CHAPTER 9

DINNER

-Annabeth-


When Percy dropped me off at my house after our little moment at the beach, I suddenly remembered why I was at the beach in the first place. Dad's new girlfriend. It gave me shivers just thinking about it. I still didn't understand why he had a girlfriend. Couldn't he just be a widow the rest of his life? I don't mean to sound bitter, but this is just too big of a change for me.

I took a deep breath and opened the front door of my house. Dad was sitting on the couch dialing frantically on his cell phone; which, I guessed, he was going to use to call me. I then realized that I turned my phone off.

When I slammed the door, dad turned around and noticed me. A wave of relief came across his face.

"Annabeth! Thank god, I was worried!" Dad exclaimed. He rushed over to me and hugged me, I hugged him back. Dad took my shoulders and asked, "Where were you, Annie? I looked everywhere."

I shrugged, "Just a place." I looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone else in the house. Thankfully, Catherine left.

He sighed, "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter now. I'm just glad you're safe. Are you cold? You're all wet."

I nodded and he got some towels from upstairs and made me hot cocoa. The cocoa he'd always made when I was little and sad about something.

I sat down on the couch and dad sat next to me. I thought we were just going to sit there in silence, but dad spoke up, "Annabeth, you know we need to talk about this."

I gulp down the rest of the cocoa, "Talk about what?"

Dad sighed, "About Catherine and me."

I clenched my fists, "Why do we need to talk about her?" I spat.

A few moments later, he replied, "Because, Annabeth, Catherine and I are getting very serious. I'm not saying I'm going to marry this woman, but I want you to feel comfortable with me dating."

"Dad," I say seriously, "I will never be ok with you dating."

"Honey, please. Catherine is great. She is kind and caring. I know you will love her."

"Not the way you do." I muttered.

Dad exhaled, "You know what? We should have a family dinner. You, me, Bobby, Mathew, and Catherine. You guys could get to know her a little better."

I hesitated, "I don't know…"

"Come on, it's just one dinner. Do it for me, honey."

I looked at dad, I don't like to disappoint him. Besides, it's just one dinner, right? It couldn't be that bad. "Fine." I agreed.

Dad smiled wider, "Thank you, Annabeth. I really appreciate this. You'll see, you will like Catherine."

"Sure." If I don't rip her apart first, I thought. But I decided not to say that out loud.


The next morning, I was less emotional. I was glad for that because I don't like to cry. Yesterday, I had a breakdown. I will never let that happen again.

Suddenly, I remembered last night on the beach. And who I was with. I groaned. Percy. Oh, god. What am I going to do? I thought Percy would probably just make fun of me for crying, or maybe things would be even more awkward with us. Maybe I should just ignore him and he'll forget.

But he probably won't.

Then I recalled our conversation. Percy was talking about his dad, Steven, and how he wanted his mom and him to visit him. Percy told me some personal stuff, I didn't realize how strange that was until the morning. Percy and I weren't even friends. But that would change.

I even told Percy about my life, too. I talked about my mom with him. He was so nice and considerate. But what surprised me the most, was that I actually told him all that. I didn't know if I just wanted some comfort or I just needed someone. I'll never know. But I did know that I was really grateful for Percy's presence.

I took a deep breath and headed downstairs. Dad was cooking breakfast and when he saw me he smiled, "Hey, honey. Excited for tonight? It's the big dinner."

"Yeah, sure." I said as dad poured some milk for Bobby and Mathew, who were throwing food at each other.

"I really hope you like Catherine, Annie. She's great, you guys have a lot in common."

This caught my attention. I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Like what?"

"Well," Dad started. "Catherine is an architect."

"You said she was a professor at your college." I pointed out.

"She does that on the side." He explained, "Catherine is actually very experienced. She loves to draw and design almost as much as you do."

This was interesting. But it didn't mean I had to like her. "Oh." Was all I said.

Then I heard a loud HONK! and grabbed my backpack. "Bye, dad." I said.

"Be home by 6, alright? Love you, Annabeth."

"Love you."

I opened the front door and walked toward Thalia's car. I noticed there was someone in the front seat, and much to my dismay, it was Percy.

And the awkwardness begins.

I sighed and got into the back seat. "Hey," I greeted.

"Hey," both Thalia and Percy replied.

There was an unsettling silence between the 3 of us while Thalia was driving.

Fortunately, Percy broke it, "So Annabeth, did you make up with your dad last night?"

"Oh, yeah, I did." I answered, "Uh, how 'bout you and your mom?"

Percy nodded, "Yeah, this morning. She said to think about visiting him."

"Oh, well what are you going to do?" I ask.

He shrugged, "I don't know."

Thalia stopped us, "Wait. What did I miss?"

"Nothing." Percy and I said at the same time. Not suspicious at all.

Thalia just rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

I blushed a little thinking about Percy last night and his arm around me, "I'll tell you later, Thals."

When we finally got to Riverside High School, I was relieved. I got out of the car and headed toward the main entrance and to my locker. Percy followed me and we had a conversation. He asked me if hated him and wanted to be friends. At first, I didn't know what to say or think. What are you supposed to say to that? But then I thought about how sweet he was yesterday and maybe could be my…friend?

I accepted Percy's gesture. I was glad to have him as a friend. I already trusted him with my 'problems' with my family. And I guessed he trusted me with his. Percy Jackson is my friend. Who ever thought that would happen? Certainly not me.

But I was happy.

The morning went by alright. Though I still thought about Percy and my dinner with Catherine. I had a feeling that it would turn into a disaster.

Finally, lunch came. I was starving too. Apparently, stressing out about my future dinner with dad and his new girlfriend makes a girl hungry.

Thalia and I sat down at our usual lunch table and started to eat and talk.

Then Percy came by and asked if I could tutor him in math. I thought it was weird of him to ask me of all people, then I remembered that we were friends. So, I agreed.

Tutoring Percy couldn't be that bad right?

"How about my house after school?" Percy suggested. I nodded.


After school, Thalia dropped both Percy and I off at his place. I realized that Percy didn't live so far away from me. Percy told me that his mom worked until 7, so we'd be alone until then. Which I was fine with. Completely fine.

Percy and I sat on his blue couch in the living room and began studying. I found it hard to focus with Percy so close to me. When I he would try to figure out a problem, I would just stare at him. I never really paid any attention to him. I guess you would say he's cute. I stared at his face; when he smiled, his eyes would gleam and light up. I loved his eyes. They were sea green, kind of like an ocean on a bright, sunny day. His eyes were so mesmerizing.

I shook my head and forced myself to stop staring and start focusing. At the end of the session, Percy learned a lot. I was very impressed on how much he was soaking up knowledge.

I checked my phone and noticed it was 5:50. Crap. I had to be at my house in 10 minutes. I got up from the couch and got my backpack, "You're doing great, Percy. But I have to be home for dinner."

"Are you sure?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, I promised my dad I would have dinner with him and his girlfriend." I answered, with a bit of regret. I really didn't want to leave Percy. I was having a good time with him.

"That's great. I'm glad you getting along with her." Percy said.

I wouldn't say 'getting along' is accurate, but I just replied, "I guess."

Percy walked me to the door, thanked me, and I walked outside. But before I could even get toward the street, I head Percy call me, "Hey, Annabeth?"

I titled my head, "What?"

Percy hesitated but said, "Don't I get a hug?"

My eyes widen. A hug? Why does he want a hug? He was just joking right? I wasn't sure what to think, but I heard myself say, "Um, ok." Then I walked toward him and wrapped my arms around his neck, and he did the same.

All I could think was, this is weird. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.

Maybe this friendship thing wasn't so bad.


I got to my house a few minutes later, still a little dazed from the 'hug'. I went into the kitchen to see my dad making the table and getting ready for Catherine.

When dad saw me, he gave a sigh of relief, "Annabeth! I thought you weren't coming. Where were you? It's almost 6."

I dump my backpack on a chair and reply, "Sorry, I was tutoring someone. I lost track of time."

"That's alright, I'm just glad you're here. Are you ready?" Dad asked me.

I shrugged, "I guess."

Dad was about to say something when the doorbell rang. He jumped and quickly answered the door.

"Hi, Catherine." Dad greeted.

"Good evening, Freddy." She replied.

Gross. I wanted to puke.

Catherine came in to the kitchen and I got a good look at her. She was wearing a red dress and she curled her soft, brown hair.

Slut, I thought.

When Catherine saw me she smiled, "Hi, Annabeth! I'm glad to be here. How are you?"

I snorted, "Fine." Why would she even care?

"That's good." Catherine said.

There was a long pause until, "So," Dad began. "I made pasta!" Dad pulled out a chair for Catherine to sit and handed out spoonfuls of pasta.

"This looks delicious." Catherine said after sitting down.

"Thank you, I haven't made pasta since…" Dad trailed off and I know why. Dad hadn't made pasta in 3 years. The day mom died, this was our last meal together. When mom was alive, dad was usually the cook in the family. He had this special secret sauce he's make that my mom loved.

"Anyway," Dad said, moving on from a dark conversation, "Annabeth, why don't you tell Catherine a little bit about yourself?"

"Why?" I ask, but dad shot me a look and I spoke, "Well, I'm 16, almost 17. I go to Riverside High School and my favorite color is gray."

"That's great." Catherine smiled. "So when you graduate, what do you want to do in your life?"

I shrugged. Why would I want to tell this lady about myself?

Dad answered for me, "Annie here wants to be an architect someday. She's one heck of a designer."

At this Catherine leaned forward, interested, "Really? I'm actually an architect in a big firm. Do you mind if I can see some of your blueprints? I can maybe help."

She sounded so genuinely nice and polite. I wanted to hate her, but it was getting kind of hard. For the rest of dinner, Catherine and I talked about structural designs and intermediate details of buildings. I was really glad I had someone to talk about all this with. Usually, if I talk about architecture stuff with Thalia, she'd zone out. But I had a lot of fun talking with Catherine.

My dad's smile hadn't left his face.

After dinner, I showed Catherine some of the blueprints I'd been working on. Catherine looked impressed, which I took pride in. I worked hard on those designs.

Catherine took one of the blueprints and studied it, "Annabeth, this is just… amazing. How did you come up with this?"

I looked at the one she was talking about, it was one of the first ones I've ever drawn. I shrugged, "I don't know, I just draw what I feel."

Catherine gave a low whistle, "Annabeth, you have an unbelievable gift. You have a natural talent."

"Thanks."

"I am serious," Catherine looked me in the eyes. "I've been an architect for years, and I haven't seen anything this amazing. If you ever want to take on architect as a real path in your life, there are many colleges here in New York that have great schools for that subject. And I would be more than happy to write you a recommendation."

"Really?" I say after a moment. I was touched by her compliments and her pure truthfulness. It was nice to hear one from someone else or a real architect like Catherine. Why was she so nice?

She nodded, "Yes. You have talent, Annabeth, and the world needs to know."


After Catherine left, my dad turned to me and smiled, "That went great."

Even I had to admit to that; I definitely judged Catherine way too soon. Not that I was going to admit that out loud, but still. Catherine was pretty ok. I'm not saying I like or anything but… I didn't hate her.

"Yeah, it did go well." I said.

Dad hugged me, "Thank you, honey. It means a lot to me that you 2 got along."

"Yeah, well I guess I did misjudge her a little too early." I replied.

Dad just grinned, "It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you like her."

I was glad that dad was glad. I liked seeing him smile. I haven't seen much of that since mom died.

Then I realized something: Catherine made him happy.

And at the end, that's all that matters.


HEYY! HOPED YOU GUYS LIKE THIS CHAPTER! SORRY IT TOOK SUPER LONG TO UPDATE, IVE BEEN BUSY WITH A BUNCH OF SCHOOL WORK. ANYWAY, I REALLY LIKE THIS CHAPTER CAUSE IT GOES DEEPER INTO ANNABETH'S REALATIONSHIP WITH HER DAD AND HER PERSONAL LIFE AND THOUGHTS.

I GOT THIS QUESTION FROM MAY SALOME LOVE: ALL ARE YOUR CHAPTER GONNA HAVE PERCY AND ANNABETH DO A PERSPECTIVE ON THE SAME DAY?

THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION, AND THE ANSWER IS YES. EACH CHAPTER IS IN PERCY/ANNABETH'S POV AND IT'S THEIR POINT FROM EACH DAY.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: TalalAlkayalSonofPoseidon, May Salome Love, Angel-of-the-Seas, WolfGirl57, Colts12broncos18, allen r, DairenateNY, its-just-a-phase, 3, bella345, SarahWolfe16, and Melody.

THANKS FOR REVIEWING. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS PLEASE PM OR REVIEW ME.

NEXT CHAPTER COMING UP!