Bread

Annabeth was hurrying home after a long day at school. She was hungry, as she hadn't had time to eat lunch due to the fact the she was trying to study extra-hard for the test that afternoon. Of course, it had paid off. She had received a 100 on the test and a shiny star sticker.

But she didn't know what to do with her lunch. She knew her mom would be angry if she brought it home and wasted it. So she began to walk slower, trying to think of what to do.

Passing the park, she saw a boy sitting on a bench. He was talking to the pigeons that were looking for something to eat.

Annabeth approached him, and sat down next to him. She pulled out her sandwich and handed it to the boy silently. If this were a movie, inspirational music would be playing in the background.

The boy broke off a piece of bread and scattered it to the birds. He finished one slice of bread, and ate the cheese in the middle. Then he handed the other slice back to Annabeth.

"You feed them," he said, standing up. His green eyes looked sad, and his rumpled black hair was dirtier than most boys' hair.

"Okay," Annabeth replied. "See you tomorrow?"

There was a brief pause, and then the boy nodded. "I'm Percy, by the way."

Annabeth smile at him, whispering, "I'm Annabeth" after he had left.

The next day, Percy brought a slice of bread too. They fed the birds in silence, until Percy said, "You really should eat your own lunch. You need the energy."

Annabeth shook her head. "I need to study."

Percy shook his head. "You need to eat."

"Fine," Annabeth said, and the next day, she didn't bring anything.

Percy had brought a baguette, though, so it was all okay.

They fed the birds, talking about who knows what for a long time.

"Do you wanna come over for dinner?" Annabeth asked. "I promise my mom will like you."

"How do you know that?" Percy grumbled. He was having a not-so-good day.

"Because I like you!" Annabeth smiled.

"Fine," Percy replied. "But you have to promise to eat everything."

"Even the bread?" Annabeth asked mischievously.

"Even the bread," Percy answered, and they held hands as they ran to Annabeth's house.