CHAPTER 10

Annabeth restricted everyone from talking about Ethan at all. She said that the matter could only be discussed in San Francisco and not in New York or Montauk. And when Annabeth makes a rule, you adhere to it no matter what.

They had booked a mini bus as there were so many of them. The couple sat together, of course. Nico sat with Percy, Annabeth with Piper and Thalia with Connor. They talked for two hours, then many of them were exhausted by the plane ride and fell asleep. The only people left awake were Nico and Percy who talked in hushed voices.

"Alright Percy. Tell me what's wrong?" said Nico as soon as they knew that everybody was fast asleep. Percy looked at him and asked, "Nothing's wrong." "Come on Percy. You have been kind of quite since we left New York, or rather, since we met Ethan." Said Nico.

"Hey, that topic is banned alright." Percy said, trying to get away from telling Nico how he really felt. "Annabeth is asleep. We can talk." Nico said. Percy sighed, giving in. They went to the seat in the very end, away from everybody.

"Okay, so you know when Ethan said those things about Annabeth's parents, I was angry, we all were. But I hated him as soon as he said that he was Annabeth's ex-boyfriend. And when Annabeth was telling the story about the summer when they were together, I felt like running off, finding Ethan and ripping his stupid face off." Percy said.

"I know, we all did." Nico said. Percy shook his head. "No, you all felt angry because of the way he treated Annabeth. I felt angry just at the thought of him touching Annabeth, and, you know, kissing her and stuff." He said.

"Percy, I know exactly why you felt that way, and so do you." Nico said, half smiling.

"No, no, Nico. Don't say it. It will make it too real." Percy persisted. But Nico didn't care. He said it anyway,

"Percy Jackson, you are in love with Annabeth."

-LINE BREAK—

Everybody woke up to the laughter of Percy and Nico half an hour later. They had tried to keep it quiet but it just burst out.

"What the hell is on with you two?" Thalia grumbled as she rubbed her eyes. Percy and Nico kept laughing. "I think it was that silly joke they laugh at every time again." said Katie. "Is it?" Piper asked.

Percy and Nico nodded, still laughing loudly.

Their driver announced that they had reached fifteen minutes later. Everybody got out and took out their suitcases. They headed inside the beachside hotel at which Sally and Percy always stayed. Always.

"Percy!" A woman in her early-twenties shouted and hugged him tightly. "Geez woman, your fiancée is right here. At least attempt to hide it." Percy joked while he hugged her back. then he hugged the woman's fiancée.

"Guys, they are Aurora and Mike. They own this hotel." Percy introduced them. After they had given Percy their gifts(boxes of chocolates), Thalia and Percy went to the reception to get their keys.

Annabeth came up behind them and said, "Excuse me, I'm Annabeth Chase." The receptionist smiled brightly and said, "Hello, Annabeth. Your special room is very ready. It is number 108." Percy and Thalia looked confused. "What is happening?" Percy asked her. "Yeah Annabeth, what special room?"

Percy looked at Thalia and asked, "You don't know about this?" "Nobody does. It was mine and and Sally's secret. And Blake's too." Annabeth said, smiling at the receptionist Blake.

They headed up to the rooms. Annabeth said that they all had to go to room 108 first. She commanded Percy to close his eyes, which he did unwillingly, "Why only me?" Percy said. "Is it their birthday?" Annabeth said and she opened the door.

Everybody gasped. Percy's eyes were still closed. "Oh Percy, you are going to love this!" Travis said. "Open your eyes." Annabeth said and Percy did.

It was the biggest room in the hotel. At one side, the room was filled with balloons on the ceiling with pictures of them all and Percy at the ends. On the other side was the bed. And in the remaining corner (which was Percy's favorite part) were two guitars, one acoustic and one rock.

Percy gasped. He had been wanting to buy a guitar for months now but had been unable to decide between acoustic or rock. And here Annabeth had gifted him both. Percy knew that guitars could be costly. He turned to Annabeth and said, "I love it Annabeth. But the guitars are really expensive. I cannot take it." Annabeth snorted and said, "I didn't buy them. My uncle Apollo handmade these guitars for you for free."

Percy hugged her, "Thank you, thank you so much! I love it!" Annabeth smiled and said, "Wait, that's not enough!" Percy pulled back and looked at her in confusion, "There's more? You are sure setting a high bar for me for your birthday."

Annabeth laughed and said, "Look on the bed, there's a letter." Percy went towards the bed and opened the letter. He read it through and his eyes widened. "What is it, what is it?" shouted Leo impatiently.

"It's a letter to invite Percy for a winter workshop of music in London. I submitted his name last month and they accepted." Annabeth said. Percy walked towards Annabeth and literally lifted her off the ground hugging her.

"You are the best Annabeth!" he shouted. When he put her down, Annabeth asked, "Are you going to go?" Percy nodded. They all hugged and lounged in Percy's room for a while. They looked at all the pictures and balloons. Percy played the guitar for everybody.

But as much as they urged him, Percy did not sing for them. "I told you, when we go down to the restaurant, I will HAVE to perform." he said.

They went down to the restaurant after an hour. The band in the corner shouted Percy's name as soon as he came in and they dragged him on the stage. The drummer was a black haired boy about their age. The singer was a good looking girl a little older and the guitarist was another older looking boy.

As soon as Percy was on the stage, the girl left the mike and went to the keyboard and the boys pushed Percy towards the mike. Everybody in the restaurant cheered.

The song started. It was DNCE- Cake by the Ocean.

Everybody had heard Percy's voice before and they had loved it, very much. It was deep and melodious. Thy all clapped and cheered when the song ended. So did everyone else in the restaurant.

"Thank you!" Percy said and went down the stage after having a word with the band. He went towards his friends who complimented him and they went out.

Annabeth was silent on their way to the beach. She knew it know. She was utterly and irreversibly in love with Percy.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter will be Thalico. Read and Review