IMPORTANT: NORMAL IS ANNABETH, BOLD IS PERCY, UNDERLINED IS ME
Annabeth and Percy had been exploring the Island for 15 minutes now. Annabeth had completely fallen in love with the Island as soon as she laid her eyes on it.
"We should have a special name for it…something to call it ours." Annabeth wondered to Percy.
Percy smiled at her, taking her hand in his. "How about…Island of awesomeness?" Percy said enthusiastically.
Annabeth rolled her eyes. "No, Seaweed Brain. It should be something easy for us to say. I still have to figure out what exactly, though."
"You know, your mom got Athens. Maybe we should name it something to do with Poseidon, also because I discovered it." Percy had a more serious undertone to his voice.
Annabeth sighed. He had a point, he did discover it and it was an Island, surrounded by water.
"What then, Percy? What would you like to call it? Percyland?" Annabeth smirked.
"Hmm…not bad. But I'd rather something a bit more demigod-ish. Like Land surrounded by water except in ancient Greek, or Latin or something."
Annabeth knew aqua was water in Latin, and Thalassa was also sea in Greek. But this was an island: Nisi in Greek and Insula in Latin. Annabeth had a ridiculous name pop up in her head: 'Jackalassa.' Jackson, Percy's last name, mixed with sea in Greek.
Annabeth nearly laughed out loud. Imagine naming an Island Jackass. She didn't suggest it to Percy just in case he would get hurt.
Annabeth thought for a while but no name quite fit.
"I know!" Percy exclaimed. "Aji! Or Ajai. Or Ajap, or ajep, or ajip or…"
"Slow down, Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth laughed at his energy. "Why would you want aji or any other name starting with -AGE-?" She smiled, eager to hear his thoughts.
Then she noticed Percy's face was turning red, although that lopsided grin was still working its way on his face.
"Annabeth Jackson. Someday I plan to change your name to that."
Percy knew that ever since he shouted 'I know!' he was in for it. But Percy really wanted it to be just about them, and them together as one.
He knew that the one thing he wanted and needed in his life was Annabeth, so it was only fair that she was part of this Island's name. And it was true; someday Percy wanted to marry her.
But he regretted it as soon as he told her. Her face turned red, and she looked to the ground. Percy could feel her confusion and surprise.
He cussed at himself for thinking that she had come any closer to thinking that way after Tartarus. Then she looked up into his eyes, her beautiful grey eyes stormy, saying:
"I hope that happens someday too. Thanks Percy…for-everything." Percy was moved. He loved Annabeth so much for understanding his thoughts and sharing them with him.
When she came into his arms he felt a slow smile spread across her face, and he too broke out into a wide grin.
A future. Happiness. Hope. Love.
They sat for another hour, sitting and talking, enjoying the view of the waters below and enjoying each other's company away from the prying eyes of the Camp Half-Blood Campers.
They snacked on the fruit and finished the left over cereal from breakfast. After eating a few slices of peanut butter and jelly, Annabeth suggested they go explore the little cave they saw.
Hand in hand, they went further down into the Island (now agreed to be called Aji: Annabeth Jackson's Island).
Percy started to enter the cave, but Annabeth stopped him, her eyes overwhelmed with a sudden fright.
"What is it?" Percy asked, full of concern.
"The Labyrinth, Percy. What if it leads us there? What then?" Annabeth's voice was full of emotion she was trying not to show.
Percy flashed back to their time in the labyrinth. That was when the whole situation with Rachel and Luke occurred. He didn't want to do back there, either.
Yet, something was calling to Percy. He needed another adventure. All his quests played an important part in his and Annabeth's relationship, whether they were pleasant missions or not.
Even Tartarus had played a key part in their relationship.
Percy was ready for another adventure. Besides, they couldn't just wait out two months before going to college. They were meant to have a rest, yes, but they couldn't relax with Tartarus still fresh in their minds. They needed new adventures together.
Annabeth did not want to go back in there. She did not want another life/death situation. She wanted to use the two months with Percy to relax and recover.
But she saw the hope in Percy's eyes and she knew his recovery would be by becoming another hero of an easy adventure. He needed to get out.
Annabeth supressed the urge to puke. Her stomach had gone into panic mode, because she needed to slowly recover peacefully, but the other part of her needed an adventure.
Percy saw Annabeth trying to control her feelings. He wanted to go so badly, not only for his sake but he truly thought Annabeth would also benefit from it.
"Hey, how about we try it out. Our past adventures were so much fun, even if we almost died a couple of times." Percy tried to lighten the mood by smiling.
He hoped she would give in. He knew they both needed this. Percy took her hand into his, and gave it a sure squeeze.
No. No. No. Not back again. She couldn't do it! Annabeth smiled back at him, managing not to show her true feelings. She was having an internal battle, where she wanted to make Percy happy but she was sure she'd not make it through another adventure. What to do, oh, what should she do?
Percy didn't want to admit it, but the way Annabeth smiled at him seemed fake against her cold intense glare. She looked very calm, and Percy wished he knew what was going on inside her brain.
Then something weird happened. Well, something out of the normal weird he experienced. He heard a second voice in his head, but a voice that was not his.
It was a harsh, persuasive voice that sounded so familiar. It was telling him to stop and get a control of himself and focus on what was best for "Percy."
Then he realized. Stop it. Stop it. You can do this. Do it for Percy. Don't panic and let your emotions overcome your intellect. Woah. That was not Percy's voice. That was… Annabeth's voice. Or at least what he thought she thought like.
Oh, man. This was confusing Percy. He looked at Annabeth, who looked completely fine. From Percy's point of view, Annabeth was just trying to decide whether to go or not.
Percy realized he had been imagining it. He shook it off and tried saying: "It's up to you. But I personally think it would be good for both of us." He told her truthfully.
S***. He wants to go. Should I go? Just to make him happy? No. I can't I can't do it. Not again. What if we lose each other? What is something happens. We will always be in danger. Think it over. Come on, Annabeth. Percy is waiting.
Percy was more confused now than ever. He just stood staring at Annabeth and hearing all of her thoughts. They were smart ones, with good arguments.
Percy didn't want to invade Annabeth's privacy, and he certainly did not want to push her to do anything she did not want to do.
"Annabeth, maybe we can go tomorrow; or during the school year or something. It's ok." She looked confused, as if she never heard Percy talk this way.
What did he just say? Did he read through me? How did he know what I was feeling? I am pretty sure I covered my feelings… Oh gods, am I freaking him out? I can do this. Go with him now, Annabeth.
"No! Its ok, Annabeth! You don't have to do this!" Percy thought.
This thought thing was creeping him out. He needed to let her know. As much as he hated it, he always liked to consult her before making decisions. She was an expert at those kind of things.
"Hey, Annabeth, let's go back up to the cliff. I want to talk to you." He said, trying to keep his voice light.
Annabeth knew something was up. Percy was acting weirdly, as if he did not trust her. She hated not being trusted.
Nonetheless, she followed Percy up to the open space where their blanket was laid out. He sat down, and stared into the ocean.
Annabeth swore that she would not let go of her emotions that were inside her head, and she made herself promise not to let her know how fast her thoughts were running.
Percy hated this. He learnt Annabeth's greatest strength-which could also be a huge weakness to her. She liked to keep her thoughts private, and Percy was invading her privacy.
He was moved and touched at how much she cared for him and how she knew her being happy healed him.
As she sat down beside him, he heard her think how thoughtful he was and how much she loved him. Percy did not want to make her get even more confused. She was already dealing with too much.
Yet he knew it was the right thing to do.
Percy looked at her and after kissing her he looked down as he begun…
"Annabeth, I seem to hear…"
Hey! That is all I have for you. I hope you enjoyed it, and review and check out the next chapter: making a plan. Thanks
