The Set-Up

Annabeth POV

I couldn't believe that it was December 5th already. Percy had 1.5 months without having sex, and I was starting to get worried. It was good that Percy could restrain himself, but I was not expecting to do well in this deal.

"He already made it halfway. If he completes the proposal, then I'll have to sleep with him," I gagged while saying it.

"Well, he's doing quite well," Piper pondered.

I mentally cursed her for making me feel worse. It wasn't that I didn't like Percy, but I couldn't have sex with him. There was no way that I'm spending a night with the playboy of Goode High.

"Speaking of Percy, it looks like he's not here today. He wasn't in history class either."

"Percy is absent all the time. I'm not even surprised at this point, but it's still weird. I don't understand how he could be sick all the time. I wonder what happened over the weekend."

"Meanwhile, I never get sick even when I want to skip school," Piper replied. I rolled my eyes at her comments.

I liked the school because I appreciated learning new things. Besides, school is important for a successful career. After all, high school and college dropouts becoming successful are one in a million (ie Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, etc). As such, most people need an education.

"So, what are you going to do?" Piper asked.

"I don't know, Pipes. I have no ideas on how to make him lose. Jason says that Percy is strong and passionate when he has a goal in mind."

"Why are you ladies talking about Percy?" Rachel asked from across the table.

"Nothing, Rachel. We're talking about the proposal and how to get out of it. I don't want to quit, but I also don't want him to win," I expressed calmly.

"But, if he does win, you'll graciously sleep with him," Rachel commented. Her eyes narrowed on my face. She wore a cold expression.

"No, Rachel, I don't want that to happen. Trust me."

"You don't sound too convincing, Annabeth. Besides, you've been spending a lot more time with my ex-boyfriend. Do you know how wrong that is?" Rachel said with a raised voice.

"Relax, Rachel. It's not like I want to," I replied.

However, I wasn't so sure. Percy seemed like an amazing friend to have. He took me out on fantastic experiences that I enjoy. He was thoughtful and kind and funny. Honestly, I like spending time with him.

Of course, I wasn't going to tell Rachel that.

"Ugh, I just don't know what to do," I whined as I rubbed my face. It struck me yesterday that the deal was not moving in my favor.

"A night with Percy wouldn't be the worst thing," Katie spoke up.

My glare snapped at her suggestion. There was no way that I heard her right. The entire table looked at Katie in surprise. Katie immediately shifted uncomfortably.

"What I mean is that Percy is fairly remarkable, um, in the bed," Katie stammered while finishing her thoughts. "If Percy wins, you won't have a bad time."

"Babe, are you serious?" Travis deadpanned.

Gods, this was embarrassing for Katie. She admitted that another man is great at sex in front of her boyfriend.

"Relax, honey, I love you and only you," Katie replied before kissing him. "I'm just trying to comfort Annabeth and relieve her stress."

"That didn't make me feel any better," I snapped.

I knew that my friends were conflicted about this proposal. That is, they understood both sides of the deal. Neither Percy nor I wanted to back down. Plus, our friends supported both of us. For them, it was a strange predicament.

They wanted Percy to win, but they didn't want me to lose. If that makes any sense.

A few minutes of silence entered our lunch table as everyone finished our food. I had packed lunch today because I couldn't take another day of bouncy chicken nuggets. Literally, the chicken nuggets were like plastic balls at Goode High.

I was walking with Rachel and Piper when Katie ran up to me. She breathed heavily while trying to speak.

"Annabeth, I have an idea if your down," Katie expressed. "While Percy is my friend, this set-up could potentially get you out of the proposal without losing or quitting."

Rachel, Piper, and I gazed at each other before turning back to Katie. I appreciated her for helping me out.

"We're all ears," Rachel replied.

"I suggest that you can try and make Percy lose this deal. Basically, have someone (a girl who he finds attractive) make a move on him. She can flirt and seduce him to the point where he gives in. It's almost like a test," Katie explained.

Her plan was smart, but it was also manipulative. I wasn't sure if setting Percy up was the right thing to do. However, we were in a kind of war. All is fair in love and war.

"Katie, that's genius," Rachel replied. "Of course, Percy will lose if someone seduced him because of how piggish he is. This is perfect."

"Rachel, Percy is still my friend, so mind your language. I'm just trying to help Annabeth, but I'm NOT against Percy," Katie snapped.

Rachel rolled her eyes as Katie walked away.

"What do you think, guys? This plan will work, and you won't have to sleep with him anymore," Rachel commented. Piper nodded even though her eyebrows were furrowed. She probably didn't like the idea of fighting Percy with fire.

However, the plan was intelligent. I wanted to test Percy, and I wanted him to lose this sexual contract.

After a lot of consideration, I nodded.

"I think that it's worth a shot. However, we need to find a girl," I answered.

***

We were driving to Percy's parking garage. Rachel figured that Percy was at his trailer and that it was the best place for the set-up.

Percy hadn't come to school for the past three days. He must've seriously been sick because he's never missed so many days in a row. Jason told us that Percy was sick, and he was staying in his trailer to heal.

Jason's voice was suspicious as he explained. However, he had no reason to lie about Percy. Thalia barely spoke to me over the last week. Both the Grace siblings seemed out of it.

"Guys, I'm not so sure about this. It seems like a bad idea," Piper said again.

"Piper, why is this bothering you so much? It's not like you're the one going to seduce him. That's my job," Rachel exclaimed. She was getting annoyed with Piper.

"I don't understand why you volunteered for this. I thought you hate him," Piper snapped. She drove quickly after receiving directions from Jason.

"That's why I'm doing this for Annabeth," Rachel replied.

I wasn't completely convinced. I felt like Rachel was enjoying the opportunity to hit on Percy. She wanted to attract and seduce him, and I didn't like that at all. The notion of Percy and Rachel together bothered me (like I had acid burning my stomach). Regardless, I remained silent in the backseat.

"I don't buy it. This whole plan is so stupid and petty. You guys are manipulating Percy with an ex-girlfriend. That's not right," Piper expressed.

"The fact that I'm an ex-girlfriend means that he was attracted to me. As such, he will fall to me, and I can make him lose this proposal."

"This involves you romantically interacting with him again."

"I'm willing to do that. Annabeth stood up for me, so I can do this for her."

"More like for yourself," Piper muttered. Since Piper and I were in the backseat, Rachel didn't hear that last comment. Then, Piper gazed at me. "I'm doing this to win the deal, Piper. Percy is kind and friendly, but I don't want to get with him."

After a few minutes of silence, we reached Percy's trailer.

Since Rachel dated Percy, she knew the location. She parked a few yards away. The plan was that she'd seduce him outside his trailer so that we could watch. Even though Percy wouldn't lie about having sex, we needed eyewitnesses.

However, I was not expecting Thalia to walk out of Percy's trailer.

"Wait, hold, what the hell is happening?" I whispered harshly. "Rachel, roll down the window a smidge." She did as I told her.

Their voices were muffled due to the distance between us and the trailer.

"Percy, are you sure that you're okay?" Thalia asked quietly.

"Yes, mom, I'm fine. You and Jason have been great, but I'm doing better. Besides, Grover's back in town," Percy replied. He gave a weak smile as he rubbed his abdomen.

"Hey, just because your best friend's back doesn't mean that you can't ask us for help. Jason and I are here if you need us."

"Yeah, I appreciate it. Thanks for the ice packs and meds by the way. Although, I might as well give the painkillers back because they don't do much for me."

"Keep them just in case," Thalia replied. "Anyway, I gotta go now because I'm running late for a family dinner. Get better and be safe, Percy."

Percy nodded before Thalia walked away. I watched as she drove away, which left Percy to go back inside his gray trailer. I had no clue that Thalia was helping Percy when he was sick. She brought him ice packs and painkillers. It was a nice thing to do, but why didn't she tell me?

"Jason said that Percy was sick. The siblings are helping him get better. It's not right for us to test him right now," Piper expressed.

Piper was correct, but Rachel had made up her mind. She rushed out of the car and walked towards Percy's trailer. She hesitated at the door before pounding it. I sucked in a breath as Percy finally stepped out of his trailer.

My heart was pounding as I watched the scene unfold. Here goes nothing. I wasn't sure what I was expecting or what I wanted. Everything was a blur in my mind.

I wanted Percy to be loyal, but I also didn't want him to win.

But, that was impossible. Right?