Chapter 3

"I like you," thalia admitted to me as we were getting ready for bed.

Our parents thought it would be a great idea for us to have a slumber party right after dinner. We both agreed because we thought it'd be fun. So far, it was. It was three in the morning on Friday night. I guess that means it's Saturday morning. Whatever. I was so happy that after my first day of school, i had the weekend.

"I like you, too. I thought you were going to be all punk and bad like Percy is," I told her.

Thalia scoffed. "Percy is just like that. I dress like this, but I am not badass at all." I cringed at her cussing.

"Um, can you, er, not cuss around me? I don't really like it."

"Oh, yeah, Percy told us about that."

"So he really did talk about me?" I questioned. "Why?"

Thalia laughed. "I think he likes you. I can see it, too. You'd be cute together."

"Er, no. No offense to your cousin or anything, but I'm not into that. He's not my type."

"Have you ever had a boyfriend before?" She asked as we both lay down in my bed.

"Well, no, but-"

"Then you don't know your type."

I frowned. "That may be so, but I don't like bad boys."

"Trust me, Percy isn't really a bad boy. He is the softest person out there. He's like a little puppy or something. You should give him a chance."

"Um..."

"Do you think he's cute?"

I blushed and pursed my lips. "I don't really want to-"

"Just yes or no."

I shrugged. "I guess he's a little hot."

Thalia grinned the biggest grin I've ever seen on her face. "I never mentioned hotness! You must really like him!"

"I never say that!" I corrected her. "I said that he's a little hot. That isn't liking! That's very far away from liking! I don't like your cousin!"

Thalia turned to look at the ceiling. "Well, he likes you."

"How do you know?"

"He's my cousin, duh!" She told me like I was stupid. "Plus, he kind of admitted it to me. He thinks you're really hot and cute and just a bunch of other words."

I crossed my arms. "I didn't know he said that."

"Yep, and that is why Jason flirted with you, like, the entire night. He wants to one up Percy, and you are just the way to do it. Jason can even see that Jackson likes you. It's clear as day, Annabeth, to everyone besides you."

"Apparently."

"What would you do if he asked you out?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

Thalia scoffed and rolled her eyes at me. "Really? I bet you'd say yes."

I blushed, knowing that I would probably say yes if Percy asked me out. He was really hot and totally likeable. Pretty much everything I said to Thalia was a lie. I do like Percy, and I know it. I realized it at dinner when he was eating his spaghetti. I couldn't help it. I pretty much stared at him most of the night. I just didn't want to admit it to Thalia. I do like her and all, but I haven't known her for too long. I don't think I can share my crushes with her. Plus, Percy is her cousin. That's a little bit personal if you ask me.

In my heart, though, I knew i'd say yes.