Sorry for the delay in uploading his chapter.. But I was quite busy with visitors.. So anyways this is the next chapter in my story.. Hope you like it ! Happy Reading!

Percy was confused. Had he done something wrong? No. At least, he didn't think so. But.. she hadn't even talked properly to him the few last minutes they had been together Since Reyna had left them near the nurse's office. So, what was wrong? He couldn't for the life of him imagine the cause.

He was going to start driving towards his own home when a call interrupted. On checking, he found it was Leo calling.

Oh, great, he thought. Just when I needed to be alone. He picked up the call and before he could even say 'hello!', Leo burst in.

"Hey, Percy, man! Where the hell are you? We searched the whole school but no luck. After our race when I tricked you, I thought you were gonna trick me back. But when you didn't turn up, we got worried. Anyway, where are you?" Leo said at top speed, all of it in one breath.

"Thank you for letting me speak, Leo. Okay, see. I am near An- I just- long story. Tell you afterwards. I am safe and heading towards home. Where are you guys?"

"Yeah, well, we split up. We were getting late for lunch, so we got going. We're heading home too, shortly speaking."

"Great. Bye -"

"Hey, listen. What happened to you, actually, back then? If you don't have time now, we're gonna do a conference call in the evening."

"Right. Tell you then, okay. Now, I've gotta go. Bye."

"Bye. Hey, wait listen. I just-"

"Leo, no more talking. I gotta leave." Percy hung up before Leo could say anything more. He sighed, exasperated.

Now, I gotta explain to Leo, he thought. His mind went back to worrying about Annabeth. Maybe she had just been tired. A very confused Percy headed home.

Reaching home, he found his Mother waiting for him, standing at the doorstep.

"Percy!" She heaved a sigh of relief and wrapped him in a hug. "What happened? You were never so late for dinner before. Is something wrong?"

"Mom!" complained Percy, who was getting really crushed in his mother's bear hug. "I'm seventeen. I am okay. You don't need to get so worried, really."

Sally released Percy from her arms and gazed at her son thoughtfully,"You look distressed. What happened in class? Did it go well?"

How does Mom know when something is wrong with me? He thought incredulously, but did not change his expression. "Well, yea. Sort of. I met my cousins, Nico and Jason-"

"Oh! Were they there too? How nice!" Sally exclaimed in delight.

""Yeah, and I made a friend. Actually, friends." He replied distantly, as he stepped inside the house and kept his bag on the sofa.

His mother frowned,"You must be hungry. Go freshen up. I'll set the dishes till then."

"Thanks, Mom." He smiled at her and made his way upstairs.

Sally was still thinking when Percy came downstairs. He sat down on a chair and his Mom came to sit next to him.

"Okay, spill." His mom demanded.

"Spill what" Came the answer.

"Don't act innocent. I'm your mom. I know when something is wrong with you. Now please tell me what. It might reduce your burden."

Percy hesitated. He was quite open with his mom and didn't want to hide anything from her. Still he sighed,before saying,"It's nothing. I'm fine."

"At least tell me why you're late?" Sally looked expectantly at Percy.

Another sigh."Okay, okay. I'll explain." His mom looked at him, smiling."See, I was racing with a friend, Leo, and then he tricked me. He remained behind but I kept going on for a few seconds until I realized what had happened. In my hurry to look back and shout at him, I bumped into a girl, Annabeth-"

"Oh, so that's what the problem is." Percy tried hard not to go red at this. "You were guilty."

He continued. "Yeah, well. I was. So I helped her to the nurse's office and then dropped her home."

Sally raised her eyebrows at this. "You left her home." She repeated.

"Yea, so?" Percy stared down at his plate containing half eaten vegetables.

"Nothing.. Just very.. gentlemanly of you."

Percy looked up from his plate. He stared at his mom who was trying hard to suppress a smile."What are you trying to say?"

"Nothing. You've... never left anyone home, let alone a girl who you just met that day. I just thought.." She trailed off.

"Mom!" Percy protested, blushing furiously.

"Okay sorry. You must have just felt guilty."

"Yea, that's the reason, nothing else."Said Percy, still blushing. "Can we please change the topic? Please?"

Percy's mom smiled. This sure is the beginning of something. "Sure, honey."

So, this was the chapter sixth. Sorry, it was so short, But it should describe Percy's feelings so.. anyways.. The next chapter will be updated in an hour or so! Please leave your comments/reviews! I need the encouragement! Thank you!