The Queen's Flirt

Percy POV

I cannot believe everyone saw me throw up. The freezing water messed up my system, and I couldn't stop myself from spilling my guts.

I realized, however, that Annabeth's presence was a game-changer. Her touch soothed me in a similar way to sex, but it was also different. I didn't quite understand it, yet I appreciated it so much.

It's been a month since our deal, and there were only two more months to go. The chemo cycle had started, and I was not looking forward to it. I guess that's why I decided to go out with Annabeth again. Her presence was somehow helpful even though we didn't do anything sexual. In fact, she was arguing or annoyed with me for most of the time we were together, yet her presence was calming, soothing, and pain-relieving.

I was getting myself into some deep shit with Wise Girl.

***

"So, you two are going on another date?" Rachel asked as anger masked her face.

I didn't know what to say. I knew that Rachel didn't like me, but I thought she'd be over it right now.

"It's not a date, Rachel," Annabeth said.

"I don't see why you have to be hanging out with him, Annabeth. He's my ex-boyfriend and a player. Do you know how wrong that is?"

I pretended to be talking to Jason even though all of us were listening to their conversation. They weren't exactly talking quietly either.

Annabeth sighed before responding, "Rachel, nothing is going on. Besides, I'm not even one percent interested in Percy." Her voice softened by the end so that it wouldn't come off so rude. Still, I felt slightly uncomfortable by her words.

"Yeah, and what will you do if he lasts two more months?"

"I, uh"

"You'll happily sleep with him," Rachel said firmly.

"Rachel, stop. He's not gonna win this deal," she said before turning to me. "You're going to lose this deal, Percy."

"I don't know, Wise Girl, we'll have to see," I said with a smirk.

Annabeth just glared at me. Honestly, I wasn't going to make her sleep with me if she didn't want to even though we had a deal. Consent was important in relationships, and I wasn't going to force any girl to do anything that she didn't want to do. That was wrong (practically, equivalent to rape), and I would never.

Before she could say anything, I felt arms wrap around my neck from behind. Annabeth looked at me in shock with her mouth open. I quickly turned around to see who it was.

Drew Tanaka, aka the Queen Bee of Goode High, was standing right in front of me. We had a complicated relationship, to say the least. We were physically and sexually on and off. Drew was who I called for an emergency sexual experience (if the cancer side effects were bad). She was always willing and talented too, but I didn't like her beyond that.

I sighed. "What do you want, Drew?"

"Percy, we're overdue for a night together," Drew said slyly as she ran her hands up my chest.

I couldn't deny that I got excited. Plus, I was in the middle of my chemo cycle, so my body was certainly accepting of alternative pain relief.

Her lips started to come to my face, but I swerved away. A kiss would count as a sexual experience, which would mean that I'd be losing the deal if I accepted it. Drew's face scrunched up at the notion of being rejected. Yeah, boys didn't reject Drew as she was at the top of the social food chain for all the cliche reasons.

All my friends were staring at us. I could hear Jason release a breath of relief.

"Did you just reject my advance?" Drew asked as anger sparked her gaze.

"Drew, I'm in the middle of a deal. I cannot, you know."

Her gaze immediately snapped towards Annabeth. I was afraid of this. "You're seriously rejecting me for this girl," she asked maliciously.

"By this girl, I hope you mean someone who's 100 times more intelligent than you," Thalia said with a growl.

Annabeth just smirked as she stared at me and Drew.

"Drew, I'm not really ready to lose this deal," I said firmly.

Drew turned back to me with a smile. Annabeth's smile faltered at Drew's confidence. I tried not looking at Annabeth right now. She carried conflicted expressions. On one hand, she wanted me to lose. But on the other, she seemed to be realizing that I was so much more than a player.

I was so confused as Drew smiled slyly.

"I bet that you're going to lose the deal, Percy, and it's going to be because of me." Her voice was so cunning that I practically believed her.

However, I shook my head as I crossed my arms. It was my turn to smirk.

"It's gonna take a lot more for me to lose this deal."

I was saying this to everyone. Drew, Rachel, my friends, and Annabeth. I wanted them all to know that I intended to not back down. That I wasn't their version of a player.

However, even as I said it confidently, I couldn't shake the feeling that something is going to happen. Something that would force me out of my and Annabeth's deal.

***

"Hi Percy, honey, how are you feeling?" my mom asked as she walked into my bedroom.

"I'm fine, mom. Why?"

"No, you had chemo today, so I was just wondering," she asked with a concerned expression.

"It's fine, mom. The side effects haven't kicked in, yet."

"I've noticed that last chemo cycle and this chemo cycle has been much harder for you. Um, I was just wondering, well, um-" my mom faltered off. It wasn't the easiest thing to ask your son if he was having sex, even if the sex was medically helpful.

"Mom, I guess I kept something from you. I made a deal with someone that disallows any sexual experiences from happening." I worded the sentence carefully.

While my mother looked concerned, she also looked happy. "But, honey, you're having a harder time because of it."

"It's all right, mom, I think I can handle it for a few more months."

"I'm just worried about you, honey. I know that this therapy was helpful for you. The last few cycles have been so much more painful for you than usual."

"I'm fine, mom. I really don't want to lose this deal with Wise Girl."

"Wise Girl?" my mom asked with intrigue.

"Annabeth, mom, she bet me that I couldn't stay away from sex for three months. Honestly, she was quite prideful about it," I was smiling as I talked about her. Also, I was pretty comfortable with talking to my mother about anything.

"So, you like this Annabeth. Well, it's been quite a while since you genuinely liked a girl."

"WHAT?! Mom, no. I don't like Annabeth. I can't."

"Honey, you deserve to genuinely like/love girls. Cancer doesn't take that from you. This Annabeth Chase girl seems like a very strong and talented girl."

"Mom, it's just easier to be a player without love. It hurts too much, and it would be too painful for the girl. And besides, mom, I really don't like her."

My mother smiled as she brushed my hair.

"You're such a caring young man, Percy. Let me tell you something."

I gazed at her as I waited for her wisdom.

"One of the signs that a man likes a woman is when he smiles as he talks about her, especially when he isn't being humorous or anything. Also, if you think about them and smile when they're not around, that's a crush. That's love."

With that, my mom decided to exit the room, leaving me to digest her words.

Now, I was in a state of confusion. Did I like Annabeth?