A/N: Hello everyone! Presenting the fourth official chapter of The Other Side. Let us get straight to the point. This scene is about the conversation Percy and Annabeth had in the zoo truck. I know I am going extremely slow, but I want to let percabeth's relationship develop like it did in Percy's POV in the original books. So, you guys will have to be patient. Also, I have been experiencing some troubles with my account, because of which I could not update for so long. But do not worry because it's sorted now. Anyways let's get this chap done with.

Chapter Four:

"Because you're my friend Seaweed Brain. Any more stupid questions?"

I had never seen Grover madder. When we got our first glance inside the truck Ares had shown us as a mode of transport, well, let's just say his face was not a pretty sight. He looked ready to get off and beat the life out of the driver and his companion. And I would have assisted him in doing just that. I mean, this was pure cruelty.

There was an Albino lion, antelope, and zebra in the truck. If Artemis or any of her Hunters had seen this, they would go on a rampage. All three animals were in cages.

In the lion's cage, there was a sack of turnips. It was pacing around on dirty blankets, in a space that was rather small for him. There were flies buzzing around him. His eyes had become pink, and I could see his ribs through his fur.

The zebra and antelope had a Styrofoam tray with some meat in it each.

The zebra's mane was covered with a lot of chewed up gum in his mane.

The antelope had a balloon tied to its horns and had something written on it.

I wanted to break the cages and set the poor creatures free. But, unfortunately, just then, the truck started moving. And Percy pointed out that it would do us no good if we released them now as they would be hungry and probably eat us…a fact that I grudgingly assented to.

So, we resorted to doing what we could in that situation.

Percy produced a water jug out of somewhere and refilled the water bowls. Then he used his sword to place the food in their correct cages.

Meanwhile, Grover and I tried to clean the zebra's mane from all the gum. I tried used my dagger as Grover calmed down the poor creature. But it was very dangerous as the truck was moving, so we aborted that task. One wrong move could end up hurting the zebra.

Then, I moved on to the antelope and cut off the balloon tied to it as Grover did the same thing he had done with the zebra.

Satisfied with our work, Percy, Grover, and I sat down. Grover and Percy on one side and myself on the other. I took out a packet of Double – Stuffed Oreos as Grover made himself comfortable and started drifting off to sleep.

I went over the events of the day. The Iris Message, the talk with Ares, and the Waterland fiasco. I felt really bad about it.

Percy had needed my help, and I had done nothing but scream like an idiot. I felt ashamed of myself. I had been at camp much longer than Percy. Grover and I had been assigned to protect Percy and ensure that he completed the quest safely and in time. Grover had done his part by saving us from crashing to the ground.

Myself on the other hand…I had let down everyone by making myself utterly useless. It is just that spiders scare the living daylights out of me.

When I was little, they used to follow me everywhere. When I tried to tell my father and stepmother, they would just brush me off and call me a liar. This had been one of the main reasons why I ran away.

Suddenly, a voice whispered in my mind. It reminded me that I still had to apologise to Percy for leaving him to struggle on his own.

Percy was very new to this crazy world of the gods. He had been thrown into it when his mother had been abducted by a monster.

I felt sorry for him.

When I was growing up, I received no love. So, I never expected anyone to stand by me whatever I did.

Percy, on the other hand, had no one but his mother. So, he always depended on her for support. And now that she was no more, it was our job to help him.

"Why?", a voice whispered in my mind.

It was then I realized just how important Percy was in my life. Within a few days, he had become a huge and very important part of my life. When we had first started this quest, I had expected that once it was over, we would be perfect strangers. But now, I realised that I could not do that even if I wanted to. Percy was much more than just my friend. He was my companion, partner-in-crime, monster-killing-partner, and so much more. If we parted ways after this quest, or even during it, a part of me would go with him.

With all this in mind, I apologized to Percy for freaking out at the water park.

But he did not seem to mind.

I felt the need to redeem myself. So, I tried to explain. Surprisingly, he understood my fear of spiders. I explained to him how Arachne's children have been taking their mother's revenge on Athena's children. Even then, he seemed to be adamant that we were a team and were supposed to help each other when in need. I felt grateful for his understanding of my feelings.

Meanwhile, Grover, whom I had thought to be asleep, made a reply to the conversation Percy and I were having, startling us both. I absentmindedly broke the Oreo in half and gave a part to Percy.

I suddenly remembered the Iris message in which Percy talked to Luke. He had told us Luke said nothing, but I didn't really believe him.

So, I questioned Percy about it.

Finally, in a resigned voice, he told us about the hints Luke had given him about Thalia. Grover just started confessing the truth to Percy when he seemed to piece it all together and figure it out.

I put down my Oreo and we explained everything to Percy. Grover still seemed to blame himself for Thalia's death, and I stopped him. Percy and I tried to comfort him with positive thoughts. Eventually, somehow, he fell asleep in the middle of the conversation, leaving Percy and I to wonder how he could have the ability to do that.

We sat in silence for some time before I started recalling my first summer at camp. I was rudely interrupted from my thoughts by a curious Percy. I quickly explained everything about the camp beads to him.

As I was lost in memories, Percy suddenly asked me about my father's college ring I had hung on my necklace. I was about to ignore him and give a rude reply when I stopped myself. Percy was my friend. He deserved to know about my past.

So, I told him how my parents had met, and about my second attempt at living with my father. His seaweed - brained - self seemed to think I should try living with my father again. Yeah right, as if I were into self-inflicted pain. I told him as much. I remembered just how bad it had been while I had been living with my father, when Percy asked me something that made me think.

If we failed to retrieve the bolt, it would result in a huge war between the gods. Our parents would probably be against each other.

For some reason, I did not quite like the thought of fighting against Percy. I wasn't afraid of him; I was afraid of losing another friend.

So, I decided, no matter what happened I would always fight by my friends.

And then I fell asleep.

Little did I know that I would soon have to choose between fighting with one of my friends.

I would have to choose between Luke and Percy.

Two of the most important people in my life.

A/N: Ooooohhhh! Looks like Annabeth has started to finally accept Percy as a good friend. But will she be able to choose between him and Luke?

Ok I know that was stupid since you guys already know what is going to happen. Well, se you guys soon! Bye.