CHAPTER 001: ❝ YOUR PROMISE IS FOREVER! ❞

                It was the summer before freshman year, and Percy was nervous. He had heard a lot about how high school was from his stepfather, Paul, who worked as an English teacher at Goode High School—It was the school Percy was attending in August. Paul reassured him that everything will be okay though his classes might be more challenging than it was in middle school and the school building will be strange to him at first, he'll get used to it.

When Percy first heard Paul say that to him, he frowned before realizing that it wasn't all that bad like he had thought. Even though he hated that classes were more challenging in high school, he knew that Annabeth would help him with the schoolwork (his heart fluttered, just thinking about her), and as Paul had said, he'll get used to the strange big building of Goode High School.

However, Paul had mentioned that things will change, and that stuck out to Percy. It made him frown, and a feeling that he couldn't explain formed within him when he thought about it. Things will change. Percy didn't want things to change, though; he liked how things were now. Everything was perfect right now. There was no need for change. 

Percy pressed his lips together and nodded. Yes, there was no point in a change. He had good parents, a little, adorable sister, and a best friend that he knows will forever be by his side. (Well, Annabeth promised him that she'll be by his side till they die, and Percy trusted her.) So, there was nothing for him that he would want to change. 

Yet Percy couldn't help but think about the high school kids he had seen before, with their chic outfits, expensive gadgets, and playful behavior. Of course, not all students matched that description, but those kids looked cool and were probably popular. He wondered if those students altered their appearances because they wanted to or because it was high school?

He wasn't a stranger to changing everything to fit in with the crowd as he has seen his classmates do that before, but it made him wonder, was he or Annabeth going to be like this? Percy really hoped not because he quite likes Annabeth and himself the way they already were.

A smile formed on Percy's face as he shifted in bed, thinking about Annabeth Chase. Annabeth was his best friend ever since they met at the beginning of 6th grade. It took some time for Annabeth to warm up to him, but eventually, they were inseparable and hung out every day to Helen's distaste. (Helen was Annabeth's stepmother.)

Percy chewed his lips, thinking about why Helen didn't like him. He never did anything wrong to her—Well, besides accidentally knocking her favorite vase onto the ground, but still, that was one time, and Percy apologized a million times after.

Percy then thought about how Annabeth had reassured him that he wasn't in trouble and he was still a good person even if he did knock a vase over after he started crying. Her reassurance had made Percy feel much better.

Anyways, Annabeth was his other half, and they spent hours talking about everything and anything; their conversations never got boring or awkward. Percy felt at peace whenever he was with Annabeth like she was home. They listen and comfort each other when needed. She was his best friend, and Percy didn't know what he'll do without her. Literally and metaphorically.

A smile formed on his face, thinking about how she would listen to his complaints about schoolwork before helping him out with his homework. Another thing about his best friend (besides, she was awesome) was that she was a genius.

Annabeth would always get top marks for tests, and she would never brag about it though she did wear a proud smile. The smile looked pretty on her. An image of the smiling blonde-haired girl appeared in his mind, and Percy opened his eyes, grinning. Annabeth Chase was pretty.

Anyways, Percy admired her hard work and was grateful that she helped him because he would've failed the majority of his classes without her.  His sea-green eyes flickered as he stared at the ceiling before quickly sitting upright on his bed in his dark bedroom. He slumped against his pillow and ran a hand through his jet-black hair, and messed with it.

He missed Annabeth. She was unfortunately in San Francisco, visiting her relatives while he was in Manhattan. They were three hours apart, and Percy disliked that, longing for her to be close to him. Because it was a tradition to hang out whenever summer break started, and they haven't at all this year. It didn't help that none of them had phones, meaning they couldn't talk though they did chat by using their parents' phones. But it still sucked.

Percy sighed and pulled his blankets over him. He wanted to hear Annabeth's voice, her laugh, and even her rambling about architecture; Percy wanted to see her face as it made him beam. All he wanted was for Annabeth to be with him.

He felt his skin grow hot by his words—Percy hadn't meant for it to sound romantic. God, Annabeth was his best friend and nothing more. His cheeks burned, thinking about how multiple people had thought he and Annabeth were dating, which was false. They were just friends.

Percy didn't even think Annabeth liked him like that, and he didn't either—he thinks. No, he knows. Annabeth was his best friend, and there were no feelings there besides some fondness, but it was overall friendly.

Knowing that his whole body was now burning, he shook his head and remembered how Annabeth had promised him before she left that they'd hang out again when she got back from California, which was in two weeks.

A smile formed on his face, and he closed his eyes, already imagining how they'll act when they see each other. Oh, how Percy already wanted the two weeks to pass, so he can finally see his Wise Girl.

                The two weeks dragged on, and the day that Annabeth would arrive in Manhattan felt like it would never come, but fortunately, it did. He had gone to bed the night before, excited, knowing that Annabeth had probably just arrived from California. Percy couldn't contain his excitement and wasn't able to sleep at all, but somewhere in the middle of the night, he fell asleep.

Percy's eyes instantly snapped open when his alarm clock rang at ten am, and he quickly got out of bed. He looked at the calendar and grinned, seeing the words he had written at the beginning of summer—ANNABETH IS HOME! He beamed and ran out of his bedroom into the kitchen, where his mom was.

"Mom!" Exclaimed Percy, startling Sally, and he sheepishly said, "Ah, sorry! Um, Annabeth is back from California, remember!? I'm seeing her this afternoon."

    Sally laughed as she put on her apron and said, "I do remember that Annabeth is back from California​. You've been telling us that all yesterday, and also her father texted me when we're meeting up this afternoon."

    "Percy's sea-green eyes sparkled, and he jumped up and down; he exclaimed, "What time?! What time!? What time!?" He crossed his fingers and prayed that he wouldn't have to wait for too long.

    "One," Answered Sally, grabbing certain items from the fridge and putting them on the counter, "Annabeth's father and I decided to meet at Central Park at one pm."

    He frowned and asked, "Why one? That's so far away, mom! That's like in...four hours! It's too long! I want to see Annabeth now!"

    Sally chuckled and said, "I know, Percy. I know that you're excited to see Annabeth again, but let's not be selfish, okay? Annabeth is probably tired from the trip, and she still needs to unpack her stuff."

Percy chewed his lips at his mom's words, knowing that his mom was right, and looked down at the floor.

    "Oh, yeah, I'm sorry," Mumbled Percy, messing with the strings of his sweatpants. "I just miss her. She's my best friend, and I haven't seen her since the last day of eighth grade."

    "I know, Percy," Smiled Sally softly, then said, "To cheer you up and pass some time, do you want to help me make some blue pancakes? Hmm?" Percy looked at her with a grin, "I know you want to, Percy."

    "Blue pancakes? Of course," Beamed Percy, walking over to the counter, and said, "I love blue pancakes!"

Sally only chuckled and smiled. For the longest time, Percy loves blue food ever since his mom brought them home one night. It was only months ago that he found out that his mom had brought them home to spite Gabe, his former stepfather, who had said that blue food didn't exist. His sea-green eyes flickered, thinking about Gabe.

Unlike Paul, Gabe was horrible and abusive, and without knowing it, he touched his arm where the bruises used to be. Gabe had mysteriously disappeared one night, and his mom sold all of his belongings before selling the smoke-stained apartment they lived in. Annabeth had helped comfort him when he told her about it, and it made him feel better.

Annabeth. No matter what he thought about—grim or depressing things—his mind somehow always connected it to Annabeth because she was always there for him. She was the best friend that Percy could ever ask for. Just thinking about her made Percy grin like an idiot.

    "Percy, darling? Can you give me some eggs from the fridge?" Asked Sally. "Hmm?" When Percy didn't respond, she looked at him and softly smiled; she nudged him and said, "Percy?"

    Percy snapped out of his thoughts and blinked; he blushed and looked at his mom and said, "Uh, yes, mom? Sorry, I was just thinking."

    "It's okay," Reassured Sally and said, "Can you get an egg from the fridge?" Percy nodded and quickly obliged; Sally then said, "What were you thinking about, Percy?"

Percy instantly blushed and didn't know how to respond because he didn't want to tell his mom that he had been thinking about Gabe. They had silently agreed not to talk about him unless needed—nor did he want to say that he was thinking about Annabeth.

(His mom would sometimes tease him about Annabeth, and it always embarrassed him because they were just friends!)

    Leaving him with no choice as he didn't want to bring up Gabe, Percy sighed and quietly answered, "Annabeth—I was thinking about Annabeth."

Percy watched as his mom didn't say anything and only smiled.

   The morning was full of laughter around the dining table as his family ate their blue pancakes, and Percy beamed as Estelle, his little sister, babbled to him. (Estelle was a year old, and she made everyone around her grin with her sweet angelic smile.) He excitedly talked about Annabeth that his parents couldn't help but softly smiled at each other.

    "Percy, you must really miss Annabeth, right?" Said Sally, raising an eyebrow.

    "I do!" Exclaimed Percy, jumping in his seat. "I miss her so much and—"

    "And you should probably eat breakfast as your pancakes are growing cold, and I bet you wouldn't want to hug Annabeth on an empty stomach," Said Sally, half-smiling, causing Percy to pout. "Besides, knowing Annabeth, she would want you to eat breakfast."

That made Percy nod, and he took a bite of his cold pancakes drizzled in maple syrup. (His pancakes were usually never cold, yet he had gotten distracted talking about Annabeth that he forgot about them today.) Sally and Paul glanced at each other and shook their heads.

Percy eventually finished his stack of pancakes and went to play with Estelle in the living room. It just turned 12:00, and he grinned before looking at Estelle.

    "Este!! Are you excited to see Annabeth again?" Exclaimed Percy.

Estelle only grinned and played with her unicorn. Percy softly smiled and took her grin as a yes. Annabeth and Estelle have met many times before, and they both love each other dearly—Percy would never admit it out loud, but he was jealous of the affection that Estelle received from Annabeth.

They were playing with Estelle's stuffed animals when Paul walked in with a smile and a cup of tea in his hand. He sat on the couch and watched them play before staring off in the distance.

    "Paul?" Said Percy, causing Paul to look at him. "Are you bored?"

    That made Paul laugh, and he sat upright and asked, "Yeah, how can you tell?"

    Percy shrugged with a smile and asked, "Do you have any teacher stuff to do?"

    "No," Said Paul, shaking his head and explained, "I don't have anything to do till next week, where I have to start planning the school year," Percy nodded, and Paul said, "Speaking of the school year, are you excited? You're a freshman this year, Percy!"

Percy's face instantly faltered, and he didn't say anything, causing Paul to frown. Percy looked back at Estelle and smiled as she snuggled her unicorn.

    "Percy, is something wrong?" Asked Paul, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

    "No," Said Percy nonchalantly; he explained, "I just don't like talking about high school."

    Paul pursed his lips and carefully asked, "Why not?"

    "Well, uh," Said Percy, looking back at Paul, and shrugged, "I don't know—It's just all so new to me...and yeah."

That was a lie. Percy didn't want to talk about high school because of what Paul had told him before—Things changed. He knew that Paul hadn't meant to frighten him, but it was all he could think about at night. 

    "Oh, Percy," Said Paul, then reassured, "I know that it can be scary, but it's going to be okay. You're a freshman, of course, you don't know things, but you will learn them like where all your classes are and more."

    That made Percy sighed, and he nodded, deciding to trust Paul's words. He said, "Okay."

    Paul smiled and softly said, "So, don't be scared, alright? Your mom and I will help you if you need anything, and I know Annabeth will also help you too."

    A smile formed on his face at the mention of Annabeth, and he said, "Me too—I know."

Paul nodded with a smile and opened his mouth to say something when Estelle said food, and Paul laughed.

    "Are you hungry, Estelle?" Exclaimed Paul, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

    Estelle beamed and said, "Food! Food! Food!"

Percy grinned at Estelle and watched as Paul picked up Estelle and walked over to the kitchen. He then got off the floor and sat at the edge of the couch.

He chewed his lips, thinking about his conversation with Paul. Annabeth was currently on his mind as Paul had mentioned her, and Percy quickly checked the time. Forty-five minutes till one. It seemed like time was moving really slow; Percy groaned before running to his bedroom.

A smile formed on his face, picking up the picture of him and Annabeth on the last day of school. He gazed at it with a soft smile. It was the picture he looked at every single day, longing for his best friend, and she was finally home.

Home. His second home was back, and Percy couldn't wait to see her again.

    "Oh, I love you, Annabeth," Said Percy softly, then blushed and added, "As friends."

He tore his gaze off the picture; his cheeks reddened.

             The weather was as hot and humid as one would expect for early July. The wind blew Percy and Sally's hair around as they got out of the car and walked to Central Park. (Paul stayed at home with Estelle because it was her nap time.) A smile was permanent on Percy's face, and he was beyond excited to see Annabeth again.

Like always, Central Park was packed with people, and Percy didn't bother to study them like he sometimes did. Instead, he ran to Sheep Meadow, where Annabeth was, while Sally chuckled behind him.

Percy could hear a bit of people's conversation as he ran past; he stopped when he reached the hill of Sheep Meadow and looked behind him.

Sally walked toward him with a small smile, and Percy cheekily smiled and waited for his mom. He gazed around and watched as a group of kids played football before his eyes darted somewhere else.

Percy looked up and spotted a few clouds in the sunny sky; he smiled and looked at his mom, who had finally caught up with him.

    "Ah, Percy," Laughed Sally. "You must really miss Annabeth, huh?"

Percy sheepishly nodded; he could feel his face heated up by the second at his mom's smile and quickly walked down the meadow.

Even though his mom didn't say anything, he could tell that she wanted to tease him about his affection toward Annabeth, and thinking about that made his face flushed. It always made him shy when she did though she always knew when to stop. He didn't want to feel flustered when he was about to see Annabeth.

He gazed around till his sea-green eyes landed on a blonde-haired girl, who wore a blue shirt and a pair of jeans. Like him, she was also looking around. Their eyes locked, and Percy beamed, quickly recognizing the girl, and ran over to her.

    "Wise Girl!" Exclaimed Percy, tackling her into a hug, causing her to shriek. "Wise Girl! There you are!"

    "Ah, Percy!" Cried out Annabeth, startled, and said. "Please don't do that ever again, or at least warn me next time."

    Despite the flutter in his stomach from hearing her voice, Percy's smile faltered, and he sheepishly said, "I'm sorry, Annabeth," He explained, "I-I didn't mean to catch you off guard, it's just...I miss you," He said the last part quietly. "I miss you so much. I thought about you every day."

Annabeth didn't say anything and hugged him. He breathed in her scent—Annabeth smelled like lemons—and instantly smiled. Percy felt like he was home again even though he just left his apartment a couple of minutes ago. Annabeth was his second home.

It's been a while since his arms were wrapped around Annabeth, and he missed her touch. Percy missed everything about Annabeth. For endless weeks, he longed to feel or hear Annabeth, and here she was finally in his arms; his arms tightened around her. Percy was never letting Annabeth go. It was like the missing piece of him was finally found.

    "I miss you too," Whispered Annabeth. "I thought about you every day too. I wanted to be in New York so bad, but you know...I couldn't. I'm sorry, Percy."

(God, Percy didn't know how much he missed Annabeth's voice till now. However, he hated hearing her voice like this because it was laced with sadness.)

    "No, no, why are you apologizing?" Said Percy, furrowing his eyebrows; he loosened his grip and somewhat pulled away. He softly said, "There's nothing for you to apologize for, Annabeth."

    "I know," Annabeth said softly, looking down at the ground. "It's just that I left you here in Manhattan for over a month, and we didn't even start our summer plans like we usually do every year. I feel horrible, Seaweed Brain."

His face softened whenever she called him Seaweed Brain, which was all the time. Seaweed Brain was the nickname she came up for him (Wise Girl was the nickname Percy created for Annabeth—He thinks it suited her pretty well.) His nickname always made him feel special.

    "Don't be," Reassured Percy, grabbing her hand, causing Annabeth to look up. "It's not your fault that you had to go to California," Annabeth opened her mouth to say something, but Percy added, "I know you would've stay with me if you had the chance."

A smile formed on Annabeth's face, and Percy swore his heart jumped (he didn't know why it did, probably because it's been a while since he saw that smile. Probably.) He grinned, and without thinking, he squeezed her hand. Annabeth slightly gasped, and his eyes then widened, realizing that he was still holding her hand, and let go.

    "Ah, I'm sorry, Annabeth," Said Percy sheepishly, looking away. "I didn't mean to—"

    "You're fine, Seaweed Brain," Whispered Annabeth, causing Percy to look back at her, then chuckled at his expression, "God, you haven't changed a bit since I last saw you."

Percy's face reddened, and he felt butterflies fluttering in his stomach at Annabeth's chuckle; he hasn't heard that in forever. Oh, how much he wants to listen to it every day. To make Annabeth laugh every day.

    "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Laughed Percy awkwardly. "Hmm?"

    "Of course," Nodded Annabeth. "That means you're my same old Seaweed Brain."

For some reason, Percy's face burned at Annabeth's words, and he sheepishly looked down at the ground. He messed with the string of his shirt and wondered why he felt like this. Yet, he didn't know how to describe what he was feeling—What was the word for it?

    "Anyways, um, are we still starting our annual summer activity?" Asked Annabeth, raising an eyebrow, and Percy looked at her. "Or...?"

    "Of course," Nodded Percy then asked, "Do you?"

    "Yes, obviously!" Exclaimed Annabeth. "That was the only thing I was thinking about in California! I was thinking about the things I could be doing with you instead of listening to my relatives pick me apart."

Annabeth quickly pressed her lips together, and Percy's smile faded. He had been so caught up in missing Annabeth that he had forgotten to ask how her vacation was even though he already knew the answer. Her face said it all.

    "I'm sorry," Said Percy softly.

    "It's fine," Reassured Annabeth, looking at the ground. "It's whatever—I'm used to it."

(Annabeth didn't have the best relationship with her family, and despite her telling Percy that it didn't bother her, he knew otherwise. Percy always tried his best to make up for the lack of affection in Annabeth's life.)

Her words made Percy furrow his eyebrows, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Annabeth looked up at him and their eyes locked. His sea-green eyes softened as he gazed into her grey eyes that reminded him of a cloudy sky. Annabeth's grey eyes flickered.

    Knowing what Percy was thinking, Annabeth whispered, "It's really fine, Seaweed Brain. I have you, and that's all that really matters."

    A slight tint of red appeared on Percy's cheeks, and he quietly said, "Is it?"

    "Of course, it is," Smiled Annabeth. "You're my best friend."

    Percy softly smiled and said, "You're my best friend too," He then quietly added, "You're everything that I need."

                Percy listened to Annabeth talked to his mom about her vacation as the sun glared down at them. He chewed his lips, knowing that she had a miserable time in California, and only smiled after Annabeth told him to.

Eventually, Percy got bored with the conversation and gazed around till Annabeth tapped his shoulder, telling him that his mom had allowed them to walk around Central Park like they sometimes would do. He beamed.

So, they found themselves walking underneath the cherry blossom trees in Central Park, and the leaves swayed in the wind. Around them, many people walked past, and Annabeth and Percy were so close that their hands brushed against each other.

They didn't say anything. Annabeth and Percy embraced the silence between them even though there were many things they wanted to say.

    "Seaweed Brain," Said Annabeth softly, causing him to look at her and raise an eyebrow. "You know, walking with you right now feels like I never left. I like that. Nothing has changed between us."

Nothing has changed between us. Percy softly smiled, then blinked, remembering Paul's words. Things changed. His breath hitched, and he stopped walking.

High school started in a month, and the fear of his and Annabeth's relationship changing was a possibility—That couldn't happen. They promised to be friends for life.

    "Seaweed Brain," Asked Annabeth, noticing his expression, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Percy blinked and stared at Annabeth; he wanted to say it was nothing, but he couldn't. He thought about it for so long that he couldn't just say nothing. The fear of change was slowly consuming him. 

    His sea-green eyes flickered, and he looked at Annabeth; Percy said quietly, "We're going to high school, Annabeth," She nodded, "And things changed throughout high school, and I'm scared that, uh, we'll change, and you know...?"

He couldn't finish his sentence, but Annabeth knew what he was saying. Percy chewed his lips and waited for Annabeth to respond.

    "I'm scared too," Whispered Annabeth, "I thought about it before, but I didn't think much of it because I know that we'll never change," She looked at Percy and said, "Right?"

    "Right," Nodded Percy quickly and added, "You and I will be the same person, and our friendship will last forever, no matter what happens."

    "Mhm. Forever," Smiled Annabeth softly. "High school might have a lot in store, but it'll never affect our relationship." She then added, "Promise?"

    Percy softly chuckled and said, "Promise," He then pulled Annabeth into a hug, and he took a deep breath and whispered, "I love you, Wise Girl."

His cheeks reddened, and he shut his eyes closed. He was always scared of saying I love you even though he wanted to often because what if Annabeth thought he had a crush on her or something, but that would never happen because they are friends! But what if...?

    "Aw," Annabeth said softly. Her voice snapped Percy out of his thoughts, and she said, "I love you too, Seaweed Brain."

He knew that Annabeth had meant her, I love you, to be platonic, but his heart couldn't help but flutter, and Percy instantly cursed himself from feeling like that because Annabeth was his best friend!

Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he tightened his arms around Annabeth. He breathed in her lemon scent and fluttered his eyes shut; Percy softly smiled.

With his arms around Annabeth and the fear of change gone, his summer felt normal again, as if she never left. Percy couldn't wait to hang out with Annabeth till school started, and he was now excited for the first day of school because Annabeth had promised him that their friendship will last forever despite what might happen during high school. They both promised.

[8/15/21] 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗥'𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: Hello! Welcome to the first chapter of Lovesick Boys! I'm so glad that I finished editing this chapter because it means you guys can enjoy it! I hope it lived up to your expectations! I had such a fun time writing this chapter, and I'm quite happy with how it turned out! We got some confused Percy thoughts and 'she's just my best friend' thinking—It's probably going to be like this for the next couple of chapters, so familiarize yourself with it in the meantime, haha! This chapter was so wholesome to write, and it made me very soft the entire time. (🥺) Anyways, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and is doing good! May everyone have a good week! I'll hopefully update sometime soon, but unfortunately, I have schoolwork to do, so we'll see! Thank you for reading, and have a good day/night! Much Love, Lucinda! 🍃🦋