CHAPTER 14:
Diana POV
What were those?!
I notice Nico walking up to me. He's really cute.
OFF-TOPIC! WHAT WERE THOSE?
"What were those?" I asked, my voice sounding strangled.
Mia was hyperventilating near me.
Then suddenly I realized that something was glowing over my head- a golden sun. There was a wheat stalk glowing over Mia's.
Nico laid his hand on mine gently.
"Let me explain okay. And just for the record, I'm not crazy." He said.
I nodded, a little cautious.
He explained to Mia and me the whole 'the gods of Mt. Olympus are real' thing.
We didn't believe him until he and the others showed us demonstrations of their powers.
I spoke up first. "Okay." I said.
Jason turned to us sharply. "That's it?" He asked accusingly.
I shrugged. "You guys are telling the truth. I can just tell." I say.
Something seems to dawn on Annabeth.
"Well that makes sense. Your father is Apollo, god of healing, prophecies, music and the truth." She said. "Naturally, you can tell when someone is lying or not." I nod.
Mia looks at me, then back at them. Then she sighs. "I believe you." She says.
Katie squeals and runs over to her and pulls her into a hug.
"You're my half-sister!" She said, ecstatically. "I'm a daughter of Demeter as well!"
Mia was astonished, but got over it quickly and hugged Katie back. I felt slightly jealous, but then turned to Nico.
"Do I have half-siblings as well?" I asked.
He nods. "We can take you to camp over the weekend, if you'd like…" He said and Mia and I both nodded.
He talks to the others for a second. "If your foster parents allow it, you can even stay with us. Our godly parents created a huge house for us, and there are tons of extra rooms." He explained.
Mia and I exchanged looks. Our foster parents didn't really care about us, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind.
"We'll talk to our foster parents." Mia concluded.
Hazel nodded. "We should go, PE is about to start. Oh! That reminds me! When is Coach moving in?" She asked.
I was slightly confused, but ignored it.
Piper replied. "We'll ask him today. Let's go!" She said, and we all took off towards the locker rooms.
We changed and I gasped when I saw all of their scars, Annabeth's especially.
I turn to Clarisse. "How did Annabeth get so many scars?" I whisper.
Clarisse gets this pained expression. "Don't ever mention this to her, for her sake. She and Percy fell into Tartarus, the worst pit of the Underworld together and were attacked a lot, and got a bunch of scars there." She explained in a hushed tone. My breath caught. Poor Annabeth and Percy!
We walked out of the locker rooms, and Annabeth, Percy, Piper, Jason, Leo, Hazel and Frank walked up to the coach. I think his name was Coach Ledge? No, Coach Hedge.
Frank POV
The Seven ran up to Coach.
"Coach, when are you, Mellie and Marissa moving in?" I asked, getting straight to the point.
"Well, if you cupcakes don't mind, tonight." He said, looking hopeful.
We all nod, happily.
Then he turned to Percy.
"Cupcake! You'll like what we're doing today. Sword fighting is done-today we're doing swimming." Percy whooped.
Hazel, Nico, Jason and Thalia weren't quite as enthusiastic.
"Um… Coach, can't this kill us?" Jason asked bluntly.
Coach Hedge just laughed. "Nah, as long as you're not in the sea. At least, I don't think it will…" He trailed off. "Oh well, we'll see. Oh, and Zhang. NO GOLDFISH THIS TIME!" He said, and I blushed.
We walked back to everyone else. Percy' mortal friend Alex looked confused. "Why were you talking to the creepy coach dude?" HE asked.
Annabeth frowned at him. "He's a very close family friend. He was our protector on the Argo II and he's moving in with us with his wife and daughter." She said sternly.
Coach grabbed his bullhorn. He was about to scream in it, when he remembered something. "Valdez! Get your butt over here and fix this thing!" He screamed, without the bullhorn.
Leo rolled his eyes, but walked over to him and in a few moments, declared his bullhorn as good as new.
"GO GET CHANGED INTO SWIMSUITS AND MEET AT THE POOL IN TEN MINUTES. GO NOW CUPCAKES!" He screamed and we all scrambled to get to the locker rooms.
We all took shortcuts to get to the pool, and as soon as we were near the pool, Percy sighed happily.
He wrapped his arm around Annabeth's waist. "I love pools." He said. "Especially the one at the house." He said, nudging Annabeth slightly.
She rolled her eyes. "Seaweed Brain." She scolded slightly. "Now remember, no breaking any world records." She said firmly.
He got this mock pouty look. "Aww. Please Wise Girl?" He begged.
She smiled and shook her head.
Just then Coach walked in, not in swim suit obviously. "Underwood and I, because we have leg problems, will just watch. Jackson will be your instructor." We all snorted at the leg problems comment, and Grover blushed.
Percy groaned. "Who would have thought that I would be a teacher?" He muttered and Annabeth laughed.
Stupid David spoke up. "Um, Coach. It's clear that I'm the best swimmer of us all, so shouldn't I be the instructor?" He asked.
Coach laughed so hard.
"Why don't you settle this like men. Have a race, first person to finish 10 laps wins-they can be instructor." Coach said.
David's eyes lit up. "Okay. Well, nice knowing you Jackson." He said, pushing his way to get closer to the pool.
Once they were both prepared, Coach screamed.
"GO!" They both shot off, Percy obviously in the lead.
Annabeth smiled. "He's not even using his powers to his advantage or to David's disadvantage. He's doing it like a mortal would." She said proudly.
After about a minute, Percy jumped out of the pool. "DONE! He screamed.
David was still on his 7th lap.
Coach smiled. "Why am I not surprised?" He asked himself and we all laughed.
We heard the bell ring in the distance. "Jacobs! You ruined our gym class! We were supposed to be swimming as a class! But since you were so sure you would win, you made us run out of time! How about you do 35 more laps. Then you can call it a day." Coach said, with this malicious look on her face.
David's face was pure horror and we all laughed.
We changed quickly and then we all met up at the doors.
We waved goodbye to our mortal friends and then reminded Diana and Mia to ask permission to stay with us.
Coach walked out a few minutes later. "Wimp is still doing laps." He said laughing.
"Even I, being an Ares kid, would know not to pick a water-related fight with Prissy." Clarisse spoke up.
Percy gasped. "Was that… a compliment, Clarisse?" He asked, mock astonished.
She punched him hard in the arm.
"I'll see you cupcakes in a few hours, okay? Mellie and I are going to just finish packing up the last few things." Coach said. He waved to us and then went on his way.
We chattered amicably on the way to the house.
All the girls turned to the guys.
"Why don't you boys cook tonight?" Annabeth asked, using her puppy dog face that she knew Percy couldn't resist.
All the girls used puppy dog faces that they knew their boyfriends couldn't resist.
Thalia, on the other hand, just punched Nico and Connor.
We boys sighed. "Fine." Leo muttered.
We trudged to the kitchen.
Jason immediately turned to Leo. "Leo's famous tacos?" He asked.
Leo's face lit up.
Immediately, he had us all chopping, rinsing, cutting, stirring, etc.
While chopping up lettuce, I turned to him. "Leo, how are you such a good cook?" I asked.
He smiled. "Partly my mom, and also, cooking is kind of like inventing, so, yeah." He said shrugging.
We finished as soon as the doorbell rang.
Nico and I ran to the door, where we saw Coach, Mellie and Marissa, who was toddling as best as she could.
"Hey there, cupcakes!" Coach said.
I led Marissa to the girls, while Nico showed Coach and Mellie to their room.
As soon as Annabeth saw Marissa, she smiled.
For some strange reason, out of everyone, Marissa like Annabeth the best, and the feeling was mutual.
Of course, we teased Percy about this, saying that Annabeth was good with babies. He would turn red and walk away.
I turned to my darling girlfriend and hugged her.
"Food's ready you guys!" I called, and the girls walked to the kitchen.
Annabeth was holding Marissa and cooing about how adorable she was.
Marissa, thank goodness for her, looked more like her mother than her father. She had little horns, but no furry feet.
Leo served his famous tacos, and we all dug in.
Coach and Mellie came after a few minutes, and took Marissa from Annabeth and fed her baby food.
"So, Annabeth, who's coming over tomorrow from California?" Piper asked as she took a bite from her vegetarian taco.
"5 of my friends, and they're staying for about a month- Amelia; her boyfriend, Danny, Mary; her boyfriend, Steve and Jonas." She replied.
"So did you set up their rooms?" Jason asked.
Annabeth nodded. "Yup!" she answered.
We talked a bit more while we ate, and then walked up to our rooms to do homework.
Annabeth POV
Percy groaned again. "Wise Girl! Help me! The numbers don't like me." He said, furrowing his brow.
He looked adorable.
I sighed and walked over to his desk. "Yes, Seaweed Brain?" I asked as patiently as I could.
Which wasn't all that patient.
"How do you do this?" He pleaded.
I sighed and explained it.
For the 17th time.
After a few tries, he managed to get it right.
Thank Athena that that was the last problem.
When he had put the worksheet away, he turned to me.
"Thanks, Wise Girl." He said, pulling me in for a kiss. It was as beautiful as the first kiss we had as a couple.
We pulled away and I smiled.
He pulled me into his lap and started playing with my hair.
His hands kept brushing the gray streak in my hair and he frowned.
He ran his fingers over it. "I hate this." He whispered.
I reached up and stroked his matching streak. "Me too." I whispered.
Without any warning he hugged me tightly.
I thought that I would break, but I didn't pull away.
He stroked the back of my head gently. "I love you Wise Girl." He whispered into my hair.
I squeezed him back. "I love you Seaweed Brain." I replied quietly.
He pulled away and smiled at me.
I cocked my head slightly. "Seaweed Brain, what's the birthday surprise you were talking about?" I asked, using my puppy dog eyes he couldn't resist.
He averted his eyes. "Please don't Wise Girl. It's your birthday surprise, and you still have a whole day until your birthday." He said.
I sighed; it was worth a try.
I got off his lap and we both walked to our separate walk in closets to change into pajamas.
When I walked out, he was laying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
"What's wrong, Seaweed Brain?" I asked gently.
He smiled. "Nothing, Wise Girl." He said, and I lay down next to him.
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my hair softly.
"Good night, Wise Girl. I love you." He whispered.
I smile sleepily. "'Night, love you too Seaweed Brain." I replied drowsily.
I had no nightmares.
I woke up a few minutes before the alarm. I was still in Percy's arms.
I couldn't help but think that that was a nice way to wake up.
I mean- I won't ever love anyone as much as I love Seaweed Brain. A lot of people think that if Luke wasn't a traitor and was alive, I would love him, but I still think that I would love Percy,
The alarm blared and Percy's eyes shot open. He sat up, pulling me up slightly.
The alarm shut up. He looked at me. "Hey there Wise Girl." He whispered.
I smile stupidly, every time I see his eyes; I feel like I'm melting. "Hey Seaweed Brain." I rose and walked to the bathroom and took a quick shower.
I put on a long sleeved purple top with an owl on it and jeans. I wore the gray flats my mom had given me and clasped the necklace Percy gave me on. I put the owl earrings that Thalia had given me for my last birthday on as well.
I walked out to see Percy, who had fallen back asleep.
I smiled, and walked over to him. He was drooling.
I shook him awake.
He smiled when his eyes focused on me.
I pointed to the bathroom, and he stumbled to the door.
"Hey, Percy." I called. He turned to me. "You drool when you sleep." I say. We both laugh.
I sit on the bed as he showers, thinking about what on earth could be this special birthday surprise Percy was giving me. I got really excited when I remembered that my San Francisco friends were going to be arriving today.
Once Percy emerged from the bathroom, I turned to him.
"Seaweed Brain? Should we tell my California friends about us being demigods?" I questioned.
He contemplated that for a moment. "How about we see if we can hide it, but if the secret spills, then we'll tell them." He offers.
I nod. We intertwine our hands, and walk to the kitchen.
Piper is making waffles for us all. She remembered to add blue food coloring to a few of them, which makes Percy smile.
"Hey there," she says, handing us both a plate of waffles each.
"Hey Pipes." I say hugging her quickly.
Jason and Leo thunder down the stairs then, followed by Coach, Mellie and Marissa.
Marissa's face breaks out into a grin when she sees me.
"Annabef!" She cries. Isn't she just adorable?
"Marissa!" I squeal, scooping her up.
She giggles. Percy walks over to us.
"Hey Marissa." He says, planting a kiss on the top of my head.
She frowns, trying to remember his name. "Pershee?" She asks.
He smiles. "FINALLY SHE REMEMBERS ME!" he cries.
I laugh. I sit Marissa down in my lap and feed her, to give Mellie a break.
"Thanks so much Annabeth. She cried a lot last night, and I'm still tired." I shrugged.
"Not a problem. I love Marissa." I say, tweaking her nose, causing her to laugh loudly.
Everyone else comes down the stairs and we all sit at the table and eat.
Frank frowns. "So when are we going to have our Seven plus Coach bonding day?" He asked.
I furrowed my brow, thinking. "How about after my friends leave. Like one or two days after?" I ask.
Everyone nods in agreement.
Thalia turns to Percy, a teasing smirk on her face. "So, Kelp Head, is Annie's birthday surprise ready yet?" She asked.
Percy flushed. Looking at the table, he replied. "Yeah." He whispered.
Everyone is smiling now. I'm a bit frustrated, seeing how I'm the only one that doesn't know.
Percy turns to me. "Today though, I'm taking you out for an early birthday dinner." He said, smiling.
I smile shyly back at him. "Thanks, Seaweed Brain."
Thalia fake gags. "Ugh! Remember! Eternal maiden here!" She cries and we all laugh.
We pack up, and drive to the airport. We left earlier than usual so we could pick up Percy's mortal friends, than my friends from the airport before we arrive at school.
Juliet was the last stop, and she climbed into the Stolls' car, blushing slightly when she met Connor's gaze.
I leaned into Percy. "I think Juliet has gotten over you. Seems like she likes Connor now." I whisper and he smiles.
We arrive at the gate right as my friends walk out.
I see Amelia first.
"Amelia!" I cry.
She sees me, and pulls Danny, Mary, Steve and Jonas towards me.
"Annabeth!" They all cry, hugging me.
Then they see the entourage that I brought. "Who are everyone?" Mary asked.
I laugh, and introduce EVERY SINGLE PERSON. Though Coach is in his car still.
Jonas for some reason is looking at Percy. Wonder why…
We all make our way to the cars, and we decide that Jonas will go with Katie, the Stolls and Juliet, Mary and Steve will come with Percy and me, and Amelia and Danny with Jason and Piper.