Annabeth's fingers drummed the table, creasing the satin tablecloth.

She sighed, checking her watch for what felt like the millionth time.

He was almost an hour late

Annabeth leaned back in her chair, rolling an empty glass in her hands. She probably would've ordered another drink of water, but her bladder was quite content with the three glasses she already had.

Even the waiters were looking at her with pity. She hated it.

Hell, she didn't even want to be on this date. The only excuse she had was that her roommate, Silena had her boyfriend over. And Annabeth had absolutely no intention of stepping into their apartment, given the circumstances.

She was just about to leave when her date showed up.

She cringed when she saw him.

Octavian was not a pretty sight

Who knew what possessed her to swipe right on his profile on CHBer? Maybe it was because she was new to town and didn't know anyone except her roommate.

No, she decided she would socialise. And who knew? Maybe Octavian wasn't as shitty as his face.

Another half hour had passed when her date barged into the restaurant, sashaying into the room as if he hadn't wasted her time.

"You're early," he remarked, pulling a chair and sitting opposite to her.

"You're late," Annabeth pouted, the glass still in her hands. She sounded whiny, squeaky to her own ears. But she was too hungry to care about manners right now. She was beginning to develop a headache. The lights were so bright, luckily, they couldn't blind her.

The boy shrugged, "Better late than never," he remarked, picking up the menu casually.

Annabeth resisted the urge to throw her glass at him.

When she finally decided to step outside her house, after practically weeks of isolation, she thought it would be liberating and exciting to travel to a new city and meet new people. Her entire career was leading up to this moment in time when she was climbing up the ladder in one of the biggest architectural firms in the world.

This is not what she wanted. She hated the feel of Octavian's slimy hand on hers, slick with hair gel or whatever rat's urine he used to slick back his hair. She should've just stayed in her room and read a book or watched Derry Girls.

Octavian was clearly not worth the wait.

He waved the waiter over, "I'll have the lobster and she'll have a salad," he ordered, without a glance at her.

Annabeth pursed her lips.

"So after lunch, your place or mine?" Octavian asked, finally setting down the menu and meeting her eyes.

Annabeth baulked, "What?"

"I'd prefer my place," he continued, waving his hand around to enunciate, "I don't know what kinda shack you might be living in. I stay in a penthouse."

"Sorry?" Annabeth asked again, unable to believe her own ears. This had to be a joke...right?

He narrowed his eyes, "Gods you're slow," he whispered under his breath, loud enough for her to hear.

That effectively managed to snap her out of her trance.

"You're delusional," she laced her hands atop the table, sitting up straighter, "If you think I'm going anywhere with you."

His mouth flew open, "Excuse me?!"

"You're excused," she rolled her eyes.

It was his turn to be livid, despite having no right to such a feeling, "You're joking right?" He threw his arms to the sky, "I did everything right! We're at a dumb restaurant! What's your problem?"

Annabeth's eyes narrowed, "Just because we're at a dumb restaurant, doesn't give you the dam right to treat me like I don't have an opinion."

He ignored her, "You're such a gold digger. Why did you agree to the date if you didn't want to put it out?"

"What makes you think that a woman should put out just because you take her out?" she challenged, her voice and temper rising.

"As a common courtesy?!" he shouted, "It's the least you can do! You're not even that pretty."

"Right back at you, you foul, loathsome, cockroach," Annabeth snapped.

"You bit-"

"I'd advise you not to finish that sentence," a new voice countered, blocking Octavian's bullcrap.

Annabeth turned, her anger dissipating when she saw him.

He had windswept raven hair, which seemed like It never saw a comb, yet was somehow alluring on his handsome face. Dazzling sea-green eyes, shimmering with amusement and a myriad of emotions he approached her table.

But most of all, his troublemaker grin cause her own lips to perk up.

"Is he bothering you?" the boy asked, completely ignoring a flabbergasted Octavian.

"Is it that obvious?" Annabeth replied with a little smile. His voice was smooth.

"Kinda," he shrugged, grinning, "I could hear his whiny voice from across the room."

"Who the hell are you?!" Octavian demanded, slamming his fist on the table.

The boy was not impressed, "Percy Jackson," he replied coolly, extending his arm out, "Sucks to make your acquaintance."

Annabeth's smile grew wider. Octavian's eyes looked like they'd bulge out of his ugly head.

Octavian swatted Percy's hand away, grabbing the vase of roses off the table and tossing it towards him.

It probably was supposed to hit him or cause injury, but with Octavian's weak throw and Percy's reflexes, the vase ended up being caught as easily as a ball.

Percy's grin grew wider as he held onto the vase, "I think that's assault?"

"It is," Annabeth concurred, "You could press charges if you want."

Percy glanced at her, "That sounds like a lovely option."

"It barely hit you!" Octavian protested, jumping up from his chair.

"Ouch!" said Percy dramatically, clutching onto his arm in mock pain, "the agony! The horror!"

Annabeth usually hated unwanted attention. It made her want to shrivel up and hide in a blanket until you somehow turned to dust. But she found herself laughing, playing along despite the dozen eyes fixed on the scene.

"Oh my! I think I see blood!" she gasped, clasping a hand over her mouth.

"You're both liars!" Octavian spat, turning towards Annabeth, "Go have fun with him!" he snapped, cursing under his breath.

Annabeth was too busy laughing to care about him exiting the restaurant in a flurry

Once she collected herself, Percy slid into the seat before her, holding onto the deadly vase of roses.

"Hey," he greeted with a lopsided smile, cupping his chin with his elbow on the table.

It made her heart skip a beat.

"Hey yourself," she replied, mimicking his pose, "Thank you for that."

"Oh don't mention it," Percy shrugged, "You had it under control."

He paused, rolling the vase in his hand, "I'm just a sucker for drama."

Annabeth smiled, "That was certainly dramatic," she said with a light laugh, "how's your arm?"

"Oh it needs surgery," Percy replied with a frown, clutching onto his invisible wound.

"Oh, you poor thing."

They blinked, staring at each other with flickering smiles. Somehow, although they were absolute strangers, the exchange didn't feel awkward.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Percy asked

Annabeth shook her head, "Just moved here from California."

"Oh? For work or something?" He inquired, seeming genuinely curious.

"Yeah, got offered a partnership in a firm," she beamed, "I'm an architect."

"Oh a real wise girl, aren't you?" he smiled, eyes sparkling with amusement.

"And what it is that you do?" she countered, twiddling with the tablecloth.

"I'm an athlete," he shrugged, "Nothin too grand. I swim."

"Why are you so dismissive about it?" Annabeth furrowed her brows.

It was appalling. The sportsmen she knew usually advertised their fields as if they invented them, not turning away at the mention of it.

"Oh..er.." Percy looked away, hand on the nape of his neck, "It's just that most people think it's a hobby but...you know, it's my job."

"Well most people are stupid," Annabeth decided, "Besides, it's honourable to follow your heart."

She meant it. She didn't know why, but she felt a strange, almost intrinsic desire to knock some sense into his head. She wanted to see him proud, happy and well, capable of accepting that.

From her few minutes with him, it was abundantly clear to her that he was probably one of the nicest people she'd ever met. And, he was clearly a gentleman.

"Didn't your heart lead you to a date with that rat-face?" Percy smirked, turning back to her. His eyes shone brighter.

She stifled a smile. A gentleman with a sense of humour apparently.

"Oh Gods," Annabeth facepalmed, "I think that was my boredom, not my heart. I've been here for almost two weeks and this is the first time I've stepped out."

"You're kidding right?" Percy looked scandalised.

She shook her head, "I wish! All I've been doing is going to work and unpacking. This is my first real outing."

Percy shook his head, "No no, that simply cannot do."

He played with the vase in his hands before declaring, "You need a proper tour, from a real New Yorker."

It was Annabeth's turn to flash a coy smile, "Are you offering?" she asked, her heart doing cartwheels in her chest.

Percy leaned forward, matching her grin, "Of course, I'm a gentleman".

She blinked. Had he been reading her thoughts?

Without a moment of hesitation, thoughts still in a tizzy she blurted out, "So Mr tour-guide, what's on the agenda?"

"First, let's get out of this place."

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

Thank you all for reading!
Updates are gonna be on, the 20th, 21st and 22nd of August, to commemorate my first three days (and a quarter)  at my new boarding school!

(posted 20/8/24- 8:30 pm)
(And before anyone asks, I did pull an all nighter before this)

Stay tuned!!!
—S