Well, this one has certainly not been updated in quite some time. I think it's time for an update, brought to you by me. Enjoy! Sorry for the long wait, I have an actual paying job now.

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Percy's POV

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I still liked being with Jay, but something felt weird about it now. And it wasn't from his end. Being around him now made me nervous and jittery, like I'd had four cups of coffee before coming to school. Since I was pretty sure I was ADHD as it was, that certainly didn't help things. If Jason noticed this, he didn't let on. He acted as if things between us were normal. In fact, that Friday, he brought in our finished car, showing her off.

"Isn't she a beauty?" he asked me. I nodded reluctantly. I had to admit, our car looked good. "Mrs. Arnald said we could take her on a test drive any time we like. I'm in no hurry," he added. "After all, we're so far ahead, it's laughable." At that, I smiled. I'd never been ahead on a project before in my life, and the feeling of being ahead was gratifying. "Let's test her out Monday," Jason said, storing her in our cubby. "I think you and I need to talk." I stiffened.

"About what?" I asked warily. Jason made a pacifying gesture, leading me to a quiet corner of the room. I noticed Mrs. Arnald looking at us from time to time, but other than that, people tended to ignore us. There'd been some talk when we first started out as partners, but now it wasn't uncommon for us to be seen together.

"About the other day," Jason said, and my stomach seized. I so didn't want to discuss this. "And about us being friends. I think you might be right. I don't think we can be friends." I stared at him, open-mouthed. He was the one who was desperate for a friendship, and now here he was, telling me something I'd known all along!

"What the fuck Grace?" I asked him, and he blinked in surprise. I didn't swear often, so it was definitely noticeable when I did. "Why the fuck did you lead me on just to tell me you aren't even interested anymore?" I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel hurt by that. Because I did feel hurt. "Thanks for that," I snapped, shoving my way out of the room. Mrs. Arnald called after me, but I didn't say anything. Truth be told, I didn't want anyone to see the tears forming. I thought Jason actually cared about me. Maybe one of his jerk jock buddies set him up to it. Kind of befriend the drama geek, then inform him you never wanted anything to do with him in the first place.

I didn't love Jason anymore. I couldn't love someone who didn't love me back. At least, that's what I rationalized in my mind. But, try as I might, I couldn't bring myself to loath him again. So I settled for something close to mistrust, which was just above loath in my book. I pushed my way into the boy's bathroom and locked myself in a stall, setting my book bag on the disgusting ground. Jason was just a jerk jock and that's all he'd ever be. I was so stupid to fall for his traps. I'd pitied him. I pitied him for what Leo had done to him. But that could've very well been just a story. A good story, but a story nonetheless. This served me right. There was no way a guy like Jason Grace was interested in a guy like me.

It was still early in the morning, but I didn't care. I wasn't going to classes. I couldn't. I wouldn't be able to concentrate anyway, so what was the point. They could threaten me with detention all they wanted. It wouldn't make a bit of difference. Nothing would hurt worse than Jason saying after all this time he didn't even want to try being my friend. So I picked my bag up, glanced around, and eased the window open. I slipped out and dropped to the ground, crouching below window height. I moved off, and when I hit the back of the school, I ran. I wasn't even sure where I ran to. I just ran. I ran until my lungs felt like they were on fire and my legs couldn't hold me up any longer. I sank down onto my knees, gasping for breath. No matter how many lungful's of air I took in, it never seemed like enough.

My phone nearly made me leap back to my feet, but I was so exhausted, the most I could do was fall sideways in surprise. I could see the bulk of the school in the distance, no more than a dark blob against the blue sky. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and squinted at the screen. Tears blurred my vision, making it hard to see. But I finally made out the number. Jason. I stuffed my phone back in my pocket. I didn't want to do this shit. Not right now. It rang again, and I groaned. I just wanted to give my protesting muscles a break. I sat up and pulled it out again. Another text from Jason.

"What do you want you fucker?" I asked the phone, clicking on his messages.

Percy, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like you thought. I wish I could explain, but it's something I have to do face to face, not over a text. Please come find me soon.

I know you snuck out. I watched you. Please, I didn't mean to hurt you Percy. Just come back soon. ILY.

I wasn't sure what to think. Jason was a good actor. That much was clear. So, the big question was this; was he sincere? Did he really have a different train of thought with that offhanded comment? It sounded very much like he didn't want to be my friend. My phone rang again, and this time I didn't hesitate to open the text from Jason.

I want to be your boyfriend Percy! God, that's why I said we can't be friends! I can't be "just friends" with you. I like you too much for that. Hell, I love you too much for that.

How could I trust that? How could I honestly trust a single word that came out of his mouth? After all, we were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Jason had so many suitors around, they were starting to form their own lines. He could have his pick of them. So why choose me? Why choose the lowly drama geek who had about as many friends as he had immediate family members? The math just didn't add up. Maybe I had Jason all wrong. Maybe he wasn't as sweet as he put off. After all, what sweet person would lie, if it was a lie at all? So far, nothing led to me to believe he was lying. But I still wasn't ready to trust him.

I heaved myself to my feet and continued on my way, feeling my legs wobble underneath me. That dead sprint had cost me a great deal of my energy, so now I was forced to go at it slowly. Maybe that was a good thing. Because now that I could think properly, I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go. There was no way I was going home. I couldn't face my mother, if the school had already called her. So I just wandered around until I came across a park at the edge of town.

I sank down on a bench and put my head between my knees, gasping for breath. School would let out any minute now. I know that much was clear. So I'd have some explaining to do. But I didn't give a shit. I just needed to be alone with my thoughts. I'd probably blown the whole thing out of proportion, but I hated it when people toyed with my emotions. Mom always said I was emotionally unstable at points. Oh shit, rehearsal. Did I even want to go, and face all my peers, likable or not? No, I didn't. I didn't want to do much of anything right now.

"Thank god!" I jerked up when someone spoke. Jason was running at me, and I flinched when he dove onto the bench next to me. But I was gasping again when he squeezed the breath out of me. "Don't you ever scare me like that again. I thought something bad happened to you when you didn't reply to me. What happened Percy? What made you leave?" I lowered my gaze and refused to look at him. Yet he continued to hold me tight, like he was afraid I'd bolt again if he wasn't careful. "I'm so sorry for phrasing it the way I did. I realize now how that must've sounded to you."

"Stop," I whispered. He did stop. "Jason, really, it's nothing about what you said. Really, I promise it isn't. I just… I'm sensitive, okay? I don't like my feelings toyed with, and the way you said it just made it seem…" I snapped my mouth shut. I couldn't say it out loud. I couldn't. That I'd lose you… Why was I so worried? Jason wasn't even mine, and he never would be. Like I said, why would a guy like Jason Grace fall for a guy like me? Jason rested his forehead against mine, forcing me to look at him.

"You won't lose me Percy," he said softly, and I flinched. How did he know? "I could sort of tell what you were thinking. I promise Percy, no matter what happens, you won't lose me." I glanced down again, getting a little teary-eyed. "Hey, I have to go," he added, getting up and helping me to my feet. "I have to get to practice. Think you'll be okay to get home?" I nodded. Mom would definitely want to know what happened at school. But now, with a little clearer mind, I could face her.

"Wait," I said as he turned to leave. He glanced over his shoulder, looking at me curiously. I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned closer to him. He smiled and tilted his chin down. But, instead of kissing him (like I very much wanted to do) I pressed my lips to his ear. "Six days," I whispered. Jason chuckled and gently shoved me away. He got into his car and left. I stood there and watched him go. Hell was now Antarctica. I was falling, hard, for Jason Grace.

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Jason's POV

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"Grace!" Coach barked, and I started. I'd been drifting off into space again, totally unfocused on what I'd been doing. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, jogging up. "You've been like this all day."

"Sorry coach," I apologized, having the decency to feel a little bit of shame. "My…friend…ran off today and I had to go make sure he was okay. I guess I'm just worried." I'd almost slipped up and called Percy my boyfriend. He wasn't my boyfriend. Which did twist painfully at my heart, but if friendship was all I was going to get out of this, then god damn it I'd take it. I'd rather have him in my life as a friend than not have him in my life at all.

Now, I'm sure you've all been wondering about my motives. After all, it was hardly likely that I'd fall for Percy in the first place. And well, you'd be right. I just wanted to know why he'd glare at me every time we passed each other in the halls. Not that I necessarily hated him, but I certainly hadn't liked him when we started out. So, I subtly suggested to our teacher that we should be partners for the project. It seemed so simple in my mind. Work together in silence with Percy most of the time, figure out why he seemed to hate me, and continue on with my life.

But along the way something changed. Percy was a really quirky kid, with a very kind heart and a child-like innocence still. And I was falling hard and fast for him. It hadn't been in my plan at all, but now I didn't really care about my plan. I was in the process of weaving a new one. One where Percy would be my date rather than my science partner. But I guess if he didn't want to, I wouldn't push him too far.

"What is wrong?" Will asked, slamming the football into my stomach. All the air left my body with a whoosh, and I glared at him. "I've never seen you daydream this much."

"It's nothing Will," I replied, hurling the ball away. "Be right back." I jogged off the field, fishing my phone out of my bag. I sat down on the bench and held the phone to my ear, listening to it ring. Come on, come on, pick up…

"Hello?" My heart soared when Percy answered the phone. "What's up Jay?" I could hear his mom in the background, just barely containing her anger at her son. "Also, mom is very unhappy that I skipped school today," he added.

"Put me on speaker," I said to him. "Am I on speaker now?" I asked after a moment.

"Yep," he said, popping the P at the end. I smiled to myself. I hoped he never changed.

"That would be my fault Ms. Jackson," I said. "I, uh, said some bad things and he had to get away." Percy's mom was silent. "I promise he didn't miss anything too exciting," I added.

"Alright Jason," she said at last. "It's so nice to see Percy have a friend," I felt my heart swell. I was Percy's friend. I was no longer unsure of what I wanted out of this. I had a goal. "Are you coming back over tonight?" she asked me.

"Well, I did go around getting your son's homework, so I have to drop that off," I said, suppressing a smile. I didn't need the guys knowing about my new plan yet. "Beyond that I don't know."

"Well, you are my pillow," Percy replied to that. "I kind of can't sleep without my pillow." I jumped up, vaguely aware of the team calling my name as I scooped up my bag and sprinted into the school. No way was I staying for practice now. The team could go screw itself. They'd be fine without me.

I showered quickly because I didn't want to smell like sweat and leather when I went to his house, then I dashed to my car, flinging myself into the seat. I was probably going way to quickly. After all, he'd just invited me back over for the night. I could show up at whatever time I wanted. But I wanted to be there now. No, I needed to be there now. He was like a drug. I'd had a little taste of him I craved more. More touches. More talk. Just more Percy. Everything about him.

I contemplated what he'd said to me earlier. Or rather, what I'd guessed earlier. How he'd lose me. He'd never lose me. If I had a say in it he wouldn't, anyway. I wasn't leaving that easily. I was absolutely head over heels in love with him.

Yep, I'd said it. I was in love. But, I didn't care anymore. I couldn't help how I felt. And god damn was I so happy I was in love with this boy. This boy that thought he wanted to be everything I was, but he didn't need to be. He was Percy. And he was perfect.

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You probably didn't expect this. And truth be told, neither did I. But here we are. So yeah. Some older things are getting updated I guess. Enjoy.