"READY TO KILL SOME WATER, CUPCAKES??" Coach Hedge bellowed, blowing his whistle.

The team leaped into the water in sync, the room filled up with water as we did so. After Coach Hedge practically washed us, that crappy pun intended.

Once we were done with practice, most of us just flopped on the floor. Disgusting I know, it was covered with hair and water and other things I couldn't care about.

But everyone was super tired.

"Listen up everyone," Annabeth's voice boomed as she walked into the room. She and Nessa cleaned up immediately after and now looked as fresh as daisies somehow. And here the rest of us were, like dehydrated pigs.

"Princ- What are you doing?" she asked, scrunching her nose in disgust, "Anyway, get up. Vice Principle Chiron and Coach Hedge have an announcement to make."

"GET OFF THE FLOOR CUPCAKES, I LIVE IN A HOUSE OF FLUIDS AND KIDS AND IVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING MORE DISGUSTING!" Coach Hedge screamed into his microphone, causing even Vp Chiron to flinch.

I got up with a start, after Coach Hedge bellowed. Only to look at the floor and feel a little sick at how gross it was.

"Now...this time, next month. Some of us will be going all the way to Long Island, to take part in the SPQR competition. This is a huge opportunity for us and I'm sure you'll all do your very best," Chiron smiled, "And there are going to be many recruiters there for various undergraduate programs, so be on your best behaviour. That is all. Annabeth or Hedge will answer any questions you might have."

And with that being said, Chiron left the pool. Not before throwing an innocent comment about hygiene or...our lack there of.

"You should really go bathe, I'm gonna be no where near unless you do that," Annabeth whispered, scrunching her nose.

"Aww you don't want a hug?" I smirked, as she lightly hit me with her notepad before walking away, her golden curls bouncing behind her.

I found myself smiling at the sight.

"Get up right now all of you or face my wrath!!!!" Coach Hedge screamed, blowing his whistle until every last one of us hoped into the showers.

The rest of the day was a drag, so I chose not to pay attention to the rest of my classes. Which gave me plenty of time today, and yesterday to reflect on my....little fight with Annabeth.

When I was younger, and everything had happened. I would lock myself in my room and pretend to tell Annabeth everything. It was like...a little therapy session.

And when I did finally tell her, not the way I hoped to do so, it was like...she already knew everything. I don't know how to explain it. A weight lifted off me.

"Jackson!" Clarisse snapped a pencil in front of my face, "We're done for the day. Unless you wanna sit here and keep making googly eyes at the whiteboard with your stupid face." she snickered.

I felt my face heat up, staring back at a couple of my friends. The Stolls stood there with identical smirks.

I threw a pen at them.

I quickly changed into my Chiron approved  CHB clothes and raced to meet Annabeth.

We'd agreed to finish up early today, so we could attend Thalia's welcome home party, courtesy of Jason. And his girlfriend, Piper.

Hopefully we don't miss the bus to town Jupiter.

I cleared my throat, "Hey partner," I greeted.

"Hey," she smiled, looking up at me with those beautiful gray eyes, "Not a lot to do today, we just have to set up put posts and we're done. Hopefully in time."

"Sounds good."

The next portion of the day, Annabeth explained what to do. And then, she helped me do it.

"I think," I grinned, levelling the last of the concrete on my end, "we're done with this."

"For today, seaweed brain," she reminded me.

"So...what do you think about the SPQR games?" I asked as we wrapped things up.

"I think, I'm gonna demolish the competition."

"I'm competition too."

"Exactly my point."

"You may have won this battle," I threw a fistful of grass at her, "But you won't win the war."

"What war? Are you guys fighting again," Grover groaned, walking up from behind me. , He had a shiny green shirt on which sparkled under the light.

I suppose it was In accordance to today's theme, which, according to Piper is 'rock star chic'

"No," Annabeth rolled her eyes, "We're grown ups. We don't fight."

Grover bleated in response, "Anyhoodles, we're gonna be late for Thalia's welcome home party! I heard Piper got actual lightning for effects!"

"I worry about you Grover," Annabeth rolled her eyes, "Let me go freshen up and I'll be back in a while."

I followed after Annabeth, giving Grover a temporary goodbye. I had a quick shower and threw on the pair of clothes I got from home. When I went outside, Grover helped me gell my hair up. Which fell back flat after the attempt.

"It's so weird how we're all back in the same town after so many years," Grover wiped his hands on his shiny shirt, trying to free them of the gell

"I dunno I guess it's just fate? I mean like.....Annabeth-" I trailed off as she walked onto the grounds.

She looked completely different from the covered in dirt and dust girl she was half hour ago.
Wearing a purple dress with her hair cascading down her shoulders, she looked every bit a rockstar princess.

"How do I look?" she asked, stopping to re-tie her boots.

"Good," Grover smiled, "Thals will be proud."

"Amazing," the word poured out of my mouth.

Annabeth gave me an amused glance, "Let's go, seaweed brain. Don't want to late."

The distance between our town and Jupiter is like 20 minutes, but to make it convenient for everyone, Mayor Zeus thought it would be fun to have a bus to connect our towns.

It has been convenient, I'll give him that.

The party was in full swing when we arrived, which seemed to be a common thing.

Gotta give Piper credit.

She knew how to throw one heck of a party. Even at her boyfriends place.

The disco lights, tables over run with snacks and the loud music over the speakers were a testament to that.

"Guys! I'm so glad you could come! Also don't drink the punch I'm pretty sure Leo threw a Gatorade in there," Piper said as way of greeting, before grabbing Annabeth's hand, "come on, we're gonna dance,"

"Oh no don't leave me," she sqeualed, grabbing my hand as she pulled me into the crowd with her.

"You really think you can beat me in the competition?" I asked, as we moved through the crowd, Piper lost Annabeth somewhere in between.

"I know I can beat you. In my sleep," she smirked.

"I mean....I did set the school record."

"I had it first. And besides, I don't loose."

"Wanna bet?"

"What on?"

"We'll figure that out later," I shrugged, "For now. May I have this dance, my lady?" I mock bowed, extending my arm out to her.

"You certainly may," she took my hand, allowing me to twirl her. Her dress flowed with her, and she promptly turned back around, her eyes meeting mine again as the music dimmed behind me. My breath hitched.

"Do you want a drink?" I asked her, trying to say something. It was hard to concentrate on being sassy when Annabeth was so.....Annabeth.

"I'd rather dance," she grinned, readjusting her strap. She was positively glowing.

"Oh good. Me too."

We danced, loosing ourselves in the beats and rhythm of the crowd

Annabeth had a permanent smile on her face, her movements were free and bold as she chatted with the crowd. I'd never seen her like this, it was infectious.

Soon, Thalia joined us. And Luke. And almost everyone we were close to, until we made a dance circle and eventually led to a Zumba contest. Don't ask about the last part.

The only think I'll mention is, Frank sure knew how to move his belly.

And we were all sitting in the living room, a little away from the party reeling from Frank's...skill set.

And by all of us I mean, the Stolls, Katie, Clarisse and her boyfriend Chris, Grover, Frank, Jason, Piper, Leo, Calypso and Annabeth next to me.

"Okay okay," Luke panted, " I think we're done with dancing for the night. Thalia and are going upstairs for a bit."

"But the party just started!" I protested.

But the couple didn't hear me, already making their way through the thick crowd. Im sure our whole high school was here.

Good thing Zeus was out of town.

"Well...I don't have the guts to follow them so it's just us for a while. Juniper just left," Grover spoke up, "Anyone going to dance?"

"After Franks little Pelvic Performance? I'm good for now," Leo grinned, "Besides, can't have all the girls swooning."

"Bold of you to assume that," Piper scoffed, "But! I have this game of Jenga I've been dying to play! I brought it here just in case," she said, scurrying away in a hurry.

"What are we 5? Why do we have to play Jenga?" Clarisse asked, turning to Chris.

"Mentally you're five anyway so-"

"We're playing Jenga cause I said so. And this one has a bunch of dares you have to do. Each time you pick one," Piper explained, setting up the game with Leo's help, "if I hear anyone complain, I'll throw a glass of water on them."

"Me first," Leo said, safely drawing a block from the middle, "No!!" he groaned, flinging the block across the room, "Why do I always get the worst ones?"

"What was it?" Travis asked, sprinting to retrieve it.

"Eat a raw onion with chocolate on it...."

The next few rounds were hell. And it soon become a blood sport with everyone determined to win. Some of the dares were good, others....well Leo got the brunt of it so it turned out to be quite a show for us. Annabeth got a bad one too though, having to have ice thrown down her dress. Piper seemed to sadistically enjoy the task.

The tower was leaning dangerously high, swinging a little bit too.

The worst part was? It's my turn now.

"If it falls, we're making Jackson do all the dares," Clarisse hooted, trying to divert my attention. I refused to let her.

I was calm.
I was careful.

I pulled out a Jenga and prayed.

And the tower stayed.

"HA! In your face!" I yelled back, flipping the block over to read its contents.

"I hope it's a bad one," Leo groaned, his lipstick covered face and braided hair an indication of his grief.

" kiss the person next to you," I read, feeling each word weigh on my tounge.

"Umm Grover," I said, turning to face him. Gods I hope my face wasn't as red as it felt, "I know you have a girlfriend but-?"

"Nice try but turn the other way," Grover said, physically turning me towards Annabeth. My heart beat skyrocketed as I saw her, standing there looking gorgeous as usual.

"Ummmm" I struggled to breathe.

"On the cheek would do, Seaweed Brain," she smiled, "See? Like that," she reached over and pecked me on the cheek. Her hair tickling my face.

"Does that count?" she asked Piper, as I was still trying to form a coherent thought.

"He has to do it, you boring duds!" Leo protested.

"Ummm"

"Move along! We don't have all day!" Clarisse bellowed.

"Shut up!" I snapped out of my thoughts, moving towards Annabeth.

It's just a kiss on the cheek Percy.
Nothing to be afraid of.

Those Gods. It felt like they were punishing me for all the....not completely the most  friendly thoughts I've had of Annabeth today.

I controlled myself as I kissed her cheek, dangerously close to her mouth.
I felt something explode within me

I pulled myself back, trying to appear calm, "You're turn," I told her, taking a step back.

I closed my eyes, picturing us back at the creek five years ago. A day before I left.

That memory kept me sane for a while.

The game of Jenga contined...but my mind was not on that.

It was about the fact that.....after all these years and all the distance between us....maybe there was still a part of me which liked Annabeth.
—————————————————————————-
Heyo!
I'm back
About that impromptu hiatus
SORRYYYY
Exams
I had a major writer block as well
I'll post consistently from now on, I promise.
They might be a few days late but they'll be there no matter what.

Any suggestions?

(Posted 5th April 2022- 3:18am)

Stay tuned!!
—- S (for sorry for not having posted in a while)