Chapter Text
Annabeth was born on July 12th at 12:23 am with her father in the room. Her mother had her naturally, which Annabeth knew she would never do. She did too much research to have her baby naturally.
Not that she would ever have kids.
It seems like every boy is scared of her. And she knows who the culprit is too.
One Perseus Jackson.
It was the 7th grade Sadie Hawkins Dance and she wanted to ask this boy named Lewis to it. But apparently, someone had spread a rumor that she was in love with Lewis. Which wasn’t true, she just found him cute and she may have had a little crush on him.
But everytime she got near to ask him, he up and left.
So here she was, in her gray cocktail dress, sitting in the corner while Piper (her only friend in her grade) was whisked away boy after boy as her date, Leo, had been flirting with various girls who shut him down.
She shouldn’t have come, she knew that. No one here likes her, she's surprised that Piper hadn’t fallen to Percy’s lies yet, but she was grateful.
A boy in a blue button down and some gray slacks made his way into the dance. He was immediately surrounded by girls who were asking him to dance. Even Nancy Bobofit was up there, sticking her nose up at the boy who ignored her, just like the rest of them.
He was looking for someone.
Probably Rachel, she guessed.
His eyes settled on her and a big smirk came onto his lips. It was as if he was proud that she was miserable.
She didn’t get to wallow in it for long, a boy with blonde hair and kind eyes made his way up to her. She looked almost hopeful but soon realized that he had been with Piper before. And that he was a close friend to Leo.
He was probably forced to talk to her.
“Do you feel like dancing?” he asked her, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips as he held his hand out for her. He was in an actual suit, jacket and all. He was more dressed up than most of the boys were.
She sighed and nodded, taking his hand with a grateful smile.
He led her to the dance floor where there was no one but the few couples that thought they were in love. Annabeth felt a little awkwards going with a guy she didn’t even know, but she figured, why not.
“Do you have a date?” she asked as they settled into a good rhythm. He was a decent ballroom dancer, she noticed. Maybe he was forced to take classes too.
“No, I was hoping your friend would ask me, but she didn’t. She ended up going with Leo,” he explained, his shoulders relaxed as they swayed. More couples had followed suit, seeing the two of them do it at such ease.
Annabeth laughed, looking over to where Piper and Leo were now dancing fast to a slow song. “She forgot it was a Sadie Hawkins that why she didn’t ask anyone. The only reason she went with Leo is because they are best friends.”
The boy nodded, watching her friend intently. “Go ask her to dance, I’m sure she’ll accept,” she smiled at him, squeezing his shoulder before moving away from him.
He looked over at her, confused.
“What?”
“It's just, you’re nothing like what they say.”
Annabeth faked a smile and shrugged, moving away from the dance floor and to the refreshments table that was being guarded by their evil math teacher, Ms. Dodds.
Piper started dating this weird guy. You could call him a scene kid, I suppose.
Anyway, this dude would always be with them, didn’t want to let go of Piper. Piper was acting the same way to him.
It made Percy laugh his butt off when Annabeth would cover her face so she wouldn’t be seen near them. But he didn’t, because he knew Jason was a little upset that Piper was dating someone else.
You see, Percy did make sure no one liked Annabeth and that she would have a horrible middle school life. But he hated when someone else messed with her.
Nancy Bobofit spread a rumor about Annabeth a couple weeks before the dance to get his attention. A rumor that made all of the boys in the school scared of her. Annabeth liked to take control in the bedroom.
Which, one, ew. Why would a 13 year old be doing that kind of stuff. And two, why would he ever want to give Nancy his attention.
Thankfully, Calypso had asked him before Nancy could, but still. Nancy was his tormentor in 6th grade. And it just so happened that she stopped when her and Annabeth got into that huge fight.
His mom picked them up that day and he had to help her clean Annabeth up.
He would never admit it, but it was hot seeing her beat up Nancy.
Anyway! He had secretly asked his buddy Jason to keep Annabeth company that night, because he didn’t want to see her wallowing all night long. Grover had teased him endlessly about it, but he didn’t care. No one else knew that he had done it for Annabeth. No one else had to know.
It was nearing the end of 7th grade and he was waiting for summer break so he could head out to Montauk and ride the waves. This summer would be the first one without Gabe, which meant that he and his mom could stay as long as they wanted.
Well, that was a lie. His mom still had to work, but he pretty much got to stay at the beach all summer, which was the best part.
Of course, he had to go with Annabeth and her family in order to do so, but he still got to go. And besides, Annabeth had an intense fear of the ocean, she wouldn’t go near him all summer.
Best part was, Grover got to go with them this year. Frederick had told them both that they got to bring one friend along. He’s assuming Annabeth is bringing Piper, not that it mattered though.
His excitement for the beach trip made him not focus in class and made Rachel constantly try and get him to pay attention. But the waves were calling his name. And maybe, just maybe, his dad would be in Montauk.
By the time finals got around, Percy’s head was in the clouds and his grades weren’t getting much better. To be fair, most kids stopped trying after the spring quarter.
The only thing that he noticed was when Annabeth did something. And it just so happened that their homeroom teacher was seeing if there were any students that wanted to run in the student council elections for their 8th grade year.
Annabeth, of course, stood up, making their teacher acknowledge and put her name down. Percy smirked. He had recalled Annabeth telling his mother about wanting to be student body president next year and it made him roll his eyes (that particular day he had been grumpy because she got front seat).
He stood also, raising his hand and ignoring the look of shock their teacher gave him. He was more focused on the look on Annabeth’s face. She looked so offended. Perfect.
She didn’t speak to him that ride home. Usually she would call him out on the stupid things he would say, but she didn’t. She ignored him.
It did make him feel slightly guilty, mostly because of the look his mom gave him.
She hated the beach. Actually, she didn’t mind the sands or even sound of the waves, she just hated the ocean.
It was a fear that her mother had instilled into her from a very young age. She was glad that she had Piper this year to keep her company. Don’t get her wrong, she loves her brothers, but she didn’t want to be the only girl here anymore.
Boys still outnumbered them, 6 to 3. Simplified to 2 to 1.
“Did you hear about that new boarding school in Boston?” Piper asked as they changed into their swimsuits. Piper had wanted to go to the beach and play some volleyball (which kind of excited Annabeth a little).
Her and Piper had decided that they would try out for the girls volleyball team this year and they had fallen in love with the sport. Annabeth was well versed in all of the positions and she had a killer serve (at least thats what Reyna had told her) but Piper wasn’t. Piper was a great spiker and blocker, due to her ability to jump really high. So she had been limited to the middle blocker
So this is where her love of the sport started, in 7th grade.
“Uh, which one?”
“The Lunar Hunt Academy?”
Annabeth thought for a moment, pausing in her braiding technique to do so. “The girls-only one?”
Piper nodded, walking over in confident strides to stand next to Annabeth at the mirror. “Did you ever think of going there?”
Annabeth was vaulted into a memory of opening a letter from the academy in her living room with Thalia and her older brother. Did Thalia tell Piper about it? “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”
Piper made a face in the mirror but didn’t say anything about it.
“Are you girls ready?” They both turned to look at Grover in the doorway to their shared bathroom. “Percy is ready to leave without you guys.”
Annabeth has always liked Grover. He was the peace that kept Annabeth and Percy from killing each other. He was a sweet kid that has been there with Percy since the start of pre-school. He attached himself to Percy and the water-obsessed individual kept him safe from all of the dangers of school.
“Typical Percy,” Annabeth scoffed, walking over to the twin bed that sat in the corner of the room and scooped up her ball and book, “Tell him the waves aren’t going anywhere.”
“Yes they are! Do you not know anything about oceans?!” Percy yelled from somewhere in the other room.
Of course Annabeth knew things about oceans, just what she needed to know to stay away from them. But nonetheless, her face turned red from the lack of knowledge she held of the thing that Percy loved so dearly.
“We’re almost ready, Percy. I just have to finish my hair,” Piper replied, pulling her hair into a tight ponytail that she didn’t like so she took it out and started brushing through it again.
Percy appeared next to Grover with an eye roll, “dear lord, that's going to take forever.”
Percy was in a pair of blue board shorts and had his swim jacket over his shoulders. She forced her eyes away from him as she looked to his board. Did he get a new one?
Grover caught her staring, a knowing smile coming across his lips as he got ready to say something but Annabeth started to walk towards Piper and began tying it up in a bun for her. Last thing she needed was to start feeling something towards her rival.
It would end up with her feeling hurt and probably going to that academy.
“Thanks Beth,” Piper smiled at her through the mirror which Annabeth smiled back at her.
She caught the boys looking at them through the mirror and she blushed a little when she saw Percy’s mouth slightly agape. Then she remembered that Piper was sitting in front of her. It was probably towards her.
Now in a fowl mood, Annabeth scooped her belongings in her arms and walked out of the room with a huff.
She heard them scurry after her and then Pipers hand on her elbow. Piper gave her a soft smile that melted her anger. Piper couldn’t help if guys noticed her more than Annabeth. Annabeth just wasn’t as appealing.
She had read about it in a ton of books. It was something that they called natural beauty. That's why they made makeup originally. It's original purpose was to make women feel more beautiful than they are.
“You okay?” Piper asked as they set up the court in the sand.
Annabeth nodded, “yeah, I’m fine. Just don’t like that we have to take Percy every year. He isn’t part of our family.”
Not much of a family, but still.
“Well, Sally comes down every weekend when we’re here… and she works for your family.”
Annabeth frowned, not liking taking her anger out on Sally. She was a goddess of a woman, even though she has the worst luck in the world.
Percy’s father, still a mystery to her even though Percy gets his looks from him, was a world class douche with a heart. He cared for Sally and Percy but his job was more important to him. He sent care packages for a while and she hated seeing Percy when Poseidon had left when he did come to visit.
Then Percy’s ex step-father who was the most disgusting person she had ever met. Percy had to keep her from jumping on the man. Thankfully, Sally got a divorce finally and now she was a free woman.
It's what she deserves after all she’s gone through.
“I know, and I love when she comes… it's just… Percy.”
Piper chuckled, twirling the ball in her hands as they waited for Malcom and his girlfriend to stop making out to play with them.
“While we’re waiting,” she began, tossing the ball to get the weight of it, “about LHA.”
Annabeth froze in her stretches and looked over to Piper, “yeah?”
“Thalia’s thinking about going. But you know she didn’t pass this year due to her inability to come to school.”
Annabeth’s brow creased as she assessed the situation. LHA was a high school up academy for now, so that would mean this upcoming year would be their last year together. “I think she should go for it..”
Piper looked up at her, frown intensifying tenfold. “What?”
“Thalia doesn’t know what she wants to do, she has no motivation to go to school. That school is for kids like that. For girls to have a meaning in life… and it would do her good to get away from that foster family she's with now,” Annabeth explained, looking out to the ocean and for the first time not being afraid of the huge wave coming to the shore. Maybe it was because she spotted Percy and Grover on it, surfing along the crest of the wave.
Piper made a noise, drawing Annabeth’s attention once again. “I just don’t want her to be gone. I mean, it’s always been us… Yeah, we’ve been separated by a grade, but Thalia has always been the leader with us. What are we going to do when she leaves?”
Annabeth laughed, walking over to the tearing up girl and engulfed her in a big hug, “we deal with it, Pipes. We’ll always have each other.”
Piper sobbed into her chest (what little one she did have) as she comforted her friend. Thalia leaving next year is a tragedy, but it isn’t like they’ll never see her.
“Do you want to start warming up?” Annabeth asked when she heard the cries settle into soft whimpers.
“Yeah, but I think your brother has been pulled away from our game?” Piper mentioned, glancing to where Malcolm and his girlfriend of the year just were. “Come on!”
And before Annabeth could even take her eyes off the vacant spot of her older brother, she was being whisked to the shore line.
Panic set in before she could say anything to Piper. Her words got stuck in her throat as her best friend pulled them into the sea. The water was only splashing at her ankles but the suffocating feeling didn’t ease at that thought.
Piper seemed to be too busy calling the boys to notice the rapid breathing of her. Every being in Annabeth’s body told her to get away, to rip her hand out of Pipers and book it back to the court. But her muscles didn’t move.
Annabeth felt like crying, even if her mortal rival would be seeing her. She felt the impacts of the waves against her ankles, only increasing the rate of her breathing.
Until finally, she couldn’t stand anymore.
Percy didn’t see them until Piper already had her in the water. At first he wasn’t too worried about it, and motioned for Grover to head in to see what the girls wanted.
But then he saw Annabeth’s shaking shoulders, chest rapidly moving, like she had just gone for an hour-long jog. But he knew that wasn’t the case. It was the Ocean.
“Piper! Get her away-”
Too late. You're too late this time, Jackson. Annabeth began to wobble, as if she was losing balance. Acting off of instinct alone, he rushed forward, hobbling to grab his board as he ran to the blonde who was now being beaten by the crashing waves.
“P-percy?” He heard from someone. He’s pretty sure it was Grover as he struggled to get out of the waves and to Annabeth.
He may hate her guts, but she hated the ocean. She was deathly afraid of it. And she hated being afraid more than anything. So why was he the only one who seemed to know why she passed out on them?
She came to after they had gotten her back to the back yard of their house. She was surrounded by her family, all of them wondering what was going on.
She just smiled at them and blamed it on the heat. It was a blatant lie and he hated it.
-
Two months. It took him two months to finally bring it up to her. God, why is he such a loser.
“Oh…” Annabeth said, smacking the volleyball into the wall once more before catching it. He wasn’t looking at her face but he knew what it looked like. He’s done enough staring to know exactly what it looked like. Her nose was straight with moderate sized nostrils. Her eyes were a perfect almond shape, showing off the radiant color of gray (yes he knew gray wasn’t radiant, but it always seemed to make him quake in his boots when he saw it). Her eyebrows were messy, not properly plucked but somehow they were perfect for her face. She didn’t quite have a cupids bow, but she did have quite big lips. He found himself looking at them often.
Her eyes would crinkle when she was happy or excited. Just seeing her smile… it did wonders to his heart. He didn’t hate it. What he hated was feeling his heart race.
But right now, she was making the scary face. The one she wore when regarding him most of the time. Or the face she wore when beating Nancy Bobofit’s ass.
“They don’t know… You and your mom are the only people that know about it.”
That really perplexed him (he had heard Annabeth use it one time and it's his new favorite word). “Why?”
Annabeth looked over at him, her eyebrows set in a firm line as she tried to find an answer for his question. “I don’t know…”
He looked at her now, fully taking in her confused face. It wasn’t one that she wore often. It looked alien on her.
“I guess I subconsciously trust you two the most,” she whispered to him, as if it were a secret.
His heart fluttered at her tone. He had heard it before, but never regarding him. It felt nice to hear it. “You want to practice for a bit?” he asked, positioning his hands for the ball, “I practice with Rachel all the time.”
Annabeth looked at the ball with a smile. It was so foreign to him. He found himself missing it already.
“Just until Piper and Grover get back, then we can go back to hating each other.”
Annabeth snorted and somehow that sent a fluttering sensation into his stomach.
“Sure,” she responded, tossing the ball over to him, “recieves first.”