A Deal with a Player

Chapter 1: The News

Annabeth POV

"Annie, did you hear the news?" asked my best friend, Thalia, as she came to my locker.

"Thalia, how many times have I told you not to call me Annie. It's only Annabeth."

"Alright, Only Annabeth, have you heard the news?" she asked again with an annoying smirk.

I sighed. Thalia would never change. I guess her stubbornness complimented my own, which is why we're best friends. One thing was for sure: Thalia always had my back even if I was in the wrong.

"What news?"

"Percy Jackson dumped Rachel after six weeks of dating. She's a mess right now."

I sighed for a second time. Honestly, this wasn't even a surprise. Everyone was expecting it at some point. The actual surprise was that Percy stayed with Rachel for so long because his relationships were usually short-lived.

I always disliked Percy. He was known as the playboy of the school. He jumped around from girl to girl, and his relationships were only physical. Furthermore, Percy didn't care about school as he always disrupted class and/or arrived late.

"We warned her about him, Thalia. Gods, we were foolish to think that after the four-week mark, Rachel had gotten to Percy."

"I know right. Oh wait, she's coming."

I watched as Rachel, Piper, and Hazel made their way to us. Hazel was gently holding Rachel who honestly looked like a mess. She had to be stronger than to be a mess because of a boy, especially a boy like Percy Jackson. Rachel already knew exactly what she was getting into, and she still fell for him.

"Thalia, how long since the break-up?" I asked silently.

"Two days, yet she's still in turmoil."

Thalia and I were pretty much thinking the same thing: I told you so. But, we couldn't say it to Rachel in the state she was in.

As we all comforted Rachel, my eyes narrowed at the devil walking towards us. Percy had a smile on his face as he walked confidently through the hallway.

"What do you want, Jackson?" Thalia asked aggressively.

His sea-green eyes softened as he looked at Rachel, but the trickster smile didn't leave his face. Percy Jackson up close was enough to take your breath away. Obviously, players were known to be good-looking and Percy didn't disappoint in that avenue. He was tall with wild hair that suited him. He was tan with a toned body; he was fit in all the right ways. Then, there was his handsome face, which was a whole different story.

However, I wasn't a girl who just fell for looks. The substance was important, and everyone knew that Jackson didn't have substance.

"I'd like my hoodie back."

My anger bubbled as I stared at him. Not only had he hurt my best friend but he also dared to be this rude. Rachel was wearing a pretty large swim hoodie that wasn't our school's brand. It had 'Percy' stitched across the left chest and 'Jackson' across the back.

I saw the tears clouding Rachel eyes as she took off the hoodie and gave it back to Percy, who happily accepted it. There was some kind of emotion in Percy's eyes as well, but I couldn't quite comprehend it. Rachel was starting to cry again.