Hi! This chapter picks up after the previous one's cliffhanger, with Annabeth meeting someone she didn't want to on Mount Olympus. And I know you're all thinking it's... Percy, who is under the sea with his father. So, :P
Haha, no, just kidding. To save your suspense... Nah. Just read on. You'll like this one, though, 'cause it has a lot of Percabeth in it. ;)
Preview: Annabeth meets someone on Olympus, who leaves her conflicted inside. Meanwhile Percy is not conflicted at all—his mind is set on one decision.
Enjoy, and review!
It surprises him.
It's not that she's here in Olympus; he knew about that from his obsessive watching.
It's how she is. Sure, he's seen it, but not up close. It's a stunning difference to him.
She looks much better since he last saw her. She's more like her old self. Even he's almost fooled. But he's seen her at night, when she cries silently.
"Hi," he says.
"Hello," she replies. It's as if the crowd around them has disappeared, and the only thing left is the awkwardness between them.
"You look better," he says.
"I guess."
Neither of them knows what to say. It's silent between them. The loud crowd is miles away from them now.
"You know, we can still be friends," he offers. "Haven't we always?"
"Yeah, I guess," she replies.
Percy thinks that maybe this will work. They could be friends, right? No strings attached.
"Sure, then. Friends," she finally says.
But even as she walks away, Percy knows it will still hurt him.
Percy is thinking about things.
He thinks about the decision he made. He thinks of how he wasn't thinking.
While he walks around in Olympus, a dove flies above him and drops an elaborately-decorated envelope—a summons from Aphrodite.
He can teleport himself there, but he wants the time to think. So he walks to Aphrodite's place, thinking all the while.
But really, there's only one thought in different forms.
I wish Annabeth was here, with me.
It's that thought that replays in his head as he walks.
When he finally reaches the palace, Aphrodite is waiting.
"Come in, Percy," she ushers.
"You wanted to talk, Lady Aphrodite?" he asks.
"Drop the formalities," she chastises. "We need to talk."
"What about?"
"You know full well what about." Percy sees a different side of the goddess. He couldn't find the giddy, teen-ish goddess. He saw a mature woman.
"Well," Percy says, "I messed up."
"Oh, I know that. Everyone does. But what we all want to know is—what will you do now?"
"Well, she agreed to friendship."
"Is that what you really want, Percy?" she asks.
"Don't ask me what I want! I want to know what she wants. I've been selfish all this time," he answers.
"Exactly what I want to hear from you," the goddess answers. "So, what do you do now?"
"I dunno. You tell me." He really doesn't know what he should do. So they're friends again. It would just be awkward if he suddenly asks her.
"Well, maybe you should talk to her about it," Aphrodite says.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" he retorts. "It will just ruin everything further."
"Really, Percy? Would it hurt to ask?"
"Yes?" he answers.
"Why not find out? Everyone does enjoy a good love story!"
Okay, maybe not-so-mature Aphrodite.
Percy gets up and leaves.
Outside, in Olympus, he's trying to decide. He made a decision before, and it only hurt her. This one paled in comparison, but it's still important. Part of him wants her, and the other doesn't want to hurt her. He's conflicted inside.
He remembers his conversation with Aphrodite. Would it hurt to ask?
He knows what he should do, anyway. So he teleports himself to Camp Half-Blood.
"Are you mad at me?" Percy asks.
"Maybe" is the reply.
"C'mon, I know you're not."
"Fine, so maybe I'm not. So what?"
"Can we talk?"
"Okay, okay, I'm coming out." The satyr reveals himself from the trees.
"Grover. I need to talk to you about Annabeth."
"Do you even talk about anything else?" Grover says.
"Out of the topic," he retorts. "Anyway, has she... opened up to you or something?"
"Nah. She's suddenly been busy lately. So immersed in activities. She feels... internal conflict."
"So, she hasn't talked to you."
"Nothing deep that you want from me."
"Well... Wait. 'Internal conflict?'"
"Oh, that? I only sense emotions. But I have an idea why—no, I'm not telling you."
"Be specific, please?" Percy pleads.
"No. Besides, it's just an idea."
"Well, do you think I should ask her out? I mean, not a date, but just a... friendly dinner?"
"'S long as you don't touch the topic of immortality, and try to forget the mortality barrier between you, you should be fine. I think."
"What? Grover, you're not making sense."
"Yes, I am. Now run off and ask her out. If you want to."
As Percy is walking to Cabin Six, he still doesn't know if he should.
Mixed emotions. That's what Annabeth feels.
She's happy that they're friends. Part of her is disappointed that he doesn't want anything more than that. Another part says it will only hurt more. But it's better than nothing, isn't it? Or would it just be bad to bring him so near, when really, he's so far away?
She should just be content with what she has. But can't she dream for more?
It's those kinds of emotions, that she feels, that scare her. She feels like slowly, she's losing her grasp on herself.
Everyone else is out on activities, but she's been excused because of her trip to Olympus, and she doesn't really feel like doing camp stuff, so there's no one to talk to.
She tries to distract herself with drawing blueprints. But nothing comes to mind.
There's a knock on the door. "This is getting repetitive," she mutters to herself. She opens the door.
"Oh. Hi, Percy," she says nervously.
"Hey. You know, we never got to finish our picnic on the beach," he says.
She knows what's coming next. "Do you want to, uh, have dinner together? I mean, not a date, you know, just as friends."
"Well, if it's like that..." As friends. Why not? It wouldn't harm anyone, right? "Sure. Don't mess this one up, Jackson," she teases.
"Yes, ma'am. Shall we?" This time, he doesn't teleport her there. They take a walk.
"Is this okay?" he asks. "You're not uncomfortable or anything, are you?"
She thinks it's sweet, how he's worrying about her. She has to keep reminding herself that it's not a date. Even if a part of her wishes it was.
And really, while they're together, she can almost forget that he's out of reach.
So far, he hasn't messed up.
For him, it's a miracle.
When they reach the beach, it's just time for sunset.
"That's beautiful," she says.
"Oh? I didn't notice it. You are here."
"Thanks."
Their picnic is set before them. He invites her to sit down.
Don't mess this up, Percy. Don't mess this up.
Okay, so I had a great laugh reading Child of the Moon Sonata's review for Chapter 3, and with her permission I'm including this new segment: what if Annabeth had met someone else on Olympus?
Annabeth: I'm sorry—wait, are these feathers?
Eros: Annabeth Chase? As in Percy Jackson's girl? Oh my god! Do you know how famous you are up here? (Squeal!) Hey, everyone, it's Annabeth Chase!
Annabeth: -_-
So, yeah, Eros is a lot like Aphrodite.
Next chapter: What will happen on their date? How will Annabeth react? Find out in Chapter 5: Delusional. That might be a clue on what chapter 5 is about, but you never know.
Each review makes sure that the chance of Percy messing up gets smaller! So review!