn't comprehend what was right in front of her. "You two," she glanced between Percy and me, "have been best friends for over...five years, and you've NEVER thought about being something more?"

Percy and I tried to stifle our chuckles, but a few snickers sneakily escaped our mouths. Hiding our amusement failed, but Silena was too deep in thought to notice our twin Cheshire grins.

I've never met anyone who cared about other people's love lives so much.

When we didn't answer right away, Silena snapped her eyes to us, narrowing them when she saw our entertained expressions. I tried smiling apologetically.

She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, waiting for our answers.

"We never really thought about it," I shrugged. "It just never crossed our minds before."

I played with the cap of my water bottle, waiting for Percy's answer. Not a minute passed before he took his cue, opening his mouth and saying, "Ditto."

My lips twitched in amusement as I watched Silena's reactions to Percy's one word response.

Silena Beauregard was one of those drop-dead gorgeous girls that made everyone envious of her. Pulled into a ponytail was her black hair, complimenting that bright pink rose that adorned the side. She had the longest pair of eyelashes I'd ever seen, making her impossibly large eyes more larger. She had a nice shade of blue-green eyes. I preferred sea green over blue-green.

"I can't believe this is happening," she said dramatically, taking in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. "Annabeth," she began, directing her sole attention to me, "you're telling me, that you've never thought about being with Percy? I mean, have you seen him lately?"

She looked at me as if I was blind, believing I didn't find my best friend attractive. To prove her point, her gaze languidly raked over Percy. If she wasn't taken, her eyes would've been gone, them being in the palm of my hand.

Luckily for her, she mentioned beforehand that she was madly in love with her boyfriend, Charles Beckendorf. He was a year older than us; we haven't met him yet. Silena reassured us several times, though, that she planned to introduce her new "best friends" to him and to the rest of her group.

I met Silena in geography class, albeit I never expected to befriend her. In actuality, she was the one who talked to me first, introducing herself as the official matchmaker of the school. She hadn't met Percy at that time, thankfully.

I had chuckled at her eagerness and smiled friendly at her. She promised she'd save me a seat at lunch.

I didn't expect her to actually keep it. It wasn't that I thought she was bad or anything. There were just people out there in the world who broke promises. That's why when someone makes you a promise, be prepared if they decide not to keep it.

When Silena's eyes zeroed in on our intertwined hands, I mentally prepared myself for the interrogation that I knew was soon coming. I was right.

When we finally reached the table, she was fuming. Her eyes were burning, arms crossed, trying to intimidate us. She fired question after question as soon as we sat down. Most of the time they were simple, we didn't need time to think about it. Those questions were also meant for the both of us, not separately.

That is until Silena asked me whether or not I found my best friend attractive, or cute, or hot, or whatever adjectives she wanted.

"I've seen him lately, Silena. I see him all the time. He's like a lost puppy. He follows me everywhere and even if I tell him off, he still keeps coming back." Teasing him was something I was familiar with. It was a routine, something I've always done.

"I think you mean you're the puppy, Wise Girl," he countered, smirking, his green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"In your dreams, Seaweed Brain."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Silena interjected before I found a reply. "Time out." She paused, collecting herself. She even made a big show of inhaling and exhaling, eyes closed, hand motions. When she opened her eyes, she asked, "Seaweed Brain? Wise Girl?"

"I answered the other question, it's your turn," I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Wise Girl," Percy said, motioning towards me. "Seaweed Brain," he gestured towards himself as if Silena was asking him to explain which one was which.

Clearly exasperated, she sighed. She looked at me directly in the eye, telling me personally, "One day you two are going to be a couple. I hope you both know that."

Silena, having a dramatic flair, stood up and walked away, throwing her trash before pushing the doors that led back to the classrooms, just in time for the bell to signal lunch was over.

"It's creepy how—"

"—the bell rang exactly at the time she left. I know, Percy."

"That's the third time someone said we were gonna end up together."

"Third time's the charm, right?"

"Do you believe them?"

"Should I?"

"Um, well."

"Let's get to class, Seaweed Brain. I'm not getting detention on my first day of high school."

~Pretend~

"Annabeth Chase," said the brunette whose hair was messily pulled into a bun. If it weren't for that friendly smiled on her lips, I would've narrowed my eyes, maybe almost threateningly.

She looked nice enough, but nothing would destroy the wariness inside of me whenever I'd meet someone new. I gave her a polite smile and asked, "And you are?"

"Piper McLean," she answered, "Silena mentioned you in fourth period. I had a...complication to resolve so I couldn't go to lunch with you guys."

"Are you her sister?" I asked, noting how familiar she looked like Silena. Instead of black hair, Piper had dark brown. It didn't look like she put much effort in her hair; it was just a messy bun, with stray hairs everywhere. It matched her, though.

Her face was void of make-up. I couldn't find any blush or mascara or lip gloss on her. That made me like her even more. She had beautiful dark skin, and from here, it looked like she had blue eyes.

Piper didn't answer immediately since our teacher, Ms. Julie, was peering over the class, making sure everyone was listening.

"I'll talk to you after class is done," she whispered quickly. I nodded my head, agreeing. At least I found another person who didn't want to get detention on their first day.

When we walked through the door, my eyes instinctively sought out Percy. Piper, with a bunch of other prying eyes, noticed the way Percy smiled when he saw me and waved.

"Best friend?" Piper guessed, smirking. She showed no malice, just plain smugness.

"The best," I mumbled, already walking towards him.

"You must be the famous Percy Jackson," Piper commented as we reached him.

I raised my eye brows. "First day of school and you're already famous?"

"Not my fault I'm so awesome," he replied, grinning.

Yeah, it's completely not your fault I fell for you.