Hi! i don't know why I don't feel like writing so often now... Should I stop? Ok, ok, only joking! ;) I'll never leave this story alone...It's my first and the best I've written as yet! Well, I'll stop so you can read the story.. :D Happy Reading!

Everyone was busy in their last minute packing. After everything was set and done, they gathered together in the hall and started to leave. There was a lot of chattering. After the conversation with Piper, Annabeth had freshened up and changed into new clothes. She wore a multicolored checkered half-sleeved shirt with a hoodie and jeans. It was her favorite. She was glad she was finally going on the trip she had so long looked forward to.

As she was going down the stairs, Annabeth bumped into Percy. "Hi!" She called out to him.

"Hi, Annabeth! All ready?" Percy replied, cheerfully.

"Yup." She responded, popping the 'p'.

Percy grinned."Then, let's go."

With Percy alongside, Annabeth walked to Piper and Hazel, who were standing ready with their bags. "If we're sleeping four by four, I'll want you guys and Reyna. If we're sleeping two by two, we'll have to decide."

Piper loved this kind of talk and she replied cheerily."Sure! If we're two by two, can I come with you?" She asked Annabeth.

Percy rolled his eyes, and left the girls to join Jason and Nico. He was surprised to find Nico in a cheerful mood, talking to Frank."Hey, Nico! What's up with you? No offence. What I mean is you've never talked so much in your life!"

Nico replied smoothly."Guess, I got bored, Jackson. Or got up from the wrong side of the bed. Up to you to decide."

Percy grinned. Well, this trip will surely do good to us. He chatted to Jason for a few minutes while the girls had their own discussions. Then, Thalia's voice rang out, in an excited and fake-horrified voice,"Guys! We have to go NOW or we'll be too late! We do want to go to the trip, yes?"

Everybody shouted loudly,"YES!"

They set off laughing to each other and soon reached the college gates where the buses had parked already. They followed some people who had just entered and reached the place where the others were gathered.

Annabeth, suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to bring a bottle of water. But by the time she realized it, it was too late to return home. So, instead she decided to go to the nearby shop to get one. She paid the money and was walking towards her friends, when someone whistled and called out."Looking good, Annie!" Annabeth turned to find Luke grinning at her, at a distance of some meters. She frowned and turned back again, ignoring him. She started to walk away, faster, because she didn't want to get Luke alone, now of all times.

Luke ran to catch up with her."Hey, Annie! What's the hurry? There's still some time for the trip, you know. We could..."

"Shut up, Luke!" Annabeth said, snapping at him, sidestepped him and walked away. But Luke still didn't give up. "Aww! You're angry at me, are you? Come on! If I did something wrong forgive me?"

Exasperated, Annabeth glared at him one last time and ran towards her friends, who had come into her vision. Or she would've if Luke hadn't caught hold of her wrist. He pulled her back,hard, Annabeth shooting daggers at him all the time."Let. Go. Of. Me." Annabeth said, slowly, but didn't hide her anger.

"What if I say no?" Luke challenged her, grinning all the time.

Annabeth had had enough. Her patience, no longer standing this, she gave Luke a slap on the face. Immediately, in shock, he loosened his grip on her and she ran in full speed towards the others.

Percy saw her running towards him and smiled,"Hey! Doing some exercise?" His smile vanished when he saw Luke coming from behind. Annabeth, looked around too, noticing Percy's expression. Her face didn't show a tinge of regret or guilt.

Luke came up to her with an angry face. "You.. You dare to.."

Percy didn't let him continue. He put his hand between the two and pushed Luke away."Woah. Calm down. You can't talk to her like that." His tone sounded calm but had a dangerous edge to it. Luke was still boiling in anger. Annabeth stood there with folded hands, with a "So what?"kind of expression on her face.. Jason and Nico noticed the scene and came to see what had happened.

Percy, meanwhile, turned to Annabeth."What happened?"

Annabeth shrugged."He bugged me, so I slapped him."

Percy grinned, thinking, What a dare devil! Luke turned to him, grabbing Percy's collar. "Something funny to you?"

Percy grabbed Luke's hands and pulled them off his shirt."Hey, easy, man. I don't want my nice shirt to be spoiled. It's good unlike yours, looks like it's out from the gutter!."

Jason, Annabeth and Nico, snickered, standing behind Percy, ready to pounce on Luke if he dared to fight. Luke understood he couldn't defeat Percy right now; he had got Jason and Nico to hold his back. He glared at Annabeth one last time."I'll get you for this. I'll get you. Remember that, Annabeth."

Annabeth didn't even flinch and maintained her demure expression till Luke had disappeared. Percy turned to her grinning."Wow! That.. was awesome! You actually dared to.."

Annabeth walked towards him cutting him off mid-sentence."Percy Jackson. Just 'coz I'm a girl, doesn't mean I can't do what's daring. Remember." She walked straight across him to where Piper and Hazel were standing, without even stopping in front of him.

Jason clapped Percy on the back."Dude, she's pretty cool! She didn't even need to you to help!" Percy nodded, speechless.

He turned towards the group of girls who were now chatting. His eyes stopped on Annabeth, who was laughing, a laugh that sounded so wonderful. He smiled and went on, looking ahead to the trip, which, unknown to him, could get a lot more than fun.

Oooooh Finally! I didn't edit this chapter for days and I was feeling so guilty! Seriously, nowadays I'm feeling like no one reads my stories... So if you are reading this right now.. Comment what you think about the story! :) It warms my heart and fills it with excitement, whenever I get a new review! So, this is a REQUEST pleeeeaasseee review! Thank you so much for supporting me till now.. and I hope I'll be able to please you further...

Btw.. Just like a sneak peak thingy... There is gonna be romance but things are not gonna work out. They get worse.. So, think about it.. Maybe you'll figure out what happens later in the story!