Disclaimer: No one is as awesome as Uncle Rick. Including me. Characters belong to him.
"Where do you want to go?" Percy asked.
Annabeth shrugged. "I thought you said you were going home." Percy glanced over at her. "There's nothing fun about my apartment. Where do you-"
"I thought you lived in a mansion. Doesn't every rich person live in a huge mansion?" She wondered aloud. Percy laughed. "No, not really. I mean, yeah, I own a mansion, but I don't live in it." Annabeth knitted her eyebrows. "Then why do you own a mansion if you're not going to live in it?"
"For parties." He said simply. Annabeth nodded, though it didn't really make much sense to her. He glanced over at her again. She had refused to look at him throughout the whole car ride. "Still mad?"
Annabeth stared at him. "I'm not mad. Why would you think that?"
"You were just-"
"I don't know what you're talking about Percy. I'm not mad." Her tone made it clear that she was done talking about it. He opened his mouth. "Let's go to Starbucks," she interrupted.
"Which one?"
"The one in Barnes and Nobles." Percy groaned. "Isn't that a bookstore?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Your point? You asked where I wanted to go."
"Ah, yes, I forgot what a huge dork you are." Annabeth shoved him and he just laughed. "Watch it, Annie, I'm driving!" Annabeth rolled her eyes, laughing too. "You didn't say that when you were texting and driving." she shoved him again.
"Are you trying to commit suicide?"
"Please. If I wanted to kill myself I would climb up our ego and jump down your IQ level." Percy laughed. "That's harsh, Wise Girl." Annabeth realized it was the first time in a long time that he had used the name Wise Girl.
I made her stomach churn in an uncomfortable way. It was nice, but to her it felt as if he was trying to bring back something that had been dead long ago. Either way, they had given each other the nicknames when they were 12 years old; she wasn't ready to let it go no matter how forced it seemed.
Following the small uncomfortable silence, she turned and gave him a smile the was partially forced.
"Deal with it, Seaweed Brain." Her smile widened and he glanced at her, reluctantly returning the smile.
"Annabeth!" Percy whined. Annabeth continued reading her book, turning and ignoring Percy. He poked her. She swatted his hand. He continued poking her, groaning and calling out her name.
Finally Annabeth glanced up, a murderous look oh her face. "What, Percy?" He grinned like a little kid. "I'm bored." She sighed, setting her book next to her on the floor. "Are you five, Percy?"
He rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I'm just bored out of my mind." Annabeth picked up her book again, waving him off. "Go read a book or something." He kneeled behind her, staring hard at her book. "What are you doing?" She laughed.
"You know I'm dyslexic, Annabeth. And, aren't we supposed to be 'finding chemistry'? What the hell does that mean, anyways?"
"It means, we're supposed to persuade Chiron we're capable of being love interests. In the movie. And we're supposed to...make out realistically, I guess." Annabeth's face flushed. Percy laughed. "And you say I'm acting like a little kid. You can't kiss me without blushing. You can't even act out that scene without stuttering like a schoolgirl."
"I do not!" Percy gave her a lopsided smile. "Yes you do."
Annabeth turned her body and sat cross legged in front of him. He did the same. "I think what Chiron means about chemistry is that we... need to be comfortable with each other."
"Seriously? I thought he knew that we..."
"We what? Are you finally going to say it out loud?" she challenged. Percy looked away. "Exactly. I didn't say anything about it, and I know you don't have the balls to tell anyone, so he wouldn't know. And I'm not telling anyone either."
"That interview...how did Tammi know?" Annabeth felt her face grow void of emotion. So he did see it. "Honestly...I don't know. She probably pulled the theory out of thin air and stuck to it after she confronted me, now that she had 'evidence'. But she said she's trying to create drama."
"Drama? Between who?"
"She thinks I still love you. And your taken, so...a love triangle."
"But you don't love me anymore. We both moved on, right?" Percy asked. Annabeth glanced away, then returned her gaze to Percy. She hesitated, but he didn't seem to notice. "Right," She finally agreed, smiling reassuringly.
Moving on was a strong thing to say. Maybe too strong in her case. She had certainly dropped the idea of getting back with Percy a long time ago, but that didn't mean she stopped harboring feelings for him. Sure, they had dulled significantly since she realized what love was, but they were still day, bitter feelings biting her in the ass and somewhat preventing her from 'moving on'.
"Exactly. So what drama is there to create?"
"Well, I know 70% of our fans will probably be on the 'Percabeth' wagon after the movie, so there's that." Percy bit his lip. He looked like he wanted to say something. Instead he shook his head, deciding against it.
He grinned at her. "So... What have I missed the past two years?"
So now Percy was acting like they were friends, after harshly reminding her several times they weren't. Annabeth didn't get it. One minute he'd be a complete asshole, and now it was like she was staring at a completely different person. It almost reminded her of how he was in high school, with her following him around like a wounded puppy every time he'd snap at her.
She shuddered at the thought. Never again would she be anyone's secret. She simply had too much pride to allow herself to be stepped all over like a ratty doormat.
"I don't get you, Percy Jackson. One minute you're a total dickhead, and now you're...yourself?" Oops. Although she didn't necessarily mean to say it out loud, she didn't regret her words. Percy's face darkened, but he quickly covered it up with a smile.
"I've changed, Wise Girl. So have you."
Annabeth blinked. "What? No I haven't." she stubbornly stuck out her lip.
"Yes you have."
"How?" Percy shook his head. "That is for you to find out. I can't tell you what's changed about yourself. That's your job." Seriously, has Percy ever been this wise? It's her job to give advice, not his. It's in her nickname, for the god's sake!
It was late, and the store was most likely closing soon. That would probably explain why one of the employees, a stout woman with a permanent scowl, started vacuuming around them while simultaneously giving Percy and Annabeth dirty looks.
Anabeth took that as their cue to go away. "You know what? You should buy me coffee." She stood up and dusted off her clothes, gently returning the book where she found it. Percy watched her every move, and just like that, the tension seemed to slip away as if the woman with the vacuum sucked it up from the awkward atmosphere.
"Why?" Percy whined. She held out her hand to him, and he grabbed it, standing up.
"We're on a not-date. That's what people do. They bond over coffee." Percy stared at her skeptically. "You don't have any money on you, don't you?"
Annabeth grinned. "Not a dime."
"Y-you're-"
"Yes, I'm Percy Jackson. Please don't-" Percy interrupted.
"You're Annabeth Chase!" The cashier guy completely ignored Percy, staring at Annabeth. Annabeth placed a hand on her mouth to smother her laughter. Percy glared at her, his slightly incredulous expression saying 'you think this is funny?'
"I am a huge fan!" Annabeth smiled politely at the guy, whose baby looking face was tinted with acne. She checked the teenager's name tag. "Thank you, Jordan. Um, can we order?"
"Huh- oh! Of course. On the house."
Before Annabeth could order, Percy stepped forward and started ordering. "One large decaf and a medium black coffee with half a cup of milk with two sugars for Annabeth." Jordan nodded and disappeared in the back. Annabeth turned to Percy. "What the hell was that?"
"What?"
"Ordering for me. I have my own mouth you know." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Gee, no 'thanks Percy'? And here I am thinking you'd be happy I remembered." She huffed. "Thanks," She mumbled. He smiled.
When they finally got their drinks, Annabeth saw that Jordan was still staring at her. When Annabeth looked down at her drink, he saw that it had a number written where her name should be. When she turned around, Jordan winked at her.
Percy glared at the cashier. "Is someone jealous?" She teased. The cashier's ridiculous over-confidence mashed with his straight-forwardness flattered her, but it wasn't as if she'd run into his arms and get hitched. Percy's protectiveness was grating on her nerves, but she did find it funny enough to tease him.
"What? No. I have no one to be jealous of. I just don't like the way he's staring at you." She patted his shoulder. "That's jealousy."
"What kind of name is Jordan? Isn't that a girl name?" Percy asked. Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Are you still on that? I think it's kind of funny, really."
"No it's not."
"Oh really? Were you flirted with? I don't think so. I'm just too irresistible." She flipped the bundle of curls over her shoulder dramatically, smiling broadly.
Percy laughed. They were silent for a moment. Within a second the atmosphere between them seemed to change. Annabeth just didn't know what to say to cut through the thick layer of awkwardness. She couldn't just talk to him about normal things; he made it very clear they weren't friends. Though, the time they spent here reminded Annabeth of when they really were best friends, before feelings got involved and complicated things.
"What happened to college? I thought you were-"
"Nothing happened to college," She interrupted quickly. Percy stared at her curiously, though he seemed to understand why she didn't want to talk about it. But that couldn't be possible, right? She didn't tell anyone besides Thalia and Piper.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, biting her lip in irritation as he continued to talk. "I remember you going on and on about what you wanted to do in life. I can assure you that this wasn't it. And that interview-"
"Enough about the interview!" She snapped, her hand tightening around the coffee. Some people turned and stared. Some pointed, realizing who they were. She put her hood on and Percy slipped on his shades and ducked his head. She nearly laughed at how it was almost a second nature for every celebrity to hide automatically.
Annabeth leaned in and lowered her voice. "She twisted my words. Whatever the hell you heard was wrong."
Percy's face fell and he nodded. She took a sip of her scalding coffee, somewhat liking the way it burned her tongue. "What about you? Word on the street is that you and Kelli are an item."
He seemed surprised, and soon the morphed into an uncomfortable recognition. "Um, yeah. We are." Annabeth forced a smile. "I'm happy for you then."
Annabeth's phone vibrated. She picked it up, checking the message.
From: Thalia
Where the hell are you? It's 11 pm! You have things to do in the morning. You better get your ass here soon
Annabeth quickly texted Thalia back.
To: Thalia
Relax. I'm with Percy. I'll be back soon.
She set her phone on silent and slipped it into her pocket. "Um...Wise Girl? I think we should leave before we get trampled." Annabeth finally looked around. She realized that there were twice as many people than there was before. They were all staring at Percy and Annabeth, cameras, phones, and paper ready.
"Shit." Annabeth said.
A/N:
Hello. I am very sorry for my updating times.
35 reviews! Thank you all!
P.S. I'm sorry for any Jordan's that I offended.
I think this chapter was very weird, considering last chapter they were fighting and now they're friends. It's a roller coaster of feelings, basically. ^-^
AnnabethGranger712199: I'm sorry if you feel that way, but I kind of agree with you. Annabeth is getting kind of annoying with the weakness. So, I'll try to make her tougher. She's not going to go around crying about all her issues, but she might get teary-eyed at somethings that hit too close to home.
IamElizaBennett and AncientTide: Percy's being an asshole for a reason. You'll find out why soon. I hope. Keep reading to find out!
My chapters are getting shorter and I don't know why...I'll figure it out. I just hope it's satisfactory.
Rate and Review
~Greekfreak302