Hey there! So, as many of my readers know, I wasn't planning on publishing anything new until this weekend. Well, I couldn't help doing something for the Fourth and all. So, please enjoy and review, bad, good, whatever you think of this. Thanks!
Annabeth laid her gold and white checkered picnic blanket out on the soft sand. "Where is he?" She muttered as she sat down. "The fireworks are going to start any minute!"
You see, earlier that summer Annabeth had invited Percy to go to the Fourth of July firework celebration. She had asked casually, but it still gave the blonde butterflies in her stomach that she had actually got up the nerve to ask him. As Annabeth sat there watching the other couples set up, she couldn't help but get anxious.
Suddenly she turned back around and Percy was sitting there next to her. "Gods, Seaweed Brain! What took you so long?" She asked with mock annoyance.
"Sorry," He said, slightly out of breathe. "But I got us some things." He pulled out little sticks from a burlap sack.
Annabeth caught her breathe. "Percy! Where did you get those? You know we aren't allowed to have sparklers! Especially," She lowered her voice. "Those kind."
Percy smiled at her. "I know you've always wanted to try them out."
"Where did you get them?"
"Oh," He chuckled. "I can't say much, but I made a, er, deal with the Hephaestus cabin."
"Okay, we can try them out later, right?" Annabeth asked with excitement.
"Um, yeah." He agreed. "Oh look, the fireworks are starting!"
They turned to look at the fireworks, which were amazing as usual. But this time, they set up something different. Along with the Greek heroes and those who helped pay for our country's freedom, they also showed the faces of those who died in the Battle of the Labyrinth earlier that summer, as a sort of memorial. There were a few sniffles from the crowd as the faces of Castor, Dionysus's son, or Lee Fletcher, the old counselor for the Apollo cabin, glittered across the starry night sky.
They also brought back good and bad memories for the couple. Annabeth's eyes got a little teary as she remembered about how she had almost lost Percy, and Percy smiled about how they had rescued Nico from joining the Titans or how Annabeth had kissed him before he almost died. As the two thought about each other, they slowly moved closer together. When their hands touched, he quickly scooted away from her and looked around awkwardly. Annabeth couldn't help but feel disappointed, but she tried not to show it.
The fireworks finally came to an end with an excellent explosion of red, white, and blue while the national anthem played. People wandered off to their own cabins, while others stayed on the beach and talked. Percy eventually stood up and offered Annabeth his hand. She hesitated, but took it.
"So, you want to try out the loot?" Percy asked holding up the bag of magical sparklers.
"Yeah, let's do this." She sighed.
Percy dragged Annabeth to the woods. "Um, do you think this is such a good idea?" She looked around nervously. "I mean, in the woods. Don't you think the light will attract a lot of monsters?"
Percy looked at her and shook his head. "You're never like this! Why are you acting so… so… unsure? Besides, we don't want to get caught."
"I guess so…"
"Um… okay."
She stamped her foot. "Percy! Can't you tell when something is bothering someone! You are so oblivious sometimes!" she started to storm away.
Percy just looked at her then at the sky. "What is it about girls that I don't understand!"
Remember to review, and have a happy Fourth!