Percy's P.O.V
I was working at the aquarium, which was my actual part time job, I was hoping to make it more permanent once I graduated. I loved it here, what I really wanted to do was design the habitats, that all the creatures lived in. There were some serious improvements, that I could see myself making to the tanks here, which I hoped would make the sea life more comfortable and interesting to the visitors.
I'd just finished cleaning the glass on the turtle exhibit when my phone rang, it was my mom.
"hey mom" I answered as I set to work on the glass in front of the sea horses, once a week all the glass needed cleaning, this week it was my turn.
"Hey sweetheart, I know you're at work, so I won't keep you long, but I just wanted to say the shop looks amazing, you'll have to do it every year from now on." She said and I smiled I was so glad she liked it.
"Well, I had help, it wasn't all me, but I'm glad you like it mom."
"Who helped? I'd like to thank them too".
"Annabeth, you know her, she works at the shop" I replied trying to sound indifferent and not like I was talking about the girl I really liked.
"Percy Jackson!" My mom scolded from the other end of the phone.
"What?" I asked genuinely perplexed.
"Please tell me you didn't call her in on her night off to help you, she's on the early shift this morning she must be exhausted."
"No, mom I didn't call her in, to work, we were hanging out as friends and she offered to help. I didn't know she had the early shift today, I'm sorry." And I really was, I felt bad keeping Annabeth out so late, when she had to be up early for the coffee shop. I vowed to text her on my break to apologise.
"I'll send her home, but you apologise to her, Percy, you hear me, get her some flowers and say you're sorry?"
"Yes mom, I promise."
"Good, right I'll let you get back to work."
"Bye mom love you."
"Love you too Percy, bye."
I hung up and put my phone back in my pocket. Looks like I was going to do more than just send an apology, I'd promised my mom I'd buy flowers, my problem now was I didn't know what flowers she liked. I guess I was going to the florists this afternoon when I was done.
Ψ
I went from exhibit to exhibit cleaning the glass, when I got to the dolphin exhibit and noticed that Summer was behaving very out of character. I put away the cleaning supplies and went to put on a wetsuit and snorkel. Even when I was in the tank with her, Summer didn't respond in her normal cheery and playful way. So, I rang Thalia when I got out of the tank.
"Kelp Head!" She greeted.
"Hey, I know you do nights at this time of year but something's wrong with Summer the dolphin. Could you grab a kit from the clinic and come take a look at her?" I got right to the point.
"Yeah sure, give me ten minutes, I'll meet you there."
"Thank you" I said before hanging up.
I went to my boss's office and he agreed to let me move Summer to the isolation pool so Thalia could look at her properly. It took about five minutes to harness Summer and lift her into the smaller tank to transport her to the isolation pool. She didn't fight it at all, which nearly all the animals do, they hate being lifted out to be checked by the vet. That's how I knew something must be seriously wrong.
Ψ
Thalia arrived a little later and I was in the pool with Summer trying to get her to interact with me.
"Come on Summer, you love hide and seek normally" I said as I stroked her nose gently, she nuzzled my palm in almost a sad motion.
"Hey Kelp Head, what's seems to be the problem?" She asked as she walked up to the edge of the pool.
"I don't know, I can't get her to interact at all, it's almost like she's too sad to try and I have no idea why. She was really happy on Monday when I last saw her." I said and Thalia nodded.
"Okay hold on, let me change into my waterproofs and then I'll get in and have a look at her."
Thalia normally dealt with household pets, but she always helped out at the aquarium if I needed her. She actually, despite her dislike of the ocean, was really good at helping the animals in the aquarium.
A splash brought me back to the present as Thalia got into the pool.
"Alright girl, mind if I take a look?" Thalia spoke to Summer who nuzzled my hand more, I nodded and moved out of the way.
Thalia checked her teeth and her gums, then her eyes and ears and her blowhole. She said they all looked normal. She checked both flippers and her tail fins before working her hand gently up the spine of Summer. It wasn't until she touched Summer's dorsal fin that things started to go wrong.
Summer completely freaked out and started trying to move away from Thalia and me, but she wasn't getting very far.
"Hey Summer, look at me girl, come on" I said as I calmed her down.
Her not moving was because she wasn't able to, I realised, as Thalia had too. Something was wrong with the dorsal fin that helped keep a dolphin stable. Without it, movement was hard and difficult at best. I wondered what she'd done to it, I managed to calm Summer down enough for Thalia to take a proper look at her dorsal fin.
"It seems swollen and a little bruised maybe, which is probably why she freaked out, I probably touched the part that was bruised. I'll bandage it and give her some pain killers and an anti-inflammatory, but she'll just need to rest in isolation until it heals. It can take anywhere up to two weeks to heal properly."
"Thanks Pinecone Face, what else can I do to help her?" I asked.
"Just what you are doing really, pay her attention, talk to her, and you should start to see an improvement when she's rested for a bit."
I nodded and we got out of the pool, Thalia to leave and probably sleep before her night shift and me to update my boss.
"Thanks Thalia, I really appreciate this." I said.
"It's really no problem. I'll catch up with you later though, as I really need to get some sleep." I nodded and we parted ways.
Ψ
I changed back into my jeans and polo shirt, standard aquarium uniform, and went back to my boss's office. Mr. Brooks was a pretty great boss, but you could tell he didn't really want to be in the aquarium business. He was brilliant with the people who worked for him, made sure we were all happy and enjoying our jobs. But his passion did not lie with the sea life, he checked up on all the exhibits, but it was more because he had too, than because he wanted too.
"Ah Percy, how's Summer doing?" He asked as I entered his office, I told him what was wrong and what Summer needed to get better.
"Ok, I can trust you'll take care of that then?" he asked, and I clenched my jaw, it wasn't that I didn't want to look after Summer, but Mr. Brooks always seemed to forget I had college classes I needed to pass.
"I guess I could come in before classes each day in addition to my normal hours, but I won't be able to do much more than that unfortunately because of college. I'll talk to Jennifer though see if she'll check on Summer in the afternoons."
"Great, thank you Percy, you've shown real initiative today, keep up the good work." He seemed distracted so I thanked him and left.
I found Jennifer by the Jellyfish exhibit and told her about Summer and asked if she'd check in on her in the afternoons, thankfully she agreed. Jennifer was one of the permanent members of staff in the aquarium, she was always really nice.
Ψ
Annabeth's P.O.V
Mrs. Blofis sent me home early because Percy had told her I helped decorate last night. I wasn't complaining, it meant I could do a bit of reading before Piper dragged me out Christmas shopping.
It had become a bit of a tradition, that on the first Saturday of December, after my shift at the coffee shop, we'd go Christmas shopping. Piper didn't stop until she found a gift for everyone she needed to buy for.
I on the other hand got things as and when I saw them, but I did always aim to make sure I bought gifts for Dad, Helen, Bobby and Matthew and had them wrapped, so I could send them early enough to arrive for Christmas.
We then spent the evening after, writing Christmas cards and wrapping gifts to place under the tree, that we would put up the following day. Piper liked to make sure that, if I wouldn't go home for Christmas, I would at least be able to celebrate 'in style' in our apartment.
Truth? Christmas day I spent in bed until about lunch time, then I'd make myself a quick lunch, nothing fancy, open the gifts I had received and settle in with a good book until I fell asleep. It was simple, there was no fuss, no drama and it was exactly how I liked it. Piper told me I needed to get into the Christmas spirit more.
Ψ
"You're home early" Piper said as I walked into the apartment, well there went my hopes of reading. I had thought she might be out with Jason.
"Mrs. Blofis, insisted once Percy told her I'd helped to decorate the shop last night" I said taking a seat on the sofa next to her. "How was your date? I didn't hear you come home last night."
"You didn't hear me come home, because I beat you home" She laughed, "but the date was magical, the food was amazing and then skating in central park was great, we skated until I was pretty much frozen. Then we went to the coffee shop to get a hot drink to warm up, where we saw you and Percy getting along well." She paused and raised an eyebrow at me, and I rolled my eyes. "Then, once we'd got a warm drink, he walked me home, it was perfect. I really like him Annabeth."
"I can see that. I'm glad you enjoyed your date." I said. "Did you want to get a head start on the shopping as I'm home early and we can continue to talk about your date, because I'm sure you've left out details?"
She laughed and nodded. I went to change into something less formal. I checked my phone, I hadn't heard from Percy yet today, so I decided to send him a message.
Annabeth: Hey how's work? Thalia said you had a dolphin issue?
I did have a message, but it wasn't from anyone I knew.
Unknown: You looked nice last night.
It wasn't really a creepy message, but it made me feel uncomfortable. I decided to block the number and delete the text. I couldn't think of who might have sent it and decided because of that, not to waste much thought on it.
I put my phone back into my pocket grabbed my bag with my purse in and met Piper in the living area. She was already ready to go, dressed in her favourite Christmas jumper, jeans and UGGs. Did I mention that she loved Christmas?
Ψ
"So, are you getting Percy a present?" Piper asked me as we entered the mall from the car park.
"I don't know Piper, probably not I've only known him for four days" I replied.
"So! You obviously like him, and from what I saw last night he likes you too! I think you should." She said.
"I'll take it under advisement." I said rolling my eyes, truth was I did like Percy, not that I was going to admit that to Piper, or Thalia, any time soon. I also, didn't want to ruin things, by getting him a gift for a holiday, that I barely celebrated. My phone buzzed in my pocket, speak of the devil.
Percy: Work's okay! Yeah, Summer's got a damaged dorsal fin. Don't worry! Thalia's given me a plan of action to help! You up to much?
Annabeth: Hope the plan works! I'm Christmas shopping with Piper.
"So, are you getting Jason a gift?" I asked.
"Of course, I'm getting him a gift, I'm not sure what it's going to be yet, but he's on the list." She replied.
"Okay then, who's first on the Piper list this year?" I asked.
"Dad, of course, then Mom" She said.
We headed to the part of the mall that had the gadget stores. Piper had seen something online that she thought would amuse her dad, so that's what she was going to get him. The gadget shops were usually perfect places to find gifts for my dad, Bobby and Matthew so I hopped I'd cross off most of my list there. That would leave, Helen, Thalia, Piper, Hazel, Mrs. Blofis, and maybe Percy.
Percy: Christmas shopping… I still need to do mine. Am I getting a gift? :)
Annabeth: That depends, am I getting a gift?
Ψ
Piper's P.O.V
I, am, beat. Annabeth and I spent the last six hours, literally shopping until we dropped. I've got every single person on my list a gift, including Jason, we'd also got all our gift wrap and cards ready for the evening ahead. I was exhausted, but it's all done now, which is the important thing.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Christmas. I love seeing people's faces when they open the gift you've given them and seeing how much they like it. What I don't like is the actual purchasing of the gifts, there are so many people and crowds. I just like to go into the mall first Saturday of the month, already knowing what I'm going to buy. In, out, job done.
Ψ
I sat on the floor so I could use the coffee table to write my Christmas cards, while Annabeth made us hot chocolates in the kitchen. There was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it" I shouted, though as far as I knew, we weren't expecting anyone.
"Annabeth Chase?" a delivery man asked holding a bouquet of the most gorgeous lilies I had ever seen.
"Yes" I answered because we sign for things for each other all the time. He handed me his pad and stylus and I signed for the flowers and took them inside.
"Annabeth! You've got a delivery" I called to her as I set the flowers on the coffee table.
"Who from?" She called back.
"I don't know! Come open the card!" I called as she walked through the kitchen door back into the living area.
She passed me a hot chocolate and asked, "Where's the parcel?" I rolled my eyes and pointed to the flowers on the table excitedly. I hoped they were from Percy.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and Annabeth wasn't easily surprised either, then she frowned because she wasn't expecting them. I could tell she was trying to work out who had sent them.
"They're beautiful" She whispered, and they were.
They were white and the middles, instead of being orange, they were blue. Royal Blue Heart Lilies, they were exceptionally rare, not many florists stocked them, because they were so difficult to get a hold of.
"They are" I replied as she put her hot chocolate on the coffee table and took the card to open, while still staring at the lilies. I knew she liked them. Please, let them be from Percy, please, please, please!
A smile broke across her face as she read the card and I couldn't take not knowing anymore.
"So, who are they from?" I asked trying to hold back my excitement, but I think even Annabeth knew I was failing at that.
"Percy" she said handing me the card to read.
Annabeth,
Really enjoyed last night!
Your boss told me off for keeping you up late before an early shift and told me to send apology flowers!
I'm not so good at flowers, but I liked these, and the lady in the shop said they were a special kind.
They made me think of you, so I hope they fit the bill and that you like them.
Sorry for keeping you up so late,
Hope you had fun and weren't too tired for work!
Percy :)
Aww! I smiled, this guy really liked her, and judging by the smile that now graced her face, Annabeth really liked him too. I think the flowers fit the bill, they must have cost him a fortune, but he clearly didn't mind as he sent them anyway.
"Let me put them in some water" Annabeth said before picking up the bouquet and disappearing into the kitchen with them.
She came back five minutes later and placed them on the coffee table. They were stunning, I had to take a picture to send to Hazel.
Piper: Look what Annabeth just received!
It didn't take Hazel long to reply.
Hazel: They're beautiful! Who are they from?
Piper: Potential new love interest, watch this space!
Hazel: We need a girl's day soon! I need all the information!
I had to agree with Hazel it had been too long since we'd all got together to just hangout.
"Hey Annabeth, after we do the tree in the morning tomorrow, do you want to have a girl's afternoon with Hazel?" I asked taking a sip of my hot chocolate.
"Sure, I'll invite Thalia too" She said.
"Perfect" I smiled. It would give me an opportunity to get to know her better.
I sent a text to Hazel and she sent one to Thalia to see if they were free and we set about writing Christmas cards and wrapping the presents ready to put under the tree in the morning.
Ψ
Percy's P.O.V
I picked the flowers that the florist, Katie, recommended. I actually had really liked them. And not just because they had blue on them, they were just different to any I'd seen before.
Katie had told me they were a special type of lily, rare, but she tried to stock it when she could.
It made me think of Annabeth, she was rare, special, and the more I thought about it the more I was talking myself into buying her these flowers. I paid to have them delivered and hoped she liked them.
I wrote out the card and I could have kicked myself by the time I got to the end, but I didn't have time to make it any better, I had to get back to the aquarium to feed the animals and check on Summer before going home for the evening.
Ψ
When I got home, Frank was watching the football with Jason.
"Hey! How was work?" Frank asked.
"Okay, thanks, long day, how were your days?" I asked them, setting my keys and phone on the table and going to get a can of soda from the fridge.
"Good, I got some Christmas shopping done, think I've found a gift Grandmother will really like." Frank said, I was glad he had found something for his grandmother, he always sought her approval and wanted to make her proud, hers was normally the last gift he found, and I was pleased for the change.
"Great what did you get for her?" I asked.
"She has this really rare China set but it was never complete. I found what I believe are the missing pieces in a little shop on the outskirts of the city." Frank said.
"Must have cost you a fortune" Jason replied.
"Not as much as you might think," Frank replied.
Truth was Frank was a descendant from one of the most powerful Chinese dynasties, he didn't talk about it much, but Frank and his family were very, well off. After his mom passed away a couple of years back, he had inherited his mom's portion of the family fortune, and it had nothing on what was waiting for him on his 25th birthday.
Frank didn't care about all of that though, it was like his backup plan, he worked in the coffee shop as he didn't have a penny to his name. It was one of the things I really liked about Frank, how he wanted to make his own way.
"Jason what about you?" I asked.
"Went to the gym, then came here to watch the game with Frank." He said.
"And your date last night?" I prompted.
"Went really well, I'm seeing her again on Thursday." He said and the smile that donned his face, was all I needed to see, to know he was really excited about that.
"You must really like this girl Grace, not only have you got in touch the day after the date, but you've also asked her out again!" I teased, we did this all the time, but he genuinely looked happy, so I wasn't going to tease him too much.
"Maybe I do" he said but it wasn't defensive like our normal exchange when he likes a girl. "Anyway, you're one to talk, how was your date last night?" He asked me.
"I didn't have a date last night; I was decorating the coffee shop." I replied.
"Could've fooled me" Frank chimed in.
Before I could say anything else my phone chimed, Jason picked it up, and much to my annoyance, read it out loud.
Annabeth: Thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful!
I grabbed my phone from Jason's hand and sent a reply.
Percy: So glad you liked them, really sorry about the card!
"Dude if it wasn't a date why did you send flowers?" Jason asked.
"Mom told me I needed to send flowers to apologise, because she was up late helping me and had an early shift at the coffee shop. So, I sent her flowers." I replied.
"The question is what type of flowers did you send?" Frank asked.
"Lilies" I replied, and Frank nodded thoughtfully.
"Y'know in Chinese culture, lilies are a popular wedding flower, and symbolise a union that lasts 100 years." Frank said like everyone would know that.
"I picked the lilies because I thought they looked nice, no big deal." I said which was partially true, but I knew this wasn't the last I was going to hear on the matter.
Ψ
~Author's Note~
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