Disclaimer: No one is as awesome as Uncle Rick. Including me. Characters belong to him.
"You live here?" Percy asked.
Annabeth ducked her head in embarrassment. She didn't want Percy to see her neighborhood. It was kind of humiliating, to have people see the partial slum she called home. But she never showed anything but confidence walking around these streets, and everyone seemed to leave her alone because of it. "Uh, yeah. Not a fancy mansion or a posh condo, but a cheap apartment. I'm living the life," she joked. Percy didn't laugh.
"You seriously can't be living here. This place is a dump!" Annabeth glared at him. But there was no judgment in his tone. Actually, he seemed kind of concerned. 'Why would he be concerned where you live? Why does he even care?' she asked herself. 'Right. He doesn't.' It was kind of sad that she had to remind herself.
"What about the people? You could get robbed. Or worse, ra-"
Sure, it wasn't the best of neighborhoods, but she could take care of herself. "I'm a big girl, Percy. I don't need a body guard to protect me. And as for the mess...I don't live in the street, so it doesn't bother me. I don't spend much time in my house anyways. I barely see this neighborhood." She interrupted. Annabeth grabbed the door handle. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get into my apartment quickly before I get raped." She mocked.
Before Annabeth could leave, he grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing? Let go!"
"I'm walking you up." Percy said.
"What? No. I just told you I don't need a body guard. I can take care of myself." Percy already got out of the car. "Too late. I'm walking you up. That guy is staring at you like you're a piece of meat." He subtly tilted his head to the left. Some pot-bellied guy in his late forties stared at her, licking his lips. She knew him, or at least knew of him. He wasn't dangerous; just a drunkard that used to be a pharmacist or something.
"So? I deal with this everyday."
"Gods, Annabeth, why do you have to be so damn stubborn? Why can't you accept my help just once?" She narrowed her eyes. 'Why do you think I need your help after 2 years? Who the hell do you think you are?' she thought angrily.
She glared, but nodded anyways. She wanted to go upstairs, and it was obvious Percy wasn't going to let her go up alone. "Lead the way," He said. But Annabeth was already across the street, opening the door to her apartment building that smelled like smoke. "Shut up and walk faster."
Percy stared at the door to her apartment awkwardly. "So, I guess you're here."
"Yeah. What're we supposed to tell Chiron? Tomorrow- today, I guess- we're supposed to go in the studio for a photo shoot."
Percy shrugged. "We wing it." Annabeth rolled her eyes. A typical answer coming from bold, Annabeth stepped forward and pecked him on the lips. He blinked at her, face flushing. "Wh-what was that for?"
"I was just testing something." Annabeth unlocked the door. She stepped into her apartment. "Still awkward."
"Should we tell her?"
"She's going to have to find out sooner or later." Annabeth sat up, rubbing her eyes. She looked around, seeing that her bedroom was empty of the annoyingly loud people who had woken her up. The voices were coming from outside the room.
"Well I'm not telling her." It was Piper's voice.
"Gwen, you should do it. It's your job." Thalia. Annabeth stood up and stretched, yawning. Silently she made her way to her door, opening it. Gwen, Piper, and Thalia were all sitting on the couch, staring at something in Gwen's hands. They all wore matching expressions: worry.
Piper stood up, smiling. "Morning. Coffee?"
Annabeth nodded slowly. "Yeah. What were you all talking about?"
"Nothing," Gwen lied. She flipped her hair over her shoulder in onr fluid motion, smiling coolly. Annabeth pointed at her. "That's how I know you're lying through your teeth. You never would ruin a perfect hairstyle." Annabeth pointed to all of them. "What are you hiding from me?"
They all exchanged a look. Slowly, Gwen stood up and walked over to Annabeth, showing her the Ipad. "Please don't freak out, Annie." Gwen said. Annabeth nodded slowly, wondering why they're acting so weird. She started the video.
"Hello my wonderful viewers." It was Tammi. Annabeth sat on the couch, sensing what she's about to hear she wouldn't like. "Boy, do we have some juicy gossip for you today! But first, I think I'll start with the latest news: Actor and singer Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase were spotted together last night at a local bookstore. On a date!"
On a screen next to Tammi, a picture popped up of Percy and Annabeth sitting cross-legged across each other, smiling. "Sources inform us that they overheard some of their conversation. Are you ready?" Tammi leaned in and the camera panned in on her face.
Apparently, the two are doing a movie together with the Chiron Cenaur. And guess what? They're love interests! But that's not even the best part. Our source has confirmed that Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase used to date! Scandalous, if you ask me.
"Non on asked you," Annabeth mumbled to herself. The words that was said from the she-devil's mouth finally seemed to sink in, and her stomach dropped. She stared at the wall in horror as Tammi droned on and on about 'Percabeth'. She looked back down at the screen, stunned. "You've heard it here first. I guess now Percabeth isn't so one sided? Will there be a love triangle? Percy Jackson lo-"
Annabeth threw the Ipad, enraged. "What the hell! How does she even know this?!" She demanded, pointing to the three women who she trusted wit her life. They couldn't have said something, right? Gwen was known for her inability to attain secrets, the reason why she'd made such a great publicist. She immediately dismissed the suspicious thoughts; as she said before, she trusted them with her life. They wouldn't have said anything to Tammi intentionally.
Piper put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "I'm sorry." Thalia walked up to Annabeth, shaking her head. "This is why I told you being seen with my cousin only creates drama. I knew this would happen. Now everyone either hates you for stealing Percy, or loves the idea of Percabeth."
Thalia picked up the cracked Ipad and showed Annabeth the comments. Majority of them said they hated Annabeth for stealing their man, or going so far as to saying they wanted to kill her.
Annabeth sat back down on the couch, running her hands through her hair. "Shit, Thalia. What did I get myself into?"
PERCY'S POV
"Grover, I'm telling you-"
Percy's phone rang. His manager rolled his eyes, but gestured to take the call anyways. He was used to their friendship being interrupted by business. Sometimes it made him feel guilty, wanting to make it up to his long-time friend, but he didn't know how.
Percy grinned and grabbed his phone. "Hel-"
"Check your email."
"Annabeth? What? Which one? Why?" His eyebrows knitted and Grover looked up from the pool table, an eyebrow raised as a silent question. Percy waved his hand dismissively, and stood to get his laptop on the other side of the room.
"Just fucking check your email!" He didn't know what he did, but Annabeth seemed pissed. He knew better than to just write her off as angry with him; whatever it was that was bothering her, it was probably stressing her out. "What's wron-"
"I don't need you to ask me what's wrong, I need you to check your email. Just do it, Percy." She sounded urgent, desperate, even.
"Did I-" The line went dead. "Annabeth? Annabeth?" Percy hung up. Grover, who was still lounging on the couch, laughed. "What's you do to precious Annabeth this time, dude?" Percy stuck his tongue out at Grover. "I don't even know what her problem is. One minute she acts like she doesn't completely hate me and the next she's acting like a moody..." he paused whatever he was going to say. Annabeth wasn't a bitch. No matter how she was acting or what her problem was, it wasn't okay to call her names.
Before he could even open his email, a video popped up. He clicked on it.
"Shit."
A/N:
I am aware this Percy chapter sucked, but I didn't want to reveal anything yet. The next Percy chapter you will start to get answers. Most likely.
Seaweed and Wise: You're guess is partially correct. I can't tell you more than that.
Review!
~Greekfreak302