Chapter Sixteen

After this morning's wake up call, nothing could ruin my mood. I had gone through the whole day in a haze actually, taking my notes without really thinking about it. Even getting shouted out by Ms. Dodds for turning in an incomplete essay couldn't ruin my mood. I even managed to get as far from Drew as I possibly could, not wanting another confrontation to ruin my mood.

Soon enough I was sitting in the stands overlooking the swimming pool watching the Squad warm up before the other schools got there. Jason was sitting next to me munching on a bag of chips whilst we waited for Piper and Thalia "Stop worrying" he said, taking my hand in his "I'm not worried"

"Please you're more nervous then he is" Jason laughed, going back to his food "Am I that obvious?" I said, watching as Grover patted Percy on the back as they joked by the pool. He didn't look nervous at all, In fact he looked pretty calm smiling as they stretched on the pool side.

"Hey guys" Piper smiled, walking past me to Jason, giving him a kiss as Thalia took the seat next to me "Thalia?" I asked. She didn't look happy. Actually, she didn't look anything, almost as if she was trying to keep something in. something emotional "Not here Annabeth" she whispered, not looking at me, choosing instead to look at the newly arrived flock of people. The other schools had arrived.

Looked over at Percy as this one guy approached him, watching as tension set in his shoulders. The other guy was about an inch shorter then Percy, showing a little bit of muscle. He had that dangerous air about him, the same kind that Luke had, but it was a lot stronger, mischief and mayhem dancing in his dark eyes. "That's Nico" Jason said, snapping me out of my gaze "Who?"

"Nico di Angelo. One of the Best young swimmers in California, on fast track to the Olympics"

"Well what's his problem with Percy?" I asked because they certainly didn't look like friends. Strained smiles, false niceness. Two things I would have never have thought id see Percy use. They shook hand's Nico's coach calling him over to the rest of his team.

"they're competitive. Something you know a lot about"

"Hey, I'm not the one who broke my nose because he won and decided to dance. So tell me now if I have to bring a crash helmet to the Prom"

"Very funny Miss Thing. It's not like you haven't giving me a few bruises over the years" now that was true. Jason and I really were magnet's for that kind of thing "Not my fault you're a delicate little flower" I mocked, laughing as I stole one of his chips "Hey, my chips" he wined, scrunching up the top of the bag so tightly that nobody else could steal any.

"Learn to share" I laughed "SO what exactly does Nico have against Percy?"

"Percy is faster, and while Nico is fast himself, he just hasn't been able to beat Percy yet. Ever since Freshman year it's been like this between them, just one giant competition"

"Well let's just hope no bones are broken this time"

"You're never going to let me forget that are you"

"Now where's the fun in that" I smiled, as Jason gave me the stink eye. As she listened to us bicker. Thalia looked straight on, as if nothing was happening beside her, watching as the teams got ready for the first set.

A couple of sets down and Percy was up. He had this sexy serious look on his face that made my heart pound, and I couldn't help but admire him standing on the diving broad, crouching down ready to hear the gun sot go. Nico was on the board beside him, glancing over at him, but he took no notice, keeping his head down and centring his body.

They were off.

And I have never seen Percy move so fast,, even though Nico was ahead by an inch. People were cheering, coaches were screaming. I had never been to any sort of school sports event, but people when crazy supporting their teams and they're children. Sally was in the stands a few rows down, cheering on, her long curly auburn dancing about as she did whilst her husband just looked at her indulgently, cheering along. Not saying a word I watched as Nico slowly began to loose speed, whilst Percy gained, over taking him on the last length.

My heart was pounding as Percy slapped the wall one last time, his head popping up to take a breath. He had won. Nico not far behind him, slapped the wall, coming up for air with a bitter look on his face as Grover hoisted Percy out of the pool, Coach Chiron slapping him on the back.

We walked out after everything was finished, Taking Thalia's hand and leading her outside so we could talk. Piper and Jason were going to go a head with the team, get us some pizza and we would meet them there after she explained to me what was going on. Not even Piper knew, shooting us a worried look before she took off after Jason and Grover. Percy was still in the changing rooms talking to Chiron actually, which meant he would be another ten minutes or so.

"What's wrong" I asked, taking her hands in mine as she finally showed some expression. "Annabeth" she whispered, the mask slipping finally now that we were alone in the Parking lot. Taking a seat on the hood of my car, she leaned into my shoulder as the tears started to spill.

"I dumped Luke" she said finally, sniffing "What happened?"

"We were arguing, again. It was like the 3 big blow out we had had this week. He was shouting, I was crying and had had enough. I told him don't bother coming round tonight because I certainly wouldn't meet him, and apparently he was calling to Cancel anyway. So I asked him if he was ever planning on seeing me again, because I was his girlfriend and it just went silent" she sniffed again, leaning against the wind shield "So I said it was over between us and hung up"

"Thalia-"

"Don't say you're sorry Annabeth. Don't try to rationalise this. It happened. He's a dick head. And now all I want to do is stuff my face with Pizza and ice cream whilst curled up watching a chick flick"

"Well I can help with the Pizza" Percy said. I hadn't even noticed him walking over to u, but there his was, his swim bag on his shoulder smelling faintly of chlorine and whatever soap he had used. His hair was still damp, but the most manageable I had ever seen it "Hey you" I smiled, jumping off to hug him. His arms wrapped around me and I felt the warmth serge through, along with some very strong feelings. Ones that I knew I couldn't comprehend right now.

A little bit of guilt also bubbled to the top, as I knew Thalia was watching us. And it couldn't be easy what she was going through.

"Well done Percy" Thalia smiled from the top of the car, her tears all dried up now. "Thank you. Now how would you two like to join me and some of my fellow team mates and friends for Pizza"

"You know" Thalia started, her usual confidence fading a little "I don't think I'm really up for a social life night now, and I have a chick flick at home with my name on. Talk to you later Annabeth" she gave me a weak smile and before I could say anything slipped into her car

"Is she all right?" Percy asked, slipping into the passenger side of my car "She will be" I smiled, putting the car in drive and heading off in the direction of the board walk.