Sybaris – Chapter One
Disclaimer: All rights go to Rick Riordan.
What has come of this messed up world? They can't do this; this is beside them. We're not back in the old days. We're not in Ancient Greece. And the way he agreed so quickly; he was eager for his day in the sun. More like 3 seconds, if you ask me. But I have to honour him for that choice...that bravery.
The thing that scared me most what that I was the only one who didn't keep my mouth shut. If Percy had been there, he would have been on my side, that's why I had to get to him, fast. Oh, and the other reasons of course.
I got into the elevator, clicked the number and waited. All of a sudden I was really self conscious; patted down my hair, fixed my shirt and refolded the cuff on my jeans. But I still didn't think it was enough. Suddenly I wished I had stopped at that store where I'd seen the amazing jacket.
Knock-knock-knock. I stepped back, waiting for him to come to the door.
"Annabeth!" Percy said, pulling me inside. He hugged me.
"What? That's it?" I asked, tauntingly. He smiled, leaning in to kiss me. Suddenly I heard a scream, and he picked me up, carrying me behind the couch. But he was too late; I got hit right in the back of the head with a water balloon. I turned around, seething. There was a group of about 6 little boys at the door, and more were popping up from all around the apartment. Are you serious?
"WHAT THE–" I started to yell, but Percy pulled my shoulder back.
"Annabeth...breathe, breathe...okay, everyone out, continue at Brandon's or something..." Percy said pointing to the door.
The kid that must have been Brandon said, "Yeah, you heard him, my place, 'cause Percy needs to make out with his girlfriend!" With that, they all ran out.
"More like get beat up by his girlfriend..." Percy muttered.
"What was that?" I asked, holding my ear.
"Nothing...so...how was camp today?"
"You're mom's okay with water balloons inside? And why are you playing with 8 year olds?" I asked, ignoring his question, rubbing the back of my head.
"To be fair, they're 10...okay 9 and a half, but still," he said indignantly, grabbing me a towel from the linen closet. "So, seriously, how's camp?"
I shook my head slightly, not wanting to tell him just yet. The second I did this visit would get serious and that would be it. I wouldn't even get to kiss him, which reminded me...I leaned in and kissed him.
"That good, huh?" he asked, looking a little dumbfounded. I laughed as I walked over to the couch and sat down, finally relaxing after the horrible day's events. He sat next to me to, about to put his arm around me, but he seemed to inhale sharply. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him quickly shove a book away, to the table beside him.
"What is that?" I asked, trying to look to his right. He quickly kissed me, trying to make me forget it.
"Huh? What's what? Oh nothing..." he said, trying to kiss me again. Of course I let him, it had been too long. But when he pulled away I raised my eyebrow.
"Really, Percy?" I asked. He shrugged, and leaned in again, so I decided to use it to my advantage. I kissed him, and pretended to climb onto him, but I was really trying to reach the table. And I was successful.
"Why Architecture Matters by Paul Goldberger." I looked up at him. This book had taken me weeks to read, but I loved it very much as it looked more to the emotional meaning of architecture and not just the design process. It made me realize why I really loved it, and why it made an impression on people. "Why are you reading this?"
He looked at me right in the eye, really intensely for Percy, "Do you have to ask?" I nodded, mainly because I wanted to hear what he would say. "It reminds me of you, Annabeth. It has been 2 weeks."
"I know, Percy. I missed you." I knew he was being truthful with this, which was the funny thing. Yet it was so adorable, it made me wonder how I'd gotten through the past 2 weeks. We literally sat there and talked and talked. But the more I did, the more nervous I got at the fact that before I left he I would have to tell him what I came here to tell him.
He got up when we heard a commotion outside. "Your friends?" I asked sweetly.
He gave me a look, but when he opened his door, it wasn't the kids. It was Jim, from Apollo cabin at camp. The one I had to tell Percy about. He was about 12, but tears were openly pouring down him eyes. Percy must have recognized him, because he let him in right away. I got up and lead him to the seat, gripping him arm. But I couldn't take it. I got up and started pacing.