Hey guys! So I got bit by the When THe Light Shines bug and typed this little baby up. Its a little longer then the last chapter and honestly not my super best but I'm trying to get back into the groove of this story.

Exciting news! My brothers are moving out tomorrow (I'm a flurry of emotions) and that means I won't be so busy trying to help them pack everything. I should update a few times before I go back to school.

Thank you to all who reviewed and corrected my spelling! XD Seriously thanks! I was so tired when I wrote the last chapter. Hopefully there aren't any mistakes in this one!

Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

"The art of being happy lies on the power of finding happiness in ordinary things. Life doesn't force us to be the best. It only asks that we should try."

-Unknown

I slowly lowered myself onto Jay's recliner, mindful of the bowl of fruit loops I was carrying. Alec smiled at me as a good morning while the twins continued to slurp their milk. I grimaced when I noticed neither of them were wearing any pants. Thankfully both had boxers on but I always felt uncomfortable when I saw them practically half naked.

"Why is it that you guys can walk around in nothing but your underwear but when I don't wear pants you all yell at me?" I asked annoyed. Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Because you baby sister are a girl and should always have pants on when around your brothers."

"But what if I wear a long shirt or sweatshirt?" I tried again. "Then you wouldn't be able to tell!"

"Eh." Nick dismissed with a shrug. "Still not okay."

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped when I saw my mom quietly coming down the stairs. Her hair was slightly frizzy from sleep and her eyes seemed unfocused but my attention was focused on her legs; her naked legs. She was wearing on of Jay's large sweaters, the bottom reaching to her knees. She wasn't wearing any pants. I pointed at her excitedly.

"See!" I cheered. "Mom's not wearing pants!"

"I don't have to wear pants in my house if I don't want too." (*) She mumbled tiredly, her feet carrying her to the kitchen. I smirked at my brothers triumphantly. Once she was in the kitchen both boys groaned.

"Why Mommy why?" Nathan asked pitifully. Alex snickered from his spot on the couch and I leaned back in the recliner, fully prepared to take off my pants as soon as I was done with breakfast. As the four of us settled quietly in front of the TV I smiled to myself. This was nice. This was peaceful-

The door opened with a crash as a frantic Jay dove behind the couch.

"Mood-swing!" He cried fearfully. I rolled my eyes and quickly stood up. All the boys in the room paled as a crash sounded from outside.

"Why do I always have to be the one to talk her down?" I asked sadly, glancing at all my brothers. Jay shrugged sheepishly.

"She likes you better?"

"Mom!" I shouted. "Get me the ice cream!"

0~0~0~0~0

"So." Katie asked with a raised eyebrow. "Tell me again why you're surrounded by a thousand cupcakes?"

I sighed as I set down another frosted cupcake. Wiping the white frosting onto my pant leg, I turned to face my opened laptop. Katie had insisted on skyping today and I had promised Sophie I'd help her, so I'm multitasking. I glanced at the clock behind my laptop and sighed. Four O'clock. I started baking at ten this morning.

"Sophie promised to bring cupcakes to this charity event her friend is hosting." I supplied lightly, grabbing another cupcake to frost. Katie glanced up from her book.

"So where is Sophie?"

"Jay's room." I mumbled irritably. "She had a little bit of a mood swing this morning and decided that today all she wanted to do was eat all our ice cream and cry."

Katie raised her eyebrows surprised at my harsh tone. I sighed and reached up to rub my temples. As much as I love Sophie, she could get on my nerves. I was only used to- only comfortable with- having my family here in the house with me. Moving her in was fun at first but I noticed there was always a small part of me that grew annoyed with how often I saw her. It was still taking me a while to get used to her.

"I know it sounds awful but I just wish I had the house to myself again. Only my real family around you know? I love Sophie; I love her more than my brother sometimes but I've never adjusted to change well."

Katie smiled ruefully and nodded understandingly. It went quiet for a few minutes, only the sound of my oven timer going off and my muffled curses could be heard in the kitchen. I jumped when Katie sighed loudly. This time it was my eyebrows that rose in curiosity.

"You okay?"

"Can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah of course!"

"It's about a boy."

I winced and shook my head, my hands coming up to shake in front of the screen. I laughed lightly and continued to shake my head.

"Oh no…no, no." I chuckled. "That isn't my area of expertise."

"You and Percy have been dating for months!" She cried playfully annoyed.

"Yes." I agreed easily, a smile worming its way onto my face at the thought. "But before that I was a pro at pushing boys away."

Katie sighed and pushed out her lower lip slightly. I resisted the urge to cover my eyes. I hated when she pouted at me. Travis had warned me about it; didn't matter who you were, if Katie wanted something and pouted at you to get it, she'd get it. Her eyes got bigger and once I saw them glaze over, I groaned and threw hands up exasperated.

"Gods!" I conceded. "Fine. What's up?"

"Travis asked me out on our first official date."

I smiled brightly and laughed. I'd been waiting all year for this!

"That's great!" I cheered. Katie gave me a bewildered look and shook her head.

"It's terrible!"

"Why? I thought we liked Travis."

"I do! I've waited for this forever! I'm excited."

The backdoor opened and Nathan easily stepped into the kitchen. His eyes widened in glee when he saw all the cupcakes but he eyed me warily as he reached out for one. With an eye roll I handed one to him. I turned back to Katie as he bit into it.

"Okay, so I'm not seeing the problem?"

Nathan's head tilted in confusion before he realized I was talking to Katie. He leaned over the counter to watch her.

"What if its awkward? What if we go out on the date and he realizes he really doesn't like me? He annoys the shit out of me sometimes but it would be awful if he didn't want to hang out anymore!" With a startled gasp, Katie reached up and cupped her mouth in horror. "What if I fart or something on the date and the fumes are so bad he faints!?"

Nathan and I both let out a large snort in amusement as we watched her panic. Nathan smiled at me as he left the room and I rolled my eyes when I noticed he grabbed another cupcake.

"Katie." I started, unable to contain my laughter. "Travis likes you. You two have been best friends for years and this date has been a long time coming okay? I'll come over, help you look perfect and make sure you don't eat any burritos beforehand."

Katie glared at me for a few seconds before the façade ended and she smiled, relived. I smiled to myself when I saw her bedroom window open behind her.

"Oh thank Gods!" She laughed breathlessly. "Seriously, Annabeth you're a lifesaver."

"Is that Annabeth?!" Connor's voice cried from somewhere off screen. I saw Travis slip through the window as Connor shoved Katie off her bed and to the floor.

"Annabeth, hey!" Connor greeted happily. I laughed and waved as Katie hissed from the floor.

"…Bitch." She cursed playfully. I bit my lip to contain my large smile but it effortlessly broke through and I dissolved into a fit of laughter. To try and muffle it, my frosting covered hands reached up to cup my mouth. Connor smiled at me before tssking and looking down at Katie.

"Now Katie." He scolded mockingly. "We wouldn't want you kissing Travis with that dirty mouth of yours!"

"Connor!" Twin voices chorused embarrassed. Connor turned back to grin at me and I shook my head. No matter what, I could always count on them to make me smile.

0~0~0~0~0

"Why is your kitchen a cupcake factory?" Thalia asked as she walked in. I shrugged and covered up the last of the cupcakes. They were all sorted into bins and ready to be taken to the fundraiser tomorrow.

"There for Sophie's charity thing." I mumbled quietly. I washed my hands again, growing slightly irritated by the fact they still felt sticky from frosting. Thalia hummed in acknowledgement before throwing a shirt at me. I glanced down at it and grimaced when I noticed it was a party shirt.

"Um." I drew out uncomfortably. "What?" I asked dryly as I held up the offending item. Thalia smirked at me and started shoving me towards the stairs.

"Normally I don't give two shits about what you wear but tonight – oh ho! – tonight we're partying."

I tried to turn around as she continued to shove me but Thalia was having none of it. She effortlessly pushed me up the stairs, waving at Alex as we passed him and towards the attic stairs.

"I don't like being man handled." I grumbled as she opened my bedroom door. I gave her a look as she tried to shove again. She held her hands up in defense and waited for me to walk into my room, following me as soon as I took a step forward. I rolled my eyes and sat down on my bed. I grabbed my small owl pillow and placed it in my lap. Thalia shut the door behind her and started looking through my closet for something to wear. She and I borrow each other's clothes all the time.

"So are you getting dressed?" Thalia asked impatiently. I shook my head as she held up a yellow shirt against her chest. Yellow wasn't her color.

"No." I replied easily. "I just got done making a million cupcakes and I'm tired. I'm not in the mood to party."

"Seriously Annabeth." Thalia tssked. "You need to get out and party! We're going to be seniors in two months! Don't you want to celebrate?"

"Thalia the parties you and Percy go to are full of people-"

"Like parties should be!"

"-and in case you haven't noticed I'm not so comfortable in crowds."

Thalia sighed and came to sit next to me. She smiled at me lightly and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"I just want you to have a fun summer." She told me sincerely. "I don't want you to regret not doing anything. You don't have to be a home-body. No one will mess with you with me around."

Despite her caring tone and smile I wasn't convinced. Her heart was in the right place and I thanked the Gods I have someone like her in my life but I could feel my skin tingle uncomfortably at the thought of a party. The last party I went to I had to pick up a drunken Thalia and Percy. Raising my eyebrows at the memory and giving her a look Thalia held up her hands.

"I promise not to drink too much okay? One or two cups."

I rolled my eyes.

"You know you shouldn't be drinking at all. You're barely eighteen."

Thalia laughed and held up a dark blue wavy shirt. I nodded in agreement and she easily slipped it on. It complimented her dark hair and pants. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. With a wink she tossed another shirt at me.

"What can I say baby? I'm a rebel!"

0~0~0~0~0

I awkwardly followed Thalia through the large crowd. She cheered when we made our way through all the people and got to our destination; the front door. A graduated senior opened the door and smirked when he saw Thalia and I standing there. Thalia gave him a high five as we walked past him and I managed a weak smile.

I adjusted my shirt self-consciously and sighed when the fabric tickled under my fingertips. Thalia assured me that I looked beautiful but I felt awkward when I looked at all the girls around me. I could see maybe four girls out of the hundred here that wore pants. And even then the pants were skin tight. I glanced down at myself.

My black skinny jeans were a little long and bunched up slightly at the top of my black vans. My sweater was purposefully large and would slide off one of my shoulders if I didn't adjust it. It's a soft grey color with a large black, designed heart in the middle. My favorite white beanie sat on my head while my curls cascaded down my shoulders. I bit my lip as I quietly navigated my way through all the people. I could barely see Thalia rushing ahead of me.

I honestly don't know why I agreed to do this. Thalia just seemed so desperate to help me have fun, I couldn't just say no to her. She was being a good friend. But I'm incredibly uncomfortable and I feel vulnerable under everyone's stares.

Just as I made it to the kitchen I frowned. Thalia was nowhere in sight and I mentally cursed. She promised not to leave my side and not even three minutes here and I lose her. I glanced at the clock; seven thirty. Percy promised to be here at eight. I can make it half an hour. My eyes wandered over everyone in the kitchen, trying to find someone to talk to.

I made eye contact with Shelly Merkin and she glared at me. Tracy Heel wrapped her arms protectively around her boyfriend when I tried to approach them. Her body language was practically screaming for me to go away. I instantly shook my head when I looked over at Colton; he was smirking at me suggestively. With the kitchen as a bust, I slowly walked outside.

The music was even louder once I was consumed in the night air and I wondered why the neighbors hadn't complained yet. Large party lights were wrapped around the railing of the deck and hung from the trees surrounding the yard. They shined too bright; it made it hard to see the stars shining above. I could see drunken kids dancing dangerously close to the open pool and I winced when I saw a few come close to toppling over. I knew no one out here would be sober enough to have a conversation with so I crept over to the far end of the yard and my eyes widened in wonder when I noticed a hammock.

Small, white Christmas lights decorated the trees holding up the hammock and a small table was placed on the right side of it. It was far enough that the music wasn't deafening and almost no one seemed to be paying attention to this side of the yard. No one was around. It was perfect.

I sat down on it slowly, careful not to topple over. The lights seemed to sparkle a little brighter once I was on. I looked up at the sky and sighed when I was able to see the stars. They shined unwavering brightness as they looked down at me. Growing immensely comfortable I started to get lost in thought; my elbows moving forward to rest on my knees as my eyes continued to stare at the night sky.

I wondered how everything seemed to change so quickly. Less than a year ago I'd be right next to Thalia, dancing the night away. I didn't go out partying every weekend but I was never so shy at parties before now. I would walk in the door and be greeted with excited shouts of my name and offers to dance and now…well all I got was cold stares or leering smiles.

I never spent so much time at home before either. Almost any chance I got, I'd be out with Thalia, Jason and Piper doing whatever we felt like doing. Sometimes we wouldn't even have a destination in mind. Jason would drive aimlessly down this long road just on the outskirts of town and Piper and I would be grinning in the back as the wind blew our hair behind us. I felt free.

Now I just feel trapped in a shell of my former self.

It's like my personality completely flipped. I don't like the person I am now; unconfident, shy and scared. I shook my head as I heard someone approaching. I mentally vowed to try and make the most of this summer; I'd start my senior year as the same person I've always been. Annabeth Chase isn't going to be hiding anymore.

"Hey." A warm, breathless voice said, effectively breaking me from my thoughts. I smiled as Percy sat down next to me, the hammock swaying under his added weight. "There you are; I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Oh really?" I teased playfully. Percy grinned and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I smiled to myself when he easily tucked me into his side.

"Yes really." He mumbled into my hair. He kissed my hair lightly and glanced down at me. Wiggling his keys in his hand he gave me a meaningful look. "Ready to go?"

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and I adjusted myself so I could see him better.

"What do you mean? Didn't you just get here?"

"Yeah…" He trailed off slowly before shrugging. "But I mostly came to pick you up. I thought we could watch a movie or something back at the house. Since I'm the best boyfriend ever I figured I'd even let you pick the movie."

Ignoring his large, breathtaking smile I gestured to the party in front of us. People were still dancing around the pool and shouting in joy. It seemed like quite the party. The song changed and soon an upbeat pop song filled the air.

"But…Don't you want to actually enjoy the party?" I asked shyly, a hand coming up to adjust my beanie against my head. "I know you like these kinds of parties."

"Yeah won't deny that." He admitted guiltily. "But I know you don't."

"Well maybe…But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Annabeth I want nothing more than for you to be comfortable. You wouldn't be hiding out here if you were having fun." Percy smiled at me quickly before he stood and offered me his hand. "C'mon I'll take you home."

As I took stood, his hand still intertwined with mine, I glanced around one last time. When Percy noticed my worried look he squeezed my hand.

"Seriously! I'd rather listen to you ramble about Tangled then hear Jason Derulo any day!"

Finally convinced he wasn't upset I smiled and followed him through the side gate and towards his car.

0~0~0~0~0

"This is just for my crack earlier right?" Percy joked as I plopped down next to him, the opening song to Tangled playing.

"Maybe." I grinned teasingly. "Or maybe I've just had a secret obsession to this movie that you never knew about."

Percy rolled his eyes good naturedly as I cuddled into his side. We had the whole house to ourselves. Thalia and Jason were both out and my mom didn't expect me home for a few hours. People's minds seem to wander to the gutter easily and I know how it must seem; a couple of teenagers alone in a house. Percy and I hadn't done anything extreme despite the fact we've been dating for almost a year. The timing's never been right and I don't feel comfortable with the idea. With people thinking I'm a whore, the idea of sleeping with Percy just makes me uncomfortable. I love him but I can't take that step yet.

Percy's eyes were glued to the movie. I gently ran my hand up and down his stomach while he watched. Frowning slowly I placed my head on his shoulder.

Knowing he was here with me, watching a Disney movie, instead of partying like a teenager should made me feel guilty. I felt like he was missing out on fun memories just so I could be happy. His happiness matters too.

"Hey." I whispered quietly. Percy glanced down at me. "I love you."

A warm smile spread across his face and he pulled me closer. I leaned up awkwardly to kiss his cheek gently and his smile somehow grew.

"I love you too."

Interesting facts!

1) My brothers and I all the time fight about pants. They always tell me I can't go pantless around the house but I do anyway... :D Yeah not gonna miss that argument when they're in their new house.

2) My older brother's girlfriend is amazing. I love her so much and I think its great that they are together but just like Annabeth I get easily annoyed with how often she's at my house. One time she stayed over for two weeks merely because she wanted too. It was frustrating. I like my space and it was super hard to get used to the change of having her around. Its the same thing with my second older brothers friends. Two of them literally don't have lives (sounds harsh but its true) and try to like live at my house. They just show up uninvited and eat all our food and stay as long as they can before we have to kick them out (we don't like being mean so it normally takes about two or three weeks) and they don't take hints so we bluntly have to tell them to beat it.

3) You all know I love Tangled. It's like my lifeeee.

Thanks for reading!