I don't own PJO. Okay guys, last chapter!
CHAPTER 20
A few days have passed and the Camp has simmered down a bit. Percy has left, having to attend the school, and he is soon followed by Annabeth. Before she left, she told me she would be looking for more information about Chaos.
"I don't know how useful it will be." She said. "But I figure knowing everything we can can't hurt." I nod and she suddenly embraced me in a pain-inducing hug. I was sad when she let go.
Now, I am sitting on the dock, letting my feet trail in the water, watching the sun go down. The nymphs are weaving baskets underwater and they once or twice look up at me, giggle, then wave. I wave back softly.
Across the lake, I see a few distant figures playing some volleyball. I instantly recognize the big, bulky silhouette of Charlie and the smooth, easy gait of Jean. Those two seem like peas in a pod nowadays. Charlie is all healed and Jean has started trying to learn more and more of his mother's craft: magic. I managed to thank him for the dream he gave me, deciding not to tell him about how far from reality it was. He simply smiled and asked if he could give me another every once and a while. I consented and last night, I dreamed of pink Jewish elephants playing poker and a walrus with the face of a chicken singing jazz. Not sure where that one came from.
I hear footsteps against the old wood and someone takes a seat next to me. In the corner of my eye, I see Aaron's thoughtful face, brightened by the hues of the setting sun. He hasn't spoken to me much, too caught up in his even more astronomical fame and Colette's constant attentions. But now he is alone and he is alone with me.
"It's beautiful." He says.
"Yes, it is." I take a moment to appreciate the view. The reds are bleeding into the oranges and the yellows are so delicate and fragile that I can barely tell the difference between them and the whites. And the lake simply reflects the masterpiece, like a mirror held up to a bonfire.
"I'm glad everything is back to normal." He says. I become frightfully aware of how close his hand is to mine. I think about scooting over, but I don't.
"Me too."
"Who knows for how long though?"
"Yeah." I murmur. "Chaos is bound to make another move and we can't let her complete her plan. We can't rest until-"
"Of course," He cuts me off cheerfully. "I think we can be sure we have tonight to rest."
I look at him dead on. "What?"
"I mean," He turns to me, his eyes playful. "I'm assume you don't think Chaos is going to attack us right now, at this very instant?" A smile warms my cheeks. I had forgotten how beautifully wonderful Aaron was and now that I had him back, it was like I never had lost him.
"No, I don't think so."
"And I don't think she'll plan an attack for the rest of summer, do you?" He leans in a millimeter.
"No I don't." I lean in too.
"But she's bound to attack after summer?" His lips part in the most beautiful way.
"Of course."
"So..." His voice is deep and lingering. "I guess we'll have to restart training." He instantly leans back and smiles like nothing happened.
I let out a sigh. Boys... "I guess we will." I sit on top of my hands to stop them from tightening into fists.
"But," He says in his playful voice again. "We don't have to start until tomorrow do we?" His shoulder touches mine, sending sparks into my veins. I look back over and I find him leaning in again. As much as I want his kiss, a voice in my head is growling for him to stop playing games and to just kiss me.
Suddenly, a burst of mischief lights in me. "No, we don't." I say, before I give him a hearty shove into the water. The look of surprise on his face is priceless. When he resurfaces, I am running towards the woods, my laughter trailing behind me. Aaron jumps back onto the dock, not even wet from his trip into the lake, and he's after me, only a few paces behind. We're laughing and shouting and running through the trees and I've never felt so happy and free.
Eventually, we collapse next to each other, gasping with a few late bursts of joy. The sun has finally set and the moon and stars shine bright above us. The cool grass feels soft against my skin. Eventually, when our hearts calm down, Aaron's hand slips into mine. It feels alien and natural at the same time. When he pulls me over, so close that our noses brush, I feel terrified and exhilarated at the same time. His warm breath spreads sweetly over my face.
"I've been working on some new skills." I murmur, probably killing the mood, but I don't care.
"Really?" Aaron seems too distracted to notice my words, but I don't worry. I just take my free hand and wave it.
Instantly, small balls of light tumble out of my palm. They dip at first, but then rise and float, bobbing like the gentle glow of fireflies. Only these lights are silver, bright silver, and the circle around me and Aaron like a slow moving whirlpool. Aaron looks up, his face dramatically highlighted by the lights. Hundreds of them, roaming around us, the sheer beauty of it stuns him. Then, he looks at me and the expression on his features, that of pure wonder, makes my heart stop beating.
Then he kisses me and my heart explodes.
Okay everyone, that's a wrap. Wow, that's to everyone who has been reading, it means so much to me, you have no idea. Please read my other fanfiction (Hunger Games- Broken Silence; Les Miserables – In the Rain) and follow me on twitter .woods
Stay tuned for the next Aspasia novel, where our heroine must brave the Desert of Illusion...
Wow, that sounded much more melodramatic that I wanted it to.
Anyways, love to all of you guys!
-Roman