Living Arrangements | Percabeth

6.

      Annabeth climbed out of Percy's car in a tight red dress, black high heels, and bright red lipstick that had Percy internally screaming. He went to knock on the front door, but Jason opened it before he had a chance.
       
      "Percy!" he cried. He glanced at the blonde beside his friend and smirked, "and Annabeth."
       
      "I'm gonna go find Piper," she said, entering the house. "I'll see you around." Percy nodded his head in agreement.
       
      "Dude," Jason said, slapping his friend's chest. "You guys came together? I see someone got the job done early-"
       
      "Oh, gross," Percy cringed. However much he liked Annabeth, he didn't want his friend involved in his...personal life. "Actually though, I've been meaning to tell you-"
       
      "Hey, we can talk later," Jason interrupted. "Leo's waiting for us over-"
        
      In the living room, a loud chant could be heard: "SHOT! SHOT! SHOT! SHOT!" In the midst of the crowd was Leo, gulping down several shots of what looked like tequila. Percy snorted. The birthday boy probably wouldn't even remember his party by tomorrow morning.
        
      From across the room, Percy caught a pair of familiar gray eyes. Annabeth smiled at him, and Piper smirked at the two of them.
        
      Jason tugged on Percy's arm and laughed, "we have got to get in on this." They made their way towards Leo, leaving Annabeth to stare at a spot that was once filled by Percy.

;;;

      "Hey."
        
      Annabeth's voice startled Percy. He glanced up at her and set his cup down. He hadn't drank too much, mainly in fear of getting drunk and repeating his old patterns.
        
      "Hey, Beth," he replied. "How's the party?"
        
      She leaned against the counter next to him and shrugged. "Average."
        
      "Feels different, huh?" Percy said. Annabeth's eyes darted to the floor, and he immediately regretted his words. They both knew why it felt different, and he just had to bring it up.
        
      "So..." she started. "I think...I think we should-"
        
      "HELL. TO THE. YES!" Nico, Percy's younger cousin, came stumbling into the kitchen. "I'm telling him tonight! He needs to know!"
        
      Annabeth frowned. She'd never seen Nico like this before; he was usually a quiet, reserved kid who made the occasional sarcastic comment.
        
      "Nico?" Percy asked. The younger boy turned, his eyes lighting up when he recognized Annabeth and Percy.
        
      "Percy!" he cried. Nico wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so glad you're here! I'm going to confess to Will that I love him."
        
      I knew it, Percy thought. "Your breath reeks of alcohol, Nico."
        
      "Well, I am twenty-one!" he giggled. "Besides, that's not important. I'm gonna kiss Will and tell him that I-"
        
      "I've heard enough," Annabeth interrupted. "Come on, let's get you home."
        
      Nico's smile fell. "But I need to find Will..."
        
      "I think you should talk about this when you're sober," Percy said. "I'll start the car."
        
      "No need." Annabeth, Percy, and Nico all faced the direction of the new voice, only to find Thalia leaning against the kitchen doorway. "I'll take Nico home."
        
      "Thanks, Thals," Percy said. She took ahold of Nico's hand and replied, "no problem. You guys can get back to...your thing."
        
      She left with Nico, leaving Annabeth and Percy by themselves.
        
      They stood in an awkward silence before Annabeth said, "that was so weird." Percy laughed awkwardly.
        
      "Yeah."
        
      Another silence passed before Annabeth  continued, "you know, I'm gonna go look for Piper."
        
      Percy let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, that's a great idea." 
        
      As she left the kitchen, he wondered if she was also taking any chance of him making out with her. Honestly, Percy did want to kiss her...but the night was still young, and he had no idea what was in store.

next chapter coming out soon!
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