CHAPTER 2:

We reached the shore where the waves of freezing water just touched our feet and then receded into the ocean again.

We took our time trying to catch our breath inhaling the cool air of the ocean that smelled salty and fresh.

In spite of the exhaustion due to running, my body felt reinvigorated near the sea. I looked at Annabeth and saw her staring at the vast infinity of the ocean in front of us.

"Beautiful." She muttered.

"Gee, thanks." I replied.

She punched me lightly in the arm and said, "I am not talking about you, Seaweed Brain. Although, you look handsome too."

She gave me a crooked smile and I just hoped I wasn't blushing too much.

I put my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She hung her arms by my neck and before I knew it, we were kissing.

Her body was the only source of warmth amidst the freezing winds and the water touching our feet, but it was enough.

Her breath was warm and sweet. I could inhale the lavender smell of her skin mixed with the salty ocean air. I tightened my grip on her pulling her towards me even though there was no space left between us to cover. I could feel the curves of her waist as I held her.

We stood there kissing each other and I lost track of time. I was mildly aware of the gurgling of water hitting the shore and the rustling of the trees in the forest.

I could vaguely hear the distant voices of our fellow campers making their way to the amphitheater for the sing along.

But at that moment, I could not care less about these things. I felt infinite. For at that moment, I was with Annabeth and that is all that mattered.

We kissed each other more and more until it bacame involuntary. Finally, she pulled back her hands and placed them on my chest and I understood. I stopped kissing her while she opened her eyes and held my gaze. We both were out of breath from our hard labour but I wasn't sure when was the last time I felt so alive. I stared back onto her intimidating stormy grey eyes highlighted by the blonde curls of her hair.

Man, she was beautiful and gorgeous and smart and witty and funny and really really awesome and so much... and so much...

I can't even find the perfect word to describe her. She was pretty much everything you expect a girl named Annabeth Chase to be- unique like her name.

I probably would have stayed there all night gaping at her. But she took my hand amd we started walking along the shore.