Chapter 1 - The Beach Boy
Annabeth
I woke up tired. I went to work tired. I lived tired. I am tired. But when the new lifeguard arrived at the beach, I knew something was going to change. I just didn't know what. I didn't know the boy I met that day would change everything. He would change my life, my perspective, and my love.
Luke invited me to meet him up at the beach for a date after work. I, of course, accepted and looked forward to it all day. I dazed off a couple of times at work, frustrating my boss, but he didn't say anything because he knew his prodigy couldn't quit because if I did, his company would fall. After work, I darted out of the building and home. My house was modern, all finery and stainless steel, perfectly framed pictures on every wall, not a scratch on my hardwood floors. I set my bags down on my bed and flopped down onto it. Then I hastily hopped off and smoothed the covers down. Then I scampered off to my bathroom to get ready.
I waited at the gate to the beach. When he didn't show up, I texted him.
Me: Luke, where are you?
Luke: On my way sry im late
Me: You're fine, see you
Luke: yp
I sigh. When Luke pulls up, and we tromp down to the beach and lay out a blanket. I set the ice chest I brought in the corner, opening it and pulling myself out a bottle of mango-flavored water. We sit together on the blanket, beach breeze combing my hair. We relax, laughing at all the lifeguards, talking about what they did at school, which leads into talking about OTP's at school, which leads to Luke suggesting we go test the surf.
I grab my surfboard and follow him into the salty waves. We get a couple of runs in before I notice the bright red lifeguard walking down the sand to take their shift in the surf. But it isn't time for a switch. There's a new lifeguard. My eyes shoot up at the new lifeguard, and I miss the wave.
The sea of blue washes over, shoving me violently under the water. I try to swim up only hit by another wave and shoved down, hitting my foot on a rock. I hear yelling above the water, but it's muffled. I struggle for shore, my lungs burning for air, but the riptide hits me, pushing me away. Something slices my arm, deep. I see a glint of bronze. The saltwater burns the wound and I scream, inhaling water. Too much water. My vision blanks at the edges. Don't pass out I warn myself. If you pass out you will drown. Don't pass out. But it's no use. I sink to the sand and the world goes black.
I gasp awake, spraying sand everywhere. I hear a laugh of relief and Luke's arms enfold me.
"I thought you were dead. Blood everywhere, you were passed out. You were underwater for three minutes, Annabeth. You scared me to death."
"I'm sorry," I say, shivering. Luke laughs.
"Don't be. I just- nevermind. What distracted you? You never miss a wave unless you're distracted." Luke's voice softens a little. Oh yeah...
"How did you get me? I was a ways away from shore." I ask, temporarily evading his question. Luke's expression goes cold.
"Why?" He asks.
"Don't avoid me." I retort. Luke sighs.
"Okay. There's a new lifeguard-"
"I knew it!" I jump up and immediately collapse, my ankle giving out, and my head throbbing. Sand covers the wound on my arm, and it stings. I groan.
"Hold it, feisty. You're not ready to get up yet." a voice says from behind me.
"Great, water boy is back," Luke grumbles under his breath. I prop myself up, looking around for the speaker. It's the new lifeguard. Dark, longish, styled hair, sparkling sea-green eyes and- I looked away, my face red as he kneels by me and wraps my arm.
"I found what stabbed you. I'm Percy, by the way." Percy shows me a sword, three feet of shining bronze, greek runes lining the hilt. Of all things. Percy sets the sword down and ties of the wrap on my arm.
"Thanks," I say softly. Percy nods and stands up and walks away, the bronze sword in hand. The back of his red swim shirt read, Jackson Lieutenant Lifeguard He drags it through the sand in a pattern, and at first, I think he's just being weird, but then I realize he's writing. In Greek. I squint my eyes and look at the runes. The waves come up and wash them away, and I thought I missed it, but then I realized I read it.
You're in danger, Chase.