Greetings from the author! I just wanted to apologize for writing my chapters a tad out of order. I realized there was important stuff that had to happen prior to the events of Chapter 3 for the story to work chronologically. There will only be one more chapter like this, it's going to cover the capture-the-flag game mentioned in "I Plan My Entire Life," along with a few other things. I allowed myself one or two clichés this chapter, but hopefully it isn't too corny. Hope everyone is enjoying!
Chapter 2 - Annabeth's Birthday (Part 2)
So Annabeth made her way to the party with Piper and Hazel by her side. The Romans collapsed their tents and created a huge bonfire right in the centre of the encampment. With all the teenagers happily partying the night away, Annabeth thought that this would be how mortal teens lived all the time. The prospect scared her half out of her wits.
Percy eventually found her, dancing with Nico as Will Solace pumped EDM out of some giant speakers. Where he got those was an absolute mystery to Annabeth, but they were definitely loud enough. She wasn't exactly the 'rave girl' type, but it was nice to cut loose and dance for once. Well, she wouldn't call it dancing. She was an awful dancer.
That's how he found her, shaking out some awkward dance moves with Nico in the middle of the crowd. He carried a large box wrapped in silvery-grey wrapping paper. They made their way out of the thicket of bodies.
"Up here," Percy said, motioning to a guard tower. They both climbed the ladder to the observation post. It offered a beautiful view of the camp, and a comical bird's eye perspective on some truly horrendous dancing.
I turned to see Percy, arms extended, with the box held in his hands. "Happy belated birthday, Wise Girl," he said. "Sorry your actual birthday was so crummy. I took the box from him and smiled.
A very appropriate response popped into my head. "It wasn't that bad. As long as we're together, right?" He beamed at me, as his eyes reflected the light of the fire. The orange/green colours made a dazzling combination.
We both took a seat on the floor as I shredded the wrapping off the box. Then I noticed the card that had been stuck to the top, to be opened first. I paused, holding it in my hands.
"Meh, it can wait," I said indifferently. The truth was, I was eager to read it, but wanted to save it for last. Still, I would have given anything to have a camera on hand to capture Percy's expression. It was priceless, in more than one way.
The first item, sitting on the top, was a Superman t-shirt. I made a painful grunt in the back of her throat. Of course, it had to be Superman. "What's wrong? Percy asked. He had a terrified look on his face. "It's a small! The lady told me it's a small! I swear, if she-"
"No, Seaweed Brain," I said laughing. "I'm just more of a Batman person." He looked at her, confused, and blinked multiple times, as if trying to wrap his head around an abstract concept.
"Why?" he finally asked. "Superman is awesome. He can do anything."
"Exactly, Percy," I replied with a sigh. "Batman is only human, but uses his superior intellect to outwit his opponents."
Her boyfriend groaned. "Typical Athena kid," he muttered. "Don't pick the all-powerful alien, pick the guy who swings around on a grappling hook and-"
"Funny," I interrupted. "I would have taken you for an Aquaman-type person."
"Wow, good one Wise Girl! I haven't heard that one before!" He quieted, and seemed to realize how ridiculous the conversation was. "Ok, I see where this is going. We can finish this conversation later. Finish opening your gifts."
I reached back into the box. The second gift was a book, entitled "Alexander the Great's Most Skillful Victories." Ouh, I was anxious to read this. Alexander was the greatest Greek (well technically Macedonian) general ever to command. His strategies were legendary, influencing tactics right into the modern age. I thanked Percy, and he pulled out the next gift.
"These next gifts are the main thing, and they're kind of a package deal," he explained. "First, these," he began as he pulled out a set of matching earrings. They were shaped like tiny owls, but each held a trident firmly in its claws. I instantly understood the metaphor. "They're to show that you've-"
"Got a grip on you, I know," I cut in. Percy looked almost genuinely hurt.
"I've been waiting to use that lame joke for weeks," he said. "Anyways, the next thing are these two charm bracelets. The design is sort of the same idea." He handed her a celestial bronze band that fit comfortably on my wrist. There was a trident symbol etched horizontally, filled with tiny emeralds. The other band displayed the face of an owl, with it's wings spread outward horizontally. It's eyes were rubies. I watched as Percy slid it onto his own wrist.
"Percy…." I said quietly, "these are beautiful. And really thoughtful. Thank you so much."
He pulled out the last gift. It had it's own box, and must have been relatively heavy, as Percy grunted with the effort of removing it. As it emerged from the box, I couldn't help but smile and blush slightly. It was a fountain, carved to resemble a pile of stones, which gradually narrowed and curled upwards, forming an olive tree.
"After we were in Athens," Percy said, "I...got some inspiration. It can be used to send Iris-messages, but it also has a few other useful tricks. Actually, so do the earrings and the bracelets. I'll let you try and figure them out for yourself."
"Well," I think to myself, "this boy certainly knows you well enough to buy you some awesome presents. Except that Superman garbage. Honestly, who even likes that guy?" I notice Percy's card, still unopened. I pick it up and our eyes meet. "I don't even know why I'm reading this," I say sarcastically. "Really a huge waste of my time. I should be reading this." I motion to the Alexander book.
Percy laughs. "Shut up and open the card, Wise Girl. I spent too much time thinking about what to put on that thing for you to ignore it." So I open it, but take my sweet old time. I want to revel in his torturous anticipation. I pull it out, and have to laugh at the cover. Thank the gods it wasn't some corny "I love you so much you're my whole world omg bbg you and me forever, totes" type thing.
It was homemade, and had a picture of Percy on the front cover. It was one of those selfies you take that are just gloriously awful. He had both eyes crossed, nostrils flared, and about 4.5 chins. It was taken from above him, so you could see his attempt to give himself a hefty midsection. It didn't work. Damn kid's six pack was so perfect looked good even when he was trying to look bad. The writing read in all caps: "HAPPPYYYY BURFFFFDAYYYYYY GURL." I burst out laughing. This kid is such an idiot, and I love it.
As I open the card, my laughter evaporates into a simple smile. Percy has hand written a lengthy message inside, full of sappy garbage. What a loser. It read:
Dear Annabeth,
You're turning 17 today - well actually you turned 17 a while ago because, ya know, Tartarus. Anyways, I've struggled to think of what to put in this thing for a while now, it's taken up an afternoon I could have spent, like, swimming, dude. Finally I just decided to tell you how I'm feeling, because I honestly don't think we get the chance nearly as much as we should. Here goes.
Do you remember when I bathed in the Styx? Yea, that little incident there? When we only had Kronos' invasion to worry about? Oh, those were the days, eh? Well...Nico told me before I went in that people see things when they take that swim. Apparently it's their anchor to the mortal world, or some philosophical shit like that. I dunno man, I'm not Plato. Anyways, when I was in there, I did have one of those visions. It was you. I had fallen into the canoe lake, and you were pulling me out, calling me an idiot or something like that.
I never really had friends as a kid. You and Grover were the first ones who didn't run off on me (and as much as I love Grover, that GOATee just doesn't do it for me). But I met you, and we've been through so much together. You're my best friend, and I know I can trust you with anything. More than that, you're the smartest, kindest, person I know, and I totally don't deserve you. But thanks for always being there for me, no matter what. No matter how much I drive you crazy. With love,
Percy.
P.S. Don't you dare show this to anyone or you might find yourself wet a lot more often. Oh geez that was not what I meant…..well what the hell, as long as I'm being honest I'm totally down for that too. Kbye.
I looked up. Percy was hunched, sitting in a corner, with his knees drawn up to his chest. I've never seen him that nervous before. He raises his eyes and notices I've finished reading.
"You weren't kidding?" I ask, holding up the card.
"Of course not," he mutters. "I just….wanted you to know."
I just smile. "Come here," I say to him. He shifts over, and we sit on the inside edge of the observation post, watching all the shenanigans taking place below us. I decide that I like Percy's romantic side, and that I'm going to keep it all to myself. Better it remain between the two of us. Otherwise, the other girls might come to their sense and realize Percy's a real catch. Get it, catch? 'Caus fish? Ok, I'm done now.
"Thank you for telling me about that. About the Styx," I said. We share a smile, then sit like that all night, watching the party, happy in each other's presence. We talked, but I don't even remember what the conversation was about.
