You know those stories you came up with forever ago that you just forgot about one day, only to brush the dust off of them accidentally one day a few years later? Yeah, well this is my example. I found this story that I wrote a few years back. It was covered in virtual cobwebs, and had errors all over, BUT I've tried to brush most of them off. I'm SUPER BAD AT ANYTHING TO DO WITH WRITING, but I love coming up with the stories! I would like to share this one with you guys, if only to see if you would like to read it.
*I own nothing that the genius mind of Rick Riordan created. I only adore his characters, and find them at the center of my stories regularly!*
Chapter 1
-Thursday 10pm-
"Bye guys..." I said quietly to myself as I waved at the tail lights growing more and more faint in the night sky. I wouldn't see my family for a while. They live in California and as of now I live somewhere in Texas- East Texas. I don't know where just yet, and I don't know what exactly I was thinking moving here, but I'm sure it has a little to do with the fact that I don't want to be a lawyer like my family wants me to be! I want to be an architect, and I've always wanted to build something permanent...and, like, really big. Plus, you know what they say, "Everything is bigger in Texas!" The humidity is killer, and really I don't see how I'm going to make it in this heat! But- I told my step-mom that I would succeed here, and I will prove her wrong. I will not, and I quote, "fail miserably and come crawling back to law school". Seriously, what kind of mother (biological or not) would say something so horrible!? But no matter, they said that as long as I have a job, and pay my own living expenses, then they will pay for whatever college I decide on! So, as soon as I get all of those necessities straightened out, I'll be free to pick and choose where I'm going.
I turn around to my "brand new" 1992 grey, single cab ford pickup truck that my dad bought used off this old guy we met on the way down. It smells like horse feed and wet dog in the cab, and there's a mysterious stain on the passenger side seat. Weirdly enough, I love it! Unfortunately, it's been almost nothing but trouble since dad shook the strange old man's hand and got the keys… Although, it's been behaving for the last 300 miles, so I have a little hope! I opened the passenger door, got out my overnight bag, and headed to room 73 at the Holiday Inn Motel for the night.
-Friday 1:55pm-
Well, my second day started fantastically, blue skies and a cool breeze- windows down to enjoy the fresh air, but after 6 hours of driving my poor truck started sputtering along, and died on the side of the road. I had just passed the sign saying "WELCOME TO GOODE". I gripped the steering wheel and cursed under my breath. I leaned back and sighed. Getting out of the truck I panicked for a second, remembering where I was, and that I didn't know anyone here that I could call on for help. I got out my phone and asked Siri to find the closest towing company. When I saw the result I laughed. Big 3 Towing and Re-stowing. I dialed the number and listened to it ring a few times.
"Hello! This is Zeus speaking, how may I help you?" a deep voice asked.
I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding before replying awkwardly, "Hi, um, I'm in the need of a little help…my truck died on the side of the road and I need a tow...and I don't know really what "re-stowing" means but if it means that you fix what's wrong, then that would be awesome, too!"
A low, powerful laugh sounded and he responded with, "Yes indeed, that's what it means little lady! Tell me where you are, or rather what's around you and we'll have you up and running again in no time!"
Relief flooded me. "Oh, THANK YOU! I'm on the side of south loop 380 right next to the 'Inland Seaside Diner'?"
"I know exactly where you are ma'am. In fact, my brother owns the diner! It'll be about a 30 minute wait, so if you'd like you can go on in and ask for Sally- tell 'er Z sent you, and she'll hook you up!" he said kindly.
I smiled at the southern hospitality I was so foreign to, thanked him, and hung up. I looked over at the diner in confusion. 'Inland Seaside Diner' I thought with a laugh...such a peculiar name. I shrugged 'Oh whale' (hah! See what I did there?) Laughing to myself, I made my way over to the entrance. Upon walking in, I noticed it was a cool little building with low ceilings, and slate rock walls with seashells, nets, and other ocean themed decorations covering the walls. I stood at the 'Please, wait to be seated' sign for a moment before a girl who looked around my age with spiky black hair, fierce electric blue eyes, a punk rock t-shirt with black skinny jeans, and a black apron walked up.
"Hi, my name is Thalia, table for one?"
"Ummm...actually, I'm here to see Sally?" I said, sounding slightly confused.
She raised an eyebrow, "She left to run an errand, anything I can help to with?"
"I don't really know." I laughed nervously, "I was just told by a guy named Zeus to tell Sally that 'Z' sent me..."
She smiled and nodded, as if I had solved a puzzle for her, "Ahh, I see. Zeus is my dad! You must be the truck out by the road he's coming to tow!"
I felt relieved for some reason, "Yep that's me!"
"Cool! Let me get you a drink or somethin while you wait, sit where ever you want- it's on the house!" I nodded slowly, and started walking to a booth.
"Oh, not that one!" she said quickly. I stopped momentarily, and turned to another table. "Mmm, That one either."
I frowned and turned around to glare at her only to see her smiling face. "Where would you like me to sit?" I asked, irritation dripping off my words. She smirked, and beckoned for me to follow her. She walked us back to the back, into the kitchen, and sat down at a small table pointing at the empty chair across from her. She got a smug look on her face as I stared at her. Slightly annoyed, I sat down.
She laughed and said "Oh, cheer up it's not that bad! So anyways, what's your name?"
I rolled my eyes, and tried to hide the smile that was forming against my will, "Annabeth."
She smiled and said with a laugh, "Alright, Annabeth, whatcha want to drink?"
"Coke…?" I said without hesitating, but in the end ended it as a question when I watched her face morph from a smile to a look of disgust.
"Have you ever had a Dr Pepper?" she asked pointedly.
"I've never actually tried it, but I'm sure I'd love to try one if you'd like me to!" I chuckled nervously.
She stood up with the same gruesome face and went to get me the Dr Pepper. When she came back, she watched my every move as I pulled the wrapper off the straw, and went to take a sip. I'll be honest, it was pretty good, but I kept a straight face. I looked at Thalia and she looked back at me expectantly. I slowly let my mouth form into a smile and nodded, "Ok." I said, "Fair enough".
She laughed and stuck out her hand, "Thalia Grace, age 21".
I put my hand in hers and said in a deep fake voice, "Chase, Annabeth Chase," she laughed and shook my hand as I said, "I just moved here from Northern California. I'm passing through towns until I find a place that I want to stay. You wouldn't by chance know of anywhere around here that a 19 year old could work/live would you?".
She perked up and went to respond when a woman's voice called loudly from the lobby, "THALIA! There's a customer waiting on you!"
Thalia paled and whispered to me, "Sally is the sweetest person on the planet, until she gets mad. I'll be back in a jiffy!" She hurried off and yelled back at Sally, "SALLY, ANNABETH. ANNABETH, SALLY!"
I smiled, and shook my head in disbelief as she bounded away. A woman in her 40's with wavy brown hair, and what looked like a permanent smile wrinkle, walked in carrying some boxes and huffed at me, smiling, "That girl is more trouble than she's worth! Annabeth I take it?" she said. I nodded, slightly intrigued by the feeling of comfort her motherly voice brought.
"So what's your story? You must have one it you're sitting back here!" she moved to sit in Thalia's empty chair.
"Well, basically, my truck broke down right outside, and a guy named Zeus told me to come find you, but Thalia found me first!"
"Ahhh, I see! Well, are you just passing through?"
"Well, that depends on what I can find in this town! I just moved down from California, and I'm looking for a job and a place to live for a while... Once I get on my feet, I hope to go to college, and study to become an Architect."
She was looking at me thoughtfully, and a small smile danced on her lips.
"How old are you?" she questioned.
"19?" I replied, unsure.
"Have you ever had any waiting experience?" she asked somewhat quickly with a hushed, whisper voice.
I answered back in an equally whispered tone, "From the time I was 16 until I moved here, I worked at a restaurant called, The Gateway as a waitress?"
"Ok, Annabeth, here's the deal. You can have a job right here, right now, AND if you'd like- my family lives a few miles down the road. We have a big house, three stories, one for me and my husband Poseidon, and the others for our sons, Percy and Tyson. The two upper stories are basically just exactly like two apartments. They pay rent and bills exactly like you would anywhere, but it's family, ya know? So we make a few exceptions and what not. Well anyways, Tyson moved out to join the navy a few months back and the top floor is vacant. It's open for you- if you'd like. You can stay there tonight so you aren't having to pay for a hotel, and if you don't like it then you can up and go on about your way, no hard feelings. What do you say?"
My jaw had dropped and I was struggling to take it all in, "Just like that? But, you don't even know me?"
She just smiled and said, "Around here, we have a sense of character, and you've passed mine, Thalia's, and Z's without any problems! Honey, I don't need to know you!" I was overwhelmed and just nodded my head in thanks.
Just then Thalia walked in and looked back and forth between us, "I missed something didn't I?"
"So, is that a yes?" Sally said as she put her hand out.
I shook it.
She looked over at Thalia and said, "Welcome your new coworker!" Then to me said, "I'll give you a few days to settle in and when you feel like it, you can come down here, hang out, and get a feel for the ropes! Ok?" I nodded, "Thank you. Thank you, so much!"
What did you think? I'd love to hear some thoughts on it!
Review or not, if you got this far, I appreciate it. Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for chapter two.
~skychaseing