Show Me The World

Chapter 16

Annabeth's POV
Okay, I know everyone is asking if I'm dating someone and who's jacket I'm wearing, but no one has asked. And honestly, I'm glad they haven't. I would be weird to explain something like that to people who I already told I didn't have a boyfriend. Because that would difficult.

So here's the answer. Do you remember my old boyfriend, well it's his jacket. Ethan Nakamura.  I was wearing it because of the scars.

As for dating, well...

You see over the weekend I got a message from Ethan. A threat. He said he would tell everyone what I did if I didn't start dating him. I told him I wouldn't because it's not like he was here, but guess what?

The next day I saw him. In New York. Ethan said that if I didn't date him he would tell everyone at Goode what happened back in San Francisco. Ethan is going to start at Goode on Tuesday.

Oh no. That's tomorrow. He, also, told me to stop hanging out with my friends. I guess that's what I have to do.

Ethan thinks we can be popular again if we start dating. So, now I'm going to dress nice and be a bitch. Yay! (Sarcasm intended).

Percy's POV
"I don't think she's dating anyone," Piper says, when we see her on Monday, "That school is from San Francisco."

"Thank goodness," I mumble.

"Aw. Is little Percy happy his crush doesn't have a boyfriend?" Leo ask, in a mocking little kid voice.

"Shut up, Leo..." my voice trails off as I she Annabeth walk in to school. She looks different. I almost didn't realize it was her because she has so much makeup on and clothes that... well, let's just say, weren't her size...

Sure, she looked hot, just not her.

Annabeth was also with a boy. He had his arm around her. That doesn't mean they're dating, though, right?

"Hey, Annie! Over here!" Piper calls out. The two walk over to us.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" she asks.

"Nothing much. By the way I'm Piper. Who are you?" Piper seems to be getting a little protective. But I can't blame her. So am I.

"Oh, I'm Ethan Nakamura. I'm, also, Annabeth's boyfriend," he replies. That hits me like a ton of bricks. Annabeth's dating? She said she wasn't. There has to be a misunderstanding, right? Right?!

"I'm Hazel. This is Leo, Frank, Jason, and Percy," Hazel says, pointing to each of us as she says our names.

"Annabeth, I thought you said you didn't have a boyfriend," Jason says. He seems just as confused as me. Everyone does, actually.

"Yeah. When did this happen?" Leo continues.

"It's new," Annabeth relies. She does seem happy about it either.

"Yeah, we were dating when she lived in San Francisco freshman year. Then we had to break up when she moved away. We were both heart broken because we thought we'd never see each other again. Then we ran in to each other this weekend and got together. So... here we are," Ethan says. Annabeth looks down at the ground. I know no one else seems to be noticing this, but I could tell this wasn't the whole truth. Or maybe not even the truth at all.

"Well, we better get to class so... bye, I guess," Annabeth says, awkwardly. Then, the pair turns and walks away.

"Annabeth! Wait!" I call out. I don't really know why, but I had to talk to her.

"Yes?" I forgot everything when she turns to look at me. I see her stunning gray eyes and I'm hooked. They're like a drug. Except good.

"Um... I was wondering if you wanted to finish the ELA project at my house today? You know, if you have time..."

"Okay. See you later." Just as she says this, the bell rings.

"I'm so sorry, Perce. That sucks," Piper says, with sympathy. Everyone was looking at me with the same look in their eyes. Sympathy.

"Yeah. She seemed totally in to you, dude. That's got to suck," Leo says with the most sympathy I've ever heard him use.

"It's fine. Annabeth seems happy, so I can't really complain," I tell them. They give me a look, like they think I'm lying. "Truly. As long as she's happy." It's just don't think she is happy. "Besides, it's not like she would have liked me anyway. You saw them. A couple.
That's the guy Annabeth is in to. Not me. I have to get to class. Bye. See you at lunch."

Annabeth's POV
"Are you seriously going to the boys house after school?!" Ethan asks, exasperated.

"Percy? Yeah. We have a school project. I have to," I explain. Though, to be completely honest I just want to go.

"School project? What? Is that code for making out in his basement?"

"Are you seriously jealous of Percy? It's not like he would ever like me and why do you care? You don't actually like me. All you care about is being popular! We both know it's true," I tell him crossing my arms.

"I-" he begins, but I cut him off.

"I have to get to class. See you later." Then I zwalk to class with a few stares and wolf whistles. I punch those guys (and one girl).

After school I don't even want to talk to any one. I just grab Percy's wrist and drag him to his car before Ethan can stop me. But just my luck. Their cars are parked right next to each other.

"Hey, Ethan," Percy says as we walk over to his car.

"Hi, Annabeth. Percy. Don't let me keep you from your school project," he says the last part through gritted teeth.

"Bye," I say, kind of sheepishly. Before we can go Ethan grabs me by the waist and pull me in to a harsh kiss.

"Bye, Annie." Then Ethan leaves.

"I'm sorry." I turn to Percy.

"For what? You didn't do anything," Percy tells me.

"I'm sorry you had to watch that. Sorry you might have to share the stage with untalented me. I'm sorry for being such a slut. I sorry for everything," I explain.

"First, you had to see me with Drew, sohat was just pay back. Two you are definitely not untalented. And you most definitely are not a slut! Why would you think that?"

"Because it's true! I'm a slut and I'm ugly and I stupid! Everyone should hate me! And the do!" I cry, tears brimming my eyes.

Percy puts hands on my upper arm in an attempt to calm me down. "No they don't. Piper doesn't. Hazel doesn't. Jason and Leo don't. Frank doesn't hate anyone. And I most definitely don't. Don't think that about yourself. Because it's not true. You're not an ugly, untalented, slut. Don't call yourself Drew again." At that we both let out a little chuckle.

Percy takes his hands off my arms, and he wipes the tears off my cheeks that I didn't realize I let fall. "Come on. Let's go."