The Final Week

Annabeth POV

It was real now.

There was one week left. My anxiety was at an all-time high. I had no problem with Percy anymore, but I didn't want to lose. I didn't want to sleep with him for the wrong reason that was this deal.

My mind was spinning just thinking about it. Percy was so serious about winning this proposal, and he was near the end of it now. I didn't know what to do. I should've tried harder to make him lose. However, as I got closer to him, I didn't have the heart to manipulate and insult him. Now, that was coming back to bite me in the ass.

Jason, Piper, Thalia, and I were going to the movies. It was Friday night, and we had nothing better to do. Besides, we wanted to see the new Spiderman movie with Tom Holland and Zendaya.

We invited Percy as well, but he declined the invitation. Personal obligations, he said suspiciously.

Whatever that meant.

"Annie, are you okay?" Thalia asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Thals. I'm just nervous about this proposal. There's only one week left, and it doesn't seem like Percy's gonna lose."

"I don't think that it'll be so bad. I mean, Percy is a gentleman."

"You've got to be kidding? This is horrible. I'm not about to sleep with someone because of a stupid contract that we made. I have more self-respect than that," I snapped. My exclamation brought Jason and Piper into the conversation.

"Jason, are you sure that he didn't break the deal and not tell us?" I asked in desperation. But, I knew the answer before he even said anything.

"Percy wouldn't lie about that. He's honest," Jason replied.

"There's still one week, Annabeth. Anything can happen in a week," Piper offered kindly. "Although if he lasted 12 weeks, then he can last one more."

"Not helping, Pipes," I gritted.

"If you want, I could talk to him, Annabeth. He's one of my best friends, so maybe, we can arrange an annulment or something," Jason suggested.

"They aren't married, Jace. Although by the way they banter, I sometimes feel like they act like an old married couple. It's so cute," Piper commented. I groaned while rubbing my face in agitation. Piper was NOT helping the situation at all.

"We could cancel the proposal. I don't know," Jason countered.

"That's admitting defeat. I'm not going to bow down to the playboy of Goode High. I'm not giving him or anyone the satisfaction," I stated.

"You're being too prideful, Annie. If you don't want to sleep with him, then this is how you have to handle the situation," Thalia affirmed.

I knew that my pride was my fatal flaw. I had a high ego that came with my intelligence. Moreover, I'm not a quitter. I fight till I succeed using the skills that I have. However, in this case, my pride was becoming my downfall.

"I don't care, Thalia. I'm not giving up and letting him win."

"Then, I don't know what to tell you," Thalia responded. "Jason, I'd suggest that you talk to Percy. Maybe, tell him that winning this proposal won't be good for anyone. Just don't mention that Annabeth said to talk to him because she didn't."

"Technically, that's also a form of coercion," Piper commented. OH MY GOD.

"PIPER, WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?" I snapped.

Piper simply laughed while turning around in the passenger seat. Her kaleidoscope eyes narrowed on my face while she smirked.

"This is a war, Annabeth. Percy's winning right now, and he's playing a clean game. You're the one trying to get dirty and use his friends to make him lose," Piper expressed. Her high social intelligence sparkled in his eyes and her words.

"So, what are you suggesting?"

"I'm always on your side, Annie. However, I'm suggesting that getting with Percy might not be the worst idea. You guys would be so good together."

"Piper, that's enough," Jason scolded. Surprisingly, his voice rose against his girlfriend. It caught everyone off-guard.

"Percy has enough to deal with him. Don't add to his problems."

Piper's eyes shook as she stared at her boyfriend. A silent conversation flowed between them before Piper nodded. Jason was Percy's friend, so (obviously) Piper had to listen to him.

I sighed as I thought about what Jason just said. It wasn't the first time that the Grace siblings got serious about Percy in a conversation. They actively supported him.

Jason cleared his throat before speaking again.

"Annabeth, I can speak with Percy. Maybe, I can convince him to null the deal. I just don't want either of you getting hurt by the proposal," Jason affirmed.

"Thanks, Jason," I replied.

However, I felt like their conversation wouldn't have any effect. A part of me knew that Percy wanted to win. A strange thought suddenly burst into my mind. Percy wanted to win because he wanted to get with me.

Percy wanted to spend a night with me (in a genuine way). Shivers ran through my body at the notion that Percy romantically liked me.

That's what Piper was suggesting anyways, and she was great with decoding emotions. My heart started beating way faster. My palms were sweating in nervousness.

Did Percy have feelings for me?

Well, he's a huge playboy. There's no way.

***

Every passing day added to my stress. I could feel everyone's gazes on me like they were waiting for me to snap. No one would say anything to my face; they didn't have the guts. Regardless, I could feel their judgments and hear their whispers.

Of course, Percy didn't have to deal with it.

Everyone talked about him anyway. He was used to it.

I was sitting in my favorite class when I finally got to talk to someone that made me feel better. Mr. Chiron Bruner was my favorite teacher. I've had him for Latin since my freshman year of high school. He was more of a mentor than a teacher.

"Hi, Annabeth, I wanted to ask how you were doing?"

I watched as the man wheeled up to my desk. Mr. Bruner was paralyzed from the waist down, so he operated a wheelchair. He set up his classroom to facilitate his transport.

"Hey, Mr. Bruner, I'm doing all right. I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. I'm not sure if you've heard-"

"The whole school has heard, Annabeth. Why do all students assume that teachers are clueless? We hear and know everything," he expressed with a smile.

My teacher knew about my sex deal with Percy. Gods, this is awkward.

"I made a bet with Percy Jackson, and it looks like he's going to win. The proposal expires in less than four days," I answered.

Chiron smiled as he placed his hand on my arm. He gave me a comforting squeeze. I always deemed Chiron to be the better part of my high school experience.

Chiron smiled lightly while his eyes shone with wisdom.

"Have faith, Annabeth, that things happen for a reason. Life is mysterious that way. Even if we can't see the light now, everything works out in the end."

"How will things work out if Percy wins?" I asked. That felt more like a punishment than a reward. I would be forced to sleep with Percy, and the whole school would know.

"We'll only know the answer after the fact."

In my opinion, Chiron should be a philosophy professor rather than a language teacher. He always talked mysteriously and gave profound responses about life.

Maybe, things will work out.

Anything could happen in four days. Maybe, Percy would back out. Maybe, he'd break the deal (even though a part of me wanted him to be loyal).

It sucked that my desires clashed with each other. I wanted him to be loyal, but I wanted him to lose.

However, those two paths were mutually exclusive.

Regardless, I smiled as I thanked Chiron for his advice. Chiron leaned forward and gave me a warm hug before I left school. Another day has gone with no developments.

What a rough week I was having...

***

Percy didn't come to school on Wednesday. The lunch table was finally able to talk about this proposal due to his absence.

The whole group was conflicted about who should win. Percy made it this far, so he deserved to win. However, they didn't want me to lose because I'd have to sleep with someone that I don't want to be with. It was so confusing and conflicting.

"Why is Percy absent today?" Katie asked.

"He texted me saying that he's sick. I'll have to bring his homework for him," Grover responded quickly. A little too quickly.

"Sick from what?" I pushed for a straight answer.

Grover clammed as he looked at me. I could see the gears turning in his eyes while he searched for an answer. He finally settled on an "I'm not sure."

It was very suspicious.

"If you're curious about his health, why don't you just text him?" Juniper suggested. Grover shot her a look of gratitude. Regardless, that's exactly what I did.

Percy responded to my text in a few seconds, I woke up with a fever, and my stomach hurts. I think it's food poisoning.

Another text: I ate a whole blue chocolate cake yesterday ;)

I rolled my eyes while sending him the face-palm emoji. He was so stupid sometimes. However, nothing stopped his appetite in the presence of blue foods. It was a weird obsession.

"Food poisoning," I told everyone.

"So, um, there's only two days left. I know that it's not a celebratory event, but there's a party at my house," Piper offered.

"Excuse me? Why would you throw a party now?" Rachel asked. I appreciated her support, but it was more about her than me. She didn't want anyone to get with Percy. Rachel was one of those ex-girlfriends who gets stuck up on a boy.

"I'm not throwing it. Silena is hosting it at my mom's house. Since I'm her sister, my friends and I have a free invite," Piper said firmly.

This weekend marked the end of an exam period. Technically, no one had any excuses for missing Silena's party. Besides, she was a good friend of ours.

I reluctantly accepted the invitation.

Just then, Drew Tanaka decided to approach our table. Ugh.

"Hey, Annabeth, I can't wait for you to join our club," she slurred. Her eyes twinkled with mischief and not in a good way.

"What are you talking about, Drew?" I asked gruffly.

I wasn't in the mood for her shenanigans. She was so infuriating.

"In a few days, you'll be another one of Percy Jackson's girls. Are you excited to be taken by the playboy?" she asked with a smirk.

"Shut up, Drew. He's not taking me. I'm not an object of desire."

"You made yourself an object in the instant that you agreed to this deal. Don't even deny that. Besides, considering you're so high-strung, you need to get laid."

"Back off, Drew," Thalai growled.

"I'm only speaking the truth. She's gonna be just another one of Percy's sexual conquests. Welcome to the club, skank."

Don't punch her. Don't punch her. Those three words repeated in my mind as my hand closed into a fist. Thalia fumed while standing.

However, Drew was already walking away while laughing loudly.

"Don't listen to her, Annabeth. You're not-"

"SHE WOULDN'T WRONG NOW, WOULD SHE?" I snapped. "I'll be just another one of Percy's conquests, and I hate it. I hate whole situation."

Why did I agree to this proposal in the first place? Just, why?

Hot tears of anger burned in my eyes. I hated Percy for being a player. I liked him so much, so why did he carry this awful persona? In a few days, I'd receive the reputation of being his skank, and I despised him for it.

I only had myself to blame.

Grover, Thalia, and Jason tried to calm me down. "Annabeth-"

"STOP IT. I need some air," I breathed. I left all my concerned friends and walked towards the library where it was quiet and peaceful.

This final week was agonizing to get through.

I didn't want the week to end, but I also didn't want to go through it anymore.