Sign {A Pernico Story AU} ✔

Percy - Special

Everything was normal again when I went back to school the next day.

Expect somethings had changed.

Reyna, for one, has stopped glaring at me like she wants to rip my head off all the time. Now she only does it sometimes. It's progress.

In addition, Nico started hanging out with me more. Aside from tutoring, we actually talk between classes and hang out after school. I even asked him to eat lunch with me today, and he accepted. I was excited. I mean, I know it's just lunch, not a romantic candlelight dinner, but something's better than nothing.

I walked to my locker with Annabeth. She was rambling on about some book she was reading. Usually I tuned her out (I never knew what books she was referring to), but today I actually recognized the title.

"Bridge to Terabithia? Yeah, I think I've heard of that one."

Annabeth's eyes lit up. "You've read it?"

"Oh, no way. It's too long for me. But Nico has. He was just telling me about it yesterday."

Her eyes seemed to lose their light. "Who?"

"The kid with the long black hair? High-key emo? Hazel's brother? I think you two would get along. He reads all the time, just like you." I said, smiling at her. She didn't seem very happy. I heard her mumble something to herself before speaking up.

"You've been stuck spending a lot of time with him, huh? I'm sorry Percy. If I hadn't signed you up for tutoring, you wouldn't be stuck with that loser." She rolled her grey eyes.

I got one of my books out my locker and poked her with it. "Hey! I'm not hanging out with Nico because he tutors me. I hang out with him because I like him!"

I stopped upon realizing what I said. Annabeth did too. "What do you mean you like him?"

"I mean he's cool okay... no need to make it weird, Annie." I put my hands up in surrender. That was close. A little too close. I didn't want anyone to know about my crush on Nico until I was sure about it. I glanced around for anything to get me out of this conversation.

"Oh, by the way, you guys don't have to wait for me during lunch. I'm eating with some other friends."

Annabeth's glare was murderous. "Now you'd rather eat lunch with your charity case and his body guard than us?" she asked, pointing behind me.

Nico and Reyna were standing together as usual. Reyna pointed at me and Nico turned.

He waved when he caught my eye. I waved back with a smile and turned to Annabeth.

"Look, I have to go, okay? We can talk later when you're not being so... weird." I shut my locker with a lot more anger than I meant to.

Annabeth glanced (more like glared) at Nico, who was still watching us. He was staring at her lips, watching for her response. Annabeth put her hand to her face to scratch her nose. 

"Fine. Just meet me on the bleachers after school."

It sounded more like an order than an request. I was about to mention that I had tutoring again, but Annabeth took her hand away from her face and walked off.

Ugh. Girls.

I went to join Nico and Reyna. He had math first period (I felt truly bad for him. No one should have to deal with numbers so early) and Reyna and I had science. As we walked to the math room, Nico spoke.

"What was that about? With Annabeth? She looked kinda angry."

I shook my head. "It's nothing. She was just.. upset I spoiled her book for her. That's all."