Loverboy (PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 13

Percy POV

By the time first period rolled around, the only thing keeping me awake was the promise of Coach Hedge's brutal swim practice after school. Not because I actually liked waking up early to be yelled at for two hours straight, but because it meant I'd have something to focus on that wasn't Luke Castellan's smug face.

I didn't even know why Luke was in my head. I wasn't the one who went out with him last night.

But still, I'd been there, leaning against the arcade wall with the guys, when I saw him walking with Annabeth. Hand in hand. Smiling like he'd just won some kind of prize.

And okay, maybe that shouldn't bug me — Annabeth can hang out with whoever she wants — but Luke? Really? The guy's got a reputation. He's been suspended twice, started fights in the hallway, and I've heard enough from Jason about his "charm" being the kind that wears off quick.

I'd never seen him try it on Annabeth before. Now suddenly he's showing up at her locker, buying her coffee, and walking her home? Yeah. I wasn't buying it.

The hallway before first period was its usual madhouse — people slamming lockers, shoving through crowds, calling out to their friends like they were all competing for loudest voice. I was pulling my swim bag higher on my shoulder when I spotted her.

Annabeth was at her locker, tucking a pencil into her hair like she always did, flipping through her books with this faint smile on her face. Not the sarcastic kind she gives me when I say something dumb — this was softer.

And then Luke appeared.

"Morning," he said to her, leaning one hand on the locker next to hers like this was some kind of high school rom-com.

"Hey," she said, and I swear her voice warmed up a little.

I slowed my steps without really meaning to.

Luke started talking about something — a concert? — and she laughed at something he said. I couldn't hear all of it over the hallway noise, but I caught enough to know they were already making plans.

That was fast.

Jason came up beside me, following my gaze. "You gonna say something?" he asked under his breath.

"About what?" I said, forcing my feet to keep moving.

"About the fact that Castellan's hovering over her like he's marking territory?"

"Not my business," I muttered.

Jason didn't answer right away, but I could feel his eyes on me, like he was trying to figure out if I meant it.

Truth was, I wasn't sure if I did.

It's not like Annabeth needs me to scare guys off for her. She's perfectly capable of handling herself — probably more than me, if we're being honest. But Luke's... different. The kind of guy who can seem nice one second and turn on you the next.

I've seen him get that look in his eyes — sharp, cold, like he's already calculated how to win before you even know you're in a game.

Annabeth didn't see it, though. Not right now. She was still smiling, still talking, still letting him carry her books like she couldn't manage on her own.

By lunch, I'd managed to mostly forget about it. Until I walked into the cafeteria and saw them again — sitting together at one of the smaller tables, her sketchbook open between them like they'd been talking about whatever she was drawing. Luke was leaning forward, elbows on the table, saying something that made her laugh again.

And here's the thing — I like seeing Annabeth laugh. She's serious most of the time, and when she's relaxed enough to actually laugh, it's... good.

But I couldn't shake the thought that Luke Castellan doesn't do anything without a reason.