Over the next two or so weeks, I went over to Annabeth's house every so often to make sure she got some sleep. I tried to hang out with her as much as possible, but every time I tried to hang out with her, it seemed like the jocks knew what was on my mind.

The news of me being Ky and Annabeth's boyfriend had spread through the school. I didn't realize how deep into the school's social ladder Annabeth was until everyone would stare at me when I walked into class. It was unnerving. I hate being the center of attention.

My days typically consist of class, then running, then class, throughout all of the periods. Then an after-school beatdown, every other day, meet up with Annabeth and sometimes Rachel. But the weekend hit, and Annabeth suddenly stopped replying to my texts altogether.

I was starting to get worried as Saturday passed by without a single answer. On Friday I tried to meet up with her, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I texted Rachel, and she simply said that she was studying.

I sighed. I know that Annabeth works herself to death over the finals weeks. I should respect her decisions, but this is a little insane. Also, I told her I wouldn't let her do this alone, no matter how annoying she thought I was.

I got up from my bed with newfound determination and grabbed two sweatshirts. Throwing one over my t-shirt and throwing the other over my shoulder. After hollering to my mom about where I was going, I set out for Annabeth's house.

I quickly sent her a text telling her I was coming over as I walked. After around ten minutes of daydreaming, I got to her house and mentally threatened the stairs as I climbed them. Getting to the top, I turned to knock, but then the door swung open, scaring me.

I jumped as Helen showed herself in front of me.

"Oh, thank god, I was wondering when you'd show up! Seriously she's even worse than normal," she exclaimed as she grabbed my wrist, pulling me through the house. "I was just about to come to get you. Of course, Fredrick says it'll pass and that we don't need you here. But I think he's just jealous that a boy can get his daughter out of her own head while he can't." She rambled and continued to drag me through the house and up the stairs, then opening the door, she shoved me in and said with a grave voice, "Good luck."

Still trying to catch up with what happened, I blinked and looked around the room. There was Annabeth, sitting in her chair, scribbling away on her notebook. Untouched lunch sat on her desk in front of her as she mumbled to herself.

I smiled softly as I walked up to her. I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the paleness of her face as she worked tirelessly over her papers. I grimaced and walked closer. I placed my hand over the one holding the paper and saw her flinch in surprise.

She didn't move and then, as if dismissing it, continued to write. I sighed, figuring this would be harder than normal. I mean, it did make sense. Monday was the day of the finals she's been stressing over for the past few days.

I tried saying her name, but she just whispered something unintelligible to me. I tried dragging her chair away, but she kept in place. I groaned before I got an idea.

Knowing that she got extremely flustered at signs of affection, I draped myself over her shoulders, laying my head on her right shoulder. I felt her tense but then relax a bit as she continued writing. Then I whispered in her ear, and she froze again.

Then I smothered her right cheek in quick kisses. Stopping, I saw her face flush as her hand stopped writing, and she whipped her head to look at me. Then I planted a kiss on her lips, closing my eyes. After a few seconds, I pulled away and removed my body weight from her shoulders.

She had a look of shock on her face as she slowly realized what happened. I smirked at her face as it turned a tomato red. She then looked at me and scowled.

"How long have you been here?" she asked quietly, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"I'll do you one better. How long has it been since you've eaten?" I shot back, and she looked towards the floor, ashamed.

I sighed and then motioned for her to get up. She shook her head stubbornly and turned back to the desk, her eyes almost glazing over again. I walked over to her quickly and stuck my arms under her knees and around her shoulders. Lifting her, she immediately tried to escape, but I simply held her closer and tighter.

"You and I both know that I am terrible at walking, so I would advise against squirming" she stopped moving, and I smirked. I guess my knack for clumsiness has helped me yet again.

I opened her door, and she immediately started trying to get away. But I just kissed the top of her head and walked out of her room. She resigned to her fate as I tried not to fall down the stairs. Succeeding, I thanked any stair god there was for that blessing and walked her to the kitchen.

I set her on the counter, and she swung her feet off about to jump down when I glared at her.

"Move, and I won't let you continue working," I threatened. Annabeth hesitated, then realizing my threat was legit, she sat there, arms crossed. I smiled smugly at her and pulled out leftovers from the fridge.

"I figured that the lunch on your desk was a few hours old, so here's a snack before dinner," I explained as I shoved a bowl of salad at her. Then finding some leftover hot dogs, I warmed them up in the microwave before placing the two in individual buns and handing them to her.

She huffed as she took the paper towel with the hot dogs and set it on the counter. I handed her a fork and then sat on the counter opposite of her. Annabeth set her bowl down and was about to get down when I stopped her.

"Nuh-uh, eat here, that way you cant think of some elaborate idea of getting back to your work before you finish" she scowled at me and then picked up one of the hot dogs, eating it.

I watched happily as she finished wolfing down the food I gave her. No matter how angry or annoyed she was, I could tell she was starving. The color returned a bit to her cheeks, and I gave her a glass of water as she finished.

I took the dishes and set them in the sink. I would do them later; I'm definitely staying over. I held out my hand for her, and she wordlessly grabbed it, hopping off the countertop. Then she yanked my hand down and pulled me into an unexpected kiss.

I melted as she kissed me passionately. But then she pulled away, and I almost whined at her. She giggled at me and then walked out of the kitchen after dropping my hand. I followed after her and up the stairs. Unfortunately, Annabeth's stairs only show mercy when Annabeth is involved. So I slipped and hit my chin on the top stair.

Groaning as my bruises along my face burned and I stood up dazed, I saw Annabeth's door open. Hoisting myself up, I walked in to see her scribbling away already. I sighed and closed the door. Checking my phone, I saw that it was around 4 pm.

Around 6 is when her family eats. I can probably drag her away to sleep at about 9. I sighed and set alarms for 10 minutes before the times specified. Then seeing that I had nothing to do, I started up a game of solitaire on her bed.

After what felt like forever, my phone went off. I sighed in relief and saw Annabeth with no change in her actions whatsoever. I heard a knock, and I got off the bed to open the door.

"Here is your guys' dinner," Helen said softly as she tried handing the plates through the doorway. But I declined.

"No, that's ok, Mrs.Chase, we'll come down for dinner. If that's ok?" I asked tentatively. She squinted over my shoulder at Annabeth and looked at me skeptically.

"Well, we'll wait for you guys to come down then, but tell me if you can't get her down. It's no problem if you eat in her room," I flashed her my lop-sided smile and nodded. Then closing the door, I looked at the challenge that was my girlfriend.

I sauntered towards her calling her name. Since she knew I was here, she was a bit more attuned with her surroundings, and so I got a grunt in return.

"Time for dinner," she ignored me as she wrote.

"I'm not taking no for an answer," she continued to write as she huffed in annoyance. She mumbled something, and I blinked, trying to decipher it.

"What was that?" I asked innocently. She groaned, placed her pencil down, and glared at me.

"I said, I just ate, I don't need food," she grumbled. I sighed at her and shook my head.

"That was 2 hours ago. Come on. I already told your step-mom I'd bring you down. Now that can be in my arms or not, your choice," I shook my head at her as she turned away from me and started writing again. Getting lost in her world.

I was shocked; she listened to my threat earlier. I guess being embarrassed in front of her parents doesn't really hold a torch to her studies. I shrugged, and after a few seconds of struggling, had Annabeth in my arms.

"Rusticitas," I hummed at her as I walked towards the door, her voice dangerously low.

"Put. Me. Down. Now," Annabeth glared at me as I opened her bedroom door while holding her bridal style.

I leaned down, kissed her, and then said, "No, I don't think I will." I laughed as she started squirming. Then hefting her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes, I prayed to the stairs gods once again for safe passage.

Arriving at the dinner table with Annabeth over my shoulder probably wasn't how Helen expected me to make my entrance. Even as I felt the tension and awkwardness in the air, I walked over to the two empty seats and slid her down off my shoulder.

Annabeth glared at me before sitting next to her dad. I sat in between her and Matthew, just like last time. However, this time we had lasagna and garlic bread. The table was quiet as we ate. Well, besides the silent bickering of the twins and clinking of silverware.

I noticed Annabeth finishing her seconds and smiled to myself. I was glad she was catching up on meals.

After finishing my plate, I waited patiently for everyone to finish. There wasn't much tension in the air; it was almost comfortable. Helen was smiling at me from across the table, and I returned her gesture.

Once Helen started cleaning up, I stood to help her. She tried getting me to stop, but I just assured her that I was used to it and didn't mind. I quickly grabbed all the dishes and began scraping the excess into the trash. Then I got to work on cleaning the dishes.

After around ten minutes of washing, Helen returned to the kitchen as I finished drying the last cup.

"I'll put them away, dear, thank you for washing them. Go on up and keep Annabeth company, she won't ever admit it, but she relaxes a lot around you" I nodded and felt my face flush as I bounded up the stairs.

I found Annabeth about to start her work and quickly shut the door, scrambling over to her. Then quickly, I hoisted her up by her waist and sat down in the chair, setting her on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her middle and snuggled my face into her neck. Ignoring the pain of the bruises on my cheeks as I smelled her lemony scent.

I felt her relax and start writing as I sat there, holding her. I don't remember falling asleep, but I do remember the alarm on my phone going off. I sighed and fished my phone from my hoodie pocket, and shut off the alarm. Then placing my head on Annabeth's shoulder, I watched her work.

After about fifteen minutes of watching her write notes and scribble information on her French notes, I stood up, making her slide off and stand on her feet. But I kept my arms around her waist. She turned to look at me quizzically, and I simply kissed her.

It lasted for a few seconds, nothing serious. Then I pulled away and whispered," You should go to bed," Annabeth scowled at me and tried to turn to get back to her work. But I just held her tighter and closer. "I can see the bags under your eyes. I'll sleep with you, come on" I let go of her waist and grabbed her hand, tugging her. Reluctantly she let me pull her to her bed.

"Do you want to change?" I asked, and she hesitated.

"No, I'll sleep in my clothes. Too lazy," I nodded to her and then flipped the covers back. Before walking over to turn off the lights, I made sure that she was under the covers. Then flipping the switch, I navigated expertly through her room, not stubbing my toe once.

"Well done, Rusticitas, you're getting better at walking," she teased as I laid down next to her. I groaned playfully at her as I pulled her onto my chest. In the darkness, I saw her smile at me before kissing me quickly.

"Good night Percy. See you in the morning," she said sleepily as her eyes flickered closed.

"Night, Annabeth, love you," I whispered as I drifted off with her in my arms.