Chapter 8

A/N: I am really excited about the positive feedback I got for last chapter. 33 reviews everyone! I'm really happy about that, and before my school year starts, I'd like to post one last chapter for you guys, and this one will have more Percabeth. Also, I crossing my fingers for this chapter to get to 40 reviews. Please, please, please review if you have anything in the chapter to comment on. This is also the chapter where the revelation happens, although it is a bit worse than I expected it to be. Oh well, not every chapter can be perfect. Enjoy!

Also, here are some replies to comments:

Guest reviewer: Sorry if I offended you. I have nothing against Fall Out Boy and I love Uma Thurman as much as the next person. I was just saying that that was the kind of music that Percy liked, Piper is more of the mainstream pop kind of girl. And I like pop music too.

Annabeth's POV.

It seemed that all of the campers had called it a day at CHB. Annabeth felt so awake and jittery, she thought that she'd never stop shaking. The fire from the campfire was still lit, if only barely. Still, from experience, Annabeth knew that when she got there, it would start to grow.

When she was 7, and had nightmares or couldn't fall asleep, she would call Luke to sit by the campfire with her, and comfort her and tell her stories. After Luke left, Annabeth would just spend hours alone, staring into the campfire, watching as it ate away at the wood. She wondered what was so great about the dark side, what was so wonderful that Luke had chosen it over her. She spent those days in pain. After Percy had helped her smile again, she never went back to the campfire, pondering what had gone wrong. She had never thought about it until now.

Annabeth sat close to the fire, looking at the flames fly, feeling the warmth bathe her face, and calm her jitters. Here it was just her and the fire – she didn't need to talk; the fire simply was there for her. And it continued strong even in the worst of times. It would never leave her, just as Luke had done, just as Percy had done.

It was a dumb metaphor, Annabeth knew, but she had lost so much in her life, been disappointed by too many things, that she needed something solid in her life, preferably someone, but she had learned to settle for something she could count on.

But that wasn't all she used the fire for. It invigorated her, made her angry, and helped her forget all of the sadness that slowed her down, if only temporarily. She shouldn't have been sad, for her horrible parents who had done so little to raise her well, or Luke or Percy. They were only obstacles in her life that slowed her down. If she got over them, she'd come out stronger than ever. It would then be in her power to get revenge on each and every one of them.

Today, she was no longer mad at Luke. She knew that he had been twisted in rage that she could relate to towards his godly parent. He wasn't able to think straight when he betrayed her. But he had still left her alone and in the dark. She didn't blame her parents either. Her dad and stepmom were victims of fear, and rightfully so; a demigod child brought nothing but monster trouble to the family.

But Percy… he had left for no reason. Right when she though that they were a happy couple, survived though so many hardships together, and finally, for once would have the wonderful time of their lives that they deserved, he had pushed her away. It was as if she wasn't good enough for the war hero.

Did this make her sad? Maybe once upon a time. But the more she thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed to be sad. It wasn't like Percy was the greatest guy in the world. If he left her, he was not worth her attention.

"Why are you glaring so ferociously at the fire?" A voice behind her made her jump.

When she finally processed everything, she froze.

"What on Gaea's green earth are you doing here?" She whispered harshly.

His smile fell, though Annabeth could tell, it had never been a real smile.

"I just had the same idea as you, okay?" he replied.

Think of the devil, Annabeth thought, more annoyed than amused.

"Sure, Percy, I know you saw me come here, what do you want?" Annabeth wasn't the most pleased with said individual at the moment.

Although Annabeth could barely see him, she recognized the fearful glint in his eyes.

"I really am sorry, for, you know." Percy started awkwardly.

Annabeth was only mildly shocked. Most guys would've forgotten after 3 years. They would've pushed the blame on her and avoided her at all costs. But Percy wasn't that kind of guy; he was kind of guy who took responsibility for his mistakes and sized up to his problems. Still, that didn't explain why he hadn't done it before.

Annabeth crossed her arms, "Sorry doesn't fix things, you know. It took you three years to realize this and apologize. You pushed me out of your life Percy. Not me. Now don't act like everything's okay now that you've found the courage to apologize. I don't want an apology. I want a reason."

Percy avoided her gaze. "I know that."

Of course he did. Percy had known her better than anyone in the time they had dated. She had exposed her secrets and deepest fears to him. He knew her inside out. Annabeth thought she knew him just as well until one day, out of the blue, he dumped her without an explanation.

"Then why is it hard to tell me?" Annabeth demanded.

Percy shook his head. "I just don't want you to end up like…like…"

"Like what?" Annabeth nearly snarled. He had left her broken, completely broken, and now he told her that he cared about what would happen to her?

"Like Luke." Percy shut his eyes tight.

Annabeth was surprised, "Luke? What do you mean, 'like Luke'?"

"He was so filled with hatred. He was angry at everyone, so much so that he betrayed everyone he knew. I couldn't see you like that, no matter how much it hurt you, how much it hurt us." Percy was struggling to keep his voice level.

Annabeth's bottom lip quivered, "I don't understand. I would never end up like Luke. I'm a daughter of Athena."

What in the world was Percy talking about? Annabeth wasn't sure whether she was more eager or scared to find out.

Percy hesitated, "It's your mother Annabeth. Your real mother, Athena. She said that she would destroy me if she saw us together. I was a coward. I just couldn't tell you about it. I was afraid that if I did, you would seek vengeance on your mother, on all of the gods. Then, your mother would destroy both of us."

"So you opted for shattering my heart and destroying my life instead, didn't you?" Annabeth's voice was calm and controlled.

"I didn't have a choice. I know I was a coward, okay? And I'm sorry that I hurt you. I know it was stupid, and I know that I should've told you. You need to understand that that seemed like the only option I had." Percy sounded desperate – and weak. Annabeth had never truly heard him sound like this. So ready to give up once and for all.

Annabeth felt like screaming at him some more, make him hurt like he had hurt her. But nothing came. She believed him. And she knew it was unfair to keep the blame on him.

"Thank you." Annabeth whispered, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

Percy didn't smile. "I'm sorry." He whispered back, trying his best not to look at her.

He stood up, and Annabeth felt some warmth leave her side.

As he started towards his cabin, Annabeth called back to him, "Wait! Percy!"

He turned around, looking at her expectantly.

"Did you love me?" Annabeth asked, staring into his eyes, though unable to distinguish the color in the darkness.

"What do you mean?" Percy said nervously.

"When you left. Did you really love me?" Annabeth said, even though she knew the answer in her head. She just needed to hear it.

"Yes, I did." Percy said as he turned around and walked to the Poseidon cabin as fast as he could.

Three simple words, and Annabeth allowed tears to flow down her cheeks.

Percy had left not out of selfishness or cowardice, but for her safety. That was what Annabeth admired the most from Percy, it was what made her so sad when he had left, and what made her smile through her tears right now.

But as the angry fire for Percy disappeared, a new one was beginning to grow; this time for a goddess known as the goddess of wisdom – her very own mother.

A/N: So what did you think about this short chapter? Yes, no, maybe so? Did you love me for updating the story as busy as I was, as tomorrow is my first day of school? Put if all in your review when you express your thoughts about this chapter! If it wasn't as fast paced as you liked, as the Jasper was, remember that Percabeth's falling in love will take a while, and this was one big step with the whole forgiveness thing!

Until next time, my readers, when the real adventure starts with the prophecy being revealed. Oops, did I say too much?