Living Arrangements | Percabeth

12.

      Percy felt like vomiting.
       
      Annabeth had told him that Luke would be coming over later; apparently he really wanted to meet her roommate.
       
      Percy wondered if Luke knew about the history he shared with Annabeth, but he didn't bring that up.
       
      "I don't think this is such a good idea," Grover said. Percy had called him up earlier, and they'd been talking on the phone ever since.
       
      "Why?" Percy asked. "I think this is a fantastic idea. I want to know who my roommate's dating."
       
      "But...this is a special case," Grover said. "You're kind of in lo-"
       
      "Don't finish that sentence," Percy interrupted. "I'm not...look, I just want to meet the guy. You know, get to know him."
       
      "Study your enemy?" Grover asked. "Look, man, if Jason wasn't on his date right, he would be telling you the same thing. This is just too weird..."
       
      "Perhaps for you, my friend," Percy put his phone on speaker as he began to change. "I, on the other hand, have reached a level of maturity that allows me to be friendly with Annabeth's...temporary boy toy."
       
      Grover scoffed. "This is a bad move, Perce. You're gonna get jealous and wreck his soul."
       
      "Well if he's good enough to be with Annabeth, he should be able to handle a little soul-wrecking." Percy shut his eyes tightly, even though Grover couldn't see him. "I...did not just say that."
       
      "Dear gods," Grover sighed. "I gotta get to the animal shelter; call me when the train wreck is over?"
       
      "You underestimate me."
       
      "No, I'm pretty sure you're overestimating yourself."
       
      "Whatever. I'll talk to you later," Percy said. "Love you."
       
      "Love you too, turd."
       
      The call ended, and Percy looked through his closet for a nice shirt. He wanted to look good during this dinner, or at least better than Luke.
       
      Maybe Grover had a point, he thought. Then he pictured Annabeth with someone else's arm around her, someone else's lips on hers, and reason was suddenly thrown out of his head. He just needed to win.

;;;

      Percy waited anxiously for Annabeth and Luke to arrive. He played games on his phone and made sure the dinner was perfect (he was a pretty badass cook if he did say so himself). He made sure there were no wrinkles on his shirt, and he made sure his shoes were perfectly polished.
       
      Suddenly, Annabeth's keys could be heard while she unlocked the front door. The deep voice from Percy's nightmares was laughing along with Annabeth. Can you believe that? Laughing. In Percy's home.
       
      Luke and Annabeth got to the dinner table, where Percy was already analyzing the tall man in front of him.
       
      Luke was taller than Percy by a few inches, had electrifying blue eyes, and dirty blonde hair. He was very handsome, and he even looked a few years older than Percy and Annabeth.
       
      "Hey," Percy said, extending his hand out for Luke to shake. His tone was surprisingly friendly, and he was glad that all those hours practicing in the mirror had paid off.
       
      "Hi," Luke said, a little less friendly. "You're the roommate, right?"
         
      "The roommate has a name," Percy replied. "But yeah, that's me. I'm Percy."
       
      Okay, he thought. Rough start. Maybe he's just nervous?
       
      There was an awkward silence before Annabeth said, "Percy, this looks delicious! Let's eat."
       
;;;

       
      "So," Percy said. "Annabeth tells me you've known each other for awhile now."
       
      "Since we were five," Luke said. He looked Percy up and down before asking, "and how long have you two known each other for, exactly?"
       
      Percy already hated Luke. I mean, he didn't like him before, but his little attitude was making things so much worse. Percy hated him so much that he almost considered telling Luke about all the parties Annabeth and Percy had been to...the ones where they ended up alone and close, and how they always seemed to-
       
      "Not long," Annabeth said. "Almost a year, but we have mutual friends. We mostly just know each other from living in the same building."
       
      Luke hummed in response.
       
      Percy, as much as he hated being in awkward situations, found a sick part inside of himself that loved this. He was kind of glad that his hatred for Luke was now rational.
       
      "Oh!" Percy said suddenly. "I baked apple pie, too. I have it in the kitchen if you guys want-"
       
      "I'm allergic to apple pie," Luke snapped. Annabeth frowned.
       
      "What? Since when?"
       
      "Since forever."
       
      She glanced at him, an irritated look on her face. "That's weird. You've never mentioned it before."
       
      "That is weird," Luke said, smiling sweetly at her. Annabeth gave him a weird look then turned back to Percy.
       
      "I'd love some pie," she told him. "You're the best, Percy."
       
      Percy walked to the kitchen, and he couldn't stop the dorky smile growing on his face from Annabeth's compliment.
       
      The best, he thought. Better than Luke. Hehe.
       
;;;

        Finally, when Luke was leaving, Percy stood up to walk him out.
       
      "Actually, I'd like some privacy with my girlfriend before I leave," Luke said.
       
      Girlfriend. Percy winced.
       
      "Okay, it was nice meeting you, man."
       
      Luke gave a grudging smile, then tugged on Annabeth's hand to lead her to the door. Percy started towards his room, and when he could no longer hear them, he texted Grover:

Call me ASAP. Luke's a class A asshole:)

~~~~

so this is a longer chapter but i hope u all liked it:)
don't forget to vote!! hehe