A/N: I know I haven't uploaded anything in a while. Massive writer's block. But I have suddenly gone on a Percy Jackson craze, for no reason. I am re-reading the entire series, plus the two from the Heroes of Olympus, and highlighting any funny, particularly Percy-like, and Percabeth moments. Dorky, yes. I got the idea for this when I was on youtube and heard a song called "You Don't Know Her Like I Do" by Brantley Gilbert.

Set during The Last Olympian right after the blowing up of the Princess Andromeda.

Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I just love them.

Like I Do

I stood waiting on the street corner for Rachel. My hands were in my pockets, my head down. I scuffed the tow of my shoe against the concrete.

Ever since I told Annabeth about my dream about Rachel and she'd called me a coward, I felt like there was a weight in my chest. We hadn't spoken since. I had gone back to New York City, like planned, and she had refused to say goodbye. I even waited for half an hour, but she never came.

I glanced up, scanning the crowds. I didn't see Rachel, but I did see a shadow. My breath caught. It was a girl with a baseball cap and a curly ponytail.

My first thought was Annabeth, but it couldn't be. I took a step.

A hand touched my shoulder.

"Percy," Rachel said.

I turned, looking away from the shadow and shaking my head.

"Hey, Rachel," I said.

"What's wrong?" she asked. She smiled a little, moving her hand from my shoulder. "Are you thinking about Annabeth again?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it," I said. I looked at the ground, willing her not to say that it stops hurting, or that Annabeth is not worth it.

"It might help," Rachel said.

I did not want to say anything. It came out anyway. "I just—Everything I see reminds me of her. O'm pretty sure I hallucinated just now. Ever since she stopped talking to me, there's this pain in my chest, and I know it's her fault." I sighed. "It's like she stole my way to breathe."

Rachel's face was a mask of sympathy. "You'll get over it, Percy. You both will. Besides, if something small caused her to stop talking to you, she's not—"

"Don't try to tell me she's not worth it," I interrupted. I couldn't bear to hear anyone say that about Annabeth. "You don't know her like I do. You will never understand. You'll never know what we've been through."

"I will if you tell me!" Rachel said, defensive now.

I knew she just wanted to make me feel better, but I could not stop. "No, you won't! You don't know what it's like, what I've got to lose! I know you want to help, but you can't!" My voice softened. "You are a mortal, Rachel. Annabeth is the only one who can help me now, the only one I trust explicitly." I looked back towards the shadow, which was still there. "That girl is my best friend."

Rachel stared at me a moment, then turned and stormed off. I ran a hand through my hair, sighing roughly. The silver streak fell in my face from where I'd mussed it.

Seeing that streak, the one that matched Annabeth's, I knew what I had to do. That girl is my best friend, and I will not lose her over a stupid fight. Not now, when I have so much to lose.

I began to search my pockets for a drachma.

A/N: Let's see who can find the AVPM allusion!

I pretty much said everything at the beginning. Except that I plan to get back on my other PJO fic as soon as possible.

As always, review!