[A/N: Hello there, readers. Here's the next chapter. I appreciate all your encouragements and reviews. Please, leave one after reading the chapters. I need them. Thank you! :D
CimFan: The truth is I write each chapter under three hours. I'm not bragging or anything but it's the truth.I love writing so much, I guess that's why I manage to write chapters with good length in a few hours. :D

I would be updating much more faster if I have my own computer. :D

Anyway, here its. I hope you like it, and remember to rate and review! :D]


WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN
Chapter 11: THE SHARK SMELLS BLOOD

ANNABETH

I took a step closer, my heart pounding like mad in my chest.

A few meters away from them, I realized they weren't hugging at all. But the fact didn't exactly set me at ease; Samantha had her hands on Percy's shoulders and was giving my boyfriend a massage. I could feel my face getting hot. I thought this girl said she's not going to do anything to steal Percy away?

I cleared my throat loudly and Samantha turned around. When she saw me, her face reddened and she stepped away. Percy on the other hand looked back and when he saw me, turned his head back to the other direction without acknowledging my presence. My chest felt like I swallowed a bucketful of ice.

"What are you doing?" I asked Samantha, barely containing the suspicion in my voice.

"Oh. Um, Percy sort of slipped at the shower room and hit his shoulder. It was bruised pretty bad and sore so I decided to give him a massage. It's no big deal; just a friendly one," she reassured me.

I wasn't sure about that but I kept my mouth shut. I wasn't going to start a fight with Percy with something as simple as a girl giving my boyfriend a massage. Well, it wasn't that simple to me but I knew Percy was hurt and I decided not to do anything to make him madder at me.

Samantha looked from me back to Percy. She raised her eyebrows questioningly at me and I gave her a shrug. She nodded and said, "I'll see you at school tomorrow, Perce. Goode will sure have a celebration."

"Yeah," Percy said, his head bowed. "See you. Thank you for the massage and support, by the way." I felt my heart constrict. I was supposed to be the one giving him the support he needed and yet, I wasn't there for him. "Take care."

Samantha ruffled his hair playfully. That was a simple gesture but it still sent stabs of jealousy to my chest. And the fact that she kept on calling him Perce didn't exactly help. "Cheer up, Perce. She's here now."

So he'd been waiting for me. I felt even guiltier of that was possible.

Samantha stopped beside me and whispered. "He won. But he's sad. Go talk to him." She wanted me and Percy to sort things out. It would be a whole lot easier of that girl wasn't nice. Or was she really? There was a possibility she as just playing me so I'd lower my guard then she'd make a move. But I didn't think that was the case. I could see through her. She cared that Percy was upset.

"Yeah, sure," I said. "Thanks."

She walked away and I sat down beside Percy. He still hadn't paid any attention to me. I counted to a hundred and when he still hadn't spoken, I said, "How's the shoulder?"

He shrugged and winced. I extended a hand to touch him but he moved away from me. My eyes started getting warm. I had disappointed him way too many times before but he was always too understanding. He was always too supportive and when he was the one who needed support . . .

"Bruised and sore," he said in a quiet voice. "Good thing Sam was good."

I didn't know whether he was doing that on purpose or what, but knowing Percy, he would never hurt anyone if he could help it. I guess he just wasn't aware of what he means to Samantha and what mentioning her name does to me.

"Can I see it?" I asked.

"Help yourself," he said.

I tugged on the edge of his shirt and pulled it up. His right shoulder was reddish-purple and a bit swollen. I touched it with a fingertip and he hissed. "Sorry," I said. There were so many things I wanted to apologize for to him but every time I look at his cold and expressionless face, words leave me. "I have some ambrosia and nectar," Is aid, rummaging through my bag and bringing out a canteen. I took an ambrosia square out and held it to his mouth. "Here, eat this."

"No," he said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Barry and Chuck saw me slip," he explained, his eyes down, reading a book. Wait a second, Seaweed Brain's reading a book? I narrowed my eyes and saw the tile: The Hunger Games. That book had been getting positive reviews but I still didn't think it was good enough for a dyslexic demigod to be interested in reading. "I managed to talk them out of bringing me to a clinic but they said they would check on it for a couple of days. I didn't want to raise suspicion so I didn't heal myself with water."

"Oh," is aid in a small voice. I tried for a smile but my eyes were still prickling. "Since when did you become interested in reading?" I asked.

"Sam said these books were good and she lent them to me."

I didn't like the way he said her name but I didn't say anything about it. Instead, I busied myself with reading the titles of the other books. There were others with titles like The Perks of Being a Wallflower – I've actually read that one; The 39 Clues – I've heard about it but haven't read it yet; a stack of books labeled Gone; one with the title Divergent; and another series marked as Lorien Legacies.

I expected him to say something. After all, I'd been sitting beside him for almost fifteen minutes. He seemed to be too absorbed with the book in his hands. It hurt, being outranked by a book lent to him by his mortal friend. But I also knew he had enough reason to be upset with me.

I took a deep breath and said, "So, how did the swim meet go?"

Percy took some time before answering. "Jumped in the pool last. Won the race by 2.41 seconds. Set a new record in high school swim competition. Won the outstanding swimmer around. No big deal. Yay."

The tone of his voice cut deeper than any dagger. I grind my teeth and forced the tears back. I noticed a gold medal with blue cord hanging on his neck. I reached out and took it. "Wow. Congratulations, Percy," I said, making my voice as light as I could.

Again he didn't answer.

"Do you want to go to the mall? Catch a movie and have a dinner? My treat," I offered.

"I'm actually tired," he said, stuffing the books in his gym bag. "I just want to go home and get some rest."

He stood up and was about to leave when I blocked his path. "Percy, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to miss the race. I was just so busy in Olympus and I left my phone at my apartment." I looked at him but he wouldn't meet my eyes. "I'm really, really sorry."

Percy smiled but it wasn't a real one. It was sad and disappointed. "No worries. I guess I'll just have to get used to being the last one in your priority list. I mean, I'm just your boyfriend. It's not like I have any right to demand."

I felt like all the air had left my lungs. I couldn't breathe and tears fell into my cheeks. Percy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "That's not true!" I protested. "Y-you're not – "

"Well, your absence on my race kind of sent that message," he countered. "I'm sorry if I'm being selfish but I can still recall when you promised that you would be there. I didn't win that race for me, or for the school; I won it for you, Annabeth – except you weren't there to witness it."

Tears were falling continuously down my face now. I took his hand, this time he didn't pull away. "Gods, I'm so sorry, Percy. Please, just tell me what I have to do to make it up to you. I'll do anything."

Percy just shook his head. "Don't apologize if you'll just keep on doing it, Annabeth."

My throat felt like I just swallowed a gallon of gasoline. My vision was distorted and blurred because of the tears. "I-I won't. I promise. Just please – "

I was cut off by a mob of fans who flocked around Percy, asking for pictures and autographs. I was pushed away. For a minute, I was actually happy watching him get the attention. He was smiling as he signed notes and shirts. He posed for pictures. The crowd wasn't all girls; there also some guys who were fans.

"Can you go out with me?" someone asked suddenly. I took a step forward.

"Can I have a kiss?" asked another. I took another step.

"Can I have the swim trunks you were wearing at the competition?" Percy blushed on this one.

I pushed the crowd away and stood beside him. "You're allowed to ask for an autograph and a picture but no one's allowed to kiss him."

The girl up front raised her eyebrows at me. "And who the hell are you?"

I held my head high. "His girlfriend," I said.

The girl smirked. "I have no recollection of seeing you during the competition," she said. "Where were you when he was competing then?" I took a step back. I was so mad at the girl I unsheathed the dagger on my belt. Then I realized I wasn't mad at her; I was mad at myself.

"Don't talk to her that way," Percy said. The girl stepped back, looking at him in confusion. Then he turned around and walked away. I followed him.

His car was parked at the corner of the school. He had to go through mobs of fans asking for autographs and pictures but we managed to get away and climb into his car. Percy maneuvered the car out of the school premises and hit the road. He was silent and I didn't know what to say. I just cried silently.

There was traffic, as usual. I wanted to talk to Percy but I didn't know how. My eyes felt like I rubbed sand all over them. I knew Percy hates it whenever I cry but I couldn't help it. And he wasn't trying to comfort me.

I shook my head and wiped my eyes dry. Crying won't help. I didn't care what I have to do, as long as Percy forgave me. I took a deep breath and looked at him. He was staring at me. When our eyes met, I looked away. I took his hand and pressed it on the side of my face, inhaling his all too familiar scent. I kissed his palm, then his knuckles, then the back of his hand and held his hand against my face again, staring at his face. He was looking straight ahead.

I curled his fingers into a fist and held his forefinger and thumb on my hands, making a puppet. "That Annabeth girl is sure a selfish one, huh?" I said in my best child voice.

I lowered my pitch and said, "Yeah. She didn't even show up in her boyfriend's competition. What kind of a girlfriend is she?"

Percy looked at me, frowning.

I switched back to my child voice. "But she seems really sorry, you know."

The deep one. "Yes. She likes Percy to know that she's sorry and that she loves him so much."

"He's mad at her," I said in my thin voice. "And he has the right to be. That Annabeth girl must be the worst girlfriend in the –"

"Stop that," Percy interrupted. I looked at him. "You're not allowed to say those lies."

"They're true –"

"No, they're not," he said. "You're not allowed to torment yourself because of me."

"But Percy – "

"Ananbeth, you just missed a swim meet; that hardly deserves a death sentence," he said impatiently.

"Does that mean you forgive me?" I asked hopefully.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he looked at me, I almost melted. There was intensity in his eyes I haven't seen before. I couldn't explain it but maybe it was because I was so nervous.

"Not until you kiss me," he murmured.

That moment, I broke down and cried harder. I was too worried what Percy would say that when he answered, I lost control of myself and bawled my eyes out. I felt Percy reaching across to my seat and soon enough, his arms were around me. "Shh," he whispered in my ear. "It's okay. I'm not mad, Wise Girl."

I sobbed into his shirt, muttering apologies. I wasn't sure if he understood but he kept on patting my back.

I would've happily stayed there in his arms if it wasn't for the loud honks behind us. Then I remembered we were on the road. I pulled away and settled back on my seat, my heart feeling light. Percy drove but his right hand was between both of mine. I rubbed his knuckles and kissed his hand again. Percy looked at me and grinned.

We were stopped by a traffic light at some point. "How about that kiss?" he asked, pouting his lips.

I threw myself on him. I heard him yelp but I didn't care. I pressed my lips to his and kissed him passionately. I was sitting on his lap but the awkwardness of our position didn't register in my brain until later.

I couldn't pretend that I didn't miss him. I did, so much, and it didn't register on me that I was gripping Percy's bad shoulder tightly until he groaned. "Ow!"

I leaned back and remembered was injured. "Oh, gods! I'm so sorry!"

Percy just chuckled "Its fine."

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled the collar of his shirt down, revealing the bruised skin and kissed it softly. I heard Percy moan beneath me. I grinned against the skin of his shoulder. I let my lips travel up into his ear then whispered softly, "I'll give you a proper massage later."

He gave me his trademark trouble maker smile and I eased myself off of him and sat back on my own seat.

I held his hand the whole drive.

Sally and Paul were waiting when we arrived. They both cheered at Percy and Sally gave him a big hug, which made Percy wince. Then of course, he had to explain the slipping accident.

"You should've been more careful," she said.

We had an early dinner together. Paul informed us that there would be a celebration party at Samantha's place. "She called earlier, asking if you are here. Then she said to tell you that the rest of the swim team agreed to have a party at her house."

After dinner, Percy and I headed to his room with Sally giving her son a skeptical look. As soon as the door clicked close, I kissed Percy again. He dropped his gym bag and it made a loud thud on his floor. I didn't fully understand how much I missed him until that moment when we were alone, his warm lips on mine.

His mouth moved to my neck and I couldn't help but moan. Percy pulled back, grinning. "Be quiet," he said.

I tugged on the edge of his shirt and tried to pull it over his head. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"Well, I promised you a massage, right?" I asked him. "This is me keeping my promise."

"I didn't think you were serious," he said, blushing. "You do know where most massages lead to, right?"

I nodded. "Of course. That's why we're keeping the door open." I glared at him. "You're not going to do anything, are you?"

"Of course not!"

"Then off with the clothes," I said, pulling it off of him. This time he let me and lifted his arms up. I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his armpits.

"What?" he asked, tossing his shirt on the floor.

"Your underarms are so hairy!" I said, giggling.

He blushed even more. "I'd rather not talk about my armpits," he said, unbuttoning his pants. I still wasn't used to seeing Percy in shorts, but seeing him in his boxers made my face feel like I w as holding it against an open flame. His legs were covered in silky black hair.

He saw me staring and teased me. "You're drooling, Ms. Chase."

"Am not, Jackson!" I protested. "Now go and lie on the bed."

He grinned and plopped on his bed on his stomach. I got behind him and started massaging his back. He made weird sounds. They were muffled by his pillow, though, so I wasn't really sure.

I moved my hands to his bruised shoulder and rubbed it in circles, carefully making my touch light. I heard him moaning and I laughed. I leaned close to his ear and whispered, "You okay in there, Seaweed Brain?"

"Yeah," he croaked.

I chuckled again and kissed his shoulder and neck.

Percy murmured something but I wasn't able to make it out. "Sorry, what?" I asked.

"I said you're testing my self-control," he repeated. "And may I remind you that they're not perfect to begin with so don't do anything that might trigger my guy hormones."

My face felt hot with his statement. He chuckled and flipped to his back. Suddenly, I was sitting on his stomach. He didn't seem to be bothered by it as he took my face between his hands. "Don't worry, I'm still holding up," he said.

"You'd better," I said, placing my arm on his chest and leaning down to his face so we were nose to nose. I stared into his eyes. I felt like I was melting into a puddle. "I really am sorry, Seaweed Brain."

Percy combed his fingers through my hair. "It's okay. You don't have to feel guilty."

"Yeah, but – "

He silenced me with a kiss. It would've been a sweet moment except Sally walked in on us. "Hey, do you guys want some – oh, my God!"

I quickly sat up but fell back down on Percy when I lost my handhold. My face was red, so was Percy's but he was smiling. "We'll talk to tomorrow, Mom," he said, looking at Sally. I gave her an apologetic look. "Besides, the door is open, right? And we're keeping it that way."

"Right," said Sally, her face flushed. "I just – I was just – I have to go. Be somewhere right now," she said, turning around and walking away.

Percy groaned. "You got me in trouble, Wise Girl."

"No. You got yourself in trouble, Seaweed Brain."

Percy chuckled and I joined him. "Fine. So let me get dressed and I'll drive you home."

I looked at him. "Can I spend the night here?" I asked.

"Why?" he asked.

"My parents are in San Francisco. I'm alone at the apartment," I told him

"Why?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow," I told him. Percy yawned loudly and I smiled. "Just sleep and let me cuddle to you. We'll talk when you wake up. Do you think Sally's okay with this?"

"No doubt about that," he said, closing his eyes. "Good night, Wise Girl."

I kissed him. "Good night, my Sea Prince."

Percy grinned. "If I'm the Sea Prince, then can you be my princess?"

My heart beat faster. "I already am," I said.

"Cool."

"Now enough of the talking and sleep. I know you're tired."

I settled myself against his body, enjoying his warmth. My hand was on his stomach and I inhaled his scent. "You smell so good," I murmured.

"I heard that," he said.

"Shut up," I said and quickly followed with an "I love you."

"I love you, too," he said, tightening his arms around me.


[Next - Chapter 12 - DON'T BE BLINDED BY THE LIGHTS]