I grabbed some clean clothes to put on after I showered off. The girls had just won the capture the flag game. Of course. I had been worried that Griffin might slip into his sore loser mood, but when I found him after congratulating Amy, our flag stealer. He had seemed out of it, like he was thinking hard about something. But he didn't act like a sore loser when he realized his team had lost. He even congratulated Amy! I had been really happy when I saw that. I told Griffin to meet in the living room after I cleaned up. I also encouraged him to clean up himself, he stunk.
Annabeth and Percy had disappeared before I could talk to them about dinner, but I didn't try to find them I needed to grab a quick shower before Annie got to the bathroom I shared with her. I showered quickly. Then, I had to dry my hair. It doesn't dry well, so I braided it back once I had dried it as much as possible. I throw my clothes on, jean shorts, gray TOMS with painted blue, green, and black stripes, and a solid blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled to my elbows and only buttoned half way to reveal the lacy white tank top I was wearing underneath. I didn't put any make-up on except for a little lip gloss. I heard a knock on the door to Annie's room and quickly opened the door. She stood there with a bundle of clothes in her hand. Her hair was in a ponytail that was falling down. Her clothes were wrinkled and sweaty. She looked like a mess, but her eyes told you 'you're going down if you try to mess with me.' Even when she was tired my sister was a force to be reckoned with.
"The bathroom is yours Annie." I made a grand sweeping gesture as I opened the door all the way to allow her in. Then I left out the other door to my room. I bet she had rolled her eyes at my antics, and I heard her turn the shower on as I closed my bathroom door. I smiled and headed to my dresser. I looked at my reflection on the mirror placed above the dresser. I had a few strands of hair falling out grabbed my braid. They curled and occasionally floated into my face, but mostly stayed to the side of my face. I bit my lip and stared at my reflection wondering what was missing. My eyes widened. My necklace! I quickly went and scooped it off my nightstand. I glanced at my reflection again. The sun with the olive tree in front rested comfortably below my collarbone. I was ready to leave now once I grabbed my phone and wallet.
I headed out my door to find Fiske and get the rules for the evening. He said that we had to go in at least groups of 4 to each car, we all have to be back by 11 pm, and we use the buddy system at all times.
I went to the living room, where almost all of the team had gathered, and sat on the arm of the coach next to Griffin. He smiled at me. He looked cute in his jeans and orange plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
"You should have told me you were wearing that." He gestured to my blue button up. "We could have matched." I rolled my eyes. His grin widened. "You look very pretty Nadia." I fought off the color threatening to overtake my cheeks.
"You don't look too bad yourself. But don't think complements will convince me to let you drive." He pouted. "We are taking my jeep, and I'm driving." He looked like he was going to protest. "If you behave I'll let you drive home." He looked like he was contemplating the offer, but I knew he would agree. He loved driving the jeep. Percy had just sat down on the coach across the room soon to be followed by Annie, who sat next to him. Percy put his arm around her shoulders and I smiled at the two of them. Now that all the team was here I could state the rules. I hopped up and listed off Fiske's rules and told everyone I would see them later. Then, I grabbed Griffin's hand, pulling him up from the couch and out the door, leaving Percy and Annie to follow me to the car. I ran out the door and headed to the garage. Once inside I grabbed the jeep keys off the peg and towed Griffin over to the car. Amy and Ian were the next to the garage.
"Where are you going?" Amy walked over to me as Ian stood in front of the keys contemplating his choice in cars.
"Carrabbas with Annie and Percy. You?" I responded.
"We're taking Dan and Natalie to Red Robin to meet most of the rest of the team. Then, we're heading to LongHorn to meet Sinead and Hamilton." Ian came over towards us holding a set of keys. He wrapped his arm around Amy's waist.
"Ready to go love?" he asked, his British accent prominent. Amy smiled and nodded. She followed him over to the red Volvo and hopped in to the passenger seat. They probably were going to pick Dan and Natalie up in front of the house.
"Ready to go love?" Griffin mimicked Ian, with the British accent to match and adding an over-the-top bow. I smacked his arm.
"Those two are absolutely adorably together." I stated, matter of factly, and hoped into the front seat. Griffin jogged around the car to jump into the passenger seat. I pulled out of the garage and found Annie and Percy waiting outside. I shoved Griffin's shoulder, silently telling him to get out snd let my sister and her boyfriend in. He did, grumbling under his breath. Once everyone was back in the car, I turned on the radio and began to drive to The District in Roanoke.
I parked the car in the side parking lot of Carrabbas. All of us unloaded and walked towards the entrance. Griffin opened the door for me and passed it off to Percy who held it open for Annie.
"Table for four, please." I told the hostess with a smile.
"We have an empty table right this way." She smiled and led us over to a booth on the right side of the restaurant. I thanked her as she left once we were seated.
Annie looked around the restaurant. "It's cozy," She stated. Percy smiled at her, and handed her a menu.
Griffin looked at me holding y menu in his hand. "Do I even need to give this to you?" he asked. I laughed and shook my head. I got the same thing every time we came here. Seafood Cannelloni. It was these two noodles oven baked with a variety of seafood goodies inside (scallops, shrimp, and lobster), and swimming in tomato cream sauce. I loved it.
Annie and Percy both looked over their menus quickly. The waitress arrived and all of us ordered cokes and we ordered an appetizer of calamari to share. Our drinks and appetizer arrived quickly along with some bread and the olive oil with fresh spices to dip it in. The waitress was pleasant, but she kept flirting with Griffin. It was getting on my nerves. I tried to ignore her and join in on the joking and storytelling, but she just kept reappearing. When she brought us our soups and salads I made sure to let her see me grab Griffin's hand. I interlaced our fingers and kept our hands on the table in plain sight. The waitress gave us our food and left quicker than she had before, but she did keep up her politeness. Once she was gone, Griffin gave me a quizzically look and I just smiled at him. he didn't say anything, just shook his head and began to eat his soup. Annabeth gave me a questioning look, and I looked like she wanted to tell me something.
"Annabeth and I will be right back." I said, standing up. Annie followed after me. I headed to the bathroom. I walked in, Annabeth following, and checked o make sure we were alone. "Okay, spill it. You're hiding something from me." I spun around to face her, crossing my arms.
"I-" Annie started, then bit her lip. "It's not my secret to tell Nay. Plus, I don't even know if it's true."
"Fine." I said. I gave her a half-hearted grin. "At least I know I can trust you with a secret." We both laughed, and then headed back to the table.
Annie and I came back to the table to see Percy and Griffin sitting, silent, and looking rather uncomfortably.
"Did you two even try to get to know each other?" asked Annie as she slid in beside Percy. Percy looked at the table with a guilty expression.
"We'll take that as a no." I said, frowning. "You both need to learn how to be friend. We'll be working together for a while. Plus, you're both Janus, use that to find something you can bond over." I whispered the last part, and finished by stealing a few glances around the restaurant to make sure no one heard me.
"We'll try." Percy told Annie and I. he reached over the table and clasped hands with Griffin. Annie an I smiled.
"This could be the start of a beautiful friendship." I told Griffin grinning. All of us laughed, enjoying this evening of fun. Who knew when we could have it again.