Chp 1
3 Years Later
I felt my head swirl as I finished up the stock take for the little decor shop I was working in. I had just started my NYU vacation with going back to a bit more work.
I sighed and wiped my brow, sitting down on a stool. Sandy, the old lady who owned the shop, peeped her head out from the back and smiled at me. "Don't worry, we can finish up tomorrow." She said. I gave her a smile and helped close up the store.
I said goodbye and walked towards the beach. The only thing I had on me was my phone in my pocket. As I stepped onto the beach, I smiled. I walked casually down the beach. I thought of how much things had changed.
I had mended things with me family, gotten better in my school work and actually was the valedictorian when I graduated, got accepted to NYU, had some fun with my friends. And it was all because of one night on this beach.
I guess he was much more different from other guys as they are all boys. He is a man, knows how to treat a lady properly. I still can't help feel an ache on my heart as I think of him though.
As much as I want him, he never made an attempt of getting me back. Did I think this all up? How he had actually felt about me? I wanted to forget about him, about how he made my heart ache ever time I came back here.
I stopped walking when I stood in front of his cabin. I sat down and looked out at the sea. But that is past, and I won't see him again. He's just a fairyland.
"I thought I would find you here." I heard a voice say. I felt my breath hitch, my heart beat stop and my head go dizzy at that voice. I knew it all too well. That beautiful, deep, strong voice that had spoken to me one night.
I turned and saw Percy Jackson, standing there. I stumbled to my feet. "What-" I tried saying. He smiled and came closer, his hands in his pockets. "No." I said, trying to blink and see if I wasn't imagining him.
"Something wrong?" He asked, still smiling. I felt like my breath had been taken out my lungs, and I almost started to hyperventilate. He furrowed his eyebrow. "You came back." I said, trying to think this through.
He stood there smiling at me for a second, only a few meters away. I ran forward and he caught me in his arms. "Percy." I said, into his neck. I forgot the anger and pain I had because of him.
"Annabeth." He said. I felt myself snap out of my shock and suddenly smack his arm. "You left for three years and didn't bother calling or visiting? And then you come back with open arms, just expecting me to come back?"
I felt a sob of anger catch in my throat. He pulled me into his arms, holding me till I calmed down. He unlocked his cabin and let me come in. He handed me a glass of water. Sitting on the bed, trying to figure this out.
He sat in front of me. "Annabeth." He said, as I out my glass down. "You've grown, so much." He touched my cheek and I felt a pang as I remembered his touch. "Did you figure out what you wanted to do?" He asked.
"I'm studying architecture." I said. "You know, you changed me. After you left I set my priorities straight. I learnt how much I love architecture and I started talking to my family again." He smiled.
"I missed you." He said, cupping my cheek. He leaned in and kissed me. I returned it, cupping his cheek. He kissed me, and I felt something mend in me.
In the later afternoon, we lay on his bed, his chest against my back and his arm slung over my waist. "Annabeth, I want my parents to meet you." He said. I felt my heart stop a little. I turned in his arms.
"Percy, are you mad?" I asked. "Your mother won't like me. I'm not like your family, who are all wealthy." He shook his head. "My dad is very wealthy. My mom still gets money from him though. She's married to my step dad, Paul and they are very level headed." He explained.
I bit my lip and he chuckled. "You're cute when you do that." He said, kissing my jaw line. "Please Annabeth. I've told them so much about you." He said. I smirked and said, "I'm not even your girlfriend. I'm just a friend, with a small benefit."
He smirked. "Fine, you can come as my friend." He said. He leaned in to kiss me but I stopped his lips with my finger. "Which means you won't be allowed to kiss me and hugs are only allowed to be two seconds long." I said.
He was quite for a bit then sighed. "Okay," he said. "I'm going to have to make up all the missed kissing time now then." He said, while smiling and then kissed me. I smiled against his lips, cupping his cheek.