Chapter Twenty

I ignored the calls, I ignored the texts and on occasion I ignored him. Two people I couldn't ignore Thalia and Piper who mum let up despite my protests "Come on Annie, you're coming out tonight" Thalia searching through my wardrobe looking for the perfect outfit for tonight's beach party. It was a Sunday which was not a good night to hold a party but that certainly wasn't going to stop Thalia. Actually I couldn't think of anything that could stop her.

Piper lounged on my bed, vetoing any outfit that didn't measure up "Well who's going to bail you out of Jail tomorrow if I go tonight"

"It's not that kind of Party" Thalia insisted, holing up a summer dress. I loved the weather here because it didn't get overly cold. She pulled out the Leather jacket to go on top, holding to up for Piper to approve which she did. "Look, we don't know what happened between you and Percy" I hadn't told them, knowing that nobody deserved the wrath of those two. And it was just an argument right? Every couple has their arguments. But I didn't know how long it would take me to get over this.

Trust, the most important thing in a relationship. I hadn't even seen the pictures, but I could imagine that if I were in Percy's shoes looking at pictures at him with any other girl, I wouldn't immediately jump to cheating.

Maybe going tonight would be good, a change of environment from my bedroom. And I wouldn't drink too much, I knew that.

"You need to get out Annie. This could be good for you"

"Maybe you're right" I conceded, knowing that this was one argument I was not going to win. They would dress me up and drag me to this thing if they had to. "Well, that was easier then I thought." Piper laughed, getting the bag she had bought with her and tipping the contents on my bed. Make up piled up, samples from different brands collecting in a mountain on her bed.

Piper didn't hear much from her mum, her parents having split when she was younger, but apparently she was some big make up artist/ beauty photographer so she was always sending samples through the post to her daughter. Not like Piper needed any make up, the natural beauty that she was.

"So are you going to tell us what happened between you and Percy" Thalia asked as she stated pulling on my hair, placing the unruly curls where she wanted them to go. If they would stay there or not was another question. "we had our first argument"

"Well no duh, I don't think we've ever seen you sulk before" Thalia teased, placing a couple of pins in my hair to keep some of it in place "Yeah well, I basically blew up at him when he asked me a question and I haven't talked to him since yesterday" and I missed him. I still got the morning text but instead of it filling me with the usual fuzzy feeling, regret came at how I had handled the situation. I should go over and talk to him, but I'm way too stubborn. Probably another reason I hadn't told the girls. Because they would push us in the same room together and lock the door.

"you're not going to tell us are you?" Piper asked as I shook my head. This was just something I couldn't do with their help. "Well, I'm sure whatever he did, he was a jerk and doesn't deserve you're sexy ass"

"Aww, thanks Thalia" I smiled, laughing as she gave me a hug from behind. Wrapping her arms around my head and giving me a quick squeeze, she got back to my hair, attacking it with hairspray "Now, Nico" was all I had to say for her face to turn bright red. Which meant there was something juicy there.

It had taken three hours, four cans of hairspray, a little shouting match with my dad about what time I was going to be back and a quick dinner before I was on my way to the party. Jason, our designated driver for the night came to pick us up, giving Piper the best look before giving a big kiss.

But I couldn't look at them, regret washing over me once again, crawling in the back with Thalia. But distraction was soon at hand, because apparently Nico was coming to the party too. Thalia had invited him as her sort of plus one and this was the first time we were going to meet the dude, and of course we were going to embarrass the hell out of her.

Pulling up to the beach, it seams there were about 50 people at this party already. Some lounging on the beach staring off into the sunset, some trying to start the fire. The drinks were flowing, the music blasting and everything just seamed to be starting when we got there.

"Drew's here" I said, spotting the brunette hair a mile off. If I thought she dressed like a slut before it seamed that outside fo school the dresses were shorter, the make up heavier and the cleavage bigger. Seriously, how could she even think that would look good? She caught my eye, sending a smirk my way before turning her attention back to the group of boys that seemed more interested in her boobs then what she was actually saying.

"Just ignore her" Thalia whispered in my ear, passing me a red cup full of something that tasted absolutely disgusting. But I drank it, because it was something to do.

But I couldn't ignore her for long. Because there she was, standing right beside me as I talked to Rachel, a girl from my chem class that I would class as a friend. "Can I help you Drew?" I asked, turning towards her. Rachel backed away to another group leaving the two of us alone to talk, though I wish she hadn't. Left alone there was no one to hold me back from giving Drew the nose job she so desperately wanted.

She had this huge grin on her face, like she had just won something "Yeah actually, I was wondering where Percy was?"

"Why Drew, you've fucked almost all the swim team and feel like you have to collect the whole set?" I said, the edge coming into my voice. But instead of the usual look of death she shot me, her smile got wider if that was even possible "To do that he would have to be free. You two haven't broken up have you?"

"What did you do?"

"it's amazing what you can do with photo shop nowadays. Paybacks a bitch" she smiled, showing me her phone. A picture from yesterday of me and Jason that had so not happened. It looked like we were about to kiss, his arm around me but I had no idea how that was even possible. It looked convincing. No wonder Percy had asked, and now I felt like an even bigger bitch for blowing up in his face about it. I wouldn't trust me either if I had seen a picture like that "I won sweetie" she smiled, snapping her phone shut and putting it back in her little clutch bag "I think you've learnt your lesson now. Oh and look whose coming over" she smiled.

Looking behind me I saw Percy in all his glory, determination set on his face as he saw me. "Hey Percy" Drew called out, giving him a small wave but he ignored her, grabbing my hand "We're talking. Now" he said forcefully, leading me away from the bitch and the party.