Waves and a lifeguard

Annabeth felt proud when she didn't fall off of her surfplank right away. She had never surfed before and she hadn't intended on doing it today. But Annabeth's friend Piper had taken her to the beach and dared her to surf. And Annabeth being Annabeth was too proud to refuse even if she didn't know how in the slightest bit.

But she was figuring it out. It's just standing and trying not to fall Annabeth told herself. She looked to her right and saw Piper next to her. Piper, her best friend since middle school, was surfing perfectly next to her. Annabeth on the other hand, was struggling to keep up right.

She heard Piper call if she was okay. And Annabeth, being too proud once again just smiled and called a "Yes". Until she wasn't and the waves engulfed her.

All she could hear were people screaming, but very vague like she was underwater. When Annabeth opened her eyes and realized that she was indeed underwater, she panicked and tried to get upwards, but she couldn't. The rip current was working against her and pulling her down even more. Then she did something even stupider, she tried to scream for help. The only problem being, a small problem that made everything unnecessarily difficult, she was underwater.

Water filled her lungs and the only thing she could remember before the world becoming black, were two strong arms that wrapped around her.

Annabeth's eyes shot open when she felt someone's mouth on her and after that hands pressing on her chest multiple times.

She shot up and pushed the person that was bent off of her. She spit some water out and coughed.

"Annabeth!" Piper shouted and rushed to Annabeth. She had visible tear tracks on her face and she hugged Annabeth tightly. "Oh god, I thought you were going to die! I'm so sorry!" Piper sobbed out.

"Can't breathe." Annabeth choked out and Piper only loosened her grip on her friend. "It wasn't your fault, Pipes." Annabeth assured her and patted her back a little bit awkwardly when she realised that a lot of people were watching.

"The show's over people!" Annabeth called and people started to leave.

She stood up and Piper followed soon after. "Annabeth, wait. You need to-"

"I just want to go home, Piper. So let's go." She told her friend, but was interrupted when she bumped into someone. When she looked up and saw his face, hers grew red, something what it didn't usually do.

The boy had wet black hair that was long, but not too long and looked messy. He has beautiful sea green eyes and a handsome face, though he was already annoying her. His head was cooked a little bit to the side and his eyebrows were shot up. Like he was the one that was confused.

"I'm sorry." She apologised and he just stared at her blankly. "But why are you still here? I said that I was fine and "the show is over and all"." She said rather harshly, which only made the boy extra confused.

"Annabeth," Piper hissed under her breath but Annabeth ignored it. "So you can go." She finished and bumped his shoulder, maybe on purpose, maybe not and walked past him.

"Uhm, I'm sorry, but I need to check you up. A courtesy. So if you can wait with leaving?" The boy called after her.

"He's the lifeguard." Piper hissed under her breath.

And when Annabeth turned around to face him and she indeed saw that he was wearing the red trunks. Annabeth turned red again and walked back to him. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry! Were you the one I pushed away?" Annabeth stammered out and could die right there.

"Uhm, yes. So if you want to, can you come with me? It shouldn't take long." He explained and looked just as awkward. "I'm Percy, by the way." And he stuck his hand in her direction. She luckily got the hint and shook his hand.

"Annabeth. Thank you for saving me. And I'm so so sorry."

He simply chuckled and shot her a grin. "No biggie. It's my job. Normally they thank me right away. But... I atleast have something to tell at dinner."

She laughed in return, the awkwardness waving off. "Well, let's get you checked up, then? It's not far away, we need to walk a little bit." He pointed in the direction of a building and she just nodded.

"Is your friend coming with us?" He asked his head cocked aside again with a genuine expression. Other than the boys at her school.

"Uh, yes. I think so. Pipes?" She called her friend, who had been on her phone and walked over to them.

The boy, Percy, explained it all to Piper.

"Okay, then I'll grab my shirt and we can go. Annabeth, do you want something to drink? Sea water isn't the best for you, you know."

"Oh," That's nice she thought, but reminded herself that this was literally his job. "I would actually like to." So she scored a water bottle when Percy came back and they walked towards something like a medical center she guessed.

"Sooo... Percy. Why are you a lifeguard?" Piper asked, probably wanting to start a conversation.

"Oh, I like the sea and wanted to help people." Percy told them. "But I only do this on the side."

"What are you doing besides this?" Annabeth asked curious about this boy even though she doesn't know why.

"Oh, I help at my dad's rescue shelter. It's actually over there." He pointed at a building on the other side, also near the beach.

"It looks nice. It's for sea animals I guess?"

"Yes. Mostly seals, but also some birds or bigger sea animals. I'm going over there after this actually." He casually told them and didn't notice when Piper grabbed Annabeth's arm and stopped her.

"He's perfect for you! Ask him out! He's not going to do it. And he seems super nice. Besides he's not ugly either-"

"You have a boyfriend!" Annabeth hissed back in response.

"For you. Not really my type though. Or at least talk to him. You could use some more friends than only me and Jason."

"You're not seriously trying to set me up with someone when I almost drowned. I'm not going to-"

"Are you guys okay there?" He called.

"No!" And Piper fell dramatically to the ground. Annabeth groaned inwards.

"I think I flipped my ankle. I will hup back to the car. I'll see you there Annabeth. Nice meeting you-"

Annabeth just shook her head, not letting Piper do this. "She's fine." But when she yanked Piper to her feet she really acted like she was in pain.

"Uh, you sure Piper? We can help you if you want-"

"No!" Piper shouted and sat on the ground. "Just go."

After some more doubting Annabeth and Percy walked on without Piper. And when Annabeth turned her head she saw Piper just standing there grinning at her.

"You sure she's okay?" Percy asked after a brief silence.

"Oh, she is more than okay." Annabeth mumbled. "Only not for long when I come back." She said the last part really soft and Percy asked a "What?" But she shook it off and continued walking.

"Okay, we can play a game." Percy said again, looking beside him to look at her. "Uh, okay. What game?"

"I ask you something and you ask me and we both give an answer. We need to do something, right?"

"Sure."

And she learned a lot about him. His favourite colour is blue, they are the same age, 17 and about to go to their junior year at high school. They go to different schools and he's a die hard New Yorker, but he's at his father's for the summer and most weekends. He likes skateboarding and swimming and is even the captain of the swim team at school. He was also really interested in her and her interests which she really appreciated.

"You know you're a total Wise Girl?" Percy suddenly told her. She looked at him questionly and he waved with his hands, making gestures that nobody understood. "Yeah, you like reading, and you're super smart and wise. And you know, you're a girl."

She laughed and looked up at his smile. She didn't know why she felt so comfortable with him, but something about being with him felt right.

"Well if I am a Wise Girl, then you are, a- a- Seaweed Brain." She smiled proudly at the name she made up for him.

"A Seaweed Brain?" He laughed out.

"Yes. You like the sea, so seaweed and all. And your brain seems to be filled with it."

"Haha, you're funny." Percy told her it was sarcastically, but she knew that he wasn't being mean.

"I think of this super sweet nickname for you; Wise Girl. And you come with Seaweed Brain." He complained, but had a big smile plastered on his face.

"What do people call you otherwise than?"

"Well, Percy." I shoved him lightly. "Duh."

"Okay, well also, Perce, I get that one a lot. And Jackson and that's all the name's that are not totally embarrassing. But I think that Seaweed Brain is my favourite." He nudged my shoulder gently but I was still a bit under the weather from almost drowning so I almost fell. But Percy caught me and for one moment we were really close.

She looked him in the eyes and saw the different colours swirling in them. She could even see the light freckles that she hadn't noticed before. "Hi." She breathed out.

He looked back at her and mumbled out a "Hi." too. He pulled her back upright and walked on. Like nothing had happened.

And we walked on like nothing happened. Though I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if we had stayed that way for a little longer.

-------------

"Why did you even almost drown?" Percy asked, probably trying to distract her from some tests that he was doing.

"Oh, I was trying to surf. But I can't so that backfired."

"I can teach you if you want." She didn't know if this was Percy flirting or just being really nice.

"I would love to." She replied. "Why do you even work as a lifeguard if you're working with your father?" She asked, genuinely wanting to know and wanting to distract herself too. Percy was filling in some form and looked up at her.

"It's fun, I do it with some friends and I don't really earn money from the animal shelter. I just help and work. But my dad just doesn't pay me. Anybody else who works there does by the way if you ever want to apply. It would be fun. With the seals and all. And me." Percy told her, looking so genuine that she couldn't help but melt.

"Maybe I will."

"Fun. Then I can talk with someone who isn't my dad." He joked and she couldn't help but smile a little.

Annabeth felt a slight feeling of disappointment when they were almost done with the check up. There had even been some flirting and Percy had invited Annabeth to come to the animal shelter one time even for a job and to teach her surf, but she didn't know if it was all a joke.

"Yep, you're all good." Percy told her and she hopped off of the table.

Suddenly there was a silence, before this they had talked the whole time since Piper had left. But now they were both thinking of how to say goodbye.

"Uh, okay thanks." Annabeth mumbled awkwardly, not wanting it to end. "Yeah, of course. So... what now?"

"I think that I should go. And don't you need to go back to the beach? And lifeguard duties and all?"

"Uh, oh yeah of course. And I should go back, I'm afraid." He said the last part really soft, but she could still hear it.

"Okay, goodbye then. Hope I see you again." She gave him a shy wave and tucked a strand of her hair behind her hair.

"Yeah, goodbye." Percy replied awkwardly.

He waved back and she walked out of the door, leaving Percy in the room behind her.

But when she looked behind her and saw him standing there. She couldn't just leave him and never talk to him. Maybe nothing romantic but she wanted to see him again. Even though she had already developed a little crush on him.

"Percy!" She called and he turned around.

"Hey, did you forget something?" God, he was cute.

"Uh, no. Well actually yes. Can I take you up on that offer?"

"Oh, you mean the animal shelter or surfing?

"Yes. I would love to see the animals." And a certain Seaweed Brain. She thought the last part. "And surfing too. I think I'm finding courage to do it again."

"Oh. I would love for you to come. And nothing can go wrong when I help you." Percy said and I doubted if he was really as oblivious as he seemed to be.

"Can I maybe get your number?" She eventually asked as Percy wasn't going to.

"Oh, yes of course!" He exclaimed maybe a bit too enthusiastic. "I'll grab my phone."

So they exchanged numbers and she smiled up at him. He gave her a wry grin in return and they stood there for a few moments before he moved away again.

Annabeth did then something that was beyond her own mind and more instincts. Annabeth lunged forward and gently grabbed Percy's hand to pull him back.

"I want to be friends. You seem nice." She blurted out. Actually more than friends. But maybe later. She just wanted to keep this boy in her life. Though she felt sparks just holding his hand.

"We're meeting up tomorrow. The animal shelter and maybe surfing." He stated and had his head slightly crooked again and a little confused smile and his eyes shining with amusement and what seemed like doubt.

"I just wanted to tell you." She replied in a matter of fact tone.

"Okay, friends it is then." He laughed.

"Friends it is." Annabeth repeated and gathered her mood. "I'm going in for a hug, Percy. Because you saved me and all."

"Uh, okay. And it was no big deal. I'm glad I did."

Annabeth just laughed. "Yes. I'm glad you did too." And she went for one of the most awkward hugs ever.

And Annabeth realised that she was making things really uncomfortable. "Am I making things awkward?" Annabeth asked with doubt in her voice.

"Uhm, no. Maybe a little." Percy said and let a chuckle out. "But it's fine."

Annabeth unwrapped herself a little more and she and Percy were now face to face. She had to tiptoe and Percy leaned her head down a little.

"Still awkward?" She asked.

"Less." Percy replied and I could feel his breath on my face. She moved her arms so that they were around his neck and his found their way around her waist.

"I'm going in for a kiss if that's okay?" Percy breathed out.

"Ye- uh, yes. Go for it." Annabeth breathed back and Percy closed the gap between them.

The kiss felt amazing and her hands found their way to her to his hair. She had kissed someone before but it had never felt like this. It felt like she had two puzzle pieces that clicked when their lips connected.

But then Annabeth's inner voice began nagging. Isn't it weird? You've only met him less than an hour ago. Shouldn't you get to know him better? Yet Annabeth tried to ignore the voice and enjoyed it.

When Percy pulled away he rested his forehead against hers.

"So... that happened." Percy muttered.

"Yeah." She breathed out.

"What are we going to do about this?" He asked and slightly began pulling away so there was more distance between them, but he still held her waist.

"Uhm," Annabeth mumbled thinking what to do. "I think that we can better stay friends. Get to know each other." Annabeth decided after a long silence and a lot of doubt. But this was the better decision.

Percy's face seemed to fall for a moment but he put on a smirk. "Yeah, okay. Whatever you want."

"You're not mad?" Annabeth asked, hoping that she had not ruined whatever was going on between them.

"No, of course not. For all you know I could be a serial killer." Percy jokes.

"You're really smooth by the way." She remarked. "And a good kisser. We need to be honest if we want to be friends and stuff."

"Good to know. And you're awkward you know." Percy grinned at her."But a good kisser too. If we're going to be honest."

Annabeth got red and noticed a blush and Percy's face too.

"C'mon Wise Girl I'll walk you back to Piper. Can't let another serial killer kill you." Percy guestered to the door.

She just laughed and walked with him.

And the more they walked and talked Annabeth came with the realisation that she didn't want to be friends. When she looked besides her and saw his smiling face, busy talking about something stupid Annabeth couldn't help but regret her choice. Being friends first is good, she reminded herself.

But what was she screwed.

"You're going to be the death of me." Annabeth muttered really quietly.

"What did you say?" Percy asked her confused.

"Oh nothing."

Yet when she looked at him again, she felt butterflies in her stomach.

Well this was going to be a problem.