Miles Apart

Three

"You mean, she paid you to be my friend?" I ask coldly. 

"She said it was more like a chauffeur, but yeah I guess." Percy puts his hands in his pockets awkwardly. I start shaking my head. Like, how pathetic does my mother take me for? 

"Well, if you have anything else to do. You can go. I'll probably sit outside and read or something." I tell him.

Percy raises his eyebrows in amusement, "You come to the beach for spring break and you read?"

I feel my face heat up a bit, "Yeah." I look down at my feet, not wanting to look him in the eyes. 

"Hmmm, interesting." He sits down on the couch and grabs the remote. 

"Uh, what are you doing?" I ask him. Why didn't he leave? I told him he didn't have to stay. 

"Hanging out? What does it look like I'm doing?" He says with a faint smirk. 

"I thought you'd have better things to do."

"Probably, but if I leave then that means I have to work in my mom's diner. It's a win-win." He smiles. His smile is perfect. Wait, I don't care. 

"What's in it for me then? You said it was a win-win." 

"Ah, smart girl. I can totally see the family resemblance." I grimace at his words. "Anyways, I get a day where I can chill out instead of working and you get to be protected in case someone breaks in. Not to mention, you get to spend the day with an attractive guy like me." He flashes a smile. 

"Uh, yeah, okay. Well, I'll be in my room." I say as I turn on my heels and walk back to the room that my bags were set in. I get out my phone and text Piper everything that has happened. She immediately calls me. 

"Oh my God, you're with a boy!!!" She squeals. 

"Piper, no. My mom paid him to be friends with me. For today, at least." I tell her. 

"So? Annabeth, you've only kissed one guy and that was freshman year. You need action." 

"Piper, no."

"Send me a picture of him. I wanna know if he's hot. Is he hot?" She rambles. 

"I mean, yeah. I guess so. Wait, wait, wait. I am not doing that. Piper, that is so weird." 

"Ugh, fine!"

"So, how was your date with Luke?" I ask her to change the subject. I hear her start giggling. 

"Well, we went back to his apartment afterwards. Annabeth, he was so good. Like he did this thing-"

I cut her off there. "Piper! Ew! He's like my older brother. I do not want to hear about your nighttime activities." Of course, Percy walks in when I say that. "Uh, hey Percy. What's up?" I say a bit awkwardly and with a burning face. I have to turn my volume down because Piper starts squealing. 

Percy has an amused look on his face. "Nighttime activities?" I cringe as he says that. Why did he have to walk in then? "Anyways, I was wondering if you wanted me to order some pizza. I'm kinda hungry."

"Yeah, that's fine. I don't care what you get on it, just please have olives and no anchovies." 

"Noted," He says and walks out of my room. I hear Piper squealing again. 

"Oh my God, AB. He sounds hot!" She says. I just put my head in my hands. 

"Okay, well I'll call you back later. Have fun in Greece. Love you!" I tell her. 

"Love you, too!" She says and hangs up. I am so glad that I am done with that conversation. I walk into the kitchen area and see Percy just sitting on one of the bar stools. He turns to look at me when I hear his footsteps. He gives me the same amused grin as he gave me when he walked into my room. 

"Pizza should be here in like twenty minutes," He says. 

"Alright, thanks." I wonder if he heard any of that conversation. Like how long was he outside my door? He couldn't have been out there long, right?

"So, I heard you talked about me." I stand corrected. 

"Yeah, Piper wanted all the details for everyday on this trip. Especially since it was so..... unexpected."

He gives me a curious look but doesn't say anything. I can tell that he wants to know more but doesn't want to overstep.

I sigh. "My mom and I... we don't have the best relationship." I tell him and he gets the hint and nods. 

"Well, I'm sure you didn't expect me either," He smiles as he tries to lighten the suddenly serious mood. 

"I can't say that I did," I chuckle. He stares at me intently and it makes me nervous. Why am I nervous around this boy? I just met him like two hours ago. I can feel my cheeks heating up. "What?" I finally ask. 

Percy smiles at me innocently, "Oh, nothing." Before I can press anymore, there's a knock at the door. "I'll get it." He jumps up and practically runs to the door. I feel my phone vibrate and I pull out my phone to see a text from the group message. Leo sent a meme about wanting action and specifically mentioned Piper. I don't respond but I do laugh. As annoying as the scrawny boy is, he can make anyone feel better. Well, except maybe Frank, but even him sometimes. 

"Boyfriend?" I hear Percy ask. I start laughing at his question. He gets a confused look on his face. 

"You don't really peg me as a romantic person, do you?" I laugh a little longer, "That would be Piper. Definitely not me. But to answer your question, that was one of my best friend's, Leo. He's been begging Pipes to make out with him for years." 

"Ah, gotcha." He opens the cabinets and grabs some plates for us to eat off of. He gives me a plate of two pieces and we venture into the living room to watch TV. 

We sit down and begin eating. We talk and laugh as we eat and even argue a few times. Around five, I see him start to check his phone more often. "You know, you don't have to be here. You can go if you need to," I offer. 

"Are you sure? I mean I don't-" Percy starts. 

"Percy, it's fine. I'm fine. If you need to go, then go. I don't want to hold you up." I stand and take our plates into the kitchen. I quickly wash them off and put away the last few slices of pizza. 

"Alright. I'll see you later though," He smiles at me as he grabs his stuff and leaves. I immediately find a good spot on the couch and open my book. I have since put on my reading glasses and I read until I hear a door open. I see my mom walk in and put her bags down. 

"Hey, mom." I say and she turns around looking startled. Her face softens when her eyes land on me. 

"Annabeth, it's so good to see you." She smiles. I turn my attention back to my book and I continue reading until she sits down beside me. 

"How have you been? Have you been out on the beach?" She asks me. Why does she care? She didn't even call me for my sixteenth birthday. 

"Fine. Not yet, I don't like the sand," I answer and keep reading. 

"Have you eaten?" 

"Yeah, Percy ordered a pizza." 

"Alright, great! Well, I have a gala to attend to tonight. Will you be alright on your own?" And there it is. The first night in a new place and I'm completely alone. 

"Yeah. I'll be fine." 

"Alright, sweetie." She stands and leans over as if to kiss my cheek but I lean away. She just looks at me and then walks away. I go to my room and lie down on the bed, suddenly feeling a wave of exhaustion. I pass out in no time.