Chapter fourteen

"I'm not working with you" I said when she came up to me, her hand landing on her my desk showing off some freshly manicured claws "I was thinking the same thing" she sneer, standing up to tap away on her blackberry "That's why you're doing it"

"Excuse me?" oh no she didn't "Well come on, Annabeth. You're smart. And I don't have time for this so ciao darling"

"Hold up bitch" there was something about this girl that drove me crazy. We walked out of the classroom, me stalking after her as she ignored me, stomping away in her five inch heals "I don't work for you"

"and I don't work. So you are going to do this"

"Or what, you're going to lipgloss me to death?" she spun around, her hair flying in so many direction, barely missing my face. She stank of a sickly sweet perfume, and getting close to her you could actually see the layers of make up. Made me wonder why she had o cover up.

"I've gone easy on you since the whole cafeteria thing, but if you don't do this then all that goes out the window." she was trying to intimidate me, in her five inch heels which helped her tower over me. And I felt it. Looks wise, I couldn't compete with her, but I had brains where she obviously had none, I had friends that loved me and a boyfriend. If I fall they got me. Besides, what could she do?

"Listen Malibu Barbie" My voice lowered, so that the crowd around us couldn't hear what I was saying "I don't respond well the threats. So i'll do my work, and you can decide if you want to do your half or not, it doesn't matter to me. Because I am not going to carry you. You have enough wannabe's who do that all ready" with that, I stalked off in a rush, because I knew I was late for my next class.

That day just went from bad to worse, and Percy was busy with his first Swim meet so he had to get his head in the game. For the next week or so, all through lunch he would be training, then there were the after schools. The only time I would really get to see him at all would be during our bi-weekly maths revision sessions, and even then there was no touching and no kissing.

Thalia slid in next to me at lunch, her usual smile in place. I loved her, I really did. When I met Thalia for the first time she scared me a little, with her ear piercings an her Doc Martins. "What's up shorty"

"Nothing much" I smiled, popping a chip in my mouth and closing the book I had been reading "That's not what I hear"

"The rumours have started have they'?" I asked sighing heavily. It was one of Drew's favourite things to do, spreading rumours, so if she made good on her threats I knew there would be few things flying around about me. "You were seen arguing with Drew"

"oh that"

"what happened there?"

"We got paired together in English" I explained, Thalia nodding her head, not really needing any more of an explanation. I could briefly see something behind her ear. Something that I had not seen before "Thalia?"

"Yeah?"

"What's that behind your ear" I asked, flipping her hair back so I could see properly. A little diamond was tattooed there "When did you get that?"

"Luke took me, his friend did it" she said quickly, flipping her hair back round so no one else would notice. If her parents found out they would kill her. "Thalia" I sighed, thankful that it was so small.

"What Annabeth? So I have a tattoo, it's not the end of the world" she was getting defensive, so I decided to drop it. I couldn't argue with one of my best friends. Not today. And it looked good, the art work was amazing once you looked at it. "How is Luke?" I asked, changing the conversation to something a little less dangerous. Hopefully. "He's being a dick head" yeah that plan didn't work "What's he done now?"

"Ever since the party he's been distant, like he no longer cares about us. Hanging out more with his friends from Collage" she vented "He's distant when he calls, and he's bailed on us meeting up. You know how I usually sneak out" she'd showed me the path several times, preferring it to the front door. It was amazing no one had threatened to cut it down yet "It's been a week and nothing. It's like he doesn't even want to know me any more. I'm five seconds away from driving to his place and knocking some sense into him" knowing her she would do it as well.

After today, I was so happy to get home. Mum was in the kitchen cooking something, smiling as I walked through the door. She didn't usually bake cookies, a rare treat when she felt like it, but when she did they tasted like nectar in your mouth. With Ella Fitzgerald playing in the back ground, she was swaying around the kitchen a dazed faraway look on her face. Her beauty shone through and I loved seeing her like this, without the stress from work.

Dad came from his office as I got to the bottom of the stairs, his tie undone, his glasses on his head and a deep look of concentration on his face. At least they were both home tonight, which meant family dinner round the dining room table. No TV, no phones. Just family.

Exactly what I needed after a day like today.

I walked up to my room, flopping onto the comfortable mass of pillows and blankets that covered my bed. My school bag was discarded by my desk, things spilling out of it, I didn't want to look at my books right now, fed up with work and school in general. Checking my phone, I saw I had one text.

seaweed brain: I miss you wise girl

I miss you too Seaweed Brain I typed back fast, a small smile tugging at my lips. I didn't get a reply back reply back, which meant he probably had started swim practise. I loved watching him swim, the muscles in his back moving and reaching through the water. He had power there, cutting through the water with such speed and force which made him one of – if not the – fastest on the team, being called the one to beat.

Which is why I couldn't get jealous at the fact that we weren't going to be spending a lot of time together. He was focused on this, and I would play the part of supportive girlfriend as well as I could.

My eyes flitted to my disregarded bag on the floor, my English book spilling out of it. Drew. Why did I have to be paired with her? And why did she get on my nerves so much? As dad would say "The god's liked to torture by answering Prey's. I'd met my hero, but monsters were sure to come along. Thank god I know how to fight. Unfortunately sometimes you can't pick your battles.