The Make-Out Session

Annabeth POV

I had a pretty awful week.

Percy didn't talk to me even when I tried to start a conversation. Why could he just be like normal people and yell? Instead, he was giving me the silent treatment, which I hated.

I actually missed him. I missed his proximity, warmth, and voice.

Since Percy broke the deal, he went around apologizing to different girls around the school. It was Friday at lunchtime when he got to the last name on his list: Rachel.

"Hey, Rachel, can I talk to you?" Percy asked cautiously.

His voice sounded strained, and he looked really tired. His skin was paler today compared to his usual tan that emphasized his attractive nature. In my opinion, tan skin made any muscular build that the guy may have more attractive.

There was no denying that Percy was attractive, but today, he looked not well for some reason.

"I thought you'd want to talk to me," Rachel said boldly.

Percy and Rachel had everyone's attention now.

"Yeah, well, you're the last girl that I have to apologize to, so yeah. Um, I apologize for anything that I might've done wrong during our relationship," Percy said earnestly.

Percy was actually very sweet, and I hated myself for how I insulted him.

Why did I think for even a second that Percy would make up an abusive father? That was just awful. I felt awful about it.

"Do you want me to accept your apology," Rachel said seriously.

Percy sighed. "Not if you don't want to. I broke the deal, so it's my responsibility to apologize. The rest is up to you," he said tiredly.

"You hurt me, Percy," Rachel said firmly.

Ugh, did she really have to bring this up again? It's been like four months since their very short-lived relationship ended. They weren't even that serious.

Percy seemed to swallow a lump of emotion that was stuck in his throat before looking up at Rachel once again.

"Did you love me?" he asked softly.

Everyone was taken aback, including Rachel and myself.

"What? No, of course not," Rachel said. "We only dated for like four-six weeks, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt when you abruptly broke it off."

My eyes turned back to Percy, who ignored my gaze.

"Then, we weren't even serious. So, it would be best for both of us if we put our relationship behind us."

He paused for a few moments before continuing, "life can be too short to dwell on inconsequential things. You should know that."

Percy sounded so serious and genuine as he said those words. They were something you hear in a philosophy book or out of a motivational speaker's mouth. They were powerful, but his tone carried the real effect.

Rachel just stared at him for a second before getting back to lunch. Their conversation ended after that.

"Annabeth," Percy acknowledged softly.

I felt goosebumps rise as I turned to face him. He was standing behind me when I thought he'd go to his seat. I was so happy he was talking to me.

"Percy, I have to tell you something. I'm so sor-"

"Here," Percy said quickly interrupting me.

I took the piece of paper from his hands. It had all the names of the girls he had apologized to.

"I apologized to them all, so the deal is officially complete now," he said firmly. With that, Percy returned to his seat on the other side of the table.

I stared at the list of names on the paper. I felt like something broke between us.

Just then, Percy honestly sounded like he was saying goodbye to our relationship. However, I didn't want our relationship (whatever it was) to end.

I had to fix things before it was too late.

***

Sunday was spend playing board games with the family. As I said, I was so grateful that my father decided to spend more time at home. While pretty soon, this would become routine, his presence was well-received by everyone in the house.

We had just finished a game of Mythomagic when I decided to ask my dad some burning questions.

"Hey, dad," I started.

"What's up, honey?" my father acknowledged.

"I'm really glad that you're spending more time with us. What changed? Like, what made you realize that you had to spend more time at home?" I asked cautiously.

My father sighed. "Someone made me realize that I had to spend more time with my wife, daughter, and sons."

"Yeah," I said waiting for him to continue.

He took a sip of water before smiling. "You usually always make the best decisions, Annabeth. You did the same when picking a boyfriend as well."

"Woah, dad, what are you talking about?"

"Your boyfriend talked to me in December. He told me about how much you, Helen, and the boys were missing me. He made me realize that work is a small part of life. Family and love are more important."

I soaked the information in, but I didn't understand one thing.

"My boyfriend?" I asked.

"Yes, Percy Jackson. He said that he was just a friend, but he talked so caringly of you. As such, I assumed that you two were together."

"Oh" was all I could say as I excused myself.

Percy did this for me.

I had told him about how much I missed my father. Percy actually understood my pain enough to try to solve my problem.

Gods, Percy was so sweet, and I had been so wrong about him.

***

Thalia told me that she and Percy shared their last period. That's how I knew what classroom Percy was in at the end of school.

"Thalia, I really need to talk to Percy alone. Is he still in there?" I asked Thalia as soon as she stepped outside of her last class.

"Yeah, he is, Annabeth. But, I don't think you should go messing with him."

"Thalia, I need to talk to him. I have to apologize and fix things because he's too good to lose."

"Some things aren't easily fixable, Annabeth," Thalia paused. Once again, I realized that Thalia knew something about Percy that I didn't. She was pretty close to Percy now.

"Annabeth, he's going through a lot right now. Please don't add any more stuff," Thalia said firmly.

"Thalia, don't worry. All I want is to talk to Percy. It's okay."

With that, I walked into the classroom. The classroom was empty except for one student, who was Percy. Even the teacher had left the room. Percy was sitting at his desk. His elbows were on the desktop, and his hands were rubbing his face.

The door closing behind me caught his attention.

Percy's piercing sea-green eyes scanned me as he stood up. He started walking to the door, but I blocked his path.

He looked tired, sleep-deprived, and a little sick.

"Percy, are you okay?" I asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'd be better if you let me leave the classroom," he said boldly.

"Well, too bad. I didn't come here just to let you leave. We need to talk."

Percy's eyes were looking everywhere but my face. He was trying to avoid my gaze and avoid looking at my face.

"Percy, I want to apologize to you. I'm so sorry for what I said. I really didn't mean it at all. It just came out due to the stress of this deal. Seaweed Brain, I'm so sorry."

For the first time, Percy looked up at my face. I loved his sea-green eyes, but they were quite dull right now.

"Wise Girl, it hurts to be around you. I won't be able to heal with you around me," he said with agony in his voice.

"Seaweed Brain, what are you talking about? I know that I hurt you, but we can move past that. We can be frien-"

"Wise Girl, I cannot be friends with you and pretend. That will only add to all the hardship and pain that's going on right now."

Percy started to leave, but I caught his arm to stop him.

His actions were sudden. His hands wrapped around my wrists as he pushed me back against the wall. His arms were pinning my hands above my head as his body closed in against mine.

Percy's lips crashed onto mine as the distance closed between us.

This kiss was so different from our first kiss on that Ferris wheel. Our first kiss was passionate but soft. This kiss was passionate, hot, and hungry.

Both of our lips moved in sync as we explored each other. His hands let go of my wrists and moved down into my neck and hair. My hands came down and gripped his shirt. Neither of us were removing clothes, but we were close to it.

A raging fire crackled in the heat generating from our bodies. His strong body was tightly pressing into my own.

I wasn't sure how long the make-out session lasted, but Percy broke the kiss first.

His forehead was pressed against my own as our heavy breaths and scents intermixed. We were still very close, and a part of me wanted to close the distance between us again.

My eyes opened first as I watched Percy's face.

Percy looked so satisfied as a content smile played on his soft lips. His chest was rising and falling heavily. Percy's eyes opened as we gazed at each other. His sea-green eyes were sparkling brightly. His eyes looked normal and alive again rather than how dull they looked a few minutes ago.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't control myself," he whispered.

His hands slowly (almost regretfully) pulled away from my body and hair. Even though Percy looked physically better, I could see his conflicting emotions.

Percy walked out of the room quickly, but I was frozen in place.

I let out a shallow breath as soon as I was alone.

Percy was definitely interested in me, and that's why my words hurt him so deeply. Jason and Grover both said that, even though the deal had been broken over winter break, Percy was still not going out with girls.

Gods, things were so complicated between me and Percy.

Everything felt so messed up.

However, right now, my mind and body were buzzing with the sensations and perceptions of Percy. And, I savored every bit of it.