Alright, she wasn't sure why she followed a random stranger to a cafe in a town she was new to, but it seemed like the right decision at the time.

And It still seemed like the right decision now. Percy, whose last name she'd just learnt was Jackson, was true to his word.

They'd left that uptight restaurant and ended up in a modest cafe, nestled within a quiet part of town.

She knew the second that she entered the cafe, that she found her new favourite spot. It was quiet, despite being filled with customers.

And, much to her delight, it was a bookstore as well! Run by an adorable man named Bob, and his cat, small Bob.

She would have never found this place on her own and was now ten times more grateful for Percy for bringing her here.

Perhaps in another life, she could open a store like this.

She was now more certain than ever that enlisting Percy Jackson's help had not let her down. She didn't even realise how lonely she had been until she had his company. Walking through a crowd along with him felt brighter like the village was aglow.

It certainly made her day brighter.

"You really like to read, huh," Percy asked, munching on a bright doughnut as Annabeth gushed over the magazine she'd just purchased.

"Of course," she grinned, setting down the latest edition of 'The Architecture Digest'.
"Who doesn't?"

"Me," Percy shrugged, gulping down his snack, "I'm dyslexic."

Annabeth blinked, "So am I," she huffed.

"You?!" Percy seemed truly shocked, "How's that possible? You seem...you seem so smart!"

"Smart people can be dyslexic," she countered, trying not to laugh, "Albert Einstein was dyslexic too."

"Whatever, wise girl," he shook his head, shoving the remnants of his doughnut into his mouth.

"Wise girl?" Annabeth asked, raising a brow. It was the second time he called her that. It was starting to grow on her, despite leaving her with a giant question mark.

Percy shrugged again, "Just seems appropriate," he replied.

Annabeth suppressed her smile, turning her attention to his plate, "why's the food here blue?" she inquired

"Oh," Percy's face lit up, "My mom used to work here, and she pitched the idea to Bob, cause of how much I loved her blue food. He loved it, and ever since then, this place has been famous for it," he beamed.

Annabeth smiled. It was adorable how proud of his mother he was. She must be a remarkable woman.

She reached over to steal a cookie, at the same time he did. Their fingers grazed a featherlight touch. It made her heart skip a beat.

She looked away, hoping he wouldn't notice her flushed cheeks as she quickly extracted the treat.

"Does she still work here?" she asked, taking a bite of her cookie. It melted in her mouth.

Percy shook his head, "Na, she's an author now. Works from home," he was radiant, "she's great at writing."

"Oh!" Annabeth's eyes lit up, "What did she write?"

Percy smiled, "It's called, love song of the gods."

"'No way!" Annabeth gasped, "I adore that book! I read it on my first flight to New York!"

"No way!" Percy grinned, matching her enthusiasm.

He paused for a second, suddenly looking very solemn, "You're not the one who left a one-star review on it, right?" he asked, squinting his eyes.

Annabeth shook her head, "Obviously not, I'm not insane," she finished her cookie in an instant, all serious, "Who the hell would leave a one-star review on that book?! It's a masterpiece," she shook her head, already annoyed at the prospect.

"I know right!" he agreed, leaning back in his chair, interlocking his fingers behind his head, "I'm glad it's not you. I'm gonna bury whoever wrote that review in Central Park."

"Call me if you need help," Annabeth stole another cookie, "I need an excuse to visit Central Park."

Percy staggered, sitting upright in an instant, "Hold up...you haven't been to Central Park yet?"

She shook her head, eating her cookie, "Never had the time, I moved here like two weeks ago."

It was particularly true. She did have time, she just chose to spend It working herself to the brink of death, trying to outdo the other partners at her firm. Or unpacking her stuff and complaining about being bored.

Percy stared at her like she grew a third head, "I literally hate New York, but even I think Central Park's great," he shook his head, disappointed, "You chose to go on a date with that ratface instead of Central Park? You need to get your priorities straight, wise girl."

"Shut up, seaweed brain," she mumbled, embarrassed by how right he was, "like I said, I was busy."

"Seaweed brain?" Percy's eyebrows shot up, "very creative."

"Just seems appropriate," she replied, imitating him.

"Is It because I'm stupid and a swimmer?" he asked, grinning despite the uncertainty in his eyes.

"More strong, flexible and resilient, like seaweed," she shrugged, her voice soft, "It can withstand huge waves and currents, and is massively important," she paused, whispering the last part, "Its importance is often overlooked."

She bit her bottom lip, cursing herself for word vomit. She should've just shut up, now things were uncomfortable. Her problem had always been that she could be stubborn to the point of no return.

Sure, it helped her in achieving her goals. She was now one of the youngest partners in her firm, and it served her well in her career.

However, in instances like this, when she had a difference of opinion, it was hard for her to take a back seat.

She wanted Percy to view himself the way she saw him. Despite only knowing him for a few hours, she hated the fact that he couldn't see his value.

Percy blinked, staring at her for so long that her heart created its own choreography within her chest.

Dam her

"I...that...you..." he coughed awkwardly, looking away. The nape of his neck was beet red.

A few seconds later, he spoke. And she finally let out a gust of air she'd refused to exhale.

"That might be one of the nicest things someone's said to me," he met her eyes, voice betraying nothing but earnestness.

He smiled an instant later, his face transforming, "besides my mom of course," he chuckled.

"Right of course," she smiled, relief flooding her senses, "Not like I can call you my little merprince," she teased.

"You can call me anything you like," he shrugged, leaning back in his chair, "like Mr Awesome pants."

Annabeth laughed, "I'm just gonna call you a mama's boy."

"Well both are true," he smirked.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, smiling, "I'll just stick to seaweed brain."

"Anything you say, wise girl."

A pregnant silence coated the air as they stared at the table, matching smiles on their faces. An instant later, Percy jumped to his feet, extending his hand out to her.

"Alright let's go, you already ate all my food anyway."

This time, her face heated up, "I didn't eat all your food!" she lied, and his grin just grew wider. His plate was clearly empty.

"Where are we going?" she asked, watching him adjust his coat, signalling for the bill.

"To Central Park, of course."

..............................................................................

Posted as promised!
It's my first night in my dorm and I'm supposed to be asleep
Classes start in the morning so wish me luck!!

(posted 21/8/24- 12:00am)

Stay tuned!!
—-S