Some written by HellomynamesWHTSITTOYA

* Just to clarify Annabeth had been here for at least half a year.

Today, Annabeth was sitting in a corner in the library behind some bookshelves tucking in to Jane Eyre. She came so often that her friends had put up a sign saying Annabeth: Approach Carefully. As she was getting to the good part, footsteps echoed throughout out the large library. Cautious, Annabeth put her hand on the hilt of her dagger; she never left her room without it. She made that mistake and almost got stabbed in the neck. (SHHH it was Piper trying to play a joke she tends to do that).

She immediately relaxed when she saw Katie's face peek out from behind the shelf. Annabeth grinned and patted the space next to her. Katie smiled gratefully and plopped down in the cushions.

"Jeez Kates… tired much?"

"Yeah Travis is keeping me busy"

"Yeah I know. I could hear you from three doors down"

"Well I'm sorry if I beat him twelve times in a row. Usually he wins and I hate that. "

"Yeah but screaming 'beat that you butt' each time you beat him at Mario Kart isn't what I want to hear in the afternoon."

"Sorry. Look, the reason I came was to invite you on a shopping trip. You seemed bored and downhearted."

She was. Today was her mom's birthday. She had died a long time ago. Well died was true but murdered was more accurate. They never caught the killer. Even the Olympians couldn't find out.

As much as Annabeth hated shopping she had to agree with Katie and told them to meet her in her room in five minutes. She went and changed into jeans and a sweatshirt with a tank top. The rest of the girls arrive a little later. Giggling and whispering they went up, out of the school and onto the street of New York. The air was crisp and the sun was shining. They walked a few blocks to the local mall and stepped inside. Annabeth hated malls because of how crowded it was. People pushed against her in a rush to get to the sales. And some three year old accidentally ran over her foot.

Frowning, she let Piper drag her into the store. The other girl immediately took multiple outfits and shoved them into Annabeth's arms. She groaned and looked at Piper pleadingly but the girl shook her head and forced Annabeth into the changing rooms. She had to admit Piper had a really good sense of style. She had chosen a grey circle top paired with a pair of white skinny jeans. A necklace with huge fake crystals hung on her neck and her arms had a single gold bangle. Annabeth decided she liked the look and went outside to meet Piper. The girl smiled and handed Annabeth another outfit Annabeth took one look at it and groaned

"Do I have to?" Annabeth whined

"Yes. If you try this and one more and let me get them for you, you can go to any store you want for the rest of the day and we'll come and get you before you have to leave" Piper promised

That sounded like a good deal so Annabeth tried on a formal number that looked very nice and another casual thing and gratefully left the store. She didn't understand why they had to shop when they had everything back at home. Now that she thought about it, in between missions, things have to be kind of boring. Relived of model duty, Annabeth wandered in the mall and discovered a bookstore. Smiling, she walked in picked a book and sat on the floor and got lost.

POV SWITCH

Thalia had no idea why she was at the mall. She didn't need new clothes or new shoes or anything she was just there wandering around the winding halls window shopping. She passed by the bookstore when something caught her eye. A blonde girl sat in the corner with her back to the window. Her sweatshirt is what really what stood out. To most finding a person staring at you would seem creepy but this girl didn't notice as she was too entertained with her books.

Her sweatshirt had a SFU in it in the U there were eyes and underneath were the words VALEDICTORIAN: in your face suckers. Annabeth had gotten that printed on her sweater and Thalia still had no idea how she got the committee to let her do that on the school sweatshirt. Still this girl could be anyone. Then she raised her head. Annabeth's startling grey eyes flashed like beacons in the dark, met hers and she froze. They widened and she put her book down and rushed outside.

Thalia turned and was prepared to walk in the other direction when a voice said "Thalia?"

"Annabeth?"

"Thalia I missed you." She said hugging her shocked friend.

"First, I don't care if it is cliché I missed you! And second, where on earth have you been! One phone call every now and then that's it!" Thalia said

"I know it's just," Annabeth let out a sigh, "it's just complicated," she finally said.

"Well, I finally got you and we can go see everyone again," Thalia said as she grabbed Annabeth's hand, "they will be so happy to see you again!"

"No, umm… I mean… I kinda came with friends… and umm..."

"Friends?" Thalia felt slightly hurt, "Oh Okay, but still where have you been? Everyone is worried sick about you. Luke especially."

"Yah, I know. I miss him a lot."

"So should I leave you to your friends," asked Thalia a hint of bitterness in her voice at the word 'friends'.

Annabeth, of course noticed, "Um no, you know what I'll ditch 'em. I'm hungry and I want to spend as much time as I can with you, before they hunt me down," she said half joking.

Thalia immediately brightened at that, "Okay! Well then it seems as though they let me borrow you. So borrow you I will. Let's be teens again and shop"

"You asked what happened to me but I'm asking what happened to you. Thalia wants to go shopping?"

"To be honest, no. I want to look at stuff and annoy the workers by putting it in the wrong place right in front of their faces."

"There's the Thalia I'm looking for."

"Do you still have your ring Annabeth? Luke's really worried"

Annabeth didn't respond but fiddled with the left hand. When she moved Thalia could see the diamond ring glinting on her finger. She a look of uncertainty crossed her features when she looked up but it was gone in a flash.

"Yeah I miss him a lot. I'm hungry, want to go to the food court?"

"Sure"

Annabeth and Thalia chatted amiably during the five minutes it took to get to the food court. There they ordered food and sat talking and catching up on what Annabeth had missed. When Piper arrived Annabeth was quite sad that she had to leave she gave a lengthy goodbye to Thalia and slowly followed Piper out of Thalia's line of sight and melted into the crowd.

Annabeth had saw Thalia. She was expecting to never talk to her best friend again but they had permitted her that phone call every two months and then she was expecting to never see her again. But there she was, staring at her from the bookstore window. Thalia had asked her about Luke. Sure Annabeth still loved him but she was starting to doubt. All that time she spent with Percy (which was not a lot to be honest) got her thinking about her childhood.

Percy and She had been best friends when they were young (it was sad she couldn't remember). Then she met Luke. He was always there for her even when Percy wasn't. Sure there were a few slaps and heated arguments but they always apologized and got back together. It was starting to feel like those weeks back with the first phone call. She didn't feel like doing anything and that made her feel useless so she pushed herself into training. She met Malcolm and he taught her tactics. She wasn't really sure she would use them but it doesn't hurt to learn.

Percy noticed how Annabeth down Annabeth looked ever since they got back from the mall she's been acting like that. He'd asked Piper about it and she had said everything went okay. They had got a few outfits and they had let Annabeth go on her own. He was surprised Annabeth didn't take the opportunity to run away again. She must really like them now. She looked so sad and he wanted her not to be sad (was that cliché?)

He knew what he had to do. Sighing, he walked into the training room. There Annabeth was hacking away at a dummy with a sword but paused when Percy walked into the room

"Oh, hey Percy," she said and then continued to hack away.

"Hey, listen. I heard what happened today."

Annabeth froze, "You did?"

"Yah, I heard that you didn't run when every ditched you," he said coolly.

"What-oh- well… um…. what about it?"

"Well, I was thinking that well you might have ran for it like the last time," Percy started to get closer to her.

"Well, we both know how that ended."

"Yah, we do," Percy was trying to study her movements and tone of voice to try to find any sign of happiness. Even a little flicker of it. "Annabeth?"

"Yes?"

"Do you… do you miss your family?"

Annabeth was taken back by this, "Um… well, um… yes I do," she admitted and hung her head low.

Percy hooked his finger under her chin and made her look into his eyes, "Do you like it here?"

Annabeth was having some difficulty thinking straight. The fact that he was asking her these questions threw her off and how close he was to her didn't help. He was so close that his lips where just an inch away from her's.

"Annabeth, answer me. Are you happy here?" Even though the words were harsh, his tone was soft.

"I like it here and I love my new friends, but I do miss my family and friends."

"Then it's settled," he released her chin and took a small step back, "You may spend FOUR days with them."

"What?" Annabeth was plain flat out dumbfounded.

"You heard me," he said with a soft smile, "You can go back."

"I … I… I don't know what to say," the next thing they knew was Annabeth launched herself into Percy's arms. "Thank you. Thank you so much Percy! This means a lot to me!"

Percy smiled. just seeing Annabeth this happy made him feel on cloud nine. She squealed an uncharacteristic squeal. With a quick peck on his cheek, she dashed off to her room to pack. as soon as she left Percy slumped to the floor. He going to really miss her for the next four days.

Walking slowly, he trudged to her room and watched her. She flit about her room in excitement throwing things into her bag without really folding or looking at them. He knew he was being a stalker like the vampire from twilight what's his name…. Eugene... Edwin...Emilio? Whoever that guy was, but he understood where he was coming from.