Percy POV
I already decided where I want to go to college. Everyone started receiving their college acceptances, and it feels good to not worry about that anymore.
I knew I wanted to stay in New York, close to home, because I couldn't leave the guidance of my coaches because Swimming will continue to be a part of my career. Once you're on the path of a professional athlete, you generally don't dissuade from it.
As such, I decided on attending NYU, where I got a full ride thanks to swimming.
My academics certainly don't warrant a full scholarship, but my swimming does. Obviously, any university wants to lure a potential Olympic athlete to their school. In hindsight, I should've only applied to NYU; it would've made everything so much easier. Meh, whatever. You learn as you go along, I guess.
i'll be majoring in Marine Biology / Oceanography, but swimming is the real ticket. I was excited and nervous for college, but I had more important things to think about right now.
It's April.
The weather's getting better on the bright side. However, it also meant that the US Olympic trials were only two months away.
It feels surreal.
"Aquaman, I know you're anxious, but can you stay present?" Leo exclaimed. He banged his hands on the table, effectively pulling me out of my trance.
"Sorry, boys, just thinking," I mumbled.
"Well, stop thinking!"
Jason, Leo, Frank, and I came to Demeter's cafe as we usually do on Saturdays. I had finished with morning swim practice, which lasted four hours, and we came for lunch.
"Well, I'm happy that I'll be rooming with Percy at NYU," Leo blurted out.
"WHAT?" We yelled.
"Yeah, I know I didn't ask you yet, but I accepted my spot at NYU yesterday. I figured that I didn't want to go far from home, and NYU has a fine engineering program," Leo explained.
"That's awesome," I said with a smile.
It would be great to go to college with someone I knew. Leo and I were really close friends anyway, so it would work out great.
"Well, Percy, have fun with Leo's constant tinkering of metals. It's so annoying sometimes," Frank joked.
Leo flipped him off as Jason and I laughed.
Jason and Frank still haven't decided where they want to go or what they wanted to do. I know Jason is juggling between becoming a pilot and a professor, two drastically different positions if you ask me. Of course, I'd support him either way. Frank wants to work with animals (possibly a Vet), but didn't decide on a college yet.
We continued to joke and laugh around when a sight caught my attention.
Annabeth walked into the cafe with Matt Sloan. They took a booth, not too far from my table, and I couldn't help but feel angry that they were on a date.
At least, it looked just like a date.
"Bro, what are you looking at- Oh..." Jason faltered.
"It's not a big deal, guys. Annabeth and I are just friends. She can date other people if she wants," I said. Even as I said those words, I felt sick to my stomach. I didn't realize that our break would encourage her to see other people.
"it might not even be a date," Jason started.
"Sparky, Annabeth literally came alone with a guy for lunch. A guy, who we've never seen before as a friend. What else would it be?" Leo asked, earning a nudge from Frank.
"Guys, it's fine. Not a big deal," I stated.
Even so, as the boys and I finished lunch, I kept looking over at Annabeth and Matt. They could've just been enjoying lunch together as friends; there was no indication that it was a date. however, seeing them together made me feel a little feint.
I know that Annabeth and I aren't together, but we ended up having a few 'false reality' moments in closets and bathrooms since Piper's sleepover party. We both justified it as a way of relieving some tension, but that's clearly not true. We both wanted to be with each other (as more than friends), and 'false reality heaven sessions' were a cheat for us.
It's not fair for me to expect Annabeth to not date or see other people. She deserved as much, yet I didn't want her to.
I sighed as I left the cafe, totally conflicted and confused.
...
I was running late to my tutoring session with Annabeth. Again.
I always feel so bad when I arrive late to study with Annabeth, especially without a fair warning. Wise Girl would just be sitting there, doing her homework alone. She could happily be relaxing at home, but she'd be waiting for me instead.
Lately, my swim practices have been going late because I have been working hard to build my stamina and consistency.
I arrived to the bookstore about twenty minutes late.
"Wise Girl, I am so sorry I'm late," I apologized while dropping my bags on the ground. I had rushed to our usual table without much thought.
"It's fine, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth smiled.
I ran my hand through my wet hair before grabbing my backpack. The other two bags were my swim bags, containing swimsuits, towels, shampoo, soap, etc. I brought my laptop and homework out of the bag to get to work.
My side of our study table looked a mess with bags, papers, and stuff all over the place. Meanwhile, Annabeth had an organized table side though.
"How are you so organized?" I asked incredulously.
"Why are you so messy?" she countered while laughing.
Annabeth laughs at me a lot, but I don't mind. In my opinion, anything that makes her happy is good. I smiled while watching her finish a math problem on her paper. It was far too advanced for me to follow along, but I liked watching her face as she worked.
"What are you looking at?" Annabeth asked without even looking up.
"Nothing," I blurted out, way too quickly.
I started working on my homework, having to ask Annabeth a lot of questions. She patiently answered my doubts whilst I slowly but surely finished my work. Wise Girl even helped me study for our biology exam next week.
I can honestly say that Annabeth was the only reason that I was staying afloat at school. I would've failed a long time ago without her. She kept me focused while studying and made sure that I understood the assignments. I'm not a great student, averaging Cs and the occasional Bs in all my classes. But, that was enough to graduate for me.
It was getting late when we finally called it a night.
After we finished our work, my ADHD mind wandered to Matt and Annabeth together at Demeter's cafe last week.
"So, I saw you and Matt sloan at the cafe," I said nonchalantly.
"You did?" Annabeth asked surprised.
"Yeah, I was having lunch with the boys when you both walked in. I assumed that you were on a lunch date with him," I said through gritted teeth.
Silence followed as Annabeth contemplated what to say. I packed all my stuff back into my backpack before picking all my things off the ground. I was wearing my backpack while holding my two sports bags in my hands. Annabeth had it easier with a single gray backpack.
"I met Matt at this bookstore actually. We decided to hang out," Annabeth answered honestly.
"Oh, that makes sense, I suppose."
"Why does your face look like that?" Annabeth asked abruptly.
"Huh?"
I didn't realize I was making a face until she pointed it out. Obviously, I was jealous, but I thought that I was hiding it pretty well. Guess not.
"You look all uncomfortable. What's your problem with Matt?"
"Nothing. I barely now the guy."
I quickened my pace as we stepped out of the old bookstore. I had parked right next to Annabeth's car, so we headed int he same direction. I wish I hadn't parked next to her though because I didn't want to converse anymore.
I didn't know how to say exactly what I wanted to say. Technically, Annabeth and I are NOT together, so I have no right to tell or ask her anything.
"Percy, what's wrong?" Annabeth asked once I dropped my bags in my passenger seat.
We stood in the small space between both of our cars. Our bodies were pretty close together since my parking job was sub-par. It was dark outside at this point, and the streetlight illuminated her face with a light candle-like glow.
I couldn't help but notice how naturally beautiful she was.
Finally, I couldn't hold in my thoughts.
"Look, Annabeth, I know that we're not together. I know that you have every right to see other people. Matt seems like a genuinely good guy. I get that..."
"But, I don't want you to see other people."
I paused, not knowing how to continue. Annabeth's mouth pursed into an O contortion. I couldn't tell if she was realizing something or she was confused.
Then, she spoke, "So, you're telling me to not date anyone else even though you're not my boyfriend and I'm not your girlfriend?"
"I, uh- yeah," I stammered.
"You're asking to be exclusive even though we don't have a romantic relationship. That's seems a little weird to me," Annabeth stated.
"I know it's not fair, but...I don't know. I don't like seeing you with anyone else because I do have feelings for you. I know that we decided to not be together right now, but we both have feelings for each other. Our rendezvous in 'false realities' prove as much," I continued. "I know it's not fair to you, but-"
"Okay," Annabeth interrupted, her eyes sparkling with delight.
"What?" I asked dumbfounded.
I didn't think she'd agree so quickly. Or, agree at all.
Annabeth smiled reassuringly before placing her hands on my shoulders. She leaned up and kissed my right cheek, sending warmth and ecstasy through my soul.
"Okay," Annabeth repeated. "I won't see anyone else, but you have to promise to tell me if things...change between us."
"I won't make you just hang around. I promise. Just for now," I whispered.
"Good," Annabeth responded.
She kissed me one more time, somehow committing us to an exclusivity even though we aren't actually in any official relationship. This is just so strange, but it works.
We work...together.
...
My favorite book of all time is actually not within the PJO or HOO universe. I love the books in The Seven Realms series by Cinda Williams China.
What's your favorite book(s) of all time?
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