Me: Hey yo! So... It's been awhile, huh? Like 14 months while... Heh. Hehe...

Annabeth: I believe this isn't the right time for you to be laughing.

Me: Ah. I guess you're ri-

Percy: Oi! Wazzup, ya dawgs. We're baaaccckkk...! And guess what, we're making a come back! -gets hit- Ouch! What was that for?

Annabeth: You're taking too much line-time.

Percy: Huh? But-

Grover: Line-time? Don't you mean screen-time?

Annabeth: Even though we're on screen, technically, we're still just a bunch of lines composed of words and punctuations here and there.

Grover: -nod- I see your point. We shouldn't be taking too much, especially not some useless Percy-lines.

Percy: Ehh... But-

Annabeth: Just shut it. And you! You're just trying to increase your word count, aren't you?

Me: Wha- How- No way! How could you even say that! A- Anyway! I'm supposed to be making my comeback here, but thanks for stealing all my line-time! Tsk!

Percy: Hey, how about-

Me: So, as I was saying... It's been awhile, everyone! And honestly, I have no acceptable excuse. The truth is, it's been reeeaaally busy here for me. I never find enough time to write, let alone set aside some to think about the story itself. But like I said, THIS IS A COMEBACK! Uh-huh-uh-huh.

Grover: I like it!

Me: Uh-huh-uh-huh.

Percy: That's the-

Me: For now, here's a chapter that I had lying around since a year ago. After some editing and rewriting, here's where it got. Tell me what you think, 'kay?

Percy: He-

Sophomore Winter Break 3: Some Percy-time.

"Boo-yah!" Nico exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air as he got another spare. We've been hitting gutters and a few spares all game, the one and only strike coming from Annabeth. No surprise there. She kept on blabbing about trajectory and force earlier, telling us exactly where to aim and how hard we should toss the balls. We just kept on nodding anyway even though we didn't understand a thing. After all, we were supposed to have fun, not take extra Physics lessons

"Take that, Pinecone Face!" Nico taunted, pointing his finger at Thalia. She quickly took her shoe off and threw it directly at his face which he narrowly avoided by an inch. "Hey! Watch i- gaaahhh…!"

Nico didn't get to finish what he was saying as Thalia tackled him down to the floor. For a lithe girl, she sure was as strong as our linebackers.

I sighed. We were going to get kicked out if they kept this up.

"Guys! Come on! Cut it out!" Bianca stood from her seat and tried to break them apart. "Thalia, I don't think my dad will appreciate it very much if you killed my brother in public. And Nico, you wouldn't want everybody in school calling you a wuss for hitting a girl."

Thalia and Nico, who both had their hands on Nico's hair (WTH?), paused and looked at her for a second before going at it again. Yep, we're definitely going to get kicked out. Here's to hoping that we don't get thrown to jail! Hah. Yeah, right.

"Shouldn't we be helping out?" Annabeth asked from her seat.

Ruby waved off her concern. "Nah, she can handle them. Grover, I believe it's your turn," she said. Grover went and grabbed his ball. (You know, if I told you that 'Grover went and grabbed his balls', it would've totally given the wrong message. Propar speling ees esenchal four yor wel beeing.)

The game continued, and Thalia eventually stopped clobbering Nico when it was gladly pointed out that he had enough bruises to show to the world that he got beat up by a girl. Good thing it's winter break, or else he'll never hear the end of it if everyone in school found out about it.

"Man, you got beat up by a girl," Grover delightfully told Nico, and he just grunted in response.

"I let her beat me up. It's her birthday after all," he arrogantly replied as he sat down, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, right," I scoffed. "The only reason for you to let yourself get beaten up that badly is if you're a masochist. You look like a bowling ball was thrown at you. And those things weigh a ton."

"They weigh fifteen pounds, Seaweed Brain. How are you able to carry them if they weigh a ton. I assure you, you're not that strong." Fifteen bucks to whomever guesses who said that. Nah, just kidding. I'll lose all my money considering I'm pretty sure you all know who.

"But I am that awesome." I winked, and Annabeth rolled her eyes. "And it was a figure of speech, oh wise one," I mock-bowed with the hand-gesture and all.

She narrowed her eyes and gave me her classic you're-gonna-get-it-now glare. She was about to say something when Bianca cut her to it. "Guys, please, not now. We don't need you two trying to kill each other here, too."

"You know who reminds of a bowling ball? Bessie," Judd interjected. Everybody groaned. We already knew where this was going, but Annabeth was too innocent to get it. And cue her asking.

"Why?"

Judd grinned and rubbed his hands together. "'Cause she's used to being picked up, fingered, and banged down an alley."

Ruby smacked him upside the head muttering "perverted sicko" as we laughed. Except for Annabeth, that is. "I don't get it."

Everyone stopped laughing and stared at her disbelievingly.

"Seriously?" Thalia asked incredulously.

Annabeth looked completely frustrated. I knew for a fact that one thing she hates is not knowing. "So what if she's picked up, fingered, and banged down an alley?"

That started a new round of hysterics. Nico fell off his seat with Grover falling on top of him, and I was clutching my stomach from laughing so hard. I mean, what would you do if someone said that with a very serious face.

Annabeth's face turned red from anger and embarrassment.

Thalia, recognizing that look, wiped an imaginary tear and said, "Think about it. Seriously, think about it."

Seeing Annabeth's expression, I raised a finger and said, "Wait for it."

Her eyes suddenly widened as understanding dawned on her. "Oh."

Everyone bursted into fits of laughter as Annabeth covered her face with both hands. Our howls echoed over the sounds of bowling balls rolling and pins toppling over. Other people were already staring at us like we were completely whacked, but no one among us really minded them, because secretly, we already knew we were one heck of a group of badass wackos.

"But do you know what's even worse than Bessie?" Nico asked after we all regained a bit of our composure. We're not that crazy to lose all our dignity. On second thought…

"What?" we all asked at the same time. Under different circumstances, we would've all freaked about speaking in unison, but we were all too high from laughing.

"Us, 'cause our minds are in the gutter!" Nico exclaimed, and the laughter started again. Ah, some classic pun. If you didn't get it, then too bad. You are not a certified badass wacko.

That's how it went for the rest of the afternoon, us fooling around with each other and ROFL-ing. That was until we were kindly asked (more like forced) to "leave the premises". No one actually cared though since we completely snubbed the game anyway and didn't bother finishing it.

"So…" Nico drawled as we rounded a corner. "What now?"

I shrugged. "Dunno. Thals?"

I didn't get a response so I turned around to look at her. She was with Annabeth, trailing a few ways behind the group and having what seemed to be a very serious conversation. And I knew better than to bother the both of them. It was sort of an unspoken rule. If ever anyone wanted to talk privately, they'd just keep a safe unhearing distance from the others. It was a good system, and a good sign of camaraderie. And yes, I just said a five-syllable word. My vocabulary is quite impeccable, if I do say so myself.

"It's still early, so I say we head to the movies!" Bianca declared. "Anyone up for it?"

"Sure."

"Okay."

"Whatever."

"I call aisle seat!"

A huge mass of people made its way out of the movie theater, the vast majority negatively criticizing the film that was just shown. And among them was a group of high-school students merrily celebrating a friend's birthday.

"Wow. That was…"

"I know, right? How could an adaptation be that bad!"

"And the story was practically written for them already."

"Ryan was pretty hot though. Did you see those abs! They are God's most magnificent creation!" Ruby excitedly told the indifferent Judd as they led the group out of the theater.

"Yeah, yeah… But, you know…" He then leaned in close to her and whispered something in her ear which in turn got her flustered. Judd snickered as he saw her reaction.

"Y- You wish…" she nervously replied and weakly pushed him away.

"Well, I'm glad the two of you are enjoying yourselves in your own world in spite of the fact that we are still very much in hearing distance," Bianca amusingly told them which got the embarrassed teen even more flustered. Bianca then turned to the rest of the group. "I guess next is-"

"Actually," Thalia cut her off. "Dad planned something for dinner. I should head there now before he asks for someone to pick me up."

"But this is supposed to be your celebration!" Grover whined.

"I know. And I'm really thankful to you guys. I really had a lot of fun. With everything that's been going on, I'm glad we get to have a breather, and I wish we could have fun like this all the time." Thalia smiled brightly. "But right now, I'm actually even more glad that dad's making time. And-"

Nico pfft-ed. "We get it already. We don't need some lame 'thank you' speech from you. Just get going." He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around, pushing the birthday girl out the door.

"Why, you!"

"Ah! I just fixed my hair!"

Bianca sighed and ignored them. In the end, it will be a hopeless effort to even try and stop them. "Well, I suppose that's that. Are you guys going to head home?"

Ruby shrugged. "I guess so. Unless-"

But Grover interrupted and asked. "Hey, wait… Have you guys seen Percy and Annabeth?"

"Now that you mention it…" They looked back inside the theater but only saw the now-thinning crowd with no signs of their missing companions.

Tap, tap, tap…

Percy ceaselessly walked back and forth along the empty hallway like a restless soon-to-be father. Ugh! What's taking her so long! No… On second thought, I'm glad she's taking long. Ah, actually… Ugh! Dammit!

He stopped moving and sighed as he leaned his on the wall next to the door of the ladies' restroom. "Argh… That… Thalia…" he growled, curling his fists.

"Why not you do just that?" Percy retorted.

"I need to go. C'mon! All I ask of you is to wait for her," Thalia pleaded. "Please. It's my birthday, after all."

"N- No." Percy crossed his arms and avoided eye contact with Thalia's pleading ones. "And why me? You could've asked Ruby or Bianca."

"I know you two had a fight. I want you to make up with her," she answered plainly.

"What happened to 'all I ask of you is to wait for her'?" Then he looked at Thalia, startled. "Wait… How did you know we had a fight?"

"Did you seriously think I won't wake up with all that commotion just outside my bedroom?" she asked incredulously, placing her hands on her hips. "Look. Just talk to her."

"It's not that easy," Percy replied honestly.

"You were doing it pretty well awhile ago, oh wise one," Thalia mocked.

"That was different."

"Pray tell."

"Ugh. I can't explain it, okay?"

"Fine." Thalia sighed understandingly. Percy already felt thankful, when all of a sudden, he was grabbed by the collar. Thalia drew his face close to hers, and Percy gulped seeing her vicious you-are-my-prey stare up close. "You owe me."

"Wh- what are you talking about…" he stammered.

"You know what."

"No, I don-"

"Birthday. Cake," Thalia uttered each word with vehemence.

"That wasn't just me!"

She narrowed her eyes and added, "On. My. Face."

"F- Fine. I get it," Percy answered. Thalia smiled and let go of his shirt. "Jeez. One moment you're all pleading, then the next you're all forceful."

"Well, a maiden's got to do what she's got to do."

Percy humph-ed in response. "Maiden my a-" he started but stopped when he saw Thalia's challenging glare. "Yes, my maiden!"

She made a face and looked at him incredulously. "What kind of a freakin' idiot are you?" She then shook her head and waved her hand, "Well, whatever. I'm going."

She was about to walk away when Percy asked her, "Exactly how will I make up with Annabeth?"

Thalia smiled softly at her blockhead of a cousin. "Just be Percy."

Percy groaned. 'Just be Percy'. Yeah, right! Like it's going to be that simple!

He closed his eyes and repeatedly banged his head on the wall. "Ugh! What am I gonna do!"

"Exactly the question I wanted to ask you."

Percy's eyes shot open. "Ah! What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Annabeth placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow.

"Ah… Ah! Nothing! I'm doing nothing! I mean, uhh…" Percy scratched the back of his head. "E-he."

Annabeth stared at him, completely unconvinced. She shook her head and sighed. "Whatever. I'm going."

"W-wait!" Percy stammered.

"What is it now?"

"Ehh… Actually, I need to go to the restroom." And it was the complete truth.

"Huh? Then shouldn't you be at the other side." Annabeth pointed towards the opposite end of the hallway. Then she suspiciously eyed him. "Don't tell me you're trying to peep inside the women's restroom."

"No way! How could you even say that!" Annabeth continued to eye him and Percy looked away cautiously. Well, sure, the thought did cross my mind. But it wasn't like I was actually going to do it.

Annabeth sighed. "Do whatever you want. It's got nothing to do with me anyway," she huffed arrogantly and walked past Percy.

He clenched his teeth as anger bubbled inside of him. "Why are you acting like this!" he screamed suddenly, susprising even himself.

Annabeth looked back at him, wide-eyed. "Wh-what are-"

"We're supposed to be friends, right? Then whatever concerns you concerns me too, and vice versa, whatever concerns me concerns you, too!"

The blonde blinked. "Huh?"

"Ahh… That sounded confusing… But you get my point!"

"No, I honestly don't. I'm going. I don't want to be seen with someone as embarrassing as you," she answered harshly. But before she could walk away, Percy grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her against the wall, hard. "Wh-what do you think you're doing?"

"I don't get you. I don't get you at all," he grumbled as he placed both of his hands on the wall next to her head. "Why do you keep doing this?"

Considering her strength, Annabeth could've easily pushed Percy away. But for some reason, she wasn't able to muster enough at the moment. She absent-mindedly worried how her hands ended up on his chest. She turned her head down. "Let me go."

"Look at me," Percy told her, his voice soft but firm. "Why won't you just come out with it and tell me straight what's going on."

She hesitantly looked at him and her breath hitched as his gaze bore into her. His eyes were full of hurt and fury. The resolves she had all but crumbled in that single moment. "I… I-"

"You're driving me crazy," he whispered, his breath brushing against her lips. He subconsciously noted how dangerously close his face slowly inched towards hers. "I…"

"Percy…"

"Percy! Annabeth!"

Percy jumped away as far as possible from Annabeth, almost sticking and being one with the opposite wall. He watched as Annabeth suddenly took an interest in her shoes. He looked along the hallway as the owner of the voice rounded the corner.

"Ah. There you are! We've been looking everywhere for you two!" Grover walked to them, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. "What were you guys doing anyway?"

"Sorry. We needed to use the restroom." Annabeth's eyes widened as she shot a look at Percy. Ah, crap. That sounded totally wrong. "I mean-"

"Is that so," Grover mused, unfazed. Then he shrugged, "Well, you two sure took your time. We better get going. The others are already going insane, waiting."

"Yeah, sure." Percy and Annabeth sighed in relief as Grover walked away, humming. For once, they were thankful for their friend's ignorance.

Percy rubbed his forehead, lost in thought. What just happened…

He was startled by someone laughing on the opposite side of the wall. Annabeth was covering her mouth, snickering. "Wh-what's so funny?"

Annabeth waved her hand. "I'm sorry. It's just… Somehow, things like this always happen when I'm with you."

Percy scratched the back of his head. "Heh. I guess it does seem that way…"

Annabeth pushed herself off the wall and straightened. She smiled a full smile at Percy's direction. "Well, we should get going."

He watched her walk away, completely dumbfounded. What… just… happened...

The answer echoed somewhere in his consciousness.

"'Just be Percy'? What do you even mean?"

"You know, something like a completely spontaneous Percy-event," Thalia winked at him.

The man remained still as he watched the girl across the street board a taxi cab.

He grunted before grabbing his phone from his crisp suit, pressing for the first speed dial. He tapped his black shoes impatiently on the sidewalk as he waited for the other end to pick up.

Come on, come on...

He got more annoyed by the second. Why was he even doing this in the first place? He was supposed to be a security guard, but instead, here he was 'securing a target'. And if only his partner didn't mess up the last time, he wouldn't be here doing the job alone. At this rate, he was also going to end up alone on New Year's Eve.

Ah, I should be looking for a girlfriend and not following that adolescent girl everywhere.

"Life is so cruel."

"Yes, it very much is," someone answered over the phone as the ringing got cut.

"Ah! Boss! I-"

"Stop dawdling. What is it?" the voice answered harshly.

"Y- Yes! The target is alone now and is on the move."

"Good. That's good," the voice answered. "Then that's it for tonight. You should go home and take a rest. Good work."

The man's eyes widened. He stared at the phone before bringing it back to his ear. "Huh? But-"

"We don't need more mistakes." The man tightened his fist around the phone at his boss' disparaging tone. "We don't want them to suspect us even more."

"Yes, sir," he replied through gritted teeth.

"And besides," the voice continued calmly. The man felt goosebumps run down his spine as he visualized that man's devilish grin. "It's the girl's birthday after all. We should let her be for now."

Me: Soo... What do you guys think? Did I lose my touch? Well, it should be quite obvious. 14 months. 14 months! Jeez... But I do plan on getting back on track with this story... and I also have some side plans.

I have a few more drafts that need some minor editing. The next chapter will probably be up within the next few weeks. Well, we'll see.

Oh, and if you're a long time follower or a new reader, please review. I want to know how many are still reading this story. I mean, it has been more than a year, and I don't even know if there will still be followers. I'll be frank. Update frequency will be based on the amount of readers.

And, I think that's it.

Annabeth: You're forgetting something.

Me: Huh? What?

Grover: -cough- 600 reviews -cough-

Me: Oh yeah! Shame on me! Shame on me! I have to thank you guys! I mean, seriously. I only asked for 500 the previous chapter, but now we're past 600. That's some milestone for me! So, thank you very much! Well, let's keep going for more, shall we? Review? ;D

Percy: Hey, don't forget about m-