Annabeth
As we take off again, this time at a slower pace, my hearts thumping in my ears, I can't help but find myself thinking back on the promise I made, what if I don't want to stick around?
Even with all my wandering I've never left Remington. My dad never took me anywhere, I think it was his worst nightmare that I'd bolt somewhere he didn't know well; and he'd never find me again. The flaw in his plan: I knew Remington really, really well. I know Thalia didn't stay in Remington, should I try to find her? I just feel so trapped.
Luke pulls into the parking lot in front of a little Fro-Yo shop, with an outside order window and picnic benches. The building resembles a cherry red barn; with a gigantic smiling cow head on the side. Little kids run around in circles, enjoying the warm weather. Couples sit holding hands and laughing. I look at Luke wistfully, hoping he'll get the hint. I grin up at him and push my hair behind my ears.
"Really, Fro-Yo?" I laugh. He grins.
"What, what is so surprising about me taking you to Fro-Yo?" He demands, as he gets out of the car. He doesn't seem to realize how date-y that is. I can't help but bounce a little in my seat, rapidly filled with excited energy.
"Well, you just drove like a maniac to a dark, deserted alley." I point out, carefully getting out of the car. He laughs. I like this, our banter and playfulness.
"Okay, point taken." He admits. "So do you want something or what?" He asks, while strolling over to the Window with a grin.
"Of course, but I'm paying for my own." I assure him, and partly myself. He rolls his eyes. He's always chivalrous even
"Whatever" He gives up, with a shrug. I'm a little sad; he didn't protest a bit, that's what a guy should do, right? I'm always at a lost when it comes to occasions like this with Luke. Sometimes I think we could really amount to something and other times, I'm sure it's all in my head. We've always been like siblings but I want to be more. I've always wanted to be more.
A few minutes later, we're sitting down with our yogurts. Luke gets vanilla, which I'll never, ever understand, and I get strawberry. He leads me to a little table and drops his back pack by his feet.
"Have you thought about college yet?" He asks, and takes a bite. I shake my head.
"I can't imagine my step mom agreeing to foot the bill, so I'll have to get some pretty awesome scholarships." I predict, shaking my head, to my surprise Luke laughs.
"Annabeth, you're the smartest person I know, and an excellent soccer player, you'll get a full ride." He reminds me. I smile a little, I know I'm pretty smart, but I'm not that smart. Not when you compare me to…
"Annabeth?" Luke asks, catching my mood. "You're thinking about your mom aren't you?" He murmurs and takes my hand in his.
"I just, I wish I got to know her." I sigh wistfully. I've seen pictures of my mom, of course but I never got to meet her. No one ever talks about it, but she died a year after I was born. A freak accident, my dad tells me. He never specifies, but I want to know more, was it a car accident, a health issue, or something worse like an attack? It's gory to think about but I want to know more, I need to know more.
"I'm sorry," He murmurs, and takes my hand in his. I appreciate the gesture, but I really have no desire for pleasantries. I abruptly yank my hand out of his. He looks a little surprised and a little hurt.
"Yeah" I mumble, not meeting his eyes. Luke stays quiet. After a few more moments of sluggishly eating my yogurt, Luke stood up, way too abruptly and a bit angrily.
"You ready?" He asks, there's something in his voice, something that I doubt anyone else would notice. I nod and chuck my container into the trash bin. Luke takes my hand in his again when I jump into the car seat. We sit in dead silence as Luke drives towards my place. He runs his thumb over the back of my hand, I can't tell if it's just his ADD or if it's a sign of affection. I can usually figure Luke out pretty easily but lately, he's been more secretive.
As we slowly pull into my driveway, I'm expecting him to just say good-bye, but he doesn't, he gets out, apparently to walk me to my door. He stays by my side up untill we reach the front stoop, he lounges against the rail opposite me.
We were standing on my doorstep, silent and awkward. Luke had his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. I bit my lip and twirled my hair around my finger nervously. I should go but he hasn't moved, or said anything. He's still just standing there. I want him to kiss me, or hug me goodbye, something: but he doesn't.
"Okay… I'll just go then." I mutter and start to reach for the door knob. I don't want to leave, but I just can't take the tension. If he was really going to make a move, I have to assume he would've already. My heart wails and sobs, being yanked apart but refusing to break. I can feel tear pricking at the corners of my eyes, and I can only pray to god that they can wait till I'm alone; blaring Adele.
"Wait!" He gasps and pulls me back to him. I was once again pressed up against his chest. I was warm and safe and secure; it's the best thing about me and Luke: he always makes me feel safe and protected, like nothing can hurt me. I swear he's about to kiss me. I can't believe it. My heart stops and time slows down. He leans in closer and I stare into his dazzling blue eyes.
"Annabeth" He murmurs gently, almost like a question. I nod, god I hope that doesn't seem too creepy. He did mean to ask if he could kiss me, right? He smiles a little and pulls me even closer, his eyes lighting up.
In that moment I'm frozen in time. He lays his warm hand on the back of my neck. I find myself waiting, breathless, for the feel of his lips on mine. It feels like ages before he moves closer, his breath hitting my face. I'm nervous, my heart is flying, and I've been waiting for this for so long. Just as I'm thinking that this is going to change everything, my phone goes off.
Luke jerks away from me, like he's coming to his senses. He looks down at his feet and I angrily yank my cell phone out of my back pocket. Of all the moments to get a call; I don't think it's possible for me to have to picked a worse one.
"Hello?" I growl into the phone as I pick it up. I can practically see the caller, at the other end of the line, flinching and holding the phone away from their ear.
"Oh hey Annabeth, it's just Percy, I was wondering if you wanted to get together and work on" He starts to say. I curse under my breath and hang up the phone. I clumsily shove it back in my pocket and spare a glance at Luke, pathetically hopeful, even though I know the moments long gone.
"Who was that?" Luke asks; his voice soft and lacking emotion. I look at him studying his expression, but he angles away from me.
"Percy" I say softly, unnecessarily guilty, I haven't done anything wrong. I barely know Percy, and even then… Luke and I aren't together, despite how much I want to go out. He can't get mad at me for talking to other guys.
"Of course it was," He scoffs and rolls his eyes. I watch, slightly nauseous, as he storms away into the driveway, and slides into his seat. I could tell Luke didn't like it when Percy and I were partnered up, but I didn't think he'd take it this far. Sure I wasfrustrated, and disappointed that he hadn't kissed me, but he was acting like I'd betrayed him. He slams the door of his car and squeaks out of the driveway. I open the door slowly, bracing myself for the lecture sure to come.