Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
"What the hell is going on Annabeth?" Jamie bombarded her with the question the moment she stepped out of the classroom.
Mel put a restraining hand on Jamie's arm. "Jamie, give her room to breathe."
Jamie raised an eyebrow at Annabeth, completely ignoring Melanie. "Well?"
Annabeth started walking and Melanie and Jamie immediately went to either side of her and kept pace. "I don't know what you want me to say Jamie. What can I tell you?"
"Hmmm," Jamie fake thought for a moment, "how about telling us what's going on between you and Percy? Or maybe how you are? How you're feeling? You know, things friends tell each other."
Annabeth stopped. "What do you mean? I'm fine."
Mel shook her head, her short bob bouncing above her shoulders. "No Annabeth, you're not."
Jamie stood there, arms crossed, in her tight tank top, bright lime green 2-inch heels and skinny jeans tapping her foot impatiently. "Annabeth look. We get that you don't remember us. We get that you forget every single convo that we've had together until this mornings. But we didn't forget. We know you, and we know how when things get hard you push people out telling yourself it's easier." Jamie stepped forwards and grabbed Annabeth's hands. "But it's not easier. Annabeth we're your friends, we're here to help you."
Annabeth stood there at a loss for words, trying to come up with an excuse to leave. To convince them she was fine and then flee back home. Home. Where Percy might be waiting for her.
Annabeth's stomach clenched nervously. Only now did she realize how cowardly she had acted, running away from Percy this morning. How she had avoided any conversations that might lead back to the unplanned incident this morning.
Only now did Annabeth realize that the only person she wanted to tell how she was feeling, was the exact same person she had run away from this morning.
Annabeth sighed. "I'm feeling confused, and worried OK? I don't know how to act, what to say. I don't know how to fit into my life anymore. I'm unsure about almost everything and just when I think I have something under control it surprises me." She looked up and met both sets of eyes.
Mel frowned. "You don't act like it."
Annabeth looked at her, surprised. "What?"
Melanie shrugged. "You seem like you always do. Calm, collected. On top of things. You're acting a little different sure, but you're fitting in the way you always do."
Jamie nodded. "Yeah. We even saw you talking to Tyler."
Annabeth shrugged. "That was nothing, we were just chatting."
"Whatever, it shows you still fit in." Jamie assured her. Suddenly there was a beep from her bag. She took out a bedazzled pink cell-phone and checked the screen. "Ugh, it's Nick. I love him, but I cannot stand listening to another one of his rants about not being able to play sports, go to work blah blah blah. Hey," Jamie's eyes lit up as she pocketed her phone again, "do you guys have plans? We could have a girls night out!"
"Ya!" Mel said at the exact same time as Annabeth said, "Sorry I can't."
The girls frowned. "Why not?" Jamie asked.
Annabeth shrugged. "Percy and I are going out tonight. There's no way I'm canceling on him."
Mel's face, which had sunk into a frown, brightened and Jamie squeeled. "What? Oh my god, this is way better than a girls night! We can help you get ready!"
Annabeth's eyes widened. "Oh that's ok, I didn't say it because I needed you to offer or anything-" But Jamie cut her off.
"No! It'll be so much fun! We could head to Mel's after we go shopping and you can wash and everything! It'll be fun, right Mel?" Jamie asked her.
Mel nodded her eyes shining. "Absolutely! I'll be able to tell you all about Jared and I!"
"And we can give you the deets of everything you've forgotten!" Jamie excalaimed. "Oh this is perfect! Exactly what I need!"
Annabeth held up her hands in a stop gesture. "Guys, I didn't bring clothes, I don't have my phone to call Percy, and all my stuff is at home. I would ask you to come to my place but Percy will be there and we're still getting used to the living accomodations as it is."
Mel sighed. "Well that's why we're going shopping silly! And don't worry, I have tons of makeup! You can use some, and as for calling Percy," Mel looked meaningfully at Jamie who pulled out her phone once again, "we've got that covered."
"Still, I should call Percy first. Just to make sure I'm not ruining any of his plans or anything." Annabeth said.
Jamie handed over her phone without a word and took Mel's arm and dragged her a couple of feet away. Annabeth looked at them, wondering. It had only been a day and yet they had already convinced her to go out with them. Shaking her head Annabeth dialed Percy's number which she just happened to have memorized. He picked up on the second ring.
"Jamie? Why are you calling? Is Annabeth OK?" Percy's voice came over the other end of the line sounding slightly panicked.
"Percy! It's me Annabeth and no nothing's wrong don't worry." She smiled at how she was the first thing he had thought of.
"Oh thank the gods. Hey why are you calling? Do you need a ride?" Percy's voice came through the speaker.
Annabeth shook her head, forgetting that he couldn't see her. When he didn't say anything she realized her mistake and laughed silently at herself. "No, it's nothing like that. I was wondering if you would mind me getting ready for our date at Mel's place?"
"Oh." Percy's voice had no emotion in it. "Oh." he repeated.
"Ya," Annabeth said, "if it's any trouble I'll come home no problem." She assured him.
"No." Percy's voice sounded happy. He even laughed. "No, that's alright. Go on to Mel's, I'm sure the three of you will have lot's of fun. When should I pick you up?"
"Hmm, what time do we need to be there?"
"6:30, but we can be a little late if you need more time." Percy's voice was soft.
Annabeth sighed. "No that's good. How about you pick me up at 6, then we won't have to rush."
"Sounds great." Percy said.
Annabeth opened her mouth. "I missed you today." she blurted out, before ducking her head. Oh gods where had that come from? She was glad Percy wasn't there to see her blushing.
Annabeth could picture Percy smiling as he spoke to her after a pause. "I missed you too." he replied softly.
Annabeth laughed. "Look I have to go! Jamie and Mel are getting impatient, I'll see you tonight OK?"
"OK," Percy answered easily.
"Can't wait!" she said and then she hung up.
Jamie and Mel swooped down on her. "What did he say?" they demanded.
Annabeth smiled at them. "Did I hear someone mention shopping?"
oooOOOooo
As Annabeth studied herself in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction.
Her hair (which had been done by Jamie) was simple. It was just hanging down loosely in it's natural curly state. Her hands had been manicured and painted in clear nail polish which made them sparkle. Her makeup was simple yet elegant, and her clothes... well Annabeth had picked the best.
While there had been at least 20 different dress shops in the mall Jamie had driven them too Annabeth had only found her dress in the last one. She had fallen in love, and when she had seen the sale price she had fallen even harder.
Since it was an unusually warm fall this year she had chosen a dress that reached mid-thigh. It was strapless and fitting in the top but at the waist there were layers of fine, wavy silk. There was silver studs on the top part of the dress which went perfectly with the light pink color of the fabric. Her jewlery was nice. Straight silver chains with a diamond covered ball on the bottom. She wore one ring which had a beautifully made white flower on it and she had taken her bead necklace off and replaced it with a silver necklace with a small owl on the end. She had a silver clutch hand bag and open-toed white heels. The dress was appropiate for anything that might happen on this date. Dining, walking, running and even killing monsters.
She looked beautiful. A fact which Mel and Jamie seemed bent on repeating.
Annabeth felt beautiful. She felt confident. She finally felt like herself.
Suddenly she laughed, not caring that Mel looked at her strangely, and then looked at Jamie when Jamie started to laugh with her. She just laughed and let all of the confusion, doubt and yes, she'll admit it, butterflies for this date, go. She let all of the pressure and worry leave her.
This would be the first date Annabeth remembered, a fact which Jamie pointed out to her. It was 5:45 and Annabeth was sitting on the arm of the sofa waiting for Percy to arrive. Mel was sitting beside her, on the actual couch and Jamie was studying Annabeth intently trying to see if they had missed anything.
"Alright Annabeth here's some tips. Don't fake anything. At all. It makes the date not fun and no one enjoys it. Next thing. Don't overwhelm him. Percy already knows pretty much everything about you but you hardly know a thing about him. So ask him questions, seem interested but not nosy." Jamie hesitated. "Just be you. Believe me, he loves it." For a second her expression was wistful, but then she snapped out of it. "Last thing. Don't give him the go ahead. If he kisses you, fine let him kiss you. But this is a fake first date. The farthest you let him go is 2nd base, got it?"
Annabeth blushed. "Jamie I don't even think we're gonna go there. Don't worry. He might not even kiss me."
Mel raised her eyebrows and gave Annabeth a once over. "With you looking like that? He'll definitely kiss you."
Annabeth didn't know how to respond to that so she just pulled them into a hug. They responded immediately and soon the girls were group-hugging. Annabeth couldn't remember if she had ever done this. Hung out with girlfriends like this. She and Thalia had been like sisters but Thalia didn't like makeup and girly things and back when Annabeth was 12 and younger, she hadn't either.
"Thank you." Annabeth whispered.
Both of the girls drew back. "For what?" Melanie asked her.
"For being here. I... really needed this." Annabeth said quietly.
Jamie laughed. "Oh no problem! I needed this too. Believe me I'll be sad when I have to go home to find Nick complaining again."
Mel nodded earnestly. "I needed to get away from my work too. I'll be sad when you both leave."
Annabeth thought to herself, tuning out the girls conversation. Would she be sad to leave her new friends and go out with Percy? Yesterday she would have said yes.
But now? Now she realized she wouldn't be sad. In fact she was anxious for Percy to get here.
As if he read her thoughts there was a knock on the door. Suddenly nervous, Annabeth started to breathe deeper.
Jamie heard her because she looked over to Mel and waved her towards the door. Then she went and kneeled in front of Annabeth, grabbing her hands as she did so.
"Annabeth calm down. You'll be fine. Percy said he fell in love with you back when you guys went to a camp together. You didn't wear makeup, you were sometimes harsh and- and you were his best friend. You'll have a great time together, you always do." Jamie smiled at her. "He loves you. No matter what."
Annabeth stared into the girls eyes before her and she nodded. Jamie could've been Aphrodite with the way she gave speeches about love and such. She was a lifesaver. Once again Annabeth hugged her friend.
"Thank you," she whispered in her ear. She felt Jamie nod and then drew away. She stood up, straightened the front of her dress and turned and slowly walked towards the door.
As she drew closer she heard Percy's voice and suddenly all she wanted was to be alone with him. She wanted him to be speaking to her, to whisper in her ear and send shivers down her spine.
"So is Annabeth ready? I can wait in the car if you girls need more time." he said.
Mel smiled at him. "No she's just coming."
And then Annabeth was at the door, looking at the man who was supposed to be her true love.
Annabeth couldn't deny that Percy wasn't insanely attractive. Even with his usual rugged appearance there was something about him that made you want to be in his arms. To be the person he trusted and loved above everyone else. The one who he would give anything for.
Or maybe it was just Annabeth.
Anyways usually Percy dressed in any jeans he could find, a t-shirt that was considered clean and sneakers. His hair was usually smoothed over with a hand (which never did anything) and that was that. This was not one of those times. Percy was wearing dress shoes. Not too fancy but fancy enough to be called dress shoes. He was wearing dark jeans and a button up shirt that was tucked in at the waist.
He looked very, very handsome. And he was all Annabeth's.
Percy seemed to be having similar thoughts about Annabeth because while she was staring at him he had been staring right back. His eyes raked over her figure and Annabeth suddenly felt very exposed and blushed lightly before getting it under control.
"You look amazing Annabeth." Percy told her, his eyes finally meeting hers.
Annabeth stared into those eyes, almost getting lost in them. "You look great too."
Percy smiled and held out his arm. "Shall we?"
Annabeth looked back at Jamie and Mel. They nodded encouragingly and she turned back to Percy and took his hand. "We shall."
And then they walked to the car.
oooOOOooo
"So how were your classes today?" Percy asked conversationally.
Annabeth turned to him, ready to start a rant. "They were amazing! I loved it! Professor Crast is one of the best teachers I've ever met! At first he goes way too fast so that you only catch parts of what he's trying to tell you but then he explains it again and suddenly you understand everything he's trying to tell you! And the actual classes are interesting too. There's this one where we have a project to design our own building!"
"You'll like that." Percy murmured.
"YES! And then there's my calculas class which is boring but easy. Geography maps and so much more!" Annabeth paused. "Hey Percy?"
"Ya?" he asked, concentrating on the road.
"Do we know ?" Annabeth asked.
Percy laughed. "Yes we do. We've been over at their house a couple of times for dinner. You and Grant talk about architecture and Marnie and I talk about whatever we can. Last time we were there we had dinner. You and Grant never stopped talking."
"Grant?" Annabeth asked.
Percy glanced at her. "You're architectural technician's teacher. Professor Crast? His first name is Grant and his wife's is Marnie."
Annabeth nodded. She was about to ask him who Tyson was when Percy pulled in to the parking lot of a low key, family restaraunt. It's sign read Tibby's.
Percy parked the car and smiled at Annabeth. He walked around to open her door. She got out and he placed a hand on her back. She shivered a bit but otherwise made no sign of noticing the contact.
The restaraunt was small and quaint. There was a few people in eating but the volume was a gentle murmur. Percy strode up to the reception desk. "Table reserved under Jackson." he said quietly.
The girl smiled and nodded at him, not saying a word. She beckoned Annabeth and Percy to follow her and led them to a 2 person table lit with candles. The tablecloth was white and the chairs were plush and purple.
Percy pulled out Annabeth's chair for her and then he sat.
Finally the woman spoke. "Can I get you something to drink?" she asked them.
"Umm I'll have a cherry coke." Percy said and then took the offered menu.
The woman turned to look at Annabeth. "Erm.. I'll just have a sprite please." The waitress nodded and then gave Annabeth her menu and walked away. She soon returned with their drinks and left them alone for a few moments.
Percy looked up from his and smiled at Annabeth. "Whatever you do don't get the fish. It's always under cooked and you'll get food poisoning. Besides my dad would kill you." Percy said lightly.
Annabeth choked on her Sprite. "What?"
Percy laughed at her. "I'm kidding." Noticing Annabeth's look of relief Percy hurried on. "Well about the food poisoning part."
Annabeth set her glass down and glared at Percy playfully. He laughed at her again. "Loosen up Wisegirl."
"Don't tell me you wouldn't be a little mad if I told you Athena would kill you for harming a book or something Seaweed Brain." she responded.
Percy froze, his eyes made their way to Annabeth's. She smiled at him sweetly. He shook his head and cleared his throat. "Yes, but then again I think we all know Athena would follow through. My dad on the otherhand isn't as... driven on killing you as your mom is me."
Annabeth thought about that. "How do our parents feel? About us being a couple I mean."
Percy rolled his glass with his hands and thought for a second. "Well my dad couldn't care less. He thinks I can take care of myself when it comes to girls." Percy grinned at her playfully. "Don't ask me where that crazy idea came from."
Annabeth laughed and couldn't help feeling happy that at least one of their parents approved of them dating. Then her thoughts turned more serious. "And... my mom?" she asked hesitantly.
"Well... Athena is OK with it. Y'know as long as I don't break your heart, kill you, put you in danger in any way, or make you even slightly sad. As long as I avoid all of those things she said she wouldn't kill me." Percy smiled at her.
Annabeth sat back a little. Wow. So her mom approved of her dating a son of Poseidon. But then again she wouldn't hesitate to kill Percy if he did even one thing wrong. Annabeth sighed and started when she felt Percy grab one of her hands.
"Hey," he said reassuringly, "I would never do any of those things. On purpose. Besides," he gave her his trademark grin, "I have gods wanting to kill me all the time. It's no biggie."
Annabeth smiled at him feebly. "I'm not sure that makes me feel any better."
Percy knit their fingers together, sending currents of what felt like fire through Annabeth's body. "What? The fact that I wouldn't do any of those things or the gods wanting to kill me part?"
Annabeth leaned over to punch him on the shoulder lightly. "The gods killing you part of course."
Percy shrugged. "Eh, it's almost the usual with us now. All of the gods besides Aphrodite and my dad have a love-hate relationship. Right now it's love, but just wait until a third prophecy falls on my shoulders and I have the potential to destroy the world. Then it'll be all 'he's a threat we should kill him' again." Percy shook his head.
"Hey," Annabeth said and met Percy's eyes, "don't talk like that. There's gonna be no more prophecies for us and if there is, well then I'll be right by your side."
Percy smiled at her. "Well at least there's that."
The waitress came back and Annabeth drew her hand away from Percy's. She didn't miss the fact that she immediately missed the warmth of it.
"Are you all set to order?" the woman asked.
Percy nodded. "I'll have the cheeseburger, nothing but cheese with a side of fries."
"And I'll have the Caeser salas and garlic toast please." Annabeth said.
The woman wrote it down, double checked their order, took their menus and left.
"So..." Annabeth said, "Aphrodite and your dad are the only gods who don't want to kill you?"
Percy grimaced. "Yup, apparently since- and I quote- "I'm such a sweet boy, so deep in denial blah blah blah" and how our love story is so tragic and amazing it makes us poppular with the love goddess."
Annabeth frowned. "Was our love story really that tragic?"
Perc shrugged. "It didn't help that everyone knew everything about anyone at Camp Half-Blood. But ya, I was abducted without a trace to Camp Jupiter you were beside yourself with worry, I was blasted to Calypso's island after our first kiss while you held my funeral etc. It makes it hard to keep things simple."
Annabeth's eyes widened. "Calypso's island?"
Percy nodded, for once not quite meeting her eyes. "Ya."
Annabeth studied him. "Why'd you come back?"
Percy looked at her, his green eyes saying everything he couldn't. "Why wouldn't I?" he asked her, and they left the topic alone.
They kept talking for the whole night, Annabeth asking Percy questions about their past, him answering. There was joking, laughing, and yes, flirting. They held hands across the table the whole time, and this time when the waitress came back with the cheque Annabeth left it there.
Annabeth walked back to the car while Percy paid and felt another shiver run through her, and it wasn't from the cold. Once Percy slid into the drivers seat Annabeth turned to him.
"Where to now?" she asked.
"Hmmm, it's only 6:45. How about we go to the park?" Percy asked her.
Annabeth nodded smiling. "Sounds fun."
Percy smiled back at her and grabbed her hand again, this time linking their fingers.
So they went to the park. They held hands and walked around Central Park. When they reached the place where they had been attacked Percy stopped.
Annabeth glanced at him. "What is it?"
Percy shook his head, not wanting to say anything right now and led her to where they had been sitting on that day. Finally he spoke.
"This is where we were attacked by the hellhounds. The attack that made you lose your memory."
Annabeth sucked in some air. So this was it. She looked around. There wasn't much to see, some trees here and there, some grass. A couple of benches.
But then Annabeth looked at Percy. She felt like she could look at him all day. There was so much to see, so much to take in.
But Percy wasn't looking at her. He pointed to the horizon. "There, look at that."
Annabeth followed his finger and looked at the beautiful sunset. The sky was orange, pink, purple, blue, yellow and a whole bunch of other colors that usually didn't go together but did in this one, beautiful moment.
Annabeth looked back at Percy and smiled at the fact that he was already looking at her. He was bathed in an orange glow and looked both sad and happy.
Annabeth was falling in love with him.
It had started at the hospital when she had woken up but now, here, sitting together watching a sunset she realized it. No, that was wrong. It had started when she was 12 years old. She was falling in love with Percy Jackson all over again.
Annabeth turned to look at the sunset again and as she did so she leaned against Percy's chest, nestling her head between his shoulder and neck.
"Beautiful." she whispered to him.
Percy looked at her and turned to whisper in her ear. "I know."
She shivered at the feeling of his breath on her neck.
"Are you cold?" Percy asked her. "Shit," he cursed, "I left my jacket in the car." He looked at her apologetically. "Mind cutting this date a little short?"
Annabeth was about to tell him she wasn't cold, that she just wanted to spend the rest of the night sitting here with him, snuggled against one another, when and idea formed in her head. She smiled at him. "Sure, let's go."
He pulled her up by the hand and placed his arm around her waist while they walked back in a comfortable silence. When they got to the car Percy gave Annabeth his jacket and then turned on the heat. They drove home in the same comfortable silence.
When they entered the apartment Annabeth shrugged off Percy's jacket and placed it on the coat hanger. She then turned around and saw Percy heating up water.
"Planning on making coffee?" Annabeth asked him and went to stand beside him behind the counter.
Percy looked at her. "Hot chocolate actually."
Annabeth smiled. "I love hot chocolate in the evening."
Percy nodded. "I know you do."
Annabeth stayed quiet and Percy did too. Annabeth excused herself to go to the bathroom, checking her appearance in the mirror on the way out. She still looked OK, good enough for staying indoors. Just as she was walking over to Percy she saw a radio.
On a sudden impulse she went and turned it on. Finding a station she liked she swayed over to Percy and grabbed his hand. "Dance with me?" she asked.
He laughed. "I can't dance. I'll step on your feet."
She pouted at him playfully. "Please?" she begged.
Percy's eyes shot to the radio. "The song's not a slow song."
Annabeth frowned and turned back to the radio. She then searched the channels until she found one just starting a slow song. "There, happy now?" she asked him.
Percy shifted on his feet. "I told you I can't dance."
Annabeth sighed in exasperation. "I'll teach you." she said and grabbed his hand and pulled him to the center of the living room.
Slowly Percy put a hand on her waist and the other took hold of her other hand. Annabeth felt electricity shoot through her but tried not to show it. She laughed and slowly showed Percy the right steps.
Just when it seemed like Percy had gotten the hang of it he did step on her feet. When he blushed and mumbled a 'sorry' Annabeth burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she lost her balance on the next step and tripped backwards, dragging Percy down with her.
Thankfully the couch was behind her so she landed on it. But Percy landed on her.
Suddenly Annabeth was aware that it was very hard to breathe, that Percy and her were touching in many different places and that Percy had only caught himself a couple of seconds before his lips would have smashed into hers. As it was his face was only an inch or two away from hers. She could feel his breath on her face.
"I told you I can't dance." he whispered.
Annabeth nodded a fraction, moving her face closer to his. "That's true, you did. But I think you can blame this one on me." she whispered back feeling slightly breathless.
Percy's head dipped a bit closer. "Do you still believe that a guy should kiss a girl on the first date Wisegirl?" he said, his eyes pierced her own so she closed them.
Annabeth's breath hitched. "Yes." she answered.
And then his lips were on hers, moving with hers in a way that Annabeth hadn't thought was possible. She was alive everywhere. She could feel everything, the way the couch felt beneath her, the way Percy's hands were supporting him on the couch and the way that Percy's lips felt so soft, so good, against hers.
But then he pulled away, studying her intently, trying to tell her reaction.
Her reaction was this. Annabeth wanted more.
So slowly she wrapped an arm around his shoulders and the other she ran through his hair. His head dipped closer and this time the kiss was deeper. Hungrier. More demanding. She sat up and pushed Percy back until suddenly, without either of them realizing it had happened, she was straddling him.
So while Annabeth and Percy kissed on the couch the radio songs changed until niether of them cared wethere it was a slow song or not anymore and the water that was long past boiling cooled off.
oooOOOooo