Percy's POV

It's so great to be back. Everyone is so grown up already. The last time I saw Annabeth she was a child, I was a child. I'm just so happy that she got to camp safely. In those moments before my sacrifice, I knew I was doing this for her. If she hadn't made it after everything, it would've been my fault. Not Luke, me because I didn't protect her. Now I'm in this cabin, all alone and I already want to be with Annabeth again. I think I hurt her when I brought up Luke. And I never want to hurt her. I love her. She's my Wise Girl. But I don't know if she loves me back. I left her alone her for many years, I can't expect her to just start where we left off. Which was nowhere, by the way. As I pace back and forth across the large empty space and ponder if I should tell her how I feel I hear a knock on the door.

"Come in," I say, and sit on my bed. The door opens and Annabeth walks in slowly. Her eyes are red and puffy and I knew she had to be crying about me.

"Um, Chiron wants to talk to you Percy." She says dejectedly and I get up, walk towards her and hug her tight.

"Are you alright? I know you've been crying." I asked her.

"It's just been so long and I kept feeling like this might not even be real. Like you're a figment of my imagination." She whispers, averting her eyes. I place a hand under her chin and lift her head for her eyes to meet mine.

"I already told you, I won't ever leave." I said. The next thing that happened surprised even me. We stood there for a moment, staring into each other's eyes and then she leaned in. I leaned in too and soon our lips touched and we kissed for at least a minute. But it felt much quicker than that. She pulled away too quick and before I could say a word she was leaving my cabin and rushing toward her own. Did I do something wrong? I thought when she leaned in it was because she was letting me know she loved me too. But I didn't have a chance to go find her now, Chiron is waiting. I only think about her as I walk to find Chiron, in some place called The Big House. I think I'm at the right place, as this is the largest building in the area so I knock on the door. Chiron opens it and allows me in. When we get to his office he shuts the door and I sit down.

"So how has camp been so far?" He asks me politely after offering me a glass of water.

"Its- great," I lie, not wanting to mention what just went down with Annabeth. I can tell from his expression he doesn't believe me, but he disregards it anyway.

"I have something for you, a gift from your father." Chiron spoke, dropping a silver watch in my hand.

"A watch?" I asked, suspicious.

"No, this is Aegis. A very powerful weapon. It turns into a strong shield with Medusas face embezzled on it. Use it wisely Perseus." He finished, smiling at me.

"Um, thanks." I said, returning the smile just as he motioned for me to leave. I guess the conversation was over. Outside the Big House I put on the watch and run to go find Annabeth. I need to make things right with her. I found her sitting on top of a climbing wall, looking down at all the people attempting to climb it now. It took a few tries but I finally reached the top of the wall and walked over to talk to her. She saw me before I got to her and averted her eyes.

"I'm sorry about what happened earlier. I guess I took you leaning in the wrong way. I'm especially sorry if I hurt you," I told her. She still wouldn't look at me.

"I didn't run off because I was mad. I ran off because the kiss was good, and I didn't know if you felt the same." She said, and I was honestly surprised. She liked the kiss. Meaning she does like me.

"I thought it was good too. And I-I like you Annabeth." I said, and she finally met my eyes.

"Really? Because I like you too Percy. All it took was seeing you after so many years to realize it." She said and smiled slightly. I pulled her into a hug and we sat like that for a while before she pulled away.

"So, does this mean we're a couple?" She questioned.

"I think it does." I said. She smiled and put her arm around me. Wasn't I the one who should've done that to her?

"Good," She whispered and she kissed me on the cheek.