Hey, guys. :) So sorry I haven't updated in ages, I've been so busy! School holidays are finally here, so I have heaps more time to update and write new stories. :) Anyway, here's Chapter 3 of "Bless the Broken Road". I noticed all those reviews you guys have been posting: thank you so much! It's really nice to read about what you guys think of my writing. So, I hope you enjoy Chapter 3. And please, use the review button at the bottom of the page and tell me what you think! :)
OliviaOwl14 :)
Chapter 3
Annabeth struggled with the bags of takeout food whilst making her way to the back room. Once again, she'd been unable to resist the lure of listening to Percy's music. Only this time, she'd decided that since he was being so nice and letting her listen in, she'd bring him some food in return.
She juggled between balancing two boxes of fries on top of the two double burgers she'd ordered and navigating her way between rows of books.
Finally, she arrived at the back room. Strains of the same song drifted out from under the door, and she leant against it, closing her eyes and forgetting everything else.
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Yeah.
When her arms began to ache, she gave up on listening and awkwardly tapped on the door with her elbow. The door was yanked open.
"Oh my God, you are an angel," Percy declared, taking a box of fries and a burger from her.
Annabeth laughed. "Yeah, well, there's more where that came from, baby," she replied, grinning.
For about five minutes, there was silence, apart from the sounds of Annabeth and Percy making their way through their collection of junk food.
"So, um, Annabeth..." Percy mumbled through a mouthful of food. "Have you got a boyfriend?" Annabeth nearly choked. Reaching blindly for water, she managed to say, "What?" She swallowed the water carefully.
Percy shifted, putting down his half-eaten burger. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Um, no, why do you ask?" Annabeth asked, confused.
Percy shifted again. "Well, I was wondering... Did you want to go out on Saturday?" Annabeth mentally ran through her schedule. Thursday, Friday... Two days until Saturday... Movies with Hazel, Piper and Reyna on Friday night... But otherwise, nothing on.
"Um, sure," she replied, silently cursing herself for saying 'um' twice. "Yeah, sure," she added, silently cursing herself again for saying 'sure' twice.
"Cool," Percy smiled, picking up his half-eaten burger and taking a bite.
Annabeth felt nerves swirl in her stomach as she stared at the burger she was holding. She had a date. With Percy Jackson.
"Ugh!" Annabeth threw yet another dress on to her bed.
Her entire room was covered in clothes. Sweaters were hanging off of the back of her desk chair. Jeans and skirts covered the floor. A sock hung from the lamp (Annabeth had no idea how it had gotten there). Dresses covered her quilt and pillows.
"Why, tonight of all nights, do I have nothing to wear?" she moaned to her reflection. A knock sounded on her door.
"Annie?" It was her dad.
She opened the door. "Dad?"
He smiled at her. "Hey, kiddo." He held out his arms. A blue fabric was draped over them. "I thought you might be having a 'fashion brain freeze', or something similar."
Annabeth grinned, hugging him. "Thanks, Dad." She took the dress. He mock-saluted her and went downstairs. She shut the door.
Five minutes later, the clock ticked over to seven o'clock. Annabeth was just applying a final coat of lip gloss when her dad called up the stairs, "A boy who says he's here to pick you up is here!"
She ran down the stairs, slinging her bag over her arm as she did so. "Hey!"
Percy grinned at her. "Hey. Ready to go?"
"Yup." She kissed her dad on the cheek. "Bye, Dad."
He grinned at her. "You kids have fun. Curfew's at eleven, okay?" Annabeth rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Okay."
Percy led her outside. "Now, this –" Percy leant on the hood of a blue Prius. "Is my baby."
"Your baby?" Annabeth raised her eyebrows.
"Well, my mum's boyfriend's baby," Percy conceded. He pulled the passenger door open.
Annabeth grinned and slid inside.
