Chapter 6

"That was Awesome" Thalia practically screamed as we left the cafeteria "Suicidal, but awesome"

"Thanks"

"Seriously Chase, what has gotten into you lately?" she flipped up her phone, glancing at the screen seeing that Luke had texted her. How did I know? The face, always the face. The dreamy eyes, the little smile and the noises that made me want to vomit. Especially today.

I chose not to answer, instead making my way into the library as we had at least 20 minutes left of lunch. Relishing in the silence, breathing in the old book smell, I instantly felt better as my pulse lessened.

Picking a table, I slid my bag onto it, taking out several books and my report paper due for English. Romeo and Juliet, always fun to read and write about. Thalia took the chair opposite me, giving me a disgusted look as I started to write my essay, picking up where I had left off the night before "You're actually doing that?"

"Yes"

"But it's not due in for another two weeks"

"So?" I said, just staring at the paper. My heart wasn't into it, I couldn't think of any appropriate quotes to slip in so I gave up, leaving It laying on the table top whilst I stared at it.

"You need a life. Or at least a boyfriend. And a new wardrobe seriously" she said, eyeing the baggy jumper and jeans combo I was so obviously rocking today "You, me, mall tonight"

"I can't" or I wont I said, pulling out Percy's timetable from my pocket and finally taking a look at it. He was a pretty bus guy. Between school and swim team, not to mention his job he was pretty much fully booked. Which meant either early in the morning or late at night depending on which he preferred.

"and why not?" she demanded "Because I just can't"

"Come on, we haven't hung out just us in ages. Oh we can invite Piper along and have a girls shopping trip. You, me and pipes sitting in Starbucks over coffee with maybe a few new outfits" great, now she was giving me the puppy dog eyes, but they weren't nearly as effective as Percy's were.

"Come on Annabeth. It will be fun" she said giving me that smile of hers that said she really wasn't giving up. "Fine" I crumbled, knowing that she wasn't giving up. "And besides, you need to get as far away from Drew as possible" she laughed, getting up from the library desk. After she got me to agree to meet her and Piper outside the front of school after last bell, she practically skipped off happy, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I was grateful to get out of school. The fact that people now had another excuse to talk about me was just brilliant and I really couldn't get away from the whispers. I needed another coffee and fast, or else I was going to snap at someone else.

Piper and I found a table in Starbucks pretty quickly as we waited for Thalia to join us. Her car was back form the garage which meant I no longer had to car pool with her and Jason much to Piper's disappointment. "So, What's going on between you and Percy?" she asked, giving me her "You're not telling me something" look "Nothing, why do you ask?" play cool, play cool, play cool I thought to myself

"He was sitting at lunch with us today" she said, taking a sip out of her frappachino "really? I hadn't noticed"

"oh come on Annabeth, just admit that you like him" she teased, shooting me a smile "Who does she like" oh great, Thalia had arrived. Between the two of them they managed to draw secrets out of you which was pretty scary. Though I thought it was mainly Piper. She had this voice she used that could convince people to do what she wanted. It was creepy how well it worked sometimes.

"Annabeth likes Percy Jackson"

"Of course she does" Thalia exclaimed like it was old news, taking the armchair opposite me "Excuse me" she knew?! How could she know? I hadn't told anyone

"It's obvious"

"Than how come I didn't know?" Piper asked, sounding a but annoyed at the thought of being kept out of the loop "Well, you focus most of your attention on my baby brother. Seriously, can you guys like turn down the PDA. You love each other, we get it. It's not something a sister needs to see"

"You're just annoyed because you can no longer make out with Luke whenever you want"

"On the other hand I'm now dating a collage guy who can get us into parties. With alcohol" I watched those too bicker on whose boyfriend was better as my mind wondered to the good part of lunch today. Why had Percy and Grover chosen to sit with us today? Then that train of thought lead to Percy and how good he had looked today. His hair untamed making me want to run my hands through it. And I just couldn't stop thinking about the way he caught me yesterday.

What was happening to me? This is not me. I'm not the girl who gets excited about boys and clothes. I am logical, I am a fighter, I can plan out every detail of the day like it's a battle. But the second Percy comes around I act like … like Piper when she and Jason first started out as a couple.

"Seriously what's the deal with you and Percy?" and they turned back to me. Unfortunately I knew the torture had just started because we had yet to set foot in a shop. "Nothing is going on" I insisted, hoping they would drop the subject "then why don't we believe you? Come on Annie I thought we told each other everything"

"look, he just asked me if I could help him in Maths that's all"

"Hold up, you're tutoring him now? Piper asked, the smug smile back on her face. If we weren't in a room full of people I would be so tempted to lash out of her. Alas, too many witnesses "Yeah, so?"

"Sooo" Thalia continued, shooting a glance at Piper "It's the perfect opportunity for you two to get close"

"Yes, because discussing algebra is really a fantastic way to got to know someone" I offered, but was ignored as the other two retreated into their romantic little fantasies. I chose to ignore them, because really I couldn't let myself hope. It wasn't smart.

I found I actually had fun with the girls trying on different outfits. Some I liked, some I didn't but overall it was nice to hang out with them. We found a costume store and spent at least 45 minutes trying on different things, just laughing and joking and being us. By the time I had dropped Piper off and arrived home with more then a few Thalia approved items, I was in such a better mood then I had been this morning. I even forgot about Drew and her unspoken threat.

My phone buzzed in one of my bags, which was fun to search for. It ended up wrapped in a dress that the girls insisted I buy. It was cute, and it did suit me but it was out of my comfort zone. I'd probably ware it a couple of times to keep Thalia happy, but then it would be going in the wardrobe never to be seen again.

Picking up my phone, I saw I had a text from an unknown number. Thinking it was something from the phone company, I opened it so it wouldn't keep flashing at me that I had a message. But instead of it telling me how to upgrade my phone, I got something that made my heart skip a beat or two

Hey Annabeth it's me, Percy. Hope you don't mind but I got your number off Jason.