The first time Percy Jackson met Annabeth Chase was one year after she moved to the small island owned by Zeus airlines. The island was in the Caribbean and had a population of about 500, so it was a surprise that their first encounter where they had actually talked to each other took so long to occur. They had seen each other at school, but had never actually spoken before.


Annabeth was lying in a hammock reading Harry Potter, gently rocking back and forth when a huge, black mastiff rushed at her. A little scream escaped her mouth when the dog put her big, furry paws into the hammock, flipping it over and spilling Annabeth out of it.

"Mrs. O'Leary heel, heel," a boy shouted.

Mrs. O' Leary continued to assault Annabeth with a series of licks. She was now laughing and petting the big dog.

Percy had now arrived and was standing over them. "Oh my gods, I'm so sorry. We were walking and she slipped out of her collar," he said holding up a rhinestone black leather collar.

Annabeth smiled. "It's okay. She's a sweet dog," ruffling her hair.

"Here, let me help you up," he said reaching for her hand.

They were knocked onto the ground when Mrs. O'Leary came to close and nudged Percy.

"Ompff," said Percy. Annabeth was now lying on top of him. He looked up at her, she had storm cloud grey eyes that were intimidating and intelligent. And her golden curls smelt faintly like lemon, an intoxicating scent. She was beautiful.

"This is weird, I'm lying on top of a kinda-stranger," said Annabeth.

"Then let's not be kinda-strangers," said Percy smiling. "I'm Percy and you're Annabeth, I've seen you at school."

"Nice to meet you," said Annabeth returning the smile.

"What's that you were reading," Percy asked in an attempt to keep the conversation going.

"Harry Potter"

"You know, I've been told we look similar, can't you see it," he said striking a post.

"Totally," she said laughing. She could, both had green eyes, though Percy's were a gorgeous sea green color with flecks of blue. And both had messy black hair, Percy's even messier from the fall. Percy was handsome with his tan skin and lean but muscular build.

"I should probably get off you," Annabeth said.

"Probably," he admitted.

She gently got up.

"What brings you to the island of the great, almighty Zeus?" he asked.

"I'm staying here for a learning experience and keeping my friend Thalia company. You know the whole island life is supposed to be good for a person. I used to come here when I was little on vacation. " She chose to withhold the fact that she was kicked out/ran away from home so naturally she took shelter with her best friend.

"Ah, the heiress of the island, she's my cousin. I was born and raised here, this used to be my mom and dad's place."

Annabeth didn't pry at the cause of the use of past tense, but she was surprised that he was Thalia's cousin. "Thalia never mentioned any family on the island, besides a brother, but he doesn't live with us" she said.

"Well you know as well as I do that she's not a very open person," he said.

"That's true," she agreed.

The sharp ring of Percy's cell phone broke the pause of silence.

"Hello . . .ok . . . bye . . . love you too, that was my mom," he said standing up. "I have to get home for dinner."

"Bye," said Annabeth.

"Bye," yelled Percy over his shoulder.

Her eyes watched the raven-haired, now not kinda-stranger and his dog until they turned the corner.

Review lovely people. -Abby