Loverboy (PERCABETH AU)

Chapter 27

Annabeth POV

Three days.
Just three more days until the two-month mark.

It sounds ridiculous when I think about it — people don't usually count the days unless it's... well, unless it matters. And it matters to me. A lot.

The morning started with that thought stuck in my head like a song lyric I couldn't shake. I woke up earlier than usual, which was strange because I'm usually dragging myself out of bed, but today I was already sitting at my desk, staring at my planner, circling the date in the corner like some middle schooler about to go to her first dance.

I even tried to tell myself, Chase, you're being ridiculous. It's just a date on the calendar.
But it wasn't just a date. It was a milestone. One I actually wanted to reach, not just because of the number, but because it would give me the perfect excuse to tell our friends — really tell them — that Percy and I were together.

By the time I got to school, the air had that kind of winter bite that makes your nose pink within seconds. I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck, and I swear I caught myself smiling for no reason other than knowing Percy was somewhere on campus, probably already late to first period.

Sure enough, I spotted him at his locker — or, more accurately, leaning against it like he was waiting for it to open on its own. His hair was a little messy, like he'd just rolled out of bed, and his shoelace was untied. Classic Percy.

"Seaweed Brain," I greeted, nudging his arm as I walked past him to my own locker.

"Morning, Wise Girl." He sounded half-asleep, but there was a little grin there.

I busied myself pulling out my math book, mostly so he wouldn't see the way my smile lingered. "You're going to trip over that shoelace," I pointed out.

"I'll risk it," he said, shutting his locker.

Risk it. Of course he would.

First period dragged, but by second period, Piper had already sniffed me out like she always did when something was on my mind. She slid into the seat next to mine before the teacher walked in, leaning in conspiratorially.

"You're in a good mood," she said, a little suspicious.

I shrugged, flipping open my notebook. "It's just a good day."

Her eyes narrowed. "You always say that when it's not just a good day."

I bit back a laugh. Piper knew me too well. "Maybe I just woke up on the right side of the bed?"

"Uh-huh." She didn't believe me for a second, but thankfully the teacher started class before she could press further.

At lunch, I sat down at our usual table, across from Leo, who was in the middle of showing Jason something on his phone.

"...and then the drone just—"

"Hi," I interrupted, sliding my tray down.

Jason glanced up. "Hey, Annabeth. Where's Percy?"

"Probably still in line," I said, looking over my shoulder to check — and there he was, balancing a slice of pizza and a bottle of water like he was on some kind of mission.

He joined us a moment later, sitting beside me without much thought, and I felt Piper's eyes flick between us like she was putting together a puzzle. I pretended not to notice.

"So," Leo said, turning his phone toward Percy, "you're telling me if we don't attach the camera here, it won't flip over in the air?"

Percy frowned at the tiny diagram. "I'm telling you I have no idea how drones work."

Leo groaned. "Useless."

I caught Percy's eye and smiled just a little — one of those small, private smiles you give someone without even thinking about it. And the fact that we could do that, in front of our friends, without them knowing the full story yet... it made the wait almost fun. Almost.

After school, I walked home with a bounce in my step that I hadn't felt in a while. The cold didn't bother me; in fact, it made everything sharper, clearer. My mind kept going over the same plan: wait until the exact day, the exact moment, and tell everyone. Make it official.

At home, Helen was in the kitchen, working on something for dinner. The smell of rosemary and garlic filled the air.

"You're home early," she said without looking up.

"Last class was canceled," I replied, setting my bag down.

She glanced at me then, tilting her head slightly. "You've been smiling a lot lately."

I tried to play it cool. "Have I?"

"Yes," she said simply, with that motherly knowing look that made me want to retreat to my room. "It's nice. I like seeing you happy."

That... meant more than I expected.

That night, I sprawled out on my bed with my laptop open, supposedly working on an essay but actually just daydreaming. Every so often, I'd glance at my phone, half-expecting Percy to text. Eventually, I gave in and sent him something first.

Annabeth: Hey. Did you finish the history homework?

Percy: Uh... define "finish"?

Annabeth: Percy.

Percy: Relax, Wise Girl. I'll do it. Eventually.

I rolled my eyes but smiled all the same. It was such a small, nothing conversation, but it felt like ours.

The next morning started with the same restless energy. I dressed a little faster than usual, even picked a scarf I knew Percy had complimented once. It wasn't like I was trying too hard... but okay, maybe I was.

When I got to school, he was already there, sitting on the steps outside with his hood up, scrolling on his phone. I sat down beside him without a word, close enough that our shoulders brushed.

"Cold?" he asked.

"Not really."

We stayed like that for a few minutes, not talking much. Just... there. And I realized something — for all my big plans and countdowns, sometimes the quiet moments were my favorite.

By lunch, Piper was on me again.

"You're seriously not going to tell me what's going on?" she demanded, poking her fork at her salad.

"Not yet," I said, and even I could hear the smile in my voice.

"'Not yet' means there's something to tell," she said, her eyes narrowing.

I didn't answer, which was probably answer enough.

After school, I walked with Percy to the subway station, even though it wasn't my route. I don't know why — maybe just to stretch out the time.

"You've been smiling a lot," he said suddenly, almost mirroring Helen's words from yesterday.

"Is that a problem?"

"No," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Just... noticing."

I wanted to tell him then, to blurt it out, I'm smiling because of you, because in three days I'm going to tell everyone we're together. But I bit my tongue. The wait was part of it.

That night, I sat in my room, scribbling in my planner again. Three days. Only three.

I lay back on my bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what it would be like to say it out loud, to watch people's reactions, to see Percy's expression when he realized I'd been planning this all along.

I didn't even realize I'd fallen asleep smiling.

Filler chapter