The Last Olympian Pg. 75

I stared at her, completely stunned. "Me? Run away?"

She got right in my face. "Yes, you. You're a coward, Percy Jackson!".

We were nose to nose. Her eyes were red, and I suddenly realized that when she called me a coward, maybe she wasn't talking about the prophecy.

"You—you don't mean—", I stumbled. I'd never been good with words. Especially in situations like this.

"Forget it, Percy. I know you don't feel the same way."

"I never said that."

"I can see it in your eyes."

I didn't answer. The truth was, I didn't know myself. I mean, I'd always seen Annabeth as more of a friend, never anything else. But after last summer, after Calypso, after Mount St. Helens... I wasn't so sure anymore. I mean, we were just friends. She wasn't anymore than that. Right? Or could we be something more?

The Last Olympian Pg. 47-48

"Come on, girl," she said. "Let's get to the Big House. I'll make you some hot chocolate."

Everyone turned and wandered off in twos and threes, heading back to the cabins. Nobody was excited to see me now. Nobody wanted to hear about the blown-up ship.

Chiron gave me a look that clearly said 'We will talk about this later'. Then he too, turned and galloped towards the cabins.

Only Annabeth stayed behind. As soon as everyone had left, she threw her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, as I remembered Annabeth kissing me in Mt. Saint Helens last summer, when she thought I was going to die. Back then, it had seemed like just a friendly kiss for luck. Now? I wasn't so sure.

When she pulled back, I stupidly said "What was that for?"

She rolled her eyes, even though she was blushing a little, too. "For almost dying." she replied. "Again. It's becoming a habit for you, you know."

I shuffled uneasily. "I know. You should be used to it by now, though. I might die anytime this summer."

I shouldn't have said that. Annabeth immediately fidgeted nervously and looked away. "So," she said, picking at her camp necklace. "How was your summer?"

I brightened up immediately. "It was great", I say. I started telling her all about the things Rachel and I had done together during the summer. Playing by the beach, roasting marshmallows by the campfire at night. How I could forget about all my worries when I was with Rachel.

When I was done, Annabeth pursed her lips tightly and took a deep breath, as if she were trying to contain her anger. "That's great, Percy." she said tightly. "I'm glad you're having so much fun with that— that Rachel. She's obviously way more fun than me, huh?"

Her words were like a stab to my gut. She was right. I was being an idiot, as usual. My mind was spinning. At the end of the day, I knew that I could only choose one person, either Annabeth or Rachel.

I shook my head. "I never said that."

"I can see it in your face, Percy! Fine then, you go on and have fun with that mortal girl and leave me alone. I don't care", she said, her voice cracking at the end.

I tried to catch her arm, but she shook me off and ran towards the cabins, away from me.