4: The RED

Annabeth POV

Seeing Percy again was weird because he wasn't that different. I could still sense his funny and kind personality even millions of dollars and fans later. It was perplexing.

Regardless, I didn't want to talk to him.

Percy left me, so he didn't deserve me. That's what I was telling myself.

You could probably tell how hurt I had been years ago when he ghosted me after achieving success. We were such good friends, but clearly, I didn't matter as much to him.

"Hey, Annabeth, today is already taking so long," Piper complained as she crossed arms with me. I chuckled at my friend.

"Piper, it's only lunch. Not even half of the day," I said slyly.

Piper groaned as we got in line for food. Since we went to a private school, I admit that the food was better than public school. However, it wasn't that much better.

"I always wonder where our money is going because the school still ends up serving bouncy chicken nuggets," Leo commented from behind.

Piper jumped in surprise as I turned around. For such a loud and happy kid, Leo could be sneaky.

"Hello, girls, how's it going?" Leo asked as he placed her arms over our shoulders.

"Leo, don't make me count to three," I said firmly.

Leo immediately removed his arms with a scared expression. We were all very good friends, but he still got scared of me at times. I always used that as leverage.

Piper and I chuckled as she got her food.

"Isn't it exciting that Percy's back?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, absolutely, I missed him a lot. He's such a great friend and one of Jason's closest friends. I know how much Jason missed his buddy," Piper added.

I stayed quiet as we walked towards our table. We sat outside on most days, so that's where we were heading.

"Yeah, I missed my friend as well. I wonder if he'll let me film him as I did many years ago," Leo said.

Leo used to film Percy's old youtube videos in the sound studio at Goode's music hallway. Leo loved filming, and Percy needed good videos for his songs.

"I'm sure he will. Percy loves you and your filmography skills," Piper said. "Besides, he's a really good friend, so he'll certainly accept a friend's request if you ask him."

"He's not that great of a friend," I blurted out.

Leo and Piper both paused in the middle of the courtyard. I couldn't control myself, and I slipped. Piper looked at me with understanding and sympathy.

"What do you mean?" Leo asked in confusion.

I hadn't told many people that Percy stopped talking to me after he left. He managed to keep up with Jason and Thalia (and sometimes, his other friends as well), but not me.

We simply stood for a few seconds in awkwardness before I continued to our table. Hazel and Frank were already waiting for everyone. The Stolls and Katie also arrived at the same time that we did.

"Guys, everyone is talking about Percy," Katie said with a smile. We all sat down and started enjoying our food.

"Yeah, the whole school is buzzing with excitement," Hazel confirmed. "I want to meet him because I'm such a huge fan of his music."

"Maybe we could introduce you," Travis commented.

"Travis, you haven't in a while. We were all barely friends with Jason, Thalia, Annabeth, and Percy before he got famous," Katie said to her boyfriend.

"So what? Percy still talked to us even after. In fact, he texted us that he was coming home a few days ago," Connor said firmly.

I tried not to show my hurt. Percy even kept in touch with the twins, who he knew for a few weeks. Percy and I were friends since we were kids. Ugh.

"Isn't it exciting, though? We used to be friends with a freakin pop star," Travis expressed.

"You still are my friends," a deep, smooth voice said.

Everyone looked up at Percy, who was standing behind me with Jason and Thalia.

"PERCY," everyone exclaimed. The twins stood and crashed into Percy for a bro hug. Leo had a handshake that he and Percy both still remembered.

Percy even greeted Piper, whom he knew for a while. After all, Piper was Jason's girlfriend, so they'd definitely know each other.

One thing about Percy: he was good at interacting with people.

Percy sat down and easily acknowledged Hazel, Frank, and Katie, who he didn't know yet. He was totally relaxed and comfortable in the group.

I was the uncomfortable one because of him.

"Sorry, it took forever to make it to lunch," Percy said kindly. "But, I'm so glad to see you guys again and meet you guys."

"Yeah, we were late cause people keep swarming our little pop star here," Jason laughed as Percy glared at him.

"Percy, I love your music," Hazel said excitedly.

"Thanks, Hazel. I hear that you're a singer as well. I can't wait to hear you some time," Percy said, easily changing the conversation away from himself.

"Wait, you actually want to hear me sing?" Hazel asked. She seemed incredibly gratified and shocked at the same time.

"Yeah, of course. I'd love to-"

He was interrupted by two arms wrapping around his shoulders and neck. Percy froze as his smile melted away. I stared at the redhead hugging a sitting Percy from behind.

The girl was smiling as her fingers trailed against Percy's chest.

However, Percy quickly pushed her arms away.

"Um, whoever this is, please stop touching me," Percy said firmly. I could tell that Percy had a lot of experience with these types of situations.

Several members of our table groaned as they watched Rachel Elizabeth Dare, or RED, for short. She was the wealthiest and most popular girl at Goode Academy.

She slowly pulled her hands away, and Percy stood quickly to face her.

"You look amazing, Percy Jackson. Maybe, you want to sit with me and my friends rather than these folks over here," Rachel stated smoothly.

She tried to touch Percy again, but he stopped her.

"First of all, respectively, I'd appreciate it if you didn't touch me, Rachel. Secondly, I'm sitting with my friends so please watch the attitude," Percy responded. His voice was calm, collected, and respectful.

"Impressive," Thalia whispered to me. Honestly, it was.

"Percy, a celebrity like you should associate with people like me," Rachel countered. "We match together. They don't."

The sun was shining brightly above us as Percy stared at her. For a second, I thought that Percy was considering Rachel's words, but that was wrong.

Percy shook his head as he sat back down next to Jason and Hazel.

"Rachel, you seem like a, uh, nice girl, but my answer is no. I like my friends," Percy said firmly.

Rachel's smile melted as she stared at Percy. Rachel wasn't used to rejection, but she couldn't expect a pop star to accept her, especially considering the way she was acting. She looked around the table angrily.

"Percy, you're a celebrity, so you know all about politics and hierarchy. You'll realize that you belong with me," Rachel exclaimed.

Then, she stomped away. Her heels clicked obnoxiously against the concrete.

"Sorry about that, guys. Um, this kinda stuff happens from time to time," Percy shrugged. I didn't even understand why he was apologizing.

Lunch continued with various conversations.

Eventually, Percy seemed tired of me ignoring him. "Wise Girl, come on, can you please just talk to me?"

Several members of the table turned towards us. Most of them didn't know that I had problems with Percy. How could he just come back and expect things to be normal?

"Stop it, Percy. Not here," I snapped.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like pretending. Can you please just stop trying and take the hint?" I countered.

I watched his face fall as he frowned. He seemed genuinely upset at the lack of progress that he was making with me. I shook my head to ignore any feelings of guilt.

"Um, what's going on here?" Frank asked obliviously.

"Nothing, guys, it's fine," I said. Thalia and Jason managed to shift the conversation and attention away. Katie gently nudged me to make sure I was okay.

Percy's sea-green eyes locked onto my stormy gray ones again.

Gods, his eyes were beautiful. You could simply get lost in them, but I couldn't. That would just be a downward spiral. Percy deserved this, right?

Regardless, I couldn't break free of our locked gaze and connection.

While I managed to finally turn away, I was hyperaware of Percy's gaze on me for the rest of lunch.

***

I watched as different girls swarmed Percy as he walked out of the school. I had passed the mass of girls on my way out.

Hazel wanted to warn Percy with a text, but I fought against it.

Percy loved his fans, after all, so he'd be able to handle them. I smiled as Percy struggled to walk through the crowd. Honestly, the girls should realize that Percy would be here for the rest of the year. They'd have their time, I guess.

"You can be so mean, sometimes," Hazel giggled.

I laughed as we got into Hazel's car. She was going to drop me at home today because Helen didn't let me take my car.

The car ride was relatively quiet, which was fine.

I studied the music on Hazel's playlist. She had a very unique list of songs. The songs were either very new or incredibly old. It was a nice contrast, though.

I liked listening to, singing, and analyzing music. It was a fun exercise that helped me become a better, well-rounded singer.

"Thanks for the ride, Hazel," I said quickly getting out.

"Wait, quick question." I paused on the sidewalk and looked at Hazel through the window.

"So, Percy said that he's willing to listen to my singing, but he's a world-famous pop star. Do you think he really meant it or was he just being nice?" Hazel asked.

Ignoring my animosity towards him, I knew that Percy never lied to his friends. He did show genuine interest in his friends, and he loved music.

"He meant it, Hazel," I said firmly.

Hazel smiled as she nodded. After a few seconds, the car roared to life again and drove away from my home.

Percy was incredibly loyal and respectful towards his friends. I sighed in sadness. To everyone except me, I guess.

What made me the special person? I had no clue.