SATURDAY

Annabeth woke up with the annoying alarm clock and turned it off without opening her eyes.

Saturday, finally.

Exams starts on Monday.

I know, we're ready. Your boyfriend on the other hand...

He'll be, have a little faith in our tutoring skills.

Well, my faith is not enough to make miracles happen.

You're so pessimist.

Annabeth rubbed her eyes before opening them, just to stare at her hand with a frown.

Why is our hand stained blue?

I don't know. I don't think there's anything around us that would make our hand blue.

Well, anyway, another reason to get up.

When Annabeth got inside the bathroom and looked up in the mirror, she froze for a couple of seconds, before letting a scream out.

***

Annie's parents stopped in mid-action when they spotted their older daughter marching inside the kitchen, in a straight line to her brothers, and carrying the baseball bat she used as a child. Helen was the one to ask.

"Honey, why are you blue?"

Because of my stupid brothers! There are the culprits! After them!

"I'm going to kill both of you!"

The boys got up from their chairs and ran to the living room. Before Annabeth went after them, her father stopped her with a hand on her arm.

"Easy, Annie. Take a deep breath first, don't make any harsh decision."

"Harsh decision? HARSH decision? I'M BLUE!! I LOOK LIKE A SMURF!!"

Helga grabbed Annabeth's shoulders and started massaging them.

"Now, breath, Annie. Let go of the baseball bat, sit down and I'm bringing the boys here to talk, okay?"

"Annie, give me the bat, there's no need for it."

It's easy for them to say, THEY'RE NOT BLUE!

"Listen to your father, let go of the bat. Let's talk first, okay? Now sit next to your father."

Annabeth didn't see, but for his reaction, she was sure her step-mother gave her husband a look to him to hold their daughter if she lost control. After a minute, Helga was back at the kitchen, holding both boys by their neck. After they were seated facing a glaring Annabeth, Helga went back to her chair and asked first.

"Boys, did you paint your sister blue?"

"No."

Liars!

Annabeth had to grab the table to prevent herself from taking any 'harsh' decisions. Her step-mother had a unbelieving expression on her face.

"So, she just woke up blue?"

"We paint her hair blue, not her."

"Why did you paint your sister's hair blue?"

"We saw it on the internet and thought it would be funny. And we were right, it's very funny."

They glanced at their sister and started laughing.

How dare they! Annabeth?

Yes?

Finish them!

"Okay, that's it."

Annabeth got up and grabbed the bat that was in front of her father, before going to her brothers, that ran behind their mother, who scowled at Annabeth.

"Annie, don't! I forbid you to try any kind of payback. Now, I suggest you to go take a shower and try to take all the paint of your hair and skin.

Of course! Protecting her REAL sons, just like before!

I can't believe mom will let this pass...

Well, I CAN believe, it's not the first time for me. Between the step-daughter and her sons, of course it's the twins!

Annabeth snorted, shot one last death glare to her brothers and left the kitchen.

***

Annabeth was furiously drying her hair, and didn't matter that she washed it three times, it was still a little blue.

At least our face is clean.

I swear, if my sheets get forever stained for it, I'm going to kill them.

If your mother said not too?

My hair is STILL BLUE.

I did my best.

I know you did. I still can't believe it! I'm going to kill them!

When she went to check her phone, she saw that Percy had called twice while she was in the shower. He probably gave up, and sent her a text instead.

P: I'm not going today. Love you!

What? That's it?

Is he quitting? He has no right!

Maybe he has a good reason.

Which is?

I don't know, I'm calling him now, take it easy.

She had to wait four rings until he picked it up, and he was panting.

"Hey, Wise Girl."

"Percy, are you not coming?"

"Hum... well, I was thinking, maybe we could cancel today's tutoring?"

"Perseus Jackson, you do know exams start this week."

"Yeah, I do..."

"What's going on?"

"Nothing much..."

"Percy!"

"Fine. Mrs. O'Leary came to my building yesterday around midnight, after my mom went to bed, and I may have sneaked her through the fire escape. My mom left this morning, I went to buy some dog food for her."

He wants to cancel so he can play with his pet? Really?

"And in what universe is that a good reason to cancel our tutoring?"

"... I left her alone in the apartment. I think she got a little... nervous."

"Why would you say that?"

"She trashed my apartment and I need time to tidy everything up before mom get back. So, can we cancel it?"

That's a better reason.

Still, it was preventable.

"Fine, but if you don't know it's not a good idea to leave your street dog locked up alone, I don't hold much hope on you with chemistry. I hope your mother don't get too angry with Mrs. O'Leary."

"Not a chance, mom loves her. If mom is going to kick someone out, it's gonna be me. Keep your ears trained to me knocking on your window if everything goes south."

Annabeth...

On it.

"Go to Jason's."

"That's cold, Wise Girl."

"I'm just preventing a headache from Annie."

"Hum, fair point. Bye, Wise Girl."

"Bye, Seaweed Brain. And we're going to study tomorrow, no excuses."

"Ugh, fine."

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Can't wait."

"Good. Bye."

"Bye."

So, I guess just you and I today?

I guess so.

***

Annabeth had been studying for less than fifteen minutes before the bell rang. She ignored it, until her father called her downstairs. Someone was waiting for her in the living room.

"Piper? What..."

"You're helping me with physics and I won't take no for an answer"

So I guess it won't be just us.

***

She didn't need to come for us.

I know.

Annabeth gave Piper back her exercises after checking.

"Everything is right."

"What? But I checked the answers and..."

Annabeth interrupted.

"Except some details. Mostly, wrong signs."

"What?"

It's amazing how many people get wrong answers just because of wrong signs.

Annabeth pointed to Piper where she got wrong signs, which messed her answers.The other girl's jaw dropped.

"That's it? So I know physics?"

"You sound surprised."

"Of course I am, I have been in panic for the last two days because of these exercises. So I don't need your help with physics."

Annabeth smiled.

"No, you don't and now..."

She jumped when Piper dropped a pair of notebooks on the table.

"Now, I need help with chemistry."

Annabeth sighed.

"Of course."

***

It's easier to teach her. She doesn't try to distract you like your boyfriend does.

It's hard for him to focus in the same thing for a long time.

Fifteen minutes is a long time?

For him? An eternity.

Piper was finished her last question before looking to Annabeth.

"Why are you frowning?"

"Piper, can I ask you a question?"

"Hum?"

"Feel free not to answer, it's kind of a personal question."

Piper rolled her eyes before patting Annabeth's hand.

"Annabeth, after all we've been through, I think we've earned the right to ask each other personal questions. Shoot"

"Why were you hugging Kyle two days ago? Wasn't he who kissed you in front of Jason that first week?"

That caught Piper by surprise.

I thought you had decided she knew what she was doing and you didn't need to know.

I like to know things, it's not my fault.

Piper fidgeted with her fingers before answering.

"Yeah... it was him. How do you know who Kyle is?"

"I have a class with him, and the teacher said his name out loud. Adding the name to his shape, it was easy to know he was the one from the football team that you mentioned."

Piper was still curious.

"Why the teacher said his name out loud?"

"Doesn't matter. Why were you hugging him?"

"Because he's a very decent guy"

What? That doesn't make much sense. She hugs a guy because he's decent?

Annabeth opened her mouth to ask, but Piper interrupted before she had a chance to speak.

"I'll tell you the whole tale. Last year, Trish got an interview with John, changed everything, and he got really mad with her. Classic Trish. As far as I know, he got over it. Mostly. Or it's that what he tells Jason. He's... okay with me and Jason dating, or so Jason tells me. Kyle and Trish went to a couple of dates and became friends. Jason told him about we dating, and Kyle was cool with that. Two days ago he came to talk to me the same thing, that he's good with this, that we were never official, and that he hopes Jason makes me happy. However, if Jason... well, John, is only trying to get revenge for the interview, I should go to Kyle and he's going to make John pay for trying to hurt me for something so small."

Annabeth raised her eyebrows, surprised.

"That's... sweet."

"I know. I assured him Jason is not trying to get revenge, but I'll call him if I need his help. We hugged and parted ways. Like I said, very decent guy. Now, can I ask you a personal question that I've been dying to ask?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Why is your hair blue?"

SUNDAY

Annabeth was eating her breakfast, reading a book. She looked up when her father started coughing, and she got why. Two sleepy twins entered the kitchen still wearing their pajamas. What had Annabeth laughing so hard was the cherry red lips, the blushed cheeks, and the heavy eye shadows, one blue and one purple. They rubbed their eyes, smearing their shadows, before scrunching their eyes at their older sister and father.

"What are you laughing at?"

Their mother came from behind carrying a mirror.

"I believe that's why."

They looked in the mirror and screamed angrily as one, turning to their sister.

"ANNIE!"

Helga held both boys by their pajamas, preventing them for going to Annabeth, who was still laughing with Annie.

"It wasn't her, boys. It was me."

Her husband and her sons looked at her in surprise.

"You?"

"That's for you to learn not to mess with your sister. Now sit, let me tell you how this works."

They sat with their arms crossed, glaring daggers at Annabeth for still being laughing. Helga started serving the boys breakfast while talking.

"Since you painted your sister's hair blue because it was 'funny', I put make up on you for the same purpose. Annie, do you find it funny?"

Annabeth nodded, still grinning.

"Oh, yeah."

"And since your sister spent yesterday blue, you're going to spend today with make up."

"WHAT?"

Annabeth's grin just got wider.

Oh, sweet revenge...

"I forbid you to remove it. If you do, I'll make it again, and more colorful! You're allowed to take a shower..."

They breathed in relief.

"... and after the shower, I'll reapply the make up. You're allowed to take it off only after dinner."

"But, mom..."

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I was supposed to go to Jake's house today!"

"You can still go. Wearing the make up. I'm dropping you there and taking you back, and you better be with this make on on BOTH occasions."

Mike paled at that. His mom smiled.

"Of course, you can always cancel your plans and stay home today..."

Okay, I admit it. Your mom is amazing.

What God doesn't avenge, mom takes over.

***

Like promised, Percy went to her house to study.

"Annabeth? Why does your brother have make up on?"

Annabeth looked up from her notes to see Mike frozen in his way to the kitchen, his eyes darting from Percy to Annabeth, before he turned tails and ran back to his room.

He probably forgot he had make up on.

I know we saw them the whole day, but it's still so funny.

"Wise Girl?"

"I was blue, they got make up."

"You put make up on your brothers? And why they didn't take it off?"

"It wasn't me. Mom did it. Like she said, if I did anything, they would be loving to get back at me. Since she did it, they have no right."

"Mom?"

"Yeah, mom. She's nice when I'm not a demigoddess putting her sons in danger."

Percy raised his eyebrows, but let the subject drop.

"Again, why did she do that?"

"Because they painted my hair blue yesterday."

Percy looked to the stairs longingly and started to stand up.

"Where are you going, Percy?"

"Ahn... well, I wish I saw you yesterday so I was thinking..."

"Perseus Jackson, don't you DARE go to my brothers and ask for a picture."

He pouted and gave her the baby seal eyes.

"But you were blue. My favorite color and my favorite girl, together."

"I don't care. Now go back to your exercises, NOW."

Now that is something we need to check, they probably took pictures.

They're going to regret it so much if they did.