Chapter 10

I'm changing for Gym, when I finally remember Percy. Crap! After he called, I fought with my step-mom and Dad, did homework, and spent a good chunk of time wondering what would've happened if Luke had kissed me. Calling Percy back, kind-of flew out the window. I feel like a jerk now, but I couldn't help it, was it really necessary for him to call me right that second. How'd he even get my number?

I head out of gym, wondering what I'm going to say during Greek when I have to see Percy, two periods from now. When I get to the gym, I spot Clarisse one arming the chin-up bar and Silena lacing up he converse with a few of the other girls from Fashion Club, most of them fixing each other's hair and spraying nauseatingly strong perfume. Katie Gardner stands beside the rock climbing wall, anxiously bouncing on her toes. I yank my hair into a messy pony-tail before jogging over to her.

"Congrats on making varsity soccer," I tell her, and she blushes carnation pink. Unlike me, when Katie blushes, it's endearing and attractive. She smooths the wrinkles out of her shorts and anxiously tugs on her t-shirt. Katie's insanely modest; she never even thought she'd make the team. Katie's just that kind of girl, as sweet as sugar and humbly modest.

"Thanks…" She mutters; her eyes on Travis, watching as he and Connor conspire together suspiciously. The twins are ridiculously dangerous when combined. There are a few theories of what would happen if they focused on something other than their meddlesome shenanigans. My personal theory is time travel being invented.

"So…." I trail off, deliberately wiggling my eyebrows and nudging her shoulder. She blushes again, a bit brighter this time, closer to a rose than a carnation. They're favorite target is unmistakably Katie of course. We all know it's because Travis wants her attention. It could be worse though, one of my friends got locked in a band closet by a guy who had a crush on her.

"What?" She asks, faking oblivion. I roll my eyes, only she would try that with me. I mean, come on! Everyone knows, there's even a bet going on about how long it will take for "Tratie" to become an official couple.

"Can't you just admit it? We all know you two like each other." I tease. She shakes her head.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She lies, turning away from me; with her blush increasing a few shades. Coach calls us to attention before I can push my point any further and we all hit the track as one, the sound of our sneakers pounding the asphalt as the rhythm to start my day.

Percy

When I make it to Greek, Annabeth looks like she's going to jump a mile out of her seat. I slide into my seat beside her and I swear she turns cherry red.

"Hey, Annabeth, I just wanted to apologize for calling" I start at the same second she blurts "God, Percy I'm so sorry…" We laugh and she blushes a little brighter.

"You first" I allow, smiling good-naturedly. She blushes and looks down at her desk before speaking again.

"I'm sorry for hanging up on you yesterday, I really didn't mean to act like that much of a…" she starts frantically but I cut her off.

"Relax Annabeth, I was just about to say I'm sorry for interrupting, whatever it was that you were doing." She turns even-more red at my words and starts to say something else but Ms. Olsen interrupts, calling the class to attention.

During a lull in Ms. Olsen's non-stop talking, I finally get to finish my thought.

"We should start working on our project." I offer brushing my hair out of my eyes. She grins and nods, just in time for Ms. Olsen to call on her. She answers in perfect Greek, of course. The bell rings and Annabeth hustles out the door I follow her, ambling behind her, content to enjoy the view. She looks over her shoulder and smiles before gliding into Sports and Society.

…

A few minutes later, we're sitting in Sports and Society, Luke and Annabeth haven't said a word to each other all class, and even I'm starting to feel tense with the awkwardness. At the end of class, as we all stand up and gather our books, I can see Annabeth and Luke anxiously watching each other. I turn to Annabeth, about to ask when we should get together for the project; unfortunately, she's not where I expected, instead she's still our seats. Luke quietly whispers something in her ear, and she pauses before answering him softly. I debate waiting then decided, I'm not really a fan of waiting for her and Luke to finish whatever the hell they're talking about.

I pivot and start down the hallway bitter and more than a little jealous. Luke has always acted nice and everything, always been very welcoming toward me; but every chance I get to get closer to Annabeth has been ruined by him. As I continue walking, someone brushes by me. I turn and catch Luke and Annabeth, gabbing as they meander down the hallway. I glance down at my books, hopping they don't notice me ogling. Surprisingly, there's a slightly torn slip of paper, haphazardly perched on the corner of my Greek textbook. Printed in neat, even hand writing are the words:

"Let's work on the project at my place; 57 High Road, after soccer practice.

-Annabeth"

I couldn't help the smirk that grew on my face as I swaggered to American History.

Annabeth

I fly over the grass, the ball traveling at my feet. I spot Jake a few feet from me, his eyes flick to the ball and then to the left. He tries to steal the ball with a right kick, but I've all ready cut away and moved around him. Now all that's left between me and the goal is Percy, and Luke in-goal. I fake out Percy, but he keeps up with me. I pour on a little more speed, hoping to pass him by. I gain a tiny lead before he's back on me.

Percy manages to swipe the ball away, and muscle me out of the space, before booting it halfway to the opposite goal. I shoot him an angry glare before heading back to help the defense for the opposite side. Just as I make it to the other side, Coach blows the whistle, signaling the end of the scrimmage.

As I'm walking toward the locker rooms, for a quick shower, Luke jogs over to me. We haven't spoken since earlier in Sports and Society, when he asked if we were cool. I told him we were, even though we so aren't. I'm sure he was about to kiss me yesterday. I wish he had, I wish Percy had called fifteen minutes later, because everything would have been different. Luke and I would probably be a couple, Luke wouldn't have been so jealous and my fantasy since I was six years old would have finally come true.

"Hey!" He chimes, grinning at me like he doesn't have a care in the world, I can tell it's fake though. His eyes are dead, hallow, like the ocean without any sun to turn into beautiful turquoise.

"Hey" I smile but it slips off my face almost immediately. I keep walking and Luke continues beside me.

"We should hangout today, maybe go catch a movie or something?" He suggests. I grimace, as much as I'd like to spend the day with Luke, I can't.

"Sorry, I have plans." I admit, the unfortunately, ringing through my mind. Luke seems to tense and his voice sounds clipped when he responds.

"With who?" He demands, ridiculously jealous.

"Um…" I trail off, considering lying. Luke frowns and I rapidly discard the idea. "With Percy" I admit quietly, and I can't help the shame that hits me as Luke shakes his head. I can see the indecision cross his face but he just plasters on a fake grin.

"Oh, have fun." He says, through his teeth. He's trying to act like a good guy, to be friendly, and it might have worked on anyone else, but not on me. "Do you want a ride?" He asks, clearly pained. I shake my head. Have Luke drive me and Percy back to my house, can you spell, define, and choose the origin, of awkward?

"Nah, Grover's going to drop us off." It's going to be so much easier when I can drive; Grover's exactly twelve month's older than me, so for now, he'll just have to chauffeur me around. Luke nods, and walks off to the boys' locker room. I can practically hear him cursing Percy to rot in hell from here.