Chp 1
Annabeth's POV

I stared aimlessly out the cafe window. Was this really where it ends? Am I going to start feeling sorry for myself now? I never thought after this long, I would start to fall apart, mentally, now. I can't do this by myself. I've coped the past seven years, but I can't anymore.

I'm shocked out of my day dream by some sitting down at my booth. I look at the face and I feel the gears in my head turn, my stomach churn, and my heart yearn. (That rhymed! Awesome!) The face I knew so well, the I shared kisses with, and told secrets to. Whom I loved so much and deep down still wish what happened never did.

" Percy?" I ask. He smiles, his same old lop sided grin I haven't seen for the oats eleven years, his green eyes shine like they used to and his black hair flops in every way possible but it looks breathtaking all the same. "Annabeth, you look great." He says.

I blink a couple times and start to make sure I don't drop my guard completely. "You don't look too bad yourself." I said, returning a half smile. He let's out a sigh. "Can I buy you a coffee? Maybe we can catch up?" He suggests. "You don't have to, it's fine." I say, but he says "Please, don't be silly. I'll be back in a second." And he's up and ordering a coffee at the counter.

I look at his back profile. He's still tall, slim, still built but not bulky and has that loose composure. I scowl as I look out the window. I know I have to confront a couple things, ask some questions that have been on my mind the day it happened eleven years ago. But I need to see what he's like now, if he's still my same Percy. I shake the thoughts out my head and look out at the road where people are starting to change their clothing to suit the weather of winter.

"Here you go." He said, handing me a cup and sitting down with his own. Our knees brush and I feel that tug in my stomach pull the knot tighter. "So what are you doing these days?" He asked. "Well I studied at NYU and got my masters in architecture. I'm now working for an architecture firm here." I said. He nodded, smiling. "You always did want to do that." He mutters.

"And you?" I asked, taking a sip of the warm coffee. "Ah, I studied marine biology, and I was working in Miami but got a job transfer here. So I'm back home." He said, smiling widely. I felt my heart do jumping jacks. He's back to live here? "That's great, at least you're closer to your mom and Paul." I said.

He nodded. "Yeah." He said, and just looks at me for a bit. I find myself standing back at his eyes, and find he's searching. And I know what for. He's searching for any spark that would say I want him back. And although there is a freaking hole burning in me and I want to burst out saying something, I can't let him back in that easily.

I look down and finish my coffee. "Well thanks for the coffee, but I should get back home." I say, standing up. I give him a nod and walk to the door. I open it and walk out into the cold weather. It's only two blocks from my house so I start walking. But I hear a shout. "Hold on!" I hear Percy saying. I sigh and turn around. He starts to slow down and stops in front of me.

"Hey, can we maybe talk for a bit?" He asks. "I don't know." I said, and turn to start walking again. He grabs my wrist and I stop. He let's go and says, "Please Annabeth, I want to make this right." I turn to him and give him a scowl. "Let me remind you that you're the one who walked out on us. And Percy, that hurt a lot." I said. "Well one of us had to. And you just stood-" He said. "I just stood there watching you pack your things and leave because I was too hurt to do anything!" I said. His face softened. "Annabeth-" he started but I cut in. "Please Percy." I said, looking into his eyes.

"We can try sort this out, but not today. I have a daughter to get home to." I said. He looked a bit shocked. "You're married?" He asked, his voice confused. "No, I'm divorced." I said. He just stood there, staring back at me. I could see he was thinking. "Here's my phone number. Give me a call when you're up to it, maybe we can talk this through." He said. I took the paper and nodded. "Okay. Bye Percy." This time, I knew when I said it it wouldn't be the end of something, but the beginning.