Sorry that it took me so long to update! School and projects are harsh. But, the weekends here and this means updates! ^_^ This might be a bit long.
Chapter 6, Percy's POV:
I suffered through school, waking up every day and sleeping every night to only one thought- Annabeth. It shouldn't have been this way, but I couldn't deny it either. I missed her, and it the biggest thing on my mind.
It was the third day since I had mailed my letter (not that I was counting or anything) and every time I remembered what I had wrote on it, my stomach did summersaults. I didn't know how Annabeth take would everything I had asked her about Luke and the kiss, but I could only hope that it didn't sound too forward.
I didn't know why my I was thinking so much about just my best friend, but my stomach was doing a thousand flips when I saw the door knob suddenly turning. I waited anxiously for my mom to enter with a bunch the mail in her hands.
When the door entered, my mom walked in with Paul Blofis following behind her.
The first thing I tried to look for was if my mom was carrying the mail, but her hands were empty.
I got up walk to the two of them, and greeted Paul before cutting right to the chase, turning to my mother. "Did you get the mail? Please don't tell me you forgot it, mom! Or…wait, do mean there wasn't any mail for me?"
"Calm down, Percy!" My mom smiled, going through her purse. "I have Annabeth's letter right here."
The thought of it made my stomach jump and if I could have, I already would have been in my room reading her reply.
"Annabeth?" Paul said in a small tone. He shot me a playful smile. "Now, Percy, who is this Annabeth?"
The way he implied it made me feel uncomfortable and I felt my face burning. "She's a friend from camp." I told him, taking the envelope from my mom's hands.
"Mmm-hmm," Paul nodded, the smirk still fixed on his lips.
"What?" I finally said, groaning. "She's just a friend, Paul. Get off my case!"
Paul laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Alright. I'm just messing with you, Percy."
I nodded, excusing myself before heading to my room. As I closed the door, I could hear my mom telling Paul who Annabeth was and something along the lines of me not admitting something. I ignored it, getting distracted by the fact that Annabeth's letter was in my hands.
I ripped it open to start reading it immediately.
Dear Percy,
….
I believe you. About Rachel, I mean. You swore on the River Styx to convince me, and it means more than words can tell you right now. But you're still an idiot! Don't swear on the styx for something as small as that, kelp-head! The River Styx isn't a joke.
I carefully read what Annabeth thought about my oath on the River Styx, feeling strange relief that she believed me. It amazed me that she could still scold me even while it was over letters, but instead of finding myself annoyed, I was smiling for some reason.
I love Luke like a brother...as just a brother, and I'm finally sure. I didn't realize it until now, but that's what my prophecy was talking about.
I didn't know why seeing those words written shocked me so much. Maybe it was because they were coming directly from Annabeth, giving me evidence that she didn't love Luke as anything other than a brother. The next time I searched inside me, there wasn't any anger left for Luke; there was noting but pity. I got a grip before continuing.
About that day on Mt. St. Helens...I just want to tell you that you're welcome.
…
You're probably asking why I did it, right? I can't explain it, Percy, but it was just like…in those few seconds when you told me to leave, there were a million things going on it my head. I was thinking about my prophecy and I thought that I would lose you. My body just moved, Seaweed Brain, and I wasn't thinking when I kissed you, alright?
I felt like I could almost hear my heart beat and I stared at Annabeth's words. Hearing her finally talking about the kiss, gave me proof that it was actually real. It gave me a new kind of hope that I couldn't explain at the moment.
I knew you weren't dead. I just…I thought, you wouldn't come back from wherever you were. The funeral was the worst thing in the world. It hurt because thought I lost you, Percy, not because I thought you were dead. Not knowing where you were, Percy…it was the worse feeling.
I felt like I might have stared at those words for hours, and I tried to take in what she was saying.
I think it's fair for me to ask you now…where were you those two weeks? I was the truth, Percy. I promise I won't be angry or anything…just tell me. Please.
My heart sank. I didn't want to tell her the story of calypso. Besides the fact, that I hadn't told anyone and knew it would tick her off, it would hurt too much. I knew she deserved to know and I found myself rereading her pleads.
And, thanks Percy. I don't really know why I'm saying it…but just thanks. For everything you said.
Only yours,
Wise Girl
My eyes were glued to "Only yours, Wise Girl," and it was safe to say that my stomach was officially doing jumping jacks.
I got out the spare paper stuffed in my backpack and a pencil on my desk, beginning to try to form what I was feeling into words.
Dear Wise girl,
I miss having you next to me while I fight, too. But, it's only for a few more months, right? I have a feeling we'll have thousands of monsters coming our way next summer. Listen, Annabeth- stay careful. The monsters might be weak, but I'm just saying- keep your guard up.
Thanks for believing me about Rachel. Honestly, Annabeth, why are you so surprised I swore on the Styx. If it means proving something to you that will satisfy you, I'd do it any day.
I can't explain it, but I'm happy you're over Luke. I know you still care about him, but I'm happy for you. It's just good to know that your not caught up on him anymore. Like I said, I can't explain it…but I'm happy.
I'm trying to understand Luke for your sake. I know he was angry and confused when he left, but honestly…aren't you disappointed in him at all? I'll never understand it, Wise Girl, so you might as well explain it to me. How can you still see him as the same Luke who was once your brother?
I'm sorry for throwing all my questions your way, Annabeth. I'm just curious.
I'm going to tell you the truth…after you kissed me I would have sat there the whole day staring at the lava if it wasn't for those telekhines.
What I mean is…it kinda surprised me, Annabeth. You kissing me, I mean. I don't know what I'm saying but I just want you to know that…well, that I like it.
I took a deep breath, reading back what I had just written. At the moment, I wish I had Annabeth's invisibility cap just to disappear from all of this for a second. My mind wasn't debating as hard about whether or not to erase it because there was already another war going on in my head…the question of whether or not to tell Annabeth about Calypso. I steadied my hand before attempting to write again.
After the explosion I supposedly caused, all I remember if flying through the sky before blacking out. When I woke up, I was on an island.
This isn't easy for me, Annabeth, but I know that you deserve to know because well…you're my friend and I don't want to hide anything form you anymore.
I think you already know where I was. It was Calypso's island.
Before you get pissed at me, just know that it wasn't my choice! It wasn't like I chose to end up there and relax while you guys were at amp worried sick.
I'm sorry. I came back, didn't I?
You already know the legend of Calypso, so I won't bore you with it. But, I learned something. It's not her fault. She doesn't deserve the punishment she got. Just because she supported her family, doesn't give the gods the right to abandon her.
I met her, Annabeth and she healed me. I talked to her, but I was thinking about camp, too. I was worried sick that you didn't' make it out of the volcano and I didn't know where Grover and Tyson were. It was the worst feeling, Annabeth.
Calypso offered me to say. It was something she promised she would never do, but she did. She offered me immortality, and escape from the prophecy, and invisible servants. But, all of it meant I would lose my friends, and well…you. I never want that, Annabeth. I came back.
It wasn't as hard as it seemed back then. Now, that I think about it…I honestly wouldn't trade all the happiness in the world for never getting to see you ever again.
I care about you, Annabeth. I don't know what I'm saying anymore, but I mean it. You and Grover and all of my friends…I'd give up my life you guys any day.
I gripped my pencil tighter, feeling like I was sitting on the edge of a cliff. I had to get to this letter out and tell Annabeth everything that was eating me up on the inside.
Everything I've said so far has been true. I left Calypso for you. Those few days with Calypso, I actually felt was real happiness was. There were no worries…just me and Calypso and the ocean surrounding us. But, you weren't there and I was happy- but absolutely miserable.
I don't think I ever took one satisfying breath on her island.
Don't hate Calypso, Annabeth. Nothing is her fault. Calypso told me "the fates are cruel", and it's true.
If you're wondering what she looks like, all I can tell you is that she didn't try to be beautiful, she just was. Kind of like the way you don't try either but you are anyway.
It doesn't matter anymore. I left her, and it was worth it.
I knew that what I was writing was getting really deep and I didn't have the answer to why I was suddenly spilling out my feelings. Under other circumstance if Annabeth heard me say any of this, I would have been embarrassed. Yet, I was here right now, writing all of this to her myself. It confused me more than I could even begin to describe. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
It was worth I because… when I saw your face at camp again, I knew I made the right choice.
If I didn't have you (or Grover and Chiron, and my family) I'd probably be collapsing under the stress of the prophecy that's depending on you. I just want to tell you, Wise Girl, that if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be as happy right now. Sometimes it's almost like I'm not thinking about the prophecy anymore when I'm talking to you.
By the time I had written all this, my heart was heavy, and I didn't know what to think anymore. Looking at everything I had said, I felt different. It was like I had silently confessed something to myself, and I didn't know what.
I thought about the birthday present Annabeth offered me. I had one question and I wasn't about to waste it over something useless. As I sat there, there was a knot in my stomach and I knew exactly what I wanted to ask her…I just didn't know how. With every ounce of courage left inside of me, I brought my pencil to the page, determined to ask it exactly how it was inside my head.
It's not easy for me to come up with a question to ask you, Annabeth, but I think I've got one. Here is goes: How do you feel about me?
By simply writing the question out, my heart sped faster than a mile a minute. I knew I couldn't' possibly leave it at that and my hand squirmed with the pencil in it, trying to get words down on the page to explain what I meant.
What I mean is…how do you feel about me as a friend, or a person, or just about me in general, you know? You promised a truthful answer, and so I'm going to hold you to it.
I'm asking you this because…I don't know, to tell you the truth. I just really want the answer.
That was the best I could do and I took a breath, staring at my words. If felt strange and I couldn't stop worrying about what Annabeth would think about it. I was tempted to scratch the whole thing out, but I couldn't' bring myself to do it. The last thing I wanted was to creep her out, but I needed an answer.
Reply soon, Annabeth.
Only yours,
Seaweed Brain.
I convinced myself that the "Only yours" meant that Annabeth and I had a friendship that no one else could compare to, and it was true.
I was looking over my letter, when I heard footsteps and saw Paul walking my way. It surprised me that I had been so caught up that I hadn't even heard him knock or open the door.
"Hi," I said, feeling startled for a second.
"I just came to make sure you were doing okay, before I left. You've been locked in here of an hour." Paul told me. He peered over my shoulder for a second, asking, "What are you working on?"
I didn't mean to, but my instant reaction was pulling the letter away to cover it up. I honestly didn't need anyone else seeing the letter; not to mention anyone else commenting on it would confuse me enough to drive me insane.
Paul raised an eyebrow.
"It's just…homework." I said stupidly.
"Homework." Paul repeated, nodding. It was obvious that he wasn't convinced but he decided to drop it and I was grateful for that. Before he left, he caught me off guard when he asked me, "Is there anything you want to talk about, Percy?"
I looked at him, his face absolutely smirk-free. It felt like he was the only one who had taken me seriously all week. Paul was a great guy, but I still wasn't about to lay out all my problems in front of him.
"No, I'm good." I told him. "Thanks."
Paul smiled slowly, "You know, you can tell me if you were writing to Annabeth."
I found myself holding back my own smile, as I sighed. There was no way I was getting through Paul. "Alright," I gave up, telling him honestly. "I was. But…it's not a big deal."
"Just a friend," Paul said, repeating my words from earlier. He nodded telling me he understood.
"Yeah." I confirmed. "Just a friend." This time the words sounded dry on my tongue. I glanced up at Paul, and found myself asking, "You don't believe me, do you?"
Paul laughed, "I didn't say that."
I exhaled. "I mean…what makes you think she could be more than that?"
"I don't know." Paul told me honestly. "Maybe because of the way you're covering that letter from me. The way you wait for her replies…the way you actually care about what you're writing down to her."
I nodded slowly. Besides the unwelcomed heat rising to my skin and the uncomfortable feeling I had, seriously tried to find truth in what he was saying. I found myself feeling more confused than I already had.
Paul patted me on my back. "You sure you don't need to talk about anything. I'm no genius, but maybe I can help you."
I gave Paul the best smile I could form at the moment. "It's alright. Thanks, Paul."
He smiled before leaving and once he was gone, I seal the envelope in my hands, hoping that things would start making sense soon.
Okay! It would be too sudden to for Percy to ask "Do you love me?" So, I hope you liked the question I had him ask instead.
It's getting really tempting for me to have them spill out "I love you." :P
Please review and tell me what you think! Reviews speed my updates and absolutely make my day. So, please review!
