Annabeth's POV

What...?

That was the first thing that popped into my head when I opened my eyes. First of all, I wasn't in my bed. Second of all, there was someone behind me and the only thing between us was a thin layer of sweat. Third of all, that someone was Percy.

I exhaled slowly. Judging from the regular fall and rise of Percy's chest against my back, he was still sleep. I didn't know what to do. Did I leave? Did I wait?

I had had plenty of one night stands before, but this definitely wasn't a one night stand. I decided to just stay as still as possible and think everything over.

Okay, last night, I came over here to try and make up with Percy again, fueled by inspiring words from Helen. We were talking, and then we were kissing, and then my shirt was off, and...

Percy and I... Wow. I guess when he kissed me, I just couldn't hold back. The feelings for him that I had were kept in a bottle, and it was like he just pulled off the cap.

Along with your clothes.

I couldn't keep the smallest smile from my lips. Percy liked me. He liked me back. The only way I could keep from squirming with excitement was by biting my lip.

Similar to how Percy had.

I really needed to stop having these thoughts—biting my lip won't work for much longer.

Anyways, the big question: How was it?

God... it was great. Percy was better than I thought he was, but I think the fact that it was him made it even better. The way that he kissed me, and his hands—

I need to stop.

But what are we now? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Friends with benefits? Ugh, I hoped not. I did that once—it was really awkward. Anyways, I guessed we'd just have to sort that out later.

I was suddenly distracted by a buzzing sound. I realized it was Percy's phone over on his nightstand. I carefully reached for it, thankful that Percy's arm was only wrapped around my waist. I read the texts on his lock screen:

Mom: I know what happened. Just clean up, and please tell me that you were safe!! I'll be home later, at six. Annabeth can stay if she wants. I won't tell anyone.

I placed his phone back down, moving my hand to cover my mouth. I was mortified. Sally knew. I wanted to kick myself in the face. Oh god, that's gonna be so awkward.

Shit.

Something else donned on me; my dad is going to kill me. I promised that I'd always keep him posted on where I was going, whether I was out late or not. Shit. And Helen. She knew where I was.

OH MY GOD. SHE PROBABLY KNOWS. FUCK.

I was really trying my hardest not to freak out. If I bit down on my lip any harder, I was afraid I'd draw blood. I carefully inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm down.

It didn't help that Percy began to stir behind me. I pretended as if I had just woke up.

"Hey," He said, stretching his arms, then returning them to my waist. I took a deep breath and turned to look at him.

"Hey," I breathed. Percy kissed my shoulder and I smiled. We laid in silence for a little while, just kind of... taking in each other's presence.

I finally broke the silence, turning to lay on my back. "So..." I prompted. "What does this make us?"

"What do you mean?" Percy looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed, his hair a mess, and his lips in a frown. He looked adorable.

"Where does this put us? Are we still friends, or...?" I asked.

"According to last night, I don't think you want to be friends anymore." Percy snickered. I laughed and bit my lip. I couldn't keep the smile off my lips. "You're so beautiful." Percy tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, an admiring look in his eyes.

I blushed and but my lip. "Do you... do you want to be in a relationship?" I asked.

"I mean, yeah. I have for... a good while, now," he decided.

"Oh really, Seaweed Brain?" I teased. "How long is this 'good while'?" I smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"A good while," he said again. We laughed. "So. What should we do first as official girlfriend and boyfriend?" He asked.

"Well," I said, sitting up. "I'm starving." I held the sheet over my boobs to cover up. I know that it didn't really matter whether Percy saw me or not, but I just felt more comfortable this way.

Percy sat up, letting the sheet fall off of him to reveal his abs. I hadn't realized I was staring.

"What? Got something to say to me, Chase?" He smirked.

"I do: damn," I said, laughing. Percy chuckled. "Also." I reached back and grabbed his phone. "You might wanna check this." I handed it to him, getting up to find my clothes.

"Oh, god," Percy said as I slipped on my bra. I had been able to find my underwear, and was now just looking for my pants. I couldn't find them, settling for Percy's sweatpants. I had to pull the strings tight for them to fit my waist.

"I know, right?" I said. "At least she's cool about it," I laughed.

"Yeah." Percy shrugged. He looked up at me and smiled.

A smile spread across my lips as I said, "Oh, couldn't find my pants."

"That is fucking adorable and hot at the same time," Percy said, making me laugh. He got up and grabbed another pair of sweatpants as I walked into the bathroom. I stopped in my tracks when I looked in the mirror.

"Shit," I sighed. I craned my neck, examining the hickey on the right side of my neck, a bit above my collarbone.

"What?" Percy walked into the bathroom behind me. I pointed to the hickey. His mouth fell open, and he raised his eyebrows. "Sorry..." He chewed his lip.

I laughed and shook my head. "It's fine. If I could hide a tattoo for two years, I could hide a hickey." I mumbled.

"Speaking of tattoos," Percy started. "Courage?" He asked.

I turned to look at him. He was talking about the tattoo that I had under my right breast; the word courage in Greek:

θάρρος

Percy had discovered that last night, I presumed, but didn't say anything until now. "Yeah,"

"Why?" He asked.

"I just feel like it's always been apart of my life. I've always had to be strong; had to have courage," I explained. "I got it back in June."

Percy nodded. "That's cool. And you know that you don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to feel weak, everyone does sometimes. And that's why you have me." He smiled.

"Thanks," I smiled from ear to ear. "I can finally do this," I said, leaning into Percy and kissing him. I pulled away after a few good seconds. "That's nice," I said giddily.

"Yeah." Percy smiled as well, both of us chuckling. "But I can't imagine it'd be very hard to hide that," he said.

"No, not that one." I moved my hair, showing Percy the tattoo behind my ear. "This one."

"A feather?" He gently placed his hand on the hair line behind my ear, making my feel tingly.

"An owl feather," I said. "Owls were my mother's favorite animal, so naturally, it was mine too, when I was younger. And I thought a feather would look cool. I got this one when I was... 15." I remembered.

"Mm." Percy raised his eyebrows nodding. "That's cool, Wise Girl." He smiled at me.

"Thanks, Jackson." I winked and walked out of the bathroom. Percy followed me.

"I know this is kind of an awkward question but, how was I?" He blushed.

I smiled. "Oh, you're such a dork I love it. You were surprisingly good for basically a virgin." I teased.

"Hey, I'm not a virgin!" He protested.

"Well, not anymore." I smirked and snickered. Percy smiled and rolled his eyes. "Let's go make some food," I said, walking into the kitchen.

"Agreed," Percy said. "But first," he grabbed me and pulled me back into him, kissing me again.

"This is gonna be fun." I smiled.

><•><

"Do you really have to leave?" Percy whined.

"Trust me, I don't want me to leave either." I pulled on my jeans. "But my dad is gonna be mad at me if I'm not home soon." I looked at him with sympathy.

"Ugh, come on! Please!" He begged me.

"Percy, I have to." I really didn't want to go. At that point I was feeling pretty, fuck going home and dad's rules, but I knew that I had to go. "Percy, I'll see you tomorrow at school," I said. "You're gonna pick me up." I tried to console him.

"But that's too far away!" He whined, putting his forehead on my shoulder, in the crook of my neck.

"I know, but..." I was running out of things to say.

"Fine," Percy finally relented. "Can I at least have one last kiss?" He asked, pleading with puppy dog eyes.

"Well, how could I say no to that face?" I said, kissing Percy. He pulled me against him, putting his hand on my waist, under my shirt. I wrapped my arms around his neck, putting my hands in his hair. We kissed passionately going back and forth.

I finally decided that my dad could wait. "What's a few more minutes?" I breathed between kisses.

"Right?" Percy grabbed me after I jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me back into his room.

This kid really is getting to me.

><•><

As I skated home, I thought about the day, and last night. I smiled thinking of Percy. We were really together. It was really happening. I blushed thinking of what we had done before I left, and before that in the shower...

I finally made it home, trying to keep my smile from getting too big. I walked into the house and was greeted by my dad.

"Dad," I smiled and raised my eyebrows. "Hey!" I hugged him.

"Hey," he smiled. "Where've you been?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well," I swallowed. "I made up with Percy, and then I was so excited that I needed to tell someone so I ran to Piper's and I ended up falling asleep there. Sorry I didn't text you, things were a little crazy," that was the only thing I didn't lie about, other than Percy and I making up. Sure, I felt bad lying to him, but it was harmless.

"Hm." He gave me a skeptical look. "Okay, dinner will be ready soon."

"Alright. Thanks dad, love you." I smiled, started towards the stairs.

"Love you too," He chuckled, shaking his head and walking away.

I got up to my room and sighed. I threw myself onto my bed. I heard a knock at my door. I sat up to see Helen in the doorway. "Hi," I said.

She walked in and sat down next to me on the bed. "You didn't go to Piper's, did you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"What?" I scoffed. "Please." I waved my hand. Helen gave me a look. "Okay fine, I didn't."

"You don't need to tell me what happened, I think I already know. But don't worry, I won't say anything to your father. Girl code." She smiled at me.

I smiled back. "Girl code." I nodded. She winked at me before getting up, and going back downstairs.

I sighed contently and flopped back into my pillows. Things were really shaping up to be great. I was all good with Helen, my dad was home. But most importantly, Percy.

Percy and I were together.

Boyfriend and girlfriend.

God, that's weird.

But I like weird.

•••