CHAPTER 3
'Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?' Annabeth asked for the sixth time.
'Yes, I'm sure. You need this break to see your dad. And this is a good chance to see my mum. Trust me, I'll be fine Wise Girl. I'm not that reckless that I'll get into trouble as soon as you're not there.'
Percy grinned at her when he said this last part.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. 'Yes, you are, and you know it. But I'm serious. Everyone's still pretty shaken after the battle. It's okay to ask for help,' she said sincerely.
Percy paused in his packing and looked at her. They held each other's gaze for a moment before Percy put down the clothes he was packing and walked over to her.
'I know it is, really, and the same goes for you, but I'm okay. Better than I've been in a long time. And I want to take this chance to see my family again. Plus, mum wants me to try going to school again, so this'll be the perfect chance.' He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. 'Don't worry, I'll come back to visit and help with all the new cross camp renovations, and you and the others can come see me whenever you want. I promise.'
Annabeth looked at him for a long moment before sighing. 'Okay, as long as you promise to at least try to stay out of trouble.'
Percy's grin returned. 'Who me? Why would you even think that? I'm the least troublesome guy around!'
Annabeth groaned, but she had a smile on her face. 'Yeah, you're a real joy.'
Percy gasped with faux hurt. 'Is that a hint of sarcasm I detect Miss Chase? You say it as though it isn't true!'
Annabeth gave an exasperated sigh before pushing him away. 'Back to your packing, no more distractions.'
'How dare you! I would never get distracted. The fact you would even suggest-' Annabeth was already out the door with that smile on her face she got when Percy was being an idiot.
Percy smiled to himself as he returned to his packing that he definitely did not get distracted from, thank you very much. This will be a good year; I can feel it.
Oh, how wrong he was.
...
As Percy made his way towards the hill, he was knocked to the ground. He looked up to see a kid no older than ten staring wide eyed down at him.
'I'm sorry, I didn't see you-oh my gosh, you're-you're him! Oh no, I am so sorry Mr Jackson, I really didn't mean to-'
'It's fine kid, don't sweat it. No harm done, see?' he said gesturing to himself as he pulled himself up. 'And call me Percy, Mr Jackson is way too formal.'
'Yes! Absolutely Mr Jack-Percy. Whatever you say.'
This kid was adorable. 'What's your name, kiddo?' Percy asked, kneeling down to be closer to his height.
'J-Johnny,' he stammered, going red. Percy gave him a friendly smile. 'You new here?' he asked him. 'Yeah, I just got here three weeks ago,' he replied.
Percy grimaced at that. Kid had only been here a couple weeks and he'd already got dragged into a war. It was a miracle he survived. 'Well, it was nice to meet you, Johnny, but I gotta get going. I'll see you around,' Percy said, standing up.
'Yes! See you around Mr-,' Johnny was suddenly interrupted by a coughing fit, a bad one at that. Percy frowned, patting him on the back. 'You alright there?' he asked once he had stopped and caught his breath.
Johnny looked up at him with a weak smile. 'Yeah, just a cough. Might be getting a cold or something.'
Percy tried for a comforting smile. 'Well, just look after yourself. If it doesn't get any better, ask for Will Solace, he'll help you out.'
Johnny looked up at him with big, innocent eyes, full of childlike wonder. 'Okay! Thanks Mr Percy sir!' And with that, he turned and ran over to a group of boys a similar age to him who were glancing between Johnny and him, with looks of awe on their faces.
...
'See you later, dude,' Percy said to Jason with a fist bump. 'Try not to get eaten by a monster, bro,' Jason replied with a raised eyebrow.
Percy groaned. 'Why does everyone assume I'm going to get myself killed or eaten!'
Piper, who was standing next to Jason smirked. 'Because it's your thing, Percy. As soon as you're on your own, monsters find you. You're like a magnet for danger. Not your fault, just how it is.' She said this last part with a shrug and fake sympathy.
'Gee thanks, McLean, that gives me so much encouragement,' Percy deadpanned. 'Anytime!' said Piper with a sweet smile.
'You'll be fine, just, call us if you're in danger or need help,' Nico said without really looking at him. Will, who was beside him, then said with a serious look, 'And so help Jackson if I find out you're going out of your way to put yourself in danger or being reckless again I will personally hunt you down and drag you back to camp where I can make sure you don't do something stupid.'
Percy gulped slightly at that. Will, for literally being the son of the God of sunshine, could be really scary when it came to someone's health.
'Got it, no being an idiot,' said Percy with a salute. 'A self-sacrificing idiot,' Hazel chirped in from where she stood beside Frank, one arm around him.
'A self-sacrificing idiot,' Percy said with an eye roll. Annabeth planted a kiss on his cheek. 'Now get going, already. We'll see you soon.'
And with that, he turned and walked down the hill to the car that was waiting to take him into the city. With one last look up the hill, Percy waved to his friends and stepped into vehicle.
Little did he know, this would be the last he would see them all for quite some time.