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“Rachellllllll,” Percy whined as she walked into her friend’s room without knocking.
“Jesus, Percy, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Rachel said, clutching her chest.
“You’re an oracle. Shouldn’t you have seen me coming or something?” Percy asked, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Rachel rolled her eyes. “You and I both know it doesn’t work that way.”
“That’s too bad,” Percy said, flopping onto Rachel’s bed. “It would make things so much easier.”
“You’re not wrong.” She stood from her reading chair and put her hands on her hips, staring down at her friend. “So, what brings you to my humble abode?”
Percy sat up, an excited smile on her face. “So I finally asked Annabeth out!”
Rachel’s eyes shot up. She was starting to think Percy would never act on her long time crush. “Really? And how did that go?”
“She said yes!” Percy said, fist pumping the air. What a dork. Then she looked sheepish. “I kinda didn’t actually mean to ask her out. We were talking after training and I just sort of blurted out that she looked really pretty and asked her to be my girlfriend.”
“Well,” Rachel said, “what did she say?”
Looking dreamy, Percy said, “She told me to take her on a date first and she’d consider it. That’s practically a yes!”
“Practically,” Rachel agreed, though she already knew Annabeth had feelings for Percy too. If she had to bet money on it, she wagered that the two of them would be officially dating by the end of the week. “That’s awesome, Percy. So, like, not to be rude or anything, but why are you here? You know I’m studying today.”
A pleading look came across Percy’s face. “I need your help.”
Rachel’s eyebrows shot up. “With what?”
“Girly stuff!” Percy said, throwing her hands up. “I’m terrible at it. Everytime I try to put mascara on, I end up stabbing myself in the eye. Don’t even get me started on lipstick. And I have nothing to wear.” She dramatically collapsed back on Rachel’s bed.
Sighing, Rachel stared at her stack of textbooks before turning back to Percy. “Okay, I’ll help you. When is your date?”
Percy opened one eye to peek at Rachel. “In like two hours,” she admitted.
“What am I going to do with you?” Rachel muttered as she grabbed her makeup kit.
*
Percy made her way back to Cabin 3 after Rachel completed her makeup and hair. More than one person did a double take which was unsurprising given the number of times Percy had worn makeup before. She was feeling pretty good and hoped that Annabeth thought she looked pretty.
Before Annabeth, Percy had never worried about looking pretty. In fact, it was quite the opposite much of the time. Back when she was a scraggly twig of a girl with bruises on her knees and arms, Gabe had told her she was ugly, that she’d never find a boyfriend unless she wised up. Well, the joke was on him because Percy was a lesbian and had never wanted a boyfriend.
She encountered another problem when she walked back into her cabin: what to wear. Percy grimaced as she looked in her closet, noting the ratty sneakers on the floor and the jeans with holes in knees. She couldn’t wear any of it on a date with Annabeth.
Eventually, Percy found a pair of skinny jeans without any grass stains on them and a black sleeveless top that hugged her curves. It wasn’t particularly fancy, but it would have to do.
She’d just put on her flats, shoes her mother insisted he needed for any upcoming occasions , when she heard a knock on the door.
Annabeth looked gorgeous. Her blonde hair was piled on her head with a few curls framing her face. Her lavender dress contrasted nicely with her tan and her eyes were bright, raking down Percy’s figure in a way that made Percy blush.
“Annabeth,” Percy said in a breathy voice, “you look wonderful.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself, Seaweed Brain,” Annabeth said, giving her a wide smile.
Unable to stop herself, Percy blushed, returning the smile. “Thank you.”
Annabeth reached forward and grabbed Percy’s hand in hers. “So, where are you taking me?”
*
There weren’t a lot of options nearby for them to go on a date, but Percy did find a small diner a few miles away. It wasn’t fancy, but the reviews were good. Most importantly, Annabeth looked pleased, especially when Percy took her hand led to to a booth.
A waitress came by and took their drink orders and gave them a few minutes to peruse the menu.
“Have you ever been here before?” Percy asked, taking a sip of her water just for something to do.
“I have,” Annabeth said brightly. “They have really good fries. You’ve never been?”
Percy shook her head, suddenly feeling shy. “I haven’t, though I think I’ve heard some of the campers talk about it before? Piper was actually the one who suggested it.”
Annabeth gave Percy a sly grin. “Oh? So you’ve been telling people about our date?”
Percy’s cheeks reddened. “Um, well, just close friends. Rachel had to help me with my makeup and-”
Annabeth reached across the table, a soft smile on her face. “Percy, I’m joking. I’m glad that you’re telling our friends. It means you’re serious about me. About us.”
Percy squeezed her hand. “I’ve always been serious about you, Annabeth. Just maybe not in the same way as I am now. You’ve always been my best friend in a way even Grover wasn’t.”
“You’ve kept me waiting a long time, Persephone Jackson,” she said wryly.
“Me? Why couldn’t you ask me out?” Percy sputtered.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. “Because I already knew how I felt about you. But you weren’t there yet. You are now and that’s why I let you take me on a date.”
“Oh,” Percy said softly, a little awed. Annabeth was right, Percy was in the right space to date Annabeth now that things had settled down after all the fighting and the battles and the wars. Now, they were able to live their lives and live Percy planned to do. Hopefully with Annabeth by her side.
Clearing her throat, Percy said, “Well, I’m glad you waited for me, Annabeth.”
Annabeth smiled again. “I am too.”
*
Their date went well. In all honestly, it felt like any other time they hung out, joking and laughing together, though this time there was a definite charge in the air. Afterward, Annabeth drove them back to camp and Percy walked her back to her cabin.
“I had a really good time tonight,” Percy said, lacing her fingers through Annabeth’s hand that she held.
“I did too. You’re a good date, Percy Jackson.” Then Annabeth leaned in close. “Can I kiss you?”
“I feel like I’ll burst if you don’t,” Percy admitted.
“So dramatic,” Annabeth said, her lips millimeters from Percy’s. Then she leaned in, pressing their lips together in a soft kiss. She pulled away after a moment and smiled. “Goodnight, Percy.”
Percy was left standing there, a silly grin on her face. She slowly walked back to her cabin, a dreamy expression coloring her face. She startled when she saw three of her friends waiting for her on the porch of Cabin 3; Rachel, Piper, and Grover.
“Well?” Piper said, leaning forward.
“Her lipstick is smeared,” Rachel said, wearing a shit-eating grin.
“I take it your date went well?” Grover asked, wrapping an arm around Percy’s shoulders when she got close enough.
Percy smiled at him before resting her head on his shoulder. “It went great. She kissed me.”
“Woohoo, go Jackson!” Piper said, punching the air.
“It was all thanks to my makeup skills,” Rachel said.
“Hey!” Percy said. “I like to think I had a little to do with it too.”
Grinning, Rachel replied, “Just a little bit.”
“Ugh, you’re the worst,” Percy pouted, but she was happy. She’d just had a successful first date with the girl of her dreams, kissed her, and now she was surrounded by her best friends. Life was inexplicably good.