Annabeth Chase (Annabeth)

Family.

At first, it was something that was simply there since her birth. Her dad and Annabeth – they were just a typical happy family, nothing special except for the fact that her mom was never present – that didn't matter, she never was there before.

She remembers that she would frequently crawl onto her father's broad shoulders and ask for a piggyback ride, just like a typical little girl. It was just something that all her friends did – nothing unique. Somehow, the feeling of her father's back and shoulders made her feel safer and calmer.

At the age of five, a maternal figure entered her life. She didn't like her, the person who just charged into her life and started ordering her around as if she was her maid. The woman looked at her as if she was a freak. The thing that saddened and angered her most was that her father never cared when the woman would scowl in her direction. He would always give his good-natured laugh and turn away promptly.

She never really understood why her father changed then. After all, Annabeth wasn't a child of Aphrodite. But what she knew was that she no longer can stand that place she used to call 'home'.

So she left.

That was when the monsters attacked.

It was yet another star-filled night. They blinked above, as if guiding her to yet another hiding place to stay. She had been safe for a few days, but she was still scared and unaccustomed for being by herself all day, finding food and struggling to survive.

Just when she curled up under a tree, snuggling under the fallen autumn leaves, she heard a slight rustle. It was followed by a low, threatening growl. She stumbled up and spun around quickly, eyes wide with fear.

She saw it then – the red and fierce eyes hungry for food. And even at the age of seven, she knew that the steady gaze held on her meant that she was chosen prey.

Perhaps it was because she was too frightened, she thought she heard a slight whisper. Somehow, it gave her courage and intelligence. She was already smart for her age, being the first in everything at her school. But this time, she felt a different type of intelligence enter her mind. It was a knowledge she knew she needed for whatever laid in front of her.

Annabeth understood that then, but what she didn't know was that the 'something' that laid in her front of her was that huge.

Find a weapon… thewindseemtowhisper.

"W-what?" she stuttered in reply, her voice trembling slightly. She felt foolish, answering the wind, knowing fully well that there would be no reply.

"Gone mad with fear, little demigod, talking to the air?" the monster spoke for the first time.

Find a weapon to defend yourself. Anotherwhisperwasheard.

This time, Annabeth was sure someone was talking to her. But there wasn't time to figure out who it was. She looked around her and found a piece of glass on the floor. She picked it up quickly and turned towards the monster.

"A piece of glass? It will do you no good." The monster chortled.

Annabeth didn't reply, but she knew the only reason why the monster wasn't already lunging at her was that it enjoyed taunting her.

The monster pounced on her, its claws sinking into her arm. She screamed in pain.

Focus.

And just like that, through the Voice's guidance she fought her way through days and night.

After a few days, she finally found out what 'demigod' was, and that the Voice was actually her instinct – another part of her. But what she didn't know was that it was another figure that was talking through her instincts.

The second time she ever felt warmth and protection was when she met Luke and Thalia. Slowly, she found herself loving the blond-haired boy. Perhaps it was just a sibling-love, but it was love nonetheless. He wasn't just any boy. He was the one who saved her life, cared for Annabeth and trusted her.

She thought Luke would be her destined one. But slowly, she realized that it would be impossible.

At first, she blamed Percy for coming and making everything flip upside down – Luke becoming a traitor, and the world almost going into chaos. It was all Percy's fault. She hated his guts then.

Slowly, after multiple missions, she felt something stir inside her.

She saw how Percy had trusted her during the Quest of the Master Bolt. How he turned to her and asked her to protect herself when they were in danger. She saw how he understood what true love was when they were face to face with the Lord of the Dead.

How he was willing to sacrifice himself for his mother. She saw how important friendship meant to him one the Quest of the Golden Fleece. How he wanted to save Grover no matter what it cost him.

She saw that he was intelligent and willing to trust his former enemy to take back the Golden Fleece back to the Camp.

It wasn't love she felt for him; it was respect. She started trusting him back, protecting him and occasionally caring for Percy. She found herself looking at him for a second too long. And how she always felt her heart flutter when their hands brushed against each other whenever Percy passed something to her. She wasn't surprised when Percy remembered to celebrate his 'Wise Girl's birthday.

It was her first true, pleasant smile.

Seaweedbrain. It sounded sweet and comfortable in her mouth. She didn't know how she felt – the fact that she was the only one who was able to call him that, maybe specialwas the word. She often said it to herself before she got ready for bed, just to hear it dangle on her lips. But she could tell that her mom wasn't happy about her choice in demigod boys. She defended herself that she wasn't falling for Percy; she just respected him for who he is.

But slowly, she realized again and again that it was no longer true. The emotions she felt inside her were no longer pure respect. It was mixed with something she hadn't felt for years.

As much as she didn't want to, she felt the feelings inside her wanting to burst out every now and then. She slowly couldn't stop resisting herself to gaze at Percy's face, letting herself memorize every inch, as if she would lose him any second.

And for a moment, she thought she would.

Annabeth shook her head to disperse all those thoughts about her life. There were more important matters at hand now.

But she didn't care, did she? Percy can just become a god and disappear from her life. Why was she so nervous, so anxious to hear Percy's answer?

She was standing a few feet behind Percy. For all she cared, he was making the biggest decision he ever could – a decision that would no doubt change his life forever.

For the first time, Annabeth openly acknowledged her love to Percy, at least to herself_. Outside, she still held her head high, shoulders squared and a look of defiance on her face.

But when she saw the look of sadness and apology on Percy's face when he looked over at her, her mind exploded. The look in his eyes was enough to tell her that he was going to accept the offer to become a God and leave her behind. He was freaking going to leave her behind! How could he?

Annabeth mentally laughed at herself humorlessly. Why would he care? She was just another demigod in Camp. She was nothing special to him.

As if reading her mind, Percy spoke.

"No, I decline the offer."

Annabeth found herself letting go of a breath she didn't know she was holding. That was when the tears started to flow freely – tears of relief and happiness.

"I still have friends back there in the mortal world." Percy jerked a thumb towards her and she saw a look of joy and pride in his eyes.

Annabeth was stunned and for a moment she wasn't able to think clearly.

Percy chuckled nervously at the stern looks on the gods' faces, but it was his choice. He would never leave Annabeth behind.

Annabeth saw the protective way Percy stood a few feet in front of her, as if shielding her from any sudden attack. Annabeth couldn't help but smiling, he is a Seaweed Brain after all.

Later that day, Percy found her way towards the Athena cabin. Annabeth was already there, waiting for him at the front door.

That night, they had their first kiss.