Chapter 1
"All students of year 12 please come for an announcement to the gym!" booms a female voice through the speakers in every classroom.
"Great! No break for us, AGAIN!" Percy mutters into his nonexistent beard, sitting next to me. I hustle him lightly into his side. "Now, don't be such a baby. How long can it take? There cannot be much left to tell after the last three thousand meetings. Am I right?"
I try to sound confident, but I'm pretty sure that there won't be any break for us and that the meeting will probably take another fifteen minutes or more of the next period. Though I'd rather attend the German lesson to ask about the assignment next week. Frankly, I don't want to get a bad mark in the first test of the year.
"Huhu, earth to Annabeth!" Thalia waves her hands in front of my face. "What?" "Jeez, Beth. I can't believe how fast you are somewhere else in your thoughts. Don't you think Mr. Brunner notices that you're not really here?"
"Eh, sure… but in fact I was thinking about school, so he can't be mad." I'm not completely back in class but I attentively watch the blackboard until Thalia distracts me again, pricking me in the side.
"So, what do you think the assembly will be about? It's because I don't want to spend another break discussing the decoration for the school's Christmas concert. That's none of my business."
Thals is not really a fan of the school's musical activities since they do not play Linkin Park or Green Day. But I'm really not in the mood to hear everybody complaining about this stupid meeting. After all it's definitely not MY fault. So I say the only thing that pops into my mind to change the subject.
"What's the matter with guys today, anyway? Percy is also grumpy about the meeting. What is it today? Day of the unhappies, and why did nobody tell me?"
I look at Freddy making sure he didn't hear anything but he just sat there chin in his hand and looking like he would fall of the chair every moment. But that's not unusual. You could say that history is not really one of Percy's favorite subjects. It will never change, I guess. When I look back to Thalia I see her rolling her eyes.
"What is it now?" by now I'm really a bit annoyed.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering why you always make sure that Percy does not get angry at you."
„Gosh, Thals. He's my best friend. That's why I don't want him to think I joke about him without him knowing! I do not want YOU to think this either, because you are my best friend, too. So, what's the big deal?"
"Okay, okay. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just wondering… ah… forget it! Let's listen the last five minutes before the break."
I'm still looking at her a bit annoyed but I take her as an example and try to concentrate on history.
When the bell rings, I turn to Percy and motion him to wait so that I can ask Thalia:
"Do we go together or do you have to wait for Nico and Grover again?"
She always waits for those two so it's not surprising when she says:
"I don't HAVE to wait for them but I WILL wait for them because I WANT to! You're going with Percy anyway or am I wrong?"
"Eh, no. I mean, sure I'm going with Percy but we could've gone with three or five."
"Okay. But thinking about it: Grover and Nico had a free period, I think. So, I'll go with you two. Okay?"
" 'kay."
I mean, not that I wouldn't have wanted to go alone with Percy but lately Thalia acts strange when she sees us together alone. So actually, I'm kind of glad that we walk all three of us together through the school.
None of us really wants to go to the meeting. But what else can we do?
When we arrive there are only a few people but nearly all the places on the couch are occupied – except for two. Each next to Grover and Nico. Great! Thalia, Percy and I share a short look and run towards the two free seats and like always the others are faster than me. So I stand there, looking like an idiot while Percy and Thalia have to hold their stomachs from laughing, like ALWAYS. Today is not an exception. I act like I was huffy for that they stop laughing and it actually works.
Thalia looks at me: "Oh come on, Annabeth. Don't pout. Next time, you can sit on the couch while one of us is standing."
I huff and see Percy trying to hide a smirk. Oh no, what does he plan? I know this look and normally it does not mean something good.
"You can sit on my lap, if you want to."
I knew he had a stupid idea.
"No thanks. It's okay."
I'm not sure whether I want to sit on his lap or not because it's a bit embarrassing but I have no chance to think about it for exactly in this moment Percy pulls at my arm and a land on his legs. He puts his arms around my stomach and lays his chin on my shoulder.
"Now, it's not as uncomfortable as it seems, is it?"
"Eh… yeah", I can feel that I'm blushing and looking towards the others I see the boys looking discretely out of the window and Ann raising an eyebrow, a questioning look on her face. I don't know how to react so I just roll my eyes trying to tell her: It's not my fault that he's so weird! Certainly, I don't think she got it because she still looks skeptical. But what shall I do? Firstly, there is no other good place and secondly I quite enjoy sitting on Percy's lap. And as his best friend it should be allowed for me. I mean, it's not like we've never touched each other before. Even though I have to admit that I've never sat in his lap until now. But I had to take the opportunity. So I turn my head to ask Percy if I'm too heavy.
"Why would you be too heavy? Besides, I wouldn't have asked you to sit here, if I was not okay with it. So, please, do not think so much!"
I smile and he lays his head back on my shoulder.