Troubled

26

chapter twenty-six
annabeth

Christmas break had nearly been perfect.

Yes, nearly. Every second with Percy was perfect, especially after we became a couple. Especially New Year's Eve where he'd kissed me at midnight.

But one part of the break was awful. After I'd told my family I wasn't coming home for Christmas, they'd been dumbfounded. Offended, probably.

That Christmas I texted my father Merry Christmas. No response. A few days later, Happy New Year. No response. Finally, on the last day of break, I got back to school safely. I hope you and the family had a great Christmas break.

There was still no response. I decided to push the texts out of my mind and focus on schoolwork, which I had a ton of after returning to classes.

Now that I was dating Percy, it seemed like everyone seemed to know. It spread like wildfire through the school. Soon everyone knew of the new unexpected couple, Annabeth Chase and the new kid, Percy Jackson.

Thalia, although pestering me about why I chose him, even joined in on naming us as a couple, eventually settling with Percabeth.

Even though I was dating Percy, we didn't spend much time together, and if it was it was strictly tutoring and studying.

"What are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Percy asked me during one of these studying sessions.

I rolled my eyes as I didn't bother to look up from my page. "Focus on science homework, okay?"

He sighed. "But it's booring!"

I laughed as Percy slammed his textbook closed and quickly peered around the room. We were in my dorm room alone as Thalia was hanging out with some girl named Reyna who was our age that I didn't know too well.

"Fine, five minute break," I responded as I carefully shut my textbook. His eyes lit up. "But no longer than five minutes, okay? You wanna get into college, right?"

Percy nodded and responded sarcastically. "Oh, yes, of course. But, seriously, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?"

"What am I doing on a day invented and commercialized by Hallmarks to sell cards? Wow, Percy, I didn't know you were such a helpless romantic," I said as I playfully ruffled his messy hair.

He rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Annabeth. Are we doing the whole cards and flowers thing?"

I thought about it and shrugged. "I don't care, as long as I'm with you I'm happy. And if you do decide to do the whole cards and flowers thing, please not in public. We don't need to fuel the rumor mill around the school."

"Who thought you would give me such popularity," Percy replied with a laugh. "You know Jason, that football player? He invited me to sit by his friend group in class today."

"Well, he must simply be in love with you," I responded with a laugh. "I better watch it or you'll leave me for him."

"I dunno, I am popular now," Percy said jokingly as he planted a kiss on my face. "Wait, what time is it? I've gotta get back to the dorms soon or Grover will flip and probably call an amber alert. I'll see you on Valentine's Day, okay?"

I narrowed my eyes at him as he stood up and headed towards the door. "So we're doing Valentine's Day?"

He shrugged and winked at me before leaving. "Who knows...."