Chapter 13. Sally's the best

I was sitting next to Percy, who was munching popcorn. And drinking his coke which he complained wasn't blue.

Unfortunately, since Grover didn't book the tickets earlier, he was sitting a row ahead of us along with Juniper.

Honestly, I'm glad we weren't sitting next to them because they were holding hands so tight, I wondered if their blood was even circulating. I couldn't complain, they were adorable together.

"Is it mean if I throw kernels of popcorn at them? Like a mean old chaperone and scream no PDA?" Percy asked, leaning over.

To demonstrate, he threw a kernel of popcorn into Grovers curly mass of hair. He didn't even notice.

"We paid like 10 dollors for the food and drinks. It'll be a shame if it all goes into Grovers head," I answered, grinning back at him.

I remember when we were as thick as thieves. We would always pull pranks on poor unsuspecting Grover.

And now....I didn't even know his mom got remarried. Or...where that previous asshole was.

"Remember when we gave him a slice of cake with salt on top and told him it was powdered sugar?"Percy grinned

I snorted at the memory, which caused Percy to look amused. I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

"Poor guy ate the whole thing," I replied, grinning at the memory, "didn't suspect a thing, the poor fool."

"We were evil," Percy certified, giving his best impression of an evil grin.

"Hush," I commanded. The movie had begun, and deserved my full attention.

Percy was pretty silent throughout the whole movie, besides making random comments and jokes here and there. One caused me to actually burst out laughing, which earned us many dirty looks and one very suspicious smile from Grover.

"If you don't shut up, they're gonna kick us out," I whispered. He rolled his eyes as he munched popcorn, moving the container forward to offer me some.

I popped in a mouthful, resting my arm on the armrest as I leaned back.

About two seconds later, Percy's hand came and pushed mine off.

Oh helllll nooo

So naturally, I pushed back to reclaim what is mine. And this repeated. Again. And again. And again until Mr Seaweed brain just rested his atop of mine.

I cocked an eyebrow at him.

He just shrugged, and went back to watching the movie.

It was interesting enough, the movie. I actually liked it way more than I thought I would. Worth checking out.

But everything I felt for the movie went temporarily out of the door after two of my favourite characters Selena and Beckydorf were killed.

Percy's hand clasped mind, interlocking our fingers as he looked like a sad guppy, drinking his coke.

A jolt of electricity passed through me at the motion, and I resisted the urge to let go or pull away. He was, after all, somewhat warm in this cold room.

So I held his sweaty hand in mine for the purpose of body warmth. And because I could know what he thought of the movie without communicating with him. One hard press for nervousness A pulsating press for excitementAnd a drumming of his fingers for suspense.

It was only when the two hour long movie ended, that I pulled away.Because he held my hand even through the interval. And I let him for no apparent reason.

"How was the movie guys?" Juniper asked, her own hands interlocked with Grover and swinging between the pair, "I personally loved the gardener. He had a small role, but was so cute!" she gave Grover an apologetic smile, "not as cute as you babe," and smooched his cheek.

"I thought the princess from the owl kingdom was super cool," Percy mentioned.

"Annabeth?" Grover asked as we left the theatre, "what was your favourite part?"

"Welll.....I guess I liked the set designs," I shrugged. Now that I realise it....I was so focused on Percy's hand signals, I missed half the movie.

Shit

"Any more plans you two?" I asked as we walked down the street. Our town was fairly small. And the mall and theatre were only a 20minute walk from school, so we didn't take a car.

And because Grover insisted it was more 'green' this way

Juniper shrugged, "we were going to go to our spiritual adviser this weekend. And there's some gardening I have to do that Grover promised to help with."

Grover agreed with her statements.

"And besidesss," Percy sang, "We gotta do our project thing now," he reminded me.

I groaned internally. I can't be around this boy until I decide how much I hate him. Currently half of my heart hates him. And the other....really just wants to move on.

Everyone discussed the movie on the walk home. Except me, who was still thinking the aforementioned thoughts. It wasn't until Grover pulled me aside and asked if I was fine that I realised I completely zoned out.

I nodded that I was, and we departed ways. Me going to Percy's and Grover and Juniper on their little rendezvous.

"Tyson!" I greeted the little child as he ran towards me, arms open. I hugged him. He was a good hugger.

"Hey buddy," Percy grinned, ruffling the boys hair. Tyson shrugged off his hand and walked back to watching the tv.

I resisted the urge to laugh, looking at Percy's hurt face.

"Looks like he has a clear favourite," Sally smiled, cleaning her hands on her apron as she approached from the kitchen.

"Sally!" I grinned. I loved Sally. She was the best person ever. And like a second mother to me.

I have her a side hug too, mindful of her belly and batter covered apron. And then Percy grabbed my hand and led me to his room before I could strike up a conversation.

"I wanted to talk to Sally you know," I told him, sitting down at the desk in his room where my laptop was already placed carefully.

"And I didn't want to wait two hours for the conversation to finish," he rolled his eyes. And I rolled mine right back at him.

"So where were we? Ah! Yes! So the Trojan war narrated through many works of Greek literature, most notably Homer's Iliad-" I was cut off by a loud groan, emanating from Percy's annoying vocal chords.

"What?" I asked, leashing my temper. Breathe Annabeth, we came so far without being mean.

"I'm not in the mood for thissss," he whined, "we just watched a movie!"

"Well...too bad. I want to get an A so I can study in New Rome, so stop your moaning and start helping!"

Honestly, I didn't wanna study right now. I wasn't in the mood. But I really need good grades.

"Oh lala," Percy grinned, "Ave Romana!"

My lips involuntary twitched upwards, causing him, similar to a toddler, to take that as an invitation to keep interrupting me every two seconds.

And after an hour of that, he got a phone call that I hoped would give me at least a moment of silence to gather my thoughts. But no.

When Percy came back, he had a wide grin plastered to his face.

"That was Piper," he informed.

"McLean?" I asked. I talked to her once or twice in the hallway but I didn't know her that well. She was super popular and threw random parties. She was also very nice, which is why she was so liked.

He nodded, "she's having a party at her place. And invited me. Said I could bring a plus one, so let's go,"

That sounds so fun. But the project-

"We still have work to do," I reminded him, feeling kinda bummed too, "and it's gonna be too late by the time I go home, change, ask for permission and-"

"We've been trying to study for an hour! And got nothing done! It's a sign from the universe," he begged, giving me those baby seal eyes that almost made me say yes. Just almost.

"No."

"Please, Wise girl!"

"Nope."

"But-"

"No."

"Ugh," Percy flopped himself down on the bed and I got back to studying.

Another half hour passed between us, and Percy seemed bored. And honestly, I was on the verge of falling asleep too.

I had to write a 3 page introduction but I hadn't even made it past one.

So out of pure pure impulse, "Fine, let's go. But I need to change first," I sighed, switching my system off. Hey! This counts as being nice! Taking one for the team.

Percy's eyes practically lit up as he say upright in an instant, "I'm sure mom will let you borrow something," and then beckoned me out of the room so he could change.

I waddled down the stairs and asked Sally if I could borrow something. It wasn't unusual for me, Sally used to give me her old dresses. Mainly cause I would be obsessed with anything she used to wear.

"Of course you can darling! Oh! There's this beautiful pink dress I bought before I got pregnant. I never got to wear it, so you can have it if you want it," Sally said kindly, bringing the dress towards me.

I wasn't used to wearing pink. Being blonde was already enough for people to treat me like I was a child, so I refrained from wearing stereotypical' girly' colours.

But this dress was super pretty. I couldn't resist.

I thanked her, and went to find Percy in a tie. Dam.It.....umm...complimented his.....good looks....and made him look......nevermind.

I pushed the thought away

"What do you think?" I asked, leaning against his door frame, gesturing to my dress.

He turned to me, a comb in his mouth as he was buttoning shirt. He dropped the comb when he saw me. I laughed.

"You look....uh....very pretty," he complimented.

I rolled my eyes, smiling, "not so bad yourself, seaweed brain. Let's go,"

He nodded. And when he got ready, we hailed a cab to Piper's house.

————————————————————————-Late post! Or early, I forgot to keep track! Happy Wednesday (it's 5:58pm)

Stay tuned!—S