Annabeth I
Annabeth didn't flinch as they passed through the magic boarders. She didn't quiver at the sight of thousands of demigods aiming spears at the ship. She didn't back down at the hundreds of glares she was receiving.
She was looking at Percy Jackson.
Right, the first time she'd seen her boyfriend in months and he was wrapped up in a huge white pillowcase with a purple sash lining the edges. Well, at least he was safe.
She couldn't help focusing on his handsome sea-green eyes, or his tousled black hair that was for the first time in his life combed out. She also couldn't help focusing on the girl next to him with milky brown hair and fierce brown eyes, dressed in a similar outfit.
Percy and two other demigods made their way to the ship, determination written across his sharp features. "Come on," he told his companions—a younger girl with curly black hair and sweet brown eyes, and a guy around sixteen with Asian features and a baby-like face. Both looked nervous, and both looked up to him. "It's time you met my other family."
Piper shared a nervous glance with her, both of them sure something was going to go wrong. Something always seemed to go wrong in the past between the Greek and Roman demigods. And if Greek mythology had taught her anything, the past liked to repeat itself.
Annabeth glanced up to the dragon head on the mast of the ship. It was meant to lead them to where they needed to go, to give them courage. But honestly, after that incident with Medusa, a severed head didn't really do anything to boost Annabeth's morals.
For months she had planned what she was going to do when she saw her boyfriend. But when he walked on deck, looking like he owned the camp, which guessing by the Praetor marks on his right forearm he did, she didn't go through with any of her plans. She didn't run to him or start crying. She didn't punch him on the arm and kiss him and tell him what a seaweed brain he was. All she said when she walked up to her, affection written across the eyes she loved so much, was, "Who was that girl you were with?" Percy looked dumbfounded, blushing furiously.
Jason laughed out loud, his sky-blue eyes lit up like he owned the sky. Well, his father did anyway, being Jupiter and all. "That was Reyna," he told her, making Percy blush. "Senior Praetor."
"Prayer?" Leo asked, his Hispanic features frowning. "She doesn't like serve Hera or whatever, right?"
This time Percy laughed. Annabeth loved his laugh. "No, she, um, leads Camp Jupiter."
"And it seems like you've joined her," Jason murmured softly. Annabeth was sure he wasn't intending anybody to really hear, but they did, and suddenly everybody grew solemn.
"Look, dude. I didn't mean to take your place or anything—"
"Don't sweat it," Jason said to Annabeth's relief. She'd known Percy would become a leader at the camp, but she was worried about how Jason would react when it came down to the moment. "I wasn't here. The camp needed help. I understand."
Percy's expression looked like the sky had been lifted off his shoulders, and Annabeth knew how that looked because she'd seen his expression when that had happened as well. Suddenly the gray streak going through her curly blonde hair felt oddly more noticeable.
Then the younger girl with gorgeous curly brown hair and milk-chocolate colored skin turned her attention to Leo, who had been staring at her ever since they had walked on board, just like every girl he saw. Annabeth had never seen a girl look back at him in the same way, and for some reason it sort of startled her. "Hazel," the guy with the baby-face warned, trying to pull her back. But she shook her head, her eyes never falling from Leo's face. "Oh my gods, Sammy?" she asked, fear and wonder passing through her voice. "Sammy is that you?"
