I found Annabeth and Rachel in the usual alcove and handed Annabeth her book.

When Annabeth saw my hood, she frowned but didn't push. Rachel greeted me before going into what new art piece she was working on. Around 15 minutes after I arrived, Rachel stood abruptly and announced that we were going to see the Music Competition results.

Groaning, I was forcibly dragged through the hallways of school by my girlfriend and best friend.

"Wait, you already had this class. Did you see the scores? Be honest," Rachel squinted at me, and I vigorously shook my head.

"No, I wanted to see them with you guys, so I just focused on playing the drums, not on the front of the classroom" Partial lie. I wanted to see the results with them, but I didn't actually go to this class or play the drums.

Rachel nodded, accepting my answer, and pulled Annabeth and me in after her. Stopping in front of the whiteboard, we looked at the scores posted.

The piece of paper had the seven names and their scores. I scanned the document for my alias. But since I had to look through the numbers to see if I actually did decently, I decided to let the girls decipher it.

Why would they make it so hard? Can't they just write out the total scores next to the name with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd kind of thing next to the names? I sat down in the teacher's chair and twirled around as they continued deciphering the paper.

At some point, Annabeth took out a whiteboard marker and wrote out the names. Using the same structure, I just suggested in my head. She squinted at the paper every so often but started writing names in order on the board.

When she finished, I refused to look. Instead, I found comfort in the wall across the classroom. Suddenly someone stopped my restless twirling. I snapped my head to look at them. Her stormy gray eyes bored into mine as I looked at her.

Her face broke out into a grin and whispered, "I told you if you sang you'd win," then pecked my lips before moving so I could see what she wrote.

I looked at the board and saw Annabeth's neat handwriting spelling out the contestants and who won. My alias was at the top next to #1 and had the number 107 next to it.

"What does the 107 mean?"

"Oh, that's the number of votes. The audience had a total of 150, and the judges' votes count for 10 each. Turns out 3 judges voted for you, and so 73 audience members voted for you as well." Annabeth explained gleefully, clapping her hands.

Rachel got a sly smirk on her face. "You know what that means, right?"

I looked at her confused, tilting my head, and Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"You have to go to prom," Rachel finished. My eyes widened—no way in hell. Prom was a formal occasion. No way was Mom getting me in a suit.

Annabeth rolled her eyes again and elaborated, "No, you don't have to go to prom. You just get free tickets, one for you and a plus-one." I nodded slowly, understanding.

I really don't like formal dress occasions; everything's so tense and nervous. "Wait, wouldn't they have to know who I was to give me the tickets?" I asked.

"Yea, you would need to come clean about your identity, but I think your teacher has an idea since you used Riptide and knew it by name," Annabeth answered. I looked sheepishly away.

"Well, I'm not big on prom, so I may just give the tickets away," I mumbled. Unfortunately, Rachel heard me and snapped her head towards me, giving me a death glare. Then motioning at her phone, I got the message. Keep an eye out for messages. I don't even know what I did.

"Alright, now that the excitement is over, I have to get home to complete the paper mache project I have going on. See you guys tomorrow," Rachel said and waved as she ran out.

"I have to get home to study," Annabeth said simply. I really didn't want to be alone. I knew that once I was, I wouldn't be able to block out the thoughts, and that scared me. I needed to be in control to keep Annabeth, Rachel, and Mom out of the pain of seeing me almost die again.

"I'll come with you, keep you company till you have to sleep," I suggested. Annabeth smiled at me and nodded. Happy I would be able to go home with her. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face as she grabbed my hand and walked with me through the school.

As we walked down the sidewalk, Annabeth squeezed my hand, turning my attention towards her. "So, are you going to do prom?" she looked really hopeful like she wanted to go.

I gulped. I didn't want to dash her hopes, but I really didn't want to go. I bit my lip. My happiness doesn't matter. Besides, if we dance like we did on Sunday, I should be fine. "I don't know, do you want to go?"

"I do. I didn't go to homecoming or prom last year because no one asked me. I knew I would just end up eating cookies in a corner reading if I didn't have a dancing partner, so I opted not to go. But since this is my last year in high school and I have a boyfriend, I think it'd be a good idea," Annabeth finished. I looked at her, shocked. Why would no one want to go out with her? She was perfect.

"Why did no one ask you?" I couldn't help it. I was curious.

"Well, for one, my friend group keeps most guys out. Two, I'm more of a brainiac than a prom queen, and three, I spend most hours of the weeks before prom holed up in my room studying" She listed the reasons off as she walked up to her front stairs.

I glared hard at the stairs as I walked up. Then allowed myself to be pulled to Annabeth's room, glaring at the stairs that led up again. I stubbed my toe on her bed, but other than that, I was fine.

"I mean, I guess that makes sense, but that's no reason not to ask you out," I said out loud. Annabeth chuckled at me. I sat down in her desk chair, and she glared at me.

"What?"

"I need my desk for studying."

"I don't see a problem," I spoke innocently.

"I do. Get up."

I pouted, "What if there's a stray spider? You'll want me nearby" I tried to reason.

"You don't need to leave the room, just get up from my chair," she sighed and set her backpack on the floor by the desk. I took the opportunity and grabbed her waist. Pulling her towards me, I sat her on my lap as she fumbled.

"There, now you're sitting in your chair and protected by all spiders. I don't see a downside to this"

"Percy?"

"Yes, Annabeth?"

"Let me up" I could hear her grit her teeth. I realize I'm pretty clingy, but honestly, this made me feel better, and I could feel her relax in my lap. No matter how much she would deny it, I'm pretty sure being with me helped cope with her stress.

"Nope," I pop the 'p' and to make my point, I wrapped my arms tighter around her waist and snuggled my face into her neck, causing her to inhale sharply.

I felt her sigh and reached down for her backpack. Getting out the supplies she needed, I kept my face hidden.

After what felt like three hours, though, when I looked at Annabeth's phone on the desk, I saw it had only been thirty minutes. I felt her shift in my lap. More than should be necessary for doing her work.

I thought she was trying to escape, but I felt her twist all the way around. I was forced to take my face from her neck, and I looked up to see her looking at me.

The weird position we were in made me blush as I tried to look at anything but her. But she was so close it was hard not to take notice. She was straddling my waist, and her face was mere inches from mine.

"Percy, I know something's up. What's wrong?" she spoke softly, not wanting to push me.

I bit my lip. From this distance, I was sure she could see under my hood. I felt the word burn a hole through my wrist as I opened my mouth.

Wincing as it echoed through my head, I decided to tell her the half-truth. "Um, some of the jocks from before I met you decided to start up the old games again." Of course, there were also the thoughts in my head basically bringing my mood down to 0, but they aren't important.

Annabeth nodded but still had a skeptical look in her eyes. Thankfully she allowed the half-truth.

"Ok, let's get you cleaned up. Can I go get my first aid kit?" she looked right into my eyes, and I nodded, loosening my grip enough where she could slip out.

"Go sit on the bed. I'll be right back" she then walked out of the room, and I sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.

I should just tell her about it.

No, then you would be proving Gabe and all those jocks right.

But that doesn't really matter, does it?

Yes, it does.

I groaned and put my head in my hands. Do I tell her? Do I not tell her? It wouldn't really change much if I told her. But she might be able to comfort me. What the fuck? You used her friend's influence to be safe, dragged her through that whole ordeal, made her your girlfriend, and you still want more from her?

My eyes widened. I couldn't tell Annabeth. I didn't want to drag her through my problems anymore. I heard the door open, and I brought my head out of my hands to see Annabeth with a small smile on her face.

My heart melted at the sight of her, her curls bouncing as she walked. Annabeth sat next to me on the bed.

"Alright, Percy, let's see" she slowly pulled my hood down. I saw her grimace at my beat-up face. I looked away, a bit ashamed.

She softly brought her fingers to my chin and made me look at her. "Keep your head here, ok? I'm going to start with the ointment after I clean off the dirt". I nodded and kept my eyes on her as she worked.

Her eyebrows were scrunched together in concentration as she bit her lip. She would inhale sharply every time she thought she pressed too hard on a bruise. After she finished wiping off the dirt, she brought out her ointment.

Smearing it all over my face, I closed my eyes to allow her to work.

"Ok, done with your face. Um, I'm sure there's some under your sweatshirt, can I" Annabeth left the question open as I opened my eyes. She looked torn between wanting to help but not wanting to push me, and I chuckled a bit at her.

Pulling my hoodie off slowly, so it didn't touch my face. I set it aside.

"Um, your shirt too," she said, a bit embarrassed. I complied and took it off. She looked at my bare chest and immediately started cleaning the few cuts and bruises along my torso.

"Um, this is awkward. Can you lay down?"

Blushing, I laid down without a word and looked at the wall opposite of Annabeth. Suddenly I felt something cold that was not a rag, and my head snapped to Annabeth. She chuckled and held up the ointment. I huffed in fake annoyance and returned my gaze to the wall.

After Annabeth gave me the ok, I sat up. But she didn't allow me to put my shirt back on, saying that the ointment needed to dry. I sighed and stayed lying down on her bed.

I saw her put the first aid kit supplies away and set it down next to her bed. Then she leaned over me and, careful not to touch the ointment, kissed me softly. Quickly pulling away, she went to sit in her desk chair.

"Wait, does this mean I can't hold you?" I abruptly sat up, aware of the change. She just chuckled herself and shook her head as if in wonder as she continued writing.

"This was your devious plan. I can't hold you with this weird stuff all over me!" realization hit me like a brick, and I laid back down huffing. I heard Annabeth giggle and couldn't help a smile break out on my face.

I laid there, falling asleep for a bit before waking up and checking my chest for wetness. Feeling none, I fished my phone out of my hoodie and turned it on, looking at the time.

6:09 pm, holy shit, I've been asleep for 2 hours. Again! Well, I didn't sleep the first time, but I wasn't in action, so it technically counts.

I noticed Annabeth was still in her chair, furiously writing, and groaned as I sat up, blinking the sleep from my eyes. My phone buzzed in my hand. Pulling it up in front of my face, I saw the many missed messages and a new one from Mom.

Deciding to ignore Rachel for another three minutes, I opened my Mom's messages.

Mom: Hey Blue, are you going to be home for dinner?

Me: No, I don't think so Mom. Sorry I didn't know I'd be staying this late.

Mom: That's ok

Mom: Did something happen?

Me: Nothing too big

Me: Annabeth just stresses out a lot before finals so I'm here making sure that she eats and stuff

Mom: Well maybe you should stay over, help her out

Me: I don't know Mom. But I'll ask her.

I sighed as Annabeth sighed and flipped a page.

"Hey, Annabeth"

I didn't get an answer.

"Oi! Annabeth, can I stay over?"

"Hmm? I don't know, ask Rachel."

Odd choice of words.

"Annabeth, what's for dinner?"

"No, you idiot, the formula for a quadratic is not cubed."

I blinked. Ok, then I'm just going to assume that she can't actually hear me. It makes you wonder how many times she's had to say that the formula for a quadratic isn't cubed.

I guessed that I'm getting dinner for both of us since she's in her little world. I threw on my shirt and hoodie, grabbed my phone, and walked out of the room. Luckily while walking down the stairs, I only fell from the third step from the bottom.

I hoisted my already bruised body and walked towards the kitchen, yawning. I froze. The rest of Annabeth's family was sitting there in the dining room watching me. I felt my cheeks flush when I realized they just witnessed me fall down the stairs again and rubbed the back of my neck.

"Hey Percy, how long have you been here?" Helen asked softly, thankfully breaking the awkward silence.

"Hello Mrs. Chase, um, I've been here since Annabeth got home. Um, I was wondering if I could make dinner for us since she won't listen to me," I rambled out. I looked sheepishly at the table before finding the floor fascinating.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Percy, here I'll make you two up a plate. Annabeth doesn't listen to us either during this time of year, so we just set her food on her desk after we're done," Helen explained, and I nodded gratefully at her.

She placed some salad and chicken on each plate and handed them to me. I thanked her and nodded towards Annabeth's dad before basically daring the stairs to trip me. I breathed a sigh in relief when I got to the top, and I didn't fall. Maybe I should threaten the stairs more often.

I fumbled with the door and finally got it open. Walking in, I saw Annabeth hunched over her work as I closed the door with my foot. I set the plates on her bed carefully and stood behind her as she murmured to herself.

I grinned mischievously as I leaned down right next to her ear and blew softly. I saw her shiver and whip around.

"What the actual fuck was that for?" she asked, voice dangerously low. I just smirked at her and kissed her lips. Then I pulled away and kissed her nose before handing her a plate of food from its place on the bed.

"Dinner is served," I said formally as I set it on her notebook. She glared at me and slid the plate off her book before continuing to write.

"Don't make me tie you to a chair and force-feed you," I warned. Annabeth scoffed.

Scoffed.

I was deeply offended.

She didn't think I'd do it.

I sighed. "Your funeral."

But she was already mumbling again. I moved my plate off the bed and grabbed the sheet from her bed. Then quickly pulling the chair back, surprising her, I wrapped the sheet around her arms and torso, trapping her. I tied the two pieces I had together, her arms at her sides, useless.

"Percy. Let. Me. Go," she glared at me, but I just spun her chair around to face the bed. Then grabbing it, I pushed it closer. I quickly got her plate of food and sat in front of her. Setting the plate on my lap, I started cutting the chicken with her fork.

"You aren't actually going to feed me, right?" I continued cutting the chicken up. Then stabbing a piece.

"You aren't kidding," she whispered. I held it out to her.

"Nope," I popped the 'p.' Stubborn as she was, she clamped her mouth shut and looked away from the fork.

"Don't make me do the airplane because then it'll get really awkward for both of us" no reaction.

"Do you not want to start with the chicken? I guess I can give you some salad," I frowned at the plate.

She continued looking away. So I poked her mouth with the chicken on the fork, and her head whipped to look at me. She looked surprised.

"Ok, obviously you don't want to be fed, so I'll cut you a deal. You eat dinner with me, and I let you go," it sounded reasonable to me. But Annabeth bit her lip as if she was sacrificing something big.

"How about you let me go, and I'll eat after I finish Biology?" I was appalled she'd try to negotiate with me.

"What? No, your prisoner, I'm jailer, I make the rules," she scoffed at me, and I huffed. "I guess I can just force feed you and not let you get back to work," I mumbled at her, and she scowled.

"So what's it going to be, Annabeth? Go with my deal, eat with me and get back to work or sit there as I painfully shove food down your throat and then force you to sit there doing nothing" I looked at her smiling smugly. She looked like she wanted to kill me, and honestly, I couldn't blame her.

Then her shoulders slumped, and she nodded to herself, "Fine, untie me. I'll eat with you." I grinned and placed the fork and plate down beside me before walking behind her. Untying the sheet, I pulled it off of her and threw it over the food onto the top part of the bed. Handing her her plate, I sat down across from her and got started on my chicken.

After a few minutes of silence, she broke it. "Why are you trying so hard for me," she said so softly I didn't think I actually heard it. I froze, bite halfway to my mouth. Her words registered in my head. Did I hear those right? I reran them through my head as I tried my best not to stumble over my next few words.

"Um, why wouldn't I?" I know, classic, giving her a straight answer, I know. She looked down at her plate and swallowed.

"Well, I know I'm hard-headed, and all my friends have tried to get me to do a normal schedule during finals week, but." she paused and took a deep breath," I'm just so high maintenance. I don't get why anyone would want to hang out with me while I'm like this. It just makes me feel like I don't deserve it, and I'm a burden. I just, I just don't understand why you would want to be around me," she finished softly, her voice catching. I noticed a few tears trace the sides of her cheeks.

My heart tried to fit itself into a small box as she sniffled, tears still streaming. I set my plate down on the floor and grabbed her hand.

"Annabeth," she slowly looked up at me, and I held my arms open. She slowly put her plate on the floor and hugged me. I slowly lifted her onto my lap, so she was straddling my chest. She cried into my shoulder for a bit as I pet her hair.

After her cries turned to small hiccups, I spoke softly to her.

"Listen, Annabeth. You are not a burden. I personally like taking care of you" I leaned my head back a bit and lifted her chin to look at me. I smiled softly at her and wiped some remaining tears off her cheeks, " and we both know I'm just as stubborn as you are." That got a small giggle from her.

She snuggled her head into my chest, and I stayed there for a bit, thinking.