A/N: This is not the last chapter, but the next one will be the end of "The Second Summer." Thank you so much for all the reviews and messages, and don't worry, I have another story in the works!
Percy POV:
"Will she be okay, Lady Aphrodite?" I asked anxiously. The Goddess of Love nodded her head.
"Of course, Percy. Just a little sick," she winked at me, "Love sick." With that, she strode out of the room.
I nodded and leaned next to Annabeth's bed. This wasn't the first time that she had been the one in the hospital for something that was my fault. She had passed out in the throne room, and banged her head on the marble floor. Luckily, there was no concussion.
"Annabeth?" I whispered, though I was aware that she probably couldn't hear me. "Listen, I'll tell you the truth, too. I wasn't about to say that I liked Makenna. I would never do that to you.
"I was going to say that I didn't want my father to be embarrassed. I was nervous because I thought that Poseidon might be embarrassed anyway. That's why I cared who Makenna's parent was. No other reason. I'm not that much of a Seaweed Brain," I finished. Glancing at the thick white bandage that wrapped her head, I felt like a complete idiot.
I sighed, and started getting up from her bed.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe you aren't as big of a Seaweed Brain than I thought."
My head whipped around, only to see Annabeth's gray eyes sparkling.
"Annabeth!" I exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Percy," she apologized again. I laughed.
"What's with you and apologizing when you're not supposed to?" I smiled.
Annabeth smiled weakly and tried sitting up in her bed. Instead, she groaned and fell back again.
"Stop," I told her, "Don't push it."
"I always push it," she replied. "It's who I am."
"And you're perfect the way it is. You don't need to change for anyone."
She blushed slightly and I grinned. Annabeth laced my fingers through hers and squeezed my hand. I squeezed it back. Suddenly, Athena strode through the doors of the hospital.
"Annabeth!" She said, giving me a look of disgust, "How are you feeling, child?"
"I'm fine, Mother, but—," Annabeth tried to explain.
"We must have a talk. No objections, and no putting it off," Athena announced. She shot me a dirty look. "Excuse me, Son of Poseidon."
I cleared my throat and started getting up from my kneeling position on the floor. Quickly, Annabeth squeezed my hand again, and I walked out of the room. The door slammed behind me.
My heart felt like it was suffocating. I swore that I could feel Annabeth crying inside.
I sighed and sat down, my back resting against the wall.
"Don't worry, Perseus, she is fine."
I looked up, and Poseidon was standing in front of me.
"Oh. .um, hi, Dad," I stammered. Then I suddenly jumped up and bowed. "Lord Poseidon, I mean."
Poseidon chuckled. "It's fine, Percy. What you did was quite brave today, talking like that to Ares, but you understand that you could have gotten yourself blasted, right?"
I nodded.
"Then why did you do it? I didn't catch why you cared so much about the daughter of Ares. Do you . .?" I was puzzled, until I realized what he was talking about.
"No, no, no. I don't like her like that. It's just that—," I ducked my head, embarrassed.
"Go on," urged Poseidon.
I lifted my head and continued. "It's just that I didn't want you to be embarrassed in front of all the gods."
There. I said it.
I looked at the Poseidon's expression. Confusion crossed his godly face.
"I didn't want you to have been the one that broke the pact. That would embarrass me. . .and you," I explained quickly.
"Oh, Percy," Poseidon smiled. "You won't ever have to worry about that. I promised everyone, including myself, that I would never break a pact or promise ever again. Especially those made by my own son."
"Thank you, Lord Poseidon," I bowed awkwardly.
"Take care, Percy. I must get back to thinking about the punishment for Ares."
I laughed, but the God of the Ocean was gone.