Percy Jackson and the Quest to Save the gods

This Moment

Percy's POV

Annabeth and I walked to the Big House so I could talk to Chiron about what had happened. I ran into some campers that were going to or coming back from their daily activities. They all just clapped me on the back and said stuff like, "Welcome back," or, "Glad you didn't die over the year." Of course, all except for the Ares cabin. They just shot me their famous I-want-to-kill-you stares.

I was greeted at the Big House by Chiron in centaur form. Mr. D just sat there reading his wine magazine.

"Hello Percy, glad you didn't die over the year," Chiron said.

"Wow, if I had a nickel every time I've heard that in the past few minutes." I said.

Chiron laughed and Annabeth smiled weakly. Maybe it wasn't that funny..

We all three went and sat down at the table with Mr. D.

"Go on, Percy, tell us your story." Chiron said

I told them about my dream and what happened at school. They all just sat there staring at me. Even Mr. D found my story interesting and took a time-out in reading his magazine and listened. We had been sitting there for about a minute when I decided to break the silence.

"So, do you think it's warning me or is it just a random nightmare?" I asked Chiron.

"I don't know, my boy, let's just hope it's a random nightmare." Chiron said with a worried look on his face.

I didn't really know what to say, so I just told him I would see him at dinner and walked out, inviting Annabeth along with me.

We went to the only place that could clear my mind. The lake.

When we got there I sat down and looked out at the lake, feeling the slight breeze blow across my face.

"Percy?" Annabeth said. It was only then that I realized we hadn't spoken since we were in the Big House.

"Yeah?" I replied, turning to look at her. Her legs were crossed and her forehead was creased, like she was in deep thought.

"I'm really sorry." She said, looking at the ground. "When I said 'I didn't know if...' I meant that I didn't know if the Oracle meant you or Luke. Luke was like a brother to me. He took care of me, but that's all he meant to me. Just like a brother, nothing more." She said.

"I know he was like a brother to you, but I just always figured you loved him more than that." I said, sadness dripping from what I had just said.

"I don't love him, Percy." She said, still looking at the ground. "I.. I.."

"You what, Annabeth? What is it?" I said, my heart pounding. What was she going to say? What did she mean by she didn't love him?

"Percy," she said, looking up to meet my gaze. "I don't love him. I love you." She said.

I didn't realize it until then, but our faces were inches apart. So I did the only thing I could think of doing.

"I love you, too." I said, and although I could've said so much more than that, that was the only thing that mattered.

I closed the small gap between us and kissed her. I know everyone tries to explain kissing someone as fireworks, but it was so much more than that. Imagine all the good things you love in life, like blue cookies and killing monsters, every single thing you can think of, and put them all together. It's overwhelming. It's incredible.

When we broke apart we were both as red as a tomato, head to toe, and smiling widely. We walked back to camp holding hands, and I thought about perfect this summer has already started off. This moment, I told myself, is when everything changed.