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Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own PJO.
Chapter Two
There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will. - Unknown
Annabeth's POV
The weekend has been amazing. I spent lots of time with Thalia, as well as getting to know some of the other children of the Lords and Ladies. Much to my own surprise, I spent quite a lot of time with Percy. I guess I didn't give him much credit the first time I met him a few days ago; I presumed he was another stuck-up son of a Lord.
But he wasn't. Percy was the complete opposite, in fact. Yes, he was a bit clueless sometimes, well, most of the time. But he was sweet and funny.
The only thing that bothered me was that he kept annoying me when I tried to read. I'd have finished my architecture book by now if it wasn't for him. Every two seconds he'd say 'Annabeth, what are you reading?' or poke my arm or something. By now, I'm sure he's doing it just to annoy me.
I was packing my stuff up into my suitcase in my room alone, because I don't like having help from the maids. I'm capable of doing it myself, so why shouldn't I?
I was humming one of my favourite pieces of music to myself a swaying around the room (something I only do when I'm alone; I don't want anyone seeing me be so girly). I had on one of my favourite dresses, and since I was bored, I decided to go all out and twirl around the room like I used to when I was little with my father.
I remember my first dancing lessons, where I'd stand on my father's feet and we'd dance around the room like idiots. I miss spending time with him like that. As I got older, my parents became less interested in my happiness and spending time with me, and more interested in making me into a 'lady'.
I was dizzy from spinning, though I kept twirling around and around. It was such a childish thing to be doing, but it was so fun!
Until I tripped over my suitcase on the floor that is. But instead of falling into my bag, I fell into a person. Specifically, Percy.
What was he doing here? How long had he been here? Oh dear, I hope he didn't see me dancing like a ballerina around the room; that would be embarrassing.
"What are you doing here Percy?" I asked, annoyed.
"I just came to say goodbye, I'm leaving soon" Phew; maybe he only just got here.
"Oh well, um, bye then" I looked sheepishly at the floor.
"Don't I get a hug?" he asked, with a cheeky smirk on his face. That boy was seriously annoying sometimes.
"Okay" I stepped into his warm embrace. Wow, who knew a boy could give such good hugs?
"I'll write you a letter when I get home so we can keep in touch, would you mind?"
That's sweet I thought, Percy's a really good friend.
"Yeah definitely" I replied "Tell me more about your province. I've never been to the beach; I'd love to hear more about it."
"I still can't believe you haven't been to the beach Annabeth. It's like you're trying to upset me" he said, and pretended to be offended. "Oh well, it's probably because you spend too much time with your head in a book…Wise Girl."
"Wise Girl?" I asked quizzically, and raised my eyebrows.
"Yeah, I mean, you're really clever and you're always reading, so why not?"
"Okay then" I shrugged "Then you're a…a Seaweed Brain!" I laughed.
"Seaweed Brain, really?" he said, still with his cocky smirk plastered across his face.
"Yes. You're so clueless you make me think that you're head is full of seaweed, and you never stop talking about the beach! I think it's quite fitting actually" I told him, and crossed my arms across my chest, proud of myself.
"Okay then. I'll write to you soon then."
"Goodbye Seaweed Brain."
"Bye Wise Girl."
The journey home was much like the one there; uneventful. I finished my book, which I was really proud of, especially since I have this thing called dyslexia, where the letters all get mixed up in my head. I love reading so much though; I try really hard to ignore it.
My mother and I were greeted by welcoming hugs from my brothers, but my father was nowhere to be seen. I guess his work took priority over his family. Again.
Malcolm told me he'd missed me, and Matthew and Bobby ran about playing tag around our suitcases.
"So how's the reading been going?" Malcolm asked, "Have you finished that book I gave you?" Did I mention he does stuff like that? He lends me books and helps me with my architecture blueprints all the time; he's a great brother, isn't he?
"Yeah, I just finished it. I loved the section about ancient Greek buildings, it was fascinating."
This led to an extremely long conversation between us about structural supports and whatnot. My mother left us immediately, off to do some more of her oh-so-important work I suppose. Matthew and Bobby were taken to have some lessons with their teacher, though they were much too hyper for that.
I got changed into my dinner dress at about 7:00, ready for dinner at 7:30. Every day I had to get dressed up into some of my best clothes for dinner. It was annoying, I hate wearing dresses.
Our dining room was much like the one in Zeus's palace, with a long, wooden table in the centre of the room, but ours only had six chairs around it at the moment; one for each of us. My mother sat and one end, my father at the other, and I sat next to Malcolm in the middle of the table, opposite the twins.
Family dinners with us tended to be awkward affairs, since we didn't spend enough time with each other to have things to talk about. I know my brothers pretty well, but my parents? Not so much, and I doubt they know that they know much about me and my brothers either.
The food was delicious, but our conversations were limited to idle chit-chat, about how beautiful the gardens were at this time of year and such. That was, until my mother spoke up.
"So Malcolm, we have arranged for your sixteenth birthday ball to be held a week Saturday"
Malcolm practically spat out his food in shock, but then started choking on it, earning a death glare from my mother.
"Watch your manners! That little outburst was incredibly rude, apologize to the family immediately!" Athena scolded.
"S-sorry" Malcolm stuttered; our mother could be an extremely intimidating lady sometimes.
"It's not like he could help it" I frowned and muttered under by breath.
"What was that Annabeth dear?" my father asked me.
"Um- I, it was nothing father." I hope no one heard what I actually said.
"Yes, anyway" my mother interrupted, "The governess will take you all to purchase new outfits for the occasion tomorrow. Boys, you will get new suits, and Annabeth, a new dress."
Great. Another dress I don't need.
I have hundreds of them! I don't think my mother understands that I don't need a new dress for every occasion. I have so many; I could wear a different one for every day of the year!
"What is this ball for exactly?" Malcolm asked.
"You have recently turned sixteen; so of course, we must present you to the rest of the country!"
Oh yes, how could I have forgotten? After you turn sixteen, you are eligible to get married, so the Lords or Ladies of each county tend to throw a huge ball in celebration of their child's birthday. Said child is presented to the rest of the country, and is usually introduced to someone else whom their parents would approve of them marrying.
Sixteen sounds awfully young to get married to me. When I'm sixteen, I don't want to get married; I want to have an adventure. Four years isn't enough to do all of the things that I have planned! I feel sorry for Malcolm, he is our father's heir, and so has no way of escaping this sort of life.
Not that I'm ungrateful for what I've been given. On the contrary, I'm very fortunate. I just think I'd be better surrounded by normal people who are in charge of their own lives and actions. I can never be myself in front of my parents, because they'd disapprove of the way I talk, the way I sit, and the way I see the world.
The only person who really understands that seems to be Percy. It's weird, but when I spoke to him in Province 1, he seemed to want to escape his way of life too. I mean, he obviously adored his father, even if he could be strict or harsh on Percy sometimes.
Percy sounded like he'd be much better off doing something to do with the sea, instead of living a life full of palace duties and whatnot. I hope he writes to me soon, I really do want to hear more about his province.
I've never been to Province 3, even though it's not far from ours. My mother doesn't get along with his father very well, so they tend to avoid each other. Why they don't get along, I'm not so sure.
That's the thing with most of the Lords and Ladies; most of them dislike each other. Some even hate each other. Athena and Poseidon (Percy's father) have the most obvious hatred for each other, but I can tell that some of the other gods have feuds as well.
I hate not knowing why though. The Lords and Ladies are awfully secretive but often get into disputes about unimportant things, so my father says. He tends to stay away from things like that.
"The Lords and Ladies of our country have personalities like children; they struggle with another for position and power like children fighting over a toy" is what he says.
Percy's POV
"Lord Percy, it's time for you to go to dinner" one of the servants called me from my bedroom door.
I hated dinner with my family. We had to get dressed up every day in stupid suits and stupid shoes just to eat with each other.
Dinners were the only times I really saw my father. He spent most of his time working in his office (which was strictly forbidden to me) or away in other Provinces.
My mother was different. I spent most of my time with her, since I was an only child, and she was my favourite person in the world. She was so kind and gentle, and wasn't afraid to be different and do things that she wasn't supposed to do.
Quite often, my mother and I would sneak into the kitchen and make her famous blue chocolate-chip cookies; my favourite food.
I hadn't seen my mother since we'd got back from Province 1 this morning, so as soon as I saw her I ran to her and gave her a huge hug. I miss her so much when she's not here; I guess you could say she's like my best friend.
"I missed you" she whispered into my hair as we embraced each other tightly.
"I missed you more" I whispered back.
Most boys my age would be embarrassed to be so close to their mothers, afraid of being called a 'mommy's boy' or whatever. Not me though. I think it's stupid for other boys my age to go around acting as if they're adults; constantly talking about fighting and grown-up things that they hardly know anything about.
"How was the trip?" she asked as we were sitting down to eat.
"Quite satisfactory" my father replied, "A large amount of business was taken care of."
My mother nodded and then looked to me.
"What about you Percy, did you enjoy spending time with Thalia?" My mom liked to tease me about Thalia; she thought I had a crush on her, which was completely stupid. Thalia was cool, but she's just my friend. I'd never like her…you know…like that.
"Yeah mom it was cool. Travis and Connor were there too, and I met Thalia's friend called Annabeth, who was really nice."
My mom raised her eyebrows at me.
"Annabeth? Tell me more about her" she said with a wink.
"Moooom" I complained, "She's cool, okay? And just a friend. I'm twelve; I don't want a girlfriend or anything yet!"
"Fine Percy, but don't think that I won't tease you about getting a girlfriend until you've got one, because I will continue to do so."
"Anyway, Annabeth's the same age as me, but a couple of months younger I think. She's got long blonde hair and grey eyes and she lives in Province 6 and-"
"Percy!" my father looked up from his plate, suddenly interested in our conversation, "Where did you say this girl was from?"
"Uh, Province 6" I replied, suddenly aware that my father and Annabeth's mother, Athena, were not on best terms.
"I do not want you to be friends with this girl. I suppose she's exactly like her mother; snarky, over-confident and a complete smartass!"
Woah, my dad did not just say that. That wasn't very lord-like (or whatever you call it) at all!
"Okay father" I replied. Tough luck to him. Annabeth was great and there's no way I'm not going to be friends with her.
"I'm sorry to tell you this dear" my mother said to my father, "but an invitation from Province 6 arrived this morning, inviting us all to the sixteenth ball for Athena's eldest son, and if we don't go it could spark further tension."
My father grumbled something inaudible, but then replied, "Oh very well, I suppose we'll have to go. But I am not spending more than five minutes with that good-for-nothing Lady."
Yes! I thought, I can spend some more time with Annabeth when we go!
After dinner, I decided to write to Annabeth and tell her about what my father said, and about going to her province for her brother's ball. She briefly mentioned that she had three brothers; one older and two younger, but didn't say much about them.
At least this ball is something I can look forward to, because no doubt will Travis, Connor and Thalia be there as well as some of the other children of the Lords and Ladies that I know.
I found a piece of paper and an ink pen in my nightstand next to my bed, and ran over to my desk to begin writing.
Dear Annabeth
How is it being back in your province? I can tell you don't really like it there, but not to fear! I will be gracing you with my wonderful presence a week from Saturday at your brother's sixteenth ball! Lucky you. I'm very excited to be visiting your province, I've always wondered what it's like there and I can't wait to see it, even if it's not near the sea.
Also, today at dinner my father told me that I can't be friends with you. He really doesn't like your mother, did you know? Don't worry; I'm not going to listen to him though. I enjoyed meeting you last weekend, and I know you enjoyed meeting me too (haha).
From,
Percy
I was pretty pleased with myself. I sound quite intelligent if you ask me, and I know it'll make Annabeth laugh. I like hearing Annabeth laugh, she sounds so happy, and it's never half-hearted, it's always full and cheerful.
Annabeth is cool. I know I've only just met her, but I hope we can be friends. I doubt I'll get to see her much because our parents don't like each other, but I can always write her letters.
I ran downstairs to give my letter to our butler; who I knew would post it first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully Annabeth will get it two days from tomorrow, which means I'll be able to write to her again before the end of the week.
I hope she really does want to be friends with me.
Sorry about the ending, I think it's a bit rubbish. But oh well! Next chapter will be the ball so you can see Percy and Annabeth together again! Thank you so much for reading and to those of you who have reviewed/favourited/followed this, I seriously can't thank you enough! I love you guys:') And don't forget to review, I like to hear your thoughts!
-anniebethchase
