Diclaimer: I don't own anything. Just the plot of the story.

CHAPTER 18

THALIA'S POV

I'm really happy for Annabeth and Percy. It's been a week since they've told each other how they really felt and I have never seen anyone as happy as they are.

I actually envy them a little because they're free to express how they feel for each other. Out in public.

It was lunch time and we were eating our own food when we heard a sudden burst of laughter. We looked at the person whose laugh came from. It was from the Stolls. I shook my head at how mischievous and free-spirited those twins are.

"The Stolls never learn their lesson." Annabeth shook her head as we saw Mr. Blofis scold at the Stolls thus giving them detention.

"Yeah, well, they are the Stoll brothers who filled the Principal's drawer with hundreds of frog in it." Luke said.

"Don't forget the time they went into the girls bathroom to played a prank on Clarisse but then backfired." I added.

"Mrs. Dodds was so pissed! She even made them do community service for six months!" Percy said and we were all laughing now.

I gazed at Percy and Annabeth.

Percy and Annabeth were not the type of couple who displays too much PDA. They were talking to Nico but you can see in their eyes that even in simple gestures, like their shoulder's brushing with each other or just simply looking at each other, they are contented… satisfied.

I felt someone nudge my shoulder and looked up at Luke's beautiful blue eyes. I smiled at him and went to finish my lunch.

School ended early today because the faculty had a little party to celebrate the Principal's birthday today. I actually thought that when you reach the age of 40, you'd stop celebrating your birthday.

Annabeth came up to my locker, "Hey, Thals! Nico, Percy and I are going to the Pizza shack later, wanna come?"

"Uhm, I can't." I said quickly.

"Why?"

"Uh, well, I have things to do." I said, not wanting to sound a bit weird.

"What kind of things?"

"Things." I shove my book back to my locker and closed it. "Look Annabeth, I really can't come today. I'm sorry."

She was silent. "Okay. I'll see you, whenever." Then she walked off.

I felt guilty about it. We haven't quite got to bond together lately like we used to do. I know Annabeth's mad at me right now but I'll just make it up to her somehow.

I shook my head and went outside of school.

I walked past the parking lot when I saw Luke. I came up to him and smiled.

"You ready?" He asked.

"Yeah. Let's go."

We climbed on the car and went off.

ANNABETH's POV

I walked back to Percy's locker to meet Nico and him there. It's so strange that Thalia have been turning down our, especially my offer to hang out. I miss Thalia and I have a feeling that that 'thing' is not a thing.

"Hey, where's Thalia?" Percy asked.

"Oh, she can't come with us today." I said briefly while we walked down the hall.

"Why?" It was Nico's turn to ask.

"She said she has some things to do." And I emphasized on the word things.

"Oh, I see. Well, let's get going! I'm straving!" Percy asked as we went to the parking lot. I was about to climb in when I saw Thalia… getting inside of a person's car—Luke's car to be exact. I was about to move closer and get a better look when Nico interrupted my concentration.

"Hey, Annabeth. Aren't you getting in?"

"Wha—no. I, uh, I mean, yeah." I said as I gazed to the moving vehicle with to person that had been aloof with us lately.

We were waiting for our orders and the boys were discussing something about pink and orange. I didn't paid any attention to them because I was still lost in thoughts of what I've seen earlier. I mean, yeah, Thalia and Luke are okay now but I didn't think that they'd be that okay.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Percy wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Are you alright?" He asked me, with wariness in his eyes.

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine. I'm sorry." I smiled up to him then at Nico, who just shrugged.

"Okay" he said and just then our pizza arrived and started eating.

It was half past six when we decided to go home.

"Hey, Nico. Aren't you coming with us?" Percy asked.

"No. I have to drop by dad's office. Bianca's there and she need 'help' with something 'important'." He said as he rolled his eyes.

I laughed and so did Percy. "Ooooh! Good luck man! You'll be needing it." Nico just rolled his eyes and went to hail a cab.

"So," I looked up at Percy who was wearing a loop-sided smirk on his face.

"So?"

"Well, we're alone now. Do you want to go for a walk, just for a little while?" He asked, bashfully.

I smiled, "Sure. I'm not in a hurry to go home now."

We parked Percy's car at his apartment and once we got out we decided to walk.

While we were walking, I couldn't help myself to stop thinking at the thought of Luke and Thalia together. I know I may sound very assuming, but trust me. It is so weird! I can't, I mean, if there's something going on between them, she'll tell me. Right?

Percy noticed my sudden silence and grabbed my hand. We were at the park's playground now.

"Hey, I know something's bothering you. Tell what is it." He said almost pleading.

"I… I don't know…" I hesitated. If he would know about what I saw today, he'll probably burst out laughing at my seriousness of the matter.

"Come one, Wise Girl. You can trust me." Percy said looking intently at my grey-stormy eyes.

I bit my lip and sighed.

"Remember when I asked Thalia if she would join us to the Pizza shack? Well, she said she was busy and she has to do something. Well, when we were about to get in the car I saw Thalia… with Luke."

I saw his expression turned from serious to shock.

"Well, uh… why? Is there something wrong with… uh… with that?" He shifted a bit and I felt something in my gut that somehow, Percy knows something that I don't know.

"No, well it's just, I got curious. Thalia's has been missing in action for the past couple of weeks and well, as her best friend, I'm starting to get worried. We barely talk to each other and whenever we do, she'd just say some stupid excuse to leave."

I said as I felt tears brimming from the edge of my eyes.

"Have I done something wrong?" I looked up and met Percy's eyes. They were full of concern and… guilt.

He sighed heavily and tucked in a strand of hair from my face.

"Look, Annabeth. Whatever it is that's going on with Thalia and Luke right now, I'm not the right person to tell you about—"

"Wait, what?" I recalled what he said.

"What do you mean by "going on with Thalia and Luke"?"

"I told you, I'm not the right person to tell you about it." He said as he gently put his warm, soft hands unto my cheeks.

"Well then, let's go see that right person, shall we?" I said as I didn't wait for his response and dragged him to hail a cab and went to Thalia's place.

I knocked on the door a couple of times and when it opened, Jason was the one who faced me.

"Yo, Percy! Uh, Annabeth, right?" He said keeping his cool façade.

I nodded. "Is Thalia home?"

"Ohhh, you just missed her by a couple of minutes. She went to the theatre to watch a movie."

"Is she alone?"

"No, she was with that Luke fella. Thought they were over but, they've been going out for quite a while now."

I was shocked and hurt when he said that. How can my best friend, didn't tell me about this?

"Thanks, Jason. I guess we better—"

"Damn it! Jason, I left my—"

Thalia was shocked to see us standing in front of their doorstep.

"A-Annabeth, wha…what are you doing here?"

"Hey, Thal's I forgot my jacket too, I—"

Luke stopped on his tracks when he saw us—me in particular.

"So, I guess best friends keep secrets now, huh?" I said as I stormed off and passed by Thalia and Luke.

I don't know where my feet take me but I just walked faster and faster every step I made. I was hurt that Thalia kept dating Luke a secret from me! I mean, yeah, I didn't tell anyone one about the one secret that apparently Nico knew but I'm willing to tell her about it when I'm ready. How can she do that? It's like she doesn't trust me?

I felt tears falling down one by one as I hear footsteps coming up to me.

"Annabeth!" I heard voices calling my name. I saw a tree and climbed up to hide.

Thalia, Luke and Percy were now under the tree that I was sitting on. They were about to leave when a tear fell and dropped unto Luke's cheeks and he looked up.

"There she is." He pointed and all of them looked up.

"Annabeth? Get down from there! You're going to get yourself hurt!" Percy yelled at me with fear and worry enveloped his face.

"Annabeth, please come down! Let's talk about it. Please!" Thalia pleaded.

I hesitated at first as I hear them continuously telling me to go down. After a couple of minutes, I decided to go down and when I did, Thalia suddenly tackled me into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry, Annabeth. I really am." She said and I gently pushed her away from me. I met her tantalizing blue eyes as she met mine.

"I wanted to tell you, really! It's just that, I… I was too caught up with what happened between me and Luke that I kept it as a secret."

"Then why did Percy knew?" I said that sounded like a demand rather than a question.

"That stupid Kelp head caught us kissing on Luke's car during lunch and he promised to keep it a secret. Look, I'm really sorry I hid it from you, but trust me, I didn't do it because I wanted to."

I looked into her pleading eyes. I sighed.

"Fine. I forgive you. You know that I can't stand being mad at you."

She lightened up and hugged me tightly. I returned the hug as well.

"But promise me that this won't happen again, okay? You're my only best friend—"

"Ehem!" We both looked at Percy and rolled our eyes in irritation for ruining the moment.

"Fine! Girl best friend and I don't want you keeping me out or shutting me out on anything important in your life.l" I said.

"Of course! You're like the sister I never had!" She said. We let go of each other and the boys came up to us.

"Sorry to ruin the moment girls, but Thalia and I have a movie to watch. As much as I would love to let you two be, I got this tickets extra special and I'm afraid we can't miss it." Luke said as he held Thalia's hand.

"Okay, but you better make sure you won't hurt Thalia or my fist will be getting friendly with your face."

"Heh. Don't worry Annabeth. I won't intentionally do that to her."

"Good! Have fun!"

We waved good bye to each other and they went to hail a cab.

I looked at Percy and gave him a big, tight hug. He held me tightly as well.

We were silent for a while and when he let go we decided to head back home. He was the one who broke the comfortable silence, enveloping us.

"For a girl, with incredibly long legs, you sure know how to walk pretty fast."

I just laughed at his false attempt of making a statement.

Same old Seaweed brain.

I just had to update! Sorry for taking so long to update. Exams are still on going but I decided to finish this chapter, since I don't want you guys to wait so long. You know how much I love you guys ;)

Anywho, my longest time for me to update will only be the maximum limit of two weeks. So you guys will be able to follow up with story. Thank you for supporting and always reviewing my story! It means a lot! 3

'Till next chapter! Please review! There's a new character(s) that will show up in the later chapters so better stay tuned. And for those who are curious about Annabeth's past... A little bit more waiting and you'll know ;) HAHAHA!

xx