Annabeth POV:

Whoa. I was kissing him. I was currently kissing Percy Jackson my best friend. And why was I doing it? For the first time ever, I have no idea. I don't even know what came over me. But to tell you the truth, I don't regret it. I didn't expect the kiss to be good, but it was. More than good actually, it was amazing. His soft lips molded perfectly into mine and the feeling sent a thousand volts of lightning up my body as if Zeus was electrocuting me. But I liked it. I really did.

All good moments come to an end though. I let go of his shirt and look at his expression. It was actually quite funny. His mouth was hanging agape with shock his face completely flustered and his green eyes wide with shock and disbelief. I hoped I didn't look like that. Looking into his beautiful green orbs I wished him good luck and put on my cap.

Following the spider with a ten feet gap I made my way out of St. Helens. Sure, I was safe but Percy was in danger. And with every step I took the fear inside of me grew stronger and stronger. I had a feeling something was going to go wrong. I just did. Don't question my theory.

And then it happened. A horrifying scream of pain emitted from the volcano as it exploded. Literally exploded. I thought I saw something flying out through the volcano but it must have been my imagination.

I had one thought at that moment. Percy. Without thinking twice, I scrambled into the mountain my feet aching. But it didn't matter. That stupid seaweed brain! If we both were there we could have survived! Why does he have to be the hero? Before I could register that Percy might be dead, tears started flowing down my dirt-covered cheeks.

And that's when I saw the destruction. I would describe how it looked, but it would never be able to measure up to what I saw. All I know is Percy wasn't here.

My lump formed in my throat and I lost it. I fell to the ground and cried. I had never cried this much. Not when Thalia turned into a tree, not even when Luke joined Kronos. Percy was my last hope. I had been abandoned so many times and when Percy came, thought I had made a friend for life.

Sadness soon turned into anger as I stood up and looked at the gloomy sky, my eyes glaring at it.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT! NOW HE'S GONE! HAPPY NOW? YOU'VE OFFICIALLY RUINED MY LIFE!" I had no idea who I was talking to, but I had to blame someone. Everything after that was a blur but I knew that Percy was gone and I'd never see him again.

But… a small part of me clung to hope that he would return to me.