in which percy jackson finally plucks up the courage to ask out his crush, only to find himself being reunited with his greatest frenemy.

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Percy Jackson stood at the end of the hall, watching how she curled her red frizzy hair around her finger, how her green eyes sparkled with amusement as she laughed at something her friend had said.

She saw him out of the corner of his eye, smiling softly. Percy waved shyly, and she waved back. She said something to her friend, nodded, then starting walking towards Percy.

This was it. It was time to tell her. It was time to confess his love to Rachel Elizabeth Dare.

"Hey Percy!" Rachel cheered, her smile brightening. "I'm really sorry for smashing up your car last week, my horse is just really curious."

Percy laughed nervously.

"Yeah, haha." He said, internally punching himself. "It's fine, my step-father was totally okay with it, don't worry about it."

"Good to hear that! I want to pay for a new car anyways, since it's my fault that it happened--"

"No! No, it's fine, heheh.."

Damn it, Jackson! Stop laughing and tell her already! Idjit.

"Are you sure?" The red-head beauty raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, totally!"

Rachel shrugged. "Okay, then.. Good talking to you, Percy!" She started to walk off, but Percy grabbed her hand.

Rachel jumped, but turned around. Percy laughed nervously again. "Well, I just wanted to tell you something important."

"Oh-- What is it?"

"Uh... Willyougoonadatewithme?" He blushed.

"I'm, uh, I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

Percy took a deep breath; It was now or never. "Rachel, I.. I really like you. Like like you. I have for a long time, and I just wanted to tell you. Will you, uhm, go on a date with me?"

Rachel's eyes widened slightly, she looked alarmed; it reminded Percy of a deer in headlights. "Percy.. I'm so sorry.. I really am.. but.." She looked down, avoiding Percy's crestfallen face. "I don't like you like that. Or.. or anyone for that matter. I.. I can't, I'm sorry."

She turned and walked away, and this time Percy did not stop her. Why? Because that's when he saw her come through the school doors. He didn't have time to be sad right now, because he needed to be angry.

He marched right up to Annabeth Chase, looking down at her as she was two inches shorter, and said with all of the anger and disappointment he could muster in body, "Why are you here?"

Annabeth's grey eyes looked like a storm. She put on her best poker face, and said "I could ask you the same question."

Great! It's only December and he's already been rejected by his true love and reunited with his greatest enemy. Could this day get any worse?

So of course it had to.

****

Percy stood in the front of the classroom, waiting for the science teacher to pair them up with their lab partner and assign them seats. It was the last period of the day, and he couldn't wakt for it to be over. He had manged to avoid Annabeth for most of the day, which wasn't hard since they only had two classes together; English and... this class.

"Welcome class," The teacher said dryly, like he did every day. "Today we have a new student, Annabeth Chase." Annabeth stood in front of the room like everyone else, but srood up a little straighter when her name was called.

"You came just in time for the choosing of lab partners, since we have a big project coming up soon." At this, Annabeth's eyes sparkled, and she looked cute.

No.

He ignored the teacher while he droned on and on about the lab rules. Then when he finally arrived at choosing lab partners, Percy's heart stopped when Annabeth's name was called, praying to any of the gods that he wouldn't be paired with her.

And he wasn't.

Hooray! Percy thought, fist pumping the air, earning a glare from Annabeth. Percy glared back, but Annabeth's death glare quickly broke down his. He hated her, sure, but he had to admit she did have some nasty stares.

She sat down next to her lab partner, a boy who had been held back a year called Luke Castellan. He was supposed to be off in college, but he had failed three classes, due to his mother going crazy and him taking care of her; he wasn't able to participate in classes. His mom was in a mental asylum now, so Percy figures he could finally pass this year. Luke was basically still a senior, is all he was trying to explain.

Percy's name was finally called, and he was thankfully placed with his long time best friend: Grover Underwood.

"Yes!" Grover said, using his crutches to get to their table. "Great luck, huh?" He sat down, leaving his crutches leaning against the table. Grover had a weird condition where he was born in hoove-like feet, so he had to use crutches to get around and usually put fake feet in his shoes to make it seem more believable.

Percy sat next to him, and shot a dirty look at the back of Annabeth's head, who was sitting at the table right in front of them.

"Great partner choice, but I would rather we sat somewhere else." He said, scowling.

Grover seemed to have finally seen Annabeth, his eyes as big as saucers. "Ho-holy frick. Is that Annabeth?" He whispered.

Percy nodded slowly, opening his mouth to answer, but Annabeth beat him to it; "It sure is, Mr. Underwood." She said, turning around so she was facing them. Her blonde curls slapped Luke in the face. "How have you been?"

Grover's eyes were still wide, but he said nothing, his eyes darting between Percy and Annabeth. Percy was staring holes into Annabeth, but Annabeth didn't seem to notice, staring straight at Grover.

"Uhm.. Good?" Grover squeaked out finally.

"Good to hear that." She said, turning back around without giving Percy a single glance.

Percy growled under his breath. "What a little b--"

"Mr. Hugh!" Annabeth's hand shot up, her tone feigning innocence. "Percy called me a bi--"

"NO I DIDN'T, LIAR!"

"YOU'RE THE LIAR."

"NO I'M NOT YOU SELFISH FU--"

"YOU'RE A DICK, YOU KNOW THAT?"

"Ms. Chase, Mr. Jackson." The teacher said sternly, his voice immediately shutting them up. "Please sit and let me continue the class without any of your interruptions. Detention for both of you."

They had both stood up without noticing, their faces so close together they could kiss.

But, ew.. no thank you.

"But-- But Mr. Hugh--"

"Sit down, Annabeth. Or else it'll be double."

That made her shut up immediately, sitting down quickly and looking down at her hands, her eyes still a storm.

Percy sat down, his fists clenching so much his knuckles were white. Grover patted his back quietly, fear shown evident on his face.

I hate her. He thought non-stop for the rest of the period. I hate her.

He didn't think it could have gotten any worse, but it seems the only luck he had had been used up for not getting paired with Annabeth, and with Grover instead. That's when a ding was heard, and the assistant principal, Mr. Chiron Brunner, said something that would change his life forever.

"Lockdown, now. I repeat, lockdown your classrooms. No one leaves and no one ente--" A loud bang was heard, and then something that sounded like a body slumping down. "If you lockdown, we will find you. You know who you are." A new, cold, voice said. "Your mother can't protect you now." Cue cold laughter. Another ding was heard, signaling the end of the announcement.

It took a solid five seconds before everyone started freaking out, but Percy couldn't help but notice Annabeth looked paler than usual. And then everything made sense.