The Winner

Annabeth POV

Percy rushed out of the party. Something was off. I've never seen him run so fast. He didn't care that he was pushing everyone aside.

"Hazel, are you okay?"

I ran towards the small girl. Hazel was laying on the base of the stairs. She seemed more confused than anything else. Fortunately, she wasn't hurt, but she hadn't seen Percy running up the stairs until it was too late.

"What happened?" Hazel asked in shock.

"I don't know. Percy just ran out. He didn't listen to me either."

Hazel and I walked towards the Stolls. Frank was talking to his football buddies, so Hazel decided to come downstairs. It was nice because I needed a break from Rachel talking about Percy and our deal all the time.

The Stolls called us for a game of Ping Pong, and we accepted.

You wouldn't expect it, but Hazel is very competitive. She played like someone who has something to prove. Of course, I play to win as well. Needless to say, Hazel and I whooped their butts and crushed them.

I laughed at Connor's pouting face. The Stolls were tame today. They weren't pranking people because Katie blackmailed Travis. If the twins cause trouble, then Travis wouldn't receive any kisses for a week. The threat kept Travis in line.

I was having a good time at the party.

Usually, I don't like teenage parties. It was filled with people who either get drunk or make out. While both events were happening at this party too, there were other activities to occupy my mind. Activities like watching Katie drowsily walk over.

"Annabeth, do you want a drink?" Katie asked. I rejected the red solo cup in her hand. I didn't want to drink any spiked fruit punch today.

"Cool. More for me," she slurred.

It's weird how quickly Katie could get tipsy. Her body had no tolerance for alcohol. I laughed as she stumbled towards me. Hazel helped Katie onto the couch.

"Anyway, are you nervous? I know that it's a big day for you," Katie commented.

I sighed while rubbing my arms. "You know how I feel about this proposal. I hate it. Now that Percy is on the brink of winning, I'm feeling very anxious. I can sense the whole school looking down on me."

"That's not true, Annabeth," Hazel said softly.

"Our proposal is the hottest gossip at Goode High. The fact that Percy succeeded in going three months without sex only highlights the importance. Everyone's talking about how I have to sleep with Percy."

"As I said before, not the worst thing in the world." Katie hiccuped.

I rolled my eyes as Hazel giggled. Her golden eyes lit up when she smiled or laughed. Hazel loved her friends, but she also had a soft spot for Percy.

A few years ago, before Hazel and Nico became my friends, they were outcasts at our school. They were the new kids, so they became easy targets for bullying. One day, Ethan Nakamura was shoving Nico, and Percy intervened. He saved Hazel and Nico from further bullying. Percy was popular, so the students listened to him.

Ever since then, Hazel and Nico admired Percy's character (his playboy persona aside).

"Guys, where's Percy?" a voice interrupted our conversation.

Jason and Piper were standing hand-in-hand a few feet away. I smirked as my eyes narrowed on Jason's face. Piper's pink lipstick was smeared around the sides of Jason's mouth. Thalia fake gagged as she gazed at Jason from behind.

Piper blushed as she settled next to me on the couch. Jason frantically tried to wipe his face as Thalia clocked the back of his head.

"Percy?" Jason asked again.

"I'm not sure. Percy left the party a few hours ago," I answered.

"That's weird. I thought he'd want to be with you tonight. After all, you guys made the deal together, so you should end it together as well," Piper expressed.

"Anyway, there's only a few minutes till midnight. We can text Percy if he doesn't come back by then," Jason paused. His electric blue eyes pierced my skin. My breath hitched, and I braced myself for what was to come.

"Sorry Annabeth, but it looks like Percy won."

***

Percy didn't respond to any of my texts. I expected him to call or text me so that he could gloat about his victory. However, it was radio silence on all fronts. From what I gathered, Percy wasn't responding to anyone.

Even Jason came up short of answers.

Percy was reading our text messages, but he wasn't responding. It's so annoying when someone actively ignores your messages.

The entire weekend was filled with uncertainty. I didn't know what was happening with Percy. He was okay, considering that he was checking his phone. However, I had no clue what happened Friday night.

The wait till Monday was frustrating.

"Any news from Percy?" Rachel asked. I sighed while taking books out of my locker and stuffing them into my backpack.

"Nothing. He didn't respond to anyone. Even the boys are in the dark. I can't help but wonder if everything is okay. I know that you don't like him, but we became friends. You can't deny that, Rachel."

"I'm not denying it. I'm just confused," Rachel stated. "Why didn't he call and tease you about the wonderful night you're going to have?"

I chuckled. "That's what I expected Seaweed Brain to do."

I shut my locker in time to see Piper barreling towards me. She didn't care about shoving past other students. Her kaleidoscope eyes were focused on me only.

"ANNABETH. OH MY GOSH," Piper panted. She rested her hands on her knees while catching her breath.

Thalia wasn't far behind her. "ANNIE."

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" I asked frantically. My first instincts echoed that someone got hurt. Then, I noticed Jason, Leo, and a few others approaching me and Rachel. What the hell is happening here?

"Guys, seriously, tell me what's going on," I commanded.

"I take it that Grover didn't talk to you yet," Piper wheezed. I haven't seen Grover today, but I didn't know why it was big deal. After all, we all go to school here.

"Grover is Percy's best friend, and he told us something."

I waited for them to continue. My group of friends huddled around me to create a large circle in the middle of the hallway. I didn't understand all the hustle.

"Annabeth, you won the proposal," Hazel affirmed. "Percy lost."

My gaze flitted around my friends' faces. They all seemed confused or surprised, but they were also happy for me. I could see the joy in the delicate smiles.

Rachel squealed as she hugged me in congratulations.

I was beyond ecstatic about being a winner. This is what I wanted, but my win didn't make sense. Regardless, I couldn't help but smile.

"Oh my god. I can't believe it," I managed a gasp.

"Whatever gods you prayed to, Annabeth, they were certainly only your side. PERCY LOST JUST LIKE YOU WANTED," Rachel exclaimed. I was confident the whole school heard her.

"How did I win? What happened?"

"Grover told us that Percy broke your proposal. As such, he lost," Leo expressed. "He broke it on Friday, which explains why he didn't respond to anyone."

I froze. Percy rushed out of the party on Friday. He left to go have sex with someone. The worry and urgency on his face didn't match his actions at all.

I was happy about winning, but why did Percy break the deal on the last day?

Also, why was I so hurt that Percy slept with someone else?

"Guys, I don't understand. Seaweed Brain-"

"Annabeth, just be happy that you won. This whole proposal is behind you, and you don't have to sleep with the playboy of Goode High. That's what you wanted all along."

I staggered away from her.

"I wanted him to be loyal, Rachel," I snapped.

"I wanted this proposal to mean something to him. I didn't want him to betray me by breaking our deal. I don't know. This isn't exactly what I wanted."

My mind raced by my sudden realization. More than winning, I wanted Percy to be good. I wanted to believe that there was more to him.

Everyone was gazing at me in shock. Only Piper had a knowing smile on her face.

The news about Percy's loss and my win spread like wildfire. The whole school was talking about it. Mostly along the lines of no surprise there. Everyone assumed that Percy would lose, and that's what happened.

Percy didn't come to school today; only Grover was here. It was lunchtime when I finally approached Grover. I needed to know everything that happened on Friday. I didn't want to believe that Percy slept with someone else (not that it should matter).

I noticed the strain in Grover's voice and the redness in his brown eyes. It was obvious that he wasn't okay. He spoke before I did.

"Congratulations, Annabeth. This is what you wanted, right?"

"Thanks, Grover, but not exactly. What happened? Everyone's saying that Percy broke our proposal on the last day."

"Um, that's what happened, Annabeth. Percy called me and told me that he had sex with an old friend of his. He didn't come to school because-" Grover faltered.

All lies. It's very easy to figure out when Grover is lying. His eyes twitch and look like they are squinting. It makes him very easy to read. I crossed my arms as my glare pierced into his gaze. The whole table paused and looked at our exchange.

"Why would he break the proposal on the last day? He lasted three months," I stated firmly.

"Isn't it obvious? Percy didn't want to sleep with you," a voice spat.

I turned around to face Drew Tanaka standing with her posse. She had bright blush and purple lipstick on, which masked her real essence. Right now, she just looked fake. I glared at her as anger boiled in my blood.

"What the hell, Drew?" I snapped.

"Percy went three months without having sex, yet he couldn't finish. It's obvious why he couldn't. He didn't want to sleep with a stuck-up nerd like you," Drew laughed.

"That can't be true," I whispered as the hurt settled in my chest.

The notion of Percy not wanting to be with me hurt deeply. I didn't want to sleep with him, but it hurt that he didn't want me or like me. Percy and I had gotten so close over the past three months, and I refused to believe Drew.

"You're a horrible person. Get lost, Drew."

I turned my attention back to Grover, but he quickly stood up. His pupils shook as he rushed out of the cafeteria, which left me in a state of confusion.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I won. My pride demands the win.

However, I'm also hurt that Percy slept with another girl. I'm burned by the answer that Drew suggested. I'm disappointed that he couldn't fulfill his promise to me. It felt like a betrayal.

As such, winning the proposal isn't really what I wanted.

I wanted Percy to be good and pass our deal. I wanted him to be different. I implicitly wanted him to desire me. I wanted him to like me and stay connected to me because I like him. The realization threw me off.

I LIKE PERCY JACKSON.