Annabeth's pov:
Thalia, Jason, and Piper. All three of them enter my room together as soon as I finish getting dressed the next morning.
"Spill. Now." Thalia says as soon as they place themselves on my bed.
"What?" I ask feigning innocence. I know exactly what they want to know, but that doesn't mean I'm going to tell them easily.
"Well, you looked really happy yesterday. Like really happy" Jason says observing me carefully.
"Is that a bad thing?" I ask raising my eyebrows, smiling slightly.
"And you were staring at Percy. The whole time." Thalia adds.
"And you were really sad the entire day until Percy came home at night." Piper says frowning at me with concern in her voice.
I take a deep breath. I may as well tell them now.
"I...I thought about what you two said the other day." I begin, looking towards Thalia and Piper "and...I love him" I quickly say looking down, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
Their eyes widen as they register what I just said.
"I knew it!" Thalia exclaims, throwing her arms around my neck.
"Whoa wait, hold on. So you like love him? Like not that best friend love- like love love him?" Jason asks, his eyes bulging out.
Piper facepalms at her boyfriend's reaction, but smiles happily towards me and says "I'm glad you finally realized it Annabeth. So, what now?"
"What do you mean" I ask furrowing my eyebrows.
Thalia rolls her eyes at me and says "she means what are you going to do about it now? I mean, you have to tell him sooner or later, right?"
I look down once I realize she's right. Of course, I have to tell him.
"You could tell him today only, you know? I mean the sooner, the better, right? Plus, it's been a week already since we came to Greece. I think you should tell him before we leave Greece. This vacation may help bring you two closer." Jason suggests.
"He's right, you know. Percy's far away from New York and his fangirls right now. I think it's the perfect time to confess how you truly feel about him. This 2 month long vacation- of which one week has already passed in the blink of an eye- will help you both think clearly about what you really want." Thalia adds looking at me hopefully.
"I won't force you into anything Annabeth, but I think the earlier you tell him, the better. This way he'll get more time to think about your confession. And telling him all this in his birthplace Athens is a great idea. This place may help him realize his feelings just like it did for you." Piper adds smiling over at me.
I go through their suggestions in my mind. I should tell him. Soon. I've been in love with Percy Jackson since I was 14. And only just realized it now. I think it's about time I tell my best friend that I've been in love with him for about 4 years now- and have had a crush on him since we were 9. He deserves to know the truth. I owe it to myself to tell him the truth and confess my feelings. One thing though. What if I'm left heartbroken?- the thought that probably crosses every lover's mind, crosses mine too. I release a sigh, rubbing my eyes. I never thought I would see this day-fretting over whether I should confess my feelings for Percy or not. I always believed I loved him as a best friend. I was so sure of it, that I didn't even consider any other possibilities. Didn't consider the fact that maybe, just maybe, I love him as a woman loves a man. He has turned down each and every girl who has ever asked him out, when he could easily get any girl in the whole school. He has never dated, never had a girlfriend, never had any flings or one night stands, and is still a virgin. Sure, there are always rumours going on about how he has already slept with me or the queen bee, but that's what they are. Rumours. I know for sure he hasn't even kissed a girl yet- if you don't consider the numerous pecks he has given me or his mom. Why, though?- I have yet to find the answer to that question. That brings me back to the matter at hand. Will I regret ever telling him? But what if I'm happier than I am when I confess my love for him?
One thing is sure though. I'm definitely telling him, because who knows my heart finally finds the one it's been seeking for years.
"I'll tell him. Today." I finally tell everyone. They were all patiently waiting for my decision and I know they would support me regardless of what I chose.
"Don't worry about it much Annabeth. Percy has never dated anyone before and you are the only one he's closest to other than his mother. Not even we- his cousins- know or understand him as well as you do. Maybe he too recognizes his love for you when you tell him about yours." Thalia says smiling at me.
"Come on now, I'm hungry!" Jason says whining, trying to lighten the mood.
"You're always hungry Jase" Thalia says rolling her eyes as Piper takes Jason's hand and pulls him out the door.
"Come on Annabeth" Thalia says, pulling me out of the room.
We go down to find Percy already halfway through his breakfast. He's talking to Mr Jackson when we arrive. I'm seeing Mr Jackson after a really long time- almost after a week. He always leaves for office before we come down for breakfast and arrives after we go to bed.
"Morning everyone." He greets us when we come near. "I was thinking David could take you all out for shopping today. Percy will join you all at lunch. We would have already left for office, but he insisted he wouldn't leave without meeting you all today." Mr Jackson says smiling as soon as we are seated.
Percy just looks up at us and smiles apologetically. He's wearing black jeans and a light blue button down shirt today, looking handsome as always. His sea green eyes come and stop at me as his lips curve up into a beautiful smile.
"Before you ask, yes I will come with you to the bookstore after lunch wise girl." He says smirking at me, his eyes twinkling.
I merely grin at him. He knows me so well, I knew I wouldn't even have to ask him to accompany me. Although I'm not too happy about him leaving for work, I'm pleased he's joining us for lunch.
Percy leaves with his dad in one of his cars as David silently drops us at a mall.
2 fights- you can guess in between whom, 1 large pizza- eaten alone by a certain blue eyed boy, and a dozen shopping bags- most of them belonging to Piper- later, we go for lunch in the restaurant Percy's already waiting for us in.
"Hey seaweed brain" I say to him, kissing his cheek and sitting beside him.
"Hey wise girl, bought anything?" he asks me after greeting the others.
"Nah. You know where I'm going to shop" I say referring to the bookstore.
"True" he replies grinning, while eating his food.
I simply watch him as eats and converses with others. I have always enjoyed seeing him like this. His lips turn up into a smirk when he is thinking of a plan to annoy Thalia. He grins mischievously when he teases Jason and makes Piper laughs, occasionally stealing my food while giving me his lopsided grin.
We both make our way to the bookstore as everyone else leaves for home. I could tell him now since we are alone, but I want to wait until we reach home.
I take his hand in mine and drag him to the bookstore. His rough, muscular hand seems perfect in mine.
I go on handing him books as we move down the aisle of shelves. We do this in New York too. I keep on sprouting random facts and information about the books as I hand them to him. He always keeps up with me with a pile of books in his hands and helps me carry them back to the car.
We reach home by the evening and decide to eat the dinner early. I'm going to tell him after everyone goes to sleep.
My nervousness grows with each passing second. We have had our meal and are currently relaxing in the living room, watching the television. My hands continuously fidget and I think Percy noticed my anxiousness because he asks "everything alright wise girl, you seem worried."
Oh nothing much I'm just going to confess to my best friend of nine years that I love him and I have no idea what the outcome of it will be. I want to say, but of course I don't. I never thought I would have a problem confessing anything to Percy, but here I am now thinking of ways to break the news to him. I can't just go up to him and claim I have always loved him, can I? Cause I definitely don't have a problem with it- it'll be quick and easy. I then realize he had just asked me a question and was probably waiting for a reply.
"Nothing seaweed brain, I'm just a bit tired." I say the first thing that comes to my mind.
"It's quite late, we should all go to sleep now" he says looking at me with concern.
"Right. Sleep. Goodnight guys." I quickly say before running back to my room, closing the door behind me. I lean my back on the door, and release a sigh.
I could tell him tomorrow also right? It's pretty late now, he said so himself. He's probably tired now of all the work and shopping he did today. I'll tell him tomorrow morning.
I close my eyes and groan. I'm stalling, I know, but I need some time. I go to sleep promising myself to tell him everything tomorrow morning the first chance I get.
What I didn't know was I may never get the chance.