I was extremely happy when I woke up. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face as I ate brunch. I had woken up late, around 11. I honestly could care less if I won the competition.

I didn't really know when Annabeth was coming over, so I sat on the couch and fiddled with my shorts.

"You know, waiting here isn't going to make her come any faster." my mom was standing in the doorway to the kitchen, teasing me. I just chuckled a bit and then continued playing with my shorts restlessly.

"Hey, isn't finals coming up? Maybe Annabeth could help you study," my mom wondered out loud. I groaned.

"I'm already going to fail, might as well fail spectacularly," I groaned but then stood up when I heard a knock. I sprang from my still position and opened the front door. At first, I scowled; it wasn't Annabeth. But then my face lit up, the pizza guy.

If I'm being honest, the pizza delivery guy is probably my third favorite person to see after opening the door. Mom and Annabeth being the first two. But he's close to making it a three-way tie.

"I've got one pepperoni, cheese, and meat-lovers. Is Sally Jackson home?" he read off a receipt. I nodded and moved aside as my mom popped up from behind me. She quickly signed and paid the guy before taking the pizza.

I followed her as she placed it on the table. I reached and snatched a piece of pepperoni.

"Percy! That's for when Annabeth comes over," my mom exclaimed, smacking my shoulder. I just chuckled as I wolfed down the piece. I heard another knock, and I quickly swallowed my piece before returning to the front door. Opening it, I saw who I was waiting for.

Annabeth.

She was dressed in a blue t-shirt, black jeans, and red converse. A Yankees cap holding her ponytail as she smiled at me. I grinned at her as I let her in. She walked past me and grabbed my hand on the way in. I smiled and closed the door, letting her pull me into the dining room.

"Hello dear, I got pizza if you're hungry," mom greeted, gesturing to the boxes" Though someone snatched a piece already," she looked pointedly at me. I sheepishly avoided her gaze and turned away.

"Annabeth, I know that you came to hang out, but if you could help Percy with his finals, I would be eternally grateful." I snapped my head up and quickly backed up, letting Annabeth's hand go.

"No no no, no studying for me, that's during the week stuff. On weekends we do nothing, absolutely nothing, especially nothing productive" I felt the wall behind me as I backed up. I knew that my mom had won this fight before it started; all I had to do was await Annabeth's answer. I prayed that she wouldn't indulge my mother. But of course, my prayers aren't answered.

Sometimes I think that if I prayed for the opposite of what I want, my prayer would be ignored, and the thing I wanted to happen would happen. But then what if the prayer actually went through and was answered. I would have wasted a perfectly good prayer doing the opposite of what I wanted.

"Percy! Hey! Are you listening to me?" Annabeth was standing there, facing me, with a piece of meat-lovers pizza in her hand.

"Um, no, sorry, didn't catch that" she just sighed and swallowed the bite she was chewing.

"I said, after I finish, let's head to your room. We can study and do whatever, honestly I don't care" Annabeth shrugged as she started eating the crust on her pizza. I nodded to her and stood there, still flush against the wall. I didn't see mom in the room. Did she leave while I was out of it? Must have.

"Alright, Rusticitas, lead on!" Annabeth exclaimed while wiping her hands on a napkin and throwing it into the trash. I smiled at her and walked out of the dining room.

Then almost as if my body realized I hadn't fallen enough recently, I tripped and fell, face first in the wall. I tried catching myself, rushing to put my feet and hands in front of me, but I just ended up tripping again and hitting my head into the wall. I groaned and pushed myself up. I felt a hand on my arm, and Annabeth helped me to my feet.

"Thank you" Annabeth just looked like she was trying hard not to laugh. I sighed as I led her down the hallway, stubbing my toe a few times as I walked. I finally, painstakingly, made it to my bedroom. Opening the door, I let Annabeth enter first and then walked over to my bed. Sitting down in my safe spot as Annabeth looked at my messy room.

She made her way to me and sat down on the bed in front of me. "So, what's the plan?" she asked.

"Uhh, I don't know." she scoffed at my helpful answer.

"Wait, actually, I wanted to ask you something," I started and looked away, rubbing the back of my neck. Annabeth nodded at me, urging me to go on, "So um, I wanted to ask if um, we were like, together?" I looked at the wall to my right as I finished talking, not meeting her eyes.

I didn't want to know what would happen if she said we weren't or laughed at me. Honestly, I was terrified of her answer. But I mean, she was the one who kissed me, so she liked me, right? But then again, before the competition, Rachel wanted to make a bet, so maybe she was just fulfilling her side. Yea that had to be it, no way Annabeth would actually feel something for me.

"Sure, if you want to," was her answer. It was so carefree and laidback I immediately felt stupid for being nervous. I whipped my head towards her looking in her eyes for signs of a lie.

"Really? You're not kidding?" I asked with a smile growing on my face.

"Nope, not kidding," she said, then my face fell. Wait, what if this was pity. Annabeth wouldn't do that, would she?

"You're not doing this out of pity, right?" I asked softly. I felt my heart grow cold at the idea.

Her face changed from surprise to anger to understanding. "No, Percy, I'm not doing this out of pity. I really like you," she spoke softly, and her words warmed my chest as a smile broke out.

"Then I- uh, we? Me? Um, then can I be your um, boyfriend then?" I stumbled over my words as I tried to get them out without being too overly awkward.

"You're just as clumsy with your words as you are with your feet. Of course, you can be my boyfriend, but only if I'm your girlfriend," she laughed at me, and I grinned. Then leaning forward, I kissed her; happiness imploded through my chest as she kissed me back.

My head was turned to mush as I felt sparks fly. Slowly we pulled apart, and I pulled her onto my lap.

"Want to watch a movie?" I asked softly, whispering as to not disturb the atmosphere.

"Hmm, depends on what we're watching" she tapped her chin as if thinking.

"I would say the Finding Nemo series, but I'm sure you don't want to indulge in my ocean-themed movies two nights in a row" I shrugged as I kept my hands on her waist.

"Have you ever seen Sherlock?" she asked, looking straight into my eyes.

"Nope," popping the 'p.' I reluctantly got up, putting Annabeth back onto the bed, and walked over to my dresser, which was located facing my bed. Quickly pulling the thrown shirts and sheet off the hidden TV, I made sure it was hooked up.

I got the TV as a 16th birthday present, but I never used it because Gabe would know and either break it or take it. After seeing that the cables were where they needed to be, I grabbed the remote from under a pile of clothes in the top drawer and turned it on. I quickly went to Netflix. Mom had kept up with the subscription because she used it frequently when she had to be away from home.

Opening my account, I walked over to my bed and sat next to Annabeth. Picking Sherlock, I played the first episode. Most of the episodes we watched were spent by me just looking at Annabeth. I paid enough attention to what was happening on the screen, though, so I wasn't completely detached.

After the fourth episode, I announced a pizza run. I quickly left the room and grabbed a plate, piling it with a few slices of each kind. Then I ran back into my room to find Annabeth lying horizontal across the bed.

"Oi, you gotta let me on. I've got pizza," I growled playfully at Annabeth, trying to persuade her with food.

"No," was her short answer. Laughing to myself, I set the pizza on the small table next to my bed and lifted Annabeth so she was in a sitting position. She groaned at me while I quickly sat down in the space I made and let her back down. Letting her head rest on my lap as I grabbed a piece of meat-lovers and ate it. I pressed play on the next episode and turned my attention to the TV.

As the episode ended, I finished my last piece of pepperoni pizza, and Annabeth was poking me. I ignored her as I finished eating my slice and paused the episode.

"What's up?"

"I'm bored. Let's do something else."

"Like what?"

"Well, your mom mentioned something about helping with finals," she drawled.

"No, no, no, please, anything but school," I groaned and tried to convince her with my baby seal eyes.

"Nope, not going to work," she sat up and got off the bed. I watched her walk out. Wait, how could I even study? I didn't have my notebooks with me! Ha! Yes! I was internally celebrating when Annabeth came back in with an armful of notebooks. My face fell.

"Um, where'd you get those?" I asked fearfully.

She smirked at me" These are my books. Lucky for you, I was your tutor, so all your make-up work went to me while you were in the hospital." I looked at her and wished for my notebooks. They were terribly outdated on the subjects I was taking.

I tried to escape.

It turns out having only one window in your room is a disadvantage. Annabeth beat me there before I could get the window open. I pouted and tried the baby seal eyes again. Unfortunately, she looked to be enjoying my suffering and thrust the books into my arms. I huffed.

Wordlessly she walked past me and grabbed the small table near my bed. Moving it towards a more open area in my bedroom, she motioned for me to come over. Groaning the whole way over, I let the books drop on the table.

"Alright, I was thinking we should go in period order, so Math is first" I sat down heavily and looked at her with a betrayed look on my face. She laughed and opened her notebook, taking out a bunch of worksheets.

Annabeth went over all the new concepts with me. Helping me with a few examples before having me try them on my own. Sometime through the explanations, she turned on my math playlist. At problem 3 on my worksheet, I dropped my pencil and laid down. Closing my eyes.

I heard Annabeth huff and smiled to myself. Feel my pain.

"Rusticitas, get up. You haven't even finished a subject yet."

"We've been doing this for hours! The sun is setting!"

"Your point?"

"Too long! I'd rather fail than do anymore" I heard shuffling of papers and footsteps.

"Listen, Rusticitas, how about we do a reward system?" she started. Nope, mom tried this on me once. She offered blue cookies in exchange for doing my homework. It didn't turn out well.

"That doesn't work. Ask mom," I said stubbornly. I was suddenly uneasy. Even without my eyes open, I could see Annabeth's smug smile.

"What I have in mind could work," she started. I opened my eyes a bit to look at her. She had this mischievous look on her face. I huffed.

"Alright, curiosity has peaked. What's the reward" I decided to play along, and I hoped I wouldn't regret this.

"Every five problems you get right," she paused as if thinking. I groaned as I sat up and looked at her.

"I get ten minutes of break time? A piece of pizza? A cookie? Those have all failed." I finished for her, then I laid back down and turned away from her, hoping to sleep a bit.

"Actually," she paused, then I felt soft breaths on my ear. I shivered a bit, "I was thinking a kiss." I froze. I felt Annabeth's presence leave my side, but I remained in my position. I heard footsteps as Annabeth walked back to her seat.

I sat up. I guess I could try. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? I glared at my math worksheet, wishing it to solve its own problems.

I felt a pair of eyes on me from across the small table. I warily looked up.

"So, do you accept my offer?" she asked sweetly. But I knew better; she was smirking at me, though internal, I could feel it.

"We'll see how much it helps," I said, not wanting to give away my newfound excitement for the calculations on my work page. I felt a sense of determination hit me. I buckled down and started writing.

This was pretty normal if I think about it. Even with the cookies, I was gung ho about the idea I was eating cookies, content. But then I grew bored, and I started daydreaming more, my motivation leaving me.

I finished my first five problems and gave them to Annabeth. I may have cheated, just a bit. I counted the three I did before she made the deal. Thankfully she didn't call me out on it.

"Good job, Rusticitas, these are all right" then, before I could lean in, she pushed herself forward and kissed my nose, pulling back. I scowled at her.

"That's low."

"No, it's not. I did exactly what I said I would do. I kissed you."

"But that doesn't count."

"Just think, now you're even more motivated to do your next set of problems," she said innocently at me. Sneaky. I grumbled to myself, partly because I was disappointed and partly because she was right. I was more determined.

Sadly I finished my 20 problem worksheet without a real kiss. Annabeth had kissed both cheeks, my forehead, and my nose.

"Alright, onto Bio!" she chirped as if enjoying my pain.

Annabeth taught me all the new concepts and explained a few new terms before working on my assignments. Unfortunately, the deal from math didn't continue through my other subjects. I grumbled under my breath as I finished up my history homework. I didn't have to do much. Mr. Brunner was pretty lenient and didn't assign much. As soon as I wrote the last word on my paper, Annabeth had snatched the paper and placed French in front of me.

"Last subject! You can do it!" Annabeth cheered for me as I scowled. I was a bit sour at the trick she played on me during math.

I translated the sentences written into English. It was pretty easy since I had Annabeth's notes to look up any word I needed. However, it got harder at around halfway because she took her notebook away. My head snapped up at her.

"You can't learn if you copy."

I grumbled at her as I worked much slower on my French translation page. After a millennium, I finished. Sighing in relief, I laid down on the floor and closed my eyes, arms folding behind my head.

"Um, Percy?" I heard Annabeth call out softly. I hummed at her to tell her I was listening.

"Can you help me with my Architecture homework again? My building feels off again, and I already checked the symmetry" immediately, I stood up and sat down next to her. I leaned over her shoulder and looked at her building. She was right; her rectangular building was symmetrical. The doors were balanced out on the right and left sides.

I looked over her drawing. A long rectangular shape, a pair of double doors on each side, looked like a school building. "What's the building for?" I asked.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I was thinking either a school or-" she trailed off, froze, and then started writing furiously on her paper. I tried to see what she was doing, but I didn't want to risk getting hit in the face, so I waited patiently for her inspiration to wane.

Then she stopped. Looked over the paper and then smiled. I took that as an invitation to look over her shoulder. The curved archway over the stairs leading to the doors was changed into a triangular shape, giving the building more of a definite view and a sense of confidence.

"Looks like you figured it out. Nice going," I complimented. Then I sighed and laid down, closing my eyes as I folded my arms behind my head. There was a shuffling of papers and then footsteps, the sound of a door opening and closing. I smiled to myself as I heard the door open again. There was a huff, and then I didn't hear anything. I didn't open my eyes either.

Suddenly lips were pressed against mine, but only for a millisecond. "Wakey wakey sleeping beauty."

I groaned. Why must she tease me like this?

I held my eyes closed in defiance. I could make out the plop of Annabeth on my bed and then the clicking of the remote. Then I heard the opening that I've memorized. She knows how to get to me.

I opened my eyes to see the Finding Nemo title page playing. Admitting defeat, I walked over and laid down on the bed next to Annabeth to watch the movie. She laid her head on my shoulder as she cuddled up next to me. I felt my stomach do flips as I breathed in her lemon-scented hair.

As we watched the movie, I kept my eyes trained on the screen. I felt Annabeth shift after the movie ended, and she moved, so she was on my lap. Then taking the initiative, I leaned in, closing my eyes, kissing her deeply.

I was finally getting what she had teased me about all day. I felt my cheeks flush red and electricity dance across my skin as I kissed her. I moved my hands to her waist, pulling her closer. We broke apart for air, and I looked at Annabeth with her flushed cheeks and gray eyes. She looked absolutely beautiful.

"I was going to ask if I could borrow a hoodie and sweatpants to sleep in," she said after a minute or two. I chuckled and slowly slid her off my lap. Getting up, I walked to my dresser and pulled out some clothes for her and me.

I threw her a dark gray pair of sweatpants and my blue hoodie. It was my only clean one; I was already resigned to my black one. She caught the pieces of clothing and left the room, heading to the restroom to change.

I quickly stripped, throwing on a pair of black sweatpants and my black hoodie. After the whole knife incident, I've strayed away from sleeping shirtless. Most of the time, I just sleep in my clothes, but I keep my shirt or hoodie on the rare occasions I change.

Annabeth walked into the room, and I turned. My hoodie was huge on her, the sleeves falling just before her fingertips and the bottom going halfway to her knees. The sweatpants were baggy, and her hair was down. She dropped her pile of clothes in a heap by the door and sat down on the bed.

I laid down beside where she was sitting, content with the silence.

"Hey, um, where am I sleeping?" Annabeth suddenly asked. I sat up and briefly remembered what my mom told me earlier.

"You'll be sleeping in my bed. I'm on the couch," I said nonchalantly. Annabeth just nodded, accepting my answer. Seeing her apprehension and awkwardness, I stood up, got off the bed, and stood in front of her.

Sending her a smile, I kissed her softly and then walked out of the room "Goodnight, Annabeth." I figured that's what she was acting weird about. She wasn't sure how to tell me she wanted to sleep, since it was my room and all. I walked down the hall into the living room and plopped down on the couch.

Pulling out my phone, I noticed all the messages I'd gotten. All of them from Rachel.

Rachel: Hey good luck today! 9:25 am

Rachel: Are you even up yet? 9:37 am

Rachel: Hey don't mess up your winging it thing! 10:03 am

Rachel: Seriously dude how long you gonna sleep? 10:46 am

Rachel: She's heading over! Don't forget your job! 11:58 am