Chapter Nineteen

I feel horrible. It's only dawn. Not only did I wake up, sitting down next to Thalia's pine, but I haven't packed anything for the quest. Man, I feel so stupid. I quickly got up and ran into my cabin, avoiding all the harpies flying around the place. I tiptoed into my bunk and packed up everything I would need on the quest. Then, I remembered something important. Actually, two things.

We- I mean, I haven't told Thalia about the quest yet! I hope that Percy told her and that she hopefully believed him. And that brings me to my second point. Percy.

I had an argument with him yesterday about Luke, how I was on his side and not Percy's. I wish that I had never had mentioned it. I have to go apologize to Percy.

I gathered up all my courage and ran out the door before I had lost it all. I ran to cabin three and knocked on the door. Footsteps came up to the door. The doorknob turned and I was loosing courage. I found a groggy cyclops there.

"Hello. I'm Tyson. You're pretty." He gave me a toothy grin. He must be Percy's half brother I had heard about.

"Hi. I'm Annabeth. Thanks. Oh, is Percy in there?" I tried to look inside, but it was completely dark.

"No. He said that he was at the lake. He seemed pretty mad about something. I would watch out if I were you," Tyson answered.

"Thanks" I ran to the direction of the lake as fast as I could. My dagger, the one Luke gave me, was still strapped to my leg. I quickly tied my hair into a messy ponytail and sprinted.

I finally reached the lake. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The small waves splashing on the sand. The sun rise made the lake sparkle. I found Percy sitting on the sand, staring out into the sea. I sighed.

I ran to where Percy was without him noticing. Then, I sat next to him.

"Hey, Percy." He didn't answer. He just kept staring at the lake. "Look, I'm sorry that I yelled at you yesterday about Luke. I was being a total jerk and deserved being yelled at by someone like you." I could hear Percy move a little. I stared down at my feet like they were the most interesting thing. "I'm sorry. The only reason that I stood up for Luke was because I thought that...that he was still all good. I guess I was wrong. Yeah, a daughter of Athena, getting something wrong. But I don't care. The only thing I care about is that you're still my friend." I reached my hand and grabbed his. He turned his head to face me. His eyes shone in the sunlight. It was even more breathtakingly beautiful than the lake.

""I'm sorry that I got all mad, Annabeth. I know, you and Luke have been friends since you were little. I would see you hanging around with him all the time when we were younger. It's just, I don't trust people as much. That's why I pulled pranks when we were younger. I felt like I was being used, as entertainment. As if I was made just for someone to laugh at. And I guess I was right. The gods, they are playing with us. They are playing with everyone, but I don't care. As long as something good comes out at the end, I'm fine with the results." Percy squeezed my hands. I could feel a blush creep up to my face.

Suddenly, I can feel myself leaning in. My eyes were slowly closing. Percy was doing the same thing. I was able to feel his breath on my lips. Time was so slow around us. It felt like we were being watched, which we probably were.

"What are you guys doing?" Me and Percy quickly looked at Thalia standing behind us. Both of our faces turned so red, I was going to blame it on the sun. Sorry Lord Apollo.

"N-nothing," Percy stuttered. We both looked at each other and quickly looked away. Oh. My. Gods. I almost kissed Percy. Percy Jackson. The same boy that pulled pranks on me years ago. Mom is going to kill me!

"Are you guys sure that that was nothing, because that looked like something." Thalia tried hard not to laugh when we both looked at her with shock one our faces.

"No, we weren't doing anything. I-it was just talking. About stuff." I tried to say this without stuttering, but it didn't work.

"Don't worry guys. I'm just here because I needed to talk to you two about something that I hear is going on. I didn't mean to interrupt you to." Both me and Percy turned even more red, if that was possible.

"Well," Percy cut in, "What do you want to talk to us about?" Thalia's face suddenly turned serious.

"Well, I heard that you two are going on a quest. And I heard that it has something to do with Luke, Nico, Jason, and Althea. Please tell me everything." Percy and I exchanged looks and nodded.

"Okay." I sat down and gestured the other two to sit down as well. The sand was really soft and warm. "Thalia, Percy found out that Althea isn't actually the daughter of Hephaestus. He checked with her half-brother, but he had never heard of her. She's hiding something. We're going to find out what. But the thing is, Althea, Nico, and Jason are kidnapped." Thalia gave me and Percy shocked looks. Her eyes were wide and mouth was hanging a little.

"And that's not all. Luke is the one that is keeping them hostage. He said that he was going to use them as bait to lure me and Annabeth into a trap. And, he's leading a bunch of monsters. I think that's why that empousa attacked us a few days ago. It makes perfect sense. And the prophecy was,

Three must start, to east they will go

They will travel to a place they know

Lightning's birthplace is where you need to find

One's betrayal and one's own kind"

Percy explained. I haven't told him the whole prophecy. I still don't think telling them would be wise. By now, Thalia looked like she wanted to pass out. Her electric blue eyes were filled with horror. I don't think I can look at her like this without a tear streaming down my face. But something about Thalia's expression told me that she knew that this was coming. I decided to ignore this for now.

"Thalia," I squeaked. "I know how you feel right now. It's okay. I promise that Luke will get what he deserves." That last part I had to let out. I was already feeling like I was falling into a trap.

"I-I didn't think that Luke would do this. I-I'm just really shocked." Thalia stared out at the distance like she did yesterday. "Thanks guys. Yes, I accept to go on the quest with you." She gave a us reassuring smile and I hugged her.

"Thanks, Thalia. I know that it's hard. I have a confession to make. When I was in your room a few days ago, I found a picture of you and Luke. You guys looked so happy and excited. I knew that there was something going on. And I'm pretty sure what." Thalia blushed. I smiled. I looked at Percy and I could tell by his expression that he was thinking the same thing.

Thalia then stood up and shouted, "Okay, let's go kick some monster butt and save our friends."

"Thanks, Thalia. Now, let's go!"