Chapter One
I looked around at my new surroundings, hardly able to believe that I was no longer at Camp Half Blood. My new residence is in San Francisco, California; I know I'm supposed to stay away from her but I needed some kind of connection between us.
Flashback:
I had just gotten an iris message from Athena telling me to go to Olympus immediately. Chiron was the only person I told, because I didn't think I would be gone for that long. Boy was I wrong.
"Hey Boss! What's up?" Blackjack asked me. I told him to take me to the plaza and we were gone by nightfall. It felt nice to ride in the wind, but I told Blackjack not to fly too high. Zeus probably wouldn't zap me out of the sky since Athena needed me there, but I decided to play it safe anyways.
As we descended towards the Empire State Building, I assured my Pegasus that he could go home and rest. He started to protest, but I told him that if I needed him I would call. He gave me a look that said you-better-stay-out-of-trouble, and took off towards camp.
My focus was on walking into the elevator, when I suddenly remembered that a man usually was on duty in the lobby. As I looked around I found no traces of him, so I shrugged it off and pressed the up button. The Gods must be mocking my request for better elevator music, because "Baby" by that Justin Bieber kid started playing from the speakers.
The elevator doors finally opened and I was relieved of that horrid music. Athena was waiting for me and motioned for me to follow her into the throne room. As we entered the room I realized we were the only one in there, whatever she has to say must be private.
"I see that you have developed feelings for Annabeth," she stated, cutting straight to the chase. I could feel the blood flush to my cheeks at the mention of her name, I guess I should have predicted this would be about her.
"Um..well there's no point in hiding it. So, yeah I have" I admitted. The look she gave me clearly stated her disapproval.
"Do you really think a Daughter of Athena and Son of Poseidon will last? She could be so much happier with someone like..Luke for example," she summarized. I turned away, not able to look her in the eye knowing that she is right.
"Just take a look," she pressured. My eyes wandered to the image before me of Annabeth and Luke holding hands and laughing. The way they acted around each other clearly stated that they were a happy couple.
"She could be so happy with him, the one she has loved all along. The only thing standing in their way is...you," her voice sounded sympathetic but her words were sharp as knives.
"Your right," I whispered. As much as it hurt to see him and her together, I could see how happy they are. When we kiss, she doesn't smile into it like she is in the image. When I hold her in my arms she doesn't seem as relaxed and content.
"So what do I do?" I asked. That was the final nail in the coffin, whatever Athena thinks is best for her daughter I will do.
"You leave Camp Half Blood and never come back," she concluded. I turned around, not able to look at the Goddess of Wisdom any longer. Not only does she want me to give up Annabeth, she wants me to cut all connections with my friends.
"Fine. I'll do it for Annabeth, but what if I'm needed for a quest?" It was my last hope. If she could find an answer to this too, then there is nothing else I could argue with.
"If you are needed, I'm sure Chiron will know how to iris message you" I turned around to face her. My head did an unwilling nod as I went to leave, knowing my voice would crack if I voiced my consent.
So that's what led me to San Francisco. Athena better be right about this, because I am not so sure. I sat on the new carpet and put my head between my knees, trying to stop the everlasting pain.