A/N: hello people! something happens in this chapter, and there's a bit of Percabeth towards the end which is always fun. enjoyyyy :)

"Did you see the empousa?" Annabeth questioned her boyfriend.

"Yeah, um, any reason why Jess is with you?" Percy said, confused.

"She saw it before I did," she explained.

They walked to a door that led to the courtyard, and Annabeth took out her dagger. Percy uncapped Riptide, and they locked eyes.

"Why do you two have weapons?" Jess asked frantically.

"Just stay here. We'll talk to you once we're done," Annabeth said then opened the door.

"Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Chase. My sisters told me about you two, so I decided to come take care of you myself rather than stay away in fear," she hissed.

"Big mistake," Percy said before charging.

Annabeth really wished that she had her cap with her. It would have given an advantage due to the awful dagger that was in her possession.

While her boyfriend dealt with the empousa, Annabeth attempted to move behind her and gain some element of surprise. Before that could work, however, the empousa had turned to face Annabeth.

"Wrong move," she laughed and hit Annabeth in the chest with such force that she flew backwards and hit her head off of a window that she prayed led to an empty classroom.

"Annabeth!" she heard Percy cry out, but she was too disoriented to look in the direction of his voice.

What seemed like moments later, Annabeth saw both Percy and Jess leaning over her. Her mind was really foggy, so she couldn't really process why.

"How are you feeling," Percy asked, helping her sit up.

"I have a headache, and I feel really nauseous," Annabeth responded.

"Probably a concussion. Jess, stay with her. I have some ambrosia squares in my locker," Percy said then ran off.

"I'm not really sure what's going on or what I just saw," Jess stated. "Are you okay, Annabeth?"

"I'm really tired," Annabeth said and tried to shift back into a laying position. The action only made her head hurt more.

"Well, um, try not to sleep. I think I read that that's not good."

They stayed there in silence until Percy came back.

"Here, Wise Girl. Eat this," Percy instructed while feeding her a small square of ambrosia.

Annabeth still felt a bit disoriented, but the fogginess was beginning to fade.

"Better?" Percy asked.

Annabeth nodded, and he gently kissed her lips.

"Good. Now, we should still probably take you to the nurse. You need to go home and sleep," he said.

"But sleep is bad for concussions. She could go into a coma," Jess protested.

"She's fine. The ambrosia helps. As for now, we need to figure out if you're a demigod or you can just see through the Mist."

"What? I don't understand."

"Are both of your parents in the picture?"

"Yes..."

"Absolutely sure that they are both biologically your parents?"

"Why wouldn't they be?"

"You probably have clear sight, meaning you can see through the Mist."

"What's the Mist?" Jess looked really confused. Annabeth was actually surprised that she wasn't freaking out at all.

"The Mist is what keeps mortals from knowing the truth. Everything about the Greek and Roman myths are true. The gods, either in Greek or Roman form, have children with mortals," Annabeth explained. "We're demigods, Percy and I. The gods might be angry with us for telling you this, but you were going to see some pretty unexplainable things had we not told you."

"You two," Jess paused, "Are half god?"

"Yes, allow me to formally introduce myself," Percy said, sticking out his hand. "Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon."

Jess hesitantly shook his hand then looked to Annabeth.

Annabeth faced her friend and stuck out her hand like Percy did. "Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena."

Instead of shaking Annabeth's hand, Jess shook her head and laughed. "This has to be a joke."

"Explain how I had a concussion moments ago, but now I'm perfectly fine," Annabeth countered.

"Okay," Jess replied, "even if this is true, I'm obviously not supposed to know. Why are you telling me this?"

"You're my friend, and it's not like you're the only mortal to know. Mostly every demigods' mortal parents know. At least this way, you won't hook up with a god and end up being the mortal parent," Annabeth explained.

"Also, the gods won't do anything to the friend of two of the heroes of Olympus," Percy added, apparently trying to be helpful.

"What?" Jess questioned.

"Too soon?" Percy asked Annabeth. She nodded. "We'll tell you some other time. For now, Annabeth needs to go home. You should go back to class."

"I want to come."

"They won't let you. Paul can convince them to let me go with her."

Jess sighed. "Fine, but I'm coming over after school." She then stood up and briskly walked back to class.

Percy grinned and looked at his girlfriend. "So how are we going to get you out?"

"I left calculus screaming and crying. I bet I could keep that up." Annabeth winked at him.

"I'm sure this is the best way to help our flashbacks," Percy laughed. The two stood up and kissed before he asked, "Got some tears ready?"

"Gods, no. I'm actually really happy right now. How dare you make me happy," she joked.

"Ha ha. Think about what you did earlier. I'm not going to ask; just do whatever you did in class," he said while taking her hand.

Annabeth didn't think that she would be able to make herself cry, but she did it. Percy kissed her cheek and gently led her out of the courtyard.

Apparently, Annabeth's psychological problems were much worse than she had previously known because she kept crying. About everything. Nothing in particular. Who knew she could cry so much in one day?

She barely registered Percy talking to the nurse, then the ladies in the front office, then Paul. Before she knew it, Percy was wiping her tears in the front seat of Paul's car.

"Still not okay?" he asked gently.

Annabeth shook her head 'no.'

"We'll figure this out. I promise. For now, we can just go home and not think about anything at all," he said then kissed her cheek.

Malcolm was most likely at class because he was nowhere to be found in the small apartment.

Percy led Annabeth to her room and dug around in her wardrobe before tossing a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt at her.

"You are a god," Annabeth said gratefully then began to change.

"Only half," Percy retorted and quickly averted his eyes.

Annabeth couldn't help but laugh as she finished pulling the shirt over her head.

"How long have we known each other, Perce? You've seen me in much more vulnerable situations than changing out of a school uniform," she laughed while pulling her boyfriend onto her bed.

"Everyone deserves some privacy," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You have to be uncomfortable in that uniform," Annabeth noted.

"I'm fine," Percy replied with a smile.

"I don't believe you. Sit up," she instructed.

Percy did as he was told, and Annabeth soon had his uniform jacket off and tie loosened.

"If I didn't know any better, it would seem like you're trying to get me undressed, Wise Girl," Percy joked.

She took his tie off the rest of the way and hit him with it before pushing him back down.

"I was just trying to help, Seaweed Brain," she laughed.

"Cuddles will help both of us," Percy said.

Annabeth's good mood started to wear off as she remembered the events of the morning.

"Yeah," she agreed then laid down in her boyfriend's arms.

They stayed in a comfortable silence just listening to each other's heartbeats, glad that they were both still alive.

So Jess knows now! Lot's of interesting things happening. As I mentioned last time, chapter 18 will be the one with the presentations. My sister actually wrote part of it, and she's been on my case about posting it. She can't wait to see what you guys think! Now I just have to type it, and it'll be up as soon as possible!

QOTD: Anybody have band camp coming up? I know mine starts next week, and I'm soooo excited because marching band=life

until next time!