Chp 9
Annabeth's POV

I sighed as I walked onto the beach, the early morning sun warming the granules. I was in a pair of jean shorts and I loose tank top with my blue bikini under it. Although I wasn't a huge costume owner, I was happy that this one was new. For my stupid pitiful self, I had thrown out my two costumes that I previously owned.

There was nothing wrong with them quality wise, but they held the memories I wanted to forget, the experiences I wished didn't happen. But if I hadn't experienced it I guess I wouldn't have gone through my first heartbreak and wouldn't be here with some amazing people.

I remember an old bikini I had, one of the costumes I threw out. I had been swimming at Luke's house and it was the first time he touched me since we had started dating. I'm not talking about touching my arm or face and I'm not talking about a full body pat down like a perve does.

It was the first time a guy had touched me. He had rubbed his hands up and down my back as I had my arms around his neck and his arms around my waist. It had felt so good then, but when we broke up I had winced at the thought of his hands on my skin - the thought that they had been on my best friends skin too.

I sighed, crossing my arms and pulling them to my chest. It wasn't cold, but goosebumps formed as I thought if the past. I blinked away tears that threatened to fall just because he had gotten glory. What had I gotten? A broken heart and an emotional break down. And that wasn't me. I was independent, a strong young lady who could stand her ground.

At least I thought I was till he messed with my brain and my heart. I sank to my knees and sat on the ground, pulling my legs to my chest and resting my chin on my knees. I let out a bitter chuckle and shook my head, resting my forehead on my knees then resting my chin on my knees again.

How did I ever let it get this far? That I was battling myself in my head. Maybe that's all love is, an emotional battle that can either be fighting together or completely one sided. And I am so alone on this side, having let too many of his bullets penetrate to my head. I am too wounded that not even a skilled doctor could save me.

Love is stupid. I wish I never fell in love with him. I wish I never let him get in my head. I balled my fist, sand being clenched in my hand. I released it, the smooth substance falling through my fingers, just how I had felt when I had my heart ripped out my chest - my life slipping through my fingers.

I wanted so hard to cry for all my loses and- "Hey, you okay?" I heard a voice. I wiped at my eyes to hide any traces of tears that may be there. I looked up to see Percy standing over me with a concerned face. I gave a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." I said.

He didn't look convinced but offered his hand. I took it and he helped me up. He didn't let go of my hand. I averted my eyes from his but he guided my chin with one of his fingers gently and looked me in the eyes. I resisted the urge to flinch. Luke had once done this, a few times. But he would never do it gently. He used to force it, all five fingers.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Hey, it's fine. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked. I tried for a smile and nodded. "Okay. I'm going for a walk on the beach. Want to join me?" He asked. I just held his gaze and nodded. His face softened and he ran his thumb over my cheek. He then dropped his hand and stepped back. I gave him a smile and we started walking on the beach.

Okay, I know what you're thinking. He touched my face and stuff and did something a boyfriend usually does. Honestly, I didn't know what to put it as. Was it a romantic gesture, or was it just a friendly thing? I didn't have time to think of it as he said, "Isn't the morning sunrise here just stunning?" I looked towards the sea where the sun slowly rose, pinks and purples and oranges cascading through the sky.

I smiled. "Wow." The word escaped my lips. It was truly beautiful. I know I'm moping around about my failed relationship and family but this was something I want to add to my new start. Sunrises with good company. Actually, company I was ever so aware of as he made my skin tingle and me feel hope for love again.

He smiled at me. We walked along the beach, me listening to him try explain his feeling he gets when he swims in competitions and stuff. "I know what you mean. I feel the same when I sketch a building I've been thinking of or seen. It's like a world of your own." I said. He nodded. "Yeah, just like that."

We arrived back at the house and woke the others, as we had made breakfast. I smiled as Piper and I got our towels and sunscreen and sunglasses and lay in the beach. I payed attention to Piper talking about her and Jason first meeting and how she felt before they dated.

Hazel joined and the three of us watched as the four guys dunked each other and played in the waves. I couldn't help staring at Percy, his tanned skin and black mop of wet hair and toned body and - him.

His eyes sparkled as he laughed at Leo being knocked over by a wave. He caught my glance and gave me a smile, ending in him being tackled by Frank. We laughed and the other two just talked about whatever. I just had my concentration on Percy.

The way he made my skin tingle when we touched and made me blush furiously. The way his eyes made me feel like jelly and his hair tickled my face and neck when we hugged. Every inch of him fascinated me in ways that made me feel like I had never met a guy before and made me act like one of those girls that go to an all girls school and go crazy when a guy comes on campus.

I know I'm falling for him. And I know I need to remember my past and keep cautious but aren't I supposed to be starting out fresh? And it's hard when I keep remembering him and how I was betrayed. I shook those thoughts out my head and tried to relax.

I decided to go feel the water, getting bored of just lying in the sun. I got up and walked towards the water. I stepped into the water and soon found. Percy at my side. "You like the water?" He asked. "Yeah, I was thinking of asking it out." I joked, making him laugh. He grabbed me around my waist and spun me around, making me laugh.

He tripped over something and fell into the water. I surfaced, laughing. We were waist deep in the water, my hair dripping from the water. He smiled at me, his eyes never leaving mine. He splashed me with water and I splashed him back. This carried on till we both were laughing and rubbing the salt water out our eyes. We stumbled as we lost our sight for a bit while we rubbed our eyes.

I walked backwards into his chest, his toned body being pressed to mine. I felt my skin catch fire at his touch. He was touching my skin, but it felt so much better. Neither of us were nervous at the touch of each other. It more fueled me to want his skin against mine.

He opened his eyes and we walked back to the shore where the others were talking and what not. I felt his eyes on me. And I looked at him too. Luke used to stare at me. Either in want to touch my skin and grope at me which made me uncomfortable at times. Or when he stared at me like he couldn't believe he was dating someone like me.

But it felt good when Percy stared at me. Made me feel cared for. I guess it was the look in his eyes. He never lingered on parts of my body. His eyes were usually on my face. I knew now he wanted to kiss me just as much as I wanted to kiss him. But I wanted to keep this controlled and work my mind over my impulsive heart.

I soon found the sunset coming. I had a thin cardigan over my shoulders as I walked in my black tank top and my white shorts down the beach. I walked with my feet in the water. I soon just stopped and stood in the water, the liquid reaching up to my knees.

I felt someone stand next to me and didn't even have to look up to know it was Percy. He sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "I wish we could stay longer here." He said. I forgot that tomorrow was Sunday and we would be going back home. "You were right, this is the perfect place to think." I said. He smiled down at me. We just stood there, basking in the last of the sun.