SOOOOO I made an Oopsie- dinner is at 8. Not 7.
And I am posting this already for two reasons- 1) because I enjoy seeing that people are reading it, and people don't read it if it's not posted. 2) my internet connection has been absolutely WACK the last few days and because I happen to have some good connection right now, I'm gonna post it.
THANK YOU to everyone who's read it, and those who have gone above and beyond to support me on it. It means a lot.
Hope you like it!
Chapter 4
-7:37pm-
We had had a blast shopping for stuff. He helped me pick out air fresheners, insisted I get the heated toilet seat cover (claiming that it would get really cold in the coming months), and a fan because I couldn't stand sleeping without one. I got enough food to feed a small army, and Percy threw in a few of his favorite foods because he was "running low". I bought a coffee pot because he said Tyson never drank coffee, and he wasn't willing to share "Stacy" his Keurig. I prefer it brewed in a pot anyways.
Percy pulled up in the drive way of the big house. We got out, laughing at a corny joke he had just told, and started to unload the groceries.
I'd known him for just a few hours, but I felt like I'd known him my whole life!
"And then this one time Tyson was playing with some firecrackers and one of them got under Thalia's chair, and I swear she screamed like a little girl! It was awesome!"
I opened the front door as I laughed only to walk in on everyone to see that they were staring at me. I recognized Sally and Thalia, but there were two guys I'd never seen before as well. I stopped wide eyed, dead in my tracks.
Percy who was still laughing walked up beside me and looked at me funny for a second before saying, "Hi guys! Dinner's almost ready? Cool, we're hungry! I'll just help her get all this put up and we should be down! Oh hey, Ma, where's the extra bedding and stuff? She needs a blanket and pillow. Oh, and dishes too! Thals would you mind going and grabbing the case of DP in the back of my jeep? Thanks."
Everyone just kinda stared at him for a few seconds and I swear I heard crickets chirping. Thalia was the first to respond saying, "Yeah, uh sure? You ok Perce? You're in a strange mood..."
Percy looked confused, "Naw, I'm fine!" And with that he headed upstairs. I followed awkwardly behind him as the eyes followed me.
-7:42pm-
Percy had gone downstairs to help with dinner as I finished putting up all the groceries. I heard a knock and the door open with Thalia's voice saying, "Coming in, I got your drinks! Couldn't resist the Pepper huh?" She walked up to the kitchen and set them on the table.
"No, I decided I needed to try it a little more!" I said grinning.
"Well alright! You can thank me later for your soon-to-be addiction." She laughed at herself, "So how'd'ya feel? You seem right at home, and we'll talk about Percy later."
I laughed, "I love it here! I feel like I have more of a family here in just a few hours then I ever did at home!"
She sat there waiting for me to continue.
"I mean...I don't know. It just feels right here, like I belong."
She winked at me, "Trust me when I say- we've basically been waiting on you to get here!" She spun around and marched down the stairs, "Come down if you want, or not...I'll be up later if not!"
I smiled and watched her walk away. 'Well,' I thought to myself 'might as well!' And I went down the steps after her.
I walked in just as a big laugh sounded from everyone. Smiling I leaned against the wall at the base of the stairs and observed everything for a moment. The door was close to the stairway on the left and there was a living room on the right that had 4 big recliners and two couches surrounding a large white screen that hung from the ceiling, a projector hanging some feet away. There was a really pale guy with dark brown hair that was playing a game on the screen, sitting in one of the chairs. Right behind him was a really long dining table that could seat at least 12 people, separating the living room and the open kitchen -that was really elegant and simple all at the same time.
There was another big laugh and I noticed a deep one coming from a man sitting at the table with grey hair that was cut short, a fluffy grey beard, and a big belly. I recognized the laugh from the phone call I had made to Big 3 this afternoon. I smiled and walked up to him, waiting for an opportunity to speak and then saying, "You must be Zeus! The man who got me started on this crazy adventure." He stood up smiling at me. Thinking I knew what he was going to do, I stuck my hand out, offering a handshake.
He chuckled and said, "Looky here! The woman of the hour comes to join us! We've all been caught up on how this day has gone for you, Haha!" He looked at my extended hand and said in a little more serious tone, "Now see here little lady, you're family now." He bypassed my hand and enveloped me in a giant hug that smelled of new car and pine trees. I didn't know how to respond so I just patted him on the back slightly before he let me go. I smiled at him and he sat back down.
Thalia walked over to me and said, "Oh! By the way, this is Nico." Gesturing to the young man who was playing what I now noticed to be a zombie video game. Upon hearing his name he paused the game and turned his head, smiling slightly and winked, "It's about time Thalia finds a girlfriend! I'm getting sick of being her chick flick buddy!" he laughed for a moment before a wooden spoon came sailing towards him, causing his already pale complexion to pale even more, and cover his face with his arms right as the spoon hit just above his unprotected forehead. "Ouch! Thalia!" He said exasperated.
She shrugged, a smirk present on her lips, "You're the one who cried when we watched The Holiday, so I don't even want to hear it!"
Nico frowned and mumbled incoherent things under his breath as he turned back to his game. Thalia rolled her eyes, walked over to where he was sitting, bent down and kissed the top of his head. "No need to be grouchy!" she said to him as she turned her back to him and faced me. I smiled and she gave me a funny face that said 'Did you really just watch all that? '
I laughed quietly and shrugged 'I don't know what you're talking about'.
She nodded and I smiled at our silent conversation.
We walked past the table and into the kitchen. I smiled at Sally when she looked up at me from the big pot she was stirring. Percy was grating a carrot a few feet away with a big grin plastered to his face watching the screen. He looked over and nodded once, acknowledging that I was here before he turned back to watch Nico's game
There were many different conversations going on all at once and I was trying to take it all in, but after a few minutes my head started to ache, so I quit listening and started talking to Sally about nothing in particular.
-8:09-
Dinner was on the table and everyone was gathered around; I sat in between Thalia and Percy.
Sally had made Chicken Macaroni Soup with rice, garlic bread (later I learned it was called "Texas Toast"), and a fresh batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies that were blue.
After everyone had eaten their fill, and thanked Sally, the boys got up and walked over to the living room- someone grabbing the remote and switching it to a football game.
I was kind of confused until Sally and Thalia got up and started cleaning up their messes too. I looked at them disturbed, "Why are we cleaning up their messes?" I asked slightly stiff.
Thalia looked at me and saw my expression and laughed, turning her head to look at Sally. Together they shrugged and spoke in unison, "It's football season."
I was still slightly perturbed as I stood to help.
Sensing my discomfort Sally spoke, "We made a deal with them a few years back. Friday nights, during football season anyways, they don't have to pick up for themselves, and they catch up on the games together." She smiled at me and I felt better. She continued, "Don't worry, it flips after the season ends, and then they get to clean up after us!" I smiled and walked to the kitchen balancing plates and cups.
After a few minutes we were done. Thalia went and sat by Nico, who wrapped his arm around her, and Sally sat in the Lazy-boy closest to the door. I felt lost for a split second before I saw Percy's head whip around, looking for me. He gave me a cheesy grin before waving me over to sit next to him on the couch. As I went and sat down, the guys jumped out of their seats, yelling obnoxiously and cheering for the team that just scored.
I felt myself sink into the couch and relax for the first time all day.
It went like that for the next 20 minutes or so, everyone 'ooh-ing and boo-ing' at the right times.
The front door opened suddenly, and everyone turned to look. A tan guy walked in wearing a floppy fishing hat, a green Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and flip-flops. He had a bag in one hand and numerous different fishing poles in the other. Sally stood up walked over to him. He set everything down before wrapping her in a big hug and kissing her cheek. The guy removed his hat and I immediately recognized him as the guy in Percy's pictures. They looked practically identical when it came to the eyes and hair.
Percy stood up and walked over to the man, talking as he went, "DAD! You're home early!" They shared a "bro" hug. Before Percy continued, "Oh hey, dad! This is Annabeth!" he looked back at me and I automatically stood up and walked over to them quickly, standing next to Percy and waving at his dad somewhat awkwardly.
The man smiled at me and his eyes crinkled, "Hello, Annabeth! I'm Poseidon, nice to meet you!" then he looked at Percy, "What a beautiful girl Perce, I'm proud of ya son!"
Sally laughed and stopped her husband from saying anymore, "Honey they aren't dating. Annabeth moved in this afternoon. She's gonna take Tyson's floor."
His eyes got wide and his mouth formed an 'o' shape before chuckling, somewhat embarrassed, "My bad. Jumped to conclusions! Nice to have you Annabeth! Welcome to the family." He smiled at me and then picked up his stuff and walked away, going into a room and closing the door
I was blushing badly, and saw that Percy's ears were red, indicating he was also. He looked over at me and smiled apologetically, "Dad's the comedian of the family…" He reached up and scratched the back of his neck.
I nodded and slowly turned around making my way back to the couch, Percy following right behind me. After sitting down I watched Sally as she walked over a closet under the stairs, and pulled out two boxes labeled 'Tysons kitchen' and then a few sets of plain sheets and a couple of pillows. Then she turned around and called out to me, "Annabeth, this stuff goes upstairs. I'm just going to leave it right here, and you can get it when you head up." She gave me a thumbs up and then went past the kitchen and through the door Poseidon went through.
I checked my watch. 8:45 p.m. Deciding that I wanted to go upstairs, I stood up and stretched, "I think I've had enough excitement for one day, so I'm gonna head up. Goodnight!" I walked over to the things Sally had set out.
Thalia was now right beside me, "Let me help you with those boxes!"
There were murmurs of "goodnights" and a "bye" as we walked up the stairs, and together we made it in just one trip.+
Thalia set her load down and walked over to the couch, plopping down onto it with an, "Oomph!" As if it were out of habit.
I watched her disappear onto the couch from the kitchen counter where I had set my box, "By all means, make yourself comfortable!" I said sarcastically.
She peaked her head above the cushion and said, "Don't mind if I do!" Before putting her head back down.
I smiled and started to unload everything onto the counter next to the sink.
"Hey, you want to help me?" I asked as I finished.
She sat up and looked at me lazily, "Not really…"
I glared at her, "COME HELP ME." I said in my most assertive voice.
She pursed her lips at me, "OK, OK, OK! I'm coming! Geeze lady." Standing up, she made her way over to me, dragging her feet the whole way.
I smirked, "I'll wash, you dry." Throwing a towel at her face
She caught it and smiled.
We went to work hand washing the dishes and putting them away in their new places. When everything was put away and the excess water wiped off the counter, she looked back at the couch longingly.
I shook my head and laughed, "GO. Be lazy."
She looked at me with a grateful grin and said in a silly voice, "Thnx Anniekinz!" She turned away and started walking.
"Don't call me Anniekinz, or Annie, or any other variation of my name that you can think of! My name is Annabeth." I said, my voice sounding almost whiney.
She waved her hand at me dismissively as she grabbed the remote and a PlayStation 4 controller, "Alright Annabananna, I will gladly come up with as many different names for you as I can think of!"
She turned on the TV and console, selecting a game called Infamous Second Son, and began to play as if she did this regularly. I glared at the back of her head and good-naturedly made a strangling gesture towards her.
Deciding it was useless to argue; I grabbed the bedding and walked to my room. Wincing as I turned on the light because of the brightness of the white walls. The bed was in the left corner, with the closet across from it on the right, separated only by the drawers and mirror. I smiled and started to make the bed.
When I was done I looked at my watch. 9:30 p.m. It wasn't too late, but I was really sleepy, and it had been a long day. I walked out to the living room to find Thalia up at the TV turning everything off.
"You're leaving?" I asked, breaking the new silence, and she jumped slightly.
"Frick, you scared me! I thought you were going to sleep, so I was gonna let myself out- I've been crashing up here for the last few weekends since Tyson left, but I'll just move down to Percy's floor tonight, and kick Nico off the couch." She started walking to the door.
"You can sleep on this couch if you want, but if you want to go cuddle with your boyfriend, I can totally understand that too." I said smirking.
She turned her head and gave me a sheepish smile, "I'll give you tonight to settle in, but next weekend- I'll take you up on that offer!"
I laughed, "What makes you so certain that my offer stands through next weekend?"
She looked at me thoughtfully for a moment before responding, "Because you're my new best friend, and you don't have a choice." She nodded at me once, sealing the conversation, and then walked down the stairs.
I watched her go with a smile dancing on my lips. I had always had trouble making friends, and yet here I was. I nodded at the empty space she had just occupied, and turned on my heel back to my room. Turning my fan on and collapsing into its welcoming embrace, and falling asleep before I could even thing about how comfortable it was.
I know you're reading it, which makes me happy, and I know I rarely review on stories too...but BE THE CHANGE MAN! I love hearing what you have to say!
