[A/N: Sorry it took some time.

PLEASE READ:

I know that not all of you are cool with what happened between Percy and Annabeth and what is happening (and about to happen) between Percy and Samantha. Some of you even said that you will stop reading now that Percy and Annabeth had broken up. I understand why; you love Percabeth too much. I do, too, but I also know that as a writer, I can't stick to the same thing and write the same scenes over and over again. I bet you're not going to like it if the scenes just keep on repeating; Percy and Annabeth fighting because of Annabeth's lack of time or Percy and Annabeth holding hands and kissing - just the same thing repeating. The story has to develop; the characters have to grow up. While I understand why you don't like it, I also want you to understand that I'm merely testing Percy and Annabeth. I want to see how strong their love for each other is, which is the whole point of this story.

As a guy who has been dating the same girl for almost four years, I know that this kind of thing is unavoidable. My girlfriend and I went through similar, and even worse things than this, but we're still together until now. I can easily say that those challenges we faced together were what made us realize what we really mean to each other.

Percy and Annabeth are no exception. I've said this before, remember?

I'm very thankful that majority of your reviews were still positive. I'm really grateful for those. :D

Anyway, I didn't mean to make this message long so I'll stop now. I just hope that you'll stick around and see this story to the very end.

CimFan: I'm glad you understand. :D

sol66: Thanks! And Percy isn't the only one with tough days ahead; I am, too. The upcoming chapters are getting heavier and harder to write because of the emotions.

percabethshipper0818: Thank you. That means a lot.

blondee-boo: I did read your review until the very end. Thank you for that message. I'm glad that this is unpredictable, which means my writing is effective. And, well, your laptop didn't answer, did it? :D

Percabeth37: Thanks. That's all I'm going to say . . . thanks. :D

username1345: Well, that's your opinion. I'm going to respect it. :D

Anonymous person: Thank you for understanding why such things have to happen. I'm glad you know that stuffs like this are needed.

AnonymousAdmirer: I apologize if I complicated your feelings. Just, um, don't hurt me, okay? :D Anyway, thank you for that. That kind of comment is what's urging me on.

And for the rest of you: I'm sorry if I made you cry with that chapter! :D

A LITTLE WARNING: Annabeth won't be back until Chapter 20. Chapters 17, 18 & 19 are between Percy and Samantha. I know you don't like it very much but those three chapters are very crucial to Percy discovering what his feelings for Samantha are. I hope you understand.

Tell me what you think through reviews. I need to know your thoughts. Thank you! :D

I'm a nineteen year-old guy, so I'm not Rick Riordan and I don't own the Percy Jackson and the Olympians.]


WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN
Chapter 17: GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK

SAMANTHA

I didn't like what happened.

I was doing well – or as well as I could be, seeing Percy and Annabeth together. It hurt, of course, but it wasn't like there was something I could do about it. I could see a change in Percy. He was trying to avoid much contact with Annabeth when I was with him. I was kind of thankful for that but I wasn't a fan of the idea that he was doing it because of me. I didn't ask for that, mind you. It just happened. I'd made a mental note to talk to Percy about it.

Except the next time I saw him, he said Annabeth had broken up with him.

So there we were, in my kitchen, with Percy draining the contents of his glass. I was staring at his face, trying to see any hint of sadness but I couldn't find any. Percy was good that way. But I knew how heartbroken he was.

"So that's it?" I asked. "You just let her go?"

"What do you want me to do, Sam? Keep her from doing what she's always dreamed of? That's the worst thing I could do," he countered.

"You should've fight for her." I couldn't believe that Percy Jackson, the most loyal and courageous person I've ever known, just let his girlfriend go. It wasn't like him totally. And Annabeth . . . I thought she loved Percy? Then why did she hurt him?

"It's kind of hard to fight for someone who had already let you," he said miserably.

"No it's not!" I insisted. "You love her. She loves you. You should've fought for her and never let her go. It's that simple, Perce."

"Sam, I love her. So much." That sent stabs of pain in my chest but I ignored it. I wasn't going to be selfish. "That's why I let her go." Percy took a deep breath and I saw a break on his tough façade. I knew how hurt he was and I admired the way he kept his emotions in check. "Ever since we were twelve, I'd known Annabeth had wanted to become an architect. Am I going to be the one to stand in her way of fulfilling her dreams? No way."

"I can still remember what you said to her last Valentine's Day," I said, remembering how they sang for each other. How no one could doubt they were in love. "You said that Annabeth's dream includes building something permanent and you said that with you, she can. But this? This isn't building something to last forever. This is giving up."

"This isn't giving up!" he yelled. I was surprised with his outburst. I knew he was, too. He took a deep breath and composed himself. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to shout at you but Sam, Annabeth wanted her freedom. Keeping her with me would be the most selfish thing I'd ever do. I couldn't do that. And to answer what you said – yes, it's still possible. Has it even occurred to you that in order for you to build something permanent, something that will stand tall and proud forever, you have to go through a lot of hardships? A lot of challenges will come in your way and would try to stop you. People will try to bring you down, but when you get through all of them, you'd be much stronger. This is one of those challenges. It's only a test of time. I just have to be brave enough to pull through."

I nodded, getting a piece of Percy's mind. "So you made a sacrifice."

A ghost of a sad smile appeared on Percy's lips. "I won't call it that way, Sam. See, if you're doing it for the person you love, it's not a sacrifice; it's a gift."

I stared at him. I didn't know but I felt like I wasn't seeing the bigger picture of what was really happening. A few weeks being Annabeth's friend, I knew how much she loved Percy. I didn't think she'd do something like this. There was something Percy wasn't telling me . . .

"There's something more, is there?" I asked.

Percy frowned, but something in his expression led me to believing that I was right. And he wouldn't meet my eyes when he answered, "No."

I wanted to take his hand, or hug him, but stopped myself. I knew this wasn't the time to do that. I could see how devastated he was and if I comforted him, it could lead into something we'd both regret later. I wasn't going to do that to Percy. Or Annabeth. I'd already made selfish choices before – asking Percy to stay with me that night, kissing him and putting him through confusion. I wasn't going to add another burden on his chest.

"Percy Jackson," I said carefully. "Look me in the eyes and tell me the truth."

It took him some time to finally look up and when he did, I nearly give a gasp of surprise. A while ago he was all strength and all that but now, his eyes reminded me of brittle glasses. One little push and he'd go crashing down.

"Annabeth thinks I'm falling for you," he said in a quiet voice.

What? Did I hear him right? Did he just say that his girlfriend broke up with him because she thought Percy was falling for me? My heart jumped to my throat at the thought. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, pushing any thought of Percy and I being together out of my mind. I wasn't going to take advantage of the situation and make a move on Percy. He was hurt, and that's what I had to focus on. Any interest of mine could wait.

"Are you?" I asked, looking at him.

Percy shrugged. "I don't know, Sam. I mean, you're beautiful, interesting and all but Annabeth and I . . . we're meant to be together. I know I shouldn't be saying this to you but that's how I felt the moment I saw her. I just didn't understand it at first. I do now. But Annabeth thinks that I'm having feelings for you and," he took a deep breath and look me in the eyes. My knees turned to jelly, "okay, I'll admit. I do have feelings for you." A flicker of hope sparked. For what it's worth, I welcomed it, but not too much. I didn't want to have it crushed when Percy and Annabeth got back together and based on Percy's expression, he was clearly hoping for it. "I'm just not sure yet what it is, really. I guess that's why I'm here, to find out. The fastest I do, the better so – "

"So you and Annabeth can go back together," I finished. Percy looked at me then nodded. "That's why you came to me, then. You want my help to figure out what you really feel for me."

Percy exhaled. "Sam, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I'm not going to use you for my own gain. Believe me, that's the last thing I'll do. I just thought that maybe, if I spend time with you, I'll figure out what this means."

I nodded. "I understand, Perce. And while you're here with me, I'll do everything that I can to help, okay?"

For the first time that day, a genuine smile appeared on his lips. "I'm lucky I have a friend like you."

"There's something I want to ask you, though."

He knitted his eyebrows. "What is it?"

"Why so sudden?" I asked. "I mean, Perce, we've been friends for almost a year now. If you're feeling something for me, you should've been aware of it some time before."

He shrugged. "For a year I've only seen you one way: as a friend. We were an instant click together. We're both trying to live our life, but at the same time we are trying to run away from it." I stared at him. Never had I thought that this kind of statement would come from Percy, of all people. "I guess that's why. I thought that I only feel close to you because, in some way, you remind me of myself and Annabeth. I thought that the reason why I stuck with you is because you're very much like who I was – being bullied, a nobody in the midst of everybody. Just so you know, ever since saw you being pushed around by Amber, I felt this fierce urge to protect you. Then when I found out what you story really is, I made a promise to always make you happy. Now, I'm not sure whether those were still my reason or because of these . . . these unresolved feelings I'm having."

I didn't know how to answer. I never knew Percy had made it his mission to keep me safe and satisfied. At that point, it became clear to me why I fell for him. It wasn't because he saved me and befriended me. It was because he was an amazing person. He was selfless and passionate. The fact that he gave Annabeth up just so she could follow her dream was a proof of that.

"Wow, sucks to be you," I said. Percy chuckled. "At least I'm not in the same position as you are. At least I'm sure it's only you I love."

Percy looked down. "Sam, about that. I'm sorry I hurt you. I wasn't aware of it, I swear. Had I been more sensitive, I wouldn't have hurt you."

I took his hand, not because I was in love with him, but because he was my friend. "Perce, this is the last time I'm going to say it; it's not your fault. You don't have to feel guilty about it."

He nodded. "If that's what you want, then okay."

I smiled at him. "Good." There was something I wanted to tell him, and after debating with myself for some time, I decided to proceed. "And now that we're talking about guilt, I want to apologize for kissing you."

Percy blushed. "What kiss are we talking about? The one while I was sleeping, the one in the hallway, or the one in my car?"

"Wait a second," I said, my face burning in embarrassment. "You know I kissed you while you were sleeping? Were you awake?"

He chuckled. "No. I was very much asleep."

"Then how - ?"

"Did I find out? I just put two together. Remember I asked you if you put strawberry on that food you cooked? When you said you didn't, I kind of wondered. Then when you made the, um, confession, I kind of thought that maybe the strawberry I tasted was your lip-gloss. That's the flavour you use, right?"

I nodded. "I'm sorry, Perce. I didn't mean to take advantage of you, really. I just couldn't stop myself. I – "

Percy held up his hand. "Though it wasn't okay, I'm not mad, Sam. I understand it, I guess."

"Still, I shouldn't have done it," I insisted. "And when I kissed you last Valentine's Day – that was very wrong. And then the . . . the things I did to you when we were at your car – "

"Can we please not talk about it?" he asked, his face very red. He wouldn't meet my eyes and I knew he was embarrassed so I didn't push the subject. For a while, we sat there in silence until he asked, "Is there something you're about to do?"

"How did you know?"

"Your clothes," he simply said.

I looked down. I was wearing an old sleeveless top and ripped shorts. Truthfully, I was about to clean the attic when Percy arrived. I told him what I was supposed to do and he said, "Cool. I'll help."

Frankly, I could use some muscles since there were heavy boxes placed in that room.

After removing his shoes, I lead Percy to the top floor of our house, pulled down the ladder and climbed, with him right behind me. As soon as he set foot in, he started sneezing. "Dang," he cursed. "What's this, the dust factory?"

I laughed. "You see why it needs cleaning."

I handed him a broom and a washcloth and we proceeded to the clean-up. We made small talks while working. I avoided his break-up with Annabeth but somehow, Percy always drifted into that direction and mentioned her name.

"Annabeth said that she'd help me figure out what I want," he was saying. I asked him what his plans for college were. And that was his answer.

After a while, we were both sweating like crazy. Our shirts were soaked and we were pretty much filthy. Percy had a smudge of dirt on his cheek and chin. I wanted to wipe them away but I didn't trust myself. I might end up kissing her.

Percy looked at me after moving one of the heaviest boxes aside. "What?" I asked him.

"Do you mind if I take my shirt off?' he asked.

"Not at all," I answered quickly. He raised his eyebrows at me. "Jeez, Perce, I've seen you in your underwear, remember? It's not like this will be the first time I'll be seeing you without a shirt."

Percy smirked and removed his shirt and hung it around his neck. After that, I could pretty much say I didn't accomplish much cleaning. I just stared at him the whole time. His toned chest and flat stomach were glistening with sweat; his hair was clinging to his face and his jeans were hanging dangerously low on his waist. I felt something stirring inside me, something I wasn't accustomed to.

He suddenly looked up and I gave a start like I had been caught spying – which I was. He grinned maliciously and went back on cleaning.

The blush didn't disappear on my cheeks the rest of the time.

We went back to the kitchen to have a snack when we were done. We shared half a cake and drained the pitcher of orange juice, with Percy doing most of the eating. I knew he was a teenage boy but I couldn't help but wonder where he was putting all those foods.

He licked his lips and I felt like I was being torched from the inside. I knew it was a meaningless act on his part but it sent me into a weird world. Suddenly, I imagined him doing the same to my lips . . . so sinfully soft and . . .

ENOUGH!

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I couldn't think of Percy that way. He's my friend, for God's sake! The mere idea that I'd think of him like that was so embarrassing I couldn't believe I'd even let my mind drift that far.

Percy looked like he had a good time rolling in the dust. His face was covered in grime, as well as his arms and torso. There I was again, being all creepy. I cleared my throat and said, "Do you want to take a shower?"

He looked up from his cake. "I didn't bring a change of clothes, Sam."

I expected as much. "I know. Dad had left some of his clothes here. I could dig one up. I think you're roughly the same size."

Percy thought for a moment. "A shower sounds inviting."

I laughed and motioned for him to follow me. We went to my room a Percy frowned. "What?" I asked him.

"You're making me take a shower in your room?"

"Yeah, why?"

He shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Don't you have any other showers here?"

"We do," I admitted. "You can use them, of course, that is if you don't mind taking a bath with Maria."

He blushed. "No, thank you."

I lead him inside and handed him a towel. He was still staring at me. "Why are you looking?" I demanded.

"You're not planning to corrupt my youthful innocence, are you?" he asked.

Though I knew he was just teasing, it didn't stop me from feeling uneasy. I hid my discomfort by laughing. "I'll try to restrain myself."

He laughed and went inside. When I heard the shower running, I went down and opened the storage room. I immediately spotted a box marked as DAD'S. I was the one who packed them up, wanting to have a reminder that once I had a father. The thought brought tears into my eyes but I forced them back. Crying wasn't going to make him realize how much his daughter needed him.

I opened the top and rummaged into it until I found a black button-down shirt. I thought it would fit Percy, and the dark color would bring his eyes out.

Percy was going down the stairs when I closed the door of the storage room. He had no shirt on and the towel was wrapped around his neck. His hair was a whole lot messier than usual. I couldn't help but laugh at his appearance.

"What?" he asked.

"You look like you'd been struck by lightning."

He scowled. "I hate lightning."

That caught my attention. "You're scared of lightning?"

"No," he said. "But I hate lightning, but I'm not scared of them."

I didn't ask why. I handed him the shirt and he put it on. As I'd expected, it made his eyes stand out. I buttoned it for him. After the last one was in place, I removed the towel from his neck and dried his hair for him. He looked uncomfortable and I instantly understood why. I gave him his towel back without a word and sat on the couch.

Percy sat beside me, still toweling his hair dry. "What are we doing now?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

His eyes lit up. "Cool," he said. "What do you have?"

I stood up and opened the drawer under our television. Percy followed and peeked over my shoulder. Inside were a bunch of DVDs. "Pick one," I said.

He thought for a moment then reached over me and took out one. The title was Clash of the Titans. I was a bit surprised. I thought he would pick some James Bond or a Die Hard movie. "Greek mythology, Perce, really?" I asked.

Percy shrugged. "Greek mythology's interesting," he said simply, then went back to the couch.

I turned the television and DVD player on and started the movie. During the opening, I went to the kitchen, took a pint of vanilla ice cream and two spoons before going back to where Percy was.

He grinned when he saw what I was holding and made room for me. I handed him a spoon and we watched the movie in silence. At some point, I noticed Percy flexing his shoulders. When he saw me looking, he shrugged and simply said, "My shoulders are throbbing." I felt guilty making him lift all those heavy boxes. He saw my reaction and laughed. "It's okay. I guess I just have to lie down."

I patted my lap. "Go on, then." He looked at me like I was crazy. I knew what he was thinking so I added quickly, "A friend can do that, Perce. Relax, I'm not trying to make a move on you."

"I'm not – "

"Kidding," I said, smiling. "Seriously, though, lie down."

Percy nodded and obliged, placing his head on my lap. I went back into watching the movie to distract myself off of the fact that I could smell his usual scent. Subconsciously, my fingers made their way and combed through the messy tangle that was his hair.

My eyes were glued to the screen but I was very much aware of Percy using me as his pillow. The scene was when the demigod Perseus met the black pegasus. Perseus. I remembered something. "Hey, Perce, isn't your real name Perseus?" I asked, looking down, only to find him asleep.

I couldn't help but smile. No doubt cleaning the attic drained him. His face was peaceful at first but then he frowned, like he was having a bad dream. He looked so cute I wasn't able to stop myself; I leaned down and kissed his forehead.

A friend can do that, right?

When I settled my back against the couch, however, I was surprised when I saw something glistening at the corner of his eyes. Sure enough, after a second, it fell. A tear. I was about to wipe it away when Percy spoke. "Annabeth," he whispered. "I love you."

My breath caught in my throat. Percy might not be aware of it but he had already made his choice.


[Next - Chapter 18: WHERE IS YOUR HEART]