Surprisingly, the motel was quite decent. The service was good and the beds were very comfortable. And, so far, there were no spiders whatsoever.
There were also a lot of people. It kinda made me wonder how we got a room so easily when so many are still waiting in the line. They should prioritize those who were here first. But I'm just glad that we could sleep in peace.
Since there were too many of us, we have to get two rooms. It was quite frustrating since Percy is separated from me with the arrangements Silena made and everything. Of course, we couldn't say anything because we know that it was no use. Once her mind was set on something, you can't change it. And right now, she was making it a party exclusively for girls. And that means a sleepover. And I don't do Silena's kinds of sleepovers.
Eventually, I successfully snuck out of the room with my face clear from make-up and my fingernails manicure free. It wasn't an easy task but I have always adored a challenge. Once I reached the boys' room, I immediately invited myself in and headed to where I knew Percy was sleeping, nudging him lightly until he was awake.
"Annabeth? What are you doing here?" he groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "You can't sleep?"
I smiled and nodded. I literally can't sleep because Silena won't let me. I may love her but she has gone too far by taking way the only eight hours of my life where I could spend time with Percy in my wonderful land where everything was perfect without being interrupted.
Being the understanding boyfriend that he is, he didn't even bother to hesitate when he pulled me beside him in bed. And I sighed, arranging myself easily so that his warmth radiated through my entire body. "G'night, Wise Girl." He whispered, placing a soft kiss to the top of my head.
"G'night, Seaweed Brain."
I woke up with my friends staring at me, as if they were surprised and amused at the same time. Apparently, the guys didn't notice me last night and I knew that being too stealthy would have its disadvantages. But I wasn't at all guilty. Silena can glare at me all she wants and I won't care. I'd rather get a scolding than spend half an hour of my life trying to remove whatever poison she put on my face. And I have to do that before I go to bed or else the only thing my face will absorb while I sleep is make-up and I'd wake up looking like an ogre. I think you know how much I hate pimples.
Percy was still asleep beside me, thank goodness. I don't want him to see what I'm about to do. "What are you staring at?" I asked, looking at the people in front of me. They were still very much speechless at how comfortable I am with him.
Then I realized that they weren't looking at me anymore. Apparently, Beckendorf heard something from outside and he went to check it out. And, before I knew it, everyone was piling up to see what was happening. Being me, I was curious. What was happening? How come I didn't know about it?
Nico and Jason looked pale when I saw them. It was natural for Nico to be that way but it was very weird to see Jason almost the same color as he. "What's wrong?"
To my left, Piper growled. Her hands were clenched in tight fists and Thalia was doing her best not to look, to bring her boyfriend somewhere else. "Guys, tell me."
And then, I saw her.
She was standing there, giggling to her friends, wearing something that could rival Rachel's outfits. Anger surged through my body. "What's she doing here?" I looked desperately to the people beside me, wishing that what I'm seeing right now is just a hallucination powered by my idiotic doubts. But even everyone else sees her and her cronies. And for the first time, I'm actually glad that my boyfriend is still asleep.
"I don't know but I swear to God if she doesn't leave in ten seconds I will kill her." I never thought I would ever hear that from someone like Piper, especially when she has always been so calm with any other situation. But I guess having a boyfriend could change not only how you look but who you really are. And right now, she's being who people expect her to be. She's trying to protect her relationship.
Before she could do anything too serious, Jason had his arms around her in that restraining yet comforting way. "Pipes, calm down. In any other world, I would have let you kill her but you're not thinking this through. If you lay a single finger on her, she'd probably get a lawyer to say that we ganged up on her and started beating her up. You're so much better than her. Don't bring yourself down."
His words seemed to melt into her, bringing her out of her nightmare and reminding her that she was the only person that he loves. "Can we go? Please? I don't think I can take another moment looking at that face of hers."
"Yeah, and we have to get going." Someone said from behind me. With the drama of everything, I never actually noticed that Percy was already awake. It took me a really long time to process the fact that he's right beside me but I eventually did jumped into his arms and kissed him right then and there.
If Amber is going to see this, then let her see it. She has to know that the guys she was trying to steal are very much taken. And we're not planning to share any of them. "You never told me you were awake." I said with my arms and legs still around him.
"I didn't know I was supposed to." He flashed me the most beautiful smile and I felt myself just forget about everything that worries me. He was mine. He'll always be mine.
Before I could kiss him again, I heard Leo clear his throat. Since I just realized where I was and what position I'm in, it was natural for me to feel embarrassed. I was just glad that my friends were used to the PDA's. I faked a cough, lowering myself to the ground. "Sorry about that." I apologized sheepishly, burying my face on his chest. "Sorta got carried away…"
To my surprise, no one was even annoyed. They all just started laughing at how I reacted and told me that it was okay in their own little ways.
Then, Katie just happened to remind us of the situation at hand. Apparently, Amber was still stalking us and she wasn't leaving unless she gets what she wants. Well then, she'd just have to stay here for the rest of her life because she'd never have him or any of them. Not when I'm still alive to stop it. "I call first shower!" Percy suddenly screamed, making us suddenly turn to him.
Jason was the first to react. "You just can't call something like that!" he whined.
"Too bad. I already did."
I rolled my eyes. "If that's the case…" Nico smiled, "I call second!"
"Guys! Not fair!" the male cousin argued, crossing his arms. "Really!"
"Oh don't get your panties in a twist, Grace. Life's not fair. Get used to it." My boyfriend smirked and grabbed his towel from his bag. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna go enjoy the hot water."
Everyone groaned when the door slammed shut. Sometimes, I would love how he plays like that way but the other times, it would just be so annoying that if we aren't dating, I would have just started hitting him whenever that happens. "Okay, fine. I call third!" Jason looked a little mischievous as he strode over to his girlfriend. "And maybe you would like to join me?"
"Not today, probably another time. I really don't feel like doing it right now."
The blonde just placed his finger under her chin, tilting her face up to meet his. "I will hold that against you, Piper. You do know that right?"
I laughed at how cute they were acting. I mean, I wasn't jealous. I just kinda find another couple's relationship amusing especially when it was quite interesting.
Once we were done getting ready, and that took a really long time, we immediately headed to the car with all of our bags without even hesitating. If I take a moment longer in that place, knowing well that that little slut was watching, I'd probably explode. And I don't want that to happen now that I have someone to live for.
"Where do you plan to go now?" Leo asked, striding over to the driver's seat and leaning on it. "Or is it going to be a surprise?"
"It's gonna be a surprise." Percy answered with a slight grin on his face. "Plus, I think you're going to like this one."
Suddenly, his eyes sparked in a way that surprised me. It was so abrupt that I just didn't expect it. "Are we going camping again?"
But Percy just smiled. Being the person who holds the map, I know exactly where we're going next. And let's just say that whatever Leo thought was right. We are going camping. But not in the place we used to go to before. No, not there. We're going to a place I absolutely adored when I was a child. It was the only reason why I still loved my mom and that I never ran away. The places she takes me to are just so beautiful.
"Are you sure we're not telling them anything?" Seaweed brain looked at me briefly and then transferred all of his attention back to the road, not wanting to get in an accident.
I nodded, twining my fingers with his. "Of course. I'm always sure. Plus, wouldn't you give anything to see the look on your cousin's face when she sees where we're taking them."
"Maybe you're right. It's gonna be priceless."
This got a small laugh out of me. How could it not? Percy may have fewer brain cells than I do but the way we think is just so in-sync that you know the plan when you see it. We just think of everything ahead and this wasn't an exception. Although I do most of the thinking and he just agrees with whatever I say… But who the hell cares? My boyfriend listens to me and that's practically the only thing a girl could ask for from a guy.
We drove for the next two days, stopping only every once in a while to fill up the tank and get something to eat. And seeing that we don't really have some deadline to follow, we were just enjoying the moment given. This might as well be the only time I'm going to see all of my friends inside a van as we all travel cross country for a little adventure. I couldn't ask for more. I'm living a perfect life right now. And maybe it's nice to finally take time to be happy.
"How long are we staying there again?" I asked, completely submerged in my thoughts that I forgot about the important details of this trip. And that's a surprise because it would be a miracle for me to not remember anything. My memory was completely stainless. Was. Now it's not.
Percy smirked at me and I just rolled my eyes to counter him. "Two to three days." He answered, "But we could stay longer if you want. You're holding the map."
"I think you'll like it there, Seaweed Brain." I said, smiling cheekily. "There's this lake and you and the others could always go fishing or swimming."
His eyes suddenly lit up, an impatient pout forming on his lips. "Oh God, now I'm excited. Can't this thing go any faster?" he cursed at the RV. But the van didn't seem to mind since it was probably used to the abuse given to it by my dear boyfriend.
"Percy, you're the only controlling it, remember? It doesn't go any faster because you don't want it to be."
He face palmed and I burst out laughing, completely ignoring the fact that my close friends were now looking at me as if I'm crazy. "It was an expression, Annabeth." He stuck his tongue out at me and I just laughed even harder. I know this will probably lead to much more serious consequences but I refuse to think about what it will be now.
I was still laughing when I finally spoke, after a good three minutes I might add. "I'm sorry," I apologized, in between giggles. "It's just that… you're so stupid!" And then I burst out laughing again.
My boyfriend's grip on my hand tightened, indicating that I have to stop or else. His next few words made all of the laughter disappear as if they didn't even exist. "Jason, take the wheel." He said through gritted teeth, causing me to gulp visibly. Whatever he's planning to do, it's not good.
The moment I saw the familiar blonde with his girlfriend, I immediately made the most rational decision and sprinted to my bed, closing the curtain and hoping to God that I could just talk to him without having him touch me. I have a pretty good idea of what he has in mind. "I know you're in there, Wise Girl." He mused teasingly, swiftly opening the curtain and revealing me curled up on the corner, cowering before him. "Aw, you don't have to be scared, Annabeth. I'm not going to do anything to you."
My eyes narrowed down to the look on his face. "You're lying" I accused, noticing the slight glint. "Percy, I was kidding. You're not stupid."
"You're not getting away this time. You will pay for what you said." he joined me in the same bed that he sleeps on, crawling to me and then leaning on his heels. "And I will not hold back."
I didn't even notice that he has me pinned beneath him until he already did, smirking triumphantly at his victory. Since this was one of those moments where his size was an advantage, I couldn't move or struggle enough. I groaned instead, thrashing underneath him. "Percy. Don't do anything you might regret."
He just smiled his usual smile, pressing his lips to mine gently, just once to calm me down a little. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just giving you what you deserve."
My lips let out an embarrassing squeal when his fingers touched that one spot on my side where I am totally vulnerable. And I squirmed, laughing and whining at the same time. Since the curtain was closed again, my friends have to use their imagination on what was currently going on here. And I bet that at least one of them is getting the wrong image. "Percy!"
"Tell me you're sorry first. Apologize, Annabeth."
This was what he did to me before and I was very used to it. But even I can't help but curse him over and over in my mind for torturing me this way. I'd probably die because I was too out of breath because of this. "N-never!" I laughed again, my eyes letting out tears because they couldn't help it.
"Okay then, it's your loss anyways." He smiled a mischievous grin and started tickling me harder. And I squirmed and struggled underneath him, whining and begging for him to stop. "You ready now, Annie?"
I pouted for him. I wasn't one for losing before and it hasn't really changed much now. When I was fourteen, I would rather die than to be proven that I was wrong. I was stubborn before and I'm stubborn now.
But he reached a spot that made my nerves go into frenzy. "Fine!" I shrieked, unable to take it anymore. He won. I give up. "I'm sorry, Percy, for laughing at your face when you were being stupid. And for saying that you were stupid when you're still in denial." He glared at me, a look that haunts me till today.
"A proper apology." He insisted, not letting go of my wrists. "I'm waiting."
His fingers moved over my ribcage teasingly, sometimes poking at the bone just to make me squirm. The look on his eyes told me that he was serious but I knew that he was still trying to make me pay for what I have done. I really should try to think of the consequences before I do some idiotic thing. What happened to me through the years? If I'm rubbing off on him, does that mean he's rubbing off on me? "I'm sorry, Seaweed Brain, for doing what I did and for not being able to stop."
"That's better." He crawled off of me and I immediately shot into a sitting position, my legs curled up at my side while my hands massaged my wrists.
I just shot him a death glare. "You do know that I won't be forgetting about that that easily, right?"
"Yup." He smiled, reaching out and pressing his palm to the side of my face. Even when I'm mad at him, my body still craved his touch and leaned to the side, allowing him to touch more of me. "But you brought this on yourself."
It wouldn't have made sense if I told you that I just nodded, agreeing to whatever he said without even saying anything to correct him. But that is what I did and I didn't dare take it back. He deserves to be right every once in a while. I should just accept that.
He may be rubbing off on me but there is nothing bad about him to make me worry.
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