"Annabeth!" Percy cried, running towards her with his arms outstretched.
"Percy," she smiled and hugged him. "Oh, it's been so long…"
"I know, I know! I'm so sorry. You went to boarding school so I didn't really see you! That's all going to change, this summer you are getting my undivided attention," he smiled. Annabeth smiled awkwardly, but before she could be reduced to tears again Nico broke the silence.
"Well I hope it's a little bit divided!" He walked up to Percy.
"Hey, man!" Percy clasped Nico's hand. "How's it been?"
"Pretty good, pretty good," Nico said. Percy noticed how much older he looked. He had grown tall, and rather good looking with sweeping black hair and dark, majestic-looking eyes. Percy bet he had gotten tons of girl action with his looks. "So listen. At the new Hades cabin we're gonna be having a poker tournament around 9:30. Should I leave a seat for you?"
"Definetely! Wait, no, I want to spend some time with my girl first." He smiled at Annabeth, who returned it with that same awkward smile.
Nico looked from Annabeth to Percy. "Oh, yea I mean that's cool, but you've got 6 hours before it starts. Think about it, ok?" He walked towards the cabins. The number of cabins had about doubled since last summer, and so had the number of campers.
"Let's head down to the beach." Percy said, holding Annabeth's hand.
At the Beach
They walked along the shore barefoot, letting a slight breeze run through their hair, but it was mostly quiet.
"Hey, Annabeth," Percy stopped walking. Annabeth turned to look at him.
"Yes?"
"What's going on? You haven't been very close to me the whole time has been here. Is something wrong?"
"Um… no. Well, yes…" Annabeth took a deep breath. "Percy, there is something I have to tell you…" Right then the conch shell blew- time for dinner.
"Hey, you can tell me later. Let's head up to the Dining Pavilion." Percy walked off into the woods separating the beach from the camp. Annabeth followed, but at a slight distance. Her mind was whirling, saying 'How do I say it? How?'
"Come on, slow poke." Percy laughed, running back to Annabeth.
"Oh my gods…" Annabeth ran from Percy, doubled over in front of a bush and threw up.
"Annabeth!" Percy ran to her. "I'll go get Chiron!"
"No, I'm fine Percy, I can manage." She stood up shakily.
"Here, let me at least take you to Chiron." Percy whistled as loud as he could, and sure enough in a few seconds a large figure was circling down.
"Hey Boss!" Black Jack, the Pegasus, said.
"Black Jack, take Annabeth up to Chiron. I'll be right behind you."
"Sure thing, boss." Black Jack lowered down to let Annabeth on. She got on and held tight to his neck as he flew up and towards the Big House. Percy started to run towards the Big House too.
At the Big House
"She's fine." Chiron said. "It's normal for a girl going through what she is."
"Wait, what is she going through?" Percy said, curiously.
"Oh, um," Chiron looked at Annabeth, who was urgently shaking her head. "Just, you know, that time of the month again I guess."
"Oh… haha, sorry for freaking out Annabeth. I just really like you, you know that." Percy said, and he sat down next to her.
Annabeth sighed. "Chiron, can you… can you give us a moment?"
"Sure," he trotted out of the room, down towards the Dining Pavilion where everyone had started to eat dinner.
"Annabeth, what is it?" Percy said, looking into her eyes.
She sighed again. "Percy, there is something I have to tell you…"
