10:34PM SEAWEED BRAIN
is this necklace urs?
whats the "a" stand for?
awesome? amazing?
uhhh
Aeutiful?
11:02PM SEAWEED BRAIN
hellooooooo
11:54PM SEAWEED BRAIN
come on wise girl dont leave me hanging
9:17AM SEAWEED BRAIN
why do u hate me
9:31AM WISE GIRL
Good morning to you too.
I'm not telling.
9:34AM SEAWEED BRAIN
aww come on
its a name right?
amy? abigail?
ava?
9:36AM WISE GIRL
I said I'm not telling!
9:36AM SEAWEED BRAIN
is it UR name?
"Miss Chase?"
She looked up from her phone, mortified as she realized her professor was addressing her and half the class was staring. Tucking the device away, she cleared her throat, "I'm sorry professor, I was um… there was an emergency." She smiled sweetly, "Can you repeat the question?"
He gave her a look, but continued, exasperated, "What weapons are most effective against Stymphalian birds?"
And so that's how her day went. Distraction plagued her, as did the boy that lived in her phone. Message after message came through, and she just couldn't resist looking.
11:42AM SEAWEED BRAIN
sooo about last night
11:42AM WISE GIRL
Oh Gods.
11:43AM SEAWEED BRAIN
u wanna kiss me, wise girl? ;)
11:43AM WISE GIRL
In my defense I was drunk.
Well, tipsy.
11:44AM SEAWEED BRAIN
so... u DONT want to kiss me?
11:44AM WISE GIRL
I didn't say that.
She flipped a page, pretending to read her book while her phone sat innocently beside her.
11:45AM SEAWEED BRAIN
well i think id like to kiss u
11:46AM WISE GIRL
Gods do you realize how ridiculous this all is?!
Talking about kissing a stranger!
11:46AM SEAWEED BRAIN
im not sure we count as strangers anymore, wise girl
11:47AM WISE GIRL
Really?
How much do you even know about me?
Annabeth huffed her bangs out of her eyes, waiting expectantly for his response.
11:49AM SEAWEED BRAIN
i know your favorite color is green
i know ur way smarter than me
i know u work hard
probably too hard
i know i can make u laugh even if u deny it
i know u like the idea of kissing me even if u dont know who i am
i think i know enough
i know that i like you
Her breath caught in her throat and she glanced fervently around the library. No one was paying attention, yet she felt as if all eyes were on her.
11:52AM WISE GIRL
So… what now, then?
11:53AM SEAWEED BRAIN
im not sure
remind me again why we cant meet?
11:53AM WISE GIRL
Lots of reasons.
11;54AM SEAWEED BRAIN
right.
and those reasons are…?
Annabeth gnawed on the inside of her lip. Her reasons were seeming flimsier everyday, and yet… something still held her back.
She was scared. She had developed feelings, something she previously had thought impossible for her, and it was for someone she had never met. And with the campaign…
What if this caused a scandal that hurt their chances? That hurt their relationship?
She could see the headlines now- "Daughter of Athena Discovered in Romantic Tryst with Stranger!"
Not to mention the amount of attention the campaign required from her in general, it just wasn't a good time for stuff like relationships and love and silly things like that.
11:54AM WISE GIRL
I just…
I'm not ready.
Not yet, anyway.
After the vote. That's when they could meet. February seemed so far away now, and she found herself revitalized with energy to give the campaign her all.
Meeting him after winning? That sounded like the perfect day.
11:55AM SEAWEED BRAIN
fair enough
but ill know who u are someday, right?
11:56AM WISE GIRL
Of course.
11:56AM SEAWEED BRAIN
sweet.
wait, u like me too right?
Annabeth laughed.
11:57AM WISE GIRL
Yes.
I like you.
The next day was only slightly better for her focus. She slept restlessly, but this time not because of nightmares.
She couldn't stop thinking about him.
Her grey blazer was once again on her shoulders with a matching skirt this time and a black blouse underneath. Annabeth straightened her back, trying to sit up straight as reporters asked questions of their panel.
The soft studio lights felt blinding in her anxiety, and the seated rows of journalists did little to help. The room wasn't small, but it felt tiny with the amount of people packed into it. Annabeth sat behind a table, along with her team, Luke beside her. She wondered, not for the first time, if she was really the most equipped person to lead them.
She knew this would be big, but perhaps she had underestimated how big.
"Many citizens are concerned that a temple to Athena may anger the other gods," one journalist raised her hand, standing, "what do you say in response to those fears?"
Annabeth cleared her throat, but Luke hopped in first.
"Celestial Law prohibits acts of vengeance from the Gods in cases like this. Any who try will certainly be prosecuted."
"Mister Castellan," Another stood up, "There have been reports that the J&J Law Firm are cutting ties with you over your involvement in this campaign. Is that true?"
Annabeth felt her eyes widen, but Luke took the question in stride.
"I have chosen to leave of my own volition and start my own firm." He flashed a reassuring smile Annabeth's way, squeezing her knee under the table.
She flinched.
"Miss Chase!" Yet another spoke, "Will your mother be joining us today?"
Her nails dug into her palms as she squeezed her hands into fists, trying to keep her smile plastered on her face, "She had other matters to attend to, but she wants to assure everyone that this is of the utmost importance to her."
"What do you have to say to Mister Jackson and his team representing Poseidon?"
"Ah," she hesitated, " we… we wish them luck. But we believe we are doing what is in the best interests for New Athenians, and for that reason we will win."
"How about the rumors that Athena only wants to strengthen her own power and surpass Zeus?"
Annabeth's brow furrowed, "That's preposterous. No one in the pantheon can surpass Zeus, and one temple certainly wouldn't make a difference."
"Athena only wishes to improve the city and our nation." Luke cut in, his face as unreadable as ever, "As we have said, a temple to Athena would increase college success rates, an interest in the arts, and critical thinking skills."
It went on like that for nearly an hour, and Annabeth found herself feeling drained as they filed out of the conference area. Luke's hand was on her lower back, guiding her to the next room over and she didn't even have the energy to move away.
"Please tell me we don't have to do that again."
"There are a few more, unfortunately." He chuckled, moving his hand up and down. She supposed it was meant to be soothing, but it only made her tighten up further.
"Luke, I didn't know about your job. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'm glad for it." He suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close, "Like I said, I'm starting my own firm, and without this campaign I'm not sure I could have done it."
Chills ran through Annabeth's body as she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to pull away without causing too much of an issue. He was one of her best friends, she didn't want to hurt him, "Luke, please, I don't-"
"Excuse me." One of the reporters from the conference popped her head into the room, her braid hanging off her shoulder. Annabeth stepped away from Luke quickly.
"Yes? Did you have more questions?" she sighed, prepared to spend another exhausting hour answering.
The woman shook her head, "Oh no, I was hoping to borrow Miss Chase? Is that alright?"
Annabeth glanced at Luke, a question in her eyes and he shrugged, leaning down, "Go ahead. If you aren't sure about anything, just say 'no comment'."
She nodded, following the woman into the hall.
"You did very well today, Annabeth." The woman's demeanor changed and grey eyes flashed from behind her glasses.
Annabeth sucked in a breath, "Mother, I thought- I thought you were busy today?"
"I wanted to see how well you functioned under pressure without me there." Athena smiled, "It seems better than I imagined, although I shouldn't be surprised. You are my daughter, after all."
Right. Athena's daughter. Her favorite child, the one she entrusted with the most important of tasks- that was who Annabeth was.
"You should have said something."
"And ruin the surprise? I think not." Her eyebrows raised, "Now about you and Mister Castellan…"
"Ah, there's… there isn't anything there, don't worry, he's just a friend." Annabeth suddenly felt self conscious, realizing her mother had walked in on them embraced.
"Really? That's a pity. I do like that boy." Annabeth gaped at her mother.
"W-what?"
"I think it's a good match. He's only a son of Hermes, but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Smart. Ambitious. Like you."
"Mom, I… I'm not really thinking about dating right now!" she lied, her phone burning a hole in her pocket.
"Well if you do, you have my blessing." she smiled, though once more Annabeth noted the expression didn't quite reach her eyes, "I would certainly reconsider if I were you. A good partner can help one reach their full potential."
Annabeth wondered if her father had been considered a "good partner" by Athena's standards.
"Yes, thank you mom. I'll… think about it." she swallowed, "Was there anything else…?"
"No. But I'm proud of you, Annabeth, I truly am." And like that, the goddess was gone.
Annabeth slumped into the wall, rubbing between her eyes. Her head hurt. Her chest ached. She felt like she might be sick.
"Annabeth?"
Luke appeared in the doorway, concern evident on his face, "Are you alright?" he made a move to come closer but she waved him off.
"Fine, I'm… I'm fine." she stood up straight, a strained smile on her face once more, "Don't worry about it, just… stress from today."
He nodded his understanding, though worry was still evident on his features, "Take it easy, we need our girl in top form."
She winced at his words., "Luke, I think we need to… talk."
His eyebrows raised, "About?"
"About… this." She gestured between them.
He laughed, "Annabeth, I think that can wait until after we win."
"But-!"
"Don't worry," he interrupted, stepping closer and taking her hand, gaze intense, "We can talk all you want then, okay?"
Annabeth froze. Then she nodded, slowly. Maybe it was best to tell him she had no interest after- what if he quit because she turned him down?
But no, he wouldn't do that. He was Luke, loyal to the end and one of the people she knew best.
Even so, she pulled her hand away. "Right. Okay. Um. Are you going to Drake's tonight?"
He shook his head, "Nah, I've got paperwork to do. New business and all. Tell Thalia I say 'hi' though."
She breathed a sigh of relief. With Luke gone for the evening, maybe she could finally relax a little.
"I'll do that."