Chapter 18 - Exchange Students
published: Wednesday, 15 April 2020

"Did you hear?"

"I know right!"

"Both Annabeth and Percy are single again!"

"Do you think there's a reason behind both of them ending their relationships?"

"I heard Rachel was the one who did it!"

"Maybe Percy and Annabeth started dating over spring break."

"Is he back with Drew?"

"No, I think he's with Annabeth now. So much for 'rumours'."

+++++

As soon as the break was over, both Annabeth and Percy's break-ups were all the hot gossip when the new term started.

Of course, it wasn't like she'd expected anything less. There wasn't so much name-calling of "bitch" and "slut", but just a whole lot of meaningless speculation that they were secretly dating.

"How're you holding up?"

Annabeth spun around to see Percy walking beside her, a concerned look on his face. She knew exactly what he was referring to.

"Better than I expected, to be honest," she told him sincerely.

The rumours didn't affect her as much anymore. Annabeth wasn't quite sure why, but it also helped that no one quite dared to say anything with Percy at her side.

"There are two new exchange students, y'know?" Annabeth informed him.

"Really?"

She nodded. "They're from England. Hazel's been buddied up with one of them — Calypso. The other one is Zoe, who's in the year above."

Annabeth hadn't seen Calypso yet, but she knew that she should probably get used to her being around this month. Since she was staying with Hazel, her host family, she was going to be tagging along to their hangouts from now on.

The first time she saw Calypso was in History class, and Annabeth wasn't that proud of her immediate reaction.

Percy, who must've had Physics with Hazel and Calypso, walked them to the door, exchanging jokes and laughs with the new girl.

Annabeth felt her heart clench painfully at the sight, and she averted her gaze before Percy could catch her eye.

Calypso was, without a doubt, very, very pretty. She had long, brown hair, almond-coloured eyes, and a dreamy smile.

Feeling someone staring at her, Annabeth glanced up to see Rachel studying her expression.

"Sorry, I know it's hard for you," Annabeth mumbled. "Seeing him with Calypso."

Rachel raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Annabeth paused. "Well...you guys just broke up."

Rachel readjusted her position to look at her seriously. "Oh my God, Percy's an idiot."

When she was met with another bewildered look, Rachel just gave her a mysterious shake of her head. "Percy didn't tell you the real reason why we broke up, did he?"

It was safe to say that Annabeth was stunned and puzzled beyond belief, but before she could ask the other girl about it, Calypso and Hazel joined their table, forcing her to clam up about it.

As much as she hated to admit it, Annabeth spent majority of History pondering over the confusion she was feeling.

When Percy had told her about his break-up with Rachel, Annabeth had felt something she hadn't expected at all; relief. Why?

She liked Rachel, she wanted Percy to be happy — yes, that was all true. But why did she still feel like she was lying to herself?

And now, Calypso, a girl she barely knew, showed the slightest interest in Percy, and Annabeth felt ready to defend her territory.

This was ridiculous. She didn't even know Calypso! Why was her first instinct not to like the girl?

Nevertheless, Annabeth's inexplicable coldness ensued throughout the rest of the day, especially during lunch.

"So, Calypso," Piper started, though her gaze flickered over to Annabeth. "Hazel mentioned that you were interested in music?"

Calypso flashed her pearly whites cheerfully. "Yeah, actually, my dream has always been to attend Juilliard." She shrugged. "Though, I'm pretty sure it won't happen."

"Don't say that," Percy interjected insistently. "We haven't even heard you sing yet. For all we know, you could be worthy of it."

Annabeth clenched her fork so tightly her knuckles went white as she stared down at her food. What in the world was wrong with her?

"Oh, thank you," Calypso laughed. Even her voice was lilting. The English accent was enunciated and only made her all the more intriguing. "You should hear it sometimes," she said airily.

Percy smiled. "Yeah, sure, why not?"

"I'm gonna head to the library," Annabeth said abruptly, climbing hastily out of her seat before she stabbed someone in the eye. She caught Piper's gaze on the way out, and the Cherokee girl excused herself too.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Piper leaned down and nudged her. "Hey, what's going on?"

Annabeth hesitated. She told Piper just about everything, but this would just make her think she had a crush on Percy. Which she didn't!

"I don't know," Annabeth hissed back. "Calypso is..." She huffed. "I don't like her. I don't know why." Annabeth pushed the door to a vacant classroom open and retreated inside, where she slumped into one of the seats.

"You don't know why?" Piper demanded, arching an eyebrow.

"I'm not jealous," Annabeth snapped. "If that's what you're suggesting. I just, don't get a good vibe from her."

"You don't get a good vibe from her because she's putting the moves on Percy," Piper insisted. "If it helps," she paused. "He doesn't seem to feel the same way."

Annabeth snorted. "Please."

"No, really," Piper chuckled. "You might not see the difference between the two, but Percy doesn't like her that way. And honestly, can you blame her for shooting her shot?"

Under a gruelling pointed look, Annabeth grumbled, "Fair enough." Percy was good-looking, no doubt. And he was also single. Calypso had all the right in the world.

Except that Annabeth wished she wouldn't.

"I don't even know what my brain's doing anymore," Annabeth groaned. She looked up tentatively. "Okay, I'm going to say something, and no judgement from you, okay?"

Piper eyed her suspiciously, but obliged anyway.

"When Percy said that he and Rachel had broken up," Annabeth started. "I felt relieved. It didn't even make sense. It's not like she was ever bad for him. But it was like a huge weight had been taken off my chest."

Piper looked like she was biting her lip so hard it was going to bleed.

"Okay, you're gonna kill yourself if I don't let you talk," Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"You like him!" Piper exploded. "You are so blind! That's the reason behind all this!"

Annabeth opened her mouth, but hesitated as she really mulled it over.

Could she like Percy? Percy, who she'd only befriended a couple of months ago? Percy, who was purely and only her friend?

Annabeth shook her head, shoving it out of her mind. "Forget that. I can't like him anyway. It's," she groaned. "It's Percy."

+++++

"So, hey."

Percy glanced over his shoulder to see Frank gearing up, Jason and Beckendorf beside him.

It was ten minutes to football practice, and the coach made them do a lap for each minute they were late.

"What do you think of Calypso?" Frank asked.

Percy shrugged. "Well, she's nice. Good singer. Good at maths." But not as good as Annabeth, he added silently.

Travis, who was nearby, gave Percy an incredulous look. "You're kidding, right? She's gorgeous." 

Percy furrowed his brow. Now that he thought about it, Calypso was, admittedly, very pretty. She had voluptuous brown hair that hung to her waist and eyes that seemed to warm his very soul.

"And she likes you," Travis added.

Percy rolled his eyes. "It's barely been a day. She can't like me."

"She does," Jason insisted. "Piper says it's been making Annabeth—" Almost instantly, he seemed to realised his mistake and gulped done the rest of his words.

Percy's eyebrow shot up. "Annabeth? What?"

"Nothing," Jason blurted out. "Making her curious," he said. "As to whether you guys would make a...good couple."

The sheer awkwardness in his tone made Percy doubt the truth of his words, but he didn't press the issue.

"Does she?" Percy inquired, trying his best to remain nonchalant and dismissive.

Jason's "yeah" made Percy's heart sink. If Annabeth thought he should date Calypso, then she definitely didn't reciprocate whatever he was feeling for her.

Well, it wasn't like he'd thought she did, but the idea of no chance at all just made him slump further into hopelessness.

"Talking about Annabeth Chase?" Matt Sloan interjected.

Percy exchanged glances with Frank and Jason, cautiously nodding.

"She's hot," he remarked. "A little intimidating."

"That's one of the good things about her," Percy said shortly. Don't get in a fight, he repeated as a mantra in his head. Don't get in a fight.

"I like it," Luke voiced, shrugging. "She's not afraid to tell you what she's thinking." 

Matt snorted. "Maybe, but it's not like she'd put out. Waste of your time."

"She's not an object," Jason snapped.

"Woah, Grace, don't get your panties in a twist," Luke chuckled lazily. "Don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Annabeth's a friend," Jason said hotly. "And I'm a decent human being." He paused. "Unlike some people," he added under his breath.

"You thinking about asking her out?" Travis asked Matt curiously.

Matt Sloan pondered for a few moments.

Percy wanted to let him know that Annabeth would never consider it even if hell froze over.

Fortunately, Matt shook his head. "Nah, wouldn't steal him from my boy here."

Percy froze up as Matt patted Luke good-naturedly on the back. He could feel Frank's warning gaze piercing the back of his head.

"She's hot, pretty, and smart," Luke shrugged. "What's not to like?"

Luke turned to Percy, suddenly apologetic. "Hey, no hard feelings, right? I mean, you're done with her, so it's okay if I take my turn?"

This time, Jason actually grabbed Percy's arm, yanking him back before he could throw himself onto Luke and pummel the living hell out of him.

Breathe, Percy told himself behind red-tinged vision.

Take his turn? She wasn't a carousel.

And he wasn't done with her. Annabeth was still his friend, and well, crush, but that shouldn't affect this at the moment.

"There was never anything between us," Percy said tightly. "It's not my place."

Percy wanted to bang his head into a wall. Annabeth had briefly mentioned that she used to have a massive crush on Luke. If he asked her out, Percy was pretty sure that she'd say 'yes'.

And it wasn't like Luke was the worst guy on the planet. He wasn't Matt.

And Percy didn't have any control over Annabeth's life. He didn't have any right to beg her not to go out with Luke, because he was hopelessly pining after her.

Yeah, that would be an interesting conversation.

"Okay, enough chit-chat," Percy interrupted loudly. "We have plays to run today..."

—*—

hey everyone! hope quarantine's treating you well :) double update today to reduce the boredom we're all experiencing !

I just finished the entire chapter-by-chapter plot outline for this story, and I've got to say that part two is much more substantial, and deals with a lot more grown-up issues.

don't worry, there'll lots of feel-good Percy and Annabeth moments to look forward to!

stay safe, stay healthy, and stay happy!