Circe's Island
She sat on the floor, her back against the railing. She stared at the passing clouds above her as she fingered her necklace.
"Interesting collection," a voice said. She looked to see Leo sit next to her. She almost rolled her eyes. He wasn't a bad person, but he was never serious, and it bugged her.
"Yeah. If you stay at Camp, you'll get one like this," she said, looping her fingers through the leather cord.
"Doubt I'll be getting red coral, though," he said. Annabeth's heart sank and a lump formed in her throat. She cleared it.
"Yeah. Um, Percy gave that to me," she said, trying to keep her voice leveled. "He brought it back with him after visiting his Dad." Leo smiled solemnly at her, but didn't say anything, which was unusual.
"Do you think he'll be there?" Annabeth asked.
"Who?"
"Percy."
"Oh. Yeah, I'm pretty sure. If I had a girl like you, I'd do anything to stay alive. And if he's as badass as everyone says... Yeah, pretty sure." Annabeth tried to smile.
"You know, he was turned into a guinea pig once," she said, as her vision started getting blurry from tears. "On Circe's island. He was so cute. He had this swirl on top of his head and it was just like him." Leo laughed.
"Don't tell him I told you that, though."
"Well, he'll be wheeking his head off when he sees you," Leo said.
"You think?"
"Of course," Leo winked.