-=+=- Chapter 1 – Annabeth's POV -=+=-
A warm breeze blew past my face as I stood on my balcony. I smiled down at the town below me.
"Annabeth dear!" My mother's voice said from downstairs.
I sighed and tore my eyes away from the beautiful view and I walked back into my room.
I walked through it and opened my door. Stepping into a grand hallway. I walked down the long, grand hallway and down the grand staircase. That's what you get when your mom is ruler of a kingdom. Everything is grand. I have never had a normal life. I have always had the best thing. The most over-the-top dresses. Over-the-top rooms.
I was sick of it sometimes. Other times it was great. If I was sad- just hide in one of the millions of rooms. None the less I walked down the staircase where my mother was waiting at the bottom.
My mother.
Where do I start? She was ruler of the grandest kingdom. Or at least- that's what she says. There are 12 kingdoms. Each belong to some ruler.
I was daughter of Athena. Yay...
"Where have you been?!" My mother yelled at me when I got to the bottom of the staircase.
"In my room," I said calmly.
"I have been looking all over for you!" Athena barked at me.
"When you say 'I' do you mean the maids?" I murmured under my breath.
"Excuse me young lady! You know I don't like the murmuring!"
"That's the point," I murmured. A bit back a smirk.
Athena sighed, her shoulders slumped a bit. "Look, I have a trip. I must-"
"You must go to Zeus's kingdom for a week and have a reunion with the other kings and queens. You won't be back until 3 days from now. I know mother." I said looking up at her.
A small smiled came across her face. "Lucy will take care of you, I love you Annabeth. Don't do anything I wouldn't do" She then kissed my forehead and then walked out the grand front door, her personal assistants hurrying behind her.
I watched as the front door closed and waited about 5 minutes.
I rushed over to the front door and opened it. I took a peak outside and saw that it was clear. I ran outside, making sure to close the door behind me. I rushed through the town, the townsfolk moved out of my way as I ran to the edge of the town. I stopped at the white, clean wall the surrounded the town.
I hesitated.
I never hesitated. I had done this millions of times before. So why did I have a feeling that when I got back I would be...different?
I waited a second then ran past the white border.
-=+=- Percy's POV -=+=-
I waited by the front door. I was waiting for my father. Poseidon.
Poseidon.
Where do I start?
He is probably the best father ever. Ruler of the greatest kingdom by the sea. Years ago, he met my mother- Sally. He had fallen in love with her and had me just 2 years later. I was waiting for my dad because he was leaving to go to a reunion with the other kings and queens.
I would usually come with him but I decided not to this time. It was every solicits. The summer solicits was tomorrow, he left early, as always.
Finally, after waiting 10 minutes, my father came into view. He walked down from the stairs and walked up to me. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me? I might lonely..." He said while pulling me into a hug.
"I'm sure you won't be lonely. Plus, I have some stuff going on..." I said pulling out of the hug.
"OK"
He smiled at me and then left.
I waited until he was gone then I rushed out of the palace. I made my way out of the small town and slowly walked through the forest close to the town. Now, why would I go to the forest instead of the beach?
Well, you see, there is a secret lake deep in the forest. Nobody really knows about it. Most people don't care or just forgot. But not me. I remember when I was younger my mother telling me stories that there was a magical secret lake in the forest and it could heal almost anything.
I asked her if it was real, she said no but as soon as I was allowed out of the border walls, I searched for the hidden lake. It took a while but I eventually found it. Now, I knew the path like the back of my hand.
I went there in most of my free time. It was so calm and relaxing.
I slowly walked to it, something was off. The air wasn't the same. I felt like there was another person there...
I hide behind a tree and slowly moved my head out.
Phew.
No one was there. I smiled and came out from behind the tree. I got into my bathing suit. The lake was my favorite place. Even though it sounds tacky. A magical lake? Please.
The water was crystal clear. The bottom of the lake had so many rocks and nick-knacks. I dove in and swam all the way to the bottom. I loved to just stay underwater.
I was sitting at the bottom of the lake on a rock when the water above me rippled. My head shot up and I sawm up to the surface.
I popped my head out and looked around. Nothing was there that could have made the water ripple.
I nearly shot out of the water- a girl came out from behind a bush. She didn't seem to notice me, which was odd.
She had curly princess-blonde hair. She was wearing a simple pale-blue dress. She was barefoot, but it didn't seem to bother her. After a few seconds of looking at the girl her head shot to me. She had stormy gray eyes. "Who the hell are you?!" She screamed, jumping back a bit.
I slowly got out of the lake, making sure to get out on the other side. "Who are you?!" I replied- not sure what else to say. She was silent for a second then a of disgust came on her face," were you watching me change?!"
"WHAT?! No, I swear! I saw a ripple in the water then came up! Just- no I didn't see or watch you change! Now, answer me, who the heck are you?"
"Why should I trust you?"
She had a point.
"I'm Percy."
Her gray eyes lingered on me, "Annabeth."
Annabeth.
The name sounded familiar. It hit me so sudden I stumbled. "Annabeth? As in, Athena's daughter?"
"Yes," she said slowly, "do I know you?"
"It's me. Percy? Remember? From the reunions? We met before."
It was like I could see her thinking. We had met one reunion, only one time. She probably didn't remember me. We didn't really get to know each other- we only said hi before getting dragged away from each other. Something about a feud between our parents.
"Poseidon's son? Oh, dear gods. We aren't supposed to meet. I- my mother hates your fathers gut."
"Why?" I asked stupidly.
"You really don't know? Look, just don't come near me. My mother will kill me. OK?" It sounded as if she was scared. Her eyes were wide.
"…"
"I have to go," she said quietly.
"You don't have to," I blurted out. Gods, what was wrong with me? She obviously didn't want to be near me. She stiffened.
"Promise you won't tell anyone about anything here," she said before taking off.
I stood there in disbelieve. Athena's daughter. Wow. I forgot about her. (Even though there wasn't much to remember.) I don't know how long I stood there, lost in thought but eventually the sky darkened and I headed back to the beach. Closing the door to my room, I knew I wouldn't get much sleep that night. Those gray eyes stuck in my head.