Annabeth busied herself by searching for blankets while I gathered snacks. I grabbed several chip bags, a lot of candy packets, and set out several dips. I also loaded a bunch of Mom's cookies onto a platter.

We met back in the living room. Annabeth had numerous fluffy blankets piled on the floor by the T.V. I put the assortment of snacks on the coffee table.

"Anything else?" Annabeth asked.

I shook my head. "We'll pick a movie or two when everybody gets here, and we can pop popcorn and get drinks once we are ready to get started."

"That's in about fifty minutes, Perce. Did I really need to come over this early?" She smiled teasingly. "You missed me, didn't you Perce?"

I blushed. "Well, yes. But I also just wanted to talk with you. Come with me?" I asked sheepishly.

She furrowed her eyebrows skeptically and nodded slowly.

We headed to my bedroom. She sat down on my bed, and I joined her after softly closing the door behind me.

I looked at her. Her light blonde hair was very curly and a small strand cut across her forehead. Her dark blonde eyebrows were still furrowed. Her storm grey eyes were darting all around my room, drinking in my posters scattered along the wall, staring everywhere except me. Light freckles dusted her small nose and high cheeks, and she was lightly biting her full, pink lips. Everything about her seemed sad and worried.

"What's wrong, Annabeth?" I asked her softly.

Her eyes shot directly to my own. "What?"

"I can tell that something is up. You don't have to pretend with me, you know."

She hesitated, before sighing. "You know that everything at home has been rough lately. Malcolm is stressing everyone out, Helen has been even more enthralled by the twins and all of their end of the year activities, and Dad just had another 'major break through'." She rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"They've all forgotten about me, which is fine, honestly. I can handle myself, and they need time to get their lives together. It's just a lot to handle."

I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. I looked into her eyes, hoping that I wasn't overstepping my boundaries.

"Anything else?" I gently pressed.

She shut her eyes. "Besides home and school, you mean? Well, um, I of course have been totally lacking social interactions lately. The only people I've associated with regularly this past month has been my family and you. This hang out thing will be good for me, I know."

Annabeth spoke as if she was trying to convince herself that everything was fine.

"Have you heard from Thalia lately?" she asked me.

Finally, we're getting somewhere, I thought.

I stared down at our hands. "Not since she left for Pennsylvania. You?"

She sadly shook her head. "Hardly. I've been texting her about - um, stuff, and the most I'm getting is really short responses. That's on a good day, though. Typically she doesn't answer at all."

"I can tell you are a good friend, just by how worried you are about her. Just remember that Thalia is an adult, and she can take care of herself. She's responsible enough to do that, even when she doesn't seem it."

She stared at her lap. "It's just that I - I always go to Thalia for advice, and she always helps me with anything. Every single time. But she hasn't been ever since she left, and I think that's why I'm so in my head lately."

"What do you need advice on?" I asked. "I can help. Tell me what's happening, Wise Girl."

She smiled. "I know you really want to help, but this is something that you just wouldn't get."

"Please, tell me. I can at least listen."

"Eventually, Seaweed Brain. Just not today. It's hardly even my story to tell. I want to have fun with you, and our other friends."

I nodded.

"Hey," Annabeth started, grey eyes lighting up mischievously, "do you remember when we had first met, and Thalia and you got in a really big fight?"

I chuckled. "Yeah. I was on a trail in the woods with her, and we were arguing about who was more mature and responsible. She was - what? Sixteen, seventeen? Either way, she was much more mature than I was. I basically threw my case away, calling her Pinecone Face and daring her to climb a tree. She was ready to throw me off the trail when you showed up."

"I remember being so mad that day," Annabeth reminisced. "We had just moved to our new house, out of the apartment we had when we first moved to Manhattan, and the twins wanted to explore the new park. Helen made me come with, and I was reading my book when I saw you two dart through the trees. I took off and found you guys yelling at each other when I interrupted the fight. I recognized Thalia from when we had helped each other five years prior. I can almost see the shock on her face."

I laughed. "I was basically third wheeling. You two were all over each other, asking how things had been and why you were in New York. You guys were so excited, and I was very confused.

She laughed. "The first thing you said to me was that you were sorry, and I still don't know why."

"I thought I was interrupting serious girl talk, and your reunion," I weakly explained.

"You're just as awkward now as you were then."

I smiled.

We continued reminiscing about our childhoods together until we heard a knock on the door.

Annabeth and I both got up and answered. Grover was waiting patiently, gnawing on an apple.

"Hi, Percy!"

"'Sup, G-Man? Come on in."

We all sat and talked in the living room. About five minutes later, another knock was heard.

"I've got it."

I stood and jogged to the door. I opened it to a smiling Nico di Angelo and a smug looking Bianca di Angelo.

"Hey, guys!"

I spread my arms and hugged my little cousins. Bianca was thirteen years old, and Nico was eleven.

"Let's go sit."

Another five minutes later, we heard a light pound on the door.

"I'll get it this time," Annabeth said.

She opened the door and a very happy couple was revealed. Charles Beckondorf had his large arm across Silena's narrow shoulders.

"Silena? From the pizza place?" Annabeth asked in shock.

"That's me!" Silena giggled.

"Hope you don't mind," Charles spoke up. "I wanted to introduce you guys anyway."

I smiled. "Come on in, guys. We're almost ready to get started."

At 12:16 P.M., Rachel decided to show up.

As I opened the door, I drawled, "You're late."

Rachel laughed, rolling her eyes. "You'll live, Jackson. I had other things to get done first."

I motioned for her to go sit. "That should be everyone. Why don't we go pick something?"

"Actually, I invited someone," Annabeth piped.

"Oh," I said. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my eyebrow. "Who?"

Suddenly, a harsh pound on the door was heard.

Annabeth jumped up. "That should be him." She ran over to me and the door to open it for her guest.

"Him?" I asked, quickly opening the door myself.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." The guy was staring down, fumbling with his keys. He looked up and smiled, ice blue eyes glistening. "Hi Annabeth, Percy."

Annabeth warmly smiled back. "How are things, Luke?"

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Chapter seven and things are already getting juicy! Annabeth has a secret, but whose is it? And what's Luke have to bring to the table? Comment your predictions!

I hope you are still enjoying this story, because I am! Please vote if you liked it, and comment any suggestions you have! See you soon!