Annabeth POV
I am so annoyed. NO, I'M ACTUALLY FURIOUS!
Percy's flight was about to land any minute, and we still weren't at the airport. It was Paul's idea for everyone to surprise Percy at the airport and bring him home.
"Why did we agree to carpool? This is so stupid," I snapped angrily.
"Tell me about it," Thalia shouted, finally able to pop off. "Annabeth, Jason, and I were the only people on time. Everyone else was a little late."
"I was only two minutes," Piper protested.
"Yeah, and your two minutes added to Hazel's five and Frank's one minutes. Not to mention, Leo stumbling on his way out of his house," Thalia countered, her voice raised. "Late times add up. Now, we might miss Percy's arrival."
Everyone was quiet and guilty in the van. We literally picked everyone up at the landing time of Percy's flight. He was coming home from Greece today, and I wanted to be at the airport to receive him. I missed him so much, and I'm so proud of him too.
We still have to drive 15 minutes; Percy probably would be hugging his family when we finally arrive at the airport.
What's the point of a surprise if we're not there first?
"Sorry, Annabeth," everyone mumbled quietly.
They could probably sense my anger in my silence. I was trying really hard to not be angry, but they could probably read my facial expressions like a book.
"Just push the gas, Jason," I instructed.
"Don't need to tell me twice. I'm going way above the speed limit already. I'm focused on the road, which is why I'm not expressing my disappointment," Jason said.
We were on the highway, and he was driving pretty fast.
Rachel, Will, and Nico were already at the airport since they drove together. A lot of our school friends, teachers, and Olympia staff members joined Sally, Paul, and Estelle at the airpot too. Yet, some of his closest friends weren't there to greet him.
"On the bright side, Percy hadn't arrived yet according to Rachel," Frank informed.
"So what? The internet is showing that their flight already landed. Percy probably walking through the airport right now," I explained. I was feeling real tense.
We drove in silence the rest of the trip.
Then, we rushed into through the airport parking lot and ran into the baggage claim area. New York has one of the busiest airport. However, we found our group immediately. They were standing together outside of exit doors 6, near the International baggage claim belts. This section of the airport was more private since international flights are more spread out than domestic transits.
Sally greeted me with a hug, and I was so glad that Percy wasn't here yet. The crowd had a lot of people. We were right at the front. Some people even had Olympian posters, and banners of gold and silver.
I was distracted by how much of a following Percy had.
Literally, random travelers even decided to stay and greet Percy at baggage claim. I was busy studying the crowd that was forming.
"HE'S HERE," Rachel screamed.
The crowd exploded in cheers and applause. I whirled around to find Percy, Chiron, and Lupa turning the corner and walking through the glass doors into the baggage claim section.
Percy paused when he saw the crowd there for him.
I cheered for my boyfriend even louder.
I could see the emotions brewing on Percy's face. Percy squatted without approaching, and his fingers pressed against his eyes to block the tears. Clearly tears of joy.
Chiron and Lupa were smiling proudly. Chiron patted the top of Percy's head, urging Percy to stand up again.
Sally ran forward and reached Percy with a bone-crushing hug.
Percy cried again while embracing his proud mother. Paul also embraced his stepson as the rest of the crowd rushed towards him.
"SEAWEED BRAIN-"
I was interrupted by his kiss. I hugged Percy tightly as he spun me around. He seemed so happy coming back from the Olympics. He should be happy. It would be weird if he wasn't.
"I'm so proud of you," I shouted over everyone else.
"Me too. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me," he said, tears pooling in his beautiful sea-green eyes.
"This is your victory, Seaweed Brain, but you're welcome," I replied firmly.
The crowd ripped Percy away from my arms, but I didn't mind. Jason and Percy hugged for a few seconds before the rest of our friends wanted a piece. Everyone was cheering and shouting, and random fans were approaching to celebrate as well. Percy represented our country and our city very well.
Percy kept laughing while accepting claps and hugs. He is such a people-pleaser, and it showed in his interactions with everyone. Percy made his way through the crowd as his family and friends looked on with pride.
But, we were secretly excited to hang out in the comfort of his home. With his close friends and family members.
I knew deep-down that Percy also felt the same way.
...
It's actually amazing how Percy can fall asleep amidst so much activity.
Music was blaring from the tv in Percy's living room. Sally invited all of us, Percy's friends and coaches, for a dinner celebration. Everyone was talking and laughing about. The adults (Chiron, Lupa, Sally, and Paul) were having drinks on the balcony outside.
Percy had fallen asleep while leaning on my shoulder. He was explaining what it was like to be at the Olympics to everyone, but he was also really tired.
During a moment of silence, he dozed off next to me.
"These medals are so heavy. How'd he even take these pictures?" Hazel claimed.
Chiron's and Lupa's phones were being passed around so that everyone can see photos that were taken at the Olympics. There were a bunch of photos of different buildings and restaurants, other athletes with Percy, and victory pictures as well.
Hazel was holding the gold medal in her hand carefully. Could you imagine if someone dropped Percy's Olympic medal?
Jason was wearing the two silver medals in awe.
"They are really heavy, but they look good on me, right?" Jason asked slyly.
"You look hot, babe," Piper expressed with a wink. Jason reddened while taking the medals off and handing them to Frank for his turn.
Percy murmured in his sleep, drawing my attention. I cupped his cheek gently and pulled his head down from my shoulders to my lap. Rachel saw what I was doing and moved off the other side of the couch. She helped me position Percy to lay on the coach. His head was resting on my thigh while his body laid through he rest of the couch.
I played with his hair, hoping that I was soothing him in his sleep. He totally deserved a good couple weeks of rest before college. I couldn't wait to spend more time with him now.
Percy turned, his head burrowing into my stomach. His one arm stretched across my waist and held me, like how you'd hold your pillow.
His hand was so warm against my skin, and I smiled at him.
"These medals really are heavy," Leo exclaimed, immediately earning shushes from me and Rachel. We didn't want to wake Percy.
"Sorry," he murmured. "Maybe, we should come back tomorrow."
For once, Leo said something totally logical and true. We had already finished dinner, and Percy was asleep. There wasn't any point in staying. We'd all come back tomorrow to hang out anyway, so it seemed best to leave.
Slowly, everyone did.
I didn't though.
I didn't feel like getting up and waking Percy in the process.
Instead, I slowly slipped myself down to lay on the coach next to Percy. His head burrowing into my blond hair, my backside pressing against his front. The couch was really cramped, and I could easily fall right off the cushions.
However, I knew that I wouldn't fall because of how firmly Percy was spooning me. Even in his sleep, he was so caring and protective. I smiled while snuggling against him, falling asleep within seconds.
I was so happy and proud of Percy's accomplishments, but it felt so great to be reunited again.
...
"As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given." - Mary Lou Retton.
I am honestly so impressed by athletes. Not the rude jocks in high school, but the real athletes who work so hard and are so dedicated to perfecting their craft.
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