Hey, it's been a while—about two years—but I'm back! Before diving into new stories, I want to fully rewrite and complete my previous one. If you enjoyed the first chapter, I recommend checking it out!
In this story, we're disregarding all plotlines that come after the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. The events take place about a year later, with both Annabeth and Percy now 17 years old and in their junior year of high school.
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Percy Jackson finally has something close to a normal life—or at least as normal as it can get for him. He attends Goode High School and has a solid group of friends, all of whom are good people. But no matter how much he likes them, they'll never compare to the friends he's made at camp. It's a harsh truth, but it's the truth nonetheless.
Percy smiles to himself, thinking about his friends back at camp. In just a few months, he'll get to see them again, and he can hardly wait. He's excited to reunite with Grover and even Nico, but the person on his mind the most is his best friend, Annabeth.
Annabeth currently attends a boarding school just 25 minutes away from Percy's apartment, but despite the short distance, he barely sees her. She's always busy with school, her new friends, and now—volleyball. But at least that gives him an excuse to see her.
Percy is her biggest supporter, never missing a single game. He loves watching her play—unlike her father, who hasn't even called her back in two months. On the court, Annabeth is ruthless and laser-focused, completely in her element. And then there's the spandex—Percy had never seen her wear anything like it until her first game, and let's just say, it was…unexpected.
Percy knows it's wrong to think about his best friend that way, but part of him doesn't care. He's never been the type to check girls out, never obsessed over relationships or even sex. Sure, he's watched porn before, but it never really did much for him. He'd rather wait for the right girl to come into his life than waste hours in front of a screen.
Percy's relationship with Annabeth is complicated. Their friendship is stronger than ever, and they've grown even more comfortable around each other. Before the war, Annabeth would have killed him if he so much as put his arm over her shoulders or his hand on her waist. But now, when he does, she leans into his touch. Percy doesn't know why he does it, but sometimes he just can't help himself.
Sometimes, Percy finds himself thinking back to the time Annabeth kissed him in the labyrinth. Back then, there was so much happening that he couldn't fully process it. But now, with the war over and all the major threats behind them, Percy occasionally finds himself replaying that moment in his mind.
Percy often wonders why Annabeth kissed him in the labyrinth. Was it because she thought he was going to die, or does she kiss all of her friends in intense moments? Has she kissed Grover or Travis Stoll? Or maybe—just maybe—did she kiss him because she has feelings for him? If she does, why hasn't she acted on them? The uncertainty lingers in his mind, and he's left to ponder the meaning behind that kiss, especially now that everything has calmed down.
Sure, their shoulders brush when they sit next to each other now, and sometimes she'll grab at his shirt when she wants his attention or hold his hand for a brief moment. They never used to do that before the war, and even Percy can tell something has changed between them.
He just wishes he could live inside her brain for a day and crack the code. Then again, living in her brain would probably mean a lot of math—and Percy's not exactly a fan of math. So, maybe not the best idea after all.
Percy knows that right now, Annabeth's at volleyball practice and, after that, she'll probably head to the library to study. Luckily, they both have phones, so they can text or call each other whenever they want without worrying about drachmas. They're both aware of the dangers of having phones, especially since they've encountered monsters because of them, but they're willing to take the risk. After everything they've been through, they just want a little bit of normal in their lives, and they're ready to face the consequences if it means staying connected.
While daydreaming about Annabeth, Percy hears his phone ding with a notification. He sits up on his bed, reaching for his phone on the nightstand.
It was a text from the group chat he's in with his four friends from school. Tanner, Zane, Faye, and Dylan are just about the only people Percy can truly stand. Their group dynamic works well, and they've long accepted the fact that Percy has a mysterious past he refuses to talk about.
The text was from Faye, and it read: "Hey losers, Rex is hosting again tonight and there's gonna be a shit ton of alcohol. Dylan, bring your bong, I have weed. This shit is about to be so hype."
Before Percy could start typing, Dylan responded: "Hell yeah, Faye, we're about to get fucked up tonight. Zane, Tanner, you in? And Percy, we all know you only drink occasionally and refuse to smoke, but you better be there."
Percy cracked a smile at Dylan's text. After Gabe left his life, Percy had decided that drinking was like the devil and vowed he would never do it—same with smoking. Over the years, he's come to terms with his past and started to heal from the trauma Gabe had caused. Last year, he picked up his first beer, and now he can drink occasionally, but not much. He doesn't want to lose control, especially with the constant threat of monsters lurking around.
His friends understand that he doesn't like to drink much, and they never force him to. They enjoy his presence, whether he's drunk or not, and that's something Percy appreciates every day.
Percy thinks for a moment. Does he really want to go to a party tonight? He's only been to one other, and he spent most of the night hiding from Layla Xan. She's the most obnoxious girl Percy has ever met. Since the start of his junior year, she's made countless advances, to the point where Percy's starting to consider getting a restraining order on her.
He starts typing out a response when his phone dings again, this time with a notification from Annabeth.
The text reads: "Hey, Seaweed Brain, I'm out of practice and was wondering if you'd want to do a movie night? I found a pretty good horror movie I've been dying to watch."
Percy thinks for a moment and realizes—just maybe—he might have a tiny crush on his best friend. His face immediately lights up, and without a second thought, he opens her text. He replies, "Duh, get over here," and then puts his phone down on his bed, his heart racing a little.
It looks like he's made his decision. His friends might be a little disappointed that he's declining yet another invitation to a party, but they won't be surprised. Percy would rather eat pizza in the dark, watching a scary movie with Annabeth, than be surrounded by a bunch of drunk teenagers.
Several minutes go by as Percy waits patiently for her reply, but when it doesn't come, he finds himself feeling oddly sad. It's strange, considering he's going to see her later. He picks up his phone again and types a response to the group chat: "Sorry guys, made plans with Annabeth."
"Bro, even I'm going, and I have work tomorrow morning," Tanner replies. "I wanna meet this hot blonde you've been talking about."
"Yes, please bring her, Percy. I'm sick of being the only girl in this friend group. You guys drive me insane," Faye comments. "Also, Zane, are you coming???"
Percy thinks that bringing Annabeth to a party would be the worst thing ever. They're super close, as they've established, but they never talk about drinking, smoking, or their social lives in that way. Sure, they talk about their lives, but not to the point where he knows what she does outside of their friendship—or if she drinks or smokes. But let's be real, it's Annabeth. Of course, she doesn't drink.
"I'll talk to her about it. What time does it start?" Percy texts anyway. He doesn't want to give them false hope, but part of him is curious to see if Annabeth would even want to go.
Percy decides it's time to stop daydreaming and waiting for Annabeth to reply. He places his phone on the bed and stands up, stretching for a moment before walking out of his room in search of something to do.
His mom and Paul are currently on vacation, a gift from Paul's parents, which was very kind of them. Percy will be home alone for the next four days. Most teenagers would be excited to have the place to themselves, but Percy mostly just worries if they're okay. It's a constant thought in the back of his mind.
He first walks over to the small living room and picks up several blankets that were sitting on the floor, folding them and placing them onto the couch. Then, he grabs the old, used paper plates he had eaten with earlier and tosses them into the trash in the kitchen.
Percy is a messy person by nature, but he knows Annabeth likes an organized and clean environment. So, he does one of the most boring and horrible things ever—cleaning. It's a small sacrifice, but he figures it'll be worth it when she sees how neat everything is.
He spends the next 15 minutes cleaning the kitchen and living room. As he works, his mind drifts to the idea of ordering a pizza. He's learned that Annabeth has several favorite foods she gravitates toward—pizza with pepperoni, lobster, and chocolate ice cream. He smiles at the thought, figuring that a pizza might be the perfect choice for their movie night.
After finishing up with the cleaning, Percy grabs his phone again, debating whether to text Annabeth about the pizza or just surprise her. He quickly pulls up the group chat to see if anyone has messaged him in the last few minutes.
His friends have been texting back and forth, but none of them have said anything important. He shifts his focus to Annabeth's number and types out a quick message: "Hey, I was thinking about ordering pizza. What do you want on it?"
He hesitates for a second before hitting send.
Percy sets his phone down on the counter, glancing at the clock on the wall, as if he could understand it. He wonders if Annabeth will take long to reply, and the thought makes him a little impatient. As he waits, he takes in the stillness of the apartment, enjoying the quiet after all the cleaning.
His phone dings, breaking the silence. He quickly picks it up and grins when he sees Annabeth's message: "Pepperoni sounds perfect."
He taps out a quick reply: "Great, I'll order it now. See you in a bit?"
He hits send before he can second-guess himself. The thought of Annabeth coming over soon makes him feel a mix of excitement and anticipation.
Percy leans back against the counter, waiting for her response. He taps his fingers absentmindedly on the edge of his phone, his thoughts wandering back to their movie night plans. A part of him can't shake the feeling that tonight might be different, but he pushes it aside, focusing on the small, comfortable moments he's come to appreciate with Annabeth.
The phone buzzes in his hand, and he quickly checks it, relieved to see her message: "Perfect, I'll be over soon!"
With a grin, Percy starts to order the pizza, his fingers moving quickly on the screen. As he confirms the order, he pauses, realizing Annabeth never mentioned what movie they'd be watching. He types a quick follow-up message: "By the way, what movie is it?"
He hits send and places his phone down on the counter, then heads toward the living room to get things set up. He arranges the blankets and cushions on the couch, making sure everything looks inviting. He checks the TV, making sure it's ready to go. The anticipation builds, and he can't help but smile. Tonight's going to be a good night.
Percy finishes setting up the living room, adjusting the pillows just right and making sure there's enough space for both of them to relax comfortably. As he straightens up, his phone buzzes again. He grabs it quickly, excited to see Annabeth's reply.
"It's called The Haunting of Bly Manor," she texts. "I heard it's really good, and I've been wanting to watch it for a while."
He smiles, his thumb quickly typing back: "Sounds awesome. Can't wait."
He leans back against the couch, waiting for the pizza to arrive. Despite the laid-back atmosphere, a strange feeling of nervousness settles in his stomach. It's nothing new—he's spent time with Annabeth countless times, but tonight feels different. He can't quite put his finger on why, but something about the way they've been acting around each other lately makes him wonder if tonight could be the start of something new.
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Percy jumps up, a little too eager, and rushes to the door to grab the pizza. As he opens it, he's greeted by the delivery driver, who hands over the warm, steaming box. Percy quickly pays, his excitement building once again.
He carries the pizza into the living room and sets it down on the coffee table just as he hears Annabeth's knock at the door. His heart beats a little faster as he opens it to find her standing there, looking effortlessly perfect, her bag slung over her shoulder.
"Hey, Seaweed Brain," she says with a smile, stepping inside.
"Hey, wise girl," Percy responds, grinning. He steps aside to let her in, feeling the familiar warmth of her presence fill the room. As she kicks off her shoes and settles onto the couch, Percy hands her a slice of pizza.
"Ready to get scared?" he asks, trying to hide the nervous energy he feels.
She laughs as she leans back into the couch, settling in with a relaxed sigh. Percy can't help but stare at her for a moment, noticing the way the soft light from the lamp casts a warm glow on her features. She's wearing tight black leggings that flare slightly at the bottom, highlighting the long, toned lines of her legs. The oversized purple hoodie she's wearing drapes casually over her frame, the fabric falling just right, giving her a cozy yet effortlessly stylish look. Her hair, which she usually keeps tied up, is down today, cascading in natural, voluminous curls that frame her face perfectly. Percy notices how the curls bounce with every slight movement, catching the light in a way that makes her look even more stunning. A few strands of hair fall softly around her face, giving her a carefree, relaxed look. Her lashes are coated with mascara, making her eyes stand out more than usual. It's not unusual for Annabeth to wear makeup these days, but tonight, it's the little things—the way she looks so at ease, so herself—that make her seem even more captivating. Over the past year, they've both changed—Percy has changed more mentally, learning to deal with his past, while Annabeth has changed more physically, radiating a new confidence in herself that only adds to her undeniable beauty.
She snorts as she takes a bite out of her pizza, a small, amused laugh escaping her lips. "Oh, please. You know I don't get scared," she says with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She then tilts her head, glancing at Percy directly, a teasing look in her eyes. "I won't be surprised if you hide under the blanket, though."
He rolls his eyes in response, his voice dripping with mock offense. "You know I'm a very sensitive man," he says dramatically, clutching his chest as if wounded. "Please, apologize for hurting my feelings."
Annabeth chuckles, shaking her head at his antics. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Percy," she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she pats him on the back in exaggerated sympathy. "I didn't mean to crush your delicate little heart."
Percy grins, playfully swatting her hand away. "It's fine," he says with a mock sigh, straightening up and pretending to regain his composure. "I'll survive. But just remember, if I scream during the movie, it's your fault."
Annabeth smirks, clearly enjoying the banter. "I'll keep that in mind," she says with a wink, leaning back into the couch as the movie continues.
She winked at him. That's what Percy finds himself focusing on instead of the pizza in front of him or the movie that's starting to play. His mind briefly blanks, the playful gesture sending a strange rush through him that he can't quite place. For a moment, the sound of the movie fades into the background, and all he can think about is the way her eyes sparkled, the subtle curve of her lips as she looked at him.
Shaking himself out of the daze, Percy grabs his pizza, taking a bite to try and focus on something else. But even as he chews, he can't help but steal glances at her, his thoughts racing. Was it just a friendly wink? Or was there something more behind it? He forces himself to look away, but the question lingers in his mind, distracting him from the movie playing in the background.
After a minute, Percy can practically feel Annabeth's head turning as she finishes her first slice of pizza. "Why do you keep looking at me?" she laughs, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. "Do I have sauce on my face?"
Percy blinks, caught off guard, and quickly looks down at his pizza. "What? No, no sauce. Just, uh—" He trails off, not quite sure how to explain why he's been staring at her so much.
Annabeth raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, but before she can press further, she adds, "Also, can I turn off the light above us? It's not a scary movie if it's bright."
"I was just thinking about the war," he grimly says, which is a total lie he pulled out of his ass, but it's a good excuse for why he keeps looking at her. He quickly adds, trying to play it off, "You know, just… all the stuff that happened. It's hard to not think about it sometimes."
He forces a casual smile, hoping she buys the excuse, but inside, he's cursing himself for not being able to come up with something less obvious.
"Stay where you are, I'll turn the light off," Percy finally decides to say, his voice a little hesitant. He gets up, walking over to the light switch, and flicks it off. The room falls into a dim glow from the TV, making everything feel a little more mysterious, and the eerie soundtrack of the movie starts to fill the space. He quickly returns to his seat on the couch, trying to ignore the tension in the air.
Annabeth shifts slightly, her eyes still focused on the screen, but her voice softer when she speaks. "So… you were thinking about the war, huh?" she says, her tone casual, but there's an underlying weight to it. "It's been a while now, but I guess the memories still pop up sometimes, huh?"
Percy pauses for a moment, taking in her words. He nods slowly, his gaze flickering to the TV but not really seeing it. "Yeah," he says quietly. "I mean… it's not like you can just forget about it, right? All that stuff we went through… it kinda sticks with you."
Annabeth lets out a soft sigh, turning her head slightly to look at him. "I get it. Sometimes I'll be doing something completely normal, and then… boom, it hits me again. The fights, the choices we had to make. It doesn't go away easily."
Percy shifts on the couch, the words heavier in his chest than he expected. "It's weird, you know? How much we had to grow up so fast. We were just kids, but we had to fight like adults."
"Yeah, well, we didn't have much of a choice," Annabeth replies with a small shrug, but her voice is steady, firm. "The world doesn't always give you a choice. But we did what we had to do."
Percy meets her gaze for a brief moment, and there's an understanding between them—unspoken, but deep. The war might be over, but the scars, both physical and emotional, are still there, lingering in the background of their lives.
Annabeth gives a soft laugh, though it's more of a breath than anything. "But hey, at least we made it through. I'm sure we'll be fine. We always are."
Percy forces a smile, nodding in agreement, but inside, he knows the weight of it all isn't something they can just shake off. "Yeah," he says quietly. "We always are."
The conversation lulls for a moment as they both turn their attention back to the movie. The eerie soundtrack fills the room, and the tension on screen begins to build. Percy shifts a little on the couch, trying to settle into the eerie atmosphere of the horror movie, though his mind still lingers on the conversation. He looks over at Annabeth, who seems completely immersed in the film, her eyes locked on the screen, her body slightly tensed in anticipation.
The movie's protagonist, a young woman exploring an abandoned house, enters a dark hallway. The tension in the room rises as the character hears a faint noise coming from behind a door. Percy feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle in anticipation. Annabeth's grip on the blanket next to her tightens as the suspense builds.
"Please don't open the door…" Percy murmurs under his breath, unable to hold back the comment.
Annabeth glances over at him, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "You know, it's not going to be the same if you keep talking through it," she teases. "Just enjoy the suspense."
Percy rolls his eyes but can't help but smile, his nerves slowly easing as he focuses back on the movie. The character in the film hesitates before turning the doorknob, and the room grows even quieter, the silence only broken by the sounds of their breathing.
Suddenly, the door creaks open, and a loud bang echoes through the room, followed by a terrifying screech from the character on screen. Percy jumps, his hand instinctively reaching for the blanket, and Annabeth lets out a soft chuckle, clearly unbothered by the jump scare.
"You're really not good with horror movies, are you?" she teases, her eyes glinting with amusement.
Percy gives her a half-grin, his heart still pounding. "I'm fine," he lies, trying to mask the fact that his pulse is still racing. "Just… wasn't expecting that."
Annabeth raises an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Uh-huh. Sure, Seaweed Brain."
The movie continues, the plot growing darker as strange noises and eerie figures start to haunt the protagonist, but Percy can't help but feel a little more at ease with Annabeth beside him. Despite the terrifying scenes unfolding on the screen, it's the quiet comfort of being together, sharing these small moments, that makes the night feel a little less overwhelming.
Percy shifts on the couch, his gaze flickering over to Annabeth, who's engrossed in the movie. After a few moments of quiet, he finds himself wondering about her life outside of their shared adventures. He knows a little about her volleyball practices, but he's never really asked her how school has been going.
"Hey," he starts, his voice cutting through the silence. "How's school been for you lately? And the volleyball stuff too? You've been practicing a lot."
Annabeth briefly glances at him, her lips curling into a small smile before she turns her attention back to the screen. "It's been okay. A lot of work, but you know I can handle it," she says, sounding casual but with that usual determination in her voice. "Volleyball has been taking up a lot of time. I've been working hard at it, but I'm getting better. It's been fun, actually."
Percy nods, interested. "I know you've been practicing a lot. I've seen you at every game, and you look pretty fierce out there," he says, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "How's the team?"
She raises an eyebrow, a faint smirk on her face. "The team's great. We've been winning most of our games. It's been nice to have something normal, you know? With everything else going on, volleyball is a nice break."
Percy grins. "I can't believe how much you've improved. You always put your all into everything you do. I'd be surprised if anyone could keep up with you."
Annabeth gives a modest shrug, but Percy can tell she's pleased. "I don't know about that, but it feels good to have something I can just focus on. You know, no monsters, no quests… just the game."
Percy shifts a little on the couch, considering her words. "I'm glad you have that. You deserve some normalcy, especially with everything you've been through."
Annabeth meets his eyes for a moment, her expression softening. "Thanks, Percy. It's been nice. But what about you? How's school been treating you?"
Percy leans back, staring at the screen but not really seeing it. "Same old. I try to keep out of trouble, but somehow it always finds me anyway," he says, his voice wry.
Annabeth laughs lightly. "Yeah, I think you might be the troublemaker, not the other way around."
Percy laughs, shrugging. "Could be. But at least I've got you to keep me in line, right?"
Annabeth smiles, her gaze softening. "Yeah, I've got you too."
In that moment, Percy's phone starts blowing up again, buzzing loudly on the coffee table between them. He glances at it, groaning inwardly. He knows it's probably his friends, trying to convince him to go to the party.
Annabeth looks over at him, eyebrow raised. "You gonna answer that?"
Percy hesitates, then picks it up, seeing multiple notifications from the group chat. He sighs, glancing at Annabeth. "It's just my friends, trying to get me to go to some party."
Annabeth smirks. "And you're not going, right?"
Percy hesitates again, then shrugs. "I mean, I wasn't planning on it. But… would you want to go?"
Annabeth looks at him, surprised for a moment, then laughs lightly. "You want me to go to a party with you?"
He nods, feeling a little awkward but also a bit hopeful. "Yeah, I mean, if you wanted to. You don't have to, of course. It's just… I don't know, I thought it could be fun."
Annabeth tilts her head, considering it. "I've never really been a big party person," she says slowly, a playful glint in her eyes. "But I guess if it's with you, it might not be so bad."
Percy's heart skips a beat. He wasn't expecting her to actually consider it, but part of him is relieved. "I won't drag you into anything crazy, I promise," he says, giving her a half-smile.
She raises an eyebrow. "I'm not worried about you dragging me into anything. I'm more worried about you getting yourself into trouble."
Percy laughs, grateful for her lighthearted response. "Yeah, fair point."
He places his phone back down, not bothering to check it again. "We don't have to go, though. Honestly, it's not that big of a deal."
Annabeth glances at him thoughtfully, then shrugs. "Maybe we'll think about it later. But for now, let's just enjoy the movie."
Percy puts his phone down, the buzzing stopping as soon as it hits the table. He looks over at Annabeth, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, you're right," he says, leaning back into the couch. "We don't have to think about that right now."
Annabeth gives him a nod, her attention shifting back to the screen as the movie continues. Percy relaxes into the couch beside her, the sound of the movie filling the quiet space between them. For a while, neither of them says anything, just watching the film in comfortable silence. It's nice, he thinks—no pressure, no distractions—just the two of them, sharing a simple evening together.
Around the end of the movie, just as the tension on screen starts to build, Percy's phone buzzes again. He glances at it, seeing that it's Faye calling. He hesitates for a moment, unsure if he should answer, but then he glances at Annabeth, who is completely absorbed in the film.
"Sorry, I should probably take this," he whispers, picking up his phone and swiping to answer before Annabeth has a chance to react.
He puts the phone to his ear. "Hey, what's up?"
"Don't tell me you're chickening out, Percy!" Faye's voice comes through loud and clear, filled with energy. "The party's gonna be lit, and you're not backing out now, are you?"
Percy sighs, rolling his eyes, but he tries to keep his voice low so he doesn't disturb Annabeth. "I'm not chickening out, Faye. I just don't think it's really my thing tonight."
There's a pause on the other end, then Faye lets out a dramatic sigh. "Come on, Percy. You can't be playing the 'perfect angel' routine again. It's just one night. Annabeth's missing out too! You can't just stay home and watch movies all night."
Percy glances at Annabeth, who's still focused on the movie, completely unaware of his conversation. He feels a weird mix of guilt and relief.
"I'll think about it," he mutters into the phone, and before Faye can respond, he quickly adds, "I'm with Annabeth right now."
Without waiting for her reply, Percy hangs up, putting his phone back on the table.
Annabeth turns her head slightly, catching his gaze. "Everything okay?"
He nods, giving her a small smile. "Yeah. Just… my friends being persistent."
Annabeth raises an eyebrow, clearly curious. "So, what's going on? Are you still thinking about going?" she asks, leaning back against the couch, her voice light but teasing.
Percy hesitates for a moment. He wasn't expecting the question, but now that it's out there, he feels like he should tell her the truth. "I mean… I don't really know," he begins slowly. "But, if you wanted to go, I guess I could. Though, just so you know, it's not exactly a quiet night. There's gonna be drinking, probably a lot of it."
Annabeth tilts her head slightly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I'm not exactly a fan of huge parties," she says, choosing her words carefully. "I mean, I don't mind going, but I've never really liked when people drink too much." She meets Percy's gaze, her tone a little softer. "I don't mind a drink every now and then, but not if it gets out of hand."
Percy raises an eyebrow, surprised by her response. He didn't know Annabeth drank at all, but he nods, trying to hide his curiosity. "Yeah, I get that," he says, a little unsure of how to react. "It's not like I want to be surrounded by a bunch of drunk idiots either. But, I guess if you're still up for it, we can just go and leave if things get too crazy."
Annabeth gives him a small smile, nodding. "I'll go if you do. But we're leaving the moment things get out of hand, deal?"
"Deal," Percy says, feeling a wave of relief.
Both of them stand up, and Annabeth reaches for the light switch, flipping it back on as Percy grabs the pizza box and the paper plates from the coffee table. He starts making his way to the kitchen, balancing the pizza box carefully in his hands. As he places everything on the counter, he glances back toward Annabeth, who's tidying up the living room and adjusting the cushions on the couch.
"Thanks for sticking around," he says, his voice a little lighter now that they've decided on their plans.
Annabeth rolls her eyes, a small grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "I swear, I didn't even bring anything to wear for a party," she mutters. "I should've packed something decent, but instead, I'm just wearing this oversized hoodie and leggings. I don't think that's exactly 'party material,' huh?"
Percy chuckles, shaking his head as he turns to face her. "You'll be fine. I doubt anyone's gonna care about what you're wearing, especially with that attitude."
Annabeth crosses her arms, sighing dramatically. "Still, I feel underdressed. You know me, I like to be prepared. And now I'm just stuck with this." She gestures to her comfy hoodie and leggings combo.
Percy grins, grabbing a few more plates from the cabinet. "Well, if you're that worried about it, you could always just wear a cape and go as a superhero. No one would dare question it."
Annabeth raises an eyebrow, smirking. "A cape, huh? Maybe next time," she teases, walking over to the counter where Percy is now putting the pizza box away.
Percy laughs, shaking his head. "Yeah, I think I'll save that idea for another time. But seriously, you'll be fine. You don't need to worry about what you're wearing."
Annabeth shrugs. "I guess. I just don't want to stick out like a sore thumb." She glances over at Percy, her expression softening. "So, what's the deal with your friends? I don't know much about them, but they seem… interesting."
Percy leans back against the counter, smiling as he thinks about his group. "Yeah, they're a pretty weird bunch, but in a good way. Tanner's the class clown, always making jokes even when it's probably not the right time. Zane's kind of the quiet one, but when he does speak, it's usually something way too deep for any of us to understand. Dylan's… well, he's the wild card. I honestly don't know how he gets away with half the things he says and does. And Faye… she's like the ringleader of it all. A bit bossy, but she's got the energy to back it up."
Annabeth nods, absorbing the details. "They sound… fun. A little chaotic, but fun." She grins. "I guess you're not exactly the wild party type, huh?"
Percy chuckles, shaking his head. "Not really. I mean, I like to hang out with them, but parties aren't really my scene. I think I've had my fill of chaos and mayhem."
Annabeth laughs, nudging him playfully. "You mean you're not in it for the free drinks and questionable decisions?"
Percy rolls his eyes, but his smile is genuine. "Definitely not. I'd rather just be here, with you, watching a movie. Or doing anything that doesn't involve dealing with a bunch of drunk people."
Annabeth's smile softens, and she gives him a knowing look. "I get that. Well, at least I know I'm not going to have to drag you away from the party if it gets out of hand. But… just for the record, you're not the only one who's not into that scene. I can handle it if I have to. As long as it's just the party, not the… chaos that sometimes comes with it."
Percy meets her gaze and nods. "Thanks, Annabeth. Honestly, I feel a lot better knowing you're coming with me. It's always easier when you've got someone who gets it."
She gives him a small smile. "Well, what are friends for, right?"
As they finish talking about his friends, Percy pauses, his expression becoming a bit more serious. He leans against the counter, running a hand through his hair. "Hey, just a heads-up," he begins, looking at Annabeth. "There's one person at these parties you should be careful of—Layla Xan."
Annabeth raises an eyebrow, curious. "Layla Xan? Why?"
Percy sighs, clearly frustrated at the mention of her name. "She's… relentless. Since the start of this year, she's been pretty obsessed with me. Always finding some excuse to get close or make advances, even though I've told her a hundred times I'm not interested."
Annabeth listens intently, nodding as she processes the information. "Sounds like she doesn't take no for an answer."
"Exactly," Percy says, looking at her seriously. "So, just keep your distance if you see her. She can be really pushy, and honestly, it's just annoying at this point."
"Thanks for the warning," Annabeth says, giving him a small smile. "I'll keep my distance. Don't worry about me."
Percy smiles back, relieved. "I just don't want you to be caught off guard. Trust me, she's more trouble than she's worth."
Percy begins to slowly walk out of the kitchen, glancing down at the pizza stain on his shirt. He winces slightly and looks over at Annabeth, trying to sound casual.
"I'm going to go change really quick," he says, gesturing to the spot on his shirt. "I think I got pizza sauce on my shirt."
Annabeth chuckles softly, not at all bothered by the stain. "You're such a mess, Seaweed Brain," she teases, her voice light and amused. "It's fine, but go ahead. I'll wait."
Percy smiles, but his nerves are still there, twisting in his stomach. He nods quickly and heads to his room, hoping to shake off the growing unease as he walks.
As Percy changes, the thought of drinking around Annabeth nags at him. He knows she's not really into it, and he wonders if it'll be awkward. What if she doesn't like the idea of him drinking in front of her? Or worse, what if she thinks less of him for it? He pulls his shirt over his head, trying to push those thoughts aside. It's just a party, he tells himself. They'll have fun. He'll keep it under control.
Percy leaves his room, feeling a bit more put-together after changing. He walks back to the living room, where Annabeth is already standing, waiting for him. She looks up as he enters, giving him a small smile.
"All set?" she asks, her eyes briefly scanning him with a hint of amusement.
"Yeah, just had to get the pizza sauce off," he replies, trying to play it cool, though his nerves are still there.
Annabeth laughs lightly. "You're lucky I'm not making fun of you for it."
Percy chuckles, brushing it off. "I appreciate that."
There's a brief moment of silence, both of them standing there, unsure of the next move. Then Percy grabs his jacket from the couch and slides it on.
"Ready?" Percy asks, his voice a little more steady now.
Annabeth nods, giving him a reassuring smile. "Yeah, let's go."
They both head out the door together, stepping into the cool evening air the second they leave the building. Percy feels a rush of anticipation, but also a bit of uncertainty, as they head toward the party. Whatever happens tonight, he knows one thing for sure—having Annabeth by his side makes everything seem a little less daunting.