THE NEW KID

t h i r t e e n

Once Annabeth got downstairs, she found Helen clearing up the kitchen from lunch. "Hey Annabeth, how's it going?" Helen said. Annabeth shrugged. "Eh." "How was the lunch with your friends?" Helen asked. Annabeth sighed as she got out her yogurt. Then suddenly, everything spilled out. Her feelings for Percy after Luke's breakup. Her heartbreak, the party. "I don't know what to do, or what to say to him," Annabeth cried, hugging Helen. "I really love him."

Helen smiled and hugged her back. "Annabeth Chase, I know you're going to get this guy." She held her by the arms. "Percy is a good guy, I just know it. I think you should give him a chance, but follow your heart."

"Thanks, Mom." Annabeth said. And Helen smiled, because even though she couldn't replace Annabeth's mom, she could still be one.

Plus Annabeth called her birth mom Mama, so it was okay.

After Annabeth was done, she headed upstairs to her room to chill when Helen called out, "Hey Annabeth! Can you head over to McDonalds for me to pick up takeout for dinner? I would but I need to watch Bobby and Matthew since your dad went out for groceries."

Annabeth nodded. "Coming!" She quickly pulled her hair back, crutched downstairs (today was her last day with them!) and then headed outside. The rain had momentarily stopped, so Annabeth declined Helens efforts to go instead, and then went back to McDonalds. The short curly hair girl was still there. "Hey, I think I know you from somewhere. School, right?" Annabeth nodded. "Yup!" They exchanged numbers and Annabeth invited her to her party in two days. Then she ordered the food for everyone and waited. She grabbed her food once it was ready and sat outside reading her book for a while. Suddenly, the rain started coming down, so she headed back in, but turns out all the lights were off and the doors were locked. They had probably closed and headed to the back.

Ugh.

Annabeth shielded the food with her body and sat outside, her arm on her shoulder, soaking wet, under the small umbrella that was on the table. It didn't work too well though, until she heard someone call her name.

"Annabeth?"

She turned to find the either last or first person she wanted to talk to. Percy. Percy Jackson.

His black hair was plastered to his forehead. His green eyes shone brightly from the water. Annabeth never thought he looked more gorgeous than now. He was wearing a blue shirt and loosely cuffed jeans like hers.

He pulled her hand. "Come on!" He yelled over the torrents of rain. Annabeth and Percy rushed over to his car. Percy quickly opened the door for her, went inside, and then came inside the car. Both were panting heavily.

They looked at each other. "Annabeth, are you okay?" Percy said, worry lines over his forehead. Annabeth nodded. "Yea. I am now. Thanks, Percy. I really appreciate it."

"Of course," Percy said, still staring at her. Then, he suddenly started talking. "Annabeth, about that kiss- I wanted to tell you that I don't think your weird at all. When I said I liked someone, I meant you, Annabeth. You're so gorgeous and you ALWAYS cheer me up. You're funny and smart and kind and pretty and I'm so happy that we're friends. But I wish that we could be more."

It was like everyone stopped. Time stopped. Annabeth stared into Percy's eyes. Then without warning, without thinking for once, she kissed him. This time, both of them leaned into it. Percy put his arms around Annabeth. They kissed, and it was a proper kiss, so much better than before.

Finally, they pulled away. Annabeth started talking. "Percy, I wanted to let you know that I love you too. And I'm sorry for ignoring your texts. I didn't know what to say. You're my best friend and the kindest, sweetest, cutest, guy ever. You're the best."

"No need to say it, Wise Girl," Percy said, smirking. His eyes locked onto hers. They kissed one more time, and then Percy asked Annabeth a question.

"Annabeth Chase, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

Annabeth smirked. "Does this answer your question, Seaweed Brain?"

The kiss said it all.