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Can't wait for the next chapter! Good job! –LizCraft

It's things like these that make my day. Thanks! I'll try to update as frequent as possible, but I'm juggling 2.5 stories plus college classes. But expect C3 to air soon!

-Part One: Pressed-

Chapter 2: Percy

Yay! Percy! Who doesn't like Percy?! Seriously, how are you part of the PJO fandom without liking this dude?

This is going to be the best night of my night, I thought to myself as I rolled from my bunk, from a sleepless night. I had been too excited to sleep.

For the first time in a one-year relationship: I was the one with the plan, and I couldn't wait to pull it off.

I had spent the entire week preparing for this day. Today, was my seventeenth birthday, but if you asked me what was important about this day, I would have to say it was my one-year anniversary with Annabeth. The love of my life.

Just don't tell her that, it'll definitely add to her already big head.

I strutted into my cabin's bathroom, and gave myself time for a quick shower to ease my mood. I was on the edge of sweating a whale's worth from my anxiety. Trying to pull off a surprise on the most beautiful, smartest and violent girlfriend in the world does that to a guy.

As the water cascaded down my back and striped my anxiety away, I relaxed as the water seemingly striped my anxiousness away. I took advantage of the moment to think, as the shower started to rejuvenated me.

Yes, I was taking time to think. A son of Poseidon can think! I may not be a son of Athena, but that doesn't make me stupid. I just have trouble concentrating, at times.

Has that crack in the wall always been there?

Wait, what was I thinking again?

Right, water helped with concentrating. It was almost as if I was in the middle of my element, which arguably, I was.

I went over the plan another ten times. I listed of each step in my head, mentally marking a check on the ones I've completed. I quickly reminded myself that I'd have to make sure Piper was ready when I needed her. Without her this plan wasn't going to succeed.

After what felt like the best shower of the century, I thoroughly brushed my teeth, knowing Annabeth would comment on my kelp breath if I didn't. I wouldn't want to spend the evening with Annabeth gagging at the smell of my breath the entire time.

That would not be romantic.

I laughed to myself at the thought, making causing me to almost choke on the toothpaste in my mouth. I spluttered all over my sink.

I sighed, as I willed the sink to clean itself.

I walked over to my chest, and rummaged out my cleanest camp T-shirt and nicest pair of jeans.

I patted my pocket, making sure that my most prized possession still laid inside, where I had left it the night before.

The daily conch horn signaled the official start of Breakfast. I tightened my belt as I hurried out of my cabin. After magically locking the door with the chanted lock that the Hephaestus cabin had given to me. (You can never be too careful when the Hermes cabin is nearby. Unless you were a child of Poseidon, only people with my explicit permission could get through)., I quickly jogged up towards the Pavilion, not wanting to be last in line.

I was able to quickly slide into the line before the normal rush of campers started to file out of their cabins. A kitchen harpy handed (or is it winged?) me a tray, which I snatched a plate to place on.

I took a long deep breath through my nose, filling myself with the delicious(comma!) welcoming aromas that enveloped the pavilion every morning. Smells of freshly scrambled eggs (I have yet to gain the courage to ask what the chicken-ladies thought of it), bacon, sausage, pancakes, fruits and countless other delicacies that you would normally expect, filled the air. I paused, closing my eyes to just enjoy the smell.

It reminded me of memories of simpler times.

That's when the person behind me in line tapped me on the shoulder.

"Are you going to move, Seaweed Brain?"

I lit up turning to see my wonderful girlfriend. Her usually princess curled hair, was pulled up into a ponytail, allowing a greater view of her beautiful face. Her dark stormy gray eyes, bore into me with a brilliant, but a playful glee. Her mouth was curled up slightly, just enough for me to tell she was trying to not laugh. The rising sun behind her gave her this glow that you would only see from one of those Hollywood romance movies.

She looked absolutely magnificent. She shoved me forward, killing my concentration on her beauty.

"Come on Percy. You're holding up the line. Better get going before you give Hecate cabin another reason to curse you."

I sighed, remembering the incident that happened yesterday evening. We quickly scooted down along the line, grabbing our normal pick of food. I piled my plate with eggs, bacon (you can never have too much) and pancakes. Annabeth, on the other hand was a bit more diet conscious and grabbed two bagels (one extra just in case Piper snatches one), and various fruits.

As we neared the end, I finished off by burying my entire plate, pancakes and rest, with a tsunami of Maple Syrup.

Annabeth rolled her eyes at me while grabbing freshly homemade strawberry jam, which was made from the fields at camp.

"Sometimes Seaweed Brain, I wonder how you're still in shape," Annabeth commented as we walked towards the Poseidon table. Ever since the Giant War, Chiron had been more relaxed with rules, and allowed everyone to sit where they wanted. But there was still a table for every godly parent.

I tried to pout, making Annabeth giggle.

"I save the world every day, Wise Girl, it's a bit of a chore," I winked at her as we sat down on the bench.

"That's a load of Minotaur dung, and you know it Percy." I shrugged, starting to dig into my pancakes. I savored at the taste of the soft cooked batter with extra-extra-extra syrup.

"So," Annabeth started playfully.

I knew where this was going.

"So?" I replied, trying to put on my best confused- but- hiding- it face. It was hard. Have you ever tried to hide an emotion that you don't even have? It's harder than it sounds.

"So Percy…"

"Yes?" I asked.

"Do you know what day it is?" Annabeth's grin widened. She was really anticipated for my answer. I hesitated, thinking how to properly respond without giving anything away.

"It's Friday Annabeth! Capture the Flag is tonight! You thought I would forget?"

Annabeth's smile twitched. I silently prayed to the gods Annabeth wouldn't strangle me, because now, it felt like she was about to. Had I gone too far? Should I tell her I actually remembered our anniversary for once?

No. You shouldn't, I thought.

"Yes. Right, of course." Annabeth answered, flustered. A wide range of emotions, from rage and irritation, to disappointment passed through her face, before being masked a thoughtful smile.

Her grin was still twitching, and her eyes looked like they were trying to blast me through the head, but I pretended not to notice.

"Have you decided which cabins you wanted?" she asked, quietly as I stuffed another couple of pancakes into my mouth. Yesterday, Chiron had announced that the cabins leading Capture the Flag this week were Poseidon and Athena. That meant that I would be competing against Annabeth for the victory.

Just a recommendation to anyone who wants to survive: Do not go against my girlfriend. Annabeth is probably the smartest and most fearless person I know. Her fatal flaw, Hubris, causes her to be very protective of her pride. Which means she won't go too easy on me.

To be honest, I was actually very nervous about today's match. I mean, never go against the Athena cabin. They know what they're doing, and know what you're going to do years before you even do it. Now that I mention it, I was actually surprised that Annabeth hasn't hadn't figured out my plan already. Or maybe she has.

Maybe she's just playing along? Maybe she wants me to feel good about myself. Just for my sake?

Stop it Percy. Your overthinking this.

My brain wasn't made to think about these things. I usually left Annabeth to do all the complex thinking. But for obvious reasons, I couldn't go ask her about this. I just have had to hope my plan works.

"Percy, you there?" Annabeth interrupted, bringing me back to reality.

"Sorry, I was thinking," I replied.

"That, would be a first," Annabeth teased.

I noticed her breakfast laid on her plate, untouched.

"You sure you don't know what today is?" Annabeth asked intently, obviously intent to make me

realize what was today.

"Erm, um." I said, putting on my best 'struggling to think' face.

"Is it Saturday or something? Did I sleep through the game? Because that would be just like me…" I rambled.

"Never mind." Annabeth sighed. I felt a tinged feeling of annoyance radiating from her. This time, she didn't bother to hide it.

"So which cabins do you want on your team tonight?" Annabeth repeated from earlier. Everyone knew that the Athena cabin always wins, so Annabeth decided she wanted a challenge by letting me pick the teams. It wouldn't matter though, with any combination, the Athena cabin would find a way to win.

I quickly rattled out my answers that I had decided upon the night before, "Zeus, Hades, Apollo, Hephaestus, Nike and Nemesis." The combination sounded decent. They team hopefully sounded good enough that Annabeth would think I was looking to win.

Annabeth nodded at my answers expectantly.

"You left me with Ares on purpose, didn't you?" Annabeth asked, narrowing her eyes. I laughed, knowing that my plan would've never succeeded if I had to deal with Ares on my side. "Of course, I'd thought you would like challenge, right?" I taunted, smiling. I leaned in to peek her the cheek. She blushed, for a second forgetting I had allegedly forgotten our special day.

"Fine, I'll deal with having Ares on my team. But you shouldn't have left me with Piper!"

Annabeth's eyes gleamed.

"Oh no," I feigned.

Actually, it was part of my plan not have Piper on my team. It was key that Piper was on Annabeth's team.

"You can change your mind if you want to," Annabeth suggested. It was almost as if she thought. I would need all the help I could get. Did she really pity me that much?

"No." I said, trying to keep a straight face. "I've already made my choice. I think I should stand by my decisions."

Annabeth looked at me quizzically, before speaking once more.

"Percy?" she asked, uncertainly. For the first time, I heard something that I would have never expected from Annabeth.

She sounded desperate.

"Yes?" I asked, gulping.

We both got up from the table, as now we were finished with our meals. Annabeth hadn't even taken a single bite. We left our dishes for the harpies to clean up.

"Are you sure you're not forgetting anything?" Annabeth asked pleadingly in hope. I didn't have a second to respond, when Annabeth continued.

"You don't remember, do you." Annabeth stated, crossing her arms.

Annabeth asked a question, but stated it as a fact. I almost wanted to prove her wrong at this exact moment.

But I held myself back. Luckily. "This will be our last weekend at camp!" I yelled to myself, hitting myself on the head. "I should start to packing!" I heard Annabeth sigh loudly.

"Percy, today is—" The camp horn blared, announcing the end of breakfast. It was time to for the first lessons of the day.

"Sorry Annabeth, I've got to." I interrupted quickly, not giving her time to say anything else. "I promised I'd help Jade find a new sword today. We'll talk later."

I jogged away off, towards the arena, relieved I didn't have to keep this charade up the entire day. Halfway down the hill, I stopped. For a second, I wanted to turn around and hold Annabeth. Show her that I did remember, and showed her what I got her for our anniversary.

I looked back towards the pavilion to see Annabeth still standing where I left her, glaring at the ground in disappointment.

A wave passed through me, diminishing the idea of ruining the surprise.

It ought to wait.

And so, I wandered to go find Jade.

Different POV, same scene. But if you're smart, there's enough here in this and the previous chapters to already make solid arguments for who we're looking out for…

Next chapter, we play Capture the Flag. Yeeeessssssh!

See you in two weeks, or whenever I think you guys deserve it! Get an update early by leaving a review! ;)

Best Wishes, from a Junior Scribe of Camp Half-Blood,

~VCRx

(This chapter has not been betaed.)

[Last Edited: 4.18.2017]