The Best & The Worst

Annabeth POV

Part One: The Best

Seaweed Brain was kissing me, and I was kissing back. As my lips moved against his, I felt the feelings coursing between us.

Percy was a very good kisser, which wasn't much of a surprise.

It was possibly the best kiss I've ever had, and it was our first one. Wait, first one as in there would more. No.

Suddenly, the reality of the situation came crashing down. Why was I kissing the player of Goode High? I pulled away from Percy as the Ferris wheel started to move again.

My eyes opened to realize that Percy was already gazing at me. His hand was still caressing my cheek. His deep sea-green eyes held so many emotions of lust and desire.

"Please," he whispered with agony.

Even in my confusion, Percy's lips brushed my lips, yet again. However, I was more aware now and quickly pulled away from his lips before pushing his hand away. I instantly missed his lips and his hands against me, but I ignored it.

I didn't know what to say or even what to think. Percy just kissed me. However, his eyes and that kiss easily went beyond the emotions that a player would have. Percy was frowning as he sadly stared at the carnival fair below us. We both just sat there in silence.

Piper and Jason quickly found us after we got down from the ride. Seaweed Brain and I didn't talk to each other for the rest of the day.

I was so confused right now. Percy said "please" like he was begging for it. While he was known as a player, Percy wasn't the type to beg for sex.

It was almost like he needed it, and he needed it only from me.

***

Part Two: The Worst

Percy and I ignored having the conversation about what happened at the fair. Things were tense and awkward. Surprisingly, Percy seemed to be in his own world for most of the next week. While he came to school, he barely interacted with people.

And, I didn't know why.

Piper was the only person that knew. Piper was amazing at decoding and analyzing people, so she easily sensed the tension and silence between me and Percy. So, of course, she dragged it out of me. Piper kept saying that Percy liked me, but I wasn't too sure.

I didn't know how he actually felt because he barely talked to me after the kiss, and I didn't know how I felt about him or the kiss either.

Hazel interrupted my thoughts, and I was actually grateful.

"Hey, Annabeth, do you think that Katie will like this?" Hazel asked holding up a top.

"I don't know, Hazel. Ask Piper, she's the one that's good at shopping."

"I think Katie will love that, but you should find it in green or purple," Piper replied.

"Thanks, Pipes!"

We were currently shopping at the mall for our Secret Santa gifts. I had to buy something for Leo, and I already knew what I was getting.

Leo apparently wants a pogo stick. Random, I know.

Our Christmas party was scheduled for Christmas Eve at Piper's house. Everyone was very excited as it should be a fun party. Rachel came from the changing room wearing a new light green dress.

"Rachel, you're supposed to be shopping for your assigned person," I said laughing.

"I already got something for him, but I really liked this dress," she replied.

"Honestly, you do look really good."

"Yup. "I agree."

"Thanks so much, girls," Rachel exclaimed brightly.

Rachel and Hazel went off to see more clothes, which left me and Piper to wander around. We both already decided on our gifts, so we were just here for fun.

"So, Annabeth, did you tell Thalia about you and Percy?" Piper asked.

I sighed. "There is no me and Percy, Piper. Also, I didn't tell Thalia yet because she's probably gonna yell at me."

Piper chuckled before responding with a "yeah."

"Well, what about Percy. Did you have a conversation with him, yet?"

"No. I don't even know what we'd say to each other."

"Annabeth, this is a big deal. You have to talk to Percy. You guys freaking kissed for god's sake," Piper said sharply.

Before I could respond, another voice beat me to it.

"You and Percy kissed, Annabeth."

Piper and I both turned around to face a shocked Rachel. She seemed a little angry as well.

"Rachel, I-"

She interrupted me quickly. "Annabeth, I cannot believe that you made out with Percy. He's my ex-boyfriend, who hurt me."

"Rachel, I didn't make out with him. He kissed me once two weeks ago, and that's it. We hadn't even talked about the kiss after that. I'm ignoring the event," I told her.

Honestly, Percy and I were both ignoring the kiss. However, Piper was right. The kiss was too important and 'good' to ignore, right?

Rachel looked at me suspiciously before sighing.

"Annabeth, I honestly feel bad for you," she said softly.

"What?"

"Percy's doing to you exactly what he does to so many other girls," Rachel said slyly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Annabeth, you're so intelligent. You should know this already. Percy is a player, and all he cares about is getting into your pants. He literally just hit you with his best efforts, so that you'll say yes to him."

I stayed silent as her words washed over me.

"Wait, Annabeth, you know that Percy isn't like that," Piper said in Percy's defense.

Rachel crossed her arms. "That's exactly what he did to me. He flirted with me, and then, he kissed me one day. We started our wretched relationship after that because I fell for his charms and his skills."

I stared at Rachel. She was technically correct. I couldn't be stupid enough to fall for the player of our high school (all because of a stupid deal).

Piper stared helplessly at us. I knew that she was on Percy's side, but there was no defense right now besides a benefit of a doubt.

"Percy is using you, Annabeth, to get out of this deal. Plus, the fact that you're a beautiful girl is a bonus," Rachel said confidently. "You cannot fall for his tricks, Annabeth."

Rachel was right.

All my rationality, pride, and intelligence reasoned that Percy was just being the player that he was with me. The kiss was all a part of that.

I couldn't fall for Percy. There was no way.

Yet, a part of me wanted to believe that Percy genuinely loved and cared about me.

***

Piper's Christmas party started with so much entertainment. Everyone was having such a good time. I had finally told Thalia about everything that happened, and she had no words for me. Literally, she didn't say anything, but she did seem disappointed.

Thalia knew something that she wasn't telling me.

I would have to be careful with Percy, who seemed to be doing a lot better this week than last week. As Rachel said, I would have to be on alert if he tried anything else.

My logical brain reasoned that the kiss was a mistake, but my emotional brain reasoned that the kiss was too good to be one of Percy's lies.

However, my intelligence and pride usually had more power.

"All right, everyone, gather around for Secret Santa," Piper said. Everyone cheered in response as we sat in a circle next to the Christmas tree and presents.

Piper had told everyone to drop their Christmas present by the tree in the living room. Until everyone got here, no one was allowed into that room. This was to ensure that the gifts mostly remained a secret since this was Secret Santa.

Most of the gifts were either clothes or something funny since we had a 30 dollar limit. I simply got a red sweater. It was quite pretty, actually.

I was grateful that Leo was practically jumping up and down when he saw my pogo stick (no pun intended).

Percy ended up getting a joke of a gift. If I had to guess, it was definitely Leo or one of the Stolls that gave Percy a T-shirt with four bikini bodies on it.

Everyone laughed as Percy showed people the shirt.

"Thanks, whomever. I can't wait to wear this," Percy said sassily.

I couldn't stop my glare. I was just angry with Percy about him being a player. Now, he was making jokes about it.

Honestly, I wanted to punch him even though I shouldn't be this angry. I couldn't even tell if I was angry because he had kissed me or because he laughing about other girls (half-naked other girls that were on his shirt).

"Hey, Wise Girl, do you like my shirt?" Percy asked as he showed me the shirt.

Several members of our group chuckled as I glared at him.

"Yup, it suits you very well," I said sharply.

Percy was a little taken back, but he played away from the shock with a smile. The rest of the night went by quickly. I hated that time flies when you're having fun.

I was alone in the morning room, getting a drink when Percy came by.

"Hey, Wise Girl," he said softly.

Percy sat down in the seat next to me.

"What do you want, Seaweed Brain?"

"I just thought that we should talk. I kind of have to tell you something."

Even though my body said that I should leave, I couldn't help my curiosity. I sat down next to him as I popped a potato chip into my mouth.

"What is it?" I asked firmly.

Percy seemed nervous as he looked at me. His fingers were fidgeting with each other. He started to talk but faltered off when Calypso entered the room.

"Oh, sorry to interrupt guys. I was just grabbing a drink," she said. She grabbed her snack and left quickly.

"Yeah, so, Annabeth, I-"

"Can I ask you something?" I interrupted him.

"Of course, Wise Girl."

"Calypso was your first girlfriend, right? What made you help her so much even after she cheated on you?" I asked. I knew that Percy was still a good person even though he was a player. As such, I had wanted to ask this question for a long time.

"Well, life's too short to hold serious grudges. Calypso cheated on me, but she says it was a mistake. So, I accepted it. Besides, you saw how bad her father is. No one should have to suffer from an abusive father like that."

I nodded. Honestly, Percy was right.

"You cared so much about her that night when we saved her."

"Why are we talking about that, Wise Girl? I came to talk to you about our deal," he said effectively interrupting our current conversation.

"Oh my god. Are this deal and sex everything you think about, Percy?" I asked with rising anger.

"Annabeth, I wanted to-"

I stood up in anger. "Sex isn't everything, Percy. Is that why you kissed me two weeks ago? You were trying to play with me as you do with every other girl?"

He stood up quickly and caught my arm so that I couldn't leave.

"What? No, Annabeth, I'm not playing with you."

I stood there with my hands in fists as I glared at him.

"Okay, if you really want to know, I helped Calypso a lot because I know what it's like. I had a bad and abusive step-dad, too," he said.

I had never heard of Percy's old step-dad. All this just seemed like a game.

My anger and emotions made it hard to filter my thoughts and my words. "What is this, Percy? Is this another game you're playing to get sex from me? You're trying to get sympathy points or something? That is sick," I snapped.

I watched as his face changed from confusion to pain. I could see the disappointment and sadness in his face as his eyes filled with stormy water.

It was at that moment that I realized my mistake.

"Percy, I-"

"I'm glad to know what you actually think of me, Wise Girl," he said in a broken and agonizing voice.

Percy stormed off, but I followed him. "Percy, wait."

Everyone's conversations stopped as they stared at us. Percy grabbed his jacket and keys. I stared at him helplessly.

"Woah, Percy, are you okay?" Grover asked as he got up.

"No, I'm leaving," Percy answered sharply.

"Wait, Percy, you're emotional right now. You shouldn't leave. Take a breath, Percy."

"Grover, let me go," Percy snapped as he pushed his best friend away.

Everyone just stared as Percy stormed out of Piper's house. The door slammed shut. I had clearly hurt Percy deeply by my angry, unfiltered insult.

It was the worst insult I could've thrown.