Chapter 2

Percy grinned. "Hey, guys. Long time no see."

"Yeah no kidding," Jason scoffed, walking forward. He and Percy hugged, a quick guy embrace before letting go.

Thalia threw an arm around her cousin. "Seaweed Brain here is staying with us for his senior year."

Jason's eyes lit up. "Really? That's awesome, dude!"

Percy shrugged. "Figured my last year of high school should be spent here with you guys." Then he turned to me.

"Hey, Annabeth." He gave me a crooked smile. Thalia smirked. I was only slightly shocked. I'd hung out with Percy because he was with Thalia and Jason. I wasn't expecting him to remember me, let alone my name. All of the memories I had of us were when we were all together as a group. The first and only time I'd ever been alone with Percy was the night he'd told us he was leaving with his dad in a few days time.

"Hey, Percy," I replied. We didn't hug, though. Percy and I weren't as close as he and Thalia and Jason were, but I still considered him a friend. I remember that night when the power had gone out. I was spending the night over at the Graces' house...

...

"Hey, quit playing with the candles, idiot. You'll blow them out," Thalia told her brother. Jason, who was ten at the time, didn't listen. He continued to blow on the flame, only stopping when it was close to extinguishing and letting it relight before blowing on it once more.

Thalia sighed and rolled her eyes. "Little brothers."

Percy and I laughed. We were sitting close together on the family couch, each of us holding a candle. The thunder suddenly boomed, making the house shake. Jason frowned. He hated thunderstorms almost as much as he hated the dark, and since his and Thalia's parents were out for the night that left Thalia to watch him. She invited Percy and me over to help entertain him.

Percy stood. "I'll get more lights," he said. "Annabeth, want to help me?"

"Sure," I said, shocked. Why would Percy need help getting candles? Was this just an excuse to get me alone? Regardless of his intentions, I followed him into the kitchen to where I knew the Graces' kept extra flashlights and candles. Instead of searching, however, Percy just sighed and leaned against the counter.

"You okay?" I asked. He suddenly looked pale and weak, as if all the energy just drained out of him.

He turned around, offering a weak smile. "Yeah, of course. Never better."

I took a few cautious steps forward. I didn't know Percy well, but I knew him enough to be able to tell when something was wrong. "What's up? You can tell me."

Suddenly he couldn't meet my eyes. He stared at the floor instead. He didn't say anything at first, so I waited patiently for him to explain. "I don't know how to tell them. Jason and Thalia. I've been trying all week, but it's so hard, you know?"

I really didn't. It seemed like Percy was rambling, but I nodded along silently for him to continue.

"I wanted to tell them, but they're the closest thing I have to siblings. My parents divorced before I was even born and for all I know, I could have ten half brothers or sisters from my dad and not even know it. We aren't close."

I shifted my weight from foot to foot, my ADHD making it impossible for me to stand still. "So...you're trying to tell them what exactly? That you found out you have real siblings?"

Percy finally met my eyes. "They are my siblings. As far as I'm concerned, anyway. Close enough. No, I'm trying to get around to telling them that I'm leaving. With my dad."

"Leaving?" I gaped at him. "With your dad? Where are you going?"

"I don't know." Percy's exhausted expression uplifted. "But it'll be great, I'm sure. He travels all over the world, sees amazing things. And he wants me to go with him."

Then I got it. Percy simply couldn't pass up an amazing opportunity like this, but was torn because he didn't want to leave Jason and Thalia. They were more than his cousins, their bond was airtight, and it was almost unbearable for him to just pack up and leave them. I put my hand on his. "You know they'll still love you regardless of what you decide."

"I know." Percy chuckled darkly. "Thalia will hold it against me if I left, or knock me upside the head and call me an idiot if I stay. It's a lose-lose."

I laughed with him, and he squeezed my fingers. "Tell you what," I told him. "I'll hold her down, and then you tell them you're leaving. That way you'll have a chance to run and hide."

"Deal."

...

I jerked back to the present, back to the eighteen year-old Percy standing in front of me. He certainly grew up in the few years since I saw him last. His dark hair was longer, shaggy, and he was tan with a lean body. I'd thought he was pretty cute when we were twelve, but now he could definitely be considered good looking. When he lifted his arm to embrace Jason I noticed a tattoo peaking out from the edge of his sleeve.

"Well, I'll leave you guys to catch up. I've got to meet up with Mr. Brunner," I told them. They should have the chance to catch up, and I didn't want to intrude on their family moment. Giving them a quick wave I headed down the hallway to my mentor's classroom. I found him sitting in his wheelchair by the window reading a book.

I knocked on the door frame. "Chiron?" I was the only one he allowed to call him by his first name. Growing up, my parents weren't around much. They still aren't. My father was as much of a workaholic as my mother. When they weren't working, they were fighting. Always behind closed doors, so I would't overhear, but I knew. I always knew.

I almost preferred when they were working, so at least they wouldn't be stuck in the house together. I knew it was for my sake and keeping the family together that they didn't divorce, although I was afraid of what would happen when I eventually went to college and moved out of the house. My mother and Chiron worked together for a couple of years, and acted as my babysitter when my parents were out of town on business trips.

Chiron was my mentor, my guide. He taught me how to read, how to ride my bike, how to drive. He was my second father, and I was forever grateful that he took me in. He never once yelled at me or judged me because of my ADHD and dyslexia. Sometimes my father would frown when I tried to read out loud to him. He'd get impatient and take the book from me, finishing so I wouldn't have to. With Chiron, he would sit there sometimes for hours while I struggled to pronounce a proper sentence, only gently correcting me if I messed up.

He was older now, though, and couldn't walk around as much as he used to because of his bad hips and knees. Most days he just stayed in his wheelchair.

"Come in, dear." Chiron smiled, setting his book down in his lap. He'd gotten a job as a teacher here at Goode High after he'd retired from working with my mother. He didn't like being bored and loved Roman and Greek mythology, so he settled for teaching kids Latin.

"What are you doing here so early? Classes haven't even started yet."

"I can't come in and visit my old babysitter?" I pulled a chair to where he was sitting and plopped myself down across from him, wringing my hands.

Chiron noticed. He frowned and leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "What's the matter, child? Normally you're not this nervous."

"Nothing's-" I started, but Chiron promptly cut me off.

"Something is wrong. I always know. Don't forget, I helped your parents raise you, Annabeth."

I let out a short, breathy laugh. Of course not. I always came to Chiron when I needed help, even before I knew it myself. That was what I loved most about Chiron.

"Nothing's wrong. Actually, things are getting better. I guess it's...it's about Percy," I manage to stutter out. "About him coming back." There, I said it. The weight I hadn't realized was on my chest suddenly lifted, and I felt instantly better.

"Percy?" Chiron's eyebrows knitted together. "Percy Jackson? Thalia and Jason's cousin?"

I nodded. "Yes. Percy and I were never close, not really. So I don't know why I feel...relieved. Why do I feel relieved?"

Chiron looked into my eyes, as serious as any parent speaking with their child. "I don't know. Tell me why."

"I don't know either," I said impatiently. I hated it when Chiron turned therapist on me. "Maybe because now Jason and Thalia got their brother back, because..." I stared out the window, my thoughts far away. "Because it's nice to see their family come back together. Mr. and Mrs. Grace loved him, too. It wasn't the same without Percy around. I don't know. I suppose it's just me being ridiculous. Or jealous."

"Well you do have a tendency to be over ridiculous," Chiron agreed, chuckling.

I laughed with him. "I know. But really, I just wanted to check up on you. You know I worry about you. It seems as though you've been having so many problems with your health lately..." I trailed off, thinking back to the stroke he'd had two months ago. I'd laid next to his bed and cried until I fell asleep.

Chiron shook his head and sighed. "I know child. But when it is my time it is my time. I have lived a full wonderful life. I can die in peace knowing I've achieved some goodness in the world."

The warning bell rang. 8:25. Time for first period.

"Is it that time already?" Chiron checked his watch. "Amazing how quickly time flies. You should head off to class, dear. Can't have you late."

I stood, putting my chair back. "See you, Chiron. And thanks for listening."

"Always, child. Always."