Chapter 9 – I Say Goodbye
After we got off the 'Love Through The Ages' ride, Annabeth and I walked around the amusement park and went on every ride several times. As the sun was beginning to set, we walked out onto the beach barefoot, our sneakers slung over our shoulders. The waterfront was busy with sunbathers, kids running around, and lots of people in ill-fitting swimsuits that I'd rather erase from my brain. We managed to find a less crowded area on the beach and stopped to watch the sun go down.
"Happy birthday," Annabeth whispered, squeezing my hand.
"This was the best birthday ever."
She rifled through her purse and pulled out a small, wrapped package with a blue bow around it. She handed it to me.
"Annabeth, this trip was more than enough. You didn't have to get me anything."
"Just open it, Seaweed brain."
I pulled off the bow and unwrapped the gift. It was a small flip phone. I had never owned a cell phone in my life.
"Annabeth, you didn't have to…"
"It's a joint gift from me and your mom. I got one too. I already pre-programmed my number in it so that we can keep in touch."
"I love it. Thank you."
I hugged her and it suddenly struck me that we were running out of time. We had had such a good time at the amusement park that I had completely forgotten that she was leaving tomorrow. We had less than twelve hours left. And for some reason it occurred to me that I didn't really have any pictures of me and Annabeth. I guess when you're busy chasing monsters, the idea of taking a photograph wasn't important. We did have one taken at the dance together with our king and queen headgear on, but that was more for Chiron than us.
"You're welcome," she said.
"Let's take a photograph," I suggested. "To commemorate my best birthday ever."
"Even better than your 2nd Sesame Street themed birthday?"
"My mom should never have told you that story," I said, rolling my eyes.
We got close together, cheek to cheek, with the ocean behind his. We both smiled cheesily. Even though the phone Annabeth had given me was pretty simple, it did have the ability to take photos. I turned the phone around so that we could take a photograph of ourselves. Miraculously, we both got in the frame with the first shot, the brilliant sky behind us. It was perfect.
"I guess we should go back," Annabeth said, a sadness in her voice.
"Yeah, I guess."
Together, we walked back down the beach. When we got to the boardwalk, we stopped to put our shoes back on. I was surprised, though, when Annabeth didn't lead us back to the road where I assumed we'd catch another taxi. Instead, she walked past the crowds and down a narrow street that looked pretty abandoned.
"Annabeth, what are we…" I began.
But then I saw him. Blackjack. The black Pegasus who had helped me out on more than one occasion. He was in the middle of the road, his black wings so large that they almost touched the buildings on either side of him.
"Hey, boss," Blackjack called.
"Hey Blackjack," I said. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Boss lady said you needed a lift," Blackjack answered.
"What's he saying?" Annabeth asked. Because I was the son of Poseidon, I was able to communicate with pegasi. Annabeth, unfortunately, couldn't.
"He called you boss lady," I said.
"Tell him not to call me that," she replied with a smile.
"I've told him not to call me that a million times. It never works."
"Are you ready to go?" Blackjack asked.
"What happened to the taxi?" I asked Annabeth as we walked up to Blackjack.
"I figured by now we'd be tired of pretending to be normal teenagers and that we could hitch a ride home," Annabeth said.
"This really is the best birthday ever," I told her, climbing onto Blackjack's back. Even though I knew she didn't need help, I lowered my hand down and offered it to Annabeth. She took it and climbed up behind me. She put her arms tightly around me and leaned into me. As Blackjack took off into the sky, I turned and kissed Annabeth. I don't know what the mortals saw with the mist, but if anyone could really see us, they'd have seen a teenage boy and teenage girl riding off together on a flying horse into the sunset.
That night, I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about how Annabeth was leaving in the morning. After we had arrived back at camp from Coney Island, we joined the other campers for a campfire and then Annabeth was sadly whisked away by the other members of her cabin who wanted to say goodbye. My cabin felt lonelier than ever.
After tossing and turning for a few hours, I finally kicked my covers off and decided that sleep was futile. I had half a mind to sneak into Annabeth's cabin, but I had a feeling that I would wake up some of her half brothers and sisters and they wouldn't take too kindly to me being in their cabin. So, instead I walked to my favorite place in camp. The Lake. When I got down closer to the water, I was surprised to see somebody else already there.
"Took you long enough, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said, staring out over the lake. As usual, she didn't have to turn around to know it was me.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked.
"Waiting for you," she answered.
I walked beside up beside her. The moon was only a small sliver in the sky, but somehow the lake was still illuminated.
"How did you know I would come here?"
"Because I know you better than you think."
We were both silent for a moment.
"I'm going to miss this spot the most I think," Annabeth finally said. "And all the times we spent here."
"This is a really good spot," I added.
"I bet they don't have views like this in Phoenix," she said sadly.
"Don't start doubting yourself," I told her even though it was the opposite of how I was really feeling. I guessed that if I asked Annabeth to stay right then and there, she would have. But that wouldn't have been fair.
"I've always been so good at battle strategy. I can always see the end result and all the steps needed to get there. But I can't see this, Percy. I can't tell if I'm doing the right thing or not."
"You are doing the right thing," I stated.
"Then why does it hurt so much?"
"Annabeth, this has been your home since you were 7 years old. I'd be surprised if it didn't hurt. But saying goodbye doesn't have to be a bad thing. You're branching out. You're going out to become the person you were always meant to be."
A tear rolled down her cheek. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."
"And camp will always be here. And so will I."
She turned to look at me. "Do you promise?"
"I promise."
I put my arms around her and we hugged. Eventually our lips connected and before I knew it, we were tumbling in the grass at the edge of the lake. I suddenly felt this need to feel every inch of her. To be with her in a way I never had been before. We rolled and I was on top of her. Her T-Shirt had ridden up a little, exposing her stomach. Her cheeks were flushed pink. Her hair was splayed out over the grass. Her eyes were dark gray. The way she was looking at me, it was like she was looking into my soul. It took all of my will power, but I rolled off of her. She sat up slowly.
"Did I…did I do something wrong?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest as if covering herself even though she was clearly fully clothed.
"No," I answered quickly. "I just…I don't trust myself right now."
"What…what do you mean?"
"Gods, Annabeth, with you looking like that and us kissing like that. If I don't stop myself now, I…"
"Oh," she said as if finally figuring out why I had to stop kissing her. An awkward silence fell over us. Neither of us knew what to say. "Percy?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you," she said.
She scooted closer to me and put her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and felt at peace.
I don't know how long I was asleep, but the next thing I know, I was opening my eyes and Annabeth was asleep next to me in the grass, her head using my arm for a pillow. The sun was beginning to rise over the lake. It was morning. Somehow Annabeth and I had fallen asleep together at the lake.
I watched her sleep for a few moments. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. I brushed a stray piece of hair away from her cheek. She began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open. They were a light grey.
"Good morning," I said.
She sighed. "Good morning."
"You look beautiful."
A blush spread across her cheeks. Annabeth sat up and started looking around. I could see the sleepiness leave her mind and then her body. She jumped up and looked around frantically.
"We fell asleep!" She exclaimed. "Together! We fell asleep out at the lake together. Chiron's going to be…"
I stood up and put my hands on her shoulders. "It's ok."
Her eyes locked on mine. "And I'm leaving today."
I nodded, not needing the painful reminder. "I know. Come on, let's get some breakfast and make sure you're all packed up."
She nodded. I reached out my hand and she took it. Together we walked to the mess hall. If anyone was surprised to see the two of us coming from the lake together at sunrise, nobody said anything. And nobody said anything when Annabeth and I grabbed two bagels and some fruit for breakfast and sat down together at the Poseidon table. Annabeth and I had only sat down at a table together at the dining pavilion once and that when we were discussing if we were going into the labyrinth. Campers from different cabins weren't allowed to sit together at meals. But we didn't care. I had only a few hours left with Annabeth and I was going to make them count. Even Chiron saw us together and didn't say a word.
After breakfast, Annabeth and I did part ways temporarily so we could both shower and change and get ready for the day ahead. Having packed a few days before, Annabeth didn't have much left to do before she left. She said goodbye to her half brothers and sisters from her cabin as well as a few other friends from other cabins. I was waiting for her on the porch of the Big House. Still wearing her orange Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt as if she didn't want to really let the place go, Annabeth walked towards me, rolling a large suitcase behind her.
I didn't know what to say to her and I don't think she knew what to say to me either. Chiron came out of the Big House in his wheelchair. After all, he couldn't take Annabeth to the airport as a centaur.
"Are you ready?" Chiron asked.
Annabeth nodded. Chiron used the ramp in the back of the porch to join us. I took hold of Annabeth's suitcase. To my surprise, she didn't protest. We walked out together. When we reached the road outside camp there was a van waiting with a wheelchair lift. This wasn't an ordinary taxi, though. It was an official Camp Half-Blood transportation van. One of the former campers, who was now a counselor was driving.
After we all piled into the van, we drove in silence. Annabeth and I were sitting right next to each other, holding hands. As we started to see signs for JFK airport, I started to feel a little panicked. It was really happening. After five years together, Annabeth was leaving.
The driver pulled up to the side of the curb at the Departure area of the airport. He went around to help Chiron out while Annabeth and I climbed out. We walked into the airport, dragging Annabeth's suitcase behind us. Before we got to the check-in area, Annabeth stopped and turned to me. She squeezed my hand.
"I love you, Seaweed Brain," she said.
"I love you too."
We kissed and embraced each other with a hug meant to last the several months until we would see each other again. Chiron joined us and we broke apart.
"Annabeth," he said. "I'm very proud of you."
A tear came to Annabeth's eye. Sometimes I forgot just how important Chiron was to Annabeth. Since she had arrived at camp at only seven years old, Chiron was like a father figure to Annabeth. Even though she had become closer to her real father in her teenage years, Chiron was still very important in her life. I had been so focused on me missing Annabeth that I hadn't thought about how Chiron would feel or how she would feel leaving him. I stepped back, giving them in a minute. Annabeth hugged him and he kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you, Chiron," she said. "Thank you for everything."
"You'll always have a home here, Annabeth," Chiron stated, tears swimming in his eyes. "Just remember that."
"Thank you," she whispered as she hugged him again.
Having said their goodbyes, Chiron wheeled past me.
"Take your time. I'll be in the car when you're ready."
I nodded and he left. As other travelers bustled around us, Annabeth and I came together, hugging once more. She tucked her head under my chin and I held her tightly.
"Am I doing the right thing?" Annabeth whispered to me.
"Yes," I answered even though I wanted to say the opposite. She was doing the right thing and I had to support her.
"Thank you."
She tilted her head back and I kissed her once more. This time it was a little more intense. It was a goodbye kiss.
"I'll see you soon," she said when we parted.
"I love you," I stated.
"I love you, too."
With one last kiss, Annabeth took her suitcase and walked away. She didn't look back.
