We can't be Peter Pan. No matter how much we try.
Prologue
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
It was a common question. Everyone is asked this question at least once in their youth. A question asked by every teacher, every parent and every adult in the history of adults. A question Percy had heard many times. But he still couldn't answer it properly.
"Uh, what do you want to be?" he responded nervously.
Annabeth smiled giddily at this. She had hoped that he would ask her. "Me? There's only one thing I want to do when I grow up."
"What?" Percy asked curiously. The two lay on separate bean bags, the only light in the room provided by a candle kept in the corner. A few rays of moonlight leaked through the crevices of the tree house window, illuminating strips of the wooden floor.
"An architect," Annabeth replied, biting her lip to hide her smile. "A professional architect."
"Like your mom?"
"Yeah," Annabeth said. "Only one difference. My mom became an architect because my grandpa forced her to. I want to be an architect for myself. It seems so cool! Building those buildings, so tall and condescending."
"Uh…"
"It means 'freighting from superiority,'" Annabeth quickly added. Percy blushed, rubbing his neck. He appreciated the fact that Annabeth understood his ignorance. Everyone else would make fun of him or push him too far. Annabeth waited. She helped. She supported. Percy liked that about her.
"I mean, imagine drawing those blueprints! And then suddenly it's a real thing? That's crazy. When I'm older, I'm going to design a something so grand, it'll be as amazing as the Parthenon in Greece. I'll be in history books! People will remember the name Annabeth Chase. If only I'd grow up faster!"
Annabeth didn't realize the tears welling up in Percy's eyes till they were flowing furiously down his face. She stopped talking, watching him with concern. "Hey, Seaweed Brain. What's wrong?"
Percy wiped his tears quickly, gulping down the heat that filled his head. "Nothing. Keep talking." Annabeth waited, knowing something was definitely wrong. Percy didn't cry for no reason. They both stared at each other, waiting for the other to speak. Percy had a pained expression on his face, like he didn't want to say anything. But finally, he let out a long breath.
"I'm scared, Wise Girl," Percy said. "I don't want to grow up. I want to stay like this forever. I don't want to be an adult."
Annabeth dropped her jaw, almost falling off her bean bag chair. "What? Why? Being an adult is awesome! Do whatever, whenever!"
"Yeah, but being a kid is so easy!" Percy responded. "Being an adult, that's scary. So scary."
Annabeth crawled over on her knees, coming to lay on the bean bag Percy occupied. Percy moved over slightly, adjusting to give her space as she settled next to him. "I know it sounds scary, but Percy, it's life. You'll get over it."
Percy let out a new wave of tears he'd been holding in. "But I don't want to! When we grow up, you'll be an adult and I'll be an adult and we won't be friends anymore!"
Annabeth looked up at him confused. "What? Why would you think that?"
Percy sniffed, wiping his eyes with his sleeves. "No one stays friends forever. You're going to be an architect. You'll go ahead of me. Leave me behind. By myself."
Annabeth shook her head, giving Percy a tight hug. "This is why you're a Seaweed Brain. I'm never going to leave you. You're not getting rid of me so easily."
Percy looked up at her, green eyes glistening from fresh tears. "Really?" Annabeth nodded. "Promise?" He held out his pinky.
Annabeth smiled, locking her pinky with his.
"Promise."