Two days later, at exactly 6:12 PM, Percy knocks on the front door, carrying a duffle bag and a backpack. I let Kim answer, giving her the satisfaction of control, but I stand right next to her. Despite the fact that I slept right next to Percy last night, I have to make it seem like I haven't seen him in months, or my parents will be suspicious.
Kim opens the door, and there he stands, as perfect as ever. His face lights up, and he grins, "Mrs. Chase! You're looking well."
"It's nice seeing you again, Percy." Kim smiles back, and I try not to act shocked. I've never thought of Percy as 'that boyfriend': the one that the parents absolutely adore. But maybe, just maybe, something is finally working out in my favor.
"Annabeth," Percy catches my eye, his own sparkling. He drops his backpack off of his shoulder and gathers me into a huge hug. His arms wrap tight around my waist, and his face buries itself in my hair. He is trying way too hard to make this look real, but the moment I pull back slightly and touch my lips to his, I can feel him relax. We pull apart before Kim can even clear her throat.
"Well, you two probably want to… catch up. Percy, make yourself at home. You'll be sleeping on the pull-out in the living room," Kim hesitates before retreating into the kitchen.
I pull Percy's face back towards mine and press my forehead against his. "She totally bought it. She loves you," I whisper under my breath.
"I still don't like her." He mutters. His fingers trace my spine, sending shivers throughout my body.
"Just try to play nice." I breathe.
"That's ironic, coming from you," he winks, his mouth finding mine, and his hands slipping farther down my back. They are just running over my butt when my father walks into the room.
"Oh!" he clears his throat.
Percy shoots away from me, and stands five feet away. He coughs, "Mr. Chase! It's good to see you." He turns some shade of reddish purple.
"You too, son. Kim told me you had just arrived. I didn't know you and Annabeth were already, um, bonding."
"Sorry, sir." Percy ruffles his hair like he always does when he's nervous.
"That's quite alright. I was once a teenaged boy as well." My father laughs, "I understand what you're feeling. Just remember, Percy… This is my house, and she is my daughter."
"Dad." I cut in, "Are you seriously threatening him right now?"
My father chuckles, "Not threatening. Setting boundaries. Now, I'm not quite sure how intimate your relationship is, so I'm just going to set some ground rules."
"Oh gods…" I mumble, covering my face with my hands.
"Rule number One: No PDA in front of Bobby and Matthew… It confuses them."
"Dad, stop."
"Two: Do not leave clothing laying around."
"Dad… seriously…"
"Three: No glove, no love."
I swear, I almost pass out.
"Can do, Mr. Chase." Percy seems to have mustered some composure.
"Good. Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes." And with that, he smirks, pats Percy on the shoulder, and leaves.
"He was trying to give me a heart attack. I could see it in his eyes." I grumble, running a brush through my hair.
"You could see it in his eyes?" Percy snorts, "Annabeth, we both know that was bound to happen. The whole 'boyfriend awkwardly meets father' concept is ancient. I'm just glad he doesn't have a shotgun."
"Why are you worried about a shotgun when he owns a World War II bomber plane? I laugh.
"Forgot about that." He groans, scratching his head. His voice lowers to a whisper, "I'm going to miss sleeping next to you."
"I know," I sigh, putting the brush down and turning to look at him, "I will too."
"Who's going to hold me when I have nightmares?" Percy pouts, his eyes widening. He looks like a dejected puppy.
"I have a solution to that. Just dream of us." I smile, leaning forward and pecking his lips.
"I would like that." He smiles back, kissing the top of my head. "Goodnight, Wise Girl."
"Night Seaweed Brain." I say as he exits my room and shuffles downstairs.
I do dream of us. Overall, my dream includes us on a much needed vacation to the Caribbean. It's a very good dream, although it seems short. When I wake up, I feel like I've only been asleep an hour or two.
My eyes open to darkness. I try to reach out and find Percy's body, not remembering that he's not in my bed with me tonight. Before that can even register, though, I realize that I can't move.
I try to roll onto my side for comfort, but as my awareness strengthens, I can feel the cool metal of shackles around my wrists. My eyes snap open, and my heart races into overdrive.
I'm not in my room. I'm not even in my house. Actually, I have no idea where I am. It's dark in this tiny room, the only light radiating from a candle set on the ground in the corner opposite my bed. Next to a door.
I struggle for a moment, still comprehending my situation. It's either nighttime, or there are no windows wherever I am. There is a door, but I can't move because my wrists are chained to the wall, above the only furniture in the room: a small, metal framed bed with a thin mattress. I'm still dressed in my pajamas: a tank top and Soffes. Despite my lack of clothing, I'm sweating. It's hot. Not like San Francisco hot, but like Equator hot.
"Hello?" I call out as loud as I dare. I seriously doubt whoever put me here is an ally or a friend, considering my accommodations are quite limited. And, well, they kidnapped me.
It's silent for almost a minute. Then, the door to my cell swings open, slamming into the wall with such force, the bang makes me jump.
In what limited light there is in the room, I can't make out much of my visitor's face. I can tell that it's a boy, probably a bit older than me, tall and muscular.
I muster up whatever courage I can. "Hey. So, it's great to have a break from my family, but I'd really like to go home. If you could just, I don't know, let me go-"
He cuts me off with a single, sharp laugh. "But you just got here!"
"Oh, did I? I'm sorry, it's hard to keep track of time in a black, windowless dungeon." My rage is spilling into sass, which isn't always the smartest move. I quickly assess the situation, but unless this boy gets two feet closer, there's no way I can even touch him.
"Annabeth Chase, you have been called to duty," he shifts slightly, and I catch a glimpse of his face. He has close-cropped black hair and dark eyes.
"By whom, may I ask?" I cock my head to the side, ignoring the fact that the fact that I'm facing him makes the shackles dig into my wrists.
"Classified."
"So you want me to do something for someone, but you won't tell me who or what?" I catch this boy's eye, and in the dim light, I see him smirk. Not evil. Just curious.
"Your file will be sent to you later on today." He briefs me.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" I raise my eyebrows. It's a shallow attempt, if it can even be called that, but I need answers.
"No."
"What's your name?" I ask anyways.
He stares at me in silence, sizing me up. Then, he slips towards the door. Just as it's closing behind him, he sticks his head in and mutters, "Reagan." And then he disappears once more.
((A/N Pretty short chapter, and not much detail, but I wanted to set this next dilemma up. Next chapter will be in Percy's POV (EXCITED MUCH?)... Whaddaya guys thinking of this new character so far? Next chapter will be up soon :) R&R!))
