Loverboy (PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 21

Annabeth POV

When I woke up, my first thought was that maybe last night had been a dream.

The pier. The salt air. Percy standing there, looking like he didn't know whether to run or laugh when I told him I liked him.

But then I remembered the way he'd said, "...Okay," after I suggested we try until winter break. The way his arm had slipped around my shoulders on the walk back. The fact that he didn't pull away.

So, no. Not a dream.

I stared at the ceiling for a while before finally dragging myself out of bed. Saturdays at my house are slow—Dad's out on a morning run, my stepmom is already working on lesson plans for her classes, and my little brothers are glued to the TV. It gave me too much time to think.

I'd known for a while how I felt about Percy. I wasn't the kind of person who jumped into relationships, but with him... it was different. He wasn't perfect. He was messy, forgetful, and seemed to collect detentions like trading cards. But he was also loyal in a way most people weren't. When Percy cared about someone, it was all in.

The problem was, Percy didn't see himself that way.

And maybe that's why last night felt so important—because for once, he hadn't made a joke to dodge the moment. He hadn't told me I was wrong, or that I'd regret it. He'd just... agreed. Hesitantly, sure. But he said yes.

I spent the morning doing homework (and by "doing," I mean rearranging my notes into neat piles without actually finishing anything). Around noon, my phone buzzed.

Piper: You alive?

I smiled.

Annabeth: Last I checked.

Piper: So... anything interesting happen last night?

I stared at the screen. Did Percy tell her? No, he wouldn't. We agreed not to tell anyone yet. Still... Piper had this way of figuring things out without being told.

Annabeth: Define interesting.

Piper: You and Perce.

My thumbs hovered over the keyboard.

Annabeth: We hung out.

Piper: Uh-huh. Sure.

I could practically hear the smirk through the phone. I didn't answer, and a second later, she sent:

Piper: Okay, I'll let you be mysterious. But don't think I'm not watching you two.

I rolled my eyes but found myself smiling anyway.

The rest of the day passed quietly, but every time my phone buzzed, I half-expected it to be Percy. When it finally was, around 4 p.m., it was just a meme of a seal making a confused face, followed by This you, Wise Girl?

Typical Percy.

Still, I texted back.

I am not the kind of girl who loses focus in school.

Usually, I'm the one rolling my eyes at people whispering during lessons, the one who already has the homework done before class ends.

But today? I couldn't focus to save my life.

Every time I looked at the board, my brain dragged me back to last night—standing at the pier, the ocean behind us, the cool breeze tangling Percy's hair, the way he'd looked at me when I said I liked him. He'd been caught completely off guard, and I'd loved it. And then... he'd said yes.