Delancey McAllen's POV

The moment I saw Annabeth Chase, I knew I was dead.

Her hair was honey blonde and curly, making her look dumb from behind, but when she turned around and revealed her eyes, all of my assumptions on her smarts flew out the window.

Those eyes were grey like storm clouds and more calculating than a calculator. They were dark and dangerous- and they were carving trenches wherever their gaze touched me. In a few seconds, I'd be a pile of freshly carved deli meat, ready to be shipped to the store.

Ugh. Bad image, bad image…

As far as I knew, I hadn't done anything wrong. All I did was flirt with a guy, and the next thing I know, I got those terrifying orbs fixed on me.

My first thought was, "I'm screwed."

My second was, "How did I make her mad?"

The next thing I knew, she was laughing.

The guy I was flirting with joined her. His sea green eyes that dazzled me were even more sparkly with tears of mirth swimming in them. His messy black hair got messier still from the force of his enchanting laugh.

Then, wiping away little droplets that escaped, he walked over to Miss Calculating and draped an arm over her shoulder.

His voice was soft and melodic, still stained with laughter, as he said, "Sorry, lady, but Wise Girl right here is the only girl I need in my life."

Blonde-and-not-dumb punched his arm. "Seaweed Brain." What the hell?

He rubbed his arm and said, "Ow," but he was evidently not in any pain. "Why did you punch me, Owl Head?"

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "Because you're a kelp head, Percy."

Percy, huh? More like dreamy.

"Oh, shut it, Annabeth."

And Scary Lady was Annabeth.

Annabeth laughed and looked at me once more. "Sorry, it's just that when girls flirt with my boyfriend-" Damn, I still had some hope up until then… "-it's amusing. He'll never leave me, so it's pointless."

I nodded mutely, my chestnut locks thumping rhythmically against my chest. "Of course, sorry," I muttered. Then, gathering my courage, I looked straight into Annabeth's eyes and said, "You're a lucky girl, Annabeth, to have a guy like him."

For a moment, Annabeth said nothing. Her eyes were lasers, burning into my soul.

Then she smiled. It made her eyes warmer.

"Thanks, uh…?"

"Delancey," I offered. "Delancey McAllen."

She nodded. "Annabeth Chase. You've met my boyfriend, Percy Jackson."

I nodded uncomfortably.

She laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not mad. Most girls who flirt with him are stuck up and try to break us apart, but you're different. I like you. Maybe we could hang out some time."

She wasn't half bad. When she wasn't staring at me, expressionless, she was really nice.

I nodded and returned her smile with one of my own. "I'd like that."

Percy smiled at me. I didn't melt. He was just one fish in the sea, after all. There'd be others, and he had his special someone.

And maybe, just maybe, I'd made a friend.