"Come on Piper," Annabeth said as she surfaced, "I thought I saw a green sea turtle swim behind that rock over there."

Piper sighed, "I know you wanted to see all the animals on your list Annabeth, but we've been snorkeling for hours. I'm not even sure we're supposed to be in these waters."

Annabeth waved her off, "Don't worry I did all my research before coming on this trip. I know exactly what to do if we're carried away by a rip current, which we won't be because I also read up on how to spot them. Where we are is perfectly safe." She knew Piper worried, but Annabeth trusted the knowledge she had of the ocean. Piper had warned her many times before that she can get too cocky, but since Annabeth was rarely wrong she didn't care if she offended anyone. "The sea turtle is the last thing on the list. I can't go back to the hotel now. Once I finally see one, then we can head back."

"Alright, fine." Piper relented "When we're done I want tacos for dinner." She then disappeared beneath the waves. Annabeth followed after her swimming ahead to show Piper where she thought she saw that sea turtle. Just a bit past this rock an- There it is!Annabeth stopped, unclipped the underwater camera attached to her waist and brought it up to her eye. She got a couple shots before the turtle noticed her and swam away. By the time Piper caught up to her, the elusive turtle was gone. Annabeth gave Piper thumbs up underwater to let her know she got her picture. Piper grinned and swam up for air.

When Annabeth broke the surface of the water, Piper was already making her way toward the shore. Piper threw a look at Annabeth over her shoulder and yelled, "Come on I'm starving!" Annabeth grinned, but before she could respond, a surfer sped past Piper almost running her over. The surfer didn't seem to notice even when Piper squealed in surprise. He kept following the wave coming closer and closer to Annabeth.

"HEY!" Annabeth waved her arms, "You almost ran over my friend you ass!" Her shout seemed to catch him off guard and he lost his balance tumbling into the water. Annabeth glanced at Piper whose eyes were still wide in surprise.

"Why'd you do that?" Piper said swimming over, "He didn't actually hurt me."

"Yeah but he could have! People need to be more careful when snorkelers are around. It's not my responsibility to watch ou-" Annabeth was cut off when the black haired surfer came spluttering to the surface. He reached out for his board and stared at Annabeth incredulous.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" He practically yelled.

Annabeth scoffed, "You almost ran over my friend. You could have really hurt her and I don't think it's very responsible of you to be surfing without being on the lookou-"

"Whoa whoa, slow down." His hands were held out in front of him and he glanced over at Piper, "If I really did almost run you over, I'm sorry, but what are two snorkelers doing in these waters anyway? No one is allowed over here."

Piper looked at Annabeth, "See! I told you we shouldn't have come this way."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "I think I'd know if these waters were off limits. Besides if you say this beach isn't open for the public, what are you doing surfing here?"

He seemed taken aback. "Uh, I've lived her for 4 years. I know these beaches as well as the back of my hand and this beach isn't dangerous to those who know what they're doing."

Annabeth was ready to set this guy straight when another surfer, this one blonde, stopped besides Piper, "What's the problem?"

Annabeth noticed Piper eye the new guy up as she said, "These two are all huffed because your friend here-"

The dark haired surfer interrupted, "Percy, my name's Percy."

"Your friend Percy" Piper gestured toward him, "Almost ran me over, I'm fine though, and my friend, Annabeth, is overreacting about the whole situation."

Percy smirked as he floated beside his board. "See? There's no problem here. Nice meeting you two and have a great day." Could this guy get anymore smug? Annabeth was furious that he was waving this off so easily. As he started to get up on his board she grabbed the side of it stopping him.

"Oh no. We are not done." She glared at him across the surfboard. "Regardless of whether or not this beach is restricted, you need to be conscious of your surroundings or next time you will hurt someone."

"Are you lecturing me?" He stared back at her, eyes wide. "Are you so full of yourself that have to prove you're right even to a complete stranger?"

Offended, Annabeth said, "Well is your brain so full of seaweed that you can't even recognize when you're wrong?"

Piper swam up and put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder, "Guys calm down. You're blowing this out of proportion."

Percy and Annabeth snapped at her, "Stay out of this!"

"Ooooooookay then," Piper said as she backed away. She turned and looked at Percy's friend. He shrugged not knowing what to say. Annabeth knew Piper hated it when she got this way, but she just had to prove her point to this idiot. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Piper and Blonde surfer guy started having a conversation of their own. She couldn't hear what they were saying because Percy had started babbling again.

The next 10 minutes were kind of a blur to Annabeth. She doesn't remember much of the argument past Piper trying to intervene since the insults started to blend together after that. She did however remember how much he infuriated her. Annabeth had never met someone this aggravating, this stubborn. Most people let Annabeth win arguments because it was obvious that she was always right. Or maybe it was because she intimated them. She had trouble telling the difference between the two. Unlike everyone else though, Percy just wouldn't give up, or shut up for that matter. It was in the middle of Percy waving his hands around angrily that Annabeth finally looked around.

"Where did Piper and your friend go?" Annabeth scanned the water looking for them. Percy's eyebrows furrowed as he too searched for their friends.

When he faced Annabeth, his eyes were panicked as he said, "More importantly, where did the shoreline go?" Annabeth noticed his chest started to move up and down as he took in fast anxious breaths. She looked around again and saw that which she overlooked the first time. She and Percy were surrounded on all sides by the ocean with no land in sight. This time when they're eyes met, both of their anger was replaced with fear.