Beach Daze (Percabeth AU)

Sally's Book Shop

During my time here, I picked up a small job at Sally's bookstore to earn a little extra cash. It was simple, and Sally was very hesitant at first because I was on vacation, but when I told her I needed some money and I wanted a small job, she quickly showed me what to do.

It wasn't ever too busy in the shop. The café tended to have more business. Percy would work there whenever I was over at the shop, just so he could be with me more often. He can be clingy at times. It's kinda cute.

I have only a week left here. Today, we both sit behind the counter to the bookstore, as no one was in either room, but anyone who entered had to go in through those doors.

We sip on our blue lemonades, him pulling on my curls to watch them spring up, and me reading Daedalus's Journal taking in every idea that the genius man had.

"Hey," a female voice speaks, causing me to look up. She was cute with red hair that was pulled up into a sloppy bun, held together by only two paintbrushes that were stabbed through it. She wore jean shorts and a white shirt, both of which were covered in paint splatters.

"Hi Rachel,"  Percy greets, smiling at her. So this was his ex. I know she wasn't a threat, but I still felt a spark of jealousy upon seeing her. He motions to me. "This is my girlfriend, Annabeth."

She smiles brightly. "I'm his friend, Rachel! He's texted me a lot about you. I ask for the daily updates. I just had to come meet you myself."

The spark of jealousy soon fades. There was no threats laced in her voice, no sugar sweet coating. And her body language said it all. They were definitely only friends now.

"It's nice to meet you," I tell her.

"Trust me, the pleasure is mine. You're hot. Like really fucking hot. I've seen a ton of bikini babes on this beach and like-"

"That's enough, Rach." Percy sees my red face. "She's mine."

"But... hot damn! Percy, how did you even-"

"Don't ask me."

She smiles and laughs. Then, she grabs my hand and pulls me aside.

"Be good to him, okay? And listen, if you're just looking for a summer fling, Percy's not it. He may be the hottest man on that beach, but he's yet to lose his virginity. If that's all you want... he's not the right one for that. He's also very loyal. He'll stick by your side whenever you need it and even when you don't. He's a good person. His mom raised him right. I don't want to see him get hurt," Rachel whispers.

"I know he is and I'm not interested in just a summer fling. I don't want to hurt him either."

She nods her head. "Good."

She shoves me back towards the counter and looks at him. "Percy, get me a smoothie."

"Yes Ma'am." She follows him and I watch curiously out of the corner of my eye as she teases him relentlessly about me. His face is pink as she pokes at his arm, laughing. Then, she forces him to lean down and whispers something in his ear. It causes his face to go bright red as he shakes his head violently.

She walks out and winks at me, taking another slip of her smoothie. "Bye Annabeth, I hope to see you again soon!"

Percy is left collecting himself after what she had told him. He takes a deep breath and comes back into the bookshop, not quite meeting my gaze.

I place a hand on his arm. "What's wrong?" He rubs the back of his neck.

"Nothing. Just, she can be embarrassing."

"What did she say to you?"

"Just teasing me a lot. She does that often."

"She seems nice."