(Sorry everyone! I can't think of a chapter name. Henceforth, this chapter shall be known as Nameless. Unless one of smartypants have any ideas. If so, do tell --S)

Monday

I drove back to New York at around 1 am yesterday, once I realised I had college on Monday.
I considered bunking, but mom was having none of that.
In fact, she was the one who burst through my room at midnight, reminding me of going to college.
Thanks, mom.

I stayed in a motel until a loud alarm woke me up. I pulled on the hoodie and jeans my mom packed for me and paid the receptionist for what I owned.
I did stop at a Starbucks for coffee. And for gas but that's irrelevant.

Finally, I pulled up to school around 8. I missed homeroom but eh.
Who cares?

I dashed up to English class, where I was greeted kindly by Miss Artemis.

"And why are you late?" she asked sternly, placing her hands on her hips and levelling me a glare.

"Sorry Miss, my car broke down," I lied.

She rolled her eyes, "Sit in the front Jackson, I want to keep an eye on you," she said, waving her finger at a seat in the second row.
She told Hazel to go sit in the back and I plopped down there, mouthing her a sorry.

The second interruption happened in about 10 minutes.

When the door to the class was knocked, Miss Artemis threw her hands up in frustration, "Who is it?!" she asked, opening the door.

"Hello dear," Miss Mellie greeted the frustrated teacher with a kind smile, "I just wanted to introduce our new student. Annabeth Chase."

I sat up so straight I thought my spine would break. Of course, Annabeth would be in my class. I tried to look nonchalant, ignoring my rapid heartbeat.

When she entered, the class, consisting of our old friends, whooped loudly. Everyone looked extremely happy to see her. Until the teacher sushed them.

I watched as the tension in Annabeth's shoulders melted away, replaced by a grin. One which I watched slowly fade once her grey eyes found mine.

I slumped back in my seat and watched as she talked with Miss Artememis for a while. She had recognised Annabeth from the bookstore and they had a conversation about that before she had her sit down in the seat right next to mine.

She looked straight ahead for a part of the class, scribbling down notes once or twice. I tried not to smile every time her nose scrunched up as she concentrated. After a point, she turned to face me and I immediately turned away face reddening. Crap she caught me.

She cocked her eyebrow in my direction, resting her head on her palm. "what?" she mouthed.

I shook my head, "can we talk" I mouthed back.

She looked away from me for a bit, biting her bottom lip. She furrowed her brow in concentration, watching the PowerPoint presentation Miss Artemis was explaining. She then turned back in my direction and gave me a solemn nod.

I grinned, resting back in my seat. She rolled her eyes and went back to focussing on the class.

When the bell rang, I walked over to her desk. She was completely focused on taking notes and didn't notice (or ignored me) until I cleared my throat and knocked on her desk.

"So...." I grinned, awkwardly scratching the back of my neck,"hi...."

"Hey," Annabeth replied, looking skeptically at me. She then put her pen down and sighed, turning her full attention onto me, "Can we talk?" she asked.

I nodded, hope building up in my chest," Yeah. Closet?"

She bit her lip and nodded, "yeah sounds good. Give me five minutes."

And I did.

I waited for her in the small closet. She knocked thrice before entering, shoving her body inside the tight space.

"First off, I just want to make an apology. I was super rude the other day...and yeah...I shouldn't have said that. You're a good friend,Percy. It's..just that I've missed you lately. And I hoped you'd trust me enough to just tell me that you didn't want to spend time with me. I wouldn't have bothered you then,"

I looked at her, shocked. She looked disappointed...but so strong at the same time. Her spine was straight as she looked into my eyes, as if trying to dissect me.

Did she really think I didn't want to talk to her? Heck! When all I wanted to do was give her a hug or just be close to her.

"Wise girl..," I stated, cupping her face with my palm, "I'm sorry. But I have never tried to avoid you in my life. The opposite basically. Something happened in my life recently which changed everything..."

At her sceptical look, I added, "And I intend to tell you about it. As soon as I fix it. That's a promise,"

The bell rang, signifying the next period. I continued hurriedly.

"You're one of the most important people in my life. And we've just reunited recently but still. I don't know if I can let you go now...and I promise not to. I'm so sorry that I made you feel that way. I promise I'll never do it again. On the River Styx," I chuckled, remembering our childhood promises with the phrase.

"Just...remember that. Okay?" I asked.

Unexpectedly, she gave me a violent hug, sending me practically crashing into the shelf behind me.

She nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Thanks," she smiled widely, "You're my best friend, Percy. I don't want to lose you."

Her face was EXTREMELY EXTREMELY close to mine.

"You never will," I replied...ignoring all the feelings I had throwing a party in the pit of my stomach.

I would probably forget my own name if she doesn't take a step back.

She kissed my cheek in a rush, her face flushed red, in the dim light of the room.
She then proceeded to untangle herself from me, only then did I notice that my hands were still around her waist.

The gesture sent a wave of tenderness through my body, as my heart sped so fast I was worried it would give out.
Her close proximity was all the more suffocating now. Were her eyes always that sparkly?

I dropped my hands, after brushing away a strand of hair that covered her face.

Clearing my throat, my hot cheeks hopefully being not noticeable I nodded, opening the door. I watched as she scurried to her next class. And then, returned to the closet and made a call.

The decision I made was final. That's it. I was done with hurting her. I promised her once that I would never leave her side, and that's what I would do.

I called Rachel and asked her if we could meet up. Since she was homeschooled, she was free most of the time. Lucky her.

She said she was good to meet. And with the stealth of a mosquito, I escaped school. (I texted Jason that obviously. I didn't need him sounding an alarm or getting the cops involved)

After a car ride to our agreed destination. I arrived.
And,30ish minutes later I met Rachel at dominoes. She was wearing a green dress with paint splatters.

I smirked, classic Rachel.

"Hey" she greeted, she walked over to my table and sat beside me. We ordered a large pizza to share.

"What did you want to talk about?" she asked. She cupped her face and put her elbows on the table, leaning forward, "are we about to commit murder?'' she whispered.

I laughed, ''No no, I-". Okay, how was I supposed to say this? Hey Rachel, I'm in like with someone (As a friend, duh) and I want to know if it's okay with you?

My palms started to sweat as nervousness crept in. Dam it!

"Okay so..." I started carefully, "Hypothetically if a guy likes a girl, but there's something stopping him from being there for her, what should he do?"

"Well he should tell her the thing that is keeping him from her", Rachel advised. She and mom should start a cult.

I shook my head, "What if he can't cause he's scared that it's going to mess up their friendship?"

"Then he should figure out what's more important to him"

"She's more important to him," I said a little too quickly.

Rachel smiled. She leaned forward and kissed me.

My whole body froze, I pushed her away gently. After gulping down a bottle of water to calm myself down, I spoke. "What were you doing?"

Rachel shrugged, "I had to try something"

I stared at her, flabbergasted. On one hand, she was my fiance, on the other, Annabeth's clear laugh sounded in my mind.

"Rachel I....I..... I don't want to marry you. I'm sorry'', I placed my hands on my forehead and leaned forward, facing away from her, "I'm sorry. I don't feel that way about you"

I felt horrible. I felt like a terrible person.

" I know," she said, patting my head like one would a sad dog.

I un- cocooned myself, "Then why did you-''

"kiss you?" she asked, smirking. I turned red and nodded. "I just wanted to test something, that's all" she shrugged. Our pizza arrived. She took a slice and began munching on it.

"Rachel, I'm so sorry"

She put her finger on my lips and waggled her finger, "Look Percy, I like you. However, this engagement was forced upon both of us and I would never want to force you to fall in love with me. Besides, it's clear you're already in love with someone else" she smirked.

I blushed, and snatched a piece of pizza and stuffed it in my mouth, "No I am not", I protested.

She rolled her eyes, "Yes you are. And no, I don't mind. You deserve to be with the person you love. Besides" , she lightly punched my shoulder, 'we'll get out of this engagement one way or another"

"Rachel, thank you thankyou thankyou" I thanked her. Happiest I've been for a while It felt as if the weight of the sky was lifted off my shoulders.

She grinned and pushed me off her, "No problem, Aqua-lad. But promise me that we will stay friends"

I nodded, " Promise. Are you sure you don't have any problem with me-''

"For the millionth time, YES. I don't have a problem. I want you to be happy, dumbass" she laughed. After grabbing another slice of pizza, she grinned widely, "Now tell me everything about her, or him"

I laughed. Rachel was cool af. We were going to be great friends. And I was going to make things right between Annabeth and me.
And then, I was going to ask her if she's alright and give her a hug.
And I was NEVER going to let her be alone again.

If she falls, I would fall with her. Even to the depths of hell.