Retrieving a Bowling Ball
Annabeth
9 Days until the Meeting
As I saw Percy come out of his dressing room my jaw dropped. He looked handsome, yet goofy in his costume. Luckily no one noticed so I embarrassed Percy instead. There was some warm, happy feeling I got when I saw him blush after my comment. It was probably nothing. I overheard Jason's comment to Percy after I turned around, I also heard his reply. I kept walking away so that no one would see my blush. When I received the flowers I couldn't help but blush, I really hope that he didn't notice. I also giggled to myself, stupid seaweed brain doesn't know what roses mean… At least they're blue and not red, but to him there's really no difference.
As I was checking out my flowers Percy's phone rang. The person on the other end did not sound happy…
"PERSEUS JACKSON," he screamed. Percy looked to see who the caller was and gulped.
"H-hey Uncle Zeus, what's up?" Percy nervously asked, I know he isn't exactly on the best terms with his uncle but when I met him, he seemed like a pretty nice man. A bit emotionless but still he was okay.
Even though I was around a meter away from Percy I could hear Zeus shouting at him… Or at least I caught a few words. "Thief…. Dirty rotten….. Bowling ball… return…. Or else…. Shall pay…. January 21..." I was trying to put the pieces together, my guess is that Zeus thinks that Percy stole his lucky bowling ball that he was going to use for the council meeting on the 21st and if Percy didn't return it by then he was going to pay. As Percy hung up I told him my hypotheses, he was amazed.
"I guess I call you wise girl for a reason." He said.
"So," I asked him.
"So what?"
"Who has the bowling ball? I've been with you since school started, if I explained that would he listen?"
"It doesn't matter, Zeus thinks my dad set me up because since the last time we went bowling, my dad got a bunch of people to team up together against Zeus and hasn't trusted my dad since. Plus I have an idea on who took it."
I was thinking of all the suspects. I mentally listed off all the council members who have something against Zeus, which in other words is all of the council members. Then one name popped up.
"Your Uncle Hades!"
"That was my guess too."
"So how are we going to get it back from him? He lives in L.A."
"I would suggest flying, but Uncle Zeus banned me from all airlines until he gets the bowling ball back."
I was trying to form a plan inside my head thinking about the best way to somehow get to LA, get this stupid bowling ball, and make it back within 10 days. I thought for a while but I eventually thought of something, "Why don't we just buy a bowling ball that looks the same as that one?"
Percy shook his head, "We can't, it was a designed by Zeus himself and he ripped the designs up."
"Why don't we just ask the Elder Cyclops to help us then?" I suggested. Arges, Brontes and Steropes are known as the elder Cyclops, a trio of builders who have worked together to make many items for the council; like bows worthy of Olympic gold medalists for the twin archer's, Apollo and Artemis who have now retired and teach here at Olympia. They built Zeus' first airplane the Master Bolt, which he named his bowling ball after it because the day the plane was finished was also the day he first won a council competition. Other than Zeus' airplane and Olympic worthy bows, they made Poseidon's Trident, hi first and most famous cruise ship, and Hades' Helm of Darkness, which is a device that helps detect the best jewels in an area.
"Because Zeus banned them from interacting with me until he gets his precious bowling ball back… I don't get what's so special about it! Uncle Zeus is just crazy!" Percy exclaimed.
"I wouldn't use crazy Perce, I think paranoid is a better word to describe your uncle," I gave him a pat on the back. Then an idea popped into my head. "PERCY! Hermes can help us! I can ask Luke to ask him if we can borrow a car or something."
Percy loving the idea so much that he gave me a huge hug. "Percy… can't… breathe." I choked out.
"Oh, sorry Annabeth." Percy rubbed the back of his neck; he looked cute when he did that. 'WOAH Chase! Where did that come from?' I scolded myself.
Ψ
"Thanks Mr. Hermes!" Percy called out as we headed back to our dorm. Mr. Hermes had gotten us a ride. Thank the gods. "So what's the plan oh wise one?" Percy mockingly asked me.
"Well since you asked oh seaweed brain," I mocked him back. "We'll pack tonight and head out tomorrow morning, the two of us should make it to LA in 4 days so that would be an eight day trip leaving us two days to get your uncle's precious bowling ball back in time for the meeting."
"How about you make that trip for three instead of two?" a new voice said from behind us. I turned to see a familiar red and orange hat, Percy did too apparently.
"GROVER!" Percy shouted and pulled him into a man hug, "What's up Goat boy?"
"Gods Percy, are you ever going to let it go? Just because I have hairier legs than most people, you assume that I'm part goat," Grover joked with him.
"Hey it's better than that time I called you a donkey," Percy retorted.
"Boys!" I interrupted Grover before he could insult Percy again. "Hey Grover! Nice to see you and all but, what are you doing here?" I gave him a quick hug. "How's Juniper?"
"Nice you see you too Annabeth. I'm here since I am supposed to be taking you guys to the meeting, and Juniper's great," Grover answered.
"Umm yeah, about that Grover…" Percy looked over to me for help.
"There's been a slight change of plans. We have to go to LA to get Zeus' prized bowling ball or else he's going to kill Percy…"
Grover stroked his wispy beard as he debated what to do. "I can't change your mind now can I, but I would prefer that my best friend didn't get fried by his Uncle so I guess I'm coming with you. Annabeth don't you dare try to talk me out of this, I won't let it happen again."
I knew he was talking about the Thalia incident, no matter how many times Luke and I tell him that it wasn't his fault, he won't stop blaming himself. He was determined to make it up to us somehow by protecting Percy, as of this point Grover would be as stubborn as me and no matter what I say, I won't be able to change his mind. I let out a sigh in defeat.
"Deal."
[A/N] Answer: Zeus
Congrats to: LongLiveLaughter.
Editor: LeoLuver
