The Worst and Longest Love Story
Chapter 3
(8 months later)
April 30, 2003
12:32 PM
Goode High School in Manhattan, New York City
Lunch
***Time Jump***
After the first three classes of the day, Percy was glad it was already lunch. He sat down at his usual table as Annabeth showed up a few minutes later. As she was sitting down to her seat, she was smiling and looked like she was blushing earlier.
"What's up with the goofy grin? Do I need to call 911?", he said while trying not to laugh.
"No. I got some news.", she said.
Percy rolled his eyes," Please don't tell me it's about a new book that is coming out. We had a deal that you would only talk about on Fridays. Today is Wednesday."
"No, not that! Although, thank you for reminding me. .", she said while she sat you prefer the history of Roman architecture or a science textbook."
"I'll bring my pillow then. Anyway, what's the news?"
Annabeth took a deep breath and spill, "Luke ask me out to the formal in two weeks"
Percy froze with shock. Luke Castellan, one of the fittest guys of their year, student body president, and Annabeth's crush for the last four years. Him asking her out to the biggest social event before graduation is a big deal. Out of all the guys, he couldn't compete with him.
" So... what did you say?"
"I don't know yet. He asked me in Study Hall and I told him that I needed time to decide."
"So... what are you going to say?"
"I'm going to say no cause I'm going with you, Seaweed Brain."
He was relieved. A year ago, he would have been thrilled that his best friend finally got asked by Luke. However, he was thrilled that she was going to turn him down. Ever since his eighteen birthday, things changed between for them or at least, for him. After she said she wanted to forget that night, he thought that he could live with that and forget it ever happened. However, he began to notice her. It didn't happen immediately like love at first sight. It was like he only saw glimpses of it that happened occasionally.
First, it was the first day of senior year and they learned that they'll be having different classes than usual. When it was time for their separate ways, he watched her leave and weirdly felt a pang of loneliness. Weird, he thought. Next, there was the fact that he didn't notice other girls that much anymore. The only girl that he did notice was her. And to top it all off, he always has the urge to touch her hair and his heart starts beating weirdly whenever they were alone. Just like this moment right now.
"Percy?", she said as he was snapping out of his daze.
"Uh, yes?", he said dumbly.
"And you wonder why I call you Seaweed Brain. Not because of the time where in kindergarten, when we went on that class trip to the aquarium."
"You fall down to the mini whirlpool at the kid center and you're scarred for life.", he muttered to himself.
Just when Annabeth was about to speak, there was a voice that spoke behind him.
"Hey, Percy."
He turned around and saw Rachel Dare standing behind him. She was wearing her overalls with dried, splattered paint and her hair was tied up in a messy bun. She looked like she came back from painting, but that was her normal day looked. Either way, she was beautiful and caught many eyes in that look.
"Um... hi", he said. "How's a going?"
"Okay.", she said. "Anyway, I was wondering if you would like to hang this Saturday. We can see movie or you know, just catch up."
"Uh...", he said. Rachel and him were good friends at work and school. However, at moments like this, his words turn gummy and doesn't know what to say.
"Well, if you want to. If you want to hang out, just give me a call", she said as she turned around and headed to her table with her other friends. As he turn towards Annabeth.
"That was pathetic, Seaweed Brain.", she said.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just surprised that she didn't trip over your tongue and dragged her across the floor."
"Crap.", he said as he buried his face in his hands. She laughed and pulled his hands from his hands.
"Well, it could have been worse. You could have said something that would make you a bigger idiot", she grinned.
"Oh, yeah?", he said. "Then, what do you think I should do. Come on, give me some pointers, Wise Girl."
She laughed again,"Are you serious?"
"Yes. How do I talk to her without that won't make me look like an idiot"
"Well, you're at a disadvantage since you're still..." She said and whispered the last two words."...a virgin". His face went serious and it took a few seconds until Annabeth calmed down.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry.", she said. "We can work with that. Now first, you have to focus. You have one chance to not screw this up. Act like you'll take it or leave it. Next, you have to make her feel comfortable. Make her feel that you see something that no one has. Since you basically work with her, you're halfway there. Finally, don't overthink it. Sure, your kelp brain can act up. However, if she still manages not to slap you in the face, then she's a lucky girl."
"Okay. So, why did you say did you have to mention... that," he said. " It's not like she's going to ask me if I'm experience. Wait! Is she..."
"Relax, Seaweed Brain. I mean, who knows, maybe you might take to the formal.", she says.
"Wait, are you serious?", he said.
"Well, if you do use actual words to ask her, you still have chance to ask her out."
"But, what about you? We had a deal that we would go with each other..."
"If we don't each have a date. You have a shot at having at asking out Rachel and I got asked out by Luke. I think that I'm going to be just fine."
"Um... are you sure?"
"Go or I will make you regret it," she said and he stand up to walk over to Rachel. Was he really going to ask out Rachel when there might be a slight chance that he might have the slightest feelings for Annabeth. He knows that Annabeth wanted them to be just friends and he has to respect her for that. It's not like she will ever see him in that way and even if she did, how would everyone would react? Sure, for the past twelve year, people did assume that they would wind up together. Their peers, their teacher and other adults. Even his mom did thought that they were already a couple when he told her about formal.
The problem was that it would later become weird. This is the girl that he nearly spent his entire childhood with: elementary school, first time riding bikes together in Central Park, sleepovers in each other's houses, walking through New York with our parents for the first time, see our first PG-13 movie together, middle school, our first crushes, high school, and accidentally, our first kiss together. The kiss was the greatest thing he felt in a long time and felt right. In reality, that will their first and last kiss together.
After a few minutes of talking with Rachel, she said yes and agreed to go out this weekend. As he was turning back to see Annabeth, he thought he saw her frowning. When she realized he was looking at her, she smiled as if he just imagined the whole thing.
***Time Jump***
(week and a half later)
May 12, 20 03
11:46 AM
Goode High School
Study Hall/ Computer Lab
***Time Jump***
She hadn't seen Percy throughout the entire weekend. After Percy's date with Rachel, they started to hang out more. First, he hadn't talk or called about what happened. Next, he started to sit next to Rachel during lunch and being able to hold hands with her. Now, the only time they spent time together is in the chat room online. It was like she was slowly fading away and being replaced by Rachel. I am not jealous, she keeps saying in her head through the past few weeks. I am not jealous. He is my best friend. I shouldn't get jealous!
She was in study hall and everyone was either gossiping quietly, pretending to read something, or on the computers doing actual business. Most of the time, she would be working on homework or doing research for fun. But sometimes, she and Percy would go into the private chat room to talk for fun or multitask during assignments. She could see Percy on the other side of the room with his computer facing away from others as she was doing the same. He looked up from his screen and gave the signal, which was a goofy smirk. A smirk that she hated and loved.
Wise Girl: Your face is starting to annoy me!
Seaweed Brain: what no hello or I miss u.
Wise Girl: You haven't call or text me last weekend. I should I feel?
Seaweed Brain: I'm sorry. I was busy this weekend.
Wise Girl: We tell each other everything! Just tell me!
Seaweed Brain: fine. I actually have some news.
Wise Girl: Well, beside me studying so I can actually get a life, I'm all ears.
She looked up and see him typing slowly in a rhythm. When he hit send, she looked at the screen and her heart sunk.
Seaweed Brain: Virgin boy no more.
Crap, she thought. She knew that a week earlier, she had teased him that he hasn't done the deed yet. While it was fun to tease him, he had also reminded her that she was also a virgin. However, it never occur to Annabeth that one of these days, he would eventually do the deed. She thought that she had more time and had never believed he would be the first one of them to lose their virginity. Just relax, she thought.
Seaweed Brain: are u still here?
Wise Girl: I'm here. Who's the unlucky girl?
She looked up again and see him smile as he tapped the keys. Please don't let it be Rachel. Please don't let it be Rachel!, she thought. Sadly, she knew the answer.
Seaweed Brain: Rachel.
"Damn it!", she said and relized that she said that for everyone to hear. She exit out of the chat room and looked up. Everyone was looking at her, even the teacher, Mrs. Dodds.
" , please report to the principal's office. Now!", she yelled at her. Before she could stand up, she turned off her computer and buried her face in her hands. Great, she thought.
Author's Note:
Hope you enjoy this chapter. Before you all raise your pitchforks at me, I don't like this ship with Rachel at all. I know but it's all part of the story. We see that Percy is starting to have feelings for Annabeth but is going out with Rachel. Not my best work but we'll get there. Also, we see that Annabeth is at war with herself that is she jealous. Remember, she was drunk that night of the kiss, so there is a chance she doesn't remember any of it. More on that later.
Sorry about the deley, I was dealing with major stuff and I had some news on my personal life. But enough about me, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'll see you soon with a new chapter.
XOXO
-Bookatopia1227
