It took her two weeks to remember to return her soda. Okay maybe it took her two weeks to find the courage to go back. The case of coke sat in one of her cupboards in the kitchen, behind the pans she never used. When she did remember, she jumped off the couch and slid into the kitchen. The smooth tiles provided an excellent surface for skating around. Annabeth threw open the doors of the cabinets and pulled out pots and pans until she saw the soda. She noticed a small layer of dust on the top and blew over it. She wondered if they'd even accept a return after having it for such a long time.

She drove to the store, taking the time to remember the name. "Hmm, 'Uncle Rick? Reminds me of 'Papa Johns'." Annabeth wondered. She was careful as she went in, on the lookout for the green-eyed boy. "What was his name again?" she thought. "Percy." She really hadn't forgotten, but the logic part of her brain told her to forget it.

Annabeth began to notice things she hadn't during her first trip. The way the sun hit the stores windows and shined on the fresh fruit and vegetables. And the slightest hint of cinnamon in the air, left her with a homesickness sort of feeling. She took a deep breath and sighed, temporarily forgetting about her previous dilemma.

She could get used to a place like this.

She turned her head and saw him. He was restocking the shelves with cereal and his hair was exactly the same as last time, sticking up in the back as if he'd just gotten out of bed. He dropped one of the boxes and chuckled, picking it up. He began to sing 'Another one bites the dust'. No, Annabeth did not find it cute. Nope. She looked away, resisting a smile.

"Why did I return?" Annabeth groaned, "Oh yeah, the coke." She looked down at her hands and there wasn't anything there.

"I left it in the car." she thought, "Great." She turned to leave and someone called out.

"Hey! Wait!"

He'd seen her. She heard boxes tumble to the ground and groaned again. Pretending she thought he was talking to someone else, Annabeth picked up her pace and walked back outside. She unlocked her car and grabbed the box. She took a minute to recompose herself before relocking the car and heading back.

"I'll go in the other entrance. That'll throw him off." she thought. She aimed for the second entrance and walked purposefully towards it. Annabeth hadn't even made it two feet before she was scared out of her wits.

"Avoiding someone are we?" She jumped and punched the guy in the shoulder before realizing who it was.

"Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't.. you scared me." she said flustered.

"I figured that much." Percy said, massaging his arm. Then he smiled, "You're all better though! Definitely, since you threw a punch that hard."

"Well I did take karate..."

"So you gonna answer my question? Why are you avoiding me? I don't even know your name."

"Well actually..." Annabeth stopped. She didn't really have a reason for being angry with him. Sure he had annoyed the crap out of her the first time, but she hadn't been in the best of moods.

"Name's Annabeth. And I have things to do."

With that she walked away, looking around for the return counter. She asked a different employee where it was. The women was the same one that was at the other register when Annabeth had been there last. Her nametag read 'Jane' and she smiled at Annabeth with a knowing look. That puzzled the younger girl, but she thanked her and went on her way. She took one look at who was behind the return counter and turned around. Then she stopped.

"You really have no reason to avoid this guy." her mind said, "Maybe you should give him a chance." Annabeth didn't remember her feet moving, but she was behind the counter before she knew it.

"Hi." she said shortly.

"Hello again. What can I help you with?" Percy spoke in a humorous manner that irked her.

"I'd like to return this pack of Coca-Cola, actually." she set the case on the counter.

"Do you have the receipt?" He blushed at the ears. Annabeth laughed. She couldn't help it, she really wasn't mad at him, just embarrassed. Turns out he probably was just as embarrassed as she was. He cracked a smile. She flipped the box over and pointed at the receipt.

Once glance at the receipt and Percy's face fell. "I'm sorry." and he truly looked it, "It's way past it's return date."

Annabeth sighed. "Now I have a reason to hate you!" He laughed. "I'm just kidding. I thought so, but no hurt in trying." Annabeth said.

"Okay, sorry about that. Is their anything else you have to buy?" he sounded so sincere, Annabeth wondered how a person could be so genuine.

"I didn't exactly come here for anything else." she said honestly.

"Well, you have to try these strawberries, they just came in this morning from a farm patch. They are the best."

Percy came out from behind the counter and Annabeth barely had time to grab her soda before he dragged her to the produce section. He grabbed a basket and piled three packages into it.

"Okay now you have things to buy! Let's go!" Percy dragged her back to the register.

"But I, uh, don't have any money."

"Oh, but you have some way to pay I see." he smirked.

Annabeth glared, "No, I don't. What-" Percy reached over the counter and tugged at her case of soda. The movement caught Annabeth off guard, as she found herself staring at his eyes again. They were filled with mischief, she decided. And kindness. Percy gently pulled the soda out of her hand.

"You might not be able to return it, but you can exchange it." he said gently.

"Okay." she breathed. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath. He put her berries in a plastic bag and hummed softly as her receipt printed. Percy glanced at Annabeth before writing on her receipt. He tucked it in the bag and handed it to her.

"Have a nice day, Annabeth! Enjoy your strawberries. Tell me what you think." He gave her a huge grin, which she didn't return. She glared.

"You are too happy." And for the second time, Annabeth Chase stomped out of the store.

She didn't look at the bag until she got home.

"Okay, let's see what he's got to say this time." she muttered, pulling out the receipt.

'You can't avoid me forever. :) (801) 525-3210

-Percy'