I hummed as I browsed the bookshelf marvelling at how many there were. True crime to murder mystery to Syfy to mythology. There seemed to be an abundance of this particular type. Greek especially. Sarah had said that they were all mine and looking at this bookshelf, so full that some had to be slotted side ways over each other in order for them all to fit, I wondered what made me so interested in them. Was I one of those annoying know it all types or did I just harbour an immense love for the wisdom that they gave. Something told me is was the latter. It was like a feeling, a calling as I touched the cracked spines of dozens and dozens of books before stopping over one. It was a soft dusty blue sort of colour with a pretty swirling repeated pattern which was demure and subtle compared with the bold title written in bold shining gold letters. 'Greek Myths: Stories Of The Great Gods And Goddesses.' I smiled and decided on this one, I could imagine it being rather enjoyable in the setting of the sun, sand and sea. Sarah was still asleep as she made it very clear that she, under no circumstances, ever woke up before12:00am on a Weekend. Weekends were very important to her. Poor girl was definitely less than a morning person and having to wake up early for the library shifts really took it out of her. I wrote her a quick note telling her not to worry and that I would be at the beach to catch up on my reading. She would think me immensely strange, no doubt for waking up at a time like this but I seemed to just naturally be an early riser, a notion Sarah found verging on the cusp of insanity.
After writing the note I stuck it to the fridge with a magnet in the shape of an S and left to walk the short distance from mine and Sarah's house to my favourite spot on the beach. It was one of those glorious early mornings again with the sun glinting prettily off of the waves as it rose, I had been reading for quite some time now and was currently on the passage about Poseidon, the God of the sea. I had been so completely and utterly enthralled with my book that I almost didn't notice as someone sat beside me. I turned, wondering if by some miracle Sarah had decided to do as she so vehemently refused to do and wake up early on a weekend. But it was not Sarah who sat beside me now. It was him. It was Peter. I looked up at him, into his ocean eyes and my heart actually stuttered. Snap out of it Annabeth, I thought to myself. I didn't seriously have a crush on some random guy I had only just met on one occasion before this did I?
"Annabeth," he greeted "I haven't seen you here in a while."
"Does that mean you've been looking for me?" I questioned, only just managing not to cringe at how unintentionally flirtatious I had sounded. He chuckled that low rumbling chuckle again and I hadn't realised until then how much I had wanted to hear it again. His eyes moved from mine to glance at the book in my hands before returning his gaze back to me, one of his eyebrows quirked questioningly.
"Greek mythology, rather uncommon for a girl of your age Annabeth, has it always been an interest of yours?"
"I don't know" I replied before I could stop myself, inwardly screaming at my stupidity. Great. Now I'll have to tell him that I barely even know myself anymore.
"You don't know?" He asked, curiosity evident in his eyes
I gave a small laugh and kept my eyes on the nervous movements of my hands.
"It's a long story" I offered eventually, hoping he wouldn't push any further. Sadly it didn't appear that this wish would be granted.
"I have all day" he returned, showing no sign of backing down until I elaborated on my previous statement
I bit my lip, and shut my eyes contemplating my options. Perhaps I could make something up, although he seemed like the kind of person who'd see through any kind of fabrication. I guess I'd have to tell the truth I realised feeling resigned.
"I have amnesia" I announced finally, eyes still closed as I held my breath for his reaction. Any second now I thought, would come the dreaded pity. The closely knitted brows, the sympathetic eyes, the sickeningly kind words. I had experienced more than enough of those already. But, two seconds turned into five seconds without him uttering a word. I chanced a look at his face and felt the breath leave my body at his expression. It wasn't pitying, it was...curious. He didn't rush to express his 'sincerest apologies' at my predicament, didn't tell me that he understood what I was going through like so many others who clearly didn't understand a thing about my situation. Instead, he actually looked as though he wanted to understand. It was refreshing and I felt my face break into a smile bigger than any I had managed in days.
"What is it?" He smiled, watching me intently
I shook my head, never moving my eyes from his "it's just you," I stated watching as his smile ever so slightly grew "you're one of the few who seems to actually care."
He shifted his gaze, it was his turn to stare at his hands this time but his attempts to hide his face didn't conceal the way he smiled. It made my stomach do weird little flip-flops knowing that I was the cause of such an expression.
"Who's your favourite?" He said suddenly, regaining control of his expression and looking me in the face once again.
"What?" I questioned, confusion evident in my tone at the sudden change in topic, feeling oddly saddened as I realised I had not been quite ready for that moment we'd shared to be over.
He motioned with an incline of his head to the book I was holding.
"Oh" I uttered as realised that he'd meant which which Greek God or Goddess I preferred. "Favourite God or Goddess?" I asked him, admiring every colour in his eyes from the sea green to the ocean blue.
"Both, tell me your favourite Goddess first" he suggested smiling once more
"My favourite Goddess would definitely have to be Athena." I replied
"I thought she would be." His smile was strangely knowing as he said this and I wondered absently why.
"What about your favourite God?" He asked looking towards the sea.
"Ugh, that's a little trickier." I stated following his gaze
He chuckled, turning to look at me again "and why would that be?"
"Well, honestly they all seem like jerks." I answered
"Jerks?" He repeated and to my amusement I noted that he seemed aghast at the notion. "Surely they have some redeeming qualities wouldn't you say?"
"Honestly no. I can't say that they do. I mean Zeus is like the king of jerks, Hades is well...a weirdo and Poseidon, well he just seems to think everything will just be handed to him on a golden platter." I finished, noticing Peter's eyebrows shoot up almost to his hairline.
I laughed at the expression on his face which seemed strangely offended.
"I'm sure there's at least one who isn't such a jerk" he stated, his eyes staring intently into mine "maybe you've just misjudged a strong personality for arrogance."
I took some time to consider my response, trying to formulate an answer that would confirm a sneaking suspicion I had.
"Yeah I guess your right, Zeus doesn't seem so bad and after all he is the king of all them."
My suspicions were confirmed when he all but shrieked the name "Zeus"
"Why don't you just admit that you're all annoyed because your favourite is clearly Poseidon and I'm not agreeing with you" I laughed
He let out a low chuckle as he realised I had just successfully baited him.
"What gave me away?" He asked, eyes on the waves ahead.
"I don't know," I mocked playfully "maybe it's the way you can barely tear your eyes away from the sea" he, realising that he was staring directly at said sea, chuckled again and focused his full attention on my face. His eyes were unwavering as they looked into mine. I grew uncomfortably warm under his gaze to the point where I feared I may actually combust.
"Annabeth," he said after far too long a time of him staring in silence "aren't you an intuitive one."
I had hurriedly told Peter that I'd had to get back to help a friend with something after that little encounter. There was no denying the fact now that I did in fact have a crush on a random guy I had only met on two occasions. This last one being the second. I groaned as I pushed open the door to the house remembering how I'd practically ran away from Peter muttering a quick exuse and his calm expression and ever watchful amused eyes making my cheeks flush an embarrassing shade of scarlet. He probably thought I was a bumbling idiot after that. Sarah had been sitting at the island in the kitchen with a bowl of cerial in front of her, a spoon in one hand and the other leafing through the pages of the latest Vogue magazine. When I'd entered the kitchen she'd looked up, her expression curious and when she saw my face she pushed her cerial and magazine away from her, pulled out a stool beside her and uttered one word. "Spill"
I couldn't help but smile then. As rubbish I felt, Sarah had the ability to lighten anyone's mood. It really wasn't very fair how she got go be pretty, smart, funny and likeable.
"remember that guy I told you about?"
"oh yes the elusive Peter" she confirmed, tone indicating that she was eager for more details on him.
"well I just made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of him." I grumbled, forehead creasing in frustration.
"Wait so let me just get this straight, you left me this note saying you were going to 'catch up on your reading', when really you were just going to go and kanoodle with Peter?" She questioned with a wry smile and an arched eyebrow.
"I was not kanoodling with anyone! I had been reading when he came and sat down next to me.
"well alright then Annabeth if that's the story you're going to go with I'll believe you." She giggled "what happened that was so bad?"
"things were going good we were talking I even told him about my amnesia, then we had this moment but he swerved around that pretty quickly." I sighed "things were going well again afterwards we were even joking around with each other but then he looked at me right in the eyes and I started getting all flustered because wow Sarah he has the most amazing eyes. He wouldn't stop looking at me which was kind of my fault I guess so then I just kind of ran away." I finished dejectedly.
Sarah sat for a few seconds just staring before throwing back her head and laughing whole heartedly at me "you idiot!" She managed in between laughs
"you're here moping around when it's quite clear from what you've said that he obviously likes you Annabeth!"
"what? No there's no way not after that disaster on the beach he doesn't" I replied, picturing the scene again and inwardly cringing.
sarah however, seemed unwilling to be moved in her opinion "trust me Annabeth, he likes you. No guy takes the time to sit down and listen to a girl the way he listened to you if he doesn't like her." Sarah finished, her confidence in her observation unwavering so much so that, against all odds, I actually felt myself begin to believe her. Could it be true? Did Peter like me?
