Most likely my last update for a while. But anyway, I wish you all a wonderful New Year. Happy 2013! We all survived 2012.
On the Flight back to NYC—
Percy was disappointed that he didn't get an aisle seat on the way back. That's what he got for being on the dumb waiting list. He was sandwiched in between 2 rather corpulent men. Both of them had taken the armrest they shared with Percy. Percy barely had any room to move the entire ride. Halfway through the trip, one of them fell asleep on Percy's shoulder; Percy winced in raw pain as he tried to push the other man's head off. When they came around with soft drinks, he wasn't even able to reach up and garb his drink. The sympathetic airline hostess placed the Pepsi on the tray for him while Percy gave her a silent thank you.
By the time he landed, it was already 4:30, but Annabeth's school got out by 4:00. He was already late. He checked his phone to see if she had sent him a text in reply to the one he had sent that morning. Nothing. He sighed in frustration. He sent her another text message: I'll be there by 5:15. Percy had just enough time to take a cab back to his one bedroom flat, pick up his car, and drive to Annabeth's school. It was 5:10 when he reached; he got out of the car and leaned against it, waiting for Annabeth patiently. Zeus had asked them to be at Olympus by 6:00. With the traffic and all, leaving Annabeth's school by 5:15 would have been perfect. That was had she been on time.
Percy stood there, with his jacket half zipped. He would occasionally look at his watch, but he could tell from the darkening sky that he was going to be late.
School Football Field at 6:00—
Luke smiled at her in eager enthusiasm, "You really mean it?"
"Of course I do. I've liked you since the beginning of the school year," Annabeth smiled at his surprise.
"Seriously?" Luke asked, the shock slowly taking over his expression.
"Who wouldn't?" she chuckled at the 2 separate emotions of surprise and happiness.
"I didn't think you did…Anyway, it's getting late. I should take you home."
"Alright, one second," Annabeth took out her phone to see if she had any messages first. There was from Percy at 4:30: I'll be there by 5:15. Annabeth almost dropped her phone, mentally slapping herself. How could she have forgotten already? Percy had said Zeus wanted to talk to them afterschool. It was already 6:00. Percy would have left by now, right? He couldn't have waited. But Luke can't come with.
"Actually, I have to go meet my grandfather. I'll catch a cab. See you tomorrow!" She waved goodbye and ran out to the main entrance of the school. Just as she was about to dial the number for a cab, he came from the opposite direction.
"We're late, Annabeth. Zeus will get mad. C'mon. Get in quickly," Percy said with a lifeless tone in his voice. He opened the car door for her and slammed it shut after she had entered. He walked to the other side and got into the driver's seat without saying another word.
The car ride was permeated with a long silence before Annabeth decided to break it, "What's our story?"
"That DC was great and we had fun visiting all the monuments and Smithsonian museums you dragged me to," his mouth twitched slightly on the last word, almost as if in amusement.
"They're Gods. Wouldn't they know that we're lying?"
"You're good at lying convincingly, aren't you?" he retorted. Annabeth kept quiet after that remark.
On Olympus—
The two were ushered into the throne room where Zeus and a few other select Gods were there; Sally, Paul, and Dr. Chase were there as well. The whole place was set up grandly, with a grandiose banquet table in the middle of the room and Zeus heading the table. Percy shook hands with all the mortal adults before taking his allocated seat to the right of Zeus with Annabeth to the left.
"How was DC?" Zeus began.
"It was good," Percy said monotonously.
Annabeth almost stuck out her tongue at him before continuing, "It was amazing Grandfather! The monuments were breathtaking. That architecture was brilliant. Of course, Percy got tired of walking around after a while. We all know he is when it comes to educational field trips."
The Gods and the other adults all chuckled at the teenager's enthusiastic comment.
"They're a good couple, aren't they?" Aphrodite winked knowingly at Percy, and then slightly reprovingly at Annabeth.
"Now. Since you two are a married couple, I expect you to share an apartment," Zeus began authoritatively.
"What…?" Annabeth was speechless. Wasn't being married enough? Now she had to live with him too? She'd have to clean the dishes, fold the laundry, and make his sandwiches. "But, I don't know how to manage household chores!"
"Forget that. I can't manage a household. I'm lazy as it is in my own flat, but how am I going to support Annabeth too?" Percy looked at his father pleadingly to save him from the situation.
"No, it has already been decided. Percy, Annabeth, you can't continue living with your parents for much longer. Think of this as getting a head start on your adult married life. You will be together for the rest of your lives," Zeus looked at the children pointedly before starting again, "Don't worry, we bought you a two bedroom flat close to Annabeth's school and Percy's research center. It should be easy to access Olympus from there too. I had my best designers model it to your personal likings."
"I suppose…" both Annabeth and Percy said the same time, unsure of their response.
"Your mortal parents know where it is; they will take you to the flat. Most of your stuff has been moved there already," Zeus said.
Sally smiled warmly at Annabeth and Percy on the ride to the apartment, "I'm glad you two had a wonderful time in DC. I know just how much Annabeth loves architecture. You'll love the flat. It's absolutely exquisite, balancing both your tastes equally, especially Annabeth's room."
Annabeth's eyes seemed to brighten at the thought of a new room, like any normal, excited teenager moving into a new house.
The flat was, as Zeus said, located very close Annabeth's school. Walking distance in fact.
Paul opened the door for them, ushering the in, "It's a great place." Even Percy was struck by the amount of detail put into the architecture and construction of the rooms. It really was a place befitting of the Gods. Annabeth was ecstatic, "Look at my room! The furniture, the bookshelves, my desk, my bed! It's all Greek style architecture." Her walls were set in an ivory and cream tone, similar to her wedding dress.
In the living room hung a large wedding portrait; Percy smiled upon seeing the image. The kitchen was plenty spacious as were the 2 bathrooms. His own room reflected his Camp Half-Blood cabin in many ways, with the same light blue interior with speckles of green everywhere. "I like it," he grinned approvingly.
"You like it?" Annabeth asked with an odd expression on her face. "I love it. The design is just so perfect. I could spend my whole life here."
"You probably will…with me," Percy said carefully, judging her expression. Her face turned grim for a quick second before rebounding, "Unless we move that is, but for now, this is good. It's so close to school too."
"Then we'll leave you two to get settled. Percy, I'll be back tomorrow. I know poor Annabeth doesn't know how to cook, so I'll make sure to bring some food around dinner. What do you say?"
"Sounds perfect," Percy replied, still keeping his eyes on Annabeth.
"Thank you Mrs. Blofis," Annabeth hugged Sally and her father before leaving.
"So, what now?" she asked as soon as the door closed. "We already ate at Olympus."
"Well, I did want to talk to you about this marriage thing like I messaged you last night…" Percy trailed off, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh…right."
"Listen. I know these arrangements aren't the best, but let's do what we can to make the best of it. Ok? Nobody at your school will know about it except for the principal."
"You're right. Fine. Deal?" she stuck out her hand. Percy shook, smiling at her genuinely, "Deal."
"I'm taking a shower, so do something productive Seaweed Brain. Like unpacking," this time, she did stick out her tongue.
"I'll do it tomorrow. I'm too tired. After all, I did roam around DC pointlessly today, without my own personal tour guide," Percy winked.
"Well sorry," she stretched out the last syllable, "I'm tired too. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night," Percy said as she closed the door behind her. After she left, Percy began checking his email. There was from Rachel asking him to come see her the next morning.
Percy got into bed in his boxers, falling asleep in an instant, tired from his lack of sleep last night.
Next Morning—
He woke up to the loud banging noise of someone pounding on his bedroom door. He yawned groggily, refusing to get up. Eventually, Annabeth seemed to get tired of knocking incessantly and entered his room, "Rise and shine Seaweed Brain." She headed straight to the window, opening up the blinds. The sunlight hit Percy straight in the face.
"No…" he muttered, "I don't have school."
"You have to drop me off."
"Seriously…? Why…?" Percy was slightly annoyed at the nanny service he'd have to be doing. He got out of bed slowly when Annabeth screamed and turned in the opposite direction.
"What?" he asked her.
"You!"
"What about me?"
"You're in your boxers."
"So? It's my room; I do what I want," he grumbled.
"Put some clothes on! Aren't you ashamed? I'm only 16. And hurry up or I'll be late," she ran out the door and into her room in top speed.
Percy chuckled, running his hand through his hair. He threw on a pair of black slacks and a button down pressed shirt. Rachel had said she wanted to discuss some research opportunities with him that morning, best to look presentable.
"Eat your breakfast quickly," Annabeth ordered. "I made some omelets and bacon. It's the only thing I know to make. So eat up."
Percy raised an eyebrow, "You made me omelets and bacon?"
"Yes. I felt bad for what I had done, and I wanted to apologize," she said, lowering her head slightly.
Percy sat down to eat, looking appreciatively at the egg. It was in the shape of a smiley face. "You know, it'd be a pity to eat it quickly. I'll just take my time eating this." He cut the omelet, eating it in slow-motion.
"No! Please? Please?! Hurry up. I can't be late. I promise I'll do the dishes tonight too," she begged, really anxious to leave.
"Deal," Percy said, laughing before he scarfed down the rest of his breakfast. He dropped her off exactly 2 minutes before the bell rang. After leaving, he headed straight to Rachel's office where Grover and Nico were already.
"What's up Rach?" he asked genially.
"Don't call me that," she glared him down before starting, "Since I am your head supervisor, I've done some research looking into possible internships and job opportunities. I've decided that you three need some real world experience. So, I've signed you up for three different schools as substitute bio teachers."
She handed each of them their job descriptions and details. Grover and Nico looked sad at the prospect of working whereas Percy found it exciting. After all, he was the one complaining about not having enough money to support Annabeth and himself.
He looked at the school name at the top of the sheet: "Staten Island". His eyes widened in dismay as he looked up at Rachel. She seemed to have already guessed his reaction, "No way, you can't be serious."
"I thought it'd be good for you two to spend some time together."
"What?" Nico and Grover asked simultaneously.
"That's the school Annabeth goes to," Percy replied glumly.
So with that slight cliffhanger, I leave you. Make sure to review, fave, follow. I'll try to update when I have some spare time.
