MIRELA ➪ PERCABETH

New World, Same Us

Annabeth sighed. "With what?"

"Like... getting ready. I dunno how. What do I wear? Or say?"

She squeezed her eyes shut. "I didn't know it was such a formal event," she snapped.

"Aw, don't be mad, Anna," Percy pleaded. "I'm sorry I changed plans on you," he apologized. "But I... really want you here."

Annabeth could just imagine the puppy dog eyes he was making, even if she couldn't see him. She sniffed and smiled weakly. "Well, first thing if you want to receive my forgiveness..." Percy chuckled. "...;stop calling me nicknames. My name's Annabeth."

"You call me nicknames all the time!"

"Because you earn them, Seaweed Brain," she teased. "But fine. I'll be over... what time?"

He laughed nervously across the phone. "Um... four or five? Wear something nice, okay?"

"...Because what I usually wear it trash?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Percy protested. "You always look nice!"

"Then why am I wearing something extra nice for your date?" She tried to ignore the blush spreading across her cheeks at his compliment by responding annoyed.

"My mom has work late tonight and I need someone to greet her with me."

"Wow, so I get to be your mom. Fun." Annabeth joked, but her heart felt like it was slowly cracking.

"You're definitely bossy enough to be one." Percy replied back.

She couldn't help but laugh. How did he always manage to make her smile? "Don't be a smartass."

"You mean like you?" Percy said innocently.

Annabeth resisted a smile. "Shut up."

"You don't want me to," he teased back.

Annabeth rolled her eyes again. Could anyone blame her for sometimes wishfully thinking their playful banter was actually flirting? Yeah, that wasn't happening anytime soon, she guessed. "I'll see you soon," the blonde said into her phone, glancing at her clock that read 3:34.

"Great," Percy sounded excited, and Annabeth leaned onto her desk. "I'll see you later! Wear something nice, okay?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Right, Percy, right. You told me."

"Right." He still sounded excited. "See ya soon, love ya!"

"Love ya." Annabeth sighed as the phone clicked.

She stood up and flopped onto her bed which was, luckily, only a few feet away. She sighed loudly and closed her eyes. Approximately an hour to compose herself to help Percy prepare himself to not mess up a 'very important' first date.

She also had that time convince herself that, no, she was not mad about her best friend having a date. She certainly wasn't mad that she hadn't been aware of the supposed 'blind date' before hand.

And she absolutely positively was not mad that Percy Jackson's first date was not, in fact, with her.
 

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"Hey!" Percy swung open the door with a grin. Annabeth pursed her lips to hide a smile as he gestured her into the apartment.

"You look really pretty!" Percy said excitedly as he led her back into his room (though, with how many times Annabeth had been there, she practically called the place home), then blushed a little.

Annabeth smiled, trying to calm her quickly beating heart. She had, as he had told her, dressed up a little, and was now wearing a pretty blouse with leggings instead of her usual jeans and a tee shirt. Her hair was even down out of its usual ponytail, which was rare.