ii. Rumor Has It...?

After the surprise celebration where everyone was staring at her (probably because she and Percy were holding hands), Annabeth toured around Goode High School with Percy who tagged along because he claimed that he got "amnesia" and forgot where everything was. (He spent the entire tour telling her little fun facts and stories that had happened in the school.) And when Annabeth thought she and Percy would go their separate ways, they spent their entire morning together as they shared all the same classes. (Who knew that Percy Jackson, who literally has five brain cells, was in all AP classes? Not her.)

It was currently lunchtime and Annabeth was sitting her lunch alone while trying

trying to suppress how flush her face was becoming as people sat beside her, talking loudly with their friends.

As Annabeth expected, she hadn't any friends, but it wasn't like no one knew who she was—the entire school knew her name (thanks Dr. Sunny), but everyone rather judged her, gawked at her, and whispered about her than talk to her. They just wanted to gossip—about what? Her being the new girl? She thought no one would really care about that...

If Annabeth was still back in California, she would be sitting at a table with Inez, and August, her friends, laughing while trying to catch Luke Castellan's sky blue eyes. Oh, how much she missed that golden boy.

Annabeth snapped out of her thoughts, realizing she was dreamily staring in Percy's direction with her elbow propped up and her hand supporting her head, and quickly looked away.

"Not a good view?"

Her eyes widened, seeing a gorgeous chocolate brown haired girl standing in front of her, and Annabeth stammered, "No, no, he's cute!"

"He is," she laughed then smiled, "I'm Piper McLean, nice to meet you, Annabeth Chase."

"Um, nice to meet you too, uh, Piper," blushed Annabeth, not even surprised that the girl knew her name.

"Can I sit here?" asked Piper and Annabeth nodded, "So, Annabeth, um, you're new here! How's your first day of school going?"

"I mean, it could be better, but it's okay," Annabeth shrugged, then confessed, "However, I don't get why a bunch of people are whispering about me or gawking at me—I haven't done anything scandalous! I'm literally new here."

Piper frowned, "You don't know about the rumors?"

Annabeth's eyes widened and she exclaimed, "What rumors? Ah! Oh god, is it related to Percy Jackson? Is that why people are gossiping about me? Because of him?"

Piper's expression made Annabeth sighed and she asked, "Do I want to know what people are saying about me and him?"

"Well, judging from your expression, I would say no, but...I don't think it's that bad."

Annabeth chewed her lips then nodded, "You know what, just tell me."

"Okay, if you wish...They said that you kidnapped Percy and gave him a love potion to make him fall in love with you."

"What," blinked Annabeth. "Are you serious?"

"No, I'm just kidding! No one said that! Sorry!" exclaimed Piper and Annabeth sighed in relief. "Anyways, the rumors are that you guys met over summer and are secretly dating, but of course, they're false as Percy told us that you guys just met today."

"Yeah, we did," Annabeth sheepishly nodded then asked, "Did these rumors started because Percy and I were holding hands?"

"Yes, but also because you two were late together and holding hands, so everyone just assumed, you know, you and Percy are together. And also just to let you know, a lot of people are upset adored Percy so they're very upset because they wanted to date Percy."

"Well, I'm not dating him! I...barely even know him!" Annabeth quickly recalled the leers and side-eyes in her direction and asked, "How popular is he?"

"Well," Piper answered, "The girls want him, and the guys... also want him, so uh, I considered him pretty popular."

"Oh, how great," mumbled Annabeth, "Is there any way where I can convince people that Percy and I are not dating?"

"Okay," Piper bit her lips, "This is going to sound weird but don't respond to the rumors! After all, people will eventually realize that it was false and they'll forgot about it! I'll bet you there's going to be some big thing they're going to gossip about soon! So, try not to worry about it too much."

"Yeah, you're right," Annabeth nodded then half-smiled, "Thank you, Piper."

"It's no problem," Piper beamed, "Anyways, tell me about yourself. I heard you came from San Francisco! My boyfriend used to live there before he moved here. How is it like in San Francisco? Do you miss it?"

"Well, the weather can be very unpredictable: it can be very sunny one day and a foggy and rainy the next. It's also very busy and crowded like Manhattan," chuckled Annabeth, then shrugged, "I do miss San Francisco, but I really like here."

"Good," exclaimed Piper, then asked, "Can I see your schedule? I want to know if we have any classes together."

"Sure," beamed Annabeth and handed her schedule to Piper.

As Piper compared their schedules, Annabeth gazed around the cafeteria till they landed on a certain jet-black haired boy and she bit her lips, watching him laugh and chat with his friends.

Annabeth couldn't believe that everyone thought she was dating Percy Jackson! They just met today! She knew nothing about him! Well, besides he was a very talented swimmer and everyone apparently had a crush on him!

Her eyes widened as Percy's eyes met here and he beamed and waved at her and she sheepishly waved back, cheeks flushed from being caught staring.

"Annabeth? Annabeth?"

"Huh?!!" Annabeth looked at Piper and sheepishly said, "Sorry! What did you say? I was, uh, distracted."

"It's fine," Piper cheekily smiled, glancing between Annabeth and Percy, "I was saying: unfortunately, we don't have any classes together, but our next classes are nearby we can walk there together—that's if you want to walk there together."

"No, no! I would love that!"

After lunchtime was over, Annabeth and Piper continued their conversation of getting to know each other as they headed to their classes when a close-cropped blond haired boy ran up to them and kissed Piper's cheeks then beamed at Annabeth and they instantly recognized one another.

Piper's boyfriend had the looks of a Roman God with his tanned skin, sharp features, sky blue eyes, a smile similar to her best friend from California.

"Jason Grace?" Annabeth beamed, "Thalia told me that you attended this school, but I-I wasn't sure if I'm going to find you."

"Yeah, you did! And you met my lovely girlfriend, Piper!" he exclaimed, "How are you, Annabeth?"

"I'm doing good, Jason! Thanks for asking! How are you? How's your first day of school going?"

He shrugged, "I'm doing alright and today has been good! It's nice to see everyone again. Uh, um, how's your first day of school going?"

"Definitely could be better," Annabeth chuckled, "Apparently, I'm dating Percy? I just met him today and I know nothing about him."

Jason laughed, "Ah, yeah, it's ridiculous, but it'll be fine, after all, you're not actually dating him and people will realize it's false."

"Yeah, that's what Piper told me too, thanks."

"Uh, you guys have met?" asked Piper curiously.

"Oh, yes," Jason explained, "Annabeth is Thalia's best friend and we would always hang out whenever I visited San Francisco."

"Ah, alright," nodded Piper then smiled at Annabeth, "Remember how you're saying you didn't know anyone here? You now know three people here: Jason, Percy, and I! I promise you, Annabeth, you're going to have a good time here!"

Annabeth half-smiled, "I hope so."

After the final bell of the school day rang, Annabeth happily smiled as she left Goode High School and waited at the bus stop to go home while listening to Taylor Swift.

Annabeth then turned around after feeling a tap on her shoulder and her eyes then widened, seeing Percy Jackson awkwardly standing behind her, and took off her earbuds.

"Um, what's up, Percy? Do you need something?"

"Yes! I need to apologize to you! You probably heard about the rumors of us dating and I'm so sorry about them! It's all so stupid—I think you already know that. I'm also sorry for holding your hands at the celebration! I was just very anxious and...I'm sorry! Please forgive me. I know we just met, but I think you're very cool and I would like us to be friends—if you like."

Annabeth blinked, dumbfounded, while Percy bit his lips.

"Uh, first of all, um, don't feel bad about the rumors: people just like to gossip. Second of all, I had a feeling that you only grabbed my hand because you're anxious—it's okay. Third of all, I...would like to your friend too, you seem cool."

Annabeth wasn't lying. As Annabeth talked to Percy throughout the morning, she had became curious about him and found him very interesting with his sarcasm, funny jokes, subtle (harmless) flirts, and his kind gestures.

"Really?" a grin appeared on Percy's face and his cheeks tinted red.

"Yes," it was Annabeth's turn to blush at how cute Percy Jackson looked and she quickly switched the topic, "Are you also riding the bus home? Because I am."

"Oh, no, I'm not. I usually walk home and I should probably get going now, but I just want to apologize to you—I feel terrible."

"You're fine, don't worry," Annabeth reassured then smiled at Percy as the bus pulled up, "Have a good day, Percy. See you tomorrow!"

"Cya!"

[09/15/20] author's note: So surprisingly, I have a lot of free time on my hand that I didn't realize and I don't know if I should be concern or happy-I'm just going with happy. I'm planning to update this book a lot during this week but who knows, the world may just ends tomorrow with all this toxic non-clean air in the U.S or mother nature is like, oop-Anyways, I'm not promising that there be an update (as I tend to never update when I promise) this week but I'm also not saying that this is the last update for the week so watch out!! I hope you enjoy this chapter and hopefully, you will be back for the next one! Thank you for reading! Much love, Lucinda! <3

[08/09/21] author's note: It is true. I did have a lot of free time back then, but now I really don't, lol. I totally forgot about the whole toxic non-clean air in the U.S—It's been a while, honestly. Also, who uses oop anymore? I was right—I didn't update the week of September 15th, haha. Anyways, I changed something of the original chapter because it just didn't make sense, and once again, I'm sorry for anyone who had to read all the grammar errors! It makes me cringe to know that people actually read that, but I'm also grateful! <3 Thank you for reading, and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! 💙