Chapter 17

Annabeth POV

"Oh not again!" Yells a distant voice, pulling me out of my slumber. I open my eyes, and immediately regret it as I'm momentarily blinded by a strong burst of sunlight. For a minute, I'm seriously confused. Where on earth was I? I sit up a little bit, blinking out the sunlight, and take a look around. The first thing I see is the bright blue sky above me, and then the ocean straight ahead. Then I look over and notice Percy sleeping soundly beside me, and suddenly, it all comes flooding back. I feel my cheeks go hot.

"This is Resort Security," says the same voice that had woken me up. "Another set of pesky teens have fallen asleep on Olympus beach again."

The voice comes from behind me, and grows louder as the man it belongs to walks closer to us. I immediately know we're in trouble. I lean down to shake Percy awake.

"Percy!" I say, gently pushing his shoulder. A part of me feels seriously guilty waking him up. I mean, he looks ridiculously peaceful. His hair is all messy, and he looks so comfortable with the blanket pulled up to his chin. I also feel a pang of regret because, I mean, how many opportunities am I gonna get to watch Percy sleep? Okay, that sounded stalkerish, but I needed to set all my reserves aside. We had to get up. Now.

I shake him harder. "Percy! Wake up!"

I feel him stir beneath me. "Whah-" Percy says, opening his eyes and leaning up. He looks incredibly confused for a moment, but after taking a moment to process his surroundings, he blushes like crazy. "Oh my gods. Please don't tell me we fell asleep."

"I would love to," I say. "But I can't because we did. And anywho, we have bigger problems at the moment." I motion behind me. Percy looks over his shoulder.

The guard is only a few feet away now, and he has his walkie talkie up to his ear. "Yes, right away," he reports.

"Shit," Percy groans, and we both quickly sit up, rapidly trying to fold up the blanket so we can make a run for it, but it's no use. The guard has already reached us.

The guard wears a neon orange security jacket and is incredibly short, with a stubbly beard and a firm expression, like someone who takes his job way to seriously. The sight of him would honestly be comical if we weren't about to be in a shitton of trouble.

"I'm Resort Security Officer Gleeson Hedge," the man says, and flashes his badge at us. It's obvious he's been waiting for an opportunity to do that. "And with the authority bestowed upon me by Olympus Corporations, I am going to have to ask you what on earth you're doing here."

Percy and I nervously glance at each other.

"Early morning trip to the beach?" Percy tries.

The officer just shakes his head. "Beach doesn't open till 6:00 cupcake. You'll both be coming with me."

I groan. The last thing I need right now is to get in trouble again, but alas, it's not like I have much of a choice. Percy and I stand, finishing folding the blanket as we do. Once we're done, Percy takes it, and we look at the officer, who seems pleased that we're cooperating so well. He points a finger at us. "No funny business."

"Yes, because we were really planning on putting up a fight," I mumble under my breath, and Percy shoots me a smirk.

The guard begins making his way up the beach, and Percy and I follow close behind, wading our way through the sand. We head up the stairs to the resort and follow him into the corporate hallway. With a start, I realize that we're heading into the same office that Percy and I were taken into a couple of weeks ago when we got tested for drugs after making a scene in the lobby. I have to put my hand over my mouth to stifle my laugh. I quickly turn my head, and one look at the smirk on Percy's face, and I can tell he's noticed it's the same room too.

We stop in front of a long, official looking desk, and the officer turns to face us. Noticing the expressions on our faces, he gets mad. "What's so funny?"

"Absolutely nothing," I say, shaking my head with fake seriousness, but I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

He narrows his eyes at me, skeptically. "I'm going to go get my boss. I'll be right back. If either of you try anything, I'm not afraid to get my baseball bat!"

Percy puts his hand over his chest and nods seriously. "No funny business," he agrees.

The officer looks like he senses the sarcasm in Percy's words, but doesn't know what to do about it, so he just exists the room with one final glare, leaving Percy and me alone in the office. As soon as the door shuts, we both burst out laughing.

"What are the chances!" Percy laughs.

I fall back into one of the chairs. "We're notorious."

Percy joins me and sits down in the other chair. I quickly notice how beautiful he looks right now, with his jetblack hair all rumpled and his sweatshirt bringing out the color of his eyes. Suddenly, the events of last night come flooding back to me, making me blush. I can tell Percy is thinking about the same thing, because his expression has become flushed.

I want to lean over and kiss him. I want to feel his lips on mine and feel his arms around me. I've never felt this strongly about someone romantically before, and whatever emotional barriers came down between us last night seem to have turned my self restraint to mush. I want to tell Percy how I feel and talk about everything that has happened, but before I can even open my mouth to say something, the door to the office flies open.

A man in a neatly pressed suit walks into the room, and as soon as he sees us, he moans. "Oh not you two again!"

The edge of Percy's mouth twitches like he's trying not to smile.

Exasperated, the man walks to the back of the room and sits down at the desk. He looks ridiculously tired, which makes sense considering it's about 5:30 in the morning.

The man suddenly straightens up and looks at me with a determined expression, like he's gonna make an effort to look at the glass half full. "Well, on the upside, Annabeth, I won't have to kill myself prying the personal information out of you this time since we already have it all on file."

I moan, placing my face in my hands. My mom was going to kill me.

It only takes Percy's dad about fifteen minutes to show up after they call him. When Mr. Jackson shows up and the man explains the situation, Percy looks like he wants to die of embarrassment at the whole ordeal. Overall, though, Mr. Jackson takes the whole thing really well, and out of nowhere, I feel a sudden pang of envy that Percy has such great parents. Then I hate myself for feeling jealous about a thing like that.

When Percy gets dismissed, he and his dad walk to the door, but before they leave, Percy places a reassuring hand on my shoulder and leans down to whisper in my ear.

"Text me later, alright? I want to know that you're alive."

I smile and give him a nod. Percy looks sad as he leaves, like he hates leaving me here, but we both know that he can't stay, and I can't leave until I've been dismissed by a guardian.

It's an hour and a half before there's a knock at the door. The man in the room with me has fallen asleep at the desk, and he startles awake at the sound of the knocking. He quickly combs through his hair with his hands and goes to answer the door.

I'm expecting to see my mom when the door opens, but of course, the fates hate me, and the situation has to be worse than I thought.

When my dad steps through the door, I slump deeper into my seat. Even though my mom could be neglectful and job-obsessive, I still felt a million times closer to her than my dad.

I don't say anything as the man takes the time to explain the situation again. I just sit there, slightly embarrassed, but mostly annoyed. It was just a little mistake, and It's not like I actually did anything wrong. The resort is way too over dramatic about little flukes.

When I have finally been released, my dad and I stand up and walk out of the office, heading down the hall into the lobby. It's still early in the morning, but after how long I was in that office, people are now awake and starting to go about their days. The lobby has a couple of people sprinkled here and there, all wearing summery clothes, ready to go about enjoying their days.

When we finally reach the front doors, my dad turns towards me. "Annabeth…"

I look at him. It's been a while since I really looked at my dad. His greying hair falls into his face slightly, and he seems older, more tired, like life is really starting to drain him.

"I'm sorry," I say with a shrug. "We accidentally fell asleep. I promise it won't happen again."

My dad nods his head. "I know."

An awkward moment of silence passes between us, and we both stand there, not really knowing what to say.

My dad rubs the back of his neck. "We're having a family breakfast down at Ambrosia in a little bit. You should come join us."

I feel a little tug in my chest. What I really want is to go find Percy. I feel like there has been a cord connecting the two of us since last night, and the longer we're apart, the more taunt it becomes. I feel the cord pulling at me, urging me to run to him. But in life, sometimes you just have to swallow the pill. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that you can't always have what you want. Plus, this breakfast will probably be good for my dad and me, even if Helen will be there.

"Sure," I say. "Just let me get changed, and I'll meet you there in a little bit."

My dad smiles. "Great."

We head off in our different directions, him towards the restaurant to grab a table, and me out the front doors to make my way back to my room.

It's about a fifteen minute walk back, and I'm kind of mad that I don't have my skateboard, but Thalia had driven me last night and I had assumed that she was going to drive me back, so there had been no need to take it. I grow hot all over again as I remember why I didn't end up needing a drive back.

Whatever had passed between Percy and me last night had been so powerful, it almost scared me to think about it. I've never felt this strongly about someone in this way.

But then, a distressing thought comes to mind. What would it feel like if things ever went sour? I close my eyes briefly and shake my head at the thought. No. I can't go through life restraining myself from truly living because I'm scared of what could possibly happen. I can't live like that. Not anymore. I will tell Percy how I feel.

When I get back to my room, I notice that the pullout couch is still pulled out from the sleepover the girls and I had the night before last, and I laugh. I was planning on cleaning up last night, but well, you know…

After I've showered and changed into a nice sundress, I head back to the Colosseum. The whole ordeal only takes me about thirty minutes, so I probably haven't missed too much of the breakfast.

Despite the fact that my family is literally staying in the same hotel as me, I've only seen them a couple of times ever since they arrived. It's the same kind of neglect I usually face from Helen back home, but I've got to say, I was kind of hoping it would be different here since my dad is actually here right now and not on some business trip like he usually is. I thought that he would be making more of an effort to hang out with me, but I guess he's probably just busy. I think that's why I'm kind of starting to look forward to this breakfast. Even though I pretty much despise spending time with my stepfamily, this is an opportunity for me to get to know my dad better, something I rarely get the chance to do back home.

I ride the elevator up to the right floor, and when I arrive at Ambrosia, I'm again surprised by just how fancy it is. I haven't been here since my first night at the resort, and being back here reminds me of running into Percy and getting to know him for the first time. It's hard to believe how close we've become since then, and just thinking of it makes that ache to see him, to be with him, all the stronger. I push my feelings aside. First thing's first.

I'm a couple of steps into the restaurant when I see my dad, Helen, Bobby, and Matthew sitting at a table in the back. I almost miss them though, because their table is hidden behind one of those beautiful chinese room dividers. I make my way over to them, scaling the wall because it's easier than trying to make my way through the tables. I am about to step out and join them, when all of a sudden, I hear something that makes me stop in my tracks. I remain hidden behind the divider, blocked from sight as I pause to listen.

"I mean really Frederick," Helen says, her high voice sending waves of anger down my spine. "She's not a good influence on Bobby and Matthew." Helen lowers her voice now, but I can still hear her since she sits close to the divider. "If Annabeth keeps slutting around with boys, and on public beaches none the less, I think it shows a serious lapse in her judgement. She shouldn't be near Bobby and Matthew."

I feel like someone has punched me in the gut. For years, I've faced constant rudeness and neglect from Helen, but to say something like that about me? And to my own father?

I stand there behind the divider, waiting for my dad to say something back to her, waiting for him to defend me. I wait for him to tell her that I didn't do anything wrong, to yell at her, to ask her how on earth she could possibly say something like that about his daughter. But he doesn't. He doesn't say anything. He just lets her keep going on about what a bad influence I am.

I clench my fists. I can't listen to this anymore. I quickly make my way back to the elevator, willing myself not to scream out in frustration. Did he always let her talk about me like that? Does he really care so much more about keeping the peace in his new, perfect, little family that he can't even defend his own daughter?

I quickly open my phone and text my dad that I won't be able to make it to breakfast, not bothering with an explanation. I have to shove my phone into my purse to keep myself from throwing it across the elevator.

When I reach the lobby, I immediately spot Thalia working in the library through the clear glass walls. Thank gods. I head over there.

"Hey Annabeth!" Thalia says excitedly as I step through the door, but as soon as she sees my expression, she says, "Uh oh," and then screams to no one in particular, "I'm going on my break!"

She hops out from behind the desk and puts her hand on my back as she guides me to the teen center. We push our way through whatever losers are playing arcade games this early in the morning until we've finally found a secluded booth all the way in the back. As soon as we sit down, Thalia places her arm around my shoulder.

"Lay it on me," she says.

As I tell Thalia all about Helen and my dad, I notice that I've picked up a fork off the table, and that I've slowly been bending it out of shape. When I finally finish my story, Thalia gently takes the fork out of my hand and places it back on the table before leaning back into the booth. "That sucks Annabeth, I'm sorry."

I lean my head on her shoulder. "It just makes me so mad, you know! How could he let her talk about his own daughter like that."

Thalia shakes her head. "I really don't know. Fathers are stupid."

"And stepmothers," I add.

Thalia laughs. "Yeah, them too."

I guess she'd know all about that. I think that's one of the reasons we relate to each other so well.

Thalia and I sit there like that, tucked away in the booth, her arm around me and my head on her shoulder, for a couple of minutes before I decide to break the silence.

"Percy and I fell asleep at the beach last night," I blurt out.

"You what!" Thalia shrieks and shoots up straight, throwing me off her shoulder.

"Ow!" I groan.

Thalia ignores my pain. "No you didn't!" She says, her eyes wide.

"Yeah, we did," I laugh, before smirking. "I guess your plan worked."

Thalia throws her fist in the air. "Yes! I'm practically Cupid!" Then her face scrunches up. "Man I sound like Piper's mom." The thought seems to bother her for a moment, but then she shrugs and turns toward me. "Fuck it. Tell me everything."

I laugh. "Well, we didn't kiss or anything, but I think the moment was almost more important because we didn't."

I suddenly grow embarrassed about what I'm saying, thinking that Thalia will make fun of me, but she doesn't. She just seems genuinely happy for me, so I decide to go on.

"Something happened between us," I say. "Like whatever awkwardness or uncertainty that existed before just disappeared." I look at Thalia. "I've never felt anything like it."

Thalia looks like she could burst from giddiness. "Annabeth you don't know how happy this makes me." She puts her hand on my knee. "Percy's never felt this way about anyone his whole life, and I couldn't be happier that he feels it for someone like you."

I blush and jokingly smack her arm, unable to contain my grin. "Shut up."

"So what happened after?" Thalia says, eagerness plain in her voice.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Thalia rolls her eyes. "Did you guys tell each other how you feel? Are you in a relationship?"

"Oh," I say slowly. "We didn't really have time to discuss it."

Thalia looks confused, but also like she's about to decapitate me, so I go on, wanting to keep my head attached to my body. "Security found us on the beach, and we got in trouble for falling asleep, so our parents had to come get us, and yeah. That was that."

Thalia bursts out laughing. "Man, they must love you down in corporate by now," she says.

I roll my eyes. "Tell me about it."

Thalia looks content for a minute, but then, a sudden expression of anger takes over her face, and she punches me in the forearm. "Wait what are you doing here right now? Don't you want to go be with him?"

"More than anything," I say. I try to keep the emotions out of my voice, but I can't help it. What I feel for Percy is allconsuming.

"Well then what are you doing! Go talk to him!"

Just then a voice booms over the hotel speakers: "Thalia Grace, please report to the library."

I look at Thalia. "I thought you said you were going on break?"

She looks up to the sky, thoughtful. "You know, it's very possible that I don't actually get breaks," she says. I grin and roll my eyes. That's Thalia for you.

The voice booms over the speaker again: "Thalia, if you don't come back in two minutes, the resort will have no choice but to fire you."

Thalia's eyes go wide. She turns to me. "Gotta go. Text Percy!" Then she runs off, leaving me there shaking my head.

I laugh and pull out my phone.

Part of me is worried that it will look needy if I text Percy right now, but then another part of me reminds myself of the promise I made to myself just earlier today. I can't let fear hold me back from living my life.

I open Percy's contact to send him a text.

HEY, YOU CAN STOP WORRYING, I'M ALIVE.

I'm absolutely relieved when he responds within the next minute.

GLAD TO HEAR IT! IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF YOU WEREN'T.

I feel my cheeks go hot, and I quickly start typing again.

WE SHOULD PROBABLY TALK (MAN YOU PROBABLY THINK I'M CLINGY)

The little bubble shows up that shows that he's typing.

ABSOLUTELY NOT - I'VE BEEN DYING TO SEE YOU ALL DAY

A grin the size of Texas takes over my face. Then he sends another text.

I'M GONNA BE WORKING UNTIL REALLY LATE TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU WANNA COME MEET ME AFTER I'M DONE, I GET OFF AT 11:00 :)

I'm not the kind of girl who squeals over a guy, but in that moment, I think I accidentally do. I quickly respond.

OK!

A/N: Hey everyone! I usually don't include author's notes because I've always felt like they kind of take away from the story, but I just wanted to thank you guys for being the best readers in the entire world. When I get notified that someone has reviewed or followed this story, it absolutely makes my day. EoOR has finally reached 60 reviews, and I love you guys so much for sticking with me and for caring about this story. I never imagined that I'd actually have people who want to read my work, and your support and encouragement mean the world to me!

On a side note, for my birthday, my amazing Sally Jackson of a mother took me to NY to see the Lightning Thief Musical, and I thought it was incredible. It was probably one of the best days of my life, so if you're thinking about going and seeing it, I highly recommend it!

Once again, thanks so much for reading! Don't hesitate to share your opinion, and remember to R&R! You guys mean everything to me :)

-Kylie 3