Chapter Text
Percy hadn't expected his plan to work; dating Luke seemed so far-fetched, akin to a dream or fantasy only present within his mindscape.
They've been dating for a little over a year. Luke graduated and entered a local community college, not wanting to stray far from his family. Meanwhile, Percy is due to graduate soon, and Annabeth—unfortunately for him— loves to overcomplicate the process of picking a college.
"Beth, it's really not that big a deal," Percy groans, shoving his face in his hands. They've been looking at college and university brochures for what feels like hours.
Annabeth side-eyes him, "It matters." She bluntly says, sorting through the various pamphlets, a twinkle in her eyes shining bright. Clearly, she loves higher education— Percy doesn't understand the hype.
He doesn't even know if he wants to enter college; he mistakenly voices that out loud, garnering a glare from his education-obsessed, nerd of a friend.
"Percy, you should go to college," she tells him as her hands set the brochures down gently.
He dismissively shrugs, "I just don't see the point. I don't even know what I'm doing today, now I have to find a major? No thanks."
Annabeth frowns, "I get that you don't know what to major in, but college can be a place of discovery. Not everyone goes into it knowing what they want to be."
"You do," he mutters petulantly.
"Of course I do," she smirks, smug, proud of herself for having her life and future organized and put together.
Percy groans again— louder this time— and sprawls himself on the floor. "I already know what I'm gonna be in the future, and it doesn't require any degrees."
She lights up, curious, "What is it? I can easily picture you as a marine tour guide; you suck at memorizing anything, but you're charming enough that you can pull off a well-educated guide facade," Annabeth reluctantly acknowledges.
"Gee, thanks." He responds, rolling his eyes. "While I don't hate that, it's not exactly in my calculated future life."
Annabeth looks exasperated, "Like you plan anything. You only plan your next meal of the day."
"Yeah, that meal is gonna be your brother." He snickers, amused at his own dirty joke, yelping when Annabeth smacks him.
"Gross. I don't want to know anything about you and my brother," she dramatically retches, looking a little pale.
"Whatever. I was just planning to be a househusband," Percy admits. "Househusband of Luke, of course," he unashamedly tacks on.
Annabeth sighs, irritated. She mutters small, huffy comments under her breath, and Percy just knows she's mercilessly insulting him; if only he could hear her clearly.
"I'm done," she abruptly says as she gets up and gathers all her brochures as if he wanted them in the first place.
"Wha—"
"I'll be back when you aren't constantly talking about Luke."
Percy scrambles, hurrying after her; he follows her like a lost puppy, sulking. "It was only twice! Please, Annie, I'm so bored."
"You can stay bored," she remarked with a careless expression on her face and unhurriedly exited the door, blocking Percy from following her.
He really needs to get nicer friends.
Oh, whatever— Luke will just lick his wounds for him later, and hopefully more than just his wounds.
Senior year is admittedly boring. Teachers aren't assigning any work, and senioritis is hitting everyone hard. Percy struggles every day waking up for class, a constant fight with his alarm clock. He does maintain some semblance of self-control, though, and manages not to break it.
The great thing about his senior year is that his school day ends earlier than all the other grades. Meaning: he gets plenty of free time, and coincidentally, Luke's class ends a little before his.
"Hey, babe," Luke greets. He's standing outside Percy's high school, leaning on his car with a smile on his face. His boyfriend looks straight out of a teen crush movie.
"Hey," Percy returns the greeting, a shy smile present. They simultaneously lean in for a peck, nearly knocking their noses but narrowly avoiding doing so.
"How's college?"
"Same old, same old. How about you? Got a uni you're interested in?"
"No," Percy whined. "I don't know what I'm going to do after high school."
He's so tired of senior year.