8. Something Unique

The next month would serve as no other month for Percy Jackson. He knew it would be different. Because every time a day would go by, he was a day closer to leaving.

Sally did not particularly like the news her son gave her about the army mishap. She took it better than Annabeth, though. Sally had contacted the police to let them know Percy had not sent in an application. But the police said they had no evidence, so all they could do was file a report. Although serving in the armed forces was a way to honor one's country, Sally still wanted her boy to be safe. She supposed all parents had to let go at some point.

a.a.a

Annabeth walked through Central Park. She was supposed to meet someone; a certain childhood friend with punk style black hair and vibrant blue eyes. "Thalia!" Annabeth called as she saw her.

Thalia sprang off the park bench she was sprawled across and ran towards the blond. "Miss Chase, where have you been hiding all these years?" Thalia remarked, giving her a hug.

"It's called honor roll." Annabeth laughed. "What about you?"

Thalia crinkled her nose. "I was sent to that all girls school. But it wasn't like a normal school. Sure, we got an education. But they mostly taught us survival skills. They were really into archery."

"Sounds interesting. How's your dad?" Annabeth asked.

"Ugh, he still acts like he rules everything." Thalia rolled her eyes.

The two girls sat at that park bench for hours just talking and catching up. Annabeth loved it. She felt like her old self again.

Thalia didn't take the news about Percy lightly either. Annabeth supposed no one would, considering it was a scam. But Thalia was there for her. And Annabeth wasn't going to give up that offer.

a.a.a

"Percy, what day is it?" Annabeth asked him one morning. She had gone on her morning jog and decided to stop by Percy's on the way back for coffee.

"August 15th. We have about two more weeks." Percy sipped his coffee.

Annabeth let out a groan. Seriously? This month was going by fast.

"It's only 3 days until your birthday." Annabeth tried to lighten the mood.

Percy gave a stiff smile. "I guess it is. Wait, there's not going to be a surprise party for me, is there?"

Annabeth giggled. "No, Seaweed Brain. I'm not going to totally embarrass you with a surprise party. However, we are going somewhere special. I can't tell you though."

Percy pouted.

"Stop with that face. It doesn't look good on you." Annabeth smirked.

"You can't even give me one hint where we're going? I feel like I'm a little out of the loop here." Percy complained.

"You are. I did that on purpose."

Percy clicked on the TV. He and Annabeth were snuggled on the couch with their coffees.

A diaper commercial came on. The couple watched as a bunch of half naked babies toddled around the screen.

"Babies are cute, aren't they?" Percy suddenly said.

"That's not really a manly thing to say, Percy." Annabeth tried to hold back a laugh.

"What? They are! I bet you wish you were that cute." Percy playfully poked her in the ribs.

Annabeth scoffed. "Babies may seem cute at first, but they're a lot of work."

"Oh I know. But if I ever had a kid, I'd want to name it something cool. Something unique."

"Like what?" Annabeth asked.

"I don't know. Maybe Moses or Frankenfurter."

"You've got to be kidding me. Do you want the kid to be tortured in school?" Annabeth said, disbelieving.

"No I'm totally joking. I honestly haven't even thought about kids that much. But I'll tell you one thing. I would never name it Frankenfurter."

"Oh you're so kind."

"Watch your tone, Miss Chase."

Well neither of them knew how it started, but soon they were both pinned down on the couch in a heavy make out session.

Percy grabbed Annabeth's waist. She wrapped both her legs around his middle. They were both fighting for dominance.

Percy stroked his hands up and down Annabeth's back, sending small tingles down her spine. His hand was just about to slip under her shirt.

"Percy! I'm home!" Sally barged through the front door. She stopped suddenly, almost dropping her groceries when she noticed the scene displayed on the couch.

"Oh. I didn't know I was interrupting something." Sally awkwardly said.

Annabeth's face was burning with embarrassment. Percy untangled himself from her and cleared his throat. "So, um, mom, can I help you with those bags?"

He followed Sally into the kitchen. Annabeth still sat there on the couch, not sure if she should leave or not.

Sally closed the door to the kitchen. "I've never seen you so close with a girl, Percy."

Percy felt his cheeks get hot. "Is that a bad thing?" He asked.

"Not at all. But you do know you have to leave soon." Sally said sympathetically.

Percy looked out the small window from the kitchen.

"I know. But we're still going to be together." Percy assured.

Sally shook her head. "You're always putting other people before you. People could learn a lot from you."

"I don't try to."

"I know. You've always been like that. You're even going to serve your country because someone told you to do so. You take care of people, Percy." Sally's warm brown eyes studied her son's face.

"Mom, what are you trying to say with this?"

"I'm saying Annabeth's lucky to have you."

"Well I'm lucky to have her."

a.a.a

The next day, Percy was over at Annabeth's house. It was one of those rare occasions where she actually knew he was coming over and he didn't barge into her room unexpectedly.

"Did you know I got kicked out of nine different schools?" Percy asked nonchalantly. He was laying on Annabeth's bed with her head resting on his chest.

"Nine? How did you manage that?"

"I'm not really sure, exactly. Usually it was a fight. Something would end up breaking or getting damaged and I would be expelled. I just seemed to attract danger."

"I was always ahead in my classes." Annabeth said.

"It was hard for me. I'm ADHD and dyslexic." Percy admitted.

"So am I."

"What? But you're so, you know, smart-like."

"I never said it was really easy to read and stuff like that in school, but I managed. I forced myself to read. I read a lot. Eventually, it didn't bother me as much anymore."

"Wise girl." Percy muttered.

"What was that?"

"That's my nickname for you. Wise girl."

Annabeth laughed. "Seriously? That's the best you could come up with? It's kind of a compliment."

"Psh, whatever."

And so they stayed there for a while snuggled on Annabeth's bed staring at nothing but her ceiling fan. Neither one wanted to make an effort to move. Even though they weren't doing anything particularly exciting, they didn't care.

They were together for the moment. And Percy didn't know how much longer these little moments would last.

But he had to force those thoughts out of his mind. He would come home after he had to serve. He would come back to his Annabeth. He made a silent promise that he had to.

A/N: Haha Frankenfurter. Just in case some of you are Rocky Horror fans ;)