Sorry for the untimely updates… that's AAZ back from the dead again. I've just been struggling to decide what I want to do with my life you know? Many of you guys probably know I'm going back to school in the fall but then there's also one more option for me which is to join the Marines and honestly it was something I've considered for a while. But of course… I'm just completely lost. But I'm allowed to feel lost right?

Anyways how was the entire summer for all of ya'll?

Junior Year (1)

The bell rang not a second too soon as I finished up my last problem.

"And that concludes our class today. Don't forget to read the assigned pages for homework today and make sure to write the outline for your essay tonight. I will be collecting it first thing in the morning." Mr. Brunner said as he turned off the projector.

I walked out the door to be greeted by the voice of my best friend, "Always the last one out as usual."

I grinned and felt an arm reaching for my own before he kissed me. "You're surprised Seaweed Brain?"

Percy shrugged and reached for my books but as usual I pushed his hands away. "So, what are you up to?"

"There's a meeting for all officers after school." I sighed.

"Today too?" Percy grumbled as he walked me to my next class.

Ever seen my mother's death, I've been staying more at Percy's house than at my own. My dad remarried last year to someone that I totally despised and they had twins... how great.

I grinned, "You can come with…" I suggested.

Percy held up his hand, "I'll ask Coach Hedge to open up the swimming pool, just come find me when you finish."

"Aww come on," I teased him.

Percy shook his head, "No way, I am not going back in there."

"He's just your mom's boyfriend, Percy."

Percy shushed me and cautiously looked around, "Shhh! People can hear!"

I laughed. "You're way too paranoid."

"Paul's a nice guy… but it's just awkward okay? Just please…" Percy begged. I couldn't help but smile, remembering the last time when Percy was unfortunately dragged into the leadership meeting and was fidgeting the whole entire time because he was afraid that Mr. Blofis would be asking about his mom.

"Okay, Mr. I'm-So-Scared-Of-Awkwardness." I grinned and pushed him away. "Now get out, I have class to get to."

Percy raised an eyebrow, "We have the next class together, don't try to push me away." Without warning, the Seaweed Brain grabbed my books and led us to the gym

~AFTERSCHOOL~

"Dude, it's not that hard! You tell her you and that's that." The familiar voice of Grover Underwood said as I made my way to the pool.

"Grover, it's not that easy, you know how she is." Another voice, that I recognized immediately as Percy answered.

I raised an eyebrow. Percy likes someone? Why didn't he tell me this? I was about to walk in and call out the Seaweed Brain on this, when Percy's voice continued.

"Annabeth is my best friend-"

Grover coughed as if Percy's words offended him.

"Okay, she's one of my best friend." I could imagine Percy rolling his eyes. "As much as I like her, I don't want to ruin whatever it is that we have."

"Obvious sexual tension." Grover said with a laugh.

"Shut up man."

"You've kissed before." Grover pointed out.

"Well… yeah but that probably meant nothing to her." Percy groaned. "You know what, never mind what I said."

It didn't occur to me that Percy was walking in my direction until it was too late. I quickly stumbled to rush away from the door but instead fell flat on my butt. "Annabeth?" Percy said with a surprised look on his face.

I stared up at him and managed a weak smile, "Percy…?"

"Percy what the hell- oh." Grover appeared next to him and seem to understand the situation.

"Hey Grover." I nodded in the older boy's direction.

"Hey Annabeth." Grover bleated nervously. "I'm just going to go to schoo- home. Yes home. You guys talk." He quickly scrambled to get out.

We walked out in silence out of the school.

I knew Percy wasn't going to say anything, "You like me?"

"No." He affirmed.

"No?"

"I mean yes."

"So?"

"Does it matter Annabeth?" He said tiredly.

"It does matter. You are my best friend. We can't. Not us. Not romantically. I can't lose you." I said quietly.

"Do you like me?" Percy asked cautiously.

"You're my friend. I like you more than anyone else in the world." I replied with a safe answer.

Percy nodded as if he understood my answer while I'm left hanging to think if I even answered the question correctly. Damn Percy for making me unsure of everything. "Percy I'm not-"

Percy stopped me. "Look I get it. I'm not some middle school kid with a life-threatening crush. I just like you. That is it. We're best friend and it's bound to happen sometime."

"But we're not going to work as a couple…" I said slowly.

"That's what you think-"

I gave him a look and he backed away.

"Okay, okay. Just… forget any of this ever happened okay?" Percy decided. I couldn't help but felt a pang of disappointment.

"Percy-"

Percy looked at me for a second, a look of regret flashed through his eyes, "Best friend card." He said quietly.

I stared at him for a second, understanding immediately what he had meant. "Percy you can't expect me to forget-"

"Best friend card." He insisted stubbornly.

Hesitantly I nodded. "Best friend card."

Percy forced out a smile, "I'm going to start walking home now. Are you coming over today?" Percy asked as if nothing had happened.

"I think…" I hesitated. The first time I ever hesitated in front of my best friend. "I'm going to go home early today. My dad said he needed help with something." I said quickly. The first time I ever lied to my best friend.

Percy nodded in understanding, probably realizing that the two of us need to put some space between us. "Okay." He cautiously looked at me. "We are okay right?"

I forced a smile on my face. "Of course."

I knew we weren't okay though. Whatever Percy had confessed to Grover today gave me a feeling of fear. Percy was the only permanent thing in my life and now I could feel him slipping away.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked.

"Yeah." I replied.

He pulled me into a hug before kissing me on the lip. As if on instinct I returned it before I felt Percy pulling away. "Sorry. I was- that was just- and-"

"It's fine." I said quietly looking down at the floor biting down on the side of my lip.

"I'll call you tonight?"

'Yeah."

Percy stood there as if unsure of what to do. "Okay." He scratched his head nervously before turning away.

I probably already knew that I won't be seeing my best friend for a while.

~PAGEBREAK~

That night I saw my phone rang. True to his word, Percy did call me. I covered my hand over my phone for a brief second before pressing the End button.

Bleep

I glanced over to see that Percy had left a voicemail. Cautiously I opened up the voicemail, "Hey Annabeth… It's Percy, well obviously it's me, who else would it be right?" He cleared his throat. "Anyways, I guess you are sleeping at the moment. Big test tomorrow right?" He chuckled a bit nervously. I know that he knew that I had no test tomorrow since Percy Jackson has made it his purpose to find out my whole schedule at the beginning of the year. "I'll walk with you tomorrow morning? Or… well just text me when you wake up tomorrow then. Well, night Wise Girl."

I didn't call him the next morning.

I promise the update will come within the next week! YES PROMISE! Okay but yeah, Read, review, and yeah :DDDD

AAZ Out!