#windbyfire

Percy was more than her boyfriend. He was more than her best friend. He was a lot more than a label could give him. The only word that even maade close to sense for the two of them was soulmate. Annabeth felt like even that wasn’t enough to describe their relationship.

When they returned home, Annabeth was adamant on making sure that the two of them never got separated again. Her father hadn’t argued too much over it and Sally Jackson - the brilliant soul she was - didn’t mind if Annabeth was going to be staying over at her place with Percy. Annabeth had already been over at the Jackson’s residence enough where Sally was accustomed to seeing her and Paul thought that she was a great person to talk to.

So, of course, when Annabeth chose to stay around, Percy and his step-father managed to get Annabeth enrolled into Goode High School.

Annabeth wasn’t a particular fan of public school, she much rather preferred the teachings at Camp Half-Blood but she knew she wasn’t about to leave Percy’s side and agreed to attend. Percy showed her around the school. They hardly had any classes together but most of their classes happened to be close to each other thanks to Paul’s hand in being friendly with the guidance counselors. Most of Annabeth’s classes tended to do with AP courses since she appreciated a challenge. Percy was taking one AP course, despite his own reluctance, thanks to Annabeth’s influence. 

Also, because having a class with Paul would make it easier. Paul was a nice teacher, he wouldn’t get angry at Percy if he was lacking- which Percy swore up and down he wouldn’t do.

All of their elective courses were together and they also got the pleasure of sharing lunch with one another.

Although Annabeth was attending Goode for just two years, their junior and senior year, Annabeth was immediately classified as the “new girl”. The term bothered Annabeth. She wasn’t a big fan of attention. Naturally, she got even more attention because the entire school seemed to know Percy Jackson- the troublemaker- and were surprised that she was sticking around him the whole time.

Annabeth remembered one day during lunch when she was heading over to their usual table and saw a group of guys bothering Percy. Percy didn’t look phased as the leader of the four guys- a scrawny looking red head kid with a lot of acne- got up in Percy’s face. Annabeth’s eyes narrowed defensively as she got to the table and crossed her arms.

“Is there a problem?”

Annabeth had heard the term thrown around loosely that she was the “hot new girl” at school. Though, they would take it back and she would hear gossiping that she was rather intimidating, which in all honesty she liked a lot better. Better to be intimidating then to have people hitting on her when she was clearly taken.

The red head looked over in Annabeth’s direction and seemed taken aback that the “hot new girl” was talking to him. By the looks of it, Annabeth doubted that he got any action. 

Percy looked over at his girlfriend and offered her a grin, then seemed to notice the four guys checking her out. Percy didn’t really get jealous. Most guys hardly ever bothered to actually go through with flirting with Annabeth after she scares them away with her, as Piper calls it, “resting-bitch-face”.

Annabeth really hated labels.

“Hey babe,” Percy said a little louder than his usual speaking voice. It caught Annabeth off guard and seemed to even throw the other guys off guard. And not to mention the other twenty people who were nearby.

Annabeth felt her ears turn hot. 

The red head was gaping between the two of them, he almost looked like a fish out of water. “B-Babe?” he stammered incredulously. “Jackson, no fucking way this is your girlfriend. She’s way out of your league.”

That brought Annabeth back to reality and she stared at the red head. “And you think you aren’t?” Annabeth asked, her voice dripping with mockery. 

Annabeth had heard the stories of people picking on her boyfriend plenty of times but to see it in action made her own blood boil. If only they knew how he had saved the world’s ass more time than one.

His face turned beet red against his pale skin and his friends all seemed to be holding back laughter. Annabeth just smirked, going ahead and joining Percy at the table. Before the group turned away, she heard the red head mutter something under his breath, insulting Annabeth.

“Bitch.”

In the blink of an eye, Percy was up on his feet and grabbed the bully by the collar of his shirt and stared him down. The two of them were around the same height, but it was clear that Percy had the upper hand. He was a lot stronger and he was also way more intimidating than Annabeth could ever be. Lupa had taught him well.

“What’d you just call her?” Percy muttered, causing for the red head to gulp nervously. 

“Nothing! Geez, Jackson!”

Annabeth just watched in amusement then gently reached out her hand and placed it on Percy’s arm. The touch sent him back to reality and he relaxed and let the guy go. His look was fierce and it was clear that if Annabeth hadn’t done that, he probably would have slaughtered him.

The four guys scrambled off in fear and Percy resigned back in his seat beside his girlfriend. Annabeth went ahead and placed her lunch box on the table where she had packed both of them lunch and began to set it out. She looked over at Percy who was still watching the guys. A couple of people kept looking back at them. Percy had, of course, made them a spectacle. 

“If you ever call me babe again,” Annabeth said, reaching out and pinching his cheek, “I will kill you.”

Percy blinked once and looked over at Annabeth and he grinned at her. That troublemaker smile that always made her heart do a weird somersault. How did he still have that effect on her? Annabeth had no idea.