Clip
Percy wasn't exactly sure about his job as a swan-boat driver in Adams Park, New Jersey. He didn't hate, but he didn't like it either. It was just boring. Most of the time, he took couples out and pretended not to hear them kissing and whispering to each other behind him.
But on this one day, he knew something was different, besides the fact that he had received a newer, fancier outfit for himself from his mother, which he was wearing at the moment. He waited in the swan-boat for people to want a ride.
A girl with curly blonde hair that shone in the sunlight, wearing jean shorts and a red tank top, strolled by casually. Percy knew something was up when he had seen her walk by at least seven times.
On the eighth time she passed by, he called, "Do you want to take a boat ride?"
She nodded, and came up to the pier where he was tied up. "How much is it?"
"It's ten dollars for adults, 13 and up," Percy said automatically. Seeing her face fall, he added, "But I'll give you a ride for six."
"Deal," the girl said. She looked about twenty, the same age as Percy.
Percy started the boat, and they sat in silence for a few seconds, before the girl opened her mouth.
"What's your name?" she asked.
"I'm Percy. How about you?"
"I'm Annabeth, but don't call me Annie or I will push you in," Annabeth said, grinning.
"Okay…Annabeth," Percy replied. "But if you do push me in, there'll be no one to operate the boat!"
"Oh." Annabeth shrugged. "That's okay, I'm smart enough to figure it out."
"Hey," Percy said, finally noticing something. "Who are you with? You can't be alone in a park!"
"I'm not alone, silly," Annabeth answered. "I came with my friend Piper and her boyfriend Jason, but I felt like the third wheel so I left them at the pretzel stand."
"So, what I'm hearing is you're single?" was Percy's reply.
She lightly punched him on the arm. "Shut up!"
"Sorry," Percy said.
They sat in silence, drifting through the lake. Suddenly, Annabeth shrieked.
"What? What's the matter?" Percy cried.
"My hair clip! I was trying to redo my hair and it fell into the water! My cousin gave it to me! It's very special!"
"Okay, okay," Percy grumbled. He took off his shirt and jumped in, grabbing the hair clip before it could sink.
He threw it up to Annabeth, pulling himself up and back into the boat.
"Thank you!" Annabeth threw her arms around him, only to realize she was hugging a soaking wet, shirtless, almost-stranger. But she squeezed him tightly anyways.
"So now you're single and ready to mingle," Percy mumbled, while trying to escape Annabeth's grip.
She smiled. "I guess I am."
Even though the restaurants wouldn't allow Percy in because he was dripping wet and shirtless, Annabeth and Percy enjoyed a double date with Piper and Jason by the pretzel stand.