When Swords Meet Wands

Capture The Flag.

Annabeth

"Annabeth, you coming?" Nico called over his shoulder, walking outside with every other eighth-year and seventh-year.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll just get Percy and come," she replied.

Sure, Annabeth was excited for capture the flag, but not now. Not now, when there's a huge prophecy looming over them which they've barely figured out. By the way, did she mention that the world might be ending in, like, a month?

Maybe this was why the teachers said it would be a good time for a distraction.

She poked her head inside their cabin. Percy wasn't there. He must be in his room then, he'd told her that he was going to the cabin. She knocked sharply twice on his door. Percy said something incomprehensible. She took it as a yes and opened the door.

Apparently, Percy had just come out from the shower.

Well, he was wearing pants, but still.

Annabeth could feel the hotness spreading to her cheeks and neck. Her mind told to back out and close the door, but her eyes kept her rooted to the spot. Percy had a very well-defined stomach. He was very lean but muscular and his biceps were bulging when he raised his arms to dry his hair. His wet hair was sticking to his face, framing his sea-green eyes. His eyes seemed to be glowing in the dim light. Annabeth couldn't seem to avert her eyes.

"Wise Girl!" Percy yelped, his voice an octave higher than usual. "Wha-what are you doing here!"

"Uhhhhh," Annabeth said very intelligently. She cleared her throat, hoping it would clear her mind as well. "I came here to call you for capture the flag." She hoped that was what she said, because she honestly couldn't concentrate properly.

"I will come out, right away. Right after, uhh, I put on my. . .very nice-looking shirt," Percy stuttered. Annabeth blushed even harder and her palms started to get clammy. She could practically hear Percy cringing inwardly after he said that.

And then she gave him double thumbs-up, grinned maniacally, said "Good luck" and closed the door.

Annabeth very calmly walked to her own room, smushed her face into a pillow and screamed for one solid minute.

Feeling better after that, Annabeth collected her war games equipment: sword, dagger, backup dagger, shin guards, helmet, breastplate and her invisibility cap. She didn't actually know if these were required; she didn't know how wizarding capture the flag worked.

She jogged toward the large group of people milling about near the huge forest. All of them were wearing casual clothes, shorts or track suits or pants and shirts. She saw Thalia and Nico at the edge of the group standing with Hermione, Ron and Ginny. Those three and Harry were the only friends the demigods made. And then once their true identities were revealed, it completely and absolutely cut off any chances to make any other friendships, thus completely and absolutely dooming their alliance mission.

It's fine, Annabeth thought, Completely and absolutely fine. Until she saw the way the other students were standing a small but noticeable distance away. It's completely and absolutely fine, Annabeth kept thinking, like a mantra. But even she couldn't deny it for long.

"Hey," Thalia greeted. "Where's Kelp Head?"

At the mention of Percy, Annabeth felt hot again.

"Why is your face like that?" Hermione asked, joining in the conversation.

Annabeth felt even hotter, as if they could see the images running across her mind.

She laughed nervously, "Why is my face like what?"