I don't own Percy Jackson or the song Speak Now.
Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter." I looked up at the convened council of the Olympians— each of the twelve gods and goddesses, gathered in a half circle. I squeezed Percy's arm, instantly regretted this extremely public display of affection, and walked forward to kneel at my mother's feet.
The war was over. Finally. For the first time in a long time, as I lowered my battered body onto the floor of Olympus, I wasn't worried that the world was about to come crashing down on us or that Percy was going to spontaneously combust. We did it. We were safe. I lifted my eyes to my mother.
Athena smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."
I looked up, stunned. "My . . . my lady?"
Athena smiled wryly. "You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"
"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?" At this point my mother may has well have been speaking Mandarin for all I was understanding. Wise girl? Not so much.
"As your heart desires," the goddess said. "Make us a city for the ages."
"As long as you have plenty of statues of me," Apollo added.
"And me," Aphrodite agreed.
"Hey, and me!" Ares said. "Big statues with huge wicked swords and—"
"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus."
I rose in a trance and walked back toward Percy, who was grinning ear to ear.
"Way to go," he whispered, flashing a smile that normally would have put me in cardiac arrest, had I not already reached that point.
My brain was mush. For once I was lost for words, completely overwhelmed. "I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . ." I stuttered incoherently. "Drafting paper, and, um, pencils—"
"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. This snapped me out of my daze. The room feel silent, every eye on Percy Jackson as he walked toward the center of the throne room. Hestia smiled at him, a warmth radiating off of her.
Percy bowed to Zeus. Then he knelt at his father's feet.
"Rise, my son," Poseidon said. Percy stood uneasily.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"
I held my breath, waiting for someone to protest. The gods never agreed on anything, and most of them were not exactly "Pro Percy Jackson", but not a single one protested. This was a historic day indeed.
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
"Any gift?" Percy asked hesitantly, his eyes flicking momentarily from Zeus over to his father.
Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson—if you wish it—you shall be made a god." My head snapped up as I realized what was being offered to my best friend.
"Immortal," Zeus said. "Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time." A lieutenant? A god? I scuffed the toe of my shoe against the marble floor nervously— why was I nervous? Why did I care? If anyone deserved it, it was Percy.
Percy at him, stunned. "Um...a god?"
Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever." I caught Clarisse looking at me, eye brows raised. Then I noticed everyone else looking at me, eye brows raised. I scowled at them and turned my attention back to the casual immortalizing of Percy Jackson.
"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.
Percy looked back at me, and I quickly turned away. I felt the color drain from my face as I tried to look nonchalant, as if I couldn't care less. Hell, I really couldn't care less, no need to fake it.
You care, you dummy, whispered the annoying voice in the back of my head.
Shut up, no I don't.
Obviously, you do! You're in love with him!
I am not in love with— oh my gods.
Uh-huh.
I'm in love with him.
Yup.
I have to stop this! He's going to chose immortality!
Do something, girl!
I looked around nervously. I am not the kind of girl to be rudely barging in on the immortalization of anyone, much less the kid I was in love with. But, then again, Percy was not the kind of boy who should live eternity without knowing how I feel. Percy looked back at me again. I lose myself in a day dream, open my mouth— don't say yes! Run away now! I'll meet you outside— but nothing came out. I stood there, frozen.
My heartbeat pounded as I tried to figure out what I could possibly say or do to convince Percy not to do this. I needed to talk to him, he needed to hear me out.
Theres a silence— theres my last chance, my hail Mary, my speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-peace moment— Percy looked back at me one more time. And turned to answer.
I was too late.
"No," I said. My hands flew up to cover my mouth.
Horrified looks from everyone in the room. The Council was silent. My heart must have stopped. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.
"No?" Zeus said. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"
There was a dangerous edge to his voice, like a thunderstorm about to erupt. Please don't kill him.
"I'm honored and everything," Percy said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."
The gods were glaring at him, but my heart leapt for joy. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to keep it together— I felt the eyes in the room slowly turn my way, but I was only looking at Percy. My Percy Jackson.
Turning down immortality. What a seaweed brain. I'll have to make him a birthday cake, I thought to myself happily.